The Future of Home Comfort: Pros and Cons of Smart HVAC Systems
The New Age of HVAC Systems
What is a smart HVAC system?
A smart HVAC system is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit that uses advanced technology and internet connectivity to improve the way it operates. Smart HVAC systems gather data, use predictive algorithms, and often use automation to improve energy efficiency and user comfort.
Unlike traditional HVAC systems, these smart devices are programmable. Many of them use apps and can be controlled via smartphone, tablet, or voice command. Most smart HVAC systems can even be controlled when you are not at your home or business, which makes them a convenient and efficient choice that can even
Why Consider a Smart HVAC System?
Functionality
Smart HVAC systems have much more functionality than traditional HVAC systems. Smart HVAC systems are able to be set to have a different temperature at night than during the day, or can be set to turn down a few hours before you get home from work so your home can be slowly cooled until it reaches a comfortable temperature when you arrive. Smart HVAC systems can be accessed by app while you are away, so if you forget to turn your A/C or heat down when you are traveling, you don’t have to worry about a drastically increased energy bill for a time you weren’t even home.
Energy Efficiency
Smart HVAC systems reduce your environmental impact by adapting to your home and the climate. Whether they are saving money and energy by reducing the temperature slightly at night, or you’ve got them set to recognize when you are out of the home and let the heat rise — smart HVAC systems can help you save energy and decrease your environmental impact from your heating system.
Customized Comfort
Smart HVAC systems learn your routine, and adjust to match it. When connected to motion sensors or a primary device (like your cell phone), smart HVAC systems can learn your routine and automatically adjust the energy profile of your home to match your comfort. In many ways, Smart HVAC systems are like the programmable thermostats we’re all familiar with — but you don’t have to remember to set a routine. Your HVAC system will do it for you.
Remote Control and Automation
Another benefit of smart HVAC systems is the ability to adjust settings on the go. Did you want to turn up the heat for your pet fish? No worries. Simply check your app and make the adjustment without having to turn around and head home.
Integration with Other Smart Devices:
Internet of Things (IoT) devices can be connected to make the most of the benefits they provide. Smart HVAC systems can be connected to IoT motion detectors to ensure that extra energy isn’t spend heating or cooling empty rooms, and can be connected to digital assistants so homeowners can activate them through voice commands.
Maintenance Alerts
One of the benefits of smart HVAC systems lies in the ability of the system to collect data and predict when maintenance will be needed. Most smart HVAC systems monitor their own efficiency and will send owners a notification when their operation goes outside normal parameters. By alerting homeowners as soon as something is amiss, a smart HVAC system can be serviced before a small problem becomes a major one. Smart HVAC systems can also offer other warnings, such as reminding you to switch out filters or schedule your yearly maintenance.
Cost and ROI
Smart HVAC systems vary in cost, depending on which thermostats and sensors you purchase, as well as what adaptations you have to make to your existing system. If you have to completely replace your home HVAC system, it will be significantly more expensive than simply replacing your thermostat. However, data shws that smart HVAC users save up to 8% on their energy bills every year, a substantial savings. This can be even higher if you live in a less moderate climate with scorching summers or freezing winters.
Pros of Smart HVAC Systems
Energy Efficiency
As discussed earlier, the automation of your daily routines is a major benefit when it comes to smart HVAC systems. With consumers more concerned than ever about their impact on the environment, as well as rising energy costs in some areas, it isn’t enough to have to remember to program a thermostat. You may forget to update the programming while out of town, or if your routines change. Smart HVAC systems take these concerns out of your hands.
Predictive algorithms can also help with energy efficiency. If your smart HVAC system has noticed that you tend to be out of the house on Monday and Friday, it can adjust to this and set the temperature to increase or decrease when it knows you will be out.
Then, when your routines change and you’re suddenly gone on Thursdays and Saturdays instead, your smart HVAC system will collect the data points necessary to change its routine and adjust to your new schedule.
Enhanced Comfort and Customization
The temperature you keep your home at is usually the result of personal preference. No one wants to be too hot or too cold. Smart HVAC systems can help personalize your comfort — whether by setting different temperature thresholds for different floors or by ensuring you never come home to a cold house.
The integration with other smart devices helps improve comfort too, as you no longer even have to get up to change the thermostat. Access controls from your smartphone or tablet, or simply ask your digital assistant to turn down the A/C.
Predictive Maintenance and Longevity
HVAC systems can be pricey, and need regular maintenance to work their best. By offering maintenance alerts for regular tasks like switching out your air filter, your smart HVAC system will help avoid issues caused by forgoing regular service. Also, by detecting issues with the system early, you can avoid large surprise bills from sudden HVAC failures or by loss of efficiency over time.
Due to the self-monitoring and maintenance reminders a smart HVAC system offers, smart HVAC systems are built to last. Detecting smaller issues before they become a larger one can help you save money, but more importantly can help you avoid your AC suddenly going out on the hottest day of the year.
Integration and Interconnectivity
Our lives are more connected than ever. For those looking for a fully-integrated smart home, smart HVAC systems can work with a variety of sensors, assistants, and monitors in order to make sure your home is adjusting to your comfort without any thought or effort on your end.
These real-time adjustments help save money on energy costs, reduce your environmental impact, and even help keep you aware of problems that may be arising in your home.
Cons of Smart HVAC Systems
Initial Investment
Updating your home to a smart HVAC system may require a large initial investment. In addition to purchasing the equipment required, such as sensors, a smart thermostat, and even a subscription to an app to control the system, you will also need to consider the cost of professional installation.
Complexity of Installation and Use
Installing a smart HVAC system can be considerably more complex than installing a traditional HVAC system. When determining whether you want to install a smart HVAC system, you will want to consider if you have enough bandwidth to support the new system in addition to your other connected devices.
You will also want to consider the process of programming the system and setting up the app. This will likely be a different process than you are used to with your existing HVAC system and may have a learning curve for operation.
Security and Privacy Concerns
Compared to a traditional HVAC system, there are security considerations that must be considered for a smart HVAC system. Like any connected device, a smart HVAC system can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The most common attack on IoT devices such as smart HVAC systems is when a threat actor takes over control of the system, turning it into a “bot” that can be used to launch attacks on other devices.
However, in some cases, threat actors can also use your smart devices to gather data about your network, such as your browsing history or any information passed without encryption. The best way to avoid these issues is to use a router that offers IoT device protection and update your smart HVAC app and devices when prompted.
Another issue when it comes to smart HVAC is data privacy. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of your smart HVAC system, and read reviews of the company you choose online to make sure they are handling your data securely.
Compatibility Issues
For a long time, there were no standards in the way IoT devices communicated with each other. They may have different encryption protocol, or use different forms of connection or communication. This can be a problem when integrating a smart HVAC system into your home, especially if you hope to connect it with other devices.
As each individual manufacturer has different ways of creating their products, you will be reliant on the support from the manufacturer for security patches, software updates, and even troubleshooting. Buying from a trusted, reputable company will help keep your smart HVAC system going the longest. If you have other devices you wish to integrate, you will want to check the manufacturer’s website to make sure they are compatible with your smart HVAC system.
Frequently Asked Questions about Smart HVAC
What are the potential security risks of a smart HVAC system?
Like any IOT device, a smart HVAC system is at risk of infiltration by bad actors. Hackers may want to use your device as a “zombie device” to attack other devices, or may be looking to use it to monitor data moving in your home network. Another security risk is data breaches or leaks by the company who provides your smart HVAC system.
Can a smart HVAC system work with other smart home devices?
Yes, smart HVAC systems can integrate with other smart home devices. Compatibility may depend on the manufacturer, so you will want to look this up before purchasing.
What happens if the manufacturer discontinues the smart HVAC product line?
Many manufacturers continue to provide support for discontinued services until the end of their natural lifespan. If they do not, you will be at risk of maintaining your smart HVAC system alone, or replacing it.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Smart HVACs
Smart HVAC systems will likely become more popular over time, and are even becoming a standard offering in new-build homes and apartments. As technology continues to improve, it is likely that smart HVAC systems will continue to become more complex, and able to predict and adapt to more circumstances.
Cybersecurity is also on the horizon of smart HVAC development as companies become more aware of the need for secure solutions and the necessity of protecting consumer data from cyberattacks. An increase in IoT standardization will not only help with this push for more secure access, but will make smart HVAC systems able to connect with more devices and communicate across more systems.
If you’re wondering if a smart HVAC system is right for you, or have concerns about your home’s energy efficiency, reach out to EPB Energy ProsSM at 423-648-1372 for a free consultation to help you determine if you can benefit from a smart HVAC system.
