The TekOnline ZoneControl range works with most 24VAC ducted HVAC systems. This matrix compares the 4-Zone Wall Controller and 8-Zone Roof-Space Controller against three common Australian systems: Polyaire ZoneTouch, Advantage Air MyAir, and Advantage Air e-zone. Use this guide to check if the TekOnline controller fits your installation.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | TekOnline 4-Zone | TekOnline 8-Zone | Polyaire ZoneTouch | Advantage Air MyAir | Advantage Air e-zone | Advantage Air zoneˣ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone & Airflow | ||||||
| Max zones | 4 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Airflow adjustment | Slow-PWM duty-cycle / On-Off relay | On-Off relay | 10% steps | 5% steps (EAR) | 5% steps (EAR) | On/Off only |
| Spill/bypass zone | ✔ (configurable) | ✔ (via HA automation) on-device fw pending |
✔ (configurable) | Yes (installer-configured) | Unknown | Unknown |
| Per-zone naming | ✔ (HA configurable) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Unknown | ✔ |
| Wall Controls & Physical UI | ||||||
| Physical wall buttons | ✔ (4x momentary, LED backlight) | ✘ (no integrated buttons) | ✔ (9-button + LCD) | ✔ (touchscreen tablet) | ✔ (7″ touchscreen) | ✔ (LCD touchscreen) |
| Max wall controllers | 4 (modular ESP32) | n/a | 4 touchpads | Unknown | Unknown | 2 |
| Works offline | ✔ (local-first, no cloud) | ✔ (local-first) | ✔ (standalone) | Yes (tablet offline; app needs WiFi) | Yes (tablet offline; app needs WiFi) | Yes (local touchscreen, no app) |
| Button LED feedback | ✔ (PWM = zone position) | ✔ (via HA automation) on-device fw pending |
✔ (backlit LCD) | Tablet screen | Tablet screen | LCD screen |
| Hold-to-dim | ✔ | ✔ (via HA automation) on-device fw pending |
✘ | n/a (touch) | n/a (touch) | n/a |
| Connectivity | ||||||
| WiFi | ✔ (2.4GHz ESP32) | ✔ (2.4GHz ESP32) | ✔ (2.4GHz) | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Ethernet | ✔ (via HA automation) on-device fw pending |
✔ (via HA automation) on-device fw pending |
✘ | No (WiFi only) | No (WiFi only) | ✘ |
| OTA firmware updates | ✔ (ESPHome) | ✔ (ESPHome) | ✘ | Unknown | Unknown | ✘ |
| USB flashing | ✔ (USB-C) | ✔ (USB) | ✘ | Unknown | Unknown | ✘ |
| Captive portal fallback | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | Unknown | Unknown | ✘ |
| Smart Home | ||||||
| Home Assistant native | ✔ (ESPHome API) | ✔ (ESPHome API) | ✘ | ✘ (MyPlace only) | ✘ (MyPlace only) | ✘ |
| Open-source firmware | ✔ (ESPHome) | ✔ (ESPHome) | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Smartphone app | ✘ (not needed, use HA) | ✘ (not needed) | ✔ (read-only) | ✔ (full control, worldwide) | ✔ (full control) | ✘ |
| Voice assistant | ✔ (via HA: Alexa, Google) | ✔ (via HA) | ✘ | Yes (Google Home, Alexa) | Unknown | ✘ |
| No vendor lock-in | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Damper Compatibility | ||||||
| Spring-open/power-close | ✔ (default) | ✔ | ✔ (24VAC 200mA) | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Spring-close/power-open | ✔ (invert_relay per zone) | ✔ (invert_relay) | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Damper voltage | 24VAC | 24VAC | 24VAC, 200mA/ea | 24VAC (industry standard) † | 24VAC (industry standard) † | 24VAC (industry standard) † |
| Motor-cutoff (center-off) | ✔ (optional mod) | ✔ (via HA automation) on-device fw pending |
✘ | Unknown | Unknown | ✘ |
| Power & Installation | ||||||
| System voltage | 24VAC | 24VAC | 24VAC (40W transformer) | 24VAC (via AC unit transformer) † | 24VAC (via AC unit transformer) † | 24VAC (via AC unit transformer) † |
| Mounting type | Wall (surface/semi-recessed) | Roof-space / enclosure | Wall + roof module | Wall tablet + roof module | Wall tablet + roof module | Wall + roof module |
| Wiring connector | RJ11 (6P6C) | Screw terminals | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| DIY-friendly | ✔ (kit or assembled) | ✔ | ✘ (installer-only) | ✘ (dealer) | ✘ (dealer) | ✘ (dealer) |
| Pre-flashed available | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Open-source hardware | ✔ (BOM, Gerber, STEP) | ✔ (BOM, Gerber) | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Commercial | ||||||
| Price (AUD) | $199-229 | $130-150 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Ships from | Australia | Australia | Australia (SA) | Australia (WA) | Australia (WA) | Australia (WA) |
| Warranty | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 5 years electronics | 5 years elec / 10 years mech | 5 years |
| Scheduling & Automation | ||||||
| Programmable schedules | ✔ (via HA automations) | ✔ (via HA) | ✔ (5-1-1, 4/day) | Yes (scenes + timers) | Yes (10 scenes) | ✘ |
| Duty-cycle automation | ✔ (on-device slow_pwm, 300s period) | ✔ (via HA automation) on-device fw pending |
✘ | Unknown | Unknown | ✘ |
What Makes TekOnline Different
TekOnline controllers are local-first. They do not need a cloud server or an internet connection to operate. Wall buttons and zone relays work offline with no delay. This means no vendor can disable your system or start charging a subscription. You own the hardware and the data.
The firmware is open-source and runs on ESPHome. You can inspect the code, modify it, or contribute improvements. Over-the-air updates keep the controller current. No proprietary blobs, no hidden telemetry, and no forced updates that break your setup.
The controllers are DIY-friendly. Every unit is available pre-flashed and ready to wire. You do not need a dealer, an installer account, or a trade license. Gerber files, BOMs, and STEP models are published for the 4-Zone Wall Controller. For the 8-Zone Roof-Space Controller, the BOM and Gerber files are available. Build one yourself, or buy one assembled. Either way, no lock-in.
Will This Work With My System?
Check these points before you order a controller:
- Is your system 24VAC ducted reverse-cycle?
- How many zones do you need? The 4-Zone supports up to 4 zones. The 8-Zone supports up to 8. Combine controllers for more zones.
- What damper type do you have? Both spring-open/power-close and spring-close/power-open are supported.
- Do you have 2.4GHz WiFi at the controller location?
- Do you use Home Assistant? Scheduling and remote access need Home Assistant. Wall buttons work standalone without HA.
- New build or retrofit? Send a photo of your existing controller and wiring for a free compatibility check.
- DIY or installer? Pre-flashed controllers are plug-and-wire. No special tools needed.
Competitor Systems at a Glance
Polyaire ZoneTouch (2012): Supports 16 zones with a 9-button LCD touchpad. WiFi is included but the smartphone app is read-only. The system operates standalone with no smart home integration. Configuration and installation need a certified installer.
Advantage Air MyAir: Handles 10 zones with a colour touchscreen tablet. Full smartphone control works worldwide. MyAir uses the MyPlace smart home ecosystem and is compatible with over 16 air-conditioner brands. Voice control via Google Home & Amazon Alexa. 5-year electronics warranty. Spill zone (installer-configured). A dealer must install and configure the system.
Advantage Air e-zone: Up to 10 zones, 7-inch Android colour touchscreen (wired, doubles as tablet), worldwide smartphone control via WiFi, 5–100% airflow in 5% increments via Electronic Air Regulation (EAR). 5-year electronics warranty, 10-year mechanical. Dealer-installed. Compatible with 4+ AC brands.
Sources
- ZoneTouch Operation Manual (2012), Polyaire Pty Ltd
- advantageair.com.au product pages (MyAir, e-zone, zoneˣ)
- support.advantageair.com.au compatibility page
- TekOnline ZoneControl firmware (ESPHome), tekonline.com.au
- Full matrix (living document): compatibility-matrix.md in ZoneControl project
Notes
† Damper voltage and power supply specifications are not published by Advantage Air. Values shown reflect Australian HVAC industry standards (24VAC zone damper motors, powered via AC unit control circuit). Contact Advantage Air tech support (1300 850 191) for confirmation on specific models.
Warranty terms sourced from Advantage Air product brochures (MyAir 2024, e-zone 2022). Zone counts and display limits sourced from official user manuals on support.advantageair.com.au.
Last researched: August 2026. This matrix is updated as new information becomes available.
This matrix is a living document. It is updated as new systems are tested. If your HVAC system is not listed, contact TekOnline with your controller model and wiring details. Compatibility checks are free.
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