How can the IoT power up your HVAC business?

Let’s be honest, managing a successful HVAC business can be challenging at the best of times.

There are units to maintain, leads to generate, and customers to keep happy. Not only this, but it’s important to keep up to date with all the latest developments in the heating, cooling, and ventilation world.

The Internet of Things, or IoT for short, is one of the technological advances you need to be aware of. A network of physical devices containing sensors, the IoT makes it easy for devices to ‘talk’ to each other and share data.

So if you’re wondering what the benefits of IoT in an HVAC system are, and how this tech can help you grow your business, keep reading!

1. IoT devices make it easier for your customers to control their devices

Imagine it’s a hot day, and your customer wants to make sure their air conditioning unit is on before they get home from work. With an IoT-enabled heating and cooling device, this is easy to do!

By providing customers with a custom IoT app, they have complete control of their device, even if they’re not at home. They can arrange for their unit to turn on with a push of a button, set it to switch on or off when the temperature hits a certain level, and even get push notifications when a service is due.

2. IoT devices provide you with a wealth of data

Knowledge is power in the HVAC world, and IoT-powered HVAC devices provide you with all the data you need to identify patterns and trends, as well as make business decisions.

By monitoring temperature, humidity, pressure, energy consumption and carbon dioxide levels, you can identify performance patterns and make recommendations about how customers can lower maintenance and utility costs. 

You can also use this data to suggest how often customers should get their units serviced and offer predictive maintenance recommendations – identifying small issues before they become major problems.

3. IoT devices mean you can offer remote diagnostics

Let’s say that a customer has a problem with their unit. In the past, you had to rely on potentially out-of-date information to identify a solution or spend money sending an engineer to check the issue out. 

An IoT-enabled device can transmit accurate diagnostic data directly to you, meaning you can troubleshoot issues quickly and with confidence. 

4. IoT devices make it easier to keep track of your inventory

When you work in the HVAC industry, you need to keep a supply of several components. By using the IoT, you can monitor and track your inventory, meaning you never run out of spare parts and can optimise your supply chain to save money and time.

Let’s say you have a warehouse where you keep your inventory. By installing IoT sensors in your warehouse, you can track when an engineer takes away a specific spare part, meaning you can keep track of your components in real-time, without the need for a manual stock check. 

When stock falls below a certain level, the IoT means you can automatically place an order. This way, you never run out of inventory – keeping customers happy and leading to less stress for you and your team.

This is also made easier when you integrate with a CRM like Payaca, allowing you to easily track and manage all your devices, materials and customers from one centralised account.

5. IoT devices mean you monitor your engineers’ whereabouts

If you offer maintenance and servicing, it’s highly likely that you’ve had at least one phone call from a customer advising that their designated engineer is a no-show.

You can combine GPS and IoT technology to keep your customers in the loop – together they provide accurate location data and can help you identify useful patterns.

For example, let’s say you’re wasting time and fuel sending engineers to jobs. You can look at the real-time data and optimise routes so engineers spend less time driving and more time with customers.

IoT devices also mean you can track your components. For example, if an expensive piece of equipment is stolen from a van, you can identify where it has been taken and alert the appropriate authorities.

6. IoT devices mean you offer additional value compared to your competitors

When HVAC companies offer very similar products, it’s essential that your business offers a unique selling point. With an IoT-powered HVAC device, you’re providing your customers with many added benefits.

For example, a smartphone app makes it easier for your customers to control their device, as well as for engineers to install it optimally. Not only this, but an IoT-enabled HVAC system can seamlessly integrate with other smart systems in a building, like security systems, lighting systems, and smart speakers.

Is a custom IoT app the right choice for your business?

When you work in the trades, whether HVAC, electrical, or plumbing, a smartphone app can provide added value for both you and your customers. 

An app acts as the intermediary between an IoT device, you, and your customers, providing a user-friendly interface to help monitor and control an HVAC unit.

While it can be tempting to try and develop your own app in-house, it can be quicker and more cost-effective for a custom app development company to do the work for you. Plus, you have the peace of mind that your brand new app is thoroughly tested, and includes all the functionality you need for your business to get the advantage.

If you want to know more about the benefits of IoT-powered HVAC, check out this guide: how to launch your own custom IoT app, or if you want to learn more about how new AI powered technology can help your business check out our article on AI in the service industry.

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