It didn’t seem so long ago when people predicted that there would be technology simulating human brains. That prediction has now come true, and artificial intelligence is everywhere. With technology growing leaps and bounds, artificial intelligence takes these developments steps further, and at a much faster pace. The use cases of artificial intelligence are currently being explored in a variety of industries – from finance to healthcare. But, another rapidly-growing industry is reaping the benefits of artificial intelligence: the HVAC Industry. 

Heat, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) refers to a system that regulates the airflow between indoor and outdoor areas, thereby maintaining indoor quality. HVAC units, such as air conditioners, consume large amounts of electricity, which can be harmful to the environment. On average, it comprises almost half of every building’s power consumption. Hence, it only makes sense to turn to technologies such as artificial intelligence to reduce their power usage and consequently, their environmental impact. But first, let’s get to know what artificial intelligence is all about. 

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, is one of the biggest buzzwords in tech today. It’s an innovation that simulates the human mind – and it does it at speeds that are more than the human brain can handle. Because of this technological breakthrough, many industries have leveraged the power of AI in their respective fields. And the results have shown nothing but great promise. 

It’s easy to understand why artificial intelligence has grown extremely popular. It can easily do repetitive tasks, decides without bias, and makes room for less error. In short, it makes up for some limitations of the human brain. And, it has the ability to make use of large data sets which helps in data-driven decision-making, which ultimately helps in making the HVAC industry a more data-driven one.

How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Game in the HVAC Industry

To further streamline operations in the HVAC industry, utilizing new technologies like artificial intelligence can help you get there more quickly. After all, its many uses have led to significant advancements across different industries. Here’s how artificial intelligence has changed the game: 

Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is a service that is usually performed once a year by licensed HVAC specialists. While this may suffice for others, some might need to have it done more regularly. The question is: how frequently should you be doing it? Fortunately, one of the benefits of incorporating AI into HVAC units is that it does the preventive maintenance for you. By using the power of data and its IoT sensors, artificial intelligence can predict anomalies and faults before they turn to more critical issues. This saves a lot of money in the long term, making AI-assisted HVAC units a good addition to cost-cutting strategies for your business.

Personalization

One of the most interesting features of artificial intelligence in HVAC is its ability to personalize your experiences. Pulling information from different data sets, artificial intelligence can optimize occupants’ comfort by adjusting airflow and temperature according to the occupancy level, weather conditions, and building characteristics. At the same time, artificial intelligence can do this without the expense of high power consumption. Traditional HVAC systems are not capable of doing this as they cannot respond to changes in environmental conditions and occupancy, which makes them less energy-efficient compared to AI-assisted HVAC systems. 

Lower Carbon Footprint

With more companies looking for a more sustainability-driven approach in our fight against climate change, many have started the use of artificial intelligence to win that battle. AI has the power to reduce carbon footprints by using AI-assisted HVAC units. Economizers make use of outside air to cool down systems when the weather conditions are favorable. This consumes less energy and as a result, has reduced environmental impact. AI technology enters the picture by optimizing the controls. 

Design Development

Improving HVAC systems requires you to look at them from a design standpoint. Is your design adequate in terms of saving costs? Or adequate in terms of reducing your carbon footprint? When artificial intelligence analyzes historical data, they take note of designs that work and designs that don’t work when meeting your organization’s goals. One thing’s for sure – if you’re looking to optimize your design in terms of costs and environmental impact, then incorporating AI into your operations 

In Conclusion

Artificial intelligence, the game-changing force behind the HVAC industry, has just started to make waves, but signs point to even larger waves to come. AI solves many problems that the HVAC industry currently faces: high environmental impact, poor design, and lack of maintenance. Additionally, it personalizes experiences that improve occupants’ overall comfort levels. With all its advantages, there’s no doubt that artificial intelligence is not just a trend – it’s here to stay.