Your HVAC system is the largest energy user in your home. According to the Department of Energy, the cost to run an HVAC system makes up about 42% of your monthly energy bill. Most of us will adjust the temperature on the thermostat so that the system runs minimally while we aren’t home, to save money, but that often means returning to a home at an uncomfortable temperature. And what about the times the family is gathered in one area of your house, but the system is heating, or cooling, all rooms? A smart HVAC system may be the solution and help you save energy.
Compared to a traditional HVAC system, a smart HVAC system can run more efficiently and help reduce energy costs. While the initial cost for a smart HVAC system might be 10-15% higher than a base system, if you plan to stay in your home for at least 3 more years, you could recoup the cost and realize savings of up to 8-18% each month on your energy bill.
Energy Savings
Smart HVAC systems, which have been on the market for 10 years and are gaining in popularity, work with your home’s Wi-Fi network and a smartphone app to keep the temperature in your home regulated to your preferences. In conjunction with a smart thermostat such as Nest, you can set the temperature to a certain level and turn the system will adjust depending on whether you’re home or away. For example, on your drive home from work, you can use a smartphone app to turn your system on so that your house is heated or cooled to your desired temperature by the time you arrive home. Smart systems can also sense movement in your house and in specific rooms, turning on when people are home or move in and out of various rooms. This ensures that your HVAC system only runs when you need it, helping you save money.
Avoid Costly Breakdowns
Included in many smart systems are sensors, similar in shape to a hockey puck, that are placed on the floor around the unit, which can detect water (i.e. flooding or a unit leak) and signal the system to shut down to prevent further damage to your system or home. A built-in monitor can alert you to emerging concerns, such as the blower running slow or the filter needing to be changed. Any mechanical issues are recorded, so that when problems arise, a service technician can easily diagnose the root cause by examining the unit’s data. Constellation sells systems with Comfort Guard, a monitor that provides real-time information to our team, so that a technician can be alerted to any problems, notify the customer and schedule a service call before any disruptions to the home’s heating or cooling occur.
Improved Efficiency
Smart HVAC systems include technology enhancements that help them operate more efficiently than traditional systems. Some smart HVAC system include variable speed compressors, which can vary their start-up and operating speeds, depending on how much of a temperature increase or decrease is needed. This is more energy efficient compared to a traditional compressor, which will always operate at a full speed. Zoning controls are another feature that work well in conjunction with smart systems, allowing you to control the temperature and flow of air in different parts of your home, solving the age-old problem of one area of your home being warmer or cooler than another and saving you energy and money.
If you would like to learn more about what a smart HVAC system can do for you, a Constellation Energy & Comfort Consultant can help you determine what system would best fit your needs. Contact us online by requesting an estimate.
