How Using Voice-Enabled HVAC Products Change the Industry

It’s a brave new world out there when it comes to voice-enabled technology, with more and more consumers opening up to the possibilities. Not surprisingly, voice-enabled HVAC products are making their mark in the smart revolution, with designers continuously looking for new ways not only to operate HVAC systems, but also to integrate them with other technology in the home.

Voice-Activated Devices: Wave of the Future

Smart hub devices surged in popularity as a holiday gift item this past season, among them the Amazon Echo, which can answer questions, and perform other on-command tasks such as playing music, streaming podcasts, providing weather information, setting alarms and making lists. It also works as a home automation hub that can control multiple smart devices. Google has also come out with its voice-activated home speaker.

At the same time, the HVAC industry has been turning out smart technology that is gaining ground among homeowners — particularly its Wi-fi-enabled thermostats, which allow the user to control the home’s temperature — and sometimes even its climate, from near or far. HVAC tech designers are now envisioning ways to link that technology with the voice-activated hubs. Homeowners will use the same hub that controls door locks, lighting and cameras with thermostats, humidity control and other features offered through smart HVAC technology.

To that end, HVAC companies are seeking to form partnerships with companies such as Amazon or Apple to use their voice assistants — Alexa and Siri, respectively — to control the HVAC. The HVAC companies are producing communicating thermostats that are certified to be compatible with these technologies.

It may surprise a younger demographic, but these technologies are being embraced by older users, who find the comfort and convenience of voice-activated systems compelling. As the systems are designed to be relatively easy to use, there is little resistance to having them installed and learning how to use them.

As of 2016, 24.9 percent of U.S. households were using smart products; that figure is expected to climb to 60.7 percent by 2021.

Want to learn more about voice-enabled HVAC products? Contact CCAC, serving the Coast Bend area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.  

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