HVAC Automation with Smart Devices

Not only does a properly installed and maintained HVAC system make life much more pleasant for you and your family, but it also sets the stage for one of the best options in home improvement that (not a lot of) money can buy: HVAC automation.

What is HVAC Automation?

HVAC automation refers to the process of setting up your HVAC system to automatically perform certain tasks, without the need for human attention or intervention. For example, you can set up your indoor air conditioning system to automatically cool a particular room to a preset temperature. Or you can trigger a system to warn you when airflow through your heating and cooling system becomes restricted or clogged.

Truthfully, the only limit is your imagination. (Just check out this list of the possibilities!)

Doesn’t HVAC automation cost a fortune?

Absolutely not. Modern technology and miniaturization have allowed consumers access to devices that were previously only available to large companies. At the same time, new processes have driven down the price of these technologies, making them financially accessible to more people than ever before.

What are some things I can do with HVAC automation?

As we said earlier, the only real limit to what you can do with HVAC automation is your imagination. But there are some common processes that people automate with widely available technology that you might be interested in.

Smart thermostats

One of the most common things that people do to automate their HVAC system is to get a smart thermostat. These inexpensive devices keep track of the humidity and temperature in your home or in a specific room. The better ones also keep track of trends over time, like when you tend to get home (by syncing with your smartphone) and when you tend to turn your air conditioning or heat off and on.

Smart thermostats allow you to program simple or complex routines into your HVAC system’s controls. You could, for example, program your air conditioning to turn on every time you get home in the months of May, June, July, and August. You could also program your heat to turn up the temperature 3 degrees every time your partner is home because you know they like it a bit warmer than you do. The sky’s the limit, especially with Michigan’s unpredictable climate.

Improving indoor air quality

Just as a smart thermostat can help you maintain an ideal temperature and humidity, simple technologies can also allow you to keep track of airflow and the unwanted buildup of particulate matter or pollutants. You can then trigger your system to warn you when this happens and prompt you to call your HVAC maintenance person or perform some self-maintenance.

Final Thoughts

We’ve only just scratched the surface of what modern HVAC automation is capable of. If you’d like to learn more about the options available to you, drop us a line at your convenience. We’d love to chat with you about any of your HVAC-related questions or concerns. Until next time!