From AI-powered smart thermostats to remote system monitoring and smart air quality monitoring, smart home HVAC technology is continually advancing and offers numerous exciting benefits. While some smart HVAC upgrades are fairly costly, they can be well worth it for homeowners looking to improve their comfort and make their home more energy-efficient. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best upgrades you can make and the ways they can benefit your life and your home.
Benefits Of Smart HVAC Upgrades
Different types of smart HVAC upgrades are designed to serve different roles. Some are all about making your life more convenient and improving the performance and efficiency of your HVAC system. Others are primarily designed to make the home more comfortable and help to avoid issues with poor indoor air quality. Some can even help lessen the need for repairs and extend the lifespan of an HVAC system by alerting you when any potential performance issues arise.
How Smart Technology Improves Home Comfort
From high-efficiency systems that heat and cool more evenly and effectively to zoning controls that provide customized room-to-room temperature control, smart HVAC technology can boost your home comfort in numerous ways. Using smart technology to improve indoor air quality not only makes the home more comfortable, but it also helps to keep everyone healthy and happy.
Smart Thermostat Installation
Smart thermostat installation is a low-cost investment that pays off in numerous ways. One of the main reasons more homeowners are choosing to upgrade to a smart thermostat is to save on their heating and cooling costs. Studies show that, on average, a smart thermostat reduces the amount an HVAC system runs by 8-10% compared to controlling the system with a standard thermostat. A smart thermostat also provides the convenience of being able to monitor the temperature in your home and control your HVAC system remotely using an app.
Many smart thermostats now have advanced learning capabilities that allow them to learn your schedule and behavior patterns. They then use this information to optimize the heating and cooling schedules to strike the perfect balance between comfort and energy savings. Some also have other advanced features like weather monitoring and geo-fencing that allow them to even more accurately adjust the temperature settings for optimal efficiency and comfort.
Zoned HVAC Controls
Investing in HVAC zoning is one of the most effective solutions for improving home comfort and lowering energy bills. Instead of having a single thermostat that controls the temperature for the entire house, a zoned system breaks the house up into individual heating/cooling zones that each have an independent thermostat. This allows you to adjust the temperature in any zone without affecting the rest of the house. The system will also ensure that every zone stays at the desired temperature to eliminate any issues with hot and cold spots. HVAC zoning can significantly reduce the amount of energy the system uses. Not only can you adjust the temperature in unoccupied areas to reduce the system’s workload, but the system will also only heat and cool each zone as needed.
Smart Air Quality Monitoring
Smart air quality monitoring uses sensors that track things like allergens, pollutants and humidity. More and more homes now have advanced indoor air quality solutions like mechanical ventilation systems and whole-home dehumidifiers or humidifiers. Ventilation systems typically just run on a timer, whereas dehumidifiers and humidifiers are usually set to run alongside the HVAC system. Smart air quality monitoring allows this type of equipment to work more effectively while also ensuring it only runs as needed to prevent energy waste. For instance, the sensors will signal the ventilation system to run when the air starts getting stale and more polluted. Similarly, by monitoring humidity, the sensors ensure that the dehumidifier or humidifier keeps the house at the desired humidity level and doesn’t ever make the house overly dry or too humid. Smart monitoring can also alert you if there are any major causes of concern, such as radon or a high concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
High-Efficiency System Upgrades
Upgrading to advanced, high-efficiency HVAC equipment like a variable-refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioner or heat pump or a variable-speed, modulating furnace is another great way to both save energy and improve comfort. Standard HVAC equipment has a single stage or speed, meaning it always runs at full power and continually cycles on and off. Most standard systems only run for 15-20 minutes at a time, so some parts of the house may not be fully heated or cooled before the system shuts off. Running at full power and continuously cycling also consumes large amounts of energy.
Variable-speed technology allows the HVAC system to continually adjust how much heating/cooling it’s putting out based on the current needs. A variable-speed system runs almost continuously at the lowest speed, allowing it to maintain the whole house at the desired temperature. This greatly reduces energy usage while also ensuring that the system heats and cools every part of the house much more evenly.
Remote HVAC Monitoring & Alerts
Many smart HVAC systems also have remote monitoring capabilities, allowing you to see how much energy the system is using. They can help you balance comfort and energy usage, and you can easily see how any adjustments you make to your thermostat settings impact usage and overall efficiency. By monitoring your energy usage, you can also quickly tell if your HVAC system is performing less effectively and using more energy. You’ll know early on that you need to schedule a maintenance or repair service before the issue worsens and potentially leads to a breakdown. If a major problem arises, such as your HVAC system failing to run or shutting off mid-cycle for any reason, you’ll also immediately receive an alert on your phone.
Explore Smart HVAC Upgrades For Your Home
At Eagle Air Conditioning, our experts are ready to help if you’re considering any smart HVAC upgrades for your home. From high-efficiency systems to smart thermostats and zoning controls, we have the professional solutions you need.
To schedule a home evaluation and consultation in Livermore, Turlock or the Tri-Valley area, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you unsure whether smart HVAC technology is a good choice for your home? Our team can advise you on which options will work best for your home and answer any questions you may have.
Are smart HVAC upgrades worth the investment?
Yes. While not all upgrades are right for every home, smart technology can significantly improve your comfort and help your HVAC system work more efficiently to lower your energy bills.
Can smart thermostats improve energy efficiency?
Yes. Most homeowners see around an 8-10% improvement in HVAC efficiency with a smart thermostat. In places that experience extreme heat or cold, your savings could be as high as 15-25%.
Do smart HVAC systems require professional installation?
Yes. All HVAC installations should always be handled by a certified professional. DIY installation will void the warranty on the equipment and can lead to major issues with decreased performance and lower efficiency.
What upgrades provide the biggest comfort improvements?
The upgrades that provide the biggest improvements in overall comfort include smart thermostats, HVAC zoning controls and variable-speed equipment.
