Patent ID: 8332075

Claim:
A control device comprising: a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a heat pump, an auxiliary heating system, and a sensor capable of sensing an exterior temperature; a display configured to display a graphical element that defines a range of possible system transition temperatures, a first moveable feature disposed on the graphical element that identifies a balance point temperature that corresponds to the exterior temperature below which the control device enables the auxiliary heating system, and a second moveable feature disposed on the graphical element that identifies a low cutout temperature that corresponds to the exterior temperature below which the control device disables the heat pump; a graphical user interface configured to receive a first user input that moves the first moveable feature on the graphical element to select the balance point temperature from the range of possible system transition temperatures and a second user input that moves the second moveable feature on the graphical element to select the low cutout temperature from the range of possible system transition temperatures, wherein the graphical user interface comprises a screen configured to display an explanation area adjacent to the graphical element, and wherein the explanation area comprises a slide bar having a first element and a second element that together divide the slide bar into separate regions comprising an auxiliary heating region where only the auxiliary heating system is enabled, a heat pump region where only the heat pump is enabled, and a combination region where both the auxiliary heating system and the heat pump are enabled; and a processor configured to selectively enabling the auxiliary heating system and the heat pump based upon the selected balance point temperature, the selected low cutout temperature, and the sensed exterior temperature.