Patent ID: 8255085

Claim:
A method for controlling a controlled variable of a building zone to minimize an error between the controlled variable and a setpoint, the method comprising: receiving an input at a first interface regarding the controlled variable from a sensor provided in the building; using a processing circuit to determine a sign of the error based on the input and the setpoint; using the processing circuit to cause a controller configured to affect the controlled variable to respond to the error at a first rate in response to a determination that a first sign of the error is present; and using the processing circuit to cause the controller to respond to the error at a second rate, the first rate slower than the second rate, in response to a determination that a second sign of the error is present, wherein the first sign of the error is associated with a high energy expenditure required to minimize the error relative to the second sign, wherein using the processing circuit to provide the slower first rate comprises reducing the magnitude of an error signal to be used by the controller when the first sign of the error is present, and refraining from reducing the magnitude of the error signal to be used by the controller when the second sign of the error is present, wherein the processing circuit delays a feedback control strategy of the controller when the first sign of the error exists by conducting the magnitude of the error signal reduction.