By now, most of us have had some sort of experience with smart thermostats such as the Nest, Lyric, or even Google Home. These systems have exerted a tremendous impact on home efficiency standards, through the integration of advanced technology and enhanced user controls.

This article is not to downplay the significance of these innovations, which are incredibly cool for tech nerds like me. Instead, the goal is to shed light on the differences between smart home thermostats and the integration of advanced technology directly into HVAC systems.

Homeowners can obtain a substantial cost savings and an improvement in the comfort levels of their homes by purchasing an HVAC system with smart technology built directly into the unit.  This not only allows for a vast improvement in energy efficiency but also ensures that the HVAC system operates at peak performance levels.

Whether analog and traditional, smart or “not so smart,” a thermostat is simply designed to gather data and quickly communicate with the HVAC system. Having this communications technology built into the components of the HVAC system allows it to automatically make adjustments, resulting in a reduction in the amount of energy required to heat or cool a home.

Basically, one of the chief advantages to this innovation is that it eliminates human error. Having the smart technology built into the HVAC system just moves the technology where it needs to be. Aside from reducing or completely eliminating the lag time required for the thermostat and the system to communicate with each other, another advantage is that it allows the system to make the adjustments on the fly instead of being user driven.

Smart thermostats are great but function best when installed and programmed by a trained HVAC professional. One of the coolest things (sorry for the pun) about having smart tech securely installed directly into the HVAC system is that, eventually, it will allow for the integration of sensors that can pick up on minor changes in the air inside our homes, or small problems with the system that can become major issues if left unchecked; whether your unit is a traditional “not so smart” system or an advanced smart system.

These sensors could allow for the automatic adjustment of indoor air environments based on a complex set of criterion: factors such as air quality, temperature, and humidity levels. Aside from providing a significant reduction in costs, this could simplify our lives substantially as it is basically designed to be a “plug-and-play” or “fix-it-and-forget-it” solution.

Having sensors directly built into an HVAC system with smart home technology can also head off major issues, as the system sends alerts with detailed information pertaining to service alerts or required maintenance schedules, allowing your HVAC service professional to quickly counteract the issue. Incidentally, preventative maintenance schedules are often overlooked by many homeowners. Adhering to recommended guidelines for maintenance is a way for homeowners to ensure their HVAC system continues to operate in good working order.

In an ideal world, having a smart home thermostat working in conjunction with a smart HVAC system would be the best possible solution. Until the purchase of a smart HVAC system is feasible, however, a smart home thermostat can be effective as a stand-alone solution for increasing energy efficiency as well as the performance of an HVAC system…and let’s be honest…they just look cool and have super cool features (again, pardon the pun)!

For a comprehensive, no-obligation consultation about the performance of your HVAC system, an installation of a smart home thermostat, or a smart HVAC system, please call 910-791-0480, text 910-612-0053, or email [email protected].

Chris Jones and the team at Green Dot HVAC are committed to provide their clients with a consultative, transparent approach, driven by innovative technology and a diligent work ethic.  With a team of highly trained and versatile technicians, a focus on helping clients make informed decisions, and a commitment to deliver substantial value, Green Dot HVAC is a leader in the Southeast North Carolina marketplace. To arrange a free at-home consultation, a repair/installation or simply find guidance about the nuances of modern heating and air conditioning systems, call 910-791-0480 or text 910-612-0052.