Voice-activated virtual assistants and smart hubs act as command centers for smart products like light switches, door locks, and even your coffee pot. But what about your indoor comfort? Where is the smart control center for that?

Your first guess may be the thermostat… and historically, you are correct. Indoor heating and cooling equipment had to rely on information from the thermostat to run at its designed efficiency.

However, heating and cooling equipment manufacturers are now designing models with built-in communicating technology so they don’t have to rely on the thermostat to optimize performance.

So, why does this matter to you?

Simply put, the heating and cooling equipment designed with communicating technology can make internal adjustments, as needed, to run at peak efficiency.

These high IQ systems have built-in components that can adjust operation. These systems ramp up when the demand is high and gently slow operation when the need is less than 100%. This is not only energy efficient but minimizes the temperature peaks and valleys often found with the ON/OFF cycle of a single-speed or single-stage unit. That means that you stay more comfortable in your home.

What about the thermostat?

While you still need a temperature sensing device, such as a thermostat, to detect the temperature in your home, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment with this technology can adjust its own performance without the need for a specific thermostat brand. This means you can use almost any thermostat you want, even one that connects to your virtual assistant or smart hub.

This built-in communicating technology is designed to create an intelligent indoor comfort system capable of customizing energy-efficient performance without the thermostat telling it to do so. Once you set your desired indoor temperature, you don't need to worry about making manual adjustments to your home’s heating and cooling system to ensure top performance. The smart technology in the HVAC equipment is designed to take care of the rest!

How does it work?

Smart HVAC systems designed with this technology use a smart algorithm to gather its own system performance data. It uses this data to make automatic internal adjustments that may reduce the amount of energy used to heat or cool your home without the assistance of the thermostat. A system using a smart algorithm is designed to calibrate the best way to achieve the comfort level you desire, and then uses the lowest amount of energy needed to maintain it.

If you are considering upgrading your HVAC equipment, or merely the thermostat or control system, it is best to seek the guidance of a licensed professional HVAC dealer.  They will be able to assess your indoor comfort equipment and guide you to a thermostat or HVAC control system that best fits your needs.

What to look for in a new system?

Comfort Features: Many new systems offer variable speed fans and compressors that help reduce temperature swings and communicating control technology that continuously and intelligently monitors performance to offer customized indoor comfort.

Reliability: Quality materials, proven manufacturing processes, and final run testing help to reinforce the reliability of consistent indoor comfort.

Efficiency Rating: Minimum energy efficiency standards and attainable ratings have been increasing, providing homeowners with additional high-efficiency options for heating and cooling systems.

Value: More efficient systems may cost more up front, but may qualify for rebates and save you money on energy costs over time.

Unit Installation: Proper sizing and professional installation of a system customized to your home’s design are key factors in achieving tested efficiency ratings, lower operating costs, and consistent indoor comfort.

This article was included in the 2019 fall/winter edition of Just Comfort™ Magazine.