Texas-based SmartAC has launched out of stealth mode with $10m in series A funding for its HVAC health platform that digitises the experience of AC ownership to extend equipment life and save homeowners money.
 
Powered by machine learning, the platform enables a proactive approach to HVAC monitoring, notifying users of a potential breakdown before it occurs. Sensors monitor temperatures, airflow, air filter life and drain lines to ensure the health of critical HVAC components.
 
As summer months approach and people across the USA shelter at home, it is important for AC units to function properly, especially where social distancing efforts make in-home repairs increasingly difficult.
 
“Over 70 million homes have central air in the USA, making indoor comfort a regular way of life,” said Josh Teekell, CEO and founder of SmartAC. “People don’t often think about their HVAC systems, taking it for granted, until the day the AC or heat goes out. These systems require regular upkeep, and when they aren’t maintained, costs can get out of hand. SmartAC.com’s offer is simple; we care about your AC so you don’t have to. Our proactive approach offers homeowners the opportunity to save thousands in repairs and energy over the lifespan of their system. None of us would own a car without a dashboard; we’re that dashboard for your AC.”
 
The hardware setup takes five minutes, with magnetic sensors enabling a simple DIY installation. The sensors are compatible with all HVAC equipment and thermostat manufacturers, including smart thermostats such as Nest and Ecobee, and enable professional monitoring and daily system health checks with over 50,000 temperature and airflow readings.
 
This data set, when coupled with machine learning, enables SmartAC to alert users when problems occur and predict when the system is headed for a serious breakdown. The company offers a Comfort Guarantee in support of these claims, granting users a year of free service if an unpredicted breakdown occurs when the SmartAC platform is installed.
 
While empowering consumers is the company’s primary focus, the company is also partnering with HVAC service providers. One of the company’s HVAC partners, David Lewis of Mission AC, said: “SmartAC.com is a total game-changer. Our clients love the additional transparency and the technology allows us to improve our service speed and quality because, for the first time, we have real-time data on the systems we service.”
 
The system includes:

• Comfort sensor, which monitors the temperature of the air coming from vents during each heating or cooling cycle allowing performance to be compared with manufacturer’s specs.
• Filter sensor, which tracks the lifespan of air filters by monitoring pressure and airflow changes over time, alerting users when they need to be changed. Forgetting to change an air filter is one of the most common causes of failure and leads to increased energy consumption and poor air quality.
• Water sensor, which guards against leaks and clogs in AC drain lines that can cause major damage to the home. Additional water sensors can be added if users wish to extend coverage to other home appliances.
• Hub, which sends the sensor data to the cloud so the SmartAC app can deliver intelligence and recommendations to help users reduce their overall AC costs.

“The average AC replacement cost is $7500, an expense that can be a huge burden on homeowners,” said Andrew Fuselier, SmartAC’s COO. “Caring for these assets is inconvenient and oftentimes confusing, resulting in 80 per cent of homeowners skipping the recommended maintenance on their AC systems. It’s time to digitise the AC ownership experience to solve a decades old problem. SmartAC was formed in stealth mode with feedback from thousands of homeowners, so we’re thrilled to finally show the world what we’ve built.”

Zach Axelrod, formerly VP of corporate strategy at Arcadia, recently joined the SmartAC team as chief business development officer.

“The SmartAC.com platform has the potential to revolutionise the HVAC industry with its clear value and ease of use for homeowners and service partners,” said Axelrod.

SmartAC is launching at a discount with a membership fee of $5 per month and hardware bundles starting at $99. Membership includes a lifetime warranty on the hardware, daily HVAC health checks, discounted air filters, active water leak monitoring to enable home insurance discounts, and live chat with HVAC technicians in the app.