The power of smart controls for ac and water heating

When it comes to installing new HVAC systems, three things are valued by businesses and consumers alike: quality, cost and, ultimately, convenience. And, in a rapidly digitalized world geared towards ease and efficiency, smart solutions that make life easier are no longer a value-added bonus – they’re essential.

So, what role do smart controls have to play in shaping the future of HVAC – and why should you consider integrating them into your home or project?

Businesses and individuals across the Middle East face a persistent challenge of maintaining a comfortable temperature year-round. Cooling and air conditioning alone represent 70% of the UAE’s total electricity use during the summer months – and this can have a significant impact on both cost and climate. That’s why it pays to keep HVAC systems up to date with innovative smart control solutions such as Rheem’s EcoNet® Smart Thermostat. Read on to learn more about how this innovative technology benefits you, your wallet, and the planet.

Take back control

With traditional HVAC systems, it can often be difficult to stay on top of your energy usage. In a standard home, heating, cooling and water heating can account for more than 65% of energy usage. And, because traditional systems make it much more difficult to monitor and regulate energy consumption, this can result in significant energy wastage and higher running costs over time. A smart control enables occupants to monitor outputs across each of these high-consumption systems, to accurately estimate energy consumption and avoid any unexpected bills.

However, Rheem has gone one step further. Its EcoNet® Smart Thermostat is the first smart control in the region that enables you to take back control of your home’s cooling and water heating systems from a single interface, providing all-in-one control at a single touchpoint.

A common issue with traditional HVAC systems is hitting the right temperature at the right time. How many times have you returned home to find your living space either hot and humid, from having the air conditioning unit off all day, or freezing cold from leaving it on?

Advancements in smart technology mean that it’s now easier than ever to monitor and control your HVAC systems from anywhere in the world, at any time. By integrating smart controls into your home, you can access and manage your air and water systems from your phone or tablet. In other words, you can initiate the system remotely, ensuring that your home reaches the desired temperature precisely when needed. So you can enjoy total control, with zero effort.

Cut costs

Across the GCC, consumers are acutely aware of the impact that cooling systems can have on both their wallets and the world. In fact, it’s been proven that the vast majority of people in the region would be willing to follow more eco-friendly practices if they are readily available, or if it stands to save them money.

This is where smart controls come into their own. By enabling occupants to easily set schedules for air and water systems based on lifestyle and usage needs, smart controls make it easier to conserve energy, resulting in savings of up to 30%. For example, the interface of Rheem’s EcoNet® Smart Thermostat features one-touch vacation mode. This intuitive feature allows you to run your water heater at a lower temperature than normal, saving energy, promoting further energy savings.

Take it easy

Another significant benefit of a smart control system is the level of convenience that it provides.

The majority of smart controls currently on the market are also designed to support connection with other home automation systems. For example, Rheem’s EcoNet® Smart Thermostat has been optimized to work with both Alexa and Google Assistant, to enable commands via voice activation and give you an extra level of control over your home’s HVAC systems.

Installing a smart control can also help to keep your HVAC systems running safely and securely, for total peace of mind. By monitoring and managing the operation of various accessories connected to your HVAC system – including humidifiers, air filters, UV lights, and ventilators – smart controls provide greater visibility over your systems, without the hassle of multiple interfaces. Active monitoring also enables alerts, maintenance reminders, critical alarms and more – so any time your air or water equipment requires attention, you will be notified right away.

Whilst smart thermostats have been on the market for a while now, they are continuing to evolve at a rapid pace, with more and more advanced capabilities such as geofencing being added to their list of features. Today, it is making it more efficient, convenient and intuitive than ever to take control of HVAC systems at home and away, helping homeowners to cut costs, enhance safety, and encourage sustainable practices for a greener tomorrow.