Fifty years ago, when central A/C was just catching on in American homes and most telephones were still attached to a wall, it would have seemed ludicrous – if not entirely nonsensical – to suggest that these two technologies would one day be combined. And yet fifty years later, the advent of home automation technology has done exactly that, while also managing to usher in a new age of home comfort and convenience.

What is Smart HVAC?

Smart HVAC refers to HVAC systems that use advanced home automation  technology (AKA smart home technology) to expand the capabilities of your HVAC system and help you take control of your home’s comfort like never before. In addition to advanced sensors, geofencing technology, scheduling features and more, smart HVAC systems use Wi-Fi to connect you to your system via your smartphone, tablet or other smart devices. So on top of controlling your comfort like never before, smart HVAC puts that power in the palm of your hand.

The Benefits of Smartphone Control for Your HVAC System

Regardless of how you feel about phone use and screen time, being able to control your HVAC system from your smartphone comes with some undeniable benefits. There are plenty of specific perks that we’ll go into detail on later in this article, such as the ability to adjust temperature remotely, schedule changes in advance and many more, but the main benefits of smart home automation boils down to the three C’s – comfort, control and convenience.

Setting Up Your HVAC System for Smartphone Control

Checking for System Compatibility 

If you’re considering upgrading to a smartphone-controlled system, the first thing you should do is check your existing system’s compatibility. If your components are all relatively up-to-date, chances are your system is already compatible. Older systems, however, may lack the sophistication necessary to connect with, integrate and respond to the advanced controls of a smart thermostat. To find out whether or not it’s compatible with smart home technology, either check your owner’s manuals or Google the make and model of your system.

Installing a Smart Thermostat

In order to control your system from your smartphone or device, you need to have a smart thermostat installed. Like normal thermostats, smart thermostats act as a dedicated control center for your entire system’s operating network. Unlike normal thermostats, however, smart thermostats are capable of much more. Chief among these capabilities is the power to connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network, which is what allows them to be controlled remotely via your smartphone, tablet or computer.

Connecting to your Home’s Wi-Fi Network

Once your fully compatible system is equipped with a brand new professionally installed smart thermostat, the final step before you’re up and running is to connect your system to your home’s Wi-Fi network. If you haven’t done so already, you’ll also need to download/install a home automation app on the smartphone/s and other devices with which you wish to control your system. Once connected to your system via your home’s Wi-Fi network, you can essentially use your smartphone as a mobile thermostat that allows you to do everything you would with a normal thermostat and much more.

Controlling your HVAC System with a Smartphone

Remote Control 

One of the coolest features of smart thermostats & smart HVAC systems is the ability to control your temperature and other settings remotely using your smartphone or other devices. This means you can adjust your home’s temperature and climate settings from the comfort of your couch, your office or the cruise ship you boarded without remembering to turn down your air. As mentioned above, you may need to install companion software on your smartphone or smart device in order to take advantage of this feature, but in most cases this is as simple as downloading an app.

Scheduling Features

In addition to giving you the ability to adjust your temperature remotely, you can also use your smartphone to schedule temperature changes and other climate settings in advance. Experience your ideal climate settings every time you get home without having to leave it that way when you depart, and save energy day and night by scheduling more conservative settings for when you’re asleep or away from home.

Energy Monitoring

Wondering exactly how much energy you’ll save by upgrading to a smart system? You won’t have to wonder once you’ve done so, because you’ll have the ability to closely monitor and track your system’s energy usage from your thermostat or smartphone. Take control of your HVAC system’s energy consumption like never before by seeing when your system uses the most energy and where it could be using less energy – all of which helps to reduce your home’s carbon footprint and your monthly utility bills.

Alerts & Notifications

In addition to monitoring your system’s energy use, connecting your system to your smartphone allows your thermostat to send you notifications and alerts regarding your system and its various functions. This means instead of waiting until it malfunctions or makes funny noises, your system can notify you itself when it starts having issues or needs maintenance. These notifications can save you tons on energy consumption,

Tips to Get the Most Out of Smartphone Control

Create a Schedule that Works for You

Day-to-day schedules and comfort preferences are hyper-specific to you, your home and the individuals you share it with. One of the best ways to get  your money’s worth out of a home automated HVAC system is to create a hyper-specific schedule for your system that fits your exact lifestyle, meets all of your needs and saves you energy and money in the process.

Take Advantage of Geofencing & Automatic Changes

If a busy schedule or bustling household has people constantly coming and going from your home or business, you can also program your smart system to automatically adjust based on whether or not anyone is home. Using advanced geofencing technology, your smart home system has the ability to detect whether or not a space is occupied, conserve energy if it it’s not, and adjust to your ideal climate settings if it is.

Integrate Additional Smart Home Devices with Your HVAC System

In addition to smart thermostats,  you can also outfit your home’s HVAC system with other smart home devices. Additional upgrades include smart air conditioners, smart furnaces, smart vents and more. The more smart components your system has, the more compatible, synchronized and efficient these various components will be. To learn more about smart HVAC upgrades, check out our previous article on smart systems via the link at the end of this article.

Closing Thoughts

In addition to maximizing the three C’s – comfort, control and convenience – controlling your HVAC system with a smartphone can save you tons of energy, time, trouble and money. If all that still isn’t enough to convince you, you may just have to try it out for yourself.

If you’re looking to maximize the comfort, control and convenience of your HVAC system while saving energy and money, upgrading to a smartphone-controlled system could be the perfect investment. To learn more about smart HVAC systems, or to check out some of the smart thermostats available from brands we trust like Trane and Mitsubishi, visit the links below!

If you have questions about upgrading to a smart HVAC system or want to schedule an installation, click the Text Us button at the bottom of the page to message one of our experts or give us a call at (302) 328-4822 to get started now!