Patent ID: 7434742

Claim:
A thermostat for controlling a climate control system, comprising: a network interface for establishing an internet connection with a website of a remote service provider; a microprocessor for controlling the operation of a climate control system, the microprocessor being in communication with the network interface for establishing an internet connection and receiving a data package that includes a stored temperature value from the remote service provider that the user subscribes to, wherein the microprocessor temporarily changes the temperature set point to the requested stored temperature value for a predetermined time period; and a display device responsive to the microprocessor for displaying the temperature value received from the remote service provider, wherein the subscriber to the service provider may remotely access the service provider's website using a computer and enter a requested temperature value to be provided to the user's thermostat when the thermostat establishes a connection with the service provider, for temporarily changing the set point temperature of the user's thermostat, wherein a utility provider may remotely submit a requested setback to the service provider, where the user's requested temperature value is then provided to the subscriber's thermostat when the thermostat establishes connection with the service provider to temporarily changing the thermostat's set point temperature for reducing energy consumption during peak demand periods, and wherein the user of the thermostat may respond to the change in set point to the received temperature value displayed on the display device by adjusting the temperature set point to override the set point temperature value received from the remote service provider.