Mention “smart home” to a prospective client, and they’ll immediately think of futuristic touch screens, smart thermostats, voice-activated lights, robot butlers, etc., but the real devices that make a smart home smart are often completely out of view.
Behind the walls and inside ductwork, smart sensors are transforming how contractors can monitor, diagnose, maintain, and improve the efficiency of systems.
Just think of how simple pinpointing a problem could be if all of the data, from temperature fluctuation to duct pressure to IAQ, was all laid bare in one place. These sensors can uncover otherwise hidden inefficiencies, and help deliver the promised energy savings, increasing homeowner trust.
But with great power comes great responsibility, and some are raising privacy concerns over sharing this crucial data.
What Are Sensors Capable Of?
Sensors have essentially become central to modern HVAC diagnostics, detecting and delivering data on a host of different metrics. These data points can help technicians remotely begin to troubleshoot issues, and can even help to alert homeowners of looming problems they may not be aware of yet.
So what are they actually capable of?
“Many variable speed units, such as Trane’s TruComfort line of equipment, have sensors built in that communicate and auto-configure with one another,” Paul Parish, general manager, digital, for Trane, explained. “If there’s an issue with the installation, the smart technology can communicate to a technician’s phone and alert them to a problem before they leave the installation site. This means inefficiencies and underperformance are identified during the installation phase, preventing callbacks and complaints from homeowners in the future. That can help improve customer satisfaction and increase efficiency of installations.”
ALL IN ONE PLACE: Systems, like Trane’s Link™ communicating technology, allow the unit to speak to other parts of the HVAC system, such as a smart thermostat. (Courtesy of Trane)
Trane also offers SmartCharge technology in many of its variable speed units, Parish added. The solenoid valve automatically meters refrigerant-minimizing errors for faster, more accurate charging. Plus, the Trane Technician mobile app delivers real-time progress with subcooling readings and verified measurements upon completion, so there’s less guesswork for the technician.
At Ecoer, smart sensors integrated into inverter heat pumps monitor duct pressure, superheat, subcooling, and system load in real time. Their intelligent IoT gateway aggregates this data and uses edge computing to detect inefficiencies — such as abnormal pressure drops, inconsistent temperature swings, or long cycle times — that may indicate filter clogging, refrigerant issues, or airflow restrictions.
“For instance, we recently had a contractor who received an alert from Ecoer’s monitoring system indicating unusual compressor activity,” Mark Lee, vice president of supply chain and product management at Ecoer, said. “Thanks to Ecoer’s remote diagnostic tools, the contractor was able to review the system’s historical data and quickly identify a clogged air filter. The issue was resolved immediately — without a site visit — saving time and cost for both the homeowner and the contractor. Compared to traditional systems, Ecoer’s platform dramatically reduces diagnostic time and truck rolls, enabling contractors to deliver faster and more reliable service.”
Dave Quam, connected solutions leader at Resideo, said they’re seeing smart home system peripherals and accessories — both wired and wireless — play a critical role in identifying HVAC system inefficiencies before they turn into homeowner headaches.
“Sensors and switches monitoring plenum and return air temperature, duct pressures, electric loads, and air quality are now being integrated into smart thermostats and whole-home solutions, which can detect subtle signs of underperformance like pressure drops that could signal duct leakage or temperature swings that point to faulty equipment,” Quam explained. “The state changes from these accessories can also be used to determine patterns, trends, and anomalies. At Resideo, our Pro-IQ services platform turns this information into actionable home and equipment insights. That means HVAC pros can be informed of issues like improper airflow, low refrigerant levels, or clogged filters without setting foot in the home, which leads to fewer emergency calls and happier homeowners.”
Putting All the Points in One Portal
A flood of data is essentially useless without sufficient organization. Manufacturers are constantly improving their purpose-built portals and apps to help contractors put all of these numbers into perspective.
AT A GLANCE: At Resideo, their Pro-IQ services platform provides real-time access to HVAC system performance data through the Resideo Pro app, which simplifies complex data and gives service teams an at-a-glance view of issues across their installed base. (Courtesy of Resideo)
At Resideo, their Pro-IQ services platform provides real-time access to HVAC system performance data through the Resideo Pro app, which simplifies complex data and gives service teams an at-a-glance view of issues across their installed base. Whether it’s temperature anomalies, static pressure fluctuations, or indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns, the platform flags issues and prioritizes them, enabling pros to deliver proactive service before a breakdown occurs.
“Additionally, devices like our Honeywell Home T10+ Pro Smart Thermostat with Redlink wireless smart room sensors provide a level of awareness that helps consumers with uneven heating and cooling deliver comfort to the rooms that matter most, when it matters,” Quam said, adding
Ecoer’s contractor platform, ESS Pro, also enables technicians to monitor, diagnose, and maintain systems remotely — saving time and enabling proactive service. Their dashboard includes:
- Compressor speed and modulation trends
- Indoor/outdoor coil temperatures
- Static pressure and airflow changes
- System fault codes and performance alerts
“This information empowers contractors to make informed decisions and address potential issues before they escalate,” Lee said. “Additionally, maintenance can be scheduled based on actual runtime or operating conditions — rather than relying solely on calendar intervals — helping contractors optimize their service operations and improve customer trust.”
Trane offers the Link communicating technology that allows the unit to speak to other parts of the HVAC system, such as a smart thermostat. The data is then communicated to the homeowner’s Trane Home app, where they can change temperature, humidity levels, daily schedules, etc., and to the Trane Technician mobile app, which is designed for technicians to monitor the system health remotely.
“With remote diagnostics, the technician will know about system changes before stepping onsite, and know which tools and materials are needed before arrival as well,” Parish said. “This can help mitigate the number of visits to a home, which not only opens time for other service calls, but also increases customer satisfaction, since it requires less scheduling on their end, too.”
Additionally, the Trane Technician mobile app has other features that can help technicians on-site. This includes a digital copy of the manual in the Trane Technician mobile app, so contractors can search rather than flip pages for instructions.
Making Privacy a Priority
The world is a much different place than it was even five years ago, and as data-driven systems become more common, ensuring a homeowner their privacy is essential should be a big priority for contractors.
Parish said this is a core tenet of Trane’s — to always do what’s right, and that includes how they serve, support, and protect their customers.
PRIVACY: Some homeowners aren’t sure about sacrificing potential privacy violations for convenience, which is why it’s important for contractors to communicate all the safeguards in place. (Courtesy of Resideo)
“In early 2025, Trane Technologies’ secure software development lifecycle process earned a globally recognized cybersecurity certification: ISA/IEC 62443-4-1,” Parish said. “This rigorous certification validates that our global product development process meets or exceeds industry-accepted best practices, demonstrating our commitment to improving the security of our products and connected solutions. We also provide a Vulnerability Management webpage on our corporate website to help bring awareness to product safety and security.”
At Ecoer, Lee said they take privacy seriously.
“While our current platform does not yet provide in-app controls for homeowners to directly manage or revoke remote access, we are actively working toward enhancing user control and transparency in future updates,” Lee said.
Currently, data is used strictly for diagnostic and performance optimization purposes and is only accessible to authorized service personnel and our support team. All collected data is encrypted, and Ecoer does not collect or share any personal or behavioral data unrelated to system operation.
“As connected home adoption accelerates, strengthening privacy controls is a key priority in our roadmap to align with evolving industry standards and homeowner expectations,” Lee added.
Quam said Resideo is committed to privacy and data protection, and provides clear information about the data we collect, how it is used, and who can access it.
“Homeowners have control over their data and can control how data is shared with contractors or property managers,” Quam said. “We do not sell personally identifiable information. Our systems apply appropriate security measures, including encryption and authentication protocols. Where possible, data used for system performance and optimization is pseudonymized or anonymized. Remote insights are designed to support professionals in delivering timely service and improving system efficiency while respecting user privacy.”
How Sensor Integration Benefits the Contractor
The message here is pretty clear: Smart sensors and remote monitoring tools aren’t some futuristic upsell anymore — they’re now almost standard tools that all contractors should offer. Aside from the benefits to homeowners, here are just some of the positives for contractors:
• Cut truck rolls through remote diagnostics
• Complete installs faster with auto-configuration tools
• Perform accurate maintenance based on real-time data
• Offer recurring revenue through service plans
• Boost customer satisfaction and first-time fix rates