Thermostats Got Smart
Heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and equipment are part of the IoT. The first thermostats were completely manual and merely turned systems on or off. Those were followed by programmable thermostats that allowed users to set a schedule and temperature range that allowed HVAC systems to operate automatically.
Smart thermostats, also called WiFi thermostats, were the next step, and have been around for several years. The earliest ones allowed owners to adjust climate control settings using their cell phone or another Internet device. Later thermostats “learned” preferred temperatures and automatically made the necessary adjustments to achieve those temperatures. Rooms can be individually controlled. Hot or cold spots are eliminated.
The big advantage of smart thermostats is reducing energy costs. HVAC equipment operates only when needed and only for as long as necessary. Adjustments are made remotely when conditions justify changes.