The comfort of our homes depends mainly on the appliances we have. Even a small apartment can be pretty comfortable if it’s not overcrowded and has the right equipment in it.
These days we can push the development of our home’s commodities quite far with many home tech going smart. We can use our smartphones to control many home appliances, and this control is getting more sophisticated with each passing year.
HVAC technology has been around for quite a while now, but this does not mean it has stopped evolving. We will discuss eight tech advancements that HVAC technology is expected to get in 2022 and see what the future brings.
The digital ceiling
If we genuinely want to take a peek into the future when it comes to HVAC systems, digital ceilings are the next big thing. They are the peak advancement in automation of control over room temperature and air quality.
They are fitted with various sensors and can detect motion, temperature, assess air quality, and more. They can determine the habits of the inhabitants and generate a schedule that conserves energy and keeps up with the needs of the residents without them having to move a finger.
A Ceiling Vent is sometimes used for ventilation and in a ducted system to provide warm or cool air.
Ice powered HVAC systems
If you want to switch to an HVAC that is a bit more cost-effective, then Ice Bear thermal batteries are great. This technology relies on ice to conserve energy. The system fills up the thermal batteries during the night and freezes the water. The system will use 95% less energy throughout the day as the energy-guzzling compressor doesn’t need to turn out to cool the room down. This system also contributes very little to carbon emissions.
Smart HVAC systems
We already mentioned smart tech in our introduction, but how does IoT exactly fit into the HVAC concept? Well, these new thermostats changed the game for HVAC systems since, when connected to a smartphone or tablet, users can control their devices regardless of where they are.
This means that you can check if you forget to turn something off when you leave your home and won’t need to go devices on (cooling or heating) to get the right temperature when you get home. You can schedule them to turn on when you need them or connect to turn them on when you need to. Convenience and energy conservation!
Solar-powered HVAC systems
The fact is that when the sun is hitting your roof hard, it is bad for your HVAC energy bill — or is it? Well, this is where solar-powered HVAC systems come in. Not only do rooftop solar panels create energy, but the reflective surfaces protect your home’s interior from different temperatures.
The solar panels charge batteries during the day using solar energy and power your HVAC system making the whole system very energy efficient.
The Desiccant-Enhanced Evaporative Air Conditioner
This new tech is also known as DEVap, a new direction for HVAC systems development. These systems are not yet available to the general public, but preliminary tests show a 90% reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional HVAC systems. DEVap systems use the salt-like substance found in “Do not eat” packets into sneakers to create cold air.
Wearable tech and HVAC systems
No matter how much we advance the HVAC tech, they will still need maintenance. The idea behind the wearable tech is to equip HVAC technicians with smart glasses. The glasses would stream live videos to the significant network of HVAC experts who can then assist the person in the field with the diagnostics and repairing HVAC systems. This would raise efficiency and ensure proper maintenance across the board.
Retrofitting
If you own an HVAC system that is old and outdated, you should be aware that you don’t need to do a complete exchange of the system for a new one. Sustainable retrofits for HVAC systems are going to become a reality very soon. Technicians will be able to install additional systems into old rooftop units adding features like variable fan speeds, demand-response ventilation, etc. This reduces the replacement cost and adds another 25-50% energy use reduction into the mix.
Data and HVACS
Finally, we’re all aware of big data’s new possibilities for modern industries. HVACs can benefit from big data too.
The idea is to use aggregate data to assess better the types of systems a particular home or venue may need. This helps us avoid mistakes related to suboptimal systems or systems that are overkill for a specific purpose. It also helps assess the maintenance costs for the systems being installed.
Conclusion
As you can see, HVAC systems are moving into the future. We’re getting new solutions that aim to create energy-efficient systems that are easy to use and provide cutting-edge convenience for users. These innovations will help homeowners, venues, and businesses control their HVAC-related expenses and keep their space comfortable.