A smart home is the pinnacle of a connected future. With the ability to control lights, speakers, televisions, general appliances, and even your HVAC system, home automation brings with it more benefits than ever. Though it sounds daunting, HVAC automation can be as easy as having a new thermostat installed and set up an app on your iOS or Android device. Here’s how you can get started with a connected HVAC and home:
1. What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
The IoT (pronounced Eye-oh-Tee) represents a system or network of devices or machines capable of communicating without human-to-computer interaction. Though this definition may seem narrow, in reality, it encompasses nearly every internet-connected device in the world. As long as the device can be monitored remotely, it is considered a part of the Internet of Things.
2. Where is the IoT?
The IoT represents a vast array of industries and technology. More applicable to the average individual are its uses in automobiles, homes (including the heating and air conditioning), smart speakers, and communications devices. Outside of the more standard realm of usage, the IoT integrates devices from aerospace, defense, manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure industries to name a few. While those areas may not apply to the average homeowner, the IoT continues to grow and find its place in the home.
3. Would I Like a Smart Home?
One of the easiest ways to get a taste of a smart home is to purchase a smart speaker. These are small speakers with integrated voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple’s Siri.* With only vocal interaction, they are capable of answering an array of questions, play music, and perform other basic tasks. If you’re wary of the possibility that someone may be listening to your private conversations, this can be skipped entirely. Your phone (or computer) represents the hub to which these devices talk. Smart speakers only change the way you interact with the IoT.
4. What Can I Do with a Smart Thermostat?
Depending on your configuration (with or without a smart speaker) you may be able to speak commands into your phone or speaker such as: “What is my thermostat temperature?” or “Set temperature to 69 degrees.” without having to fiddle with your thermostat. Without a smart speaker, most smart thermostats operate via a brand-specific app. These apps can let you control temperature remotely, automatically engage away settings, and monitor your home environment. In the case of the Carrier Cor, it can do so much more…
5. Carrier Cor Smart Thermostat.
Carrier’s Cor family represents an array of products from fully programmable to wi-fi enabled. With a built-in high-end touchscreen, you can access the thermostat at the source with the same ease as on your phone or computer. To fully reap the benefits of the Cor series, you will need the wi-fi enabled model. This is because the Carrier Cor thermostat has the unique ability to connect to the internet to view current local weather, and access other vital information for use by its advanced algorithms. By allowing the Cor to adjust itself to current conditions, it can improve energy savings over a traditional thermostat system.
6. Saving Energy with Cor.
The steps to saving energy with the Cor are few, and with a little set-up, can go a long way.
- The first step is to register your system: http://www.carrier.com/myhome. Because the Cor accesses the internet for its information, registration is vital to operation.
- The second step is to set your schedule. This lets the thermostat know when you’ll usually be away or performing certain activities. Addition advanced features such as Smart Setback can be implemented once your schedule has been set. Both of these things can lead to an improvement in efficiency.
- The third step is the human factor. Cor provided an enormous amount of data to the user-visible through the web portal. This information can help you make informed decisions about how to manage your smart home.
- The fourth step is to proactively manage your energy use. By telling Cor when you’re headed on vacation, setting up a vacation schedule, or using the Carrier proprietary Touch•N•Go® you can adjust the temperature for your absence.
- The last step is to make use of the mobile app or web portal. Full of useful information, these sources can engage you in the energy savings of your house.
7. Installing the Cor Thermostat.
Installation is as easy as calling your local Carrier dealer: Presidential Heating and Air. With highly skilled technicians, and an understanding of your home automation system, installation has never been easier.
*Carrier Cor integrates with Apple Homekit and Amazon Alexa, and will not function with Google Assistant devices.