Though the essentials of air conditioning and indoor heating technology have been with us for many decades now, the HVAC industry continues to evolve. Year after year, engineers and researchers strive either to improve the efficiency and performance of existing technology or to invent devices that can push home comfort to new heights. Here are three important innovations that will likely shape future HVAC technology and that homeowners in Cheverly, MD and beyond should know about.
1. Green Technology
Though environmentally friendly technologies have encountered various cost-related difficulties over the years, they are gradually growing in prominence. This is as true in the HVAC industry as it is in other fields.
We can see this, for example, in the growing trend toward heat pumps and away from traditional HVAC systems. Air-source and geothermal heat pumps, which run on electricity and produce no greenhouse gases, are growing more popular and more affordable as the years go by. It has become common for governments to offer tax credits and other incentives to those who purchase heat pumps, and this is partly responsible for the fact that, as of August 2022, more than 17.5 million American households were using these systems.
What’s more, a push has now gathered steam to phase out polluting refrigerants like R22 and replace them with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Specifically, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been seeking to progressively remove refrigerants that use high concentrations of hydrofluorocarbons and replace them with ones that rely more on hydrofluoroolefins, unsaturated organic compounds composed of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon. Even natural refrigerants, among them CO2 and ammonia, are experiencing a resurgence.
More generally, HVAC engineers have long been seeking ways to squeeze more energy efficiency out of their designs, and these efforts have consistently borne fruit. Fresh innovations, like ice-powered air conditioning, have the potential to upend AC technology as we know it. The most prominent efficiency-maximizing innovations, however, relate to smart technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), which deserve their own discussions.
2. Smart Technology
Smart thermostats have had a game-changing effect on how we create comfortable indoor environments. Though thermostats have always been the nerve centers of buildings’ HVAC systems, controlling when, how intensely and for how long HVAC systems would work, smart technology has made this process much more efficient. The sensors in such thermostats allow users to calibrate the behavior of their HVAC systems to their exact needs.
If you have a smart thermostat, your HVAC system will turn off as soon as the temperature reaches a certain level, and the system will waste as little energy as possible. Special features like recovery mode make it possible to cut down on energy waste even more. If you want to, you can even activate your HVAC system when you’re away from home and make sure that the ideal temperature awaits you when you return.
All these advances increase the efficiency and versatility of your HVAC system. By eliminating waste, you will put your system under less stress, which, in the long run, will decrease your HVAC repair costs. Also, your smart thermostat can transmit useful data to its manufacturers, which will enable them to craft even better technology in the future.
3. Data Analysis and IoT
Finally, by leveraging the Internet of Things, you can enjoy even more power. When you connect your smart thermostat to your home’s Wi-Fi network, it will interact with your other devices and gather data about your habits and behaviors. Then, it can craft plans on how to maximize your comfort while minimizing energy usage.
As the precision and effectiveness of this technology grow, data-responsive HVAC innovations will become more common. For example, you may come to see more movement-activated heating and air conditioning or sensor-driven ventilation.
Staying abreast of new developments in HVAC technology will enable you to make your home in Cheverly, MD into a wonderfully inviting place. When you decide that it’s time to upgrade your home setup with the latest devices, call Griffith Energy Services, Inc., and ask for our HVAC services.
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