The HVAC industry is changing. This change may not be rapid, but it’s visible. Innovations like smart thermostats and geothermal heating systems show that homeowners are becoming more conscious about being environmentally friendly and energy-efficient technology. And anything that helps save them some money is guaranteed to be a win. This year is shaping up to be a time of technological leaps and bounds, and the industry needs to keep up.

While smart, Wi-Fi-connected thermostats promise significantly increased energy efficiency, the real draw for homeowners seems to be how easy the interfaces are to operate.