Unreliable and false impressions
Airzone: Leaders in HVAC control solutions shows the website when you first look at it. A Cloud solution with a demo Page is available, which lets the tester set modes, create schedules and test the cloud app.
We bought a Daikin ducted HVAC system yesterday and with a possibility to control individual zones via an integrated web platform, together with pleasant looking Thermostats and even the ability to connect underfloor heating seemed perfect to us. The Demo app convinced us and the order was given.
This is where the first issues appeared. Our HVAC partner reached out to Airzone and clarified some questions, put in the Order for the Zone controller, Thermostats, underfloor heating controller and the web server, but nothing happened. It took almost 2 weeks until anything was shipped, so the scheduled installation had to be delayed. During this time, the partner did not get any feedback or help from Airzone.
After they finally arrived, the system was installed, connected and turned on. The System was initialized and set up and immediately the next issues appeared: the Underfloor control unit was not shown in the system settings and did not control the connected units. Many emails had t be sent back and fourth and after some time we noticed, that the system’s firmware was not up to date. Airzone had to remotely log in to install an update to the newer version and voila, suddenly the underfloor heating was integrated. Sadly the quick moment of joy was immediately ruined when we noticed that the Underfloor heating unit, which can control 8 Zones can only be linked to the 8 zones of the HVAC controller and are not separate. This forced us to combine a few rooms into a single zone to ensure all 8 zones can be somehow controlled.
After this one was solved, we were finally able to create our first schedule and start the operation of the system. In the first day I kept monitoring the system and noticed that the heating would always overshoot my programmed temperature. When I programmed 21 degree in a room, the system would heat this room up to 21.5 degrees and only then turn off. Then it would wait until the room reaches 20.8 degrees to heat back up. I found this a very strange behavior, as it means the temperature always fluctuates.
The App also allows you to configure electricity costs which I found really nice to track my consumption, however when I set this up, it never showed me any consumption at all, because it needs an additional unit that connects to the power line to measure this consumption. However, when I opened up my App from the Daikin controller for my indoor unit, I can see the full consumption.
After a few days of experimenting with the App, I then started to learn and understand how schedules can be set up. There are 2 types of schedules that can be programmed. A central schedule where specific date or time controls can be set, or a thermostat specific schedule which is bound to this specific thermostat. I wanted to set up a schedule that automates the airflow in my house, so I started with a central schedule. Very quickly, I noticed that the schedule did not allow me to set my device into an “Auto” mode. I was only able to set Heating, Cooling, Venting, Dehumidification or Stop. That confused me. So I went into the thermostat schedule and tried there, but still to no avail. I checked the demo app and tested multiple locations. All location could be set to “Auto”. Just not mine. I compared to the Daikin app - and this app does have it.
So I thought I”ll create an annual schedule, where I can program summer winter and in-between modes. Turns out, fixed dates, bound to a year have to be saved. Which means it’s impossible to tell the system to heat from October to March, as you can only say from October 25 to March 26.
Since this also did not lead me anywhere, I then created a time-based schedule for the winter season. My system has a fresh-air input, so I wanted to often make use of the venting functionality. After I was happy with this schedule I thought I’d simply create the same schedule again for cooling, but make it inactive. This would then at least only require me to log on to the schedules twice per year to toggle all the heating and cooling lines. This is where I noticed that the system only allows you to save a maximum of 24 schedule lines.
Today, after a few months dealing with the tech and app support (who are super nice), my web server is now regularly losing the connection to the internet, requiring me to manually unplug it.
I am now at a state of frustration that is beyond anything I know, Auto mode is unavailable in Europe and never planned, the schedules don’t make sense and the hardware is unreliable and nobody can help.
Avoid Airzone in the EU. They have such great potential, but sadly waste it.