HVAC News, August 2020

A new report from the Carbon Trust, ‘Heat pump retrofit in London’, shows how heat pumps will have a critical role in tackling emissions from London’s buildings and delivering the Mayor’s 2030 net zero ambitions. The report, commissioned by the Mayor of London, includes detailed analysis of the potential to retrofit heat pumps across a range of existing buildings in London and recommends an action plan for scaling up energy efficiency and heat pump retrofit across the ca...

The new HZ700 louver from Ruskin is a 7-inch deep louver comprised of two pieces - a 4-inch horizontal front and a 3-inch vertical rear louver. The HZ700 was designed for applications needing a horizontal blade appearance but a vertical blade level of performance. “Ruskin designed the HZ700 based off customer feedback,” said Jay Ramkumar, Director of Louver Sales at Ruskin. “Our representatives and their customers - including architects, engineers, contractors and building own...

Johnson Controls, the global provider for smart and sustainable buildings, announced it will launch a comprehensive suite of digital solutions, called OpenBlue Healthy Buildings, to make shared spaces safer as people begin to return to offices. Combining 135 years of building systems expertise with cutting edge technology, these solutions protect and instill confidence in building occupants and visitors, minimize disruption should employees test positive for COVID-19, and accelerate building re...

Sensors have been used in buildings since the invention of air conditioning to understand how buildings are performing, from in-room temperature sensors, to sensors on plant equipment, motors, ductwork and pipes. The Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled more sensors of different types to be deployed in more locations throughout the building easier than ever before. The point of installing and using IoT sensors is to gain deeper insight into how buildings are performing, and ensure buildings ar...

In the summer of 2018, a customer was facing a real problem – their resident satisfaction at two properties needed some work, and they were just about to hit the hot summer busy season – which can be notoriously difficult if residents experience air conditioning issues. Fortunately, they were able to implement a preventative maintenance and HVAC asset management solution at one of their properties. At this property the customer wound up doing only 3% unplanned replacements out of 30...

In an effort to strengthen its AirTech business and sharpen alignment with its strategic objectives, Munters, a globally renowned company in energy efficient air treatment and climate solutions, will exit the non-core part of the commercial desiccant dehumidification market. This decision primarily affects the U.S. market as it is the primary region where Munters’ commercial products are sold. Desiccant dehumidification units Commercial products have been manufactured in the company&rsqu...

Air Technical Services and F.W. Webb Company partnered with other local contractors and Building Homes for Heroes during a Welcome Home ceremony in Barnegat, NJ, for Navy Hospital Corpsman First Class Corey Reed. After serving his country for more than 20 years, he suffers from severe PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, migraines, left foot fasciitis, elbow fractures, right knee injuries and tinnitus. His injuries require specific modifications to his home in order to live safely and focus on his re...

Airthings, a global authority in indoor air quality and producer of award-winning radon and indoor air quality monitors, has acquired Airtight, a Norwegian proptech company that develops smart sensor technology to significantly reduce energy waste from buildings. With the acquisition, Airthings emerges as a pioneer in helping businesses around the world use air quality and environmental data to improve energy efficiency, comfort and to ensure a healthy, productive indoor environment. People spe...

A global pandemic is a scenario that few big corporations have plans for, let alone small businesses. The emergence of COVID-19 has affected nearly every industry worldwide. All businesses have been forced to pivot, adapt, and at times, completely reinvent their operations to survive. Looking at data from tens of thousands of Home Service professionals, Jobber’s Home Service Economic Report: Spring Edition sheds light into how segments such as Contracting, which includes the HVAC industry,...

Panasonic has conducted research that verifies that hydroxyl radicals contained in water can inhibit the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The nano-sized electrostatic atomized water particles are generated by applying high voltage to moisture in the air. The patented technology - brand-named 'nanoe X' - is already used for air and surface purification in Panasonic’s air conditioning systems. The research suggests that the technology might be useful in fighting the coronavirus that causes C...

Gas heating in new build houses will be banned by 2025, but gas hobs will still be allowed, according to Chancellor Philip Hammond. New homes will use heat pumps and energy-efficient measures to heat them. This leads to the natural question: why are specialists nonetheless suggesting that tradespeople take the gas specialization route? Admirable environmental goal Skills Training Group explains that even the Government’s own Spring Statement summary shies away from explicitly stating th...

Like all businesses today, the HVAC industry is growing and changing rapidly. New technologies and enhancements in comfort, efficiency and design are happening every day. Marley Engineered Products, a renowned manufacturer of specified floor-to-ceiling heating and ventilation solutions, believes that knowledge is power. That is why Marley is introducing Marley e-Heat University, a free collection of online webinar trainings designed by its product and industry experts. “In today’s e...

New technologies continue to drive change in the HVAC market. HVAC’s image as a mature and stable industry can overshadow the high level of innovation taking place. Meeting environmental challenges and creating more cost-efficient systems are among the forces fueling the change. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What will be the next big product trend in the HVAC market? 

For HVAC installers, serving the needs of pet owners provides both challenges and opportunities. The consequences of pet ownership can take a toll on the operation and good health of a home’s HVAC system. Addressing that negative impact represents enhanced business opportunities, but maximizing those business prospects may involve scratching a few canine bellies and/or appreciating finicky felines. Just showing up at a service call might translate into a nightmare encounter with a protect...

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is moving forward with rulemaking that sets limits and deadlines to decrease the use of refrigerants with global warming potential (GWP) in the commercial refrigeration market and in the residential and commercial stationary air conditioning equipment markets. California regulations are widely expected to influence the direction of other states seeking to regulate GWP of refrigerants. Declining to delay planned deadlines because of the novel coronavirus...

Global climate innovator Trane Technologies announced the launch of the Sintesis™ Balance CMAF, a fully electric single unit to heat and cool buildings. The air-cooled multi-pipe solution is the latest model in the Sintesis portfolio of high-performance indoor climate systems by Trane®, the company’s HVAC brand. It is initially available for customers in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Sintesis Balance is a fully electric unit that delivers hot and chilled water for heating and...

Few buildings demand stricter environmental controls than a library, given the potential for damage caused by temperature, humidity, light and pollutants. To preserve its precious collection more effectively and efficiently, the National Library of Scotland called in Trend Control Systems’ long-term partners, Craigalan Controls (CCL), to conduct a comprehensive BEMS upgrade. The National Library of Scotland, first established in 1925, is a major European research library based in the cent...

Building HVACR systems rely increasingly on variable speed drives (VSDs) – known sometimes as variable frequency drives (VFDs) - to optimize the energy efficiency of their electric motors. However, it makes sense to pay attention to the significant impact that VSDs and other equipment can have on the network’s power quality. Here, we look at how ultra-low harmonic VSDs can improve the power quality in buildings by eliminating troublesome harmonics at their source. Typical examples o...

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have developed a 50-page report titled ‘Cooling Emissions and Policy Synthesis Report: Benefits of cooling efficiency and the Kigali Amendment’. The report highlights the growth of cooling appliances in numbers, addresses the COVID-19 estimated impacts and outlines six important opportunities identified under the K-CEP program. According to the report, there are an estimated 3.6 billion cooling a...

In the six weeks since Carrier launched its BluEdge service platform, the program is gaining momentum with key wins in all three of its business segments. Carrier has signed more than 300 service agreements with customers selecting service programs that most effectively meet their needs. Carrier Global Corporation is a provider of an innovative heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Enhancing efficiency and performa...

Munters, a global renowned company in energy efficient air treatment and climate solutions, has received an order for a desiccant dehumidification solution, providing a climate with very low humidity, for a U.S.-based lithium battery production facility. dehumidification solutions The lithium battery manufacturing market segment is one of Munters’ prioritized areas for growth and expansion. The order for the dehumidification solution has a value of approximately US$ 12 million. Munters...

The UK left the EU on 1 February 2020. EU law continues to apply in the UK during the transition period lasting until 31 December 2020. Businesses must prepare for the end of that transition period. After the end of the transition period, Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases will no longer apply to the UK. Quota allocation As of 1 January 2021, hydrofluorocarbons placed on the UK market no longer count towards the EU quota. UK companies with a legal representative in th...

PFHxA is considered to be the final degradation end point of any substance containing the C6F13-moiety. Up to now it is not registered under REACH. In early 2018, PFHxA was considered for inclusion in the list of substances of very high concern for authorization, but the possible inclusion was withdrawn at the end of 2018. The motives for inclusion were that PFHxA would be carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic for human reproduction and would remain in the environment. PFHxA is now proposed for...

Small business entrepreneurs have felt the pandemic’s financial burden especially hard as 30 million small businesses accounting for nearly half of the U.S employment. However, HVAC companies have proven particularly resilient due to their essential nature. While the Contracting segment saw a deep decline that bottomed out in April, by June year-over-year growth in new jobs scheduled and revenue rebounded by June, according to the Home Service Economic Report: Spring Edition. Even with th...

TN Fireplace & Chimney, East Tennessee's chimney care company and a proud supporter of Tennessee football, encourages homeowners in the area to maintain healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) by making sure their chimney air circulates properly and isn't drawing outside dust, pollen, and other outside pollutants inside. Air drawn in by the chimney can contribute to odors, allergies, mold, and poor performance of the fireplace or stove. Chimney safety and performance issues "This is a situation...

The Berner PureAir Package complements the built environment’s indoor air quality (IAQ) and disinfection efforts by: Deactivating viruses and killing bacteria Neutralizing a space’s airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as allergens and other biological contaminants such as mold spores The air curtain includes needlepoint bipolar ionization (NPBI) technology, enabling users to safely disinfect and purify the air in the space, beginning at the doorway. AHD10 air c...

AirLock389 Inc. is entering the global air purification market with its patented purification technology backed by over 30 years of research and development for NASA and the U.S. military. Founded and led by Chief Science Officer and CEO Christopher H. Cooper, the company is focused on developing products using its Airlock™ Anti-Pathogen Purification Technology, an air purification media capable of removing airborne pathogens and contaminants, including weapons-grade biological and chemic...

Merchavia Holdings and Investments Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its first investment in the Aura Smart Air, a company that deals with purification and air quality management using artificial intelligence technology. According to the MoU, Merchavia will invest $250,000 and will receive preference shares, which constitute approximately 1.93% of Aura Air's issued and fully diluted capital for its investment. Merchavia's investment will be made at a $10 Million valuation...

A University of Oregon study has found viral RNA from SARS-CoV-2 in the air handling units (AHUs) of a healthcare facility, thus raising new questions about the possible role of HVAC systems in spreading the novel coronavirus. The study collected 56 samples from three different air handling units at the Oregon Health and Science University hospital in Portland, Ore., on four days in May and June 2020. Three areas along the path of airflow were sampled, including pre-filters, finals filters, and...

Lower prices in the oil and gas industry have led to job losses as the sector has contracted recently, and that was even before the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked additional havoc on the national and world economies. The COVID-19 crisis is accelerating what was already shaping up to be one of the oil industry’s most challenging years. More than a dozen oil companies have declared bankruptcy so far in the United States alone, and widespread industry layoffs are expected to continue. Oil field...