Možete li zadržati svoj pametni termostat kada dobijete novi klima uređaj?

Otkako su pametni termostati stupili na scenu, vlasnici domova su se zalijepili za njih kao krpelji za dolarov stražnji dio. Oni su izvrsni mali strojevi i stvarno vam mogu pomoći da se osjećate ugodno dok štedite energiju.

Ali na kraju ćete trebati novi klima uređaj. Možete li zadržati svoj NEST ili Ecobee termostat kada ga nabavite?

Odgovor je da... osim u slučajevima kada je odgovor ne. Dopustite nam da objasnimo.

Ako zamjenjujete standardni AC s drugim standardnim AC-om, možete zadržati svoj pametni termostat.

Standardni jednobrzinski klima uređaji dobro se slažu s većinom standardnih pametnih termostata kao što su NEST i Ecobee. Uostalom, upravljanje standardnim klimatizacijskim sustavom ono je za što su napravljeni pametni termostati.

Dakle, kada zamijenite standardni AC s drugim standardnim AC-om, zamjenjujete slično sa sličnim. Naravno, novi sustav će biti učinkovitiji od vašeg prethodnog, a možda će čak biti i druge marke HVAC. Ali u svojoj srži, to je ista vrsta klima uređaja.

To je kao kada kupite novi laptop od 13" i prodate svoj stari laptop od 13" na eBayu. Budući da je novo prijenosno računalo iste veličine kao vaše staro, možete zadržati istu torbu za nošenje.

Hoće li vaš novi klima uređaj biti uparen s puhalom s promjenjivom brzinom?

Ovdje stvari postaju nezgodne za vaš NEST ili Ecobee termostat. Kad god nadogradite na sustav promjenjive brzine (što je usput rečeno, vrlo pametna odluka), zadržavanje postojećeg pametnog termostata može oslabiti jednu od najvećih prednosti nove opreme:odvlaživanje.

Vidite, jedna od najvećih prednosti ventilatora s promjenjivom brzinom je mogućnost dugotrajnog rada pri maloj brzini i odvlaživanja zraka - čak i nakon što je sustav zadovoljio potrebe za hlađenjem vašeg doma. Ovdje u Atlanti, dodatno odvlaživanje uvelike doprinosi održavanju udobnosti u zatvorenom prostoru!

Ova značajka predstavlja problem za vaš NEST ili Ecobee uređaj. Unlike the thermostat that comes with your new variable speed furnace or air handler, NEST and Ecobee thermostats can't turn the system on to dehumidify your air. In other words, you forfeit your ability to effectively dehumidify by keeping the NEST or Ecobee.

These thermostats can lower the blower speed to dehumidify your air, but only after the system is already running. If you've already met the temperature you've set on the thermostat, they won't turn the system on to dehumidify.

At PV, we mostly install Trane equipment. The Trane ComfortLink™ 1050 or 850 thermostat that comes with your new variable speed furnace has the ability to read temperature and humidity and turn the system on when relative humidity (not just temperature!) spikes beyond your comfort threshold. Similar systems from other manufacturers also come with integrated thermostats that allow the system to perform at its fullest potential.

The bottom line? Sure, you can keep your NEST or Ecobee with a variable speed furnace or air handler. But it will never be as effective as a thermostat that's made to work with your new system.

Can you keep your smart thermostat when you get a communicating HVAC system?

No, you can't. Fully communicating systems only work properly with the manufacturer's approved thermostat. Otherwise, they really don't, you know... communicate.

Let's use Trane as an example. There are several Trane furnaces to choose from, but two really popular ones are the XV80 and the XC80. Both have variable speed blowers, but only the XC80 is fully communicating.

Say you get the XV80 (the non-communicating one). You can still use your NEST or Ecobee thermostat, but as we explored a moment ago, you lose the ability to turn the system on for dehumidification. It'll work, but it won't really do one of the things you presumably bought it for (dehumidification).

Now let's say you get the fully communicating XC80. This one has a variable speed blower andthe system is designed to control temperature and humidity in a very precise fashion by communicating with a Trane ComfortLink™ 1050 or 850 thermostat. You simply cannot forgo Trane's thermostat and keep your NEST. If you do, the system will not work at all. It's made to communicate only with Trane's thermostat.

So, the XC80 (communicating) will not work with your NEST or Ecobee. The XV80 (non-communicating) will, but you'll still lose the ability to begin dehumidification when the system is off (see previous section).

The verdict:Don't keep your NEST or Ecobee if you want a communicating HVAC system. It just won't work.

The thermostat that comes with variable speed systems is still really smart.

That's the thing to remember. When you "give up" your NEST or Ecobee in exchange for the thermostat that comes with your new variable speed HVAC system, you're still going to have a smart thermostat.

With the ComfortLink™ 1050 or 850 thermostat, you get pretty much all of the features your existing smart thermostat has. Plus, you know it's going to work perfectly with your variable speed equipment.

In the end, you'll be even more comfortable. And you'll probably save money thanks to the variable speed blower's built-in efficiencies.