HVAC:

Many HVAC systems that are specified can have added to them smart, communicating thermostats for the basic control of the zones through touch panels. These smart thermostats would operate just like a normal thermostat but have the advantage of being able to be centrally monitored for control purposes. This allows for most of the features of the system to be available to you from anywhere with a touch panel, key pad, or Internet connection.

Coordinating the efforts of your HVAC contractor and integrating his system into your whole house control system is easy! Utilizing “smart” thermostats temperatures can be set in specific rooms or globally.

Depending upon the size and requirements of the system there would be various designs available. In any case most projects of a certain size and zone number should consider a control system. They allow for controlling and monitoring of multiple zones from an easy to use interface.  You may set temperature adjustments in individual rooms or globally throughout the residence.  The systems may be monitored remotely by the vendor for maintenance (some systems may email the vendor when a problem is detected) and you may control the system remotely via Internet or telephone.

Sample page from a touch panel design showing HVAC control.

 

A graphical view of a floor plan with the HVAC temperatures shown throughout the residence. You may monitor at a glance the whole residence. Selecting any zone pops up the thermostat for that area. Since each panel is custom designed there are many different features that can be shown here. Some clients like to have the ability to set all thermostats to a certain temperature when leaving the residence. This too can be included in the design.

Note that exterior temperatures or humidity and various other features of the HVAC system can be displayed. If a weather station was installed more detailed information could be displayed as well.