Recent industry trends have given rise to a new generation of building design tools known as building information modeling, or BIM. BIM goes further than traditional CAD drawings by providing intelligence to building components (such as HVAC) as well as providing system- and building-wide information and awareness (system flows or building loads) in addition to spatial relationships.

The newest product innovation in the ventilation industry - the modular/field-adjustable (M/FA) fabric duct/diffuser system - promises air distribution installation time reductions of as much as 40 to 80 percent and 15 to 50 percent less material costs, depending on marketplace geography.

In the mid-1960s, The NEWS ran a seven-part series on trends in compressor design. The author accurately predicted the future shift that took place in compressor development. So it’s fitting to tune in again to hear what this compressor expert has to say about the history and future trends in compressor design.

As a host of pressures - from demanding consumers to stringent regulations to rising energy costs - continue to bear down on the industry, compressor manufacturers are reiterating that energy efficiency is the best response to these issues.

Highlighting the importance of finding balance in design, this year’s American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ (ASHRAE) Winter Conference will focus on zero-energy design and greening the industry. The program will include paper-related sessions, application-oriented, non-paper seminars, and open discussion forums.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary as a non-profit center, the Edward Hopper House will exhibit some of the painter’s early works, which are on loan from the Whitney Museum of American Art. But before the exhibition could take place, the home first had to meet the stringent climate control requirements of the Whitney Museum.

Geothermal ground source heat pumps have been increasing in popularity. While geothermal heat pumps can be installed just about anywhere in the United States, some contractors may not be aware of how important it is to first understand the soil composition and subsurface conditions in their area before taking on any job.

The pendulum in terms of ice machines has been swinging back and forth between complex to basic systems. Sometimes the trend was to the complex with detailed diagnostics. The swing to basic brought simple systems designed to run efficiently. But now there is a new level of up front high tech developments to make things simpler down the line.

Carrier Corp. has published a new guide for commercial building designers and owners on earning credits toward Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building certification.

Three new courses related to data center efficiency and ASHRAE standards on energy efficiency and high-performance building design are part of the 12 online courses being offered this fall.