How New Tech has Impacted HVAC and Plumbing

The old cliche assures us that they don’t make things like they used to. It’s usually meant as a pejorative when something breaks prematurely, but sometimes it’s also good news. Just look at HVAC and plumbing; there’s a lot there that’s not made like it used to be, and that’s translated into products and solutions that save money, reduce the environmental footprint for homeowners and businesses, and even save money (and that’s one “green” initiative nearly anyone can get behind). Ace Plumbing looks at some of the emerging tech shaping these fields.

 

The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things, often abbreviated IoT, is touching on practically every facet of our lives. Everything from our phones to our televisions, refrigerators, and thermostats is getting “smart.”

 

The net result of this is big savings for home and business HVAC customers in Sacramento. Right now, thermostats like Nest are getting a lot of attention for the ability to save energy and money, but the IoT is doing much more than that when it comes to making your HVAC work smarter as well as harder.

 

Consider energy audits. Once exclusively the province of HVAC contractors, they’re now well within reach of the average person. While a smart home can’t audit energy usage on quite the same comprehensive and granular level as having it done by a professional, many HVAC systems are now part of a larger smart ecosystem that doesn’t just track energy use; it helps you use it better, and use less of it, than before.

 

And it’s more than that. Many new HVAC systems provide remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance data, monitoring in real time, and custom comfort, all with an unprecedented level of control and efficiency. It’s even getting to the point where your system can predict and adjust for changes in the weather, rather than reacting to what’s already happened. Best of all? You may even qualify for HVAC rebates and tax credits!

 

Low Tech, High Results

Sometimes the best new tech is effective precisely because it’s almost mind-bogglingly simple. As impressed as we are by smart thermostats and geothermal heating, some of the best developments in recent years have also been some of the least complicated.

 

The plumbing fixtures in your home are a great example of this. Concerns over conservation and water waste have been top of mind for many in the Sacramento area in recent years. Since California sets the pace for what goes on in much of the rest of the country, our water regulations have helped others conserve too.

 

For homeowners here and in the rest of America, that’s meant low-flow faucets and shower heads, and other gizmos like tankless water heaters that mean we’re using (and wasting) a lot less water than before. Sometimes it’s designing a smaller but smarter toilet. Other times it’s something as simple as better washers, or a flow restrictor, with better design so a low-pressure shower doesn’t feel like you’re standing under a half-empty teakettle. Simple? Sure. You probably don’t even think of it as “tech,” but it’s neither less important, nor less effective, for that.

 

We’ve already seen the benefits of incorporating a bit of new technology into your home’s plumbing, heating, and air conditioning. If you’re wondering about the best way to make this new tech work for you, call Ace Plumbing for help. We serve Sacramento, Folsom, and Roseville, and we’re just a phone call away at (916) 455-4548.