Homeowners purchasing 95 percent-plus AFUE furnaces usually expect to see a fairly large reduction in their utility bills, as well as a greater level of comfort in their homes. Unfortunately, these customers will not obtain the benefits they paid for if their furnaces have not been installed properly.

There is no question that the federal tax credits have helped boost the sales of condensing furnaces (equipment over 90 percent AFUE) over the last two years. However, even before the tax credits came into play, sales of condensing furnaces were increasing, and manufacturers expect sales to stay strong even when (if) the tax credits expire at the end of this year.

HVAC professionals interested in making sure commercial facilities have good IAQ now have a resource available to them that offers practical guidance for achieving the best possible indoor environments. That resource is the Indoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction, and Commissioning.

According to Energy Star®, energy costs have been increasing at a rate of 6 to 8 percent per year, which is why numerous building owners are getting serious about making their facilities more efficient. Energy audits provide a way for contractors to thoroughly evaluate existing systems and make recommendations that will ultimately lower the energy costs of a building.

For contractors, offering a wide range of IAQ products only makes sense because they want to make sure they address all their customers’ indoor comfort and health concerns. They know that happy, comfortable customers translate into repeat business as well as referrals, both of which are necessary for the growth and success of any HVAC contractor.

Over the last three decades, Dean Newberry of Talbott Solar and Radiant Homes, Davis, Calif., has thought long and hard about radiant cooling systems. His goal has been to figure out how radiant cooling - which has long been used in commercial buildings - can be applied effectively in residential and other low-rise, light frame buildings.

Move over traditional boilers and water heaters - there’s a new kid in town that can do both your jobs in a much smaller space. Who is this wunderkind? The tankless water heater, which is now being paired with hydronic air handlers in order to provide space heating and endless domestic hot water (DHW) in residential applications.

In the last few years, sales of high-efficiency boilers have increased dramatically, compounding the need for highly trained technicians who have an excellent understanding of hydronics, electrical systems, and electronics. That’s because today’s high-efficiency boilers require more complex piping and a need to understand advanced controls, so ongoing training is more important than ever.

The Department of Energy estimates that most energy recovery ventilation systems can recover about 70 to 80 percent of the energy in the exiting air of a home or business and deliver that energy to the incoming air, thus reducing the cost of ventilation.

Today’s advanced thermostats include numerous benefits and are also significantly more expensive than the round thermostats of yore, which make them a profitable add-on to any system sale. However, contractors should be aware that there are many different types of communicating thermostats on the market.