Patent ID: 8091795

Claim:
A thermostat device comprising: a processor configured to execute a set of instructions operable to automatically retrieve and display current energy pricing set by a utility company and automatically adjust a current temperature setpoint by a predetermined temperature setback corresponding to a predetermined energy pricing when the current energy pricing corresponds to the predetermined energy pricing; memory for storing the current energy pricing, the predetermined energy pricing, the current temperature setpoint and the predetermined temperature setback; a graphic display coupled to the processor; a color driver coupled to the processor; and a multi-color display backlight coupled to the color driver and the graphic display and being configured to change a color of the backlight in response to fluctuations in a current Energy Level determined by the processor based on the current energy pricing; wherein the graphic display is configured to display an energy cycle GPD, the energy cycle GPD comprises a plurality of cycling settings to turn on and off at least one air conditioning and heating (HVAC) system at a cycling rate within a period of time and a plurality of cycling energy prices wherein each cycling setting corresponds to a respective different one of the cycling energy prices; and the processor being configured to execute a set of instructions operable to automatically select a cycling setting from the plurality of cycling settings associated with a cycling energy price corresponding to the current energy pricing as a current cycling setting.