HVAC systems have been at the vanguard of smart technology adoption in homes for decades. The inherent benefits of running a smarter HVAC system make upgrades highly appealing, and payback periods are often only a couple of years. Keeping up can be a challenge, but here are some of the hottest smart technologies changing the HVAC industry.
AI in Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are among the most easily adoptable technologies for people who want quick and cost-effective upgrades, especially for older systems. Programmable thermostats have been around for decades, improving system efficiency while also reducing wear and tear. However, AI and predictive analysis take programmability in smart thermostats to a new level.
AI features now track usage habits to learn patterns. As the system gets to know your preferences, it starts to make adjustments for you. Not only is this very convenient, but it also helps you when you forget to make adjustments. Depending on the built-in features, a smart thermostat may take into account the time of day, the current weather, and household occupancy levels to determine what your preferred settings will be.
Predictive Maintenance
Predictive maintenance involves tracking data about system performance and maintenance to flag when an HVAC requires attention. Many smart thermostats now track system run times and the number of cycles. This information allows a smart system to see when the HVAC system is beginning to struggle. By flagging potential maintenance issues early, predictive analysis reduces repair costs and lengthens system lifespans.
Variable Systems
Traditional HVACs operate in either an on or off state. The problem with this approach is that it requires significant energy ramps and a lot of wear and tear. It also causes a house’s comfort level to go up and down more than is desirable.
Several types of variable systems allow you to stabilize your HVAC’s performance. Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems modulate compressor speed and refrigerant flow to match each zone’s needs. Likewise, variable-speed fans and blowers are available for both heating and cooling systems. These allow the HVAC to throttle the speed and temperature up or down to maintain a steadier level of climate control during each cycle.
Energy Recovery
The ventilation system of an HVAC is a very necessary component. Even if your home doesn’t use a combustion system, you still need to exchange dirty indoor air with clean outdoor air to maintain air quality. This process, however, leads to energy losses through the ventilation system.
Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) tries to pull as much heat as possible from the exhaust. HRVs can recover up to ~80–90% of heat from exhaust air. Actual savings vary. A common alternative is an energy recovery ventilation (ERV) system, which tries to recover both heat and moisture.
While it’s impossible to recover all of the lost energy, an HRV or ERV makes a noticeable difference on your utility bill. It also improves comfort because incoming fresh air in your ventilation system warms up sooner.
Indoor Air Quality
Air filtration isn’t a new technology, but it has improved quickly. With many homeowners concerned about problems ranging from pollution to airborne viruses, high-quality filtration is also in demand. Particularly with high-efficiency systems becoming more common, tighter homes bring in less uncontrolled outdoor air, so mechanical ventilation and good filtration matter more. Consequently, cleaning the air that returns to the HVAC is very important.
High-MERV (13–16) filters capture pollen, smoke, dust, many viruses, spores, and bacteria. HEPA filtration is available in dedicated air cleaners or compatible systems. Likewise, activated carbon filters can improve the smell of the air.
Dehumidifiers and humidifiers play an important role in indoor air quality. Keeping the humidity level at 30-50% minimizes the risk of mold growth while also keeping your skin moist enough to feel comfortable.
Get Smart Technology Today
Weather Masters Corp. is the go-to HVAC contractor for many households in Frederick, MD and the surrounding areas. Our company is fully licensed and insured, and it is also a Rheem Pro Partner and a Lennox Premier Dealer. We perform installations, repairs, and upgrades to a variety of systems. You can ask us about heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, boilers, and indoor air quality systems. Our technicians even do commercial HVAC work.
If you’re planning to upgrade your HVAC system, contact Weather Masters Corp. today to learn how the latest innovations can make a major difference.
