Patent ID: 8165721

Claim:
A self-contained user interface for setting energy saving setpoints to encourage energy savings inside an indoor space, the unit comprising: a switch for selecting between a heating mode and a cooling mode; a temperature setpoint interface for setting a desired temperature for the space; an allowable parameter setpoint interface for setting an allowable parameter for the space, wherein the allowable parameter is an indication of the number of degrees that the user will allow the temperature to exceed the desired temperature; a minimum exchange time setpoint interface for setting a minimum time that outdoor air will be exchanged; a time setting interface; at least one indoor temperature sensor for sensing the temperature in the space; at least one outdoor temperature sensor for sensing the temperature outdoors; wherein in the cooling mode the allowable parameter is subtracted from the desired temperature to find the allowable second temperature, and in the heating mode the allowable parameter is added to the desired temperature to find the allowable second temperature; in the cooling mode: if the temperature of the outdoor sensor is lower than the temperature of the indoor sensor and the second setpoint has not been reached, controlling an air exchanger to bring outdoor air indoors until the second setpoint or the outdoor temperature is reached, if the temperature of the outdoor sensor is higher than the first setpoint, an air conditioning system is activated; in the heating mode: if the temperature of the outdoor sensor is higher than the temperature of the indoor sensor and the second setpoint has not been reached, controlling an air exchanger to bring outdoor air indoors until the second setpoint or the outdoor temperature is reached, if the temperature of the outdoor sensor is lower than the first setpoint, a heating system is activated; and if the controller has exchanged the minimum exchange time it will not call for air exchange until a next cycle.