HVAC Maintenance - Editor's Note
SNAP Rule 26 marks an important milestone in the transition from commercial refrigeration to new refrigerants. The rule lists refrigerant substitutes that provide a spectrum of technological solutions to meet required performance, global warming potential (GWP), safety, and environmental standards. SNAP stands for Significant New Alternatives Policy, a program by the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under the Clean Air Act. In general, the program aims to evaluate and regulate...
Humidity can influence employee health and productivity in the workplace. Humidity, temperature, and ventilation all work in concert to create a healthy indoor environment that supports overall occupant well-being. “Dry indoor air can cause discomfort in the form of dry skin, eyes, and throat for staff and visitors,” says Jennifer Montville, Director of Marketing at DriSteem, a manufacturer of humidification systems. Air-related health issues “There are real costs associate...
It takes a proliferation of data centers to serve the growing computing needs of the Internet, and all those servers churning away create plenty of heat. Might some of that heat be harnessed and used for residential or commercial heating? The emergence of district heating systems, which provide thermal energy to multiple buildings from a single source, demonstrates the approach has broad possibilities. Air-cooled chillers and air-handling units used to cool data centers are like the technologi...
The idea of Energy as a Service involves shifting the traditional business model from selling energy as a commodity to providing a comprehensive package of goods and services to address a customer’s energy use and management. Rather than selling energy, the approach encompasses complete stewardship of a company’s energy needs in exchange for a monthly fee. Because 40% or so of a company’s typical energy needs are related to heating and cooling systems, implementing Energy as...
The transition away from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as refrigerants for HVAC systems is well underway, and the process is accelerating. A 10% reduction in HFC production was mandated last year, and an additional 30% reduction is pending in January 2024. Meanwhile, a January 2025 deadline looms for the elimination of the manufacture of HVAC equipment that uses refrigerants with high potential for global warming (GWP). impact of regulatory shifts The production step-downs ensure a co...
Fire risks related to HVAC include factors such as overheating motors, faulty electrical wiring, and leaky fuel lines. Educating consumers on the fire risks of HVAC systems contributes to fire prevention. Proper installation and maintenance of HVAC systems can significantly reduce the dangers of factors such as gas leaks. residential fire hazards Among residential fire hazards, an HVAC system is probably not at the top of the list. However, there are fire risk factors related to HVAC t...
Esthetics have historically not been a primary consideration when it comes to HVAC vents and grilles. Rather, HVAC vents have been typically concerned with performance and ease of production, manufactured from stamped metal or extruded. “There have been limited efforts to make HVAC components that are also interior design elements,” says Mark Mascarello, Head of Design and Production of InviAir. It’s a missed opportunity. “I’m not an interior designer, but I feel...
Data-driven control of centralized home and building HVAC systems is helping to minimize energy usage, lessen sustainability concerns, and provide greater levels of comfort for lower costs. However, room air conditioners are globally the fastest growing segment, each operating independently with the aid of a remote control. How can the lessons and capabilities of data-driven control systems be applied to the world of room air conditioners? Sensibo is looking to do just that. Sensibo aims...
The steps toward building decarbonization will accelerate organizations’ net-zero journey. Taking steps will also reduce operational costs and deliver better indoor environments. Improvements in heat pumps and digital solutions have enabled these opportunities and, as they continue to advance, deeper and deeper building decarbonization will become achievable. Optimal solutions Mark Lessans, Senior Director of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Johnson Controls, for insights into how...
Selling maintenance agreements are a great way to build long-term relationships with customers, increase revenue, and improve customer satisfaction. Maintenance agreements can provide a steady stream of revenue, which can be especially important during slower months. Additionally, maintenance agreements can build customer loyalty and trust. Regular maintenance optimizes the performance and lifespan of HVAC systems, prevents breakdowns, and ensures efficient operation. HVAC installers Regular...
Data centers have been around as long as the Internet, although the introduction of the iPhone in 2007 significantly increased the demand for data centers. When the COVID pandemic required more people to work from home, the impact was to push digital demand to even higher levels. In short, as of 2023, it is a challenge to build data centers fast enough. environmental aspects Thousands of computer servers operating in a data center give off a lot of heat, so cooling is a critical need. A typi...
In its simplest terms, artificial intelligence (AI) enables machines to mimic the operation of the human brain. Combined with the Internet of Things (IoT), AI currently has a higher profile than ever. In effect, AI is changing how we use information, analyzing massive amounts of data, and improving decision-making. The impact of AI is being felt in many industries and markets, from real-time monitoring of manufacturing processes to analyzing medical data trends to enable early detection of canc...
From supply chain challenges to decarbonization, from data analytics to maintenance programs, the themes that ranked highest among visitors to HVACinformed.com in 2022 reflected the dominant topics of conversation throughout the industry. As demonstrated by the most-read articles on the site, technology trends and regulatory issues all converged and had a profound impact on the industry in 2022. Timely and important issues in the HVAC marketplace dominate HVACinformed.com‘s list of most-c...
California is moving to ban the sale of natural gas furnaces, heaters and water heaters by 2030. It is the first US state to make the move, in order to meet federal ozone standards. In addition to California’s previous efforts to eliminate installation of gas-fueled equipment in new buildings, the new regulation will address the use of gas space heaters and water heaters in existing residential buildings. When it comes time to replace them, building owners will be required to transition...
Certification is a way to demonstrate professional knowledge, a specific skillset, and the ability to do a particular job. In the HVAC market, earning certifications provides benefits to contractors as well as technicians. Paying for certifications Historically, typically 70% of technicians paid for their certifications. Now the numbers have flipped, and about 70% of contractors currently pay for certifications because they see the value-add they can provide to keep employees with an organizat...
High outdoor temperatures are a great indicator of demand for HVAC services, and HVAC companies are feeling the heat as they struggle to meet higher demand for services even as they face unprecedented supply-chain challenges and a critically tight labor market. HVAC contractors across the country agree that demand this summer is higher than ever. The phones are ringing off the hook, and HVAC employees are working long hours just to keep up. Some are working 12-hour days and on the weekend. The...
HVAC systems account for around 46% of the average U.S. home’s energy consumption. As big users of electricity, air conditioning (AC) systems this summer face continuing concerns about an adequate supply of electricity and the reliability of the U.S. electrical grid. According to a report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), large parts of the country are at either ‘high’ or ‘elevated’ risk of electricity shortfalls this summer. Notably,...
Two HVAC technicians, James Lewis and Robert Shook, were among six people murdered in April 2021 by former NFL player Phillip Adams. The gunman came across the technicians outside a customer’s home in York County, S.C., shot them both, and then entered the home and killed the entire family. The tragedy is an extreme example of the dangers HVAC technicians face every day as they complete their appointed assignments. Danger is inherent whenever a technician enters a stranger’s home. H...
Demand for HVAC services spiked during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Low interest rates, government stimulus checks and a greater emphasis on home improvement (because more people were spending time at home) drove new business for HVAC companies. However, labor shortages limited companies’ ability to meet the demand. In some cases, money was left on the table. There was another impact of the pandemic on industry labor trends: HVAC contractors kept working, even when much of the eco...
A $500 million grant program seeks to upgrade the infrastructure of U.S. schools, including improving HVAC systems. Many schools rely on outdated HVAC systems that make classrooms less comfortable and may pose health risks. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is launching the grant program to lower energy costs, improve air quality and prioritize schools most in need. Addressing school infrastructure needs An influx of federal money to help schools update their HVAC systems is an opportunity...
Some 38% of greenhouse gas emissions emanate from residential housing, specifically heating and cooling systems. Given the goal of ‘net-zero’ carbon emissions by 2050, new approaches have emerged to achieve that target. Some of the solutions currently being evaluated include the use of hydrogen as a replacement fuel, to store electricity from solar or wind power, or in fuel cells that use an electrochemical process combining hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical energy and water....
Consumers associate warranties with peace of mind, which they should. In our hectic economic times, peace of mind is at a premium, so more customers than ever are willing to pay for it. Manufacturers’ warranties typically cover manufacturing defects for a period of 5 to 10 years. Customers, who complete a product registration with the manufacturer, including product serial number, model number, installation date, and other information, may be eligible for an enhanced or longer-term...
Gradient seeks to bring the benefits of mini-split systems - variable speed drive, efficient operation, heat pump heating - to a wider audience, by simplifying the installation process. Gradient offers a design that is installed in a window, but it has more similarities to mini-split systems than to a window air conditioner. simple installation The system is designed for simple installation by a layman – it generally takes about 15 minutes. Using heat pump technology, Gradient has the e...
Climatech of Professional Air in Pensacola, Florida, USA, is known for putting HVAC customers first by providing first-class service and for doing what’s right, even when no one is looking. “We approach each customer like it’s our grandmother,” said Travis Thompson of Climatech of Professional Air, adding “We show all the options and we are fair with pricing. The open-book approach to options and our honest opinion is the best way. We sit and get to know the custome...
‘As a service’ is a familiar pattern in business today, especially in the technology arena. ‘Software as a Service’ is as common as Microsoft Office 365 and companies have been providing services, such as telephony and internet access for decades. But, how can the model be applied to the HVAC market? It’s not a common approach today, but the benefits of applying ‘As a service’ to HVAC are many – for customers and for equipment and service provider...
The story of Bluon is the tale of how a chemical company blended a new refrigerant, and then later evolved into a large, brand-agnostic online community that helps technicians do their job. Currently, Bluon is on the verge of monetizing its platform, linking e-commerce into its vast wellspring of technical information to guide HVAC installers. Tdx 20 refrigerant blend Bluon created and received EPA approval for its Tdx 20 refrigerant blend (R-458A) to replace R-22 and provide 20% great...
With a required 15% increase in seasonal efficiency looming in 2023, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are being challenged to design HVAC rooftop units (RTUs) that both meet the immediate efficiency requirements and also set the stage for a refrigerant transition in 2025 and beyond. Meeting the challenges requires that new hardware designs be more than ‘a little bit better’; rather, complete shifts in technology are called for. Insights on the changing technologies and regulat...
Rooftop units (RTUs) withstand a lion’s share of the burden, when it comes to heating and cooling commercial buildings, and they also represent a big portion of a building’s impact on global warming. Traditional low-tech approaches to controlling RTUs have failed to address global warming concerns, and these units, operating independently, may not even deliver sufficiently on the climate demands of a building. Intelligent approach to managing energy demand Providing an intelligent...
AHR Expo was back in a big way for 2022, reflecting a dynamic industry that not only survived the pandemic but has found new ways to thrive. Technical developments on display in Las Vegas spanned traditional product categories, which continued to display new levels of innovation in a mature market. Also reflecting progress were new digital offerings that increase control and efficiency of HVAC products and link them to the expanding world of data. Omar Tabba, the Chief Product Officer at...
It’s great time to be in the HVAC industry. That was the optimistic vibe as the AHR Expo opened in Las Vegas, the first such in-person gathering of the industry since the beginning of the global pandemic. Attendance was moderate and steady throughout the first day of the show as HVAC professionals took stock of technology developments that have emerged over the last two years. COVID changed the HVAC market, probably forever, and the changes extend beyond the masks that were dutifully wor...
