> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ariscomfort.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> Welcome to the Aris API documentation

# What is Aris?

[Aris](https://ariscomfort.com) is an air-to-water heat pump system that replaces your furnace, A/C, and water heater with a single integrated solution. Using water instead of refrigerant for indoor distribution, Aris delivers heating, cooling, and hot water through compact fan coil units.

The **Aris Brain** is the central controller that orchestrates everything: managing zones for room-by-room comfort, coordinating the heat pump and thermal storage, and exposing this API for monitoring and control.

## Architecture Overview

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/arishydronics/MwfP8WIQo3WfxgQa/images/architecture.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MwfP8WIQo3WfxgQa&q=85&s=f3b258d95c3d59b90e6465625387230c" alt="Aris Architecture" width="2538" height="2120" data-path="images/architecture.png" />

## Key Components

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Zones" icon="map">
    Comfort areas with temperature sensors and setpoints. Each zone controls one or more terminal devices.
  </Card>

  <Card title="FCUs" icon="fan">
    Fan Coil Units that deliver heating or cooling to zones through forced air over a water coil.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Heat Pump" icon="snowflake">
    The outdoor unit that generates heating or cooling by moving heat between indoors and outdoors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="HCU" icon="gauge">
    Hydronic Control Unit that manages the heat pump and distributes thermal energy to the system.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Thermal Storage

Aris systems typically include thermal storage tanks:

* **TES (Thermal Energy Storage)** - Buffers heating/cooling energy for efficient delivery
* **DHW (Domestic Hot Water)** - Stores hot water for showers, faucets, and appliances

## API Capabilities

The Aris API lets you:

* **Read system state** - Temperature, humidity, mode, setpoints, efficiency
* **Control zones** - Set temperatures, change modes, adjust setpoints
* **Monitor equipment** - Heat pump, FCUs, tanks, and sensor status
* **Query history** - Time-series data for analytics and visualization
* **Integrate** - Connect to Home Assistant, Grafana, or build custom apps

## Resilient by Design

Aris systems are cloud-connected by default, unlocking remote access, intelligent optimization, and proactive support from the Aris team. But unlike cloud-only systems, core comfort control continues working even if your internet goes down.

* **Cloud-connected** - Remote access, smart features, and proactive support
* **Local API** - Fast response for home automation integrations
* **Always reliable** - Core heating and cooling works without internet

## Getting Started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Get up and running with your first API call in 5 minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/authentication">
    Create an API token and start making requests
  </Card>
</CardGroup>