Systems and methods for managing a programmable thermostat are described herein. One or more system embodiments include a programmable thermostat having a first management profile; a data acquisition subsystem; and a data analysis subsystem. The data acquisition subsystem is configured to receive thermostat data from the programmable thermostat, and the data analysis subsystem is configured to receive the thermostat data from the data acquisition subsystem, and determine a second management profile for the programmable thermostat based, at least in part, on the thermostat data.

A system and related method to analyze operation of a heating system of a building based on fuel consumption and fuel demand of the building. The system includes a database of information about the heating system of the building, a first sensor set arranged to gather fuel consumption information and a second sensor set arranged to gather fuel demand information within the building. The system includes a fuel usage and demand analysis function configured to analyze data from the first sensor set and from the second sensor set to output a determination of operation of the heating system based on consumption information and demand information.

An intelligent multifunctional storage cabinet device includes a smart cabinet and a backend control terminal, wherein the smart cabinet is connected to and communicates with the backend control terminal via a network connection. The smart cabinet includes a cabinet and a monitoring device. The monitoring device is installed on the top of the cabinet, and the monitoring device is connected to and communicates with the backend control terminal via a network connection. The cabinet includes a parcel storage component comprising a plurality of parcel storage compartments, a food storage component comprising a plurality of food storage compartments, and a key storage component comprising a plurality of key storage compartments. The key storage compartment is located between the parcel storage compartment and the food storage compartment. The parcel storage compartment is located at one side of the food storage compartment.

An intelligent multifunctional storage cabinet device includes a smart cabinet and a backend control terminal, wherein the smart cabinet is connected to and communicates with the backend control terminal via a network connection. The smart cabinet includes a cabinet and a monitoring device. The monitoring device is installed on the top of the cabinet, and the monitoring device is connected to and communicates with the backend control terminal via a network connection. The cabinet includes a parcel storage component comprising a plurality of parcel storage compartments, a food storage component comprising a plurality of food storage compartments, and a key storage component comprising a plurality of key storage compartments. The key storage compartment is located between the parcel storage compartment and the food storage compartment. The parcel storage compartment is located at one side of the food storage compartment.

A secure lockable enclosure having a compartment therein, includes an electronically-actuated latching mechanism coupled to a door; a network interface; a sensor for sensing a characteristic related to a user attempting to gain access to the compartment; an environmental controller for heating and/or cooling the compartment; and a processor. The processor being adapted to (i) cause the network interface to transmit information indicative of a sensed characteristic of a user attempting to gain access to the compartment and capable of processing an unlock signal, and (ii) control the environmental controller based on a characteristic of an item placed in the compartment. An exemplary method controlling access by a user to the enclosure includes the steps of receiving identification information of the user from sensors associated with the enclosure; receiving identification information of an account holder; verifying the received identification information of the user against the account holder information and providing an unlock code to the lock device if the identification information of the user and account holder matches.

A controller assembly allows an adjusted flow of water through a hydronic emitter in order to heat or cool an environmental entity. The controller assembly operates in two phases: a calibration phase and an operational phase. During the calibration phase, the controller assembly discovers a valve position where water starts to flow through the hydronic emitter based on signals from a temperature sensor and/or a sound sensor. The temperature sensor may be mounted in close proximity of the emitter inlet so that the controller assembly can detect when the temperature starts to change. The sound sensor may be mounted on the valve body to detect a rushing water sound that is associated with a start of the water flow. The discovered valve position is subsequently used by the controller assembly to adjust water flow between a minimum flow and a maximum flow.

A method for controlling a temperature of a heating element can include: measuring a temperature of the heating element using a temperature sensor; estimating a temperature of the heating element based on a heat transfer model of the heating element; calculating a variation of the estimated temperature and a variation of the measured temperature; and determining whether a failure of the temperature sensor occurs based on the calculated variation of the estimated temperature and the calculated variation of the measured temperature.

A controller assembly allows an adjusted flow of water through a hydronic emitter in order to heat or cool an environmental entity. The controller assembly operates in two phases: a calibration phase and an operational phase. During the calibration phase, the controller assembly discovers a valve position where water starts to flow through the hydronic emitter based on signals from a temperature sensor and/or a sound sensor. The temperature sensor may be mounted in close proximity of the emitter inlet so that the controller assembly can detect when the temperature starts to change. The sound sensor may be mounted on the valve body to detect a rushing water sound that is associated with a start of the water flow. The discovered valve position is subsequently used by the controller assembly to adjust water flow between a minimum flow and a maximum flow.

A technique for energy sample forecasting of heating, venting and air conditioning-refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems is disclosed. In an example, a first expected energy sample of a HVAC-R system at a first time period is forecasted by modelling actual energy samples of the HVAC-R system at previous time periods using a statistically-based seasonal-autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) model. Further, an anomaly is detected at the first time period when deviation between the first expected energy sample and an actual energy sample at the first time period is greater than a dynamic context sensitive threshold. Also, an expected energy sample at next time period is forecasted by modelling a second expected energy sample of the HVAC-R system at the first time period using the statistically-based SARIMA model upon detecting anomaly. The second expected energy sample is forecasted by modelling the actual energy samples at the previous time periods using a physical model.

Systems and methods for managing a programmable thermostat are described herein. One or more system embodiments include a programmable thermostat having a first management profile; a data acquisition subsystem; and a data analysis subsystem. The data acquisition subsystem is configured to receive thermostat data from the programmable thermostat, and the data analysis subsystem is configured to receive the thermostat data from the data acquisition subsystem, and determine a second management profile for the programmable thermostat based, at least in part, on the thermostat data.