Smart HVAC Automation

What Is Smart HVAC?

Traditional systems can be controlled manually or sometimes be programmed. However, they lack the connectivity that smart HVAC systems have, which includes a thermostat connected directly to a smartphone app, from which any function can be controlled. The app can also receive information on real-time temperatures or alert you about when maintenance is needed. Motion detectors with some systems communicate with the thermostat to detect the presence of people. Using these data, the thermostat can automatically adjust temperature and air flow.

Benefits of a Smart HVAC System

Upgrading to a smart HVAC system can yield the following benefits:

• Energy Efficiency: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning a thermostat up as much as 10°F, for 8 hours each day, can save you up to 10% per year on heating and cooling.
• Resource Conservation: Better control over temperature and humidity at home can lead to fewer resources consumed, just with minor adjustments based on data gathered by smart system.
• Convenience: Adjust the settings and monitor the system using your mobile device, so your home is just the right temperature when you arrive. Manual tasks such as adjusting vents or remembering when to check filters are eliminated.
• Zoned Heating and Cooling: Zoning allows different settings for different rooms, sections, or floors of a home. A smart HVAC system can help automate control to achieve optimal comfort levels in each area.
• Ease of Use: Most user interfaces are simple, making it easy to adjust temperature, humidity, and vents as well as monitor system status from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Connected Systems and Upgrades

The connected systems you have installed contribute to making your HVAC system smart. These individual components include the thermostat, which is connected to the internet to collect and act on data it receives from motion sensors, video feeds, or the cloud. There are even HVAC systems that can receive data from an online weather service; the thermostat can set the indoor temperature accordingly while adjusting the amount of energy used.

Thermostats aren’t the only connected devices. Humidifiers can operate in a similar way by collecting data from humidity sensors and adjusting automatically to maintain desired settings. A wide range of environmental sensors can interact with the system, whether they’re monitoring temperature or humidity, ductwork performance, or equipment malfunctions. Sensors can even provide information on filter status, so you know when to clean or replace it, or update you on trends in unit efficiency to spot potential problems.

The software running these systems features Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that make it more intuitive to interact with your A/C. But that’s not all. Developers have been integrating encryption technology to make communication more secure and keep your data private. Even concepts such as wearable technology are being considered as experts work to make smart HVAC even smarter.

Commercial HVAC Automation

Smart HVAC integration is possible in commercial properties such as office buildings, schools, retail properties, hotels, restaurants, and apartment complexes. Commercial systems consisting of air handlers, boilers, rooftop units, exhaust systems, and/or heat pumps can be time-consuming and expensive to operate. It’s now easier to make your facility more efficient and workforce healthier and more productive. These objectives can be achieved with web-based automation controls, programmable thermostats, and motion detectors that control the A/C and lighting system.

Contact The AC Hero Today

Our smart HVAC and home automation experts can help chose and install the equipment and technology that can make your home more comfortable and efficient. We offer same-day installation, replacement, and repairs for Dallas-Fort Worth area homes and commercial customers. Financing is available for our HVAC services and integration of smart technology. You can therefore fit the latest A/C automation systems and features into your budget. Call us today at 817-587-0794 to learn more.