Since its introduction in 2019, Crestron Home has become a popular choice among home automation integrators due to its intuitive UI and cost-effectiveness. 

A Temporary Solution

Committed to providing a simple way to integrate HVAC systems, CoolAutomation quickly adapted a BACnet thermostat scheme to ensure the new Crestron platform can easily integrate with VRF and mini-split systems.

While this stopgap measure worked, home automation integrators had a difficult time implementing it as most are unaccustomed to working with BACnet. Aware of the issue, we teamed up with Crestron to work out a better solution together.

Trusted Partners

Recognizing the value CoolAutomation solutions provide to customers and the capabilities of its highly skilled development team, Crestron decided, as part of a unique pilot, to grant CoolAutomation access to their programming platform for the purpose of creating a dedicated, native driverextension.

To date, only a very limited number of programmers, trained and certified by Crestron, have been authorized to access the platform and create an extensiondriver.

Streamlining HVAC Integration

The new driver/extension, pre-installed in all Crestron Home systems, makes HVAC integration much easier and doesn't involve using BACnet, which requires customers to manually match thermostat points for each indoor unit. By automatically detecting all HVAC zones and presenting relevant options for the specific units in each site, the process becomes more accessible, simple, and efficient.

Feature Overview

Using the new driverextension and CoolAutomation solutions, that are compatible with all VRF, split, mini split, and heat pump systems, Crestron Home can control HVAC with ease, granting users access to the following functions (per zone/area):
  • Operation state (on/off), with the added ability to turn all units on or off centrally using a single button
  • Operation mode (cool/heat/dry/fan/auto), with the ability to centrally restrict cool/heat selection of individual indoor units
  • Temperature setpoint
  • Fan speed (low/medium/high/top/auto)
  • Swing
Monitoring features will allow to receive real-time feedback on all the above functions, in addition to:
  • Showing the return air (room) temperature
  • Displaying system malfunction codes when reported by the HVAC unit- a unique feature rarely available to home automation users.
  • Enabling users to easily add and show different sensors in the app, which facilitates the monitoring of exhaust/intake fans, relative space humidity, motion/presence sensor status, external temperatures, and more.

Conclusion

CoolAutomation’s collaboration with Crestron has set a new benchmark for HVAC integration with home automation systems. By eliminating the complexities of BACnet and enabling centralized and precise control, our Crestron Home extensiondriver delivers unmatched simplicity, reliability, and ease of use.

Would you like to learn more?

Join us at ISE 2025 in Barcelona this February 4–7!

Visit booth 2FE260 to meet CoolAutomation experts and see live demos!

Click here to schedule a one-on-one meeting and learn more.

The Crestron team will be waiting for you at booth 3H300/3H400, where you can explore their advanced home automation systems.

Igor Mitbarg
Igor Mitbarg · Co-Founder and VP Services
Driving the customer-oriented DNA and soul of the company, Igor is a VRF and Home Automation expert with over 20 years of experience in mechanical and electrical engineering background. Igor holds a B.Sc in Mechanical Engineering and an M.Sc in Electrical Engineering
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