AI in HVAC: Breakthrough or Just Clever Marketing?
AI is everywhere in HVAC conversations these days, promising efficiency, cost savings, and smarter operations. But let’s be real—does AI actually bring something new to HVAC, or is it just a flashy rebrand of what solid commissioning has always delivered?
Many companies boast about AI-driven savings, but here’s the real question: Are these savings the result of AI, or simply the natural outcome of proper system commissioning and adherence to manufacturer (MFG) standards? If a unit is optimized from the start, does AI really bring anything new to the table?
AI Without a Baseline = Fancy Guesswork
The truth is, AI is only as good as the data it learns from. If an HVAC system has never been properly benchmarked against MFG standards, AI isn’t improving anything—it’s just normalizing inefficiency. A unit that’s already underperforming will feed AI flawed data, leading to flawed insights.
Without a proper performance baseline, AI can misinterpret erratic system behaviors as “normal,” making its conclusions unreliable at best. And yet, many in the industry continue to chase AI solutions without first ensuring their systems are even operating correctly.
The Smart Way to Use AI in HVAC
AI does have value—but only after you’ve done the groundwork. Here’s how AI can actually drive real results:
✅ Step 1: Set a Performance Baseline – Use simple regression models to establish expected system trends. This ensures AI isn’t benchmarking against flawed data.
✅ Step 2: Layer AI on Top of a Reliable System – Once a baseline is in place, AI can do what it does best: analyzing real-time operational factors like weather shifts, occupancy variations, holiday schedules, and daily cycles specific to each location.
✅ Step 3: Use AI to Optimize, Not Just Detect – AI should enhance system operations, not replace fundamental diagnostics. With the right foundation, it can mitigate risks, boost efficiency, and actually deliver measurable energy savings instead of just making educated guesses.
The Bottom Line
The real power of AI in HVAC doesn’t come from just plugging it into a system and expecting magic. It comes from starting with the right foundation, ensuring systems are running at their full potential before AI even enters the equation.
AI isn’t a silver bullet—it’s a tool. And like any tool, its effectiveness depends on how well the groundwork is laid before it’s put to work.
What’s Your Take?
Is AI in HVAC a true revolution or just a new way to repackage old best practices? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments! And if you found this perspective valuable, give this post a like—we’ll keep sharing insights to push the industry forward.
