Method and system for controlling the temperature of an indoor space based on wall cavity temperatures

Abstract

A method for controlling a heating system is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a reading for a temperature of a wall cavity in a structure served by the heating system for an indoor space adjacent to the wall cavity, determining an equivalent wall cavity temperature (ET), and when ET is less than or equal to a threshold temperature (TT), selecting a chosen set point by selecting a default set point (DS). When ET is less than TT, the method comprises determining a calculated set point (CS) based on the ET, comparing the CS to the DS and a maximum set point (MS) and selecting the chosen set point by selecting DS if CS is the DS, CS if CS is between DS and MS, MS if CS is above MS; and controlling the heating system to regulate the temperature of the indoor space according to the chosen set point.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling a heating system, the method comprising:
 obtaining a reading for a temperature of a wall cavity in a structure served by a heating system which heats an indoor space adjacent to the wall cavity;   determining an equivalent wall cavity temperature;   when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is at or above a threshold temperature;
 selecting a chosen set point by selecting a default set point; 
   when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is below the threshold temperature;
 determining a calculated set point based on the equivalent wall cavity temperature; 
   
       comparing the calculated set point to the default set point and a maximum set point;
 selecting the chosen set point by selecting (1) the default set point if the calculated set point is below the default set point, (2) the calculated set point, if the calculated set point is between the default set point and the maximum set point, (3) the maximum set point, if the calculated set point is above the maximum set point; and; 
 controlling the heating system to regulate the temperature of the indoor space according to the chosen set point. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the calculated set point is above the maximum set point, a user is notified that the maximum set point is in use. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the calculated set point is above the maximum set point, the user is notified of the equivalent wall cavity temperature and the difference between the threshold temperature and the equivalent wall cavity temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is not able to be determined, a fail-safe set point is selected. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein, when the fail-safe set point is selected, the user is notified that the fail-safe set point is in use. 
     
     
         6 . A method for controlling a heating system, the method comprising:
 obtaining a reading for a temperature of a wall cavity in a structure served by a heating system which heats an indoor space adjacent to the wall cavity;   obtaining a reading for an indoor temperature;   determining an equivalent wall cavity temperature;   when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is at or above a threshold temperature;
 selecting a chosen set point by selecting a default set point; 
   when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is below the threshold temperature;
 comparing the indoor temperature to a maximum allowable temperature; and; 
   
       controlling the heating system to increase the indoor temperature until the equivalent wall cavity temperature is at or above the threshold temperature, or until the indoor temperature is at or above the maximum allowable temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein, when the indoor temperature reaches the maximum allowable temperature, the heat is no longer called for from the heating system. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein, when the indoor temperature reaches the maximum allowable temperature a user is notified that the indoor temperature has reached the maximum allowable temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein, when the indoor temperature reaches the maximum allowable temperature the user is notified of the difference between the threshold temperature and the equivalent wall cavity temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein, when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is not able to be determined, the system selects a fail-safe set point. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein, when the system selects a fail-safe set point, the user is notified that the fail-safe set point is in use. 
     
     
         12 . A heating control system comprising:
 at least one user interface;   at least one computer programmed to:   obtain a reading for a temperature of a wall cavity in a structure served by a heating system which heats an indoor space adjacent to the wall cavity;   determine an equivalent wall cavity temperature;   when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is at or above a threshold temperature;
 select a chosen set point by selecting a default set point; 
   when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is below the threshold temperature;
 determine a calculated set point based on the equivalent wall cavity temperature; 
   
       compare the calculated set point to the default set point and a maximum set point;
 select the chosen set point by selecting (1) the default set point if the calculated set point is below the default set point, (2) the calculated set point, if the calculated set point is between the default set point and the maximum set point, (3) the maximum set point, if the calculated set point is above the maximum set point; and; 
 control the heating system to regulate the temperature of the indoor space according to the chosen set point. 
 
     
     
         13 . The heating control system according to  claim 12 , wherein, when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is not able to be determined, a fail-safe set point is selected. 
     
     
         14 . A heating control system comprising:
 at least one user interface;   at least one computer programmed to:   obtain a reading for a temperature of a wall cavity in a structure served by a heating system which heats an indoor space adjacent to the wall cavity;   obtain a reading for an indoor temperature;   determine an equivalent wall cavity temperature;   when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is at or above a threshold temperature;
 select a chosen set point by selecting a default set point; 
   when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is below the threshold temperature;
 compare the indoor temperature to a maximum allowable temperature; and; 
   
       control the heating system to increase the indoor temperature until the equivalent wall cavity temperature is at or above the threshold temperature, or until the indoor temperature is at or above the maximum allowable temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The heating control system of  claim 14 , wherein, when the indoor temperature reaches the maximum allowable temperature, the method discontinues calling for heat from the heating system. 
     
     
         16 . The heating control system of  claim 14 , wherein, when the equivalent wall cavity temperature is not able to be determined, the system selects a fail-safe set point.