This is a product round-up for new high-efficiency systems for light commercial and commercial applications. It highlights a variety of rooftop units and air handlers.

Safety is a priority when working on any mechanical equipment, but it is especially heightened when the equipment weighs several thousand pounds and is located on a roof. Some contractors schedule days and weeks on the installation and service for one client alone.

HVACR contractors who do work in the hotel-motel sector probably know it already - there is what has been described as “fundamental contradictions of sustainability in the hospitality industry.” For example, there may be a lot of talk of going green, but that may not mean action.

The moisture content in a school’s building envelope can provide the medium that mold needs for incubation and growth. Whether a school is under construction or unoccupied during the summer break, it likely is without an HVAC system to help control moisture. Without humidity control, school buildings can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

If you believe industry statistics, the future is bright for people interested in careers as techs and installers. If you believe in the current state of the economy, then optimism is tempered. Or you might be somewhere in the middle. These different viewpoints form the basis of what HVAC contractors are looking at as the summer 2011 hiring season heats up.

The NEWS’ annual Cooling Showcase has traditionally introduced the latest air conditioning units available for the upcoming summer season. The intent is to help contractors prepare for this busy period by doing the research that will help them to distinguish between brands. In this issue, we focus on the commercial side of the air conditioning industry.

The poor economy has been hard on commercial businesses. In some cases, HVAC contractors still have service agreements with local malls and office buildings, but often, that work is being outsourced to national maintenance organizations. HVAC contractors have partnered with these organizations. Some sing their praises while others now turn and run.

As ductless technology becomes more popular in the North American market, equipment manufacturers continue to introduce new units for both the residential and commercial markets. Read this roundup for a review of some of the latest ductless equipment on the market.

As TV technology has continued to evolve, WOOD-TV 8 has faced increasing problems in maintaining comfort within its facility. In 2008, WOOD’s longtime HVAC contractor, Seaman’s Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Inc. (Grand Rapids, Mich.) decided a major retrofit was needed to solve the station’s comfort problems.

Every year The NEWS introduces the latest air conditioning units available for the upcoming summer season. The intent is to help contractors prepare for this busy period by doing the research that will help them to distinguish between brands. This feature provides our 2011 Residential Cooling Showcase.