Method and apparatus for optimizing hvac cycling

Abstract

A method for optimizing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) cycling determines an operating characteristic of an HVAC component and adjusts a range of a differential temperature setting based on the operating characteristic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for optimizing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) cycling, comprising:
 determining an operating characteristic of an HVAC component; and   adjusting a range of a differential temperature setting based on the operating characteristic.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining an operating characteristic of an HVAC component comprises determining a cycle time during a heating or cooling cycle. 
     
     
         3 . A non-transitory, computer-readable media having stored thereon instructions wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause a thermostat to perform steps, comprising:
 a) operating a component of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system;   b) determining an operating characteristic of the HVAC component; and   c) returning to step a when the operating characteristic of the HVAC component is within a predefined range for the operating characteristic otherwise adjusting an HVAC component on temperature and/or off temperature before returning to step a.   
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 3 , wherein determining an operating characteristic of an HVAC component comprises determining a cycle time during a heating or cooling cycle. 
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 4 , wherein the instructions cause the thermostat to use an averaging or exponential smoothing algorithm over multiple readings for determining the HVAC component on temperature and/or off temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 4 , wherein the instructions cause the thermostat to adjust the HVAC component on temperature and/or off temperature by a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 4 , wherein the instructions cause the thermostat to adjust the HVAC component on temperature and/or off temperature by an amount that is determined using a difference between the determined maximum cycle time and a desired maximum cycle time. 
     
     
         8 . A thermostat, comprising:
 a processing device;   an interface connected to the processing device for use in controlling an operation of component of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system; and   a memory having stored thereon instructions wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing device, cause a thermostat to perform steps, comprising:   a) operating the component of the HVAC system;   b) determining an operating characteristic of the HVAC component; and   c) returning to step a when the operating characteristic of the HVAC component is within a predefined range for the operating characteristic otherwise adjusting an HVAC component on temperature and/or off temperature before returning to step a.   
     
     
         9 . The thermostat of  claim 8 , wherein determining an operating characteristic of an HVAC component comprises determining a cycle time during a heating or cooling cycle. 
     
     
         10 . The thermostat of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions cause the thermostat to use an averaging or exponential smoothing algorithm over multiple readings for determining the HVAC component on temperature and/or off temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The thermostat of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions cause the thermostat to adjust the HVAC component on temperature and/or off temperature by a predetermined amount. 
     
     
         12 . The thermostat of  claim 9 , wherein the instructions cause the thermostat to adjust the HVAC component on temperature and/or off temperature by an amount that is determined using a difference between the determined cycle time and a desired cycle time.