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Jackson Systems names account managers and inside sales engineer; Mestek appoints national sales manager; Icor International releases training DVDs; Cooper-Atkins announces acquisition; Mitsubishi Electric named a 2012 Manufacturing Leadership 100 award winner; Spirax Sarco rebrands flowmeter; Heatex America receives Vanguard award.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently shared analysis based on its 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) data that reports on the increasing home size and energy use across the country.

The heat pump market is growing. As new applications spur on new technology, there is a lot for contractors to keep up with, especially in air-source heat pumps. Here is a sampling of some of the residential and light commercial heat pump products available to contractors. For more information, a link has been provided with each entry.

New technology has had a significant impact on the zoning market in the last five years. This roundup provides a sampling of the latest products and systems available from industry suppliers to assist contractors in zoning system design, installation, and service.

NeoTherm® LC condensing boiler is a fully packaged, 1 million Btu, space-saving hydronic unit that offers 94 percent thermal efficiency. It is a direct vent, sealed combustion boiler that modulates with a 10 to 1 turndown. Zero clearance to combustibles with all piping and wiring from the back makes it a good choice for tight installations.

Interest in so-called natural refrigerants continues to grow, especially when it comes to the refrigeration of food. Here are some examples that illustrate how companies are using natural refrigerants to keep food cold and fresh.

Capable of removing up to 105 pints of water a day while using only 4.9 A of energy (8.8 pints per kWh), the Ultra-Aire™ XT105H whole-house dehumidifier is designed for homes up to 2,500 square feet. Optional fresh outdoor air may be ducted to the unit, providing fresh air to dilute pollutants.

Manual Zr is the new ANSI-recognized standard for residential zoning. Its development was spearheaded by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). As the newest manual in the ACCA library, it is the result of combined efforts of original equipment manufacturers, zoning equipment producers, and HVAC contractors.

Business and building owners often face a dilemma when considering replacing or updating their HVAC system. Too often the recommendation is to retrofit an existing building with energy-efficient HVAC in order to save money on energy costs, but then the question arises — how to fund the investment?

Members of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) recently visited Washington, D.C., to share their thoughts and concerns with legislators through AHRI’s annual Public Policy Symposium.