Heating, Ventilation, & Air-Conditioning (HVAC) is an important element of the mechanical industry. In the US, it is a hefty market worth $93 Billion based on an IBISWorld report. This massive contribution of the HVAC systems entails that its impact on lifestyle, comfort, and environment is substantial. Currently, smart technology is at the center of commercial development, and with it, the trend of smart HVAC is gaining popularity.
Let us look at the significance of Smart HVAC closely.
- Reduced Utility Expense: According to an article in the February 2011 issue of Energy and Buildings, “Among the building energy services, HVAC system is one of the most energy-consuming devices, accounting for more than 50% of the total building energy consumption.” Smart heating and cooling remove redundant operations and saves significant money.
- Added Comfort: With zoned heating/cooling, humidity control, and programmable thermostats, the user can enjoy convenient air-conditioning with pure air. There are significant health benefits for people with allergies and respiratory illnesses.
- Elevation in Property Value: Homes and commercial establishments with intelligent and energy-efficient HVAC systems have better resale value. Without the toil of paying for installation and savings on the electricity bill, the potential buyers may be more attracted.
- Do your bit: Along with cost-saving and rebates in electricity bills, smart HVAC systems help you support the ‘Go Green’ initiative. Thus, you have the satisfaction of helping the environment and goodwill for your brand.
Potential Smart Upgrades
Before implementing an upgrade, perform an initial evaluation by identify the problem area or dated equipment, get a professional to run an energy audit for replacing the parts that exhaust power, examine the building systematically for proper placement of your smart equipment. After detailed analysis, you can adopt any innovation listed below for employing an intelligent HVAC system.
1. Compressor:
A sizeable amount of energy is consumed by the compressor that uses an electric pump to compress the refrigerant. Additionally, the air handler used for blowing over coils while heating/cooling also depletes higher energy. A simple rule of running these devices only when needed and small advancements in them can save much life. With smart technology, you can have a system where programs are available that enable the customers to prevent heavy energy loads during peak demand intervals.
2. Ventilation:
The proper air supply in the building is necessary for a smooth-running HVAC. Usually, an elaborate ventilation system is designed by a Mechanical Engineer before the installation of the system. Based on the amount of occupancy, surrounding climate, and building structure, the ventilation system is designed for optimal airflow. However, tampering with the installed equipment can disturb the overall building’s air supply. There is sensor-based technology available that only allows specific personnel to modify the system settings and thus ensures proper air supply in the building.
3. Thermostat:
Currently, there are smart thermostats offered in the market which can read multiple variables like temperature, humidity, occupancy, etc. The pre-installation audit lets you know the factors that cause discomfort and latency from your system. For example, the inappropriate humidity level can produce latent heat. Placement of HVAC is also crucial for suitable heating/cooling of the space. E.g., In the classroom, the teacher is standing most of the time and experiences more heat than the students. So, the teacher adjusts thermostat according to his need while the pupils freeze. This issue can be avoided by zoned heating/cooling, where the air is supplied in designated areas at the correct time.
The ultimate purpose of getting smart HVAC is to abate the excess cost, save energy, and build an efficient system in the long-run.
