RAC News & Trends

GE Appliances (GEA), a Haier company, announced a new Vertical Terminal Air Conditioner (VTAC) poised to reinvent the design of Single Packaged Vertical Units (SPVU). The GE Zoneline Ultimate V10 was designed in collaboration with hotel and residential property owners and architects, to create a new way of installing the air conditioning chassis that makes installation 60% faster. GE Zoneline Ultimate V10 With additional features like ultra-quiet cooling, onboard diagnostics and SmartHQ WiFi c...

Warm drowsy meetings, stuffy classrooms, freezing office spaces, cold waiting areas, or just a room at home that never seems to feel ‘warm enough’. Everyone understands the importance of thermal comfort. And they understand its impact, particularly following a year where everyone has spent more time inside than ever before. The bodies are amazingly sensitive to temperature change. A lack of thermal comfort makes us feel stressed, annoyed, and distracted if it is too cold and sleepy,...

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...

Uponor’s Board of Directors has appointed Michael Rauterkus as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Uponor Group and the Chairman of the Executive Committee. He will join the company and assume the CEO responsibility effective from August 21, 2021. Michael Rauterkus has long experience, wide knowledge and good networks from the industry, as his most recent operative role was being the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grohe AG, a German sanitary technology manufacturer. Vast...

As of August 1st, 2021, Maria Fernanda Souto will join Danfoss to head the new Group Strategy Function. Together with a new, incoming strategy team, she will assist the leadership team in developing and tracking the strategy of Danfoss. Maria comes from a position as Group Vice President Head of Strategy in Kongsberg Gruppen in Norway and 11 years as associate partner in McKinsey & Company. Increased global focus on energy efficiency and electrification as part of the green transition...

The Viessmann Foundation has already been able to hand over around 50 air purification units to social institutions and schools, including the Frankenberg nursing school, Immanuel Hospital in Berlin, and the Sachsenhausen middle school. The experience with the Vitovent 200-P units has been positive throughout. "The filter units are an asset and provide a sense of security in times of pandemic," says Nermin Akkus, Principal of the Mittelpunktschule Sachsenhausen, adding "Especially during the hi...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company for smart, healthy and sustainable building solutions, has launched through its YORK brand a 10-year residential HVAC leasing program: Ultimate Home Comfort. This industry-first solution provides homeowners with a new, fully installed YORK high-efficiency HVAC system with no money down, as well as factory-backed 10-year parts and labor coverage, and 10 years of service repairs and annual maintenance – all for one, low monthly payment. Ultim...

Manchester Underwriting Management Ltd (MUM Ltd), an insurance company occupying the first floor of a commercial office building in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, in the United Kingdom (UK), approached SFE Services to initially assist with installing a new mechanical ventilation system. Their goal was to improve the well-being and safety of staff, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The client also advised that they had an old ceiling cassette air conditioning system, which was no longer working in t...

CIC has launched ‘Carbon Zero: the professional institutions’ climate action plan’, which was spearheaded by CIC’s Climate Change Panel, which is chaired by CIC’s Deputy Chairman, Stephen Hodder MBE. The CIC Climate Change Panel coordinates the efforts of the professional institutes in the built environments to meet the UK government's 2050 net zero emissions targets. Climate Action Plan This Climate Action Plan is proposed by the professional institutions and or...

Ahead of the summer heat across the United Kingdom, REHUA, the globally renowned polymer specialist, has upgraded their smart heating control, in order to be able to seamlessly transfer between heating and cooling. NEA Smart 2.0 Allowing developers and contractors to provide efficient heating and cooling from a single solution, the NEA Smart 2.0 uses a series of algorithms to regulate temperature. These algorithms allow the device to learn occupant habits and data from multiple sensors in floo...

Hitachi introduces a new line of high-efficiency single-zone, mini-split systems, PRIMAIRY mini-split systems. Designed to meet the unique needs of small to mid-size properties such as shops, restaurants, and classrooms, the PRIMAIRY system is an energy-efficient and cost-effective option. Hitachi quality is evident throughout the product line. Features of the product line include: Brushless DC fan motors provide stable, precise, energy-efficient operation. Compact units and long piping ru...

A hundred years ago, as the world was recovering from the Spanish flu pandemic, Bill Reed developed and manufactured his original commercial air filter in Louisville, Ky. Today, Reed’s idea has grown into the world’s foremost manufacturer of air filtration solutions. In April 2016, American Air Filter Co. Inc., (AAF International), acquired Flanders Corp., to form AAF Flanders. Improving indoor air quality With production, warehousing, and distribution facilities in 22 countries...

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 CLC has published the second iteration of the National Retrofit Strategy, a twenty-year blueprint for how the construction industry can work with the Government to retrofit the UK’s 28 million existing homes. Heat and Buildings Strategy Following open consultation with the construction industry, the strategy has over 50 supporter organizations Following open consultation with the construction industry, the strategy has over 50 supporter organizations.  In partnership with 38 s...

The YORK YVFA air-cooled screw chiller uses free cooling and variable-speed drive (VSD) technology to deliver industry-renowned cost savings. Some of the key features of the YORK YVFA free cooling chiller include an integrated economizer, VSD compressor and fans, a compact footprint and intelligent controls. YORK YVFA air-cooled screw chiller The cost savings delivered in real-world examples include the annual savings for YVFA installations across the country. The YORK YVFA free cooling air-co...

Plymovent is very happy to announce that their Canadian colleagues of the Industrial Products division have moved into a new office building in May 2021. The new office provides plenty of space for their offices, a large warehouse. Larger office area John Mora, General Manager for Industrial Products NA, said: “Our new facility offers us the opportunity to serve our loyal customers better and work with our valued business partners.” Larger warehouse will allow us to stock more i...

American Residential Services (ARS), the nation’s largest provider of residential heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and plumbing services, has announced the appointment of Scott Boose as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Scott Boose, a Senior Executive with significant experience in the HVAC, plumbing, and home services industries, succeeds David Slott, who earlier served as CEO of ARS, and who will remain in a Senior Advisory role and assist Mr. Boose and the Senior Man...

Schneider Electric, the pioneer in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced the launch of its Easy Rack Series available exclusively in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Available in a variety of sizes, the Easy Rack series is designed to be quick and easy to install, while simple to scale, customize and accessorize. It delivers a high-quality and cost-effective rack system for a broad range of mission-critical applications, including net...

EDF Renewables Ireland is announcing plans to develop a 100MW wind farm to the south of Bellacorick in Mayo. The proposed project, which could consist of up to 25 turbines and power more than 60,000 homes, will be located in a forested area to the northeast of Slieve Carr, approximately 8 km southeast of Bangor Erris. environmental studies The project team is currently gathering wind data and mapping the environmental constraints on site which will be used to create a preliminary wind turbine...

Compact, climate-friendly, and with a stunning design: This is the new generation of Viessmann air/water heat pumps. Powered by green electricity, they produce CO2-free heat for heating, cooling, and DHW generation. All that alongside particularly climate-friendly refrigerants. The wall-mounted and compact devices in the Vitocal 25x-A and Vitocal 2xx-S lines recently won the iF Gold Design Award 2021. renewable energy The iF Design Award is awarded once a year and is one of the most renowned...

DENSO, a mobility supplier, has signed a long-term agreement with aerospace pioneer Honeywell establishing an alliance focused on electric propulsion units to meet new aerospace needs. Drawing from their automotive and aerospace backgrounds, the companies will develop and manufacture electric propulsion systems for aircraft, initially prioritizing the urban air mobility (UAM) segment with a focus on air taxis and delivery vehicles. electric propulsion systems DENSO and Honeywell are in advanc...

EDF Renewables is planning to develop a 49.9 MW solar farm in Glassthorpe between the villages of Flore and Upper Heyford, along the M1 Corridor, which will be capable of generating enough low-carbon electricity for the domestic needs of 9,562 households annually. A number of ecological and feasibility surveys have been carried out and the company is consulting with local people at an early stage about the proposal to get their views ahead of submitting a planning application later this year.&n...

The Building a Safer Future (BSF) Charter has launched its ‘Charter Champion’ company initiative to help companies drive the systemic culture change required to put building safety first. approach and performance Through robust self-assessment, benchmarking, and independent verification, the BSF Charter Champion company initiative will help companies identify potential issues and, in turn, develop continuous improvement plans to advance their overall approach and performance on lea...

A new report from the Landscape Institute (LI), Landscape for 2030, establishes landscape as a pioneer in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss LI President Jane Findlay launched the report at the LI’s Greener Recovery Festival – an online CPD week demonstrating how landscape practice can combat the climate emergency, increase biodiversity, and restore the natural environment – in March. The Festival became available to view on the LI’s on-dema...

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) have announced that it is implementing a wide range of test conditions, in certain of its globally recognized, industry-respected certification programs, to help promote global energy efficiency, to suit varying global environmental conditions and regional needs, to align itself with local, regional, and international regulations, and to address requirements of its members and certification program participants. T3 and T4-Kuwait...

When the air conditioner is running properly, it should be nearly silent and should not have any frost or ice build-up. However, when paying attention to the system, home owners will have very likely seen part of it icing up at times. How air conditioners work Before digging into what causes air conditioners to freeze, home owners should understand how they work in the first place. The air conditioner circulates refrigerant between the outdoor condensing unit and the indoor evaporator coil. I...

Hitachi has announced the release of its new line of mini-split systems that employ the latest technologies, in order to maximize comfort and ensure healthy indoor air. Key features of the new mini-split systems include: An intelligent human sensor system monitors and responds to the environment, to provide continuous comfort. Temperature and humidity levels are controlled, when set to dehumidification mode. Innovative FrostWash technology ensures indoor air is fresh and clean, by eliminat...

Applied Comfort is excited to introduce the new Applied Comfort VTAC. Designed for the new construction and replacement market, the series offers a cost-effective and space-saving air conditioning and heating solution.  Ideally suited to the residential and hospitality sector, the discreet design and vertical housing allow the unit to be easily installed in a closet. VTAC features The unit is designed with brushless motors on both the indoor and outdoor sides The unit is designed with b...

RLS Logistics, a third-generation provider of cold chain solutions, through its affiliate RLS Partners, announced their new warehouse partner, RLS Complete, is set to open Q1 of 2022 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, USA. Ti Cold will be leading the facility construction. The facility will provide frozen and refrigerated food distributors, processors, and importers in the Springfield, Massachusetts, and Boston, Massachusetts region with public cold storage warehouse capacity relief and access to RL...

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has released a General Position Statement on Decarbonization, advancing the association as a resource for states and localities that are grappling with how to successfully, sustainably, and affordably reduce emissions, related to the built environment. Statement on Decarbonization The paper notes that, “The air conditioning, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and water heating industry has a long history of providing inn...