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Maximize Remote Site Reliability: How to Select the Best HVAC Control System

By Andrew Erickson

May 29, 2025

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Not all HVAC controllers are created equal. That may sound obvious, but it's still important.

If you're managing a network of unmanned telecom huts, power substations, or any remote infrastructure, the wrong HVAC controller can be a big problem. Unmanned sites with poor monitoring & control will quickly translate into lost uptime, premature equipment failure, and rising energy bills.

Keep in mind, most HVAC control systems are designed with consideration for building automation. You, however, need a control system that's purpose-built for autonomy, resilience, and intelligent behavior in a remote installation.

At DPS Telecom, we work with our clients to deploy HVAC controllers that just work - even under punishing field conditions. Through all those installations, we've identified six critical features that determine whether an HVAC controller succeeds or becomes an expensive headache.

Let's walk through all six - and how you can use this knowledge to protect your sites going forward.

HVAC Health Monitoring Setup

1. Compatibility with the HVAC Units You Already Use

This compatibility is your foundation. If a controller can't interface cleanly with your current HVAC units, it doesn't matter how fancy the feature set is - it's not the right fit.

In most networks, you're dealing with a mix of HVAC technologies. Some units are newer with digital interfaces. Others may be older, analog-controlled (or relay-controlled) systems that are still running. Some are even legacy models installed over a decade ago.

The right controller doesn't ask you to overhaul your infrastructure. Instead, it supports:

  • Digital and analog signaling, with relay outputs to control HVAC start/stop states
  • Multiple HVAC units per controller, letting you scale at larger sites
  • Drop-in compatibility with major commercial brands, including legacy deployments

You want a solution that lets you extend the life of your current equipment - not replace it.

If you've ever replaced a piece of equipment just because it didn't "play nice" with a new controller, you know how painful that can be. Avoid that entirely by opting for compatibility upfront.

2. Smart Energy Efficiency Features That Actually Cut Costs

Every HVAC cycle costs you money. The longer your units run - and the more frequently they cycle - the faster your power bill climbs and your hardware wears down.

Traditional thermostats simply react. When the temperature hits a threshold, the HVAC kicks on. That basically works, but it's a recipe for inefficiency in the real-world. This is particularly inefficient when units are never rotated or start unnecessarily.

What you really need is a system that thinks about energy.

Look for HVAC controllers that come equipped with features like:

  • Lead-lag rotation, which balances runtime to extend unit life
  • Start/stop temperature thresholds you can define and adjust
  • Delayed lag startup, which staggers units to avoid electrical surges
  • Runtime analytics, helping you track energy use and optimize over time

In real-world deployments, features like these have helped cut energy use by 10-30%, depending on ambient conditions and site configuration. Multiply that by dozens (or hundreds) of sites, and the savings speak for themselves.

The beauty of this system isn't just that it saves money. It also gives you control over your cooling philosophy. Want longer cycles for smoother performance? Set it. Need tighter thresholds during peak summer? Adjust whenever you need to do so. You're in charge.

HVAC Cycle Graph

3. Support for Custom Sequences of Operation

Off-the-shelf HVAC controllers often have a limited set of behaviors. But remote infrastructure is unpredictable. Your controller needs to respond intelligently to more than just the temperature.

You might need to:

  • Keep the lag HVAC offline unless the lead unit fails
  • Rotate units every 24 hours to ensure equal wear
  • Automatically engage backup cooling when a sensor fails
  • Temporarily override thresholds when technicians are onsite

These become standard operating procedures for many of our clients once they're using the right HVAC controller.

That's why the DPS HVAC Controller offers both remote web logic configuration and on-device touchscreen access. You can build your sequence, push it to all your sites, and override it locally if needed.

This ensures that your HVAC Controller executes your desired actions, even during a communications outage.

4. Built-in Sensor Support for Environmental Awareness

The more your HVAC controller knows, the better it can perform.

The DPS HVAC Controller supports:

  • Analog inputs (via D-Wire sensors) for real-time temperature, humidity, and airflow monitoring
  • Digital inputs to detect open doors, filter clogs, or HVAC fault relays
  • D-Wire sensor chains that simplify wiring and expand your coverage area

Let's say you have three temperature zones at a remote site. You can daisy-chain D-Wire sensors hundreds of feet using a single twisted-pair cable (ex. Cat5e). That saves you time, labor, and cost.

The real value, though, lies in actionable intelligence. When your controller sees that Zone 1 has a tripped smoke/heat detector, it can respond. In the DPS HVAC Controller, this means deactivating HVAC units to avoid literally fanning the flames.

5. Full Integration with Your Site Management and Alarm Systems

You already have systems in place to monitor your gear. Why wouldn't your HVAC controller be part of that network?

Too many HVAC control setups force you into siloed software that doesn't talk to your RTUs or master stations. That means missed alarms, slow response times, and poor visibility.

DPS HVAC Controllers solve this with native integration, offering:

Imagine receiving an SNMP trap the moment a lead HVAC unit fails - or getting an alert when a temperature threshold is breached at a remote hut. With DPS HVAC Controllers, that's a standard function.

If you're managing dozens of sites from a central T/Mon server, HVAC alarms appear right alongside generator failures, door entries, and power outages. This way, you get one dashboard for total control.

6. Ongoing Support That Doesn't Disappear After the Sale

Many HVAC controller vendors take your money, ship the box, and move on. When you face an issue six months later, you're on your own.

That's not how we do business at DPS.

When you buy from us, you get:

  • Lifetime technical support - free, fast, and from real engineers
  • Custom wiring diagrams for your exact deployment
  • Application drawings showing sensor layout, integration points, and best practices
  • Flexible power options for -48VDC, +24VDC, or AC environments

And if you need something truly unique - a firmware tweak, a relay expansion, or integration with non-standard equipment - our engineers are just a phone call away.

We've helped clients with builds that combine legacy HVACs, solar power, and non-traditional enclosures. Whatever your challenge, we've probably seen it - and solved it.

Your 5-Step Plan for Smart HVAC Deployment

Once you've chosen the right controller, the next step is deploying it effectively.

Here's how we recommend rolling it out across your network without creating disruption or unplanned costs:

Step 1: Evaluate Your Existing Sites

Start with a basic survey. Walk your sites (or review notes) and ask:

  • What types of HVAC units are installed?
  • How many per site - and are they being lead-lag rotated?
  • Is any monitoring already in place?
  • What are your existing silly/costly problems that you'd like to solve?

Even simple observations can reveal major inefficiencies. One client we worked with realized their lead unit had run for over a year straight without rotating. It was no surprise it failed prematurely.

Step 2: Identify Gaps in Visibility and Control

Next, think about what you might be missing:

  • Do you know when a unit fails - or only after it overheats?
  • Can you verify environmental conditions remotely?
  • Are you sending techs out just to check temperatures?
  • Do you know how much you spend on cooling every month?

These gaps aren't just inconvenient. They're also expensive. Filling them in is where a smart HVAC system pays for itself.

Step 3: Get a Free Application Drawing from DPS

Don't guess your way through this. Call DPS.

Our team will:

  • Build a custom application diagram for your site (or entire network)
  • Deliver a tailored quote based on your real-world needs
  • Explain your options - technical and financial - clearly and directly

You'll walk away with a plan that's easy to present internally and fast to implement.

Step 4: Install and Go Live

Most DPS HVAC Controllers can be:

  • Installed in a few hours by a single tech
  • Mounted on a wall or in a rack enclosure
  • Configured via web browser (no software needed)
  • Linked to T/Mon or SNMP managers in minutes

We also provide free training and remote support during install. If your team gets stuck, we're just a phone call away.

Step 5: Expand, Optimize, and Monitor

Once you're set up, you can grow without major rework:

  • Add sensors later without rewiring
  • Run your HVAC units more efficiently based on real data
  • Review runtime analytics to optimize cooling periods

DPS controllers evolve with you - backed by lifetime support and new firmware options as your needs change.

Control More, Worry Less

You can't "babysit" every site. But with the right HVAC controller, you won't have to.

Instead of worrying about heat, equipment wear, or unexpected truck rolls, you'll get real-time alerts, smart automation, and full visibility. It doesn't matter where you are.

DPS Telecom HVAC Controllers are engineered for exactly this kind of mission-critical work.

You're not just buying a product. You're gaining a partner.

Let's Build Your Custom HVAC Solution

Call us now: 559-454-1600
Or email: sales@dpstele.com

We'll help you plan your system, configure your gear, and keep it running for years to come.

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Andrew Erickson

Andrew Erickson

Andrew Erickson is an Application Engineer at DPS Telecom, a manufacturer of semi-custom remote alarm monitoring systems based in Fresno, California. Andrew brings more than 18 years of experience building site monitoring solutions, developing intuitive user interfaces and documentation, and opt...