The nation is ready for renewable energy products. It just might not know it yet. Not all contractors are experiencing this majority interest. In fact, some have found that for different reasons, some of their customers are not interested at all. How can they overcome customer objections? 

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) formally petitioned the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), requesting an 18-month extension for residential non-weatherized gas furnaces from the proposed May 1, 2013 implementation date set for the amended federal minimum efficiency standards.

Not all energy-efficient HVAC equipment qualifies for tax credits, but there are four renewable energy product categories that do — geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, solar energy systems, and fuel cells. Though some seem beyond HVAC, they each have the potential to bring new revenue streams to contractors.

Each year the DOE petitions Congress with a “Congressional Budget Request” to continue financing the projects that show promise and are deemed worth pursuing. What has the DOE been up to in the name of renewable energy and HVAC technology?

The Observer™ communicating system features Tempstar® equipment with optimized system performance. According to the firm, the Observer communicating system features split-system equipment that is designed to work with the communicating wall control and meet the needs of virtually every application.

In the midst of a global, regional, and local economic crisis, few would suggest that education is the highest priority capital investment a business should make, and even fewer would make a $20 million investment in that pursuit. However, that is just what Taco Inc. has done. 

HVAC contractors are working with a select group of homeowners looking to use their mobile devices to remotely control their indoor environment. It’s a niche market now but that should change significantly as more consumers with smart phones and tablets become aware of the remote control capability of HVAC thermostats and systems.

Bay Area Services, a successful HVAC contractor in Green Bay, Wis., is using Internet-connected door locks, security cameras, and thermostats as a means to an end: to build his customer list and increase sales on service calls.

The rapid increase in the use of iPhones, iPads, and countless mobile devices has had a major affect on HVAC products and technologies that enable homeowners to control temperature, humidity, and energy consumption in their homes from anywhere at any time of day.

The Tranquility® 30 Digital (TE) Series geothermal heat pumps integrate digital communicating controls, two-stage capacity, variable-speed fan, and variable-flow geothermal source functions within a single package. The series delivers up to 30 EER and 4.8 COP.