With energy prices due to rise, customers are looking for high-efficiency furnaces that will reduce their energy bills while still providing optimal comfort. They also want smart, user-friendly controls that will allow them to monitor and adjust their systems whenever and wherever they want.
Early last year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final rule amending the minimum efficiency standards for residential boilers, which will go into effect Jan. 15, 2021. In addition, the DOE amended its test procedure for residential boilers.
Of course, reclaimers can only reclaim what contractors and technicians recover, and while the R-22 numbers may never match the hoped-for projections, the industry is already looking to the future and preparing to address new challenges in a post-hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) world that also is likely facing a phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
While organizations lobbied Congress for an extension like the ones given to photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technologies, the U.S. House of Representatives chose not to extend the tax credits for the geothermal market.
Home automation is no longer a thing of the past. Customers are seeking ways to intelligently control their homes in more ways than ever before, as evidenced by the number of new smart home products on display in this sector at the AHR Expo.
While ductless heat pumps have grabbed the spotlight in recent years, central air-source heat pumps still remain popular, as evidenced by the new products on display at the AHR Expo.
Meeting customers’ humidification and dehumidification needs year-round can be challenging, which is why HVAC contractors are constantly seeking energy-efficient solutions.