1. Introduction

The Bluetooth® NLC HVAC Integration profile enables HVAC systems to use real-time occupancy and environmental data from lighting networks.

This application note explains how to integrate a thermostat with TruBlu™ Bluetooth mesh networks so HVAC equipment can respond to occupancy data from the lighting network — no extra sensors required. It outlines the architecture, configuration steps, and design considerations for thermostat OEMs, system integrators, and facility managers.

2. Overview

The core of HVAC integration with TruBlu™ lighting networks is the thermostat, which connects Bluetooth NLC lighting networks with HVAC systems. It allows HVAC systems to respond to real-time occupancy data from motion or occupancy sensors already installed in the lighting network.

2.1  Data Processing and Control

The thermostat collects occupancy data from sensors in the Bluetooth mesh network and processes it to make control decisions. It interprets multiple occupancy data types, including presence detection, motion sensing, and people counting.

2.2  Supported Hardware

The following TruBlu™ Bluetooth NLC thermostats are supported:

  • TruBlu™ X7 — Wi-Fi thermostat
  • TruBlu™ X7 — Wi-Fi thermostat with CO₂ sensor
  • TruBlu™ X7C — Ethernet thermostat with CO₂ sensor

2.3  Communication Model

The thermostat uses the Bluetooth Mesh Sensor Client model. It subscribes to sensor status messages published in the mesh and aggregates data from multiple sensors to drive HVAC control. This approach ensures reliable access to real-time environmental data.

3. Commissioning Thermostats

3.1  Creating Thermostat Zones

TruBlu Web App
  1. Define lighting zones based on your project requirements. Make sure each zone from which you want to control HVAC contains at least one motion or occupancy sensor (occupancy zones).
    ℹ
    Note: All zones that will control HVAC must use a profile based on: Occupancy sensing, Occupancy sensing with daylight harvesting, Vacancy sensing, or Vacancy sensing with daylight harvesting.
  2. In the TruBlu™ web app, open the project and area.
  3. Click on the floor or site plan to create a zone containing only a thermostat (thermostat zone).
    4. Zone name and profile form
  4. Enter a name for the zone.
  5. From the Profile list, select a control profile based on the Occupancy sensing scenario.
Floor plan showing thermostat zone placement Profile list options
  1. Click Close.
  2. Repeat steps 3–6 for other thermostat zones in this area.
  3. Go to the other areas with thermostat zones and repeat steps 3–7.

3.2  Linking Thermostat Zones with Occupancy Zones

TruBlu Web App
  1. In the TruBlu™ web app, open the project and then an area.
  2. Click Zone linking.
  3. Select a thermostat zone.
  4. In Controlled by presence in, add the occupancy zones that will activate the HVAC.
  5. Click Save.
  6. Repeat steps 2–5 for the other thermostat zones in this area and link each of them with its corresponding occupancy zones.
  7. Go to the other areas that contain thermostat zones and repeat steps 2–6.
TruBlu web app - Zone linking panel
✓
Result: When any sensor in a linked occupancy zone reports occupancy, the associated thermostat activates the HVAC system.

3.3  Adding Thermostats to the Zones

On-Site — TruBlu Mobile App
  1. Go on site to a thermostat zone.
  2. In the TruBlu™ mobile app, open the project, area, and zone.
  3. Add the thermostat to the zone.
  4. Repeat steps 1–3 for all thermostat zones.

3.4  Configuring Occupancy Timers on Thermostat

On Thermostat — Installer Menu
  1. Access the Installer Menu: press and hold the Menu button (three-line icon, lower-left) for about 5 seconds.
    ℹ
    Expected screen: The display changes to Installer followed by a version number.
  2. Navigate using the arrow next to the checkmark until Occupancy Input is shown.
  3. Set Occupancy Input to Occupancy Module using the +/− buttons, then tap the checkmark.
  4. In the Occupancy sub-menu, configure the timer parameters listed below.
    ParameterMenu NameAction
    OPTTVerify Occ DelaySet the initial “soak” delay for the first motion event.
    OMRTMin Occ TimeSet the minimum guaranteed occupied duration.
    OATTUnocc DelaySet the countdown period after motion stops before declaring unoccupied.
  5. After setting Unocc Delay, continue to Exit Menu.
  6. Tap the checkmark to save changes and return to the main thermostat screen.
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Logic note: If OMRT is set lower than OATT, occupied behavior effectively follows OATT after motion is detected. For a guaranteed minimum run period regardless of motion drop-off, set OMRT higher than OATT.

3.5  Occupancy Control Web Settings

Web Interface — Sensor Settings Page

After initial configuration via the Installer Menu, fine-tune occupancy behavior using the Sensor Settings web page accessible via the thermostat’s built-in web server (DirectConnect) or cloud interface. These settings correspond to the Installer Menu parameters in section 3.4.

SettingOptionsDescription
Occupancy Input Disabled / Terminal Set to Terminal to activate occupancy sensing via the CLK1/CLK2 terminals used by the TruBlu™ occupancy module.
Soft Setback On / Off When On, raises the cool setpoint and lowers the heat setpoint by the Setpoint Offset when the space is unoccupied during a scheduled occupied period. Setpoints return to normal when occupancy is detected.
Occupied Recovery Soft Recovery / Full Recovery Soft Recovery: when occupancy is detected during an unoccupied schedule, setpoints return to the last occupied values adjusted by the Setpoint Offset. Full Recovery: setpoints fully return to the last occupied values. In both cases the thermostat reverts to the unoccupied schedule when the sensor clears.
Setpoint Offset °F / °C Degrees by which Soft Setback and Soft Recovery adjust the setpoints. Only visible when Soft Setback is On or Occupied Recovery is set to Soft Recovery.
Verify Occupancy Time How long the sensor must continuously detect occupancy before the thermostat begins an occupied state. Corresponds to OPTT (Verify Occ Delay) in the Installer Menu.
Minimum Occupied Time Minimum occupied state duration once triggered. Corresponds to OMRT (Min Occ Time) in the Installer Menu.
Verified UnOccupancy Time How long no occupancy must be detected before the thermostat returns to an unoccupied state. Corresponds to OATT (Unocc Delay) in the Installer Menu.

4. Document Revisions

RevisionDateEditorChanges
1.0 4 December 2025 GM Initial revision. Adapted from Silvair SN-232 rev. 1.0 for mwConnect / TruBlu™ branding.

Contact Information

Technical Supportsupport@mwconnect.us
Business Developmentsales@mwconnect.us
Websitewww.mwconnect.us