Smart HVAC Systems: What's So Smart About Them?

September 22, 2016

Smartphones and TVs are well entrenched in our modern way of life, but what's next on the horizon for intelligent technology? If you haven't heard of a smart HVAC system, read on. It's the wave of the future when it comes to heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Two-Stage Furnace

Two-stage furnaces eliminate temperature swings that occur when the furnace abruptly turns on and off. Instead, the furnace operates at a low stage most of the time, delivering quiet, gentle heat. Then, if needed, the furnace will cycle into high stage. Some of these furnaces can be programmed for self-learning mode.

Ventilation

Intelligent ventilation systems can improve indoor air quality efficiently and automatically. One system introduced over the last decade uses a master control to monitor fans installed throughout the home. It calculates how much air has been ventilated, deducts it from the total needed and then intermittently turns fans on for optimal ventilation. Some of these fans can detect humidity and when there's an increase, they automatically turn on and exhaust the humidity.

Thermostatic Expansion Valve

Activated by information from pressure and temperature sensors, this valve opens and closes a diaphragm on the air conditioner that precisely meters refrigerant as it flows to the coil. This increases air conditioner or heat pump efficiency and reduces cooling bills.

Scrolling Compressor and Variable-Speed Blower

Scrolling compressors and variable-speed blowers have been around a while, and are well known for the way they evenly and efficiently deliver conditioned air. When they're integrated with outdoor and indoor control boards as well as a programmable thermostat, the HVAC system becomes capable of sharing information and achieving top performance.

One Thermostat to Rule Them All

All the components mentioned above can be controlled by one of the new Wi-Fi thermostats that let you monitor and adjust temperature, humidity, airflow and ventilation from your phone or tablet inside the home or from the other side of the world. To learn more about a smart HVAC system, contact Lozier Heating and Cooling of Des Moines. Lozier has been delivering quality service to our customers since 1906. Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: "Ramdlon/Pixabay"