It seems like every day there is a new smart home device being released. Smart lights that turn on with your voice and security cameras you can monitor from your smartphone. So, it should come as no surprise that your HVAC system is going high tech as well.
Smart HVAC systems are here to stay. In fact, millions of homeowners have already cut the cord and started enjoying the benefits that connected thermostats and smart climate control have to offer.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes these HVAC systems smart. We’ll also explore how smart technology integrates with your other smart home devices. Plus, get the lowdown on some of the best smart HVAC technologies on the market today.
What Is A “Smart” HVAC System?
Your old-school thermostat is pretty basic. You pick a temperature and the HVAC unit does its best to maintain that setting. Smart HVAC takes automation one step further.
Your smart HVAC system learns from your behaviors and routines to run on autopilot. It knows your schedule and adjusts itself accordingly to save energy when you’re not home.
These devices link up to your home’s IoT network. This allows your thermostat, air handler and other HVAC components to communicate with each other and you.
Smart thermostats use sensors to identify when you’re at home or away. Then, they automatically adjust temps to reduce energy use when no one is home.
Some smart thermostats can even analyze local weather forecasts. Then, make automatic adjustments to keep your home comfortable while using less energy.
Benefits of Smart HVAC Tech That You’ll Notice
Installing smart technology into your HVAC system has many perks. First, you’ll save money on energy costs. According to the U.S. Energy Department, you can reduce heating and cooling expenses by 10-23%. Therefore, the average smart thermostat will pay for itself in just two to three years.
Another benefit of a smart HVAC system is constant comfort. Your system will learn your preferences over time. Then, make automatic adjustments when you like it cooler at night and warmer in the morning.
You won’t have to fiddle with the temperature because your smart thermostat does it for you. Plus, you can remotely adjust settings from anywhere with your smartphone.
You can change your home’s temperature while on vacation too. Forgot to turn off the thermostat before you left? With smart thermostat tech, you can adjust your settings from the airport.
Smart systems can even alert you to perform maintenance tasks or auto schedule HVAC service appointments. That means your system will keep track of its own performance. Running maintenance checks and letting you know when something doesn’t look right.
Best Smart HVAC Technologies
Since Nest introduced their smart thermostat, several other players have jumped into the game. Nest is the original smart thermostat. It can learn your weekly schedule in less than seven days.
Nest creates automatic programming tailored to your behavior and preferences. So you can expect your heating and cooling bills to go down.
Ecobee smart thermostats work a little differently than others. Ecobee uses sensors mounted throughout your home. Sensors placed on interior walls help these thermostats identify temperature variations in different rooms.
Then they make automatic adjustments to create a nice balance of temperatures from room to room. Many homeowners complain that their HVAC systems don’t heat or cool rooms evenly. Installing smart thermostats with remote sensors can help solve this problem.
If you already have smart home tech, Honeywell’s smart thermostats will work with your existing devices. All of your smart home gadgets connect through a single app. Honeywell’s smart thermostats include geofencing capabilities. It uses your phone’s location to detect when you’ve left or come home.
HVAC equipment manufacturers are getting smart too. Companies like Carrier, Trane and Lennox have smart solutions for your furnace or air handler. By connecting your air handler or furnace to your thermostat, you’ll be able to monitor your system’s performance on a deeper level.
Smart Thermostats that Control HVAC Systems
Smart Thermostats can integrate with your other smart home devices. If you have a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant. You can use those devices to control your temperature settings.
Just tell your digital assistant to increase the temp by five degrees. No need to get up and walk to the thermostat or grab your phone. You can automate blinds to work with your HVAC system as well. Many motorized smart blinds can detect when afternoon sun is hitting your windows.
Then close automatically to prevent excess solar heat gain. This means your AC won’t have to work as hard to cool your home. Smart occupancy sensors can identify which rooms are being used. Your smart HVAC system can adjust temperature in occupied rooms.
While rooms that are vacant can be set back a few degrees. Smart lighting can also integrate with your HVAC system in interesting ways. Some smart home systems are designed to turn off lights when you activate your “away” mode. Forcing your home into energy-saving mode. But dim your lights slightly so it looks like someone is home.
Energy Data and Usage Insights
With smart HVAC tech comes data about your energy usage. Not only will you be able to monitor how much energy you’re using. But you can pinpoint the exact time that you’re using it.
Having access to this data can open your eyes to your energy habits. Then you can take action to reduce your energy consumption even more. Many smart home systems offer monthly or yearly energy usage reports. That breaks your energy consumption down by day, week or season.
FAQ’s
What exactly qualifies an HVAC system as “smart”?
It learns your behaviors and routines. You don’t have to continue to climb up and manually adjust your thermostat. Your smart HVAC system will detect on its own when you’re home and when you’re away, and it will adjust your home’s temperature accordingly. Before long, your smart HVAC system will run without you even thinking about it.
2. Will a smart thermostat actually save me money?
Yes. If there’s one smart home device that’s actually going to save you money, it’s a smart thermostat. Your smart thermostat won’t run if you’re not home, reducing energy waste. Most people notice the difference on their energy bill within the first year. Many systems even pay for themselves after two years through energy savings alone.
3. Will smart HVAC systems help with hot and cold spots in my home?
Yes! Actually, solving hot and cold spots is one of the advantages of smart thermostats. Some models even come with remote sensors that you can put in other rooms around your house. Instead of controlling the temperature based on one sensor by the door, your smart HVAC system can adjust to improve comfort everywhere. That means no more freezing bedrooms or sweltering living rooms.
4. What if I don’t like complicated smart technology?
No problem. Smart HVAC tech is designed to make your life easier. You can control everything from your phone or using voice commands. And if you don’t want to change any settings at all, your system will run automatically without you having to think about it.
5. Can smart HVAC systems help me avoid unexpected breakdowns?
Not always, but they can certainly help. Because many smart systems monitor your system’s performance, they can alert you when something doesn’t seem right. You’ll know about reduced efficiency, stale air filters, or required maintenance much faster than you would without a smart system. The sooner you know there’s a problem, the better you can prevent unexpected break downs and costly repair bills.
Can I connect my smart HVAC system with other smart home devices?
Absolutely. Smart thermostats are compatible with pretty much all home automation devices. Voice assistants, smart blinds, occupancy sensors and even smart lights can all work with your HVAC system. Your devices can work together to keep your home comfortable while using less energy. Smart HVAC systems aren’t about having gadgets. They’re about having your home working smarter for you.
Final Words
Now you can see how energy usage habits change as the seasons change. You might be surprised at how much extra money you spend cranking up the heat in winter. Your utility company might even offer incentives for using a smart thermostat. Smart HVAC systems can integrate with your power grid.
Allowing you to take part in demand response programs. Your utility may adjust your home’s temperature during peak demand times. In exchange, they give you a credit on your bill.
