Predictive smart thermostat controller for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems

The paper suggests a simple energy saving controller for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that combines information on occupancy and weather with predictive control to save energy in buildings. The controller uses a pulse width modulation strategy and turns on/off the HVAC system based on the optimal decisions of the model predictive controller. The suggested controller is simple yet optimal (in a certain sense), and therefore suitable for residential and small commercial buildings where the cost of the controller is a key factor. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is illustrated using simulations, whereas the model of the building thermal dynamics was identified based on data from experiments.