System and method for calculating the thermal mass of a building

Abstract

The invention comprises a system for calculating a value for the effective thermal mass of a building. The climate control system obtains temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by the climate system. One or more processors receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than the control system and compare the temperature measurements from the first location with expected temperature measurements. The expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements obtained by said HVAC control system and said outside temperature measurements. The processors then calculate one or more rates of change in temperature at said first location.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for calculating a value for the effective thermal mass of a building comprising:
 at least one HVAC control system that receives temperature measurements from at least a first location conditioned by at least one HVAC system, and receives status of said HVAC system;   one or more databases that store at least said temperature measurements from said first location over time; and   one or more processors that receive outside temperature measurements associated with outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system and compare said temperature measurements from said first location with expected temperature measurements wherein the expected temperature measurements are based at least in part upon past temperature measurements and said outside temperature measurements, wherein the one or more processors are configured to calculate one or more rates of change in temperature measurements at said first location and wherein the one or more processors are further configured to relate said calculated rates of change to said outside temperature measurements.