U.S. patent application number 11/749321 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for occupant controlled energy management system and method for managing energy consumption in a multi-unit building.
This patent application is currently assigned to INNCOM INTERNATIONAL, INC.. Invention is credited to DUANE W. BUCKINGHAM, RICHARD N. QUIRINO, PHILIPP A. ROOSLI, GREGORY F. SCHUERER.
Application Number | 20080283621 11/749321 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40026505 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080283621 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
QUIRINO; RICHARD N. ; et
al. |
November 20, 2008 |
OCCUPANT CONTROLLED ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR
MANAGING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN A MULTI-UNIT BUILDING
Abstract
A system and a method for allowing an occupant of a single unit
of a multi-unit building to select an operating state of the unit
which consumes less energy than a normal operating state.
Inventors: |
QUIRINO; RICHARD N.; (EAST
LYME, CT) ; SCHUERER; GREGORY F.; (MYSTIC, CT)
; ROOSLI; PHILIPP A.; (NIANTIC, CT) ; BUCKINGHAM;
DUANE W.; (OLD LYME, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN, LLP
20 Church Street, 22nd Floor
Hartford
CT
06103
US
|
Assignee: |
INNCOM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Niantic
CT
|
Family ID: |
40026505 |
Appl. No.: |
11/749321 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
236/1C |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/30 20180101;
F24F 2120/10 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/1.C |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/053 20060101
F24F011/053 |
Claims
1. An occupant controlled energy management system for a unit of a
multi-unit building, the system comprising: at least one appliance
disposed in the unit and configured to effect a change in a
condition within the unit; and an appliance control device in
operable communication with said at least one appliance, said
appliance control device being accessible to an occupant of the
unit; wherein said appliance control device is configured to
include an energy conserving setting that limits energy consumption
by said at least one appliance, and wherein said energy conserving
setting is actuatable by said occupant by one touch of an actuator
disposed on said appliance control device.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is a button
including a green color.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one appliance is an
HVAC appliance, and wherein said appliance control device includes
a temperature control device configured to communicate with the
HVAC appliance.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said energy conserving setting
includes an acceptable temperature range for the unit, wherein said
acceptable temperature range is delimited by a high temperature and
a low temperature.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein said temperature control device
is configured to signal said HVAC appliance to only heat the unit
to said low temperature when a temperature of the unit is below
said low temperature and said energy conserving setting is
actuated, wherein said temperature control device is configured to
signal said HVAC appliance to only cool the unit to said high
temperature when unit temperature is above said high temperature
and said energy conserving setting is actuated, and wherein said
temperature control device is configured to signal a reduction in
an operation of said HVAC appliance until the unit reaches at least
one of said high temperature and said low temperature when said
temperature is within said acceptable temperature range and said
energy conserving setting is actuated.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein said temperature controlling
device is configured to signal said HVAC appliance to maintain the
unit at at least one of said high temperature and said low
temperature when said unit temperature is within said acceptable
range and allowed to reach at least one of said high temperature
and said low temperature, and said energy conserving setting is
actuated.
7. The system of claim 4, wherein'said acceptable temperature range
is from about 50 to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. The system of claim 5, wherein said temperature control device
is communicable with a temperature sensor disposed to sense
temperature conditions within the unit.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said energy consumption by said
at least one appliance is less following a first actuation of said
actuator than a normal amount of energy consumption present before
said first actuation of said button.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein a second actuation of said
actuator actuates said appliance control device to return to normal
setting present before said first actuation of said actuator.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein multiple consecutive actuations
of said actuator over a predetermined period of time actuates said
appliance control device to cut energy to each appliance.
12. The system of claim 3, wherein said HVAC appliance includes at
least one of a packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC), a fan coil
unit (FCU), and other heating ventilation and air conditioning
units and equipment.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein said appliance control device is
configured to indicate to said occupant whether said energy
conserving setting has been actuated.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein said appliance control device
indicates whether said energy conserving setting has been actuated
via a light emitting diode (LED) disposed on said appliance control
device that is visible to said occupant.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one appliance is a
unit lighting system and said appliance control device includes a
lighting control device.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein actuation of said energy
conserving setting reduces light produced by said unit lighting
system to a pre-determined illumination level.
17. The system of claim 8, wherein said appliance control device is
operably communicable with an automated shade or other window
treatment control device that controls a window covering mechanism
for at least one window in the unit, said covering mechanism being
disposable between a light blocking position and light entering
position, wherein said appliance control device is configured to
signal said automated shade or other window treatment control
device to move said covering mechanism into said light blocking
position when said unit is above said high temperature and said
energy conserving setting is actuated, and said appliance control
device is configured to signal said automated shade or other window
treatment control device to move said covering means into said
light entering position when the unit is below said low temperature
and said energy conserving setting is actuated.
18. A method for managing energy in a multi-unit building, the
method comprising: providing an appliance control device in an area
accessible to an occupant of a unit of the building; operably
communicating said appliance control device with at least one
appliance disposed to effect a change in a condition within the
unit; configuring said appliance control device to include an
energy conserving setting that limits energy consumption by said at
least one appliance; and implementing said energy conserving
setting within the unit upon the occupant's actuation of the an
actuator disposed on said appliance control device.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said actuating includes
depressing a button disposed on said temperature control device
where the button includes a green color.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein said energy consumption after
said actuating is less than a normal amount of energy consumption
prior to said actuating.
21. A method of operating or managing a multi-unit building,
comprising: informing an occupant upon arrival at the multi-unit
building of an environmental effect of an occupant controlled
energy management system provided in each unit of the building;
encouraging the occupant to select an energy conservation setting
of the energy management system by maneuvering an actuator disposed
in the unit; providing reduced energy consumption within the unit
upon the occupant's actuation of the actuator; and optionally
providing further information and/or benefits to the occupant
having selected and utilized the reduced energy consumption
setting.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The disclosure relates generally to an energy management
system for a multi-unit building, and more particularly to an
occupant controlled energy management system for an individual unit
of the building.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Over the last couple of decades, the world population has
become increasingly aware of the threat of global warming, and the
impact it may have on our planet. In response to this awareness,
individuals have become more conscious of their personal "carbon
footprint," and have looked for ways to minimize their individual
negative effects on the environment. It has been well established
that these effects can be reduced by decreasing carbon-based energy
or power consumption associated with, for example, transportation,
industry, and also the occupation and usage of various buildings
and residences.
[0003] Multi-unit buildings, such as hotels, motels, inns,
dormitories, offices, etc., typically require significant
carbon-based energy consumption in order to provide for the needs
of their occupants. This energy consumption is associated primarily
with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (herein, "HVAC"),
lighting, and other appliance operation (e.g., television,
computers, etc.). In these multi-unit buildings it can be difficult
for management to set building-wide reduced energy consumption
parameters for the HVAC and/or various appliances because not all
of the building occupants may find comfort and/or convenience at
such settings.
[0004] Some multi-unit buildings, particularly in the lodging
industry, provide an occupant accessible thermostat in each of the
rooms of the building. Some of these thermostats include controls
by which the occupant may adjust HVAC operation to attain a desired
room temperature. However, without prior knowledge of the
specifications of the particular multi-unit building, it is not
possible for the occupant to set the thermostat to maximize energy
conservation in the room. Moreover, these existing thermostats do
not typically provide for adjustment or regulation of other in-room
energy consuming appliances such as lighting, etc. Thus, convenient
in-room occupant controlled energy conservation within a multi-unit
building is not possible.
[0005] Accordingly, a temperature/appliance management system
capable of allowing an individual occupant of a multi-unit building
to conveniently set and maintain room conditions at a level that is
both comfortable and minimally consumptive of power would be
desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A system is generally described herein for allowing an
occupant of a single unit of a multi-unit building to select an
operating state of the unit which consumes less energy than a
normal operating state.
[0007] The invention provides an occupant controlled energy
management system for a unit of a multi-unit building, the system
including at least one appliance disposed in the unit and
configured to effect a change in a condition within the unit, and
an appliance control device in operable communication with the at
least one appliance, the appliance control device being accessible
to an occupant of the unit, where the appliance control device is
configured to include an energy conserving setting that limits
energy consumption by the at least one appliance, and wherein the
energy conserving setting is actuatable by the occupant by one
touch of an actuator disposed on the appliance control device.
[0008] The invention further provides a method for managing energy
in a multi-unit building, the method including providing an
appliance control device in an area accessible to an occupant of a
unit of the building, operably connecting the appliance control
device, by any wired or wireless means, with at least one appliance
disposed to effect a change in a condition within the unit,
configuring the appliance control device to include an energy
conserving setting that limits energy consumption by the at least
one appliance, and implementing the energy conserving setting
within the unit upon the occupant's actuation of the an actuator
disposed on the appliance control device.
[0009] The invention also provides a method of operating or
managing a multi-unit building, including informing an occupant
upon arrival at the multi-unit building of an environmental effect
of an occupant controlled energy management system provided in each
unit of the building, encouraging the occupant to select an energy
conservation setting of the energy management system by maneuvering
an actuator disposed in the unit, providing reduced energy
consumption within the unit upon the occupant's actuation of the
actuator, and optionally providing further information and/or
benefits to the occupant having selected and utilized the reduced
energy consumption setting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting
in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like
elements are numbered alike:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a unit of a
multi-unit building where the unit includes an occupant controlled
energy management system;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an appliance control
device of the occupant controlled energy management system of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating a temperature range;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a covering means of
the occupant controlled energy management system of FIG. 1; the
covering means being illustrated in a light blocking position;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a covering means of
the occupant controlled energy management system of FIG. 1; the
covering means being illustrated in a light entering position;
and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a method for managing
energy in a multi-unit building.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary individual unit or room 10 of a
multi-unit building including an occupant controlled energy
management system 12. The system 12 includes a room appliance
control device 14 that is accessible to an occupant of the room 10
and which is operably communicated with at least one appliance 16.
The appliances 16 illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1
include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit 18
and a lighting system 20. However, it should be appreciated that
any appliance (such as a TV, VCR, stereo, phone, computer, or DVD
player) used in an individual unit of a multi-unit building may be
associated with the system 12. These appliances 16 are configured
and disposed within the room 10 so as to be capable of effecting a
change in condition (such as a change in temperature and lighting
conditions) within the unit 10.
[0018] The appliance control device 14 is configured to include an
energy conserving setting that limits energy consumption by one or
more of the appliances 16. As is shown in FIG. 2, the unit occupant
activates the energy conserving setting via an actuator 22 disposed
on a surface 24 of the appliance control device 14. In the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, this actuator 22 is a button that
may be a shade of green in order to indicate the reduced energy
consumption setting and also, generally, environmental awareness.
The green button 22 need only be depressed once to activate the
energy conserving setting. Activation of the energy conserving
setting is indicated to the occupant via an indicator 26 that is
also disposed on the surface 24 of the appliance control device 14.
This indicator 26 may be a light emitting diode (LED) arrangement
and may additionally be a shade of green.
[0019] Of course, the button configuration of the actuator 22
discussed herein is merely exemplary. The actuator 22 may comprise
a dial, switch, knob, touch pad, or any mechanism or means suitable
for communicating the desired reduced energy setting to the
appliance control device 14. Similarly, in addition to or
alternatively from the LED, the indicator 26 may comprise an
auditory signal, such as a chime, or may comprise a green portion
of the surface 24 of the control device 14 made visible by
maneuvering the actuator 22, etc. The indicator 26 is shown by way
of example in FIG. 2 as being disposed on the surface 24 of the
control device 14 in a position adjacent to the actuator 22. In
another embodiment, the indicator 26 may form a part of the
actuator 22. That is, the indicator 26 may be disposed upon or
within the actuator 22. For example, the indicator 26 may comprise
an LED (or similar lighting means) which is located within the
green button actuator 22 such that when the button is pressed, it
becomes illuminated in a green color.
[0020] Referring again to FIG. 1, the appliance control device 14
includes a temperature control device 28. This temperature control
device 28 is operably communicated with the HVAC 18 introduced
above. The temperature control device 28 is configured to place the
HVAC 18 into an energy conserving setting when the occupant
maneuvers the actuator 22. This energy conserving setting results
in the HVAC 18 producing a room temperature range which is both
comfortable for the occupant and less consumptive of energy than
normal operating conditions. In an exemplary embodiment, this
temperature range is delimited by a high temperature of 80 degrees
and a low temperature of 60 degree Fahrenheit (as shown in the
graph of FIG. 3), though other ranges may be used, e.g., 50 to 90
degrees Fahrenheit.
[0021] The temperature control device 28 is also operably in
communication with one or more temperature sensors 30 disposed on
and/or about the control device 14, and configured to sense
temperature conditions (i.e. unit temperature) within the unit 10.
Once sensed, the sensor 30 transmits temperature data to the
temperature control device 28. These sensors 30 may be any suitable
temperature sensor known in the art and may communicate with the
temperature control device 14 via any wireless/non-wireless means
32, such as cabling, IR transceivers, or RF transceivers.
[0022] Essentially, when the actuator 22 is maneuvered, the
temperature control device 28 places the HVAC 18 into an offset
mode in which the temperature of the room is allowed to move
naturally within the predetermined temperature range (e.g., 50 F-80
F). If the room temperature wanders outside of this range, the HVAC
18 is activated in order to return the temperature to within the
range.
[0023] In other words, when the energy conserving setting is
activated and the temperature control device 28 receives
temperature data from the sensors 30 indicating that the room
temperature is above the high end of the temperature range, the
temperature control device 28 will signal the HVAC 18 to only lower
the room temperature to the acceptable, high temperature of
80.degree. F., and no lower. Similarly, when the temperature
control device 28 receives temperature data from the sensors 30
indicating that the room temperature is below the low temperature,
the temperature control device 28 will signal the HVAC 18 to only
raise the unit temperature to the acceptable, low temperature of
50.degree. F., and no higher. In addition, when the temperature
control device 28 receives temperature data from the sensors 30
indicating that the room temperature is within the acceptable
temperature range, the temperature control device 28 will shut down
the HVAC 18 until the unit reaches either the high temperature or
the low temperature. With the HVAC 18 shut down, once the room
temperature reaches either the high temperature or low temperature,
the temperature control device signals the temperature actuator to
re-start, and maintain the room temperature at whichever of the
high or low temperature the unit temperature reaches.
[0024] By controlling the room temperature in the above described
manner, the occupant is able to maintain a prescribed temperature
comfort level while conserving energy.
[0025] It should be appreciated that the temperature control device
28, and the appliance control device 14 in general, are preferably
included within a thermostat disposed within the room 10. It should
also be appreciated that the HVAC 18 may include a Fan Coil Unit
(FCU), a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) or other Heating,
Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system components. The Packaged
Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) is an air conditioner/heater unit
that extends through an exterior wall of the building. The Fan Coil
Unit (FCU) controls ventilation for heating and cooling the
room.
[0026] The system 12 may also include or be associable with an
Energy Management System (EMS) device, a Direct Digital Control
(DDC) system device, and/or other electronic devices typically
found in rooms or units of a multi-unit building. If present, the
Energy Management System (EMS) device is a component in the system
12 that allows digital control of the appliance control device 14.
One example of an EMS is the e.sup.4.TM. Energy Management System
commercially available from Inncom International, Inc. of Niantic,
Conn. A direct digital control (DDC) system device is a component
that allows an occupant to remotely control devices or appliances
such as the system 12, wherein the energy conserving setting may be
activated via a button on a remote control that is in communication
with the appliance control device 14.
[0027] As is also shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the
appliance control device 14 is accessible to the occupant of the
room 10, and the HVAC 18 is disposed in a ceiling 34 of the room
10, so as to be capable of actuating temperature change in the unit
10 (i.e. through a vent). The temperature control device 28 of the
appliance control device 14 is in operable communication with the
HVAC 18 via a connection 36, such as wiring, infrared or RF
transceivers, or other wireless communication devices. The HVAC 18
includes additional venting and ducting as needed.
[0028] As is mentioned above, the appliance control device 14 may
optionally be operably communicated with the lighting system 20 of
the room 10. In this embodiment, the appliance control device 14
controls the lighting system 20 via a lighting control device 40
included therewithin. The lighting control device 40 portion of the
appliance control device 14 is in operable communication with the
lighting system 20 via a lighting connection 41, such as wiring,
infrared or RF transceivers, or other wired or wireless
communication devices. The light control device 40 is configured to
reduce lighting in the room 10 to a pre-determined illumination
level when the energy conserving setting is activated at the
appliance control device 14. This reduced lighting may include a
complete shut down/deactivation and/or dimming of all, some, or one
of the lights in the unit 10. In one embodiment the reduced
lighting effected by actuation of the actuator 22 may comprise a
time-out period for turning off lights when the particular room
goes unoccupied for a designated time period. Here, the room
further includes an occupant sensor which detects the presence of a
person in the room and communicates such to the control device 16
and/or to a building network (as discussed further herein). When
the actuator 22 is selected by the occupant, the sensor monitors
the room and signals the control device 14 to shut off or dim some
or all of the room lights after a predetermined period of
non-occupancy (e.g., five minutes). Alternatively, actuation of the
actuator 22 may reduce a previously established time-out period.
For example, maneuvering the actuator may change the room lighting
time-out period from five minutes to two minutes. By automatically
reducing lighting in these various manners, the unit occupant
conserves energy consumption.
[0029] Additionally and/or alternatively, the appliance control
device 14 may also be operably communicated with an automated shade
or other window treatment control device 42. The automated shade
control device 42 controls a window covering mechanism 44 (such as
blinds, shades, curtains, automatic window tinting, etc.) for at
least one window 44 in the room 10. The appliance control device 14
is in operable communication with the automated shade control
device 42 via shade connection 43, such as wiring, infrared or RF
transceivers, or other wired or wireless communication devices. The
covering mechanism 44 is disposable between a light blocking
position 46 and light entering position 48, as shown in FIGS. 4 and
5. The appliance control device 14 is configured to signal the
automated shade control device 42 to move the covering mechanism
during daytime hours into the light blocking position 46 when the
unit is above the high temperature (of the acceptable temperature
range discussed above) and the energy conserving setting is
activated. Similarly, the appliance control device 14 is also
configured to signal the automated shade control device 42 to move
the covering mechanism 42 into the light entering position 48
during daylight hours when the room 10 is below the low temperature
(of the acceptable temperature range discussed above) and the
energy conserving setting is activated. This automatic adjustment
of the shades or curtains in accordance with room temperature
either allows the room to be heated via entrance of sunlight when
the unit 10 is cold, or prevents the room 10 from being heated by
sunlight when the room 10 is hot. In this manner, a non-power
consuming, temperature-controlling mechanism (i.e. sunlight) can be
manipulated to keep the room 10 at an acceptable temperature.
[0030] When the energy conserving setting is activated via a
pressing maneuvering of the actuator 22, the setting may be then
de-activated by again maneuvering the actuator 22. This second
actuation of the actuator 22 returns the appliance control device
14 (and/or thermostat disposed therewith) to normal appliance
settings that consume a normal amount of energy consumption. This
normal amount of energy consumption may be the energy consumption
being used prior to activating the energy conserving setting,
wherein the normal amount of energy consumption is more than the
energy consumed when the energy conserving setting is
activated.
[0031] The appliance control device 14 may be configured such that
multiple consecutive depressions of the actuator 22 (such as three
consecutive depressions) over a pre-determined period of time will
result in a full shut down of all appliances included in the system
12.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, there is disclosed a block diagram
illustrating a method 100 for managing energy in a multi-unit
building, the method including providing an appliance control
device in an area accessible to an occupant of a unit of the
building, as shown in operational block 102. The method 100 also
includes operably communicating the appliance control device with
at least one appliance disposed to effect a change in a condition
within the unit (e.g., a change in room temperature), and
configuring the appliance control device to include an energy
conserving setting that limits energy consumption by the at least
one appliance, as shown in operational blocks 104 and 106. The
method 100 further includes actuating the energy conserving setting
via an actuator disposed on the appliance control device, as shown
in operational block 108. The actuator, as discussed above, is
preferably a green push-button.
[0033] Herein, the appliance control device 14 is described as
being configured to control the HVAC 18, the lighting 20, and/or
the window covering mechanism 44 in order to provide reduced energy
consumption within the exemplary room 10. The invention provides
that the control device 14 may control one, some, or all of these
room appliances. Additionally and/or alternatively, the control
device 14 may be configured to control additional energy consuming
arrangements within or associated with the room 10. For example,
the control device 14 can control televisions, computers, monitor
associated therewith, water pressure, water temperature. In this
way, by selecting to maneuver the actuator 22, the occupant can
experience energy conservation across numerous and varied in-room
systems and arrangements.
[0034] The control device 14 may further be configured to alert the
management of the multi-unit building when the occupant selects the
energy conserving room settings. This alert may be provided by any
suitable wired or wireless arrangement. Particularly, the control
device can be disposed in communication with a network of the
building. In this way, the management of the multi-unit building
may monitor the energy usage within the room. Incentives or
benefits may be given to the occupant by the management based upon
the occupant's selected energy conservation settings. For example,
the occupant may be provided with a reduced room rate or a credit
at a local or in-building restaurant, spa, etc. Additionally and/or
alternatively, based upon the occupant's in-room energy
conservation, the management may provide information or data to the
occupant concerning general or specific conservation efforts of the
hotel, or the management may notify other hotel conservation
programs with regard to the occupant's chosen reduced energy usage.
For example, housekeeping may be notified with respect to common
towel and linen recycling programs.
[0035] As mentioned, the control device 14 can be connected to and
disposed in communication with a network of the multi-unit
building. This may be achieved by any suitable wired or wireless
means. This building network includes a controller for central
monitoring and management of the multiple units. In addition to the
benefits discussed in the previous paragraph, this type of
centrally controlled environment allows the building management to
reset the actuator 22 upon departure of the occupant such that the
appliances 16 function in the normal operating mode. Also, via the
central control arrangement, the building management may remotely
adjust or disable the energy conserving settings based upon
management requirements or based upon occupant requests, etc. For
example, the building management may adjust the temperature range
of the energy conserving setting of one or more rooms from the
front desk or from an office within the building.
[0036] The system of the invention may further include one or more
outdoor temperature sensors disposed in communication with the
control device 14 and/or with the building network and controller.
In this way, when the energy conserving setting is selected by the
unit occupant, the control device 14 may further optimize energy
conservation within the room by appropriately adjusting the window
treatments, the room temperature, etc. based upon the detected
outdoor temperature.
[0037] As mentioned, the units of the multi-unit building may
include occupant sensors. These sensors may be disposed in
communication with the control device 14 by wired or wireless
means. Additionally and/or alternatively, the occupancy sensors may
be disposed in communication with the building network and
controller in order to facilitate the above-discussed centrally
controlled environment functions.
[0038] While the control device 14 has been described herein as
comprising a single actuator 22 (preferably a green push-button)
for controlling one or more room appliances 16, the control device
14 may optionally include a plurality of actuators 22 each
configured to allow occupant control of one or more room appliances
16. For example, the control device may include a first actuator
related to the HVAC 18 and lighting 20, and a second actuator
related to the window covering mechanism 44. The first and second
actuators may be distinguishable having different colors, shapes,
sizes, or by being labeled with text or numbers. In one embodiment,
the first and second actuators are both green in color and are
distinguished by shape, size, or labeling. Alternatively, a unit of
the multi-unit building may include multiple control devices 14
where each device 14 is configured to communicate with and control
common room appliances 16. For example, a first green button
actuator 22 (as described above) may be disposed on a room
thermostat (i.e., a first control device 16) and a second green
button actuator 22 may be disposed on an in-room control panel such
as the "IR3035 Table-Top Control Panel" provided by Inncom, Inc.
(i.e., a second control device 16). Actuation of either the first
or second green buttons would activate the applicable energy
conservation room settings to regulate the operation of the room
appliances.
[0039] Herein, the multi-unit building has primarily been described
as a dwelling building such as a hotel, inn, dormitory, etc.
However, the multi-unit building further comprises an office
building with individual offices or units therein, each having a
applicant control device as discussed herein. The multi-unit
building may alternatively comprise a retail center with individual
shops or units, each including the appliance control device. It
will be understood that the unit 10 discussed herein comprises any
definable section of a building including a room, an office, a wing
of a building, a bank of offices, common space, seating area, a
retail shop or shops, etc., or anywhere where indoor energy
conservation is desired.
[0040] Generally, this disclosure provides a system for allowing an
occupant of a single unit of a multi-unit building to select an
operating state of the unit which consumes less energy than a
normal operating state. The disclosure also pertains to a method of
operating or managing a multi-unit building which involves
informing an occupant upon arrival at the multi-unit building of an
environmental effect of the occupant controlled energy management
system provided in each of the individual units, encouraging the
occupant to maneuver the actuator described above to accept the
energy conservation room settings, providing reduced energy
consumption within the unit upon the occupant's actuation of the
actuator, and then optionally providing further information and/or
benefits to the occupant having selected and utilized the reduced
energy consumption setting.
[0041] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or substance to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it
is important that the invention not be limited to the particular
embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out
this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the apportioned claims. Moreover,
unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc.
do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first,
second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
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