No, this is not a call for shipping out on a cruise. It is a call to pay attention to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data privacy for your customers and your companies.
This month the magazine focuses on going digital. Once upon a time, that meant computerizing your company, converting paper files to electronic ones, implementing business and system management software solutions and more.
In the 21st century, it takes on a much different meaning. Sure, a lot of HVAC equipment use on-board sensors and electronics to monitor and gather data. And High-Performance HVAC™ contractors use digital instruments to do the same. This is all in an effort to provide customers with more comfort and efficiency from their investments in mechanical systems.
Today, across all the supply chains, concerns have arisen about security and cybercrime. I address what that means in the article, “A Look at Cyber Security for HVAC Contractors” on page 10.
Your customers are also concerned. So says a 2025 study done by Copeland Corp. titled, “Smart Home Data Privacy.” The study, which focused on smart thermostat data gathering, surveyed 2,000 American homeowners and showed a sharp increase in smart home technology use with a decrease in confidence about data privacy.
Over half of the homeowners surveyed don’t understand how their smart thermostat data is used. Yet most are willing to switch to more privacy-focused options.
Data Privacy Study Highlights
Furthermore the study highlights that homeowners:
Misunderstand Data Collection — 52% of homeowners don’t know how data is collected from their smart thermostats. This shows a significant knowledge gap and raises concerns about uninformed data sharing.
Distrust Manufacturers — Homeowners who don’t own a smart thermostat are less confident (58%) that manufacturers handle data responsibly, compared to 73% of smart thermostat owners. This distrust may be a barrier to adoption.
Don’t Pay Attention to Privacy Policies — Only 14% of smart thermostat owners said they researched a manufacturer’s data privacy policy before making a purchase, suggesting a lack of due diligence and awareness about how personal data may be used or shared.
Have Concerns Amplified by AI Integration — As AI becomes more integrated into smart home systems, there’s heightened anxiety about how it may influence or expand data collection without transparent user consent.
Desire More Control and Transparency — 70% of homeowners are willing to replace their current thermostat with one that offers stronger privacy protections; a sentiment especially strong among millennials (80%).
These concerns point to a need for clearer communication, better privacy education, and stronger commitments from manufacturers to responsible data practices.
The use of AI in HVAC equipment and test instruments will continue. There are a lot of positives to that including being able to forecast the impact of changing equipment on comfort and energy use, predicting malfunctions, and more.
There are also a lot of great things AI can do when it comes to marketing your business and services. My point is to be aware of how this tech impacts customers and your business. Use it smartly and you can cruise the seas of opportunity and success. Safe Sailing!
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