Residential HVAC - Expert Commentary
For warehouse and factory owners, cutting their heat energy bills by over 90% might seem like a pipedream. I’ve been in enough warehouses to know one thing: heating them is expensive and frustrating. It often feels like throwing money into the wind. However, times are changing, and with the introduction of Shortwave Infrared (SWI), a revolutionary technology set to redefine warehouse heating, business owners can finally achieve energy savings on the scale they need. Shortwave Infra...
Data centers worldwide are under intense pressure. High-powered computing is a global necessity that seemingly gets more demanding by the day. There’s also the need to prioritize sustainability improvements ranging from resource conservation to decarbonization. And data centers must consider their bottom line and remain competitive. Anticipating the challenges data centers will continue to face, scientists and engineers have innovated two-phase (2-PIC) immersion cooling. With the capacit...
Devastating wildfires sweep across the US each year, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Aside from the immediate damage that fire causes to property and land, the additional impact that wildfire smoke has on air quality creates a serious but often overlooked threat to human health. This threat from poor air quality includes people in the workplace. IAQ management As wildfires increase in frequency and intensity, facility managers must be proactive to protect occupants inside...
Automotive HVAC is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system installed in automobiles, such as passenger cars, pickup trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. Like other air conditioning systems, automotive HVAC cools the air by transforming the refrigerant into a liquid or gas. The heating process, on the other hand, is characteristic of automotive HVAC as it uses the heat created by the engine. HVAC systems in the automotive The adoption of heating, ventilation, and air conditi...
The HVAC market is forecasted to grow at a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%, with a prediction to reach $370 billion by 2030. But in reality, the HVAC and plumbing industry is changing rapidly, with operators facing new challenges like never before. Whether it’s rising costs, the uncertain economy, increasing competition, or the workforce shortage, there’s no doubt the HVAC and plumbing market is evolving. So how do you adapt? That’s the key question. My t...
From temperate climates that reach mid-90 F in June and mild winters allowing people to be outdoors without jackets to the “May flowers” that bloom in early March, it’s evident that society is experiencing World Refrigeration Day’s 2024 theme: “Temperature matters.” In addition to driving climate change, global warming is driving changes in how people live and how industries adapt and innovate to support new dynamics. This is especially true for the HVACR Indu...
Advanced heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems have always been essential to healthcare. However, the need for clean, fresh air at the right temperature and humidity within clinical settings has never been made clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic. It illustrated the importance of effective HVACR systems in healthcare due to their ability to improve air quality, patient outcomes, and infection control measures. The need for change Many current...
By now, most of the HVACR industry is familiar with the HFC phasedown portion of the U.S. EPA American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act that was signed in 2020 and finalized in 2021. The first phasedowns started Jan. 1, 2020, with a 10% reduction in HFC refrigerant production, importation, and consumption, and was followed by an additional 30% reduction that began Jan. 1, 2024. As these regulations work to achieve a total 85% HFC phasedown from historic baseline levels by 2036, Tech...
“Decarbonising home heating represents one of the biggest challenges to the government achieving net zero,” was a conclusion of the recent National Audit Office report ‘Decarbonising home heating’. The facts, the report states clearly in the opening are: 18% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 were from home heating and 55,000 heat pumps were sold in the UK in 2022. decarbonizing home heating Crucial to decarbonizing home heating is the government&rsquo...
I remember Dr. Dave Bowman from Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" commanding HAL 9000 to open the pod bay doors, and HAL chillingly responds, "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that." Fortunately, unlike the fictional HAL," ChatGPT and other GenAI tools remain compliant and helpful, far from refusing commands or leaving us stranded in space. In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) should play a pivotal role in transforming various aspects of our dai...
Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) and so-called “natural” refrigerants have coexisted for more than two decades, with each serving the specific needs of the HVACR industry. However, over the past several years, the proverbial aisle has formed, with pro-HFO voices on one side and “natural” advocates on the other. EU F-gas regulations The debate is getting more “ink” these days, partly due to advances in proposed EU F-gas regulations as well as the acceleration of glo...
Although the European Union is several steps ahead in the transition away from hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, members of the HVACR industry in other countries currently find themselves in a more urgent situation when it comes to stepping down HFCs and stepping up use of new-generation hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants and emerging A2Ls. EPA’s AIM Act This is especially true in the U.S., where 2024 kicked off with an additional 30% reduction in HFC production and consumption un...
Peter Van Den Heede, Head of Sales and Marketing, Benelux, ABB Motion, explains how electrification systems are paving the way for sustainable urban landscapes. As the fight against climate change intensifies, the European Union has set crystal clear targets on the path to Net Zero. If we are to meet the EU’s ambitious goals of a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and complete climate neutrality by 2050, then we need to find ever-smarter ways to save energy.&n...
College was never the only path to success. There are many other nontraditional avenues to success, and I had the privilege of blindly venturing down one myself. My path included a short stint in college, then trade school, an apprenticeship, a role building a training program, a managerial role running a branch, and ultimately a leadership role running a large region of companies. I started my career as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician, and I didn’t think I’...
This time of year, a lot of planning is underway. Companies throughout the HVACR industry are mapping out the best path to maintain their current level of business, pursue growth while staying in their lane, or expand into a new area based on changing customer needs and industry opportunities. Whether you’re a small family-owned residential HVAC shop, a major player in commercial HVACR service or manufacturing, or anywhere in between, it’s helpful to be aware of the strong dynamics...
Nothing is immune to entropy. As buildings age, they suffer natural breakdowns in efficiency, performance, and useability, compromising occupant comfort and leading to higher energy bills. Luckily, they do not have to stay that way. Retro-commissioning brings existing structures up to speed so they can function their best. What Is Commissioning? Commissioning helps buildings operate as the owners intended and ensures staff maintains their equipment and systems. During new construct...
Using air conditioners and electric fans to stay cool accounts for nearly 20% of the total electricity used in buildings around the world, according to a report from the International Energy Agency. hybrid work model As a unique mix of key factors, such as the adoption of the hybrid work model and escalating heatwaves in certain regions of the United States keep people indoors for longer periods, this 20% share represents an increasingly costly line item on household budgets. Those within th...
Energy bills for small businesses have become a major issue throughout 2023. As prices have risen drastically over the last twelve months, SMEs have been relying on the government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme. Originally set up to support livelihoods, energy bills for businesses in the public sector were capped at £2,500 per year. However, in March, the government support scheme was replaced with the scaled-down Energy Bill Discount Scheme, leaving businesses and public sector organ...
Summer may not seem like the most opportune time to be selling heating products and solutions. The temperatures are already hot, so why would a homeowner need to worry about their heating source? For many HVAC clients, the idea of being proactive before the cold weather drops is foreign. That’s why contractors need to remind them of the importance of focusing on their heating units during the summer. capitalize on heating solutions There are plenty of opportunities available for contra...
Today’s HVAC contractors are acutely aware that they need visibility on the internet and in their community if they want the phones to ring with requests for new business. As a result, HVAC company leaders have become savvy about marketing and advertising and know that search engine optimization, direct mail flyers, and flashy truck wraps attract attention. Public relations But what they don’t stop to think about is that their competitors likely have a very similar marketing strat...
Patented new filtration technology proved it can upgrade AC units and Air Curtains to become highly effective Air Purifiers. Background and problem AC Split Units and Air Curtains employ coarse dust filters that are normally installed within the housing at the air return vent to allow for frequent filter cleaning. While this vital activity is generally performed on a regular basis in professional settings, it may be overlooked in home settings, leading to the clogging of these filters. This de...
Coastal and tropical areas present their own unique challenges for business and residential HVAC units. For these machines, which we use to create comfortable, safe air for occupants, corrosion is enemy number one in high moisture environments. Due to the high level of moisture and salts in the air along the coast, HVAC solutions are more susceptible to corrosion. These salts can negatively impact unprotected coil fins and metal surfaces, causing them to corrode, which can ultimately lead to s...
With each passing year, more and more individuals are becoming conscious of the importance of sustainability. As a result, there has been a boom in the electric vehicle (EVs) market. According to the International Energy Agency, the sales of EVs doubled in 2021 with nearly 10% of global car sales being electric. Two million electric vehicles were sold in the first quarter of 2022 alone. It was estimated that 13% of new cars sold in 2022 would be electric. Gas-Powered vehicle For those who cho...
When your HVAC system isn't working correctly, it's often difficult to pinpoint the exact issue. Does your home have hot and cold spots? Do doors randomly close on their own? Is your A/C blowing warm air on a hot summer day? If so, your HVAC might have an uneven airflow. There are many symptoms of uneven airflow and many solutions. Amid the increasing demand for HVAC repair, homeowners need to learn how to keep their home system operating at its best. Understanding the potential causes of unev...
Each day we’re reading headlines about decarbonization ambitions for buildings while challenged with supporting day-to-day operational needs. Yet, we’re still tasked with delivering energy and cost reductions. Given the magnitude of energy consumption and the importance to occupant/tenant comfort, HVAC systems warrant significant attention. There are a lot of options with new equipment and controls to drive energy use down and enhance overall comfort that are very impactful, when bu...
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been a longstanding problem within educational institutions, where it has been known to affect productivity and performance, as well as mental and physical health. And it’s not just the pupils at risk, with studies finding that this deleterious phenomenon can also compromise teaching performance and delivery, which inevitably affects the quality of the information received. CO2 concentrations This has recently been evidenced in a study conducted by the U...
With the UK experiencing increasingly warmer summers and more frequent heatwaves, we’re equally seeing more air conditioning units installed in both commercial and residential spaces. As the demand for air conditioning continues to increase, so too will the demand for copper pipes. Copper is a trusted and reliable material that air conditioning installers have been using for many years and, not only that, it’s also infinitely recyclable – making it a sustainable alternative to...
A preventive maintenance program could save 12-18% over reactive maintenance, as the U.S. Department of Energy predicted in 2010. For many businesses, the savings could be higher, considering the risks of downtime and today’s economic conditions pushing up costs across the supply chain. It’s also possible for a program to miss the mark. By one measure, 50% of the costs of a preventive maintenance program are often wasted. The question is, how do you know if your maintenance program...
The importance of caring for the environment has become a top priority both around the world and increasingly in the United States. As regulations and social expectations become more stringent, future-proofing our infrastructure - beginning with energy consumption in buildings - is a natural first step. There are four key strategies a building owner or facility manager can focus on to improve energy efficiency and reduce a building’s carbon footprint, all while improving building performa...
Achieving carbon neutrality has, once more, become a business priority. Whilst COVID-19 distracted attention away from the drive towards Net Zero, green issues are once more back on the agenda and rising to the top of it. Building specifications The built environment accounts for around 28-40% of global emissions, so there is a collective ambition to start specifying buildings with as low a carbon footprint as possible. This is particularly true of commercial office spaces where operational...
