Transition temperature adjustment user interfaces

Abstract

Controllers for controlling heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The controllers include graphical user interfaces for user adjustment of system settings. The graphical user interfaces also may be designed to present information that facilitates user understanding of system operations. In certain embodiments, the controllers may allow users to adjust balance point and/or LTCO temperature values. In these embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may include slide bars for adjusting the balance point and/or LTCO temperature values.

1 . A method, comprising:
 determining an operating efficiency of an heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;   displaying the operating efficiency on a graphical user interface of a controller for the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system;   determining operating parameter adjustments for improving the operating efficiency; and   displaying information describing the operating parameter adjustments on the graphical user interface.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying information comprises displaying selectable graphical elements for each of the operating parameter adjustments. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the operating parameter adjustments comprise a temperature set point adjustment, a humidity set point adjustment, or a heating mode adjustment, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying information comprises displaying a graph depicting a connection between factors affecting operating efficiency. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the factors comprise a cost index, a comfort index, an environmental index, or an efficiency index, or a combination thereof 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 displaying a graphical element that defines a range of possible system transition temperatures;   displaying a first moveable feature disposed on the graphical element that identifies a balance point temperature that corresponds to an exterior temperature below which the controller enables an auxiliary heating system of the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system; and   displaying a second moveable feature disposed on the graphical element that identifies a low cutout temperature that corresponds to an exterior temperature below which the controller disables a heat pump of the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or cooling system.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising displaying changes in the operating efficiency corresponding to the balance point temperature as the balance point temperature is adjusted. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising displaying changes in the operating efficiency corresponding to the two the low cutout temperature as the low cutout temperature is adjusted. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising updating the balance point temperature based on repositioning of the first moveable feature and updating the low cutout temperature based on repositioning of the second moveable feature. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising displaying an explanation area adjacent to the graphical element, wherein the explanation area comprises a slide bar having a first element and a second element that together divide the slide bar into separate regions comprising an auxiliary heating region where only the auxiliary heating system is enabled, a heat pump region where only the heat pump is enabled, and a combination region where both the auxiliary heating system and the heat pump are enabled. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising displaying suggested settings for the low cutout temperature and/or the balance point temperature as the information describing the operating parameter adjustments. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising displaying cost savings and/or efficiency savings that may be achieved by making the operating parameter adjustments. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising displaying adjustable values for a cost factor, a comfort factor, an efficiency factor, and an environmental factor and changing corresponding operating parameters based on adjustments to the values. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising displaying the operating efficiency as a percentage of a maximum operating efficiency. 
     
     
         15 . A control device, comprising:
 a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a furnace and a sensor capable of sensing a fuel availability for the furnace;   a processor capable of detecting a low fuel condition when the sensed fuel availability is below a predetermined level; and   a display capable of displaying an alert that notifies a user of the low fuel condition.   
     
     
         16 . The control device of  claim 15 , wherein the communication interface comprises a network connection suitable for transmitting the low fuel condition to a fuel supplier. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the communication interface is suitable for operable connection to a heat pump, and wherein the processor is capable of enabling the heat pump in response to detection of the low fuel condition. 
     
     
         18 . A control device, comprising:
 a communication interface suitable for operable connection to a furnace and a sensor capable of sensing a fuel availability for the furnace; and   a processor capable of detecting a low fuel condition when the sensed fuel availability is below a predetermined level and capable of enabling an alternate heating device in response to detecting the low fuel condition.