Not only has VRF technology been widely accepted by contractors and end users alike, virtually every major U.S. manufacturer is now offering these systems, as well.
Sales of VRF systems continue to rise unabated, leading many to predict their shipments will increase by double digits annually for the foreseeable future.
The scale of energy consumption may be more of a surprise, though, as estimates show that data center spaces can consume up to 100-200 times as much electricity as standard office spaces. With that large amount of power being used by a growing number of data centers, the pressure is on to implement energy-efficient design measures that can save money and reduce electricity use.
At the AHR Expo, ASHRAE briefed the press on recent updates made to Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Michael Rosenberg and Bing Liu, both from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the 90.1 committee, provided highlights of the updated standard.
LG Electronics held its 2017 Partner Appreciation Event during the AHR Expo. The guest speaker, Andre Borschberg, CEO, co-founder, and pilot of Solar Impulse, talked about the challenges of designing a long-range solar-powered aircraft, which he eventually flew around the world.
The annual awards competition honors the most inventive and original products, systems, and technologies showcased at each year’s AHR Expo in 10 categories.
As one of the largest events in the HVACR industry, the AHR Expo will host close to 2,000 exhibitors and bring in crowds of more than 60,000 industry professionals.
With 86 papers, 248 presentations, and 331 speakers, the technical program at the ASHRAE 2017 Winter Conference is bound to have something for everyone.
What the Trump presidency portends for the future is anyone’s guess, but contractors have definite opinions about how their businesses fared in 2016 and what they’re concerned about in 2017.