A Low-Cost Intelligent Thermostat Incorporating a Learning Algorithm Based Scheduler and Internet Accessible Control Interfaces
Mahmudur Rahman, David E. Huizenga, E. Chiaburu · 2014
This paper presents an internet connected programmable thermostat that automatically generates an energy efficient heating and cooling schedule through the collection and analysis of occupancy data. The implementation provides an easy to use color touch screen, an on-device browser accessible web interface, and an Android smartphone interface. In this capstone project work, the proposed system was developed and the proposed features were validated using a commercial PIC32 development board. The novel features of the Intelligent Thermostat represent a substantial evolution of thermostat technology. Currently, no commercial thermostat is available that provides automatic scheduling capability, and no commercial thermostat is available that serves a web connection feature from the device itself. The only announced commercial thermostat with automatic scheduling capability is slated to cost substantially more than the Intelligent Thermostat. The fully automated energy savings capabilities of the Intelligent Thermostat will save the average homeowner thousands of dollars over the life of the hardware and, with widespread deployment, could eliminate the emission of millions of tons of CO2 annually. Given the easily available energy savings with virtually no impact on a homeowner’s quality of life, it is believed that automatic scheduling thermostats represent the future standard in programmable thermostat technology.