Home Comfort: Where Do We Go From Here?
Posted: April 30, 2018
Modern technology allows us to find new solutions to old problems. Every year, we see new products and materials that help lower energy costs and improve home comfort. Here are some predictions on where we may go next.
- Ductless mini-split systems—which let you heat or cool virtually any space without installing ductwork–will continue to grow in demand.
- There will be more widespread use of smart devices for the home, including programmable touch-screen thermostats with Wi-Fi capability. More people will use apps that let them analyze the energy usage in their home. It’s estimated that 26 billion smart devices will be connected to the Internet of Things (IoT) by 2020.
- Consumers will continue to embrace mobile technologies to set up preventative maintenance and request other home comfort services.
- The emphasis on “green building design” will continue with a strong focus on indoor air quality throughout. This includes a technique known as demand controlled ventilation, which reduces energy consumption while maintaining proper indoor air quality.
- Integrated controls—combining heating, cooling and indoor air quality with electronic air filters and zoning—will become more common.
- Recognizing the needs of today’s technology-driven consumers, HVAC companies will keep building their online reputation through customer reviews; they’ll also stay connected with younger consumers via social media.