Smarter Business Starts with Smart Thermostats

When we imagine smart homes powered by artificial intelligence, we often think of talking devices such as Google Home or Alexa that verbally communicate with us and respond to our every command. However, these devices are just scratching the surface of AI and machine learning.

In fact, when it comes to smart home devices, smart thermostats are at the forefront of artificial intelligence. They are far more advanced than programmable thermostats, which rely entirely on human instruction to perform their functions. Smart thermostats, on the other hand, begin by being programmed with commands, but over time continue to program themselves by learning your schedule and temperature requirements.

One of the great advantages of smart thermostats is their scalability, which is why they can also save businesses a lot of money on their overhead energy costs. From controlling single buildings to controlling different heating and cooling zones within multi-structure and/or multi-location complexes, commercial smart thermostats offer a wide range of functionality.

This is why our top pick for commercial smart thermostats is the Pelican Smart Thermostat Platform. Not only does it qualify you for rebates from ComEd, North Shore Gas, and Peoples Gas, but it also provides excellent controllability for complex commercial HVAC systems.

Most importantly Pelican provides cloud-based energy management through its Site Manager tool. Think of it as a mission control center from where you can not only manage an unlimited number of thermostats across locations, but can also customize energy usage, bulk schedule, and generate usage reports. Naturally, the system runs on any desktop browser or smartphone so you can check data in your building, at home, or on the go.

Smart Thermostats for Commercial Use

One of the great advantages of smart thermostats is their scalability, which is why they can also save businesses a lot of money on their overhead energy costs. From controlling single buildings to controlling different heating and cooling zones within multi-structure and/or multi-location complexes, commercial smart thermostats offer a wide range of functionality.

This is why our top pick for commercial smart thermostats is the Pelican Smart Thermostat Platform. Not only does it qualify you for rebates from ComEd, North Shore Gas, and Peoples Gas, but it also provides excellent controllability for complex commercial HVAC systems.

Most importantly Pelican provides cloud-based energy management through its Site Manager tool. Think of it as a mission control center from where you can not only manage an unlimited number of thermostats across locations, but can also customize energy usage, bulk schedule, and generate usage reports. Naturally, the system runs on any desktop browser or smartphone so you can check data in your building, at home, or on the go.

In addition to smart thermostats being readily available, affordable, and compatible with a wide variety of devices, they can start saving you money on your energy bills immediately. Not only can they be used both residentially and commercially, but they also help qualify you for rebates from ComEd, North Shore Gas, and Peoples Gas.

But capitalizing on those rebates can be complex for business owners to navigate. That’s why Verde consults facility managers and business owners about available incentives and rebates from manufacturers.

Why Chicago Businesses Should Consider Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats can offer a variety of benefits for businesses, making them a worthwhile investment for many companies. Here are some key reasons why you should consider using one:

Smart thermostats save money on energy costs via automatic temperature control.  Smart thermostats learn your business’s occupancy schedule and automatically adjust the temperature when no one is there. This can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, with studies showing savings of up to 15%.

Smart thermostats us weather integration by using weather data to preheat or cool your building before you arrive, ensuring comfort and avoiding unnecessary energy use.

Smart thermostats also offer remote control that allow you to manage the temperature from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to make adjustments on the fly and avoid heating or cooling empty spaces.

Smart thermostats can provide a more precise temperature control.  This allows you to often set different temperatures for different zones in your building to cater to varying needs and comfort levels.  This is important and you can add more than just one sensor with a smart thermostat to get readings in a variety of spaces.

Some thermostats adjust the temperature based on whether someone is present in a room, ensuring comfort while saving energy.  They can do this because they integrate to your smart phone in something call geofencing, knowing if your smart phone is nearby and therefore you are around.  However, if you are a business owner that is not always onsite, the thermostat can group with more than one smart phone (say your managers) or act as a sensor itself to help optimize usage.

Schedules are a great way to do this as well, and all smart thermostats have a scheduling capacity.  However, if you decide to shut down for a week, or even just a day due to inclement weather, the thermostat will note this and set back for energy savings.

By lowering energy consumption, smart thermostats help your business operate more sustainably and contribute to environmental goals.  This has been proven in study after study, and therefore, almost all utility energy efficiency programs can offer incentives for these products.

Not only do these thermostats offer control, so you can better set your points of temperature – but they also have integrated algorithms that work better than we do.  Want your office to be at 72 degrees in the summer when you walk in?  You set that, and the thermostat learns your exact system and starts at the right time to get it there.

Enhanced Air Quality with Smart Thermostats

Certain models of smart thermostats offer air filtration and ventilation control features, creating a healthier and more pleasant work environment.  We found the importance of this during Covid, and if your business can implement at Energy Recovery Ventilator, this is the gold standard of indoor air quality.  This allows more fresh air to enter a space, and recovers up to 93% of the energy that is leaving the space. 

However, even if you don’t, reminders on filter changes are critical for air quality and equipment life.  In fact, one of the biggest reasons for HVAC equipment failure is not replacing filters in a timely manner. 

One reason that the Pelican Smart Thermostat system is our top pick for commercial spaces is that they include a PEARL economizer module option, which can control your economizer.  This means you can, from your computer, control whether fresh air is entering your space.  More people more fresh air, and that is important to have control over this important part of your building.    

HVAC equipment are responsible for both heating/cooling AND ventilation.  Often these are combined in a system, and there is a bit of an opening for the economizer to bring in fresh air from the outside.  Since most folks can’t control this, code requires it to always bring in fresh air. This is why your fan must be “on” during occupied times. This protects people in the building form spreading germs, getting too much of chemicals or VOCs from furnishings, etc.

However, a more advanced way to accomplish this and save energy is to provide demand control ventilation. This means fresh air comes into a space when you have occupancy, which can be determined by CO2 that we breath out.  A CO2 sensor in the ducts or space and determine this raise in CO2, and then bring in fresh air via the economizer.

While Verde only installs new HVAC equipment with CO2 sensors  integrated, that is more complicated with a retrofit.  However, the Pelican system makes this easy by a CO2 sensor in the smart thermostat, and a module on the roof top unit which controls the economizer.   It only opens when enough people occupy the space demands it, so you are not wasting energy heating or cooling air that doesn’t need it. The key with fresh air is the right amount, since it is at odds with efficiency.

Boost sustainability and brand image

Have you been in a business or public building that has an old thermostat?  What was your impression of that building and who they are as an organization?  Smart thermostats communicate cutting edge, progressive, forward thinking and smart.  Old thermostats communicate an old business that is probably struggling to adapt.  Which one do you want to be?

You spend a lot of money on advertising and client services.  You spend a lot of money on a showroom if you have a retail space, or comfortable seating if you own a restaurant.  You even spend a good amount of money to make sure you staff is comfortable and happy.  You want customers and staff to think highly of your business.

Smart thermostats convey that commitment to customers – no matter what they think politically or about climate change.  Smart thermostats make you look good and people notice.

One of my favorite shows is Modern Family – and I always notice the Nest smart thermostat in the rich Jay Pritchet’s home.  He  isn’t an environmentalist by any stretch, but the smart thermostat conveys high end status in his beautiful home.  Now I also notice that it is always running in the show, which tells me they might also need a filter change 😉 

Along with happy customers, employees increasingly value workplaces that prioritize sustainability and employee comfort. Smart thermostats can demonstrate your commitment to these values.

By modernizing your building, often at a very low investment, these tech-savvy devices can contribute to a more modern and forward-thinking business image.

Overall, the benefits of smart thermostats often outweigh the drawbacks for businesses. They can significantly reduce energy costs, improve employee comfort and productivity, and enhance your brand image. If you’re looking for ways to save money, improve your business’s environmental impact, and create a more comfortable workspace, a smart thermostat might be a great investment.

Smart Thermostats Save On Maintenance Costs

In the hectic world of business, every minute counts. And when it comes to your building’s heating and cooling systems, unnecessary maintenance can eat into valuable time and resources. This is where the modern marvel of the smart thermostat steps in, not only optimizing your climate but also minimizing those pesky maintenance needs. Buckle up, and let’s explore five reasons why switching to a smart thermostat means less sweat and more satisfaction.

Smart thermostats lead to Proactive Prevention. Traditional thermostats operate blindly, oblivious to impending issues. But smart thermostats are vigilant watchdogs, monitoring your HVAC system’s health with keen sensors. They detect early warning signs like filter clogs, refrigerant leaks, or even inefficient compressor cycles. This proactive approach allows you to schedule preventative maintenance before minor issues snowball into costly breakdowns, saving you from downtime and hefty repair bills.

Remember those forgotten nights with the AC blasting in an empty office? Smart thermostats learn your building’s occupancy patterns and automatically adjust temperatures based on schedules. This not only prevents wasted energy, but also reduces strain on your HVAC system. Lower operational hours translate to less wear and tear, extending the lifespan of your equipment and minimizing the need for frequent repairs.

Imagine troubleshooting your HVAC system from the comfort of your couch. With smart thermostats, this futuristic scenario becomes reality. They provide real-time performance data and diagnostic tools, letting you identify potential issues remotely. No more scrambling to find a technician on short notice – you can pinpoint the problem, schedule service conveniently, and avoid the stress of emergency repairs.

Clogged air filters are enemy number one for smooth HVAC operation. Smart thermostats act as your filter whisperers, sending timely alerts when it’s time for a change. This ensures optimal airflow, preventing overheating and system strain. The result? Lower maintenance costs, longer equipment life, and a consistently comfortable environment for your employees or customers.

Smart thermostats don’t just collect data, they analyze it. Over time, they understand your building’s unique needs and optimize performance accordingly. This continuous learning process informs future maintenance decisions, helping you predict and address potential issues before they arise. No more guesswork, just data-driven insights for a proactive and streamlined maintenance plan.

In conclusion, smart thermostats are not just about convenience and comfort. They are intelligent guardians of your building’s climate, actively working to minimize maintenance needs and maximize efficiency. While almost all smart thermostats have the benefits above, we prefer the Pelican Smart Thermostats platform above others to help reduce maintenance costs for your building.

So, why settle for endless to-do lists and surprise breakdowns? Embrace the future of smart temperature control and watch your maintenance worries melt away.