HVAC Industry News

The Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons - HFCs is upon us, and it will change how refrigerants are handled, transported, and stored. While a great deal of information has been shared concerning the safe use and transport of flammable refrigerants, little attention has been given to the new storage requirements. Standards and codes for the safe storage of flammable refrigerants will require more space, more sensors, and more safety protocols. Transitioning to Refrigerant technologies When the US P...

The long-awaited Eurovent Recommendation 6/16 has been published. Developed by the Eurovent Product Group ‘Air Handling Units’ (PG-AHU), this Code of Good Practice focuses on the corrosion protection of Air Handling Units. The document is freely available to the public. The document discusses the fundamentals of corrosion protection, explains the corrosivity categories of the environment, and provides practical guidance on recommended properties of materials and corrosion protecti...

  Pandemic recovery is top-of-mind for so many cities, but a return to the normalcy which in 2019 might not be enough to maintain secure, connected, and resilient communities in this new world. As shared during the presentation at the IoT Global Innovation Forum, cities must reimagine their current infrastructure models and envision a connected, holistic future for the community. By integrating IoT technologies and connected building solutions, cities can build environments that are...

The COVID-19 pandemic closed K-12 schools across the United States of America (USA). Students and teachers, as well as parents, had to adapt to remote learning. Educators did the best they could with the resources available, but there is no substitute for in-person learning. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, however, schools have reopened. Some schools enforce social distancing and mask-wearing mandates. They have also increased cleaning and disinfecting efforts, and are making improvements to...

In an ever-changing environment like the data center, it’s most beneficial to have as many intelligent systems working together as possible. It’s amazing to think of how far technology has come from the old supercomputers the size of four filing cabinets to the present data centers that are pushing 1,000,000 Sq. Ft. Managing a Data Center’s Needs Historically, managing a data center was fairly straightforward. In all the growth, one finds digging into the nuisances of every l...

As the hotel sector thrives amid the UK’s staycation boom, a report has revealed opportunities for hotel design to include further well-being and comfort measures, so as to meet changing expectations from prospective guests. This comes as research from a survey of 130 M&E contractors and architects, working in hotel construction, revealed that over half (52%) of respondents believe well-being is value engineered, out of projects later on in the build. REHAU’s report, ‘Des...

The energy price cap will increase from October 1, 2021 for the 15 million customers Ofgem protects. Those on default tariffs paying by direct debit will see an increase of £139 from £1,138 to £1277. Prepayment customers will see an increase of £153 from £1,156 to £1309. This increase is driven by a rise of over 50% in energy costs over the last six months with gas prices hitting a record high, as the world emerges from the COVID-19 induced lockdown. Surging...

HMS Networks launches a new IR-based Intesis® AC interface that enables integration of any Air Conditioning unit, regardless of brand, into Modbus or BACnet Building Automation Systems. controlling Air Conditioning systems HVAC systems are usually the largest energy consumers in a building. Therefore, building owners must monitor and control these systems to save costs and energy. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it increasingly important to find new ways of installing and usin...

One thing is certain, optimal data center design is a complex puzzle to solve. With all the options available, no one environmental control system can fit all situations. One must consider all the solutions and technology available to best manage assets and adapt to the evolving data center. There is a precision cooling system for whatever scenario best fits one's current strategy or future goals. The question only remains, has one considered each of the options with the design engineer and the...

The air quality of our indoor spaces has seen renewed interest in the past 18-months as a strong relationship emerges between the quality or flow of air and the spread of coronavirus. In the rush to get workers back into their physical workplaces, we have seen a surge of office buildings improving and reconfiguring their HVAC systems to better protect employees from COVID, even monitoring systems that provide building occupants a real-time view of air quality throughout the building. Better air...

Microbusinesses have a vital role in the United Kingdom (UK) economy and the energy retail market, accounting for 96% of all UK businesses (5.7 million), 33% of UK employment and a significant proportion of energy expenditure (£3.4 billion in 2020). They are usually enterprises employing up to 10 people. When buying energy, most microbusinesses rely entirely on electricity as a source of power and 62% think of energy as a significant cost to their business. Almost all use a broker to get...

U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps totaled 925,031 units in March 2021, up 8.6 percent from 851,939 units shipped in March 2020. U.S. shipments of air conditioners increased 5.4 percent, to 576,646 units, up from 546,992 units shipped in March 2020. U.S. shipments of air-source heat pumps increased 14.2 percent, to 348,385 units, up from 304,947 units shipped in March 2020. Year-to-date combined shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps in...

The study for the Working Plan 2020-2024 ran from March 2020 until April 2021. The final reports and the minutes of the 2nd and last stakeholder meeting held on 26 March 2021 have also been published on the project website. Note that a consultation on the related Roadmap is open until 2 June 2021 (see GEN – 1236.00). Preparatory study This study is most likely the last one that fits within the previous Working Plans that started with the 2005/32 /EC Ecodesign Directive that was followed...

The Commission has submitted the Roadmap for feedback within 4 weeks. After this period, a dedicated meeting of the Consultation Forum will be organized to discuss the preparation of the Working Plan. It is expected that the Working Plan could be published as a Communication in the third quarter of 2021. Of the possible new items listed two may be relevant to Eurovent: swimming pool heaters and industrial sensors. Relevant to all members will be horizontal measures relating to lightweight des...

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has announced that the organization joined two of its sister industry associations – the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), in seeking ‘fairness’ in government assistance and policy, with respect to the shortage of semiconductors. AHRI joins NEMA and AHAM In a letter to Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo, the heads of the three organiz...

On 25 March 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the implementation of the Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) Directives, in which it calls on the European Commission to regulate Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as well. The resolution is not binding on the Commission but is nevertheless a significant milestone in the efforts to enshrine IAQ into legislation. It confirms there is growing appreciation among legislators of the importance of clean air indoors, reflecting an ambition which Eurovent...

As the heating season begins to wind down, use the upcoming calls to pre-book customers in for the summer maintenance checks – it’s a chance to test for any potential system issues and resolve them proactively before Fall 2019. Often, poor water quality is the leading cause behind systems issues or failure. Also known as black iron oxide sludge, magnetite is a result of oxidation inside untreated hydronic systems and if not dealt with, can foul pumps; deposit in low flow areas such...

In a new video series from Motili, the company highlights PropTech,CRE, multi-family, and single-family industry news. Motili’s latest video outlines how residential and commercial building owners can increase their property’s energy efficiency utilizing smart thermostats. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about half of the total energy consumption for a typical household. That translates to approximately $900 USD spent on heating and coolin...

ABB has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hitachi Construction Machinery to share their expertise and collaborate in bringing solutions to market that will reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with heavy machinery in mining. The companies will explore possibilities to apply ABB’s electrification, automation, and digital solutions to mining trucks and excavators provided by Hitachi Construction Machinery as part of wider efforts with mine operators to electrif...

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) has announced the launch of its manifesto, calling on the new parliament and new parliamentarians to understand the huge role that the engineering community will play in the future success of the United Kingdom.  CIPHE manifesto Covering major issues, such as the safety, health and welfare of the public, the environment, education, regulation and licensing, the CIPHE’s manifesto places the plumbing and heating indus...

In a new video series from Motili, the company has outlined how strategic electrification and variable refrigerant flow or VRF systems are bringing environmentally-friendly heating and cooling options to residential and commercial building owners. Strategic electrification in HVAC Recent government programs, code requirements, and utility rebates have been driving a movement of the electrification of the HVAC industry. This strategic electrification in HVAC sees increased use of electricity in...

The moment Rishi Sunak, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, stepped up to make his budget speech, the entire nation collectively held its breath. While much had been already revealed on the extended furlough scheme and the expansion of the self-employment income support scheme, the UK Chancellor had reserved some announcements for the day. UK budget offers plumbing, heating incentives The budget covered several issues of particular interest to the plumbing and heating industry, including: Exten...

The Wood Warmth Initiative has published a new information brochure entitled “Wood - the great renewable energy”, including recommendations for politicians. The partners of the initiative refer to the EU climate targets, which were tightened again by the European Council in November 2020.  Utilizing wood to reduce CO2 While a CO2 reduction target of 40% was previously in effect, CO2 emissions are now to be reduced by 55% by 2030. “If you want to achieve su...

Johnson Controls, a global provider of smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announced it has joined The Climate Pledge, a commitment co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. Signatories of the Pledge commit to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years ahead of the goal set out in the United Nations’ Paris Climate Agreement. Johnson Controls is one of 53 organizations that have now signed the Pledge, and the move comes hot on the heels of the company’s announcement...

In 2020, the support programs of the Federal Office for Economics and Export Control (BAFA) and the Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW), which were increased as part of the climate package, ensured a significant market recovery. At the beginning of 2021, the Federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG) will come into effect, at least in part (individual measures in the grant variant) and will replace the previous programs. Federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG) Most of the funding c...

On Thursday, March 11, 2021, professional plumbers across the land will be celebrated on World Plumbing Day. While this year may look a little different, the critical worker status of plumbing and heating engineers has changed the way that many now view the industry. In the face of a global pandemic, it is those in the trade who have manned the frontlines, risking contact with COVID-19 virus, in a bid to keep the public safe and warm in their homes. World Plumbing Day Initiated by the World P...

When temperatures dip below freezing in Indianapolis and across the Central Indiana area, homeowners rely on their furnace or heating system to keep them warm and comfortable. But like all appliances, furnaces tend to break down over time, typically during the worst possible time such as the middle of the night when it’s frigid outside. Furnaces are important to homes during the winter months. One needs the furnace to work just as well at the end of the season as it does the first time wh...

Keep the following tips in mind to protect the plumbing in Loveland, CO in winter. Insulate Pipes and Hose Bibs It is one of the simplest ways in which one can protect the pipes throughout the coldest time of the year. When temperatures drop, water can freeze inside pipes and outdoor hose bibs. As most people recall, water expands when it freezes. If any water in pipes freezes, and it expands enough, it can cause pipes to burst. That can lead to extensive damage, not just to pipes but to prop...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has announced results of independent surveys of 800+ building decision makers showing a clear shift to increased investment in healthy building trends and technologies. “At the center of a vision for a healthy world must be healthy buildings, and that means delivering on the most critical elements to serve People, Places and Planet,” said George Oliver, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of John...

Following a Met Office warning of potential extreme UK weather such as a return of ‘The Beast From The East’ the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) are reissuing their consumer information guide to ‘protecting home heating systems’, which can be used by a heating engineer to explain the risks and the remedial action required, as well as what action customers can take should their condensate pipe freeze. Stewart Clements, Director, HHIC said, “We are acute...