Invensys Climate Controls, a world leader in the automation and control of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, has teamed with HVAC manufacturer Lennox Industries to develop an unprecedented "smart," web-addressable HVAC control system for the home that improves the efficiency and effectiveness of space heating and air-conditioning appliances.

The e-Comfort system, with a built-in microprocessor, has an ability to perform self-diagnostic tests and communicate with service technicians over the Internet.

"This is unprecedented in the industry," says Dale Barnhart, Climate Controls president. "The e-Comfort system will eventually let users control their HVAC systems from virtually anywhere in the world, which will help lower their energy consumption and energy costs.''

The companies will begin consumer testing of the system this summer.

"The combination of Invensys' smart control technology and Lennox's comfort system expertise will create trouble-free climate control for the homeowner,'' Barnhart says. "This exciting new technology will optimise the energy-efficiency of the HVAC system and allow remote control monitoring and diagnostics.''

The average household energy usage for space heating and air-conditioning can be as much as 54 per cent of total consumption of homes, according to a study by the US Energy Information Administration.

Lennox officials say e-Comfort technology would also decrease their company's costs of doing business by providing troubleshooting, parts ordering and immediate warranty processing at the job site through the Internet. "This reduces warranty-processing costs and time spent by service technicians on the job,'' says Rick Marrale, Lennox vice president and general manager.

Lennox officials add that as energy markets develop different pricing systems for peak demand use, consumers will eventually be able to use the e-Comfort networking capability to minimise consumption of electricity on the most expensive days.

Invensys Climate Controls, a subdivision of Invensys Control Systems, is a global leader in the design, manufacture and sale of stand-alone and networked HVAC and commercial refrigeration controls and systems. Invensys Climate Controls goes to market through original equipment manufacturers and a global network of wholesalers and distributors that are supported by over 7,200 employees in more than 20 countries.

Lennox Industries is a subsidiary of Lennox International Inc, a global leader in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration markets.