Most buyers don’t think about the inner workings of their home until something goes wrong—the lights go out, the heat stops working, or a pipe leaks. That’s why savvy builders rely on time-tested systems to make sure their houses run smoothly and to keep callbacks at bay. From boilers and thermostats to electrical and security, the “guts” of the home are what make it comfortable, economical, and durable, providing peace of mind for both buyers and builders.
Products like the Noritz combination boiler with durable copper heat exchangers and Rheem's R98V furnace with sensors that alert users to a blocked drain ensure consistent performance and hassle-free operation. Other products take homeowners' health into consideration, such as the GLAS thermostat from Johnson Controls that can monitor pollen count and UV index and turn on ventilation equipment when outdoor air quality plummets.
Bosch Thermotechnology
Compatible with most HVAC systems, the Bosch Connected Control (BCC100) is a full-color, 5-inch, touchscreen thermostat that is Wi-Fi connected. The programmable thermostat gives homeowners the option to create their own temperature presets and schedule. The system will also automatically turn heating and cooling functions on and off to maintain temperature while homeowners are out of the house. The thermostat features the ability to display local weather forecasts so users can set the home temperature accordingly. Homeowners can monitor the thermostat and control it remotely from their smartphone with a free app.
A.O. Smith
The ProLine XE Combination (Combi) Boiler delivers immediate hot water and comfortable space heating. With its service-friendly compact design, the Combi boiler offers professional contractors easy installation, set-up, and maintenance, the company says. It features a user-friendly interface with a backlit LCD display and is available in 110,000, 150,000 and 199,000 BTU/hour models, delivering up to 4.8 gallons of hot water per minute—the highest capacity in the combination boiler category. The boiler comes with a five-year parts and 10-year heat exchanger limited warranty.
Ring
Smart doorbell company Ring has launched a new connected video doorbell designed to be professionally installed by builders and flush-mounted to the home’s exterior. The Ring Video Doorbell Elite is hardwired to the home and powered over Ethernet, with the option to connect via Wi-Fi. The doorbell allows homeowners to remotely monitor their home security via smartphone. The system has a video camera and built-in microphone and speakers with two-way audio capability so homeowners can interact with those at the door through Ring’s app. The camera has a 160-degree horizontal and 90-degree vertical field of view, and homeowners can create and customize motion zones with motion-activated alerts that notify them when movement is detected. The unit also has an infrared camera with night vision.
Flo
The Flo water security and management system consists of a Wi-Fi connected device installed on the home’s main water supply line, as well as a smartphone app that allows the homeowner to control the device’s conservation and security settings. Flo pre-emptively monitors the water supply line for leaks or abnormalities, and is able to automatically shut off the home’s water supply if it detects a catastrophic event, such as a pipe burst. It is able to detect leaks as small as a single drop of water per minute, and is able to warn owners if their pipes are about to freeze.
Noritz
The Noritz Residential Combination Boiler, or NRCB, allows for simultaneous residential domestic hot water and space heating—an industry first, according to the firm. It performs at a 95% AFUE, and is both AHRI and Energy Star certified at the highest efficiency rating. Corrosion-resistant copper heat exchangers offer increased durability and a longer boiler life. The unit has a temperature range of 80 to 180 degrees F for space heating and 90 to 140 degrees F for domestic hot water.
Johnson Controls
GLAS is the first smart thermostat of its kind to utilize a translucent OLED touchscreen display to control its functions, according to the firm. Users touch the screen to change the temperature, monitor indoor and outdoor air quality, and track energy savings. The unit also can be controlled by mobile app or by voice, via Microsoft's Cortana. In addition to temperature, GLAS reports humidity, total VOCs, and equivalent carbon dioxide. When connected to the Internet, the unit also monitors pollen count and UV index and can turn on a fan or ventilation equipment when air quality falls below moderate levels.
Broan
The Fresh In supply fan ventilation system brings fresh air in from the outside—but only when it makes sense to do so. The fan’s technology continually monitors the outdoor temperature and humidity levels and estimates the best time of day to run the fan. Fresh In features an ultra-efficient, variable-speed motor that allows the fan to deliver constant airflow without losing efficiency. The unit can easily be installed between ceiling joists with its flush-to-ceiling mount design using Broan’s decorative finish ring, and filters can be replaced in less than 30 seconds, according to the company.
Modine
The GeoSync water-to-air geothermal heat pump harnesses renewable thermal energy from water just below the ground’s surface to heat and cool interior spaces. The model’s vertical side panel allows easy access to controls without the need to crawl on the ground like with other units. GeoSync is available in 2- to 6-ton options to fit virtually any residential space, such as a basement, attic, office, or crawlspace, the manufacturer says.
Weil-McLain
The firm has added three smaller sizes to its advanced high-efficiency Evergreen condensing boiler line in order to accommodate small to average size residential applications. The 95% AFUE boiler is now available in 70, 110 and 155K BTUH input sizes, joining the existing 220, 299 and 399 sizes. The boiler’s straightforward and user-friendly design makes installation easy for contractors, the maker says.
Lennox
The SL280NV Ultra Low NOx gas furnace is the first in Lennox’s new line of eco-efficient furnaces, which are the first to meet new low-emission regulations in certain California markets. The unit produces 65% lower NOx emissions than standard low NOx furnaces, according to the firm. A variable-speed blower motor and two-stage gas valve allows the furnace to adjust airflow and heating output to help maintain an ideal temperature throughout the home.
Rheem
The R98V Prestige series Modulating Upflow gas furnace helps homeowners save energy and money, according to the manufacturer. Attaining 98%+ AFUE, the model comes with the firm's PlusOne Diagnostics that make it easy to service and diagnose, the firm says, and it has built-in service and safety features like the PlusOne water management system with a patented Blocked Drain Sensor that forces the furnace to shut down if the drain gets blocked.
Leviton
Leviton’s new load center and circuit breakers focus on ease of installation, enhanced safety, and a more intuitive interface for the homeowner. The Leviton Load Center’s plug-in system allows contractors to wire the system, stopping at rough-in, and inserting circuit breakers later to complete installation. Its design enables users to switch out branch circuit breakers with no rewiring required. Reset lockout technology to both GFCI and AFCI/GFCI circuit breakers exceeds UL standards. Circuit breakers are located behind an optional clear door, which houses LEDs that communicate trip condition and type of fault.
Panasonic
The EZ Soffit Vent from Panasonic lets the fan installer complete ducting in a single trip before soffit installation, so there’s no risk of compromised airflow due to excess duct being handled by the siding contractor. The installer simply needs to cut a hole for the grille. This helps reduce total installed costs, including callbacks, labor and parts, the company says. Overall height is less than 6 inches and fits in a 1/12 pitch roof overhang (with 2x6 fascia board) and the mounting bracket can be located anywhere there’s a vertical surface within the overhang. A low-resistance back damper eliminates drafts and improves blower door test results while the grille can be rotated 180 degrees so discharge aligns with ductwork.
Schluter-Systems
Schluter-Systems has added smart home technology to its award winning DITRA-HEAT electric floor warming system with a new Wi-Fi thermostat. The new DITRA-HEAT-E-WiFi thermostat makes programming a floor warming system fast and simple, whether the user is at home or on the road. The touchscreen on the thermostat features an intuitive and interactive color display screen that provides quick access to system settings and features. Users can access their thermostat settings via an app or website, so connecting to the system, on the fly, is easier than ever before. Programming is also simplified with the thermostat’s set-up wizard which guides the user through the process. To help make better programming decisions, the system displays the local outdoor temperature and weather forecast.
