This summer, homeown­ers don’t have to choose between being cool and eco-conscious. Today’s innova­tions make it “no sweat” to enjoy both with smart home climate control tech­nologies and advanced air-conditioning systems created to achieve maximum energy efficiency and comfort.

Many might be surprised that home cooling accounts for nearly half of home energy use and is responsible for nearly100 million tons of carbon diox­ide emissions every year. It’s no won­der optimal energy efficiency is a home buyer’s top “Green Preference,” with nearly half of home buyers willing to invest between $1,000 and $9,999 for a $1,000 annual savings on their utility bills, and 37 percent are willing to spend upward of $10,000, according to the National Association of Home Builders 2019 “What Home Buyers Really Want” Report.

With air conditioner energy expenses costing homeowners more than $11 bil­lion a year, a little knowledge can go a long way.

Get “Smart” About Home Climate

When it comes to smart home tem­perature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create “smart” sys­tems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-con­nected device or voice-operated home automation system. Several leading manufacturers, including Fujitsu Gen­eral America, offer Smart Systems as well as a Thermostat Converter, which can control their single and multizone Hal­cyon and Airstage heating and cooling systems using a third-party thermostat.

Amp up Energy Efficiency, Lower Bills Up to 25 Percent

A system upgrade and a smart home thermostat equal energy savings. The most energy-efficient heating and cool­ing products on the market, ductless mini-split systems, can help save as much as 25 percent on your utility bill. An effi­ciently controlled thermostat could save an additional 10 percent a year. And professional expertise is key because a system can lose 20 to 40 percent of its energy efficiency from poor installation.

How do mini-splits work? Thin cop­per tubing is used to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the inte­rior space. This eliminates the need for basement or attic evaporators and bulky, expensive ductwork. Mini-splits are easy to install and usually require only a 3- to 4-inch hole through a wall or ceiling to connect the indoor and outdoor units.

Heighten Customization and Convenience

Take individualized comfort to new levels. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be con­trolled from anywhere using a mobile device. Now, voice-control capability uses digital assistants to verbally dic­tate home temperatures — “Alexa, set the living room temperature to 70 degrees.” For instance, Fujitsu offers a free FGLair app that enables Web-activated control via mobile devices and now voice-ac­tivated control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Built for optimal customization, ductless mini-split systems let you con­trol the individual temperature in each room, so you don’t waste money cool­ing unused spaces such as guest bed­rooms, bonus rooms, sunrooms and basements. According to HVAC repair Dedham MA, Sinclaire Home Services, ductless systems operate at much higher efficiency levels than central forced-air systems and window units, as duct losses in a central AC sys­tem can account for more than 30 per­cent of your energy consumption.

Whether you take a “staycation” or kick back at your vacation home, follow­ing some practical tips will help you bask in ultimate comfort while lowering util­ity bills and respecting the environment. Many Fujitsu systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government.

Guest post by Andy Armstrong

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About the Author

Andy Armstrong is the VP of Sales & Marketing of all HVAC Products for Fujitsu General, America and 30-year industry veteran. In this role, he leads a team of 40+ sales and marketing professionals, selling well over $200M of Fujitsu products. Before Fujitsu, he was VP of Sales & Marketing for JCI’s VRF/DFS team for North America. Andy also served as JCI’s RVP for the West and Director of Marketing for UPG. In his first role at JCI, he worked with the Chicago UPG branch as Sales Manager. Prior to his time with JCI, Andy worked with an independent HVAC distributor. Andy received his engineering degree from Washington University in St. Louis and his MBA from Bradley University.

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