Patent ID: 8280556

Claim:
An HVAC system for conditioning air of an associated room comprising: one or more power consuming features/functions including at least one temperature controlling element for one of heating and cooling air; and a controller operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions, the controller being configured to receive and process a signal indicative of a utility state, the controller operating the HVAC system in one of a plurality or operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy sayings mode in response to the received signal, the controller being configured to at least one of selectively adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the HVAC system in the energy savings mode, the controller is configured to monitor the power consuming features/functions and alert a user of a fault condition for the HVAC system, wherein the at least one temperature controlling element is a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system including a setpoint temperature, the controller is configured to adjust the setpoint temperature to precipitate less refrigeration system on time in the energy savings mode, wherein the refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator in a refrigerant flow relationship, the controller being configured to one of adjust a duty cycle of, reduce the speed of and reduce the capacity of the compressor in the energy savings mode, and wherein the controller is configured to monitor at least one of the capacity of the compressor and refrigerant charge level and alert a user of the fault condition for the HVAC system, the fault condition including at least a low capacity and a low charge level.