4 minutes readFor years, our Whole Home project has been redesigning homes across the country, working with top designers and builders to showcase the latest innovations in architecture, technology and design. However, not all features can be seen in the photos. Elements such as energy efficiency, comfort and connectivity are at the heart of the project – and that's exactly where it lies Tear comes in.
Throughout Whole Home's journey, Trane's state-of-the-art HVAC systems have been a critical component, underpinning the innovation and stylistic highlights with energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Whether in a warm climate like Austin's Fancy Texas treehouse or somewhere cooler like 2023 sprawling estate in Chicago(in which one of the Trane heat pumps was used), the system performs in both cases.
Read on to learn why we chose one of Trane's newest models, the 17 Multi-Speed Heat Pump with WeatherGuard™, to customize comfort in this year's Whole Home.
Multistage heat pumps
The next big thing in clean energy – Trane's 17 multi-speed heat pumpis equipped with Comfort Seek™ technology and adjusts the compressor speed according to changes in the outside temperature. The machine works hard when you need it to, then slows down to save energy when the outside weather is less demanding. The result is finely tuned heating and cooling performance—which is particularly helpful in humid subtropical climates like Austin, where summer temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
This system includes enhanced humidity control and features a SEER2 cooling rating of up to 17.1 and an EER2 rating of up to 12.5 – both ratings well above industry standards. SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) rates cooling performance in spring and summer, while EER2 (Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures cooling efficiency in extremely warm conditions.
Although winters in Austin are typically mild, reaching lows of only around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the 17 Multi-Speed's heating power is still useful. It achieves an HSPF2 value (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, which measures heating efficiency in fall and winter) of up to 11, well above the Department of Energy's minimum of 7.5.
A new standard for smart thermostats
Another excellent and easy way to save energy, increase comfort and potentially reduce costs is to install one smart thermostat. These stylish devices connect to the Internet via a home Wi-Fi system or a wired home Ethernet connection and allow you to monitor and adjust the indoor climate.
A smart thermostat allows you to schedule heating and cooling adjustments as needed, which can help save energy while providing year-round comfort. Some devices can even learn your habits and preferences and set a climate schedule tailored to when you are home, away, awake or asleep.
Trane has developed a line of highly rated smart thermostats that allow you to control your HVAC system via the wall display or remotely using an app.
One of the stars of Trane's state-of-the-art thermostat range is the XL824. The name may sound high-tech (and the device Is High-tech), but the device is intuitive and user-friendly. With a crisp, colorful touchscreen that's easy to navigate, the XL824 lets you customize the comfort of your home in an instant. It is fully programmable, comes with two cooling levels and five heating levels, and features Z-Wave wireless communication that enables smart home automation.
“The thermostats are multi-zone, which is great for entertaining and even makes you feel like you're living in a hotel since you can make one room cooler than another,” explains Sara Malek Barney of BAND/DESIGN. “But it’s also great seasonally – the ability to control rooms separately is very efficient and ideal.”
Also helpful is that the XL824 is equipped with Trane Diagnostics for troubleshooting, including a remote option that, if you choose, allows your dealer to monitor real-time data on your system, receive alerts about any problems, and troubleshoot problems remotely, potentially reducing the need for in-person service calls. The device can also be connected to a smart home hub, allowing you to remotely control more than 200 devices in your home.
Air quality control
We usually think about the quality of outdoor air and the factors that affect it, from industrial pollution to car exhaust. But indoor air quality can also suffer, and since we spend the majority of our time indoors (a whopping 90% according to an estimate by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), indoor air quality is of great importance.
Trane dealers can test the air quality in your home and add a monitor to your HVAC system to keep an eye on humidity and potential contaminants. If necessary, they can also show you how to improve the air quality in your home. Additionally, you can program the Trane XL824 thermostat to control two air quality maintenance products, including a dehumidifier Whole house air purifierand a ventilation system. With these products, as well as filters, fans and humidifiers, Trane HVAC professionals can be your one-stop shop for improving the quality of the air you breathe in your home.