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What You Need to Know About Smart Thermostats and HVAC Systems
Are you looking for a way to control your home’s HVAC system from your phone or another device? Smart thermostats allow users to wirelessly connect their HVAC system with their phone, computer, or other devices.
These thermostats allow you to manage your temperature settings from anywhere in the world. Let’s look at what makes an HVAC system compatible with a smart thermostat.
Compatibility Checklist
The first step in determining if your HVAC system is compatible with a smart thermostat is to ensure that it has the right connections and controls. To do this, you should check the following items:
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Wi-Fi connectivity is the most important feature you should already have at home, as most smart thermostats require this feature to work properly. Without it, you won't be able to control the temperature remotely and will have to rely on manual adjustments.
Control Wiring
For a smart thermostat to work properly, it needs access to all of your HVAC system's wires and controls—including power sources, air flow sensors, humidifiers/dehumidifiers, and more. However, not all systems are wired for compatibility with all types of smart thermostats, so try choosing one designed specifically for your type of system before purchasing it.
Zoning Controls
Zoning controls are essential for controlling multiple rooms or areas within your home as they allow each zone to be separately adjusted based on its own temperature needs. Without zoning controls, you won't get the most out of a smart thermostat, as it won't provide the same precision when controlling multiple areas within your home.
Airflow Detection System
Smart thermostats need access to an airflow detection system to adjust temperatures accurately throughout different areas in real time based on changes in external conditions such as wind direction or humidity levels. With this feature, it will be possible for the thermostat to accurately detect changes in environmental conditions and adjust accordingly without manual temperature input.
Safety Shutoff Feature
Finally, ensure that your existing safety shutoff feature has been updated or replaced by one compatible with a smart thermostat before adding one into the mix. This will ensure that any potential safety issues are taken care of before they become major problems down the line.
Not every HVAC system is compatible with a smart thermostat. Still, there are some steps you can take before investing in one. Let our team at Kern Heating & Cooling Co. prepare your system for a smart thermostat or assess its compatibility with one. Call us today at (847) 383-0350 to schedule an installation.