Patent ID: 8850348

Claim:
A computer-implemented method, comprising: a thermostat device having a setpoint temperature schedule that is updated based on a temperature setting behavior applied in adjusting an ambient temperature of a structure; adjusting a setpoint temperature on the thermostat device and displaying the setpoint temperature on an electronic display of the thermostat device, wherein the thermostat device controls an HVAC system of the structure so that the ambient temperature of the structure is adjusted according to the setpoint temperature; comparing the setpoint temperature to an energy usage criterion having a temperature value, wherein said temperature value associated with said energy usage criterion is based in part on said setpoint temperature schedule, and wherein the energy usage criterion indicates energy usage of the HVAC system controlled by the thermostat device; using the comparison to determine that the setpoint temperature corresponds to an efficient energy usage of the HVAC system; generating a visual icon corresponding to an efficient energy usage of the HVAC system; and displaying the visual icon on the electronic display to signal the efficient energy usage of the HVAC system, wherein the visual icon is displayed in real-time.