Technology is one of those things that can be difficult to keep up with. Just when you think you have the latest heating system installed with all the latest bells and whistles, something new comes out. This is why it’s so important to take time every few months to familiarize yourself with the latest technologies for heating systems.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are, of course, great because they can help lower your heating costs. However, they also come with several other advantages. Using the remote access feature, you can change the temperature from any location with a few taps on your smartphone. This is especially convenient when you go to work and realize you forgot to lower the temperature before you left. If the device has geofencing, you can even have the furnace automatically start warming up the house on your way home from work because it tracks your location.
Variable-Speed Blower Motors
Regular furnaces have a blower on them that operates at two speeds: full blast or not at all. This ends up putting unnecessary wear on the equipment when maximum output isn’t necessary, such as during milder winter weather. With a furnace that has a variable-speed blower motor, it can adjust itself according to the home’s real-time heating needs. It may run at a lower speed for a longer period of time when it’s only slightly colder than the thermostat setting and then increase its speed during periods of greater heating demand. The result is more comfortable living spaces and less wear on the heating system.
Predictive HVAC Maintenance Technology
It used to be quite difficult to know when a certain component was first starting to go bad on a furnace. With predictive HVAC technology, it’s now much easier to spot worn-out parts, airflow problems and pressure issues before they result in a system failure. This technology works through the use of sensors and smart software. When they detect an unusual pattern, you receive an alert, or an indicator light may come on that tells you to schedule service.
Heat Recovery Ventilators
If your home struggles with stale indoor air because you’ve sealed air leaks and added extra insulation, you may want to consider installing a heat recovery ventilator. This type of setup brings in fresh outdoor air to replace the stale air that gets exhausted outside through a separate ventilation duct. Even better, it transfers heat from the outgoing air to the incoming air, so you’re not wasting as much of the heat you’ve already paid to produce.
These are just a few of the many advancements in technology that relate to heating systems. The ones that will provide the most benefits for your home depend on your energy, comfort and indoor air quality goals. You may find you want to upgrade your current setup with zoning controls, so various areas in your home can be set at different temperatures. Or you may discover you want to upgrade the whole heating system with one that has a variable-speed blower motor and already comes with built-in predictive maintenance technology. If you live in Wilmington, NC or a surrounding area and need heating repair services, make your first call to Anderson Air.