In this article Ben Pratt (pictured), the founder of B Electrical, identifies some practical ways that Shelly devices can help to enhance HVAC control.
As an electrician, I’ve seen first-hand how proper HVAC control can transform a property. Comfort, energy efficiency, and cost savings are all at stake, and striking the right balance is crucial. Whether managing a home, business, or large facility, HVAC systems significantly influence visitor experience and operational costs.
Over the years, I’ve installed countless Shelly products, and they’ve never failed to impress me with their ease of use and integration capabilities. From single-family homes to commercial setups, Shelly simplifies HVAC control, maximises efficiency, and saves money on energy bills.
The benefits of HVAC automation
Automating HVAC systems unlocks a host of benefits:
Remote monitoring and control
Adjust your system from anywhere, whether you’re at home, work, or on holiday.
Enhanced user experience
Shelly devices are compatible with popular smart home systems like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Control4, making it easy to integrate HVAC control with other smart features.
Smart efficiency
Leverage scheduling, sensors, and real-time data to ensure your system operates only when needed, reducing energy consumption and costs.
Some popular Shelly applications for HVAC systems
1. Boiler and underfloor heating control with Shelly 1PM and H&T Sensor
The Shelly 1PM Relay can be used to control the boiler. It can also be paired with a Heat & Temperature sensor to monitor ambient temperature. By creating schedules, you can ensure the boiler runs on pre-defined timings or, in tandem with motion sensors, when occupancy is detected.
If the temperature drops below a set threshold, the Shelly 1PM will automatically activate the boiler. It’s a simple, effective way to keep spaces at the right temperature and energy bills low.
2. Humidity management with H&T Sensor and Plus Relay
Humidity management is another powerful application. By integrating a Shelly H&T Sensor with a Plus Relay, you can automate a fan system to combat excessive humidity.
When high humidity levels are detected, the system triggers the fan to operate until balance is restored. This setup is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or any space where moisture levels need careful management.
3. Ventilation control with Shelly Plug
For ventilation control, the Shelly Plug offers a simple yet effective solution. Plugging it into a ventilation unit enables precise operation and energy consumption tracking.
Using the Shelly App, you can schedule ventilation times and monitor power usage, ensuring optimal air quality without overusing energy.
4. Large-scale HVAC management with Shelly Pro 4PM
For larger HVAC systems, the Shelly Pro 4PM is a game-changer. Designed to be mounted directly onto the DIN rail in a standard DIN enclosure fuse style box, its multiple channels can activate different zones of the system, while its energy monitoring feature tracks overall consumption.
When integrated with sensors, weather data, and daily routines, the Shelly Pro 4PM enables intelligent, automated adjustments, reducing energy costs while maintaining comfort.
5. Smarten your existing radiator setup with the Shelly Blu TRV
The Shelly BLU TRV offers a convenient solution for smart radiator control. This thermostatic valve head is designed for easy retrofitting onto existing radiator grills, delivering precise climate control.
Seamlessly integrating with smart home ecosystems like Alexa and Google Home, the Shelly BLU TRV ensures that a home remains at the perfect temperature with minimal effort.
6. Smart HVAC management with the Shelly wall display
A completely customisable 4” wall display with embedded sensors for temperature, humidity and LUX, the wall display is a go-to for intuitive control of a smart home. It’s perfect for controlling heating systems, lighting, and even other Shelly automated appliances – you can also now pull the Sonos music system into it too!
A standout feature is its hysteresis functionality, allowing you to fine-tune the boiler’s cycle tolerance, maintaining the desired temperature efficiently and saving on your overall energy costs.
4 TOP TIPS FOR BETTER HVAC AUTOMATION
• Choose the right device: Ensure the Shelly device you select is compatible with your existing HVAC equipment.
• Leverage smart home integration: Boost automation functionality by integrating with platforms like Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings and Google Assistant.
• Use sensor data: Automate devices with sensors (motion, contact, floor, heat, humidity, and more) to maintain ultimate comfort and efficiency.
• Experiment with scenes and schedules: Use the Shelly App to create custom scenes and triggers for a personalised automation system.
Get more details on the Shelly range of devices, available from NetXL, here
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