Demand control system and method for multi-type air conditioner

Abstract

A demand control system for the multi-type air conditioner includes a demand control unit for controlling the operational efficiency of the air conditioners by changing the operation mode of the air conditioners when the estimated wattage exceeds a set wattage while enabling the user to feel more comfortable.

1 . A demand control system for a multi-type air conditioner, comprising:
 a wattage consumption sensing unit that calculates an estimated wattage consumption of a plurality of air conditioners of a building and compares the estimated wattage consumption with a set wattage value; and   a demand control unit that changes an operation mode of at least one air conditioner of the plurality of air conditioners when the wattage consumption sensing unit notifies the demand control unit that the estimated wattage consumption exceeds the set wattage value.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the demand control unit switches the at least one air conditioner into a blowing mode when the wattage consumption sensing unit notifies the demand control unit that the estimated wattage consumption exceeds the set wattage value. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the demand control unit switches the at least one air conditioner into a dehumidifying mode when the wattage consumption sensing unit notifies the demand control unit that the estimated wattage consumption exceeds the set wattage value. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the demand control unit changes a blowing amount of the at least one air conditioner when the wattage consumption sensing unit notifies the demand control unit that the estimated wattage consumption exceeds the set wattage value. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the demand control unit changes a circulation speed of a refrigerant of the at least one air conditioner when the wattage consumption sensing unit notifies the demand control unit that the estimated wattage consumption exceeds the set wattage value. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the demand control unit restores the operation mode of the at least one air conditioner when the wattage consumption sensing unit notifies the demand control unit that the estimated wattage consumption is less than the set wattage value. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wattage consumption sensing unit calculates the estimated wattage consumption from a wattage consumption value measured by a watt-hour meter connected with the plurality of air conditioners. 
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling an air conditioner, comprising:
 calculating an estimated wattage consumption of a plurality of air conditioners of a building;   comparing the estimated wattage consumption with a set wattage value; and   changing an operation mode of at least one air conditioner of the plurality of air conditioners when the estimated wattage consumption exceeds the set wattage value.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein changing the operation mode comprises switching the at least one air conditioner into a blowing mode. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein changing the operation mode comprises switching the at least one air conditioner into a dehumidifying mode. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein changing the operation mode comprises changing a blowing amount of the at least one air conditioner. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein changing the operation mode comprises changing a circulation speed of a refrigerant of the at least one air conditioner. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising restoring the operation mode of the at least one air conditioner when the estimated wattage consumption is less than the set wattage value.