WHAT IS GEOFENCING?
A geofence is a perimeter boundary created around the location of a smartphone or other device, based on GPS or RFID signals. Geofencing used to allow advertisers to send targeted messages to users who enter their area. However, it has applications for home automation too, systems can be set to turn on or off based on whether or not the home is within the user’s geofence.
Who is it for?
Geofencing is ideal for people who are in and out all day, or don’t follow a set schedule day-to-day.
For those people, geofencing can be a useful feature that takes some of the effort out of adjusting the thermostat. Let it figure out when you’ve left and when you’ve returner. And take all the effort out of trying to develop a schedule that suits your unpredictable days.
Even better, geofencing isn’t limited to just thermostats: many sophisticated smart home hubs exist to control all of your home’s smart devices based on whether you’re home or not.
Requirements
Geofencing requires your thermostat to link to your smartphone and to use its GPS to track you. For it to work, there are certain settings that you’ll need to always keep on, including:
- Wi-Fi
- General location services
- Background app refresh (for iOS devices)
- “High accuracy” location services (for Android devices)
Geofencing will transform the way you use your thermostat. It will add to your home comfort and help you optimally use your HVAC system to save on energy costs.
Benefits Of Geofencing For HVAC Control
The main benefit of using geofencing in conjunction with a smart thermostat is that it eliminates the need to schedule. Instead of having to program the thermostat to turn on or off around the times you typically enter or leave your home on a given day, you can keep your schedule flexible. Relying on the location of the geofence to tell the HVAC system whether it needs to be on or off.
Drawbacks Of Geofencing
Unfortunately,it has many drawbacks right now. First of all, there is the simple fact that it requires everyone in the home to have a smartphone in order for the system to recognize their presence and leave the heat or AC on for them. Another drawback is that geofencing doesn’t take care of thermostat changes associated with bedtime. Often, people want to turn down the heat at night when they’re cozy in bed. With a programmable thermostat this could schedule for a set time every night.But with geofencing it has to be done manually. One final complaint that people have had is that the app seems to reduce the battery life of their smartphone.
