Aria Smart Vents are a relatively new smart home product that claims to optimize comfort and energy savings in homes. But are these high-tech vents actually worth the investment? Here is an in-depth look at the pros, cons, features, pricing and performance of Aria Smart Vents to help you decide if they are right for your home.
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What are Aria Smart Vents?
Aria Smart Vents are automated air vents that open and close to control airflow and room temperature in homes. They are designed to replace the manual vents in ductwork and use built-in sensors and wireless connectivity to monitor conditions and make automatic adjustments. The key features of Aria Smart Vents include:
- Automated vent dampers that open and close to regulate airflow.
- Temperature, humidity and air quality sensors.
- Smartphone control to set schedules and customize airflow settings.
- Integration with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.
- Real-time monitoring of temperature and humidity.
The vents connect via WiFi to the Aria app and environmental sensors. Users can control them manually through the app and create schedules, scenes and automation rules to have them adjust automatically based on changing conditions. The vents aim to optimize comfort and air quality room-by-room while also improving energy efficiency.
How do Aria Smart Vents work?
Aria Smart Vents use a simple concept but advanced technology to automate and improve air ventilation in homes. Here is an overview of how they work:
- Replace existing vents: Aria vents are designed to replace standard manual vents in central heating/cooling systems. Installation involves simply removing the old vents and connecting the Aria vents in their place.
- Connect wirelessly: The Aria vents have built-in WiFi that connects them to the Aria app and cloud platform. This allows for wireless control and real-time monitoring.
- Monitor conditions: Integrated sensors in the vents keep track of temperature, humidity, air quality and motion/occupancy in each room. This data gets continuously uploaded to the cloud.
- Adjust airflow: Based on sensor data, settings and schedules, the Aria vents automatically adjust their internal dampers to control airflow. More airflow means faster heating/cooling.
- Optimize for comfort: By customizing vent openings room-by-room, Aria aims to maintain optimal temperatures, remove humidity and redirect airflow as needed.
- Improve efficiency: Reducing unnecessary airflow to unused rooms helps HVAC systems operate more efficiently by not overheating/cooling.
In essence, the vents replace manual control with automated, data-driven management of ventilation for improved comfort, air quality and energy efficiency throughout the home.
What are the key features and specifications?
Some important features and specs of Aria Smart Vents:
- Size: 7 x 7 x 3 inches
- Material: Plastic housing with aluminum air damper
- Supported duct sizes: 6-inch and 8-inch
- Sensors: Temperature, humidity, air quality
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth
- Compatibility: Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, IFTTT
- Power: AC power adapter
- Noise level: <35 dbA
Some key performance specs:
- Temperature accuracy: ±0.5°F
- Humidity accuracy: ±2% RH
- Airflow adjustment: fully open to fully closed
- Airflow rate: up to 100 CFM
- Operating temperature: 32°F to 120°F
The vents are designed to be compact, quiet and blend seamlessly into existing ductwork. Key capabilities include remote control, scheduling, sensor integration, and compatibility with major smart home platforms.
How much do Aria Smart Vents cost?
Aria Smart Vents are premium priced compared to basic vents. Here is a breakdown of pricing:
- Single Aria Smart Vent: $99
- 3-Pack of Vents: $249 ($83 per vent)
- 5-Pack of Vents: $399 ($80 per vent)
- 10-Pack of Vents: $749 ($75 per vent)
Additional costs include:
- $79 for the Aria Hub (required)
- $50 per Aria Room Sensor
- $30 per month for professional monitoring service
So for example, a 6 vent setup would cost around $740 for the vents and hub, plus $300 for 6 room sensors, so just over $1000 upfront. The monthly monitoring fee is optional.
Overall, Aria Smart Vents carry about a 10x premium over basic vents. The innovationalved technology and home automation capabilities account for the much higher cost compared to simple manual vents.
How does pricing compare to alternatives?
| Product | Single Vent Price |
|---|---|
| Aria Smart Vent | $99 |
| Keen Home Smart Vent | $89 |
| Flair Smart Vent | $79 |
| Basic Manual Vent | $5-$15 |
While being at the higher end, Aria Smart Vents are competitively priced compared to other smart vent options. The basic technology of manual vents makes them far more affordable at 5-15x lower cost.
What are the main pros and cons?
Here is an overview of the key advantages and potential disadvantages of Aria Smart Vents:
Pros:
- Save energy and lower bills by optimizing HVAC usage
- Improve temperature comfort room-by-room
- Reduce humidity and remove mold/mildew risks
- Redirect air away from unused rooms
- Easy DIY installation with no ductwork modifications
- Intuitive smartphone app with advanced settings and controls
- Automate through schedules and rules for convenience
- Integrates with Alexa, Google Home etc for voice control
- Real-time air quality monitoring
- Troubleshoot HVAC issues based on vent data
Cons:
- Expensive upfront cost around $100 per vent
- May not work well with complex or improperly balanced ductwork
- Limited to adjusting supply side airflow, not returns
- No professional installation offered
- DIY installation can be difficult in cramped spaces
- Possible WiFi connectivity issues
- Requires central HVAC system, not compatible with wall units or mini-splits
- May not work in multi-family buildings
The biggest tradeoff is the high upfront investment versus the potential for better comfort, air quality and energy savings over time. Performance is also dependent on having an appropriately designed HVAC system.
Early reviews from customers
Aria Smart Vents were first launched in 2018. Here are some early impressions from customers who have installed them:
Positive reviews
- “Easy to set up and the app is very user friendly.”
- “Can really feel the difference in air quality, especially in bedrooms.”
- “The HomeKit integration works perfectly. I control them with Siri.”
- “My HVAC rarely turns on now thanks to the vents optimizing airflow.”
- “Installation was a breeze, I set them up myself in about an hour.”
- “So cool to be able to control vents with my phone!”
Critical reviews
- “Expensive for what are essentially fancy plastic vents.”
- “The app is glitchy sometimes and loses connection.”
- “HVAC is still running frequently suggesting limited energy savings.”
- “Can hear an annoying hum from the vent motors.”
- “Not compatible with my older ductwork.”
- “Sensors kept showing incorrect temperature readings.”
Early reviews seem to show the potential for becoming an effective smart home device, but some inconsistencies exist as is typical for a new, emerging technology. More extensive long-term testing will better reveal true performance.
Should you install Aria Smart Vents?
Here are some factors to consider when deciding if Aria Smart Vents are right for your home:
Better suited for:
- Newer, properly designed HVAC systems
- Multi-zone systems with dampers built-in
- Smart home enthusiasts who value advanced features and customization
- Environments with humidity or mold issues
- Homes where room comfort varies significantly
Not as suitable for:
- Older ductwork that’s not adequately sized and balanced
- Homes without existing central HVAC systems
- Buyers primarily seeking simple set-and-forget operation
- Cost-conscious buyers unwilling to pay a premium
Ideal applications for Aria vents are newly constructed homes with well-planned ductwork where zoned temperature control is desired. Retrofitting into older homes with less optimized systems may result in lower performance and energy savings potential.
Maximizing benefits:
To make the most of Aria Smart Vents, homeowners should:
- Get professional HVAC assessment prior to install
- Install room sensors for optimal zone control
- Take full advantage of scheduling and automation
- Customize airflow settings room-by-room
- Use as part of a whole-home smart device ecosystem
With proper implementation following HVAC best practices, Aria vents can be an effective addition for controlling comfort and air quality.
Conclusion
Aria Smart Vents bring innovative smart home technology to the often overlooked realm of air vents. They make it simple to monitor and automatically adjust airflow based on changing needs. The mobile app provides extensive control and data. Potential benefits include better comfort, reduced humidity, and improved energy efficiency.
However, the $100 per vent price is significantly higher than basic vents. Performance gains rely on having an adequately designed HVAC system. And bugs or connectivity issues can arise as with any new digital product. For the right application, typically newer homes with multi-zone systems, Aria Smart Vents present an appealing way to add cutting-edge functionality and automation to HVAC management and ventilation. But they may not make sense for all homeowners due to the premium cost and dependence on compatible infrastructure. As the technology continues maturing, Aria vents have strong potential providing their performance lives up to expectations over the long-term.