There are many web sites dedicated to Canadian inventions. We know about the paint roller, baby pablum and basketball. But did you know that the most common device hanging on home walls across Canada and most of the developed world… the programmable thermostat… was invented by Jerry Kathnelson, a Canadian? Until the mid 1970’s the home heating thermostat was a simple device which used a bi-metal strip (which bent according to temperature) and a balanced mercury bulb that, when tilted past a point, would turn on your furnace to heat your house. It was simple but it was also inaccurate.
In the 70’s, the price of heating oil rose dramatically and something had to be found that could help reduce consumption. Jerry Kathnelson, working at the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa, hit on an idea to bring the thermostat into the 20th century with the use of microprocessors and software. At that time, the mandate of the NRC included both fundamental and applied research and the programmable thermostat was an example of both.
(As an aside, there is a strong research streak in Jerry’s family, as his father-in-law, Ed Swenson, also at NRC, was Canada’s leading expert in Portland Cement – first developed in 1900 – which was refined, through his discovery of an alkali-carbonate reaction, by Swenson for use in nuclear material containment structures.)
Jerry’s first thermostat (initially called the energy saving thermostat or Enerstat) has evolved over the past 40 years to what we see today – a small device controlling both heating and air conditioning which is easy to program, easy to read and very accurate. The current devices can even be programmed or controlled remotely over the internet. All the while the device sits in the background quietly saving us money on energy as we go about our busy days.
One large benefit from Jerry Kathnelson’s invention is one we do not generally think of but it is a doozy. Ever barrel of oil, cubic foot of gas or kilowatt of electricity that is saved by the programmable thermostat reduces green house gases and the cost of production and delivery of energy to our homes.
Today, Jerry Kathnelson lives, with his wife Karen, in California where he acts as Vice President of Customer Development at Energate Inc. Based in Ottawa, Energate is a leading provider of demand response and home energy management solutions including smart thermostats, energy displays, wireless communications, gateways, load switches, and utility applications software – all an off-shoot of that first programmable thermostat.
Fran Lightfoot
Wow it is about time this intelligent man got some regonizion for his invention. Cheers from Fran.
Joel Roodman
Uncle Jerry!
For years I’ve walked over to the thermostat and thought of you. Very comforting to know that when the heat is on, or I’m cooling off, you’ve had something very important to do with it!
Now, I need your help with with a transistor AM radio I am trying to build with the Heathkit you gave my for my birthday in 1969. Give me a call, please!
Sonia Swenson
Congratulations, Jerry! I’m proud of my brother-in-law.
Linda and Jim
WOW. are we proud..? You bet your sweet bippy. So wonderful to see you and your hard work acknowledged publicly. We loved you both then, we love you and your family now. Congratulations on your many successes. Wasn’t one of your first Enerstats on the POTUS Yacht .?
We still tell all our friends about you. YES we are proud.
Isabel Kathnelson Inkster
Jerry is my first cousin. I’m ashamed to say I was not aware of this extremely remarkable accomplishment. (Congratulations Jerry! I am so proud of you and really proud to have you as part of my family.
My Dad, Isaac, was your father’s (Hiram) brother.
I am Isabel and remember visiting with your family in Ottawa when during the late 50’s and 60’s. I would be the same age as Marsha. My oldest sister Shirley remembers you taking her for a ride around Ottawa in your little MG.
We all have fond memories of our times together.
I hope you and your family are all well and staying safe during these very strange covid times.
Fondly, Isabel (Kathnelson) Inkster. Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada.
Jerry Kathnelson
Hi Isabel
My apologies for the late reply to your comment re: Programmable Thermostat.
I hope you and your family are staying safe and well.
I remember your family visits to Ottawa when we were living on Russell Avenue. Your father Isaac was our favourite uncle and my father’s only “decent” sibling.
My wife Karen and I have been living in Southern California since 1997 and both our daughters and their families (2 children each) still live in Canada although not close together. Sandra lives in Vermilion, Alberta and Lesley in Ottawa. Because of Covid we haven’t seen them for almost two years.
We’re hoping to all get together in Ottawa this coming July.
So nice to hear from you and thank you for your kind comments.
My email address is: jerry.kathnelson@gmail.com
All the best,
Jerry
Joel Roodman
Uncle Jerry! So proud of you! You’re so cool, you’re Hot!