A hot topic in the world of refrigeration and air conditioning continues to swirl around refrigerants and what refrigerants will take hold and be used now, besides HFCs, and what will supplant HFCs in the future.

Source: Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). Industry figures are estimates that are derived from the best available figures supplied by a sample of AHRI member companies.

Amidst all the talk about refrigerants such as HCs, HFOs, and CO2, the vast majority of contractors are still working on HFC and HCFC systems. With that in mind, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, contractor Brian Baker of Custom Vac Ltd., offers some perspectives on the familiar refrigerants of R-410A and R-22. 

The 2012 Kühl room air conditioner with optional Wi-Fi control is a room cooling solution that can help simplify building operations management and curtail energy consumption in dorms, apartments, commercial, and industrial facilities. Facilities management personnel can remotely control units.

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.

HVACR contractors who replace TXV valves during servicing are always seeking ways to carry the variety of valves they need in their vans or trucks. One new approach comes from Danfoss with its Maximizer and Minimizer kits, which package multiple TXV combinations in one place.

Demand for HVACR products looks to be rosy over the next several years, as HVAC and commercial refrigeration equipment demand is expected to go up several percentage points through 2016, according to the studies World HVAC Equipment and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment from The Freedonia Group.

Five high-performance heating and cooling solutions for consumers, including a new air conditioner, a heat pump, two gas furnaces, and a fan coil, have been added to the company’s product line. The two-stage air conditioner achieves a cooling efficiency of up to 17.2 SEER.

Who says young people do not want to be a part of the HVACR industry? Amidst the 5,600 vocationally-inclined individuals competing in 94 contests at the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, there were 58 in the HVACR event. That was the largest number ever to take part in the HVACR competition.

Built to provide comfort and efficiency while enduring the harsh elements of a seacoast environment are the Evolution® Series two-stage air conditioner and heat pump with CoastGuard™ protection. The units feature Bryant TuffCoat™ coils that last longer than standard coils in coastal conditions.