Are you still using an old-fashioned programmable thermostat? These are fine if you plan on setting your air conditioning or furnace to the same temperature all day, every day. However, this practice wastes energy by heating or cooling an empty house. By using sophisticated Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the system can automatically adjust the indoor temperature based on when people are home and awake or even what room they are in. Engineers have focused on making new IoT-based solutions compatible with existing HVAC installations regardless of size.
What is Internet of Things?
Simply put, an Internet of Things is when smart devices are connected together. A smart home is an example, where a single app can control the lights, doors, indoor temperature, and more. Today’s smart thermostats can be integrated with other smart devices to make your home more functional and relaxing.
Replacing Traditional Wall Thermostats
Even if you already have a programable thermostat, it may be worth investing in a smart thermostat. You may already have the thermostat set to adjust temperatures when people leave home and bring your home back to a comfortable temperature before anyone returns. You might also have it adjust temperatures when everyone is asleep. These practices save money, but a smart thermostat can take savings further.
Some smart thermostats can tie in with weather reports. When the outdoor temperature is dramatically different than the indoor temperature, it will take longer for the system to bring your home to the set point. The smart system can factor this in when deciding when to turn the heater or AC on so your home is comfortable by the set time.
Getting started with a learning thermostat won’t normally take more than a few hours. Technicians will use any electrical connections they find behind the existing wall mount to avoid running extra wires. Accessory power lines, often known as common wires, aren’t found in every home, but they’ve become more popular as a result of IoT adoption. Modern IoT devices use so little power that technicians only ever have to run a single wire in cases where they don’t find a common line. That’s helped HVAC companies develop interesting solutions that help save even more energy.
Geofencing Technology for Frugal Homeowners
Several of the more popular smart thermostats offer geofencing services, which monitor the position of a mobile device. When said device gets closer to a home, it triggers the HVAC to return the home to the preferred temperature. Once they sense the device leaving the area, they switch the home’s HVAC system into power-saving mode. Assuming you carry a cell phone or tablet everywhere, this system ensures your home stays pleasant without running up your bills.
Properly configured geofencing software can save consumers up to 50% of their original energy use. Success stories like these keep much of the IoT-related conversation focused on high-tech thermostats, but other solutions are just as electrifying.
Advanced HVAC Maintenance Controls
Consumers call HVAC technicians when they notice a problem. Forward-thinking manufacturers are installing IoT sensors on their furnaces and AC units. When these detect something wrong with the system, they can notify a professional long before human observers would have ever noticed an issue. Sensors collect data in real-time, so professionals are aware of the original baseline conditions and just how far a system may have deviated from them.
Climate control engineers actively study customer data and work on finding new applications for IoT technology. They hope to use it to design the next generation of efficient furnaces and air conditioners. Some of the latest include the following.
- Vibration detection
- Regulatory compliance
- Service plan adherence
- Warranty claim adjustments
- Usage monitoring
Call the Heating and Air Professionals
Whether you want to upgrade to a smart thermostat or want your system looked over, the technicians at TS Heat & Air have you covered. Our family-owned business has more than 40 years of experience. We’ve seen trends come and go in the HVAC industry. Considering how fast technology moves today, keeping up with all the changes can be difficult. Each of our NATE-certified technicians has the skills needed to work with the latest IoT devices as well as more traditional HVAC equipment.
Call TS Heat & Air online or call us today and let our air conditioning professionals take care of all your high-tech gear!
