The 3C Hybrid Condenser was developed by Muller Industries to help mitigate the impact of increasingly hot ambient conditions that are causing air-cooled refrigeration and air conditioning systems to lose cooling capacity while consuming more energy. It is particularly well suited for supermarkets with their continuous need for refrigeration.

Thermography uses an infrared camera (thermal imager) to capture two-dimensional representations of the surface temperatures of parts of buildings. Often, those images reveal temperatures or temperature differences that indicate conditions contributing to the waste of heated or cooled air and, as a result, needlessly excessive energy costs.

When Tim McTavish set out to remodel his home, his plans included increased square footage for the living space, radiant floor heating throughout the entire structure, snow melting for exterior surfaces, and an in-ground swimming pool. McTavish was looking for exceptional means by which to heat and cool his newly updated residence.

The HVAC industry got a Christmas gift from the federal government in late 2010, when those energy efficiency tax credits were approved for one more year - although at the lower level of $500. Contractors have been using the credits to help give replacements and upgrades a quicker payback.

Developers of the Turtle River Montessori School wanted students to have the best possible IAQ, and they wanted to provide it in an energy-efficient manner. Looking for suggestions on how to make this new school’s HVAC system green, Brad Brown of KAMM Consulting approached Charles Eno, sales engineer for Florida Air Conditioning Distributors.

The HVAC landscape is changing now, as the tax credits have been reduced, the economy is still recovering, and prices on equipment keep increasing. Add in declining home values and higher-than-normal levels of unemployment, and many contractors are facing larger challenges when it comes to selling high-efficiency units.

As HVAC products get more and more efficient, the logical question is what level will they top off at? The laws of physics can limit the efficiency levels of air-source heating and cooling equipment. The laws of economics also come into play, as the cost for each incremental escalation in efficiency can substantially increase the cost of the equipment.

When Stop & Shop was looking for ways to incorporate sustainable technology into its new multimillion dollar West Hartford, Conn., store, it focused on energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint. In fact, the store, which opened in December 2010, is a 38,000-square-foot model of sustainability.

Two refrigeration contractors were facing different challenges. In one situation, a restaurant in New York City needed to add refrigeration capacity for walk-in freezers and coolers, but in a constrained space. In another instance, a chain of restaurants was dealing with aging refrigeration equipment and the need to improve operating systems.

United States Air Force personnel sought a solution to renovate the makeup air and exhaust ventilation systems to reduce energy usage in a 35,000-square-foot aircraft corrosion control hangar in Oklahoma City. By utilizing Munters energy recovery systems, engineers at the base achieved their mission.