Yesterday’s thermostats allowed a user to increase or decrease indoor temperature on site. Today’s units are much more sophisticated, allowing operators to adjust temperature, humidity, and a number of other variables from anywhere in the world. Additionally, some devices can intelligently learn a user’s schedule, accommodate typical temperature preferences, and acknowledge an individual’s proximity or a structure’s occupancy. And while many are just wrapping their heads around existing technology, HVAC manufacturers are persistently pursuing enhancements that will define the units of tomorrow.
According to Energy Star, an average household spends close to $2,200 a year on energy bills — half of which goes toward heating and cooling unoccupied spaces. New, Wi-Fi-enabled devices allow users to adjust their temperatures anytime, anywhere, granting home and building managers ample opportunities to take energy efficiency into their own hands.