SMART HOMES
THE DATA GOLD MINE BEHIND HVAC SYSTEMS Fernando de la Cruz Quintanilla, UK & Ireland Area Manager of Airzone Control, looks at how data collection and smart diagnostics can make a big impact on HVAC maintenance, both in the home and beyond.
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he global HVAC maintenance service market is worth over $78.4 billion (£57.6bn) and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5.7% until 2032. This is no surprise, with heating and cooling systems being omnipresent in almost every building, from offices and homes to warehouses and schools. When they break down, the results can be uncomfortable, costly or even unsafe. That is why air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12kW must be inspected every five years by UK law, according to TM44 inspection regulations. For installers, this all means one thing: maintenance is not optional, it is expected, enforced and constant. Right now, most systems are serviced only when something goes wrong. A tenant notices it is too hot or too cold, the fan starts making noise, or the unit stops working altogether. The installer gets called in to assess the problem, identify the fault and replace or repair the part. If they do not have the part, they return again. It works, but only just – because this approach to maintenance is full of inefficiencies. First, it is reactive. The issue has already disrupted the user before help is even called. That can mean downtime for
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businesses, lost hours for installers, and unhappy clients. Second, it is inefficient. Engineers often arrive without any context, meaning more time spent investigating the fault. Third, it lets small problems build up. Dirty coils, for example, do not stop the system outright but can reduce efficiency and use more energy than clean coils. Finally, it creates pressure on service teams. Emergency visits mean dropping scheduled work, which affects planning and profits. That is why many believe AI-powered predictive maintenance is the future of the HVAC industry. Rather than changing the entire system, the data that connected products are already gathering can be used to anticipate maintenance issues before they even occur. Smart thermostats already track temperature, humidity and user habits in real time.
Predictive maintenance and smart diagnostics
Looking ahead, combining these historical and real-time data sets with advanced analytics and machine learning, climate control systems will be able to identify patterns and help flag early warning signs of impending malfunctions. A drop in airflow, longer heating cycles or unusual energy use might all point to a fault.
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Rather than wait for a full system failure, the system could send an alert to maintenance teams itself. With predictive maintenance and smart diagnostics capabilities, engineers could also see how long parts are lasting and schedule replacements before breakdowns. This data collection will also support customer service. A cloud-based log of the system’s performance gives engineers the full picture of the HVAC control system before even stepping foot on the premises – and in many cases, will allow technical issues to be resolved remotely, without the need for an on-site visit. This is not just about avoiding callouts. When an on-site visit is required, predictive maintenance can help improve HVAC safety, preventing dangerous equipment failures that expose workers to unnecessary risks – and therefore minimising accidents. In addition, predictive maintenance will help extend the lifespan of HVAC systems – which typically last between 10 and 20 years – alerting engineers to potential issues and addressing them before they become expensive repairs, and delaying the costly expense of a full replacement. We’re still a few years away from this becoming a reality, but the sector is rife with opportunities for digital transformation and improved efficiency. Airzone Control, airzonecontrol.com
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30/06/2025 10:00