Optimized setback control system and a method thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure describe a method for controlling setback of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising a first HVAC unit and a second HVAC unit. The method is performed by a setback control system. The method comprises monitoring an interior temperature and an exterior temperature of a target area associated with the HVAC system. The method comprises determining one or more operating parameters associated with the first HVAC unit of the HVAC system and determining a recovery time based on the operating parameters. The recovery time is a time required to recover interior temperature value from a setback temperature setpoint value to a normal temperature setpoint value by the first HVAC unit. The method comprises triggering a setback recovery based on the determined recovery time and a remaining time in a setback period associated with the setback of the HVAC system.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A setback control system for controlling setback of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising a first HVAC unit and a second HVAC unit, the setback control system comprising:
 a memory; and   one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory, the one or more processors being configured to:
 monitor an interior temperature of a target area associated with the HVAC system; 
 monitor an exterior temperature of the target area associated with the HVAC system; 
 determine one or more operating parameters associated with the first HVAC unit of the HVAC system, wherein the one or more operating parameters include at least one of an excess capacity of the first HVAC unit or a relative cost of operation of the first HVAC unit with respect to the second HVAC unit; 
 determine a recovery time based on the determined one or more operating parameters, the recovery time being indicative of a time required to recover an interior temperature value of the target area from a setback temperature setpoint value to a normal temperature setpoint value by the first HVAC unit; and 
 trigger a setback recovery based on the determined recovery time and a remaining time in a setback period associated with the setback of the HVAC system. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, the one or more processors are configured to, prior to triggering the setback recovery:
 continuously monitor the remaining time in the setback period, wherein the setback period is indicative of a time period when the HVAC system operates in a setback mode, and wherein the remaining time is indicative of a time left in completion of the setback period.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein to trigger the setback recovery, the one or more processors are configured to:
 compare the determined recovery time with the determined remaining time; and   upon a determination that the determined recovery time is equal to the determined remaining time, trigger the setback recovery.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the normal temperature setpoint value is indicative of a temperature value maintained when the HVAC system operates in a normal mode, and wherein the setback temperature setpoint value is indicative of a temperature value maintained during the setback period when the HVAC system operates in a setback mode. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to trigger the setback recovery prior to the interior temperature value of the target area reaching the setback temperature setpoint value. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein to determine the recovery time, the one or more processors are further configured to determine the recovery time based on one or more of a current interior temperature value, a maximum capacity of the first HVAC unit, an operating cost of the first HVAC unit, a temperature difference between the interior temperature and the exterior temperature, a thermal conductivity of a barrier separating the target area and an area exterior to the target area. 
     
     
         7 . A method for controlling setback of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising a first HVAC unit and a second HVAC unit, the method being performed by a setback control system, the method comprising:
 monitoring an interior temperature of a target area associated with the HVAC system;   monitoring an exterior temperature of the target area associated with the HVAC system;   determining one or more operating parameters associated with the first HVAC unit of the HVAC system, wherein the one or more operating parameters include at least one of an excess capacity of the first HVAC unit or a relative cost of operation of the first HVAC unit with respect to the second HVAC unit;   determining a recovery time based on the determined one or more operating parameters, the recovery time being indicative of a time required to recover an interior temperature value of the target area from a setback temperature setpoint value to a normal temperature setpoint value by the first HVAC unit; and   triggering a setback recovery based on the determined recovery time and a remaining time in a setback period associated with the setback of the HVAC system.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method comprises, prior to triggering the setback recovery:
 continuously monitoring the remaining time in the setback period, wherein the setback period is indicative of a time period when the HVAC system operates in a setback mode, and wherein the remaining time is indicative of a time left in completion of the setback period.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein triggering the setback recovery comprises:
 comparing the determined recovery time with the determined remaining time; and   upon a determination that the determined recovery time is equal to the determined remaining time, triggering the setback recovery.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the normal temperature setpoint value is indicative of a temperature value maintained when the HVAC system operates in a normal mode, and wherein the setback temperature setpoint value is indicative of a temperature value maintained during the setback period when the HVAC system operates in a setback mode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising triggering the setback recovery prior to the interior temperature value of the target area reaching the setback temperature setpoint value. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein determining the recovery time comprises determining the recovery time based on one or more of a current interior temperature value, a maximum capacity of the first HVAC unit, an operating cost of the first HVAC unit, a temperature difference between the interior temperature and the exterior temperature, a thermal conductivity of a barrier separating the target area and an area exterior to the target area.