Patent ID: 8306669

Claim:
A method for operating a heater/cooler controlled by a thermostat, the heater/cooler operable to condition air in a temperature-controlled region, said temperature-controlled region being within an ambient environment of outside air, the method comprising: obtaining a target temperature; measuring the temperature of a temperature-controlled region, called the measured temperature, by a thermostat with the thermostat operating according to a program segment; comparing the target temperature and the measured temperature to obtain an Initial Temperature Difference between said temperatures; determining if heating/cooling is required based upon said Initial Temperature Difference; and if heating/cooling is required: directing outside air from the ambient environment into the temperature-controlled region without using the heater/cooler to change the temperature of the outside air; at least periodically measuring the temperature of the temperature-controlled region to obtain an updated measured temperature; and continuing the directing and measuring steps until (1) the measured temperature equals the target temperature, at which time return to the obtaining a target temperature step, or (2) the updated measured temperature differs from the target temperature by a chosen amount, at which time stop directing outside air into the temperature-controlled region and operate the heater/cooler under control of the thermostat.