Today, advancements in technology are playing a significant role in making HVAC units more efficient. These innovations result in improved ways to heat and cool your living space. To keep up, you need to understand how you can embrace this new technology to plan system maintenance and monitor your energy usage.
With the recent technological advancement in HVAC systems, homeowners have the opportunity to make cooling and heating systems faster and smarter while keeping their houses comfortable all year.
Here are the top 10 recent advancements you should know about before arranging a new HVAC unit installation or replacement in residence.
1. Energy Analysis Software
Nowadays, before conducting installation services, HVAC professionals use new software like the Energy Gauge to help companies save time and help clients save money. This software helps technicians to project the most energy-efficient unit for a given space.
That’s not all, though. They also provide technicians with a cost analysis for measures to improve energy for an existing system. Through this, customers are informed of improvements up front that can save them the most money in the long run.
With energy analysis software, HVAC innovation can be achieved on a large scale, too. Architects and engineers could use such a platform to find the best system for their design and project a specific building’s lifetime energy consumption.
2. Smart Thermostats
Smart home systems allow you to effectively integrate your HVAC technology with other components throughout your house. For instance, if you have a Nest Thermostat, you can use it to change your room’s temperature by simply saying, “Alexa, set the room to 60 degrees.”
3. Dual-Fuel Heat Pump
Most heat pumps rely on electricity to function. Well, that’s not the case with the dual-fuel heat pump, a recent HVAC advancement. These heat pumps can use both natural gas and electricity.
Generally, electric heat pumps aren’t that efficient at temperatures below 15 degrees. That’s why they have backup resistant heaters that automatically kick in at such low temperatures. However, you’ll pay more on your electricity bills because resistant panels use more energy to produce heat.
On the other hand, dual-fuel heat pumps turn to natural gas when the temperatures are extremely low. Natural gas effectively provides a warm and cozy environment inside of your house during frigid winter days. At mild temperatures, the heat pump will use electricity, which is more efficient.
4. Smart HVAC Systems Increase Preventive Maintenance
Smart HVAC systems help you predict when you need to schedule maintenance services before the problem worsens. This new technology advancement can change the relationship between you and your contractor from calling in for emergency repairs to reaching out for regularly scheduled tune-ups.
New heating and cooling systems that use an Internet of Things (IoT) system have software, connectivity, and sensors that allow them to exchange data from one connected device to another. IoT systems improve maintenance services by sensing data on equipment status and air quality. The new IoT HVAC technology allows you to gain insight across various equipment such as:
- Air-handling units (AHU)
- Rooftop air-handling units (RTU)
- Make-up air units (MAU)
5. Remote Monitoring
Although regular maintenance reduces the expenses associated with emergency house calls, HVAC technology advancements open new doors for contractors to provide their best service. It’s now becoming common for commercial and residential clients to have their systems designed for remote monitoring.
Even the slightest deviation from the manufacturer’s specification can cause an increase in energy consumption. The good news is that remote monitoring minimizes power waste by ensuring your unit runs at peak efficiency.
With this new technology, contractors can now suggest maintenance, monitor energy usage, and offer suggestions to improve energy efficiency while reducing energy consumption.
6. Variable-Speed Motors
Variable-speed is used in furnaces and heat pumps. It’s specifically designed to function at low levels when the temperatures are moderate. That’s why it can reduce energy usage.
When you set it at high speed, the variable-speed motor will work faster to heat or cool your property. This system will typically work to achieve your thermostat’s temperature settings. Through this, it will save energy without sacrificing comfort.
7. Motioned-Activated Air Conditioning
Motioned-activated air conditioning has only become readily available on the market in recent years. This technology helps to make your air conditioning more efficient. For you to realize its full potential, you need to schedule motion sensor installation services.
When the installed sensors detect any movement, they’ll immediately send a signal to your cooling unit to cool down the room as needed. If the sensors don’t notice any motion, your AC unit will make the necessary adjustment, too.
This technology comes with several benefits, including reduced energy cost, automated air conditioning operation, and less strain on your HVAC system.
8. Wi-Fi-Enabled Fans
Using built-in fans is an effective way of controlling air circulation. You can even go a step further by using Wi-Fi-enabled fans. This new technology allows you to manage your house’s temperature levels with just a click of a button.
With your smartphone, you can control air circulation in your home and improve its comfort levels. What’s more, having a fan in your residence can help you in both the summer and winter seasons. During summer, you can use your Wi-Fi-enabled fan to circulate cool air throughout your residence. As cold air moves around your house, it can improve your air conditioner’s efficiency.
During winter, the Wi-Fi-enabled fan can be used to circulate heat in various living spaces of your home.
9. Zoned Comfort System
Zoned comfort systems are another recent HVAC advancement. These systems include air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless systems, and mini-splits. Here, each zone has its unique thermostat settings, and you can customize each unit’s temperature.
With a zoned system, you can have your master bedroom at one temperature and the living room at another temperature. This means that if one of your family members likes a cold living room, you won’t have to cool your entire house to that temperature.
10. Desiccant Enhanced Evaporate (DeVAP)
Today, sustainable HVAC has become a significant rising trend in the heating and cooling industry. The most common methods include solar, geothermal heating, and DeVAP. The desiccant enhanced evaporate, also known as the DeVAP, can cool your air using an evaporative cooling system.
You can use this system to absorb the humidity levels in your cooled air and help the traditional HVAC system. Because of its smaller energy consumption and environmentally friendly refrigerant, the DeVAP system is gaining popularity at a higher rate.
Rely on the HVAC Pros
At 4 Seasons Heating & Air, our fully licensed and certified technicians are more than ready to tell you about how you can benefit from the most recent HVAC advancements. For more than 45 years, we’ve been offering homeowners in Alpharetta and the North Atlanta area top-notch heating and cooling services. You can count on us to provide residential and commercial services from repairs and maintenance to installations and replacement.
As a Lennox and Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, our NATE-certified technicians can handle your cooling or heating system regardless of its make and model. We’ll always strive to find an effective and affordable solution to protect your home and your comfort. Additionally, our indoor air quality services can keep your house clean, safe, and healthy.
Are you interested in learning more about the most recent HVAC advancements? Contact 4 Seasons Heating & Air today to schedule an appointment.
