No small company has been immune to the negative business forces that have besieged the HVAC industry since the implosion of the housing market and the economic downturn. How did two contractors use IAQ to fight back?

In a tight economy, contractors have to move beyond just selling the basic furnace or air conditioner to customers. One way to expand sales and improve profits is by focusing on IAQ products.

The ecoTough™ Series of gas-fired residential condensing tankless water heaters has been expanded with the NRC83, an Energy Star®-rated unit designed for smaller homes and multifamily dwellings. It is available in both indoor (the two-pipe, direct vent NRC83-DV) and outdoor (NRC83-OD) models.

The Pro-Set® MT69 Molecular Transformator™ dramatically improves the speed and high-temperature performance of refrigerant recovery machines. It is designed for use with all refrigerants. Its maximum effective heat sink temperature is 100°F.

Demand in the United States for HVAC equipment is projected to increase 5.1 percent annually to $16.8 billion in 2015, according to a study that came out in November titled HVAC Equipment from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

Instant water heaters, high-tech boilers, and steam solutions are just a few examples of wet heat technology. Here are a few products in that segment that might be of interest to the HVACR contractor.

HVAC contractors have many choices of hydronic heating equipment, and these are a few examples of how knowledge of wet heat technology can make the selling job a little easier. 

The Flow T1 adapter is a preventive solution to the clogged air conditioning drain line. The adapter is placed in the main drain line of any HVAC air-handler system to prevent the main drain line from becoming clogged.

The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Exposition (AHR Expo) blew into Chicago on Jan. 23 and provided big crowds, hot topics, and a plethora of new products.

The NEWS reports on new products found by our editors at the recent AHR Expo in Chicago. Products are listed in alphabetical order within each category.