For controlling an HVAC component (3), a physical identifier object (5) associated with the HVAC component (3) is arranged in an area (41) with access to a wireless network (6) and at a location distant and separated from the HVAC component (3). Identifier information is obtained from the physical identifier object (5) by a mobile communication device (1) and transmitted via the wireless network (6) to a remote computer system (2). The remote computer system (2) returns HVAC component data linked to the identifier information. The mobile communication device (1) uses the component data for generating a user interface (100) for an HVAC virtual room unit for controlling the HVAC component (3). User commands received via the user interface (100) are transmitted by the mobile communication device (1) via the remote computer system (2) to the HVAC component (3) for controlling the HVAC component (3).