After installing your HVAC system, you have three options:

The first option is to set an arbitrary date in the future to perform a system-wide checkup and repair any issues.

The second option is to take a “wait and see” approach. With this option, you wait until something breaks down with your HVAC system and then reach out to schedule a call.

The third option is to opt for 24/7 remote monitoring of your HVAC system. This option ensures that your HVAC system (and your investment) remains protected at all times.

Your HVAC system is one of the most expensive systems in your home. It’s also one of the most important. If there’s a problem with your heating or cooling, you will feel it immediately. And fingers crossed it doesn’t happen in the middle of a heat wave or a cold snap. Instead of waiting until the worst happens, opt for remote HVAC monitoring. This way, you’re never taken by surprise. And you won’t be put in a position to wait days, if not longer, to correct the problem.

But if you’re like many homeowners, you’ve probably never heard of remote HVAC monitoring. Let’s talk about what remote monitoring is and why opting into this essential service will save you money and sanity.

What is remote monitoring?

HVAC remote monitoring is a vital service that extends the life of your system. Instead of paying a professional to come out whenever you suspect an issue, you can rely on a remote monitoring service to automatically detect a problem with your system. Our remote monitoring service will even detect issues before you notice them and long before they become an uncomfortable problem.

Here’s what’s covered in your remote monitoring service:

• • Voltage on your indoor and outdoor unit – There are many voltage issues that could affect your HVAC system. For example, if the voltage coming to your house is too low, it can negatively impact your HVAC system. Your AC unit needs to be between 220 to 245 volts to properly function.
  • Refrigerant line temperature – Sometimes, refrigerant restrictions can happen and produce low suction pressure. This can prevent your system from cooling as it should. We’ll monitor to ensure that nothing restricts your system’s airflow.
  • Return air temperature – The ideal temperature between your supply and return air temperatures should stay within a 16 to 22 degree range. We’ll keep checking to ensure that your AC system doesn’t go too high or too low.
  • Replace/check filter – A clean filter makes a huge difference in the efficacy of your HVAC system. We’ll send you a quick notification as soon as it’s time to replace your filter.
  • Water detection – If we detect a leak in the system, we’ll notify you immediately and attempt to shut off the water supply.
  • Evaporator coil has frozen – Low system airflow can lead to undesirable results, such as coil icing. When your evaporator coil freezes up, it could cause major damage to your HVAC system. We’ll monitor to ensure that your evaporator coils remain at the ideal temperature.

• AC/Heat pump not working properly – Anything from thermostat miscalibrations to problems with your starter capacitor can cause your heat pump to stop working. If there’s a problem with your heat pump, we’ll find out about it and fix it before it turns into a major issue for you.

• Furnace not starting consistently – Sometimes furnaces seem to have a mind of their own, but not on our watch. Whether your burner is clogged or you’re dealing with a mechanical issue, furnaces break down for all sorts of issues. We’ll monitor your furnace to spot issues and fix them accordingly.
• AC/Heat pump compressor issue – A failing compressor can cause a domino effect in your HVAC system. It can demand more amperage and then run hot as a result.

What’s not included in remote HVAC monitoring

While remote HVAC monitoring checks for a multiple of potentially damaging issues, there are a few issues that this service doesn’t cover. That includes monitoring for Carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), or gas in the unit. You’ll need separate monitoring sensors for that.

What are the benefits of remote HVAC monitoring?

Why should you invest in our 24/7 remote HVAC monitoring service? Here are five major benefits of our service:

1. Detects problems early. We can spot 80% of failures before they become a noticeable problem for you.
2. Offers real-time alerts. You’ll get alerted as soon as we see a problem.
3. Proactively maintains your system. Instead of waiting for big problems to occur, you can fix small issues before they snowball into a costly matter.
4. Saves you money. Avoid shelling out money for a diagnostic fee. If you use our remote monitoring service, we’ll already know what the problem is and can get to work fixing it right away. You can save hundreds of dollars each year (or an estimated $1,100 in savings over the span of five years) by avoiding the standard diagnostic fee of $89.
5. Get a discount on your service. Not only do you save on diagnostic fees, but you’ll save on actual repair fees. With Sensi remote monitoring, you’ll receive a 10% discount on any service that we provide.

How much will you save by installing a high-efficiency HVAC system and improving your ductwork? Use our savings calculator to find out!

How does remote HVAC monitoring work?

How exactly does a remote monitoring service work?

It’s pretty simple. We install a sensor in your HVAC system to check for all of the issues that we discussed above. If something goes wrong, we’re alerted and so are you. But we understand that life gets in the way, and you may not even notice the notification. So, as part of our service, we follow up with our customers after an alert to discuss the issue and schedule a time to come out and resolve it.

We normally charge a diagnostic fee of $89, but by using our remote monitoring service, this fee is waived. After all, there’s no need to diagnose the problem because we know what it is. Instead, we go straight to solving it.

How much does our remote monitoring service? Here’s a cost breakdown:

• One-time setup fee: $399
• Monthly monitoring fee: $19
• Annual maintenance fees (checking for gas, etc.): Varies

What’s the process of setting up remote HVAC monitoring?

Setting up remote HVAC monitoring services with Minnicks is easy. There’s no need to order the necessary sensor for our monitoring service. Our technicians have it on the truck and ready to install, right along with your HVAC system.

Here’s a quick overview of how we set up our remote monitoring system:

• First, we plug in sensors to monitor critical points of data and failure throughout the HVAC system.
• Next, we’ll install the Sensi Predict hub to your HVAC unit.
• We then ensure that the sensor’s WiFi is connected with its own router (and not plugged into your home’s router).
• Then, we set up the system to send alerts. You can choose how you’ll receive alerts (through email or by logging into the online portal).

As part of your service subscription, you’ll receive both monthly reports and issue-based reports. Monthly reports help you understand how much your unit costs to run. You can use this information to identify usage trends through the year, and better manage your energy consumption.

Can I Install Remote HVAC Monitoring On My Existing System?

Absolutely! In most cases, if you already have an existing HVAC system in your home, we can install the remote HVAC monitoring sensor right away. There’s no need to replace your system. You can take advantage of this valuable, money-saving feature immediately. We also include remote monitoring on the new systems that we sell.

While we can install remote HVAC monitoring on most systems, we cannot install the sensor on communicating systems, which are highly efficient HVAC systems.

Not sure if you have a communicating or non-communicating HVAC system? We can easily check for you—and we’ll do it remotely! We can do a remote video call where we visually confirm what type of HVAC system you have and if it’s eligible for remote HVAC monitoring.

Call us at (301) 960-3893 to learn more about installing remote HVAC monitoring on your existing system.

HVAC Maintenance Best Practices

Follow these tips to ensure the longevity and efficiency of your HVAC system:

• Check your filter monthly. If your filter doesn’t look clean, replace it. Our remote monitoring service can alert you when it’s time to change your filter.
• Replace your filter every three to six months, or whenever it’s dirty. A clean, dust-free home will make your filters last longer.
• Fix small issues in your HVAC as soon as you can. The last thing you want is for small issues to spiral out of control and result in a huge expense.

Sign Up for Remote Monitoring Today

Ready to protect your HVAC system and enroll in our remote monitoring service? Call us today and we’ll set it up for you right away. Dial (301) 960-3893.