OEMs are offering their own smart energy management systems that they say satisfy this demand by offering the ultimate in convenience, comfort, and energy savings.
A fair number of consumers do not mind spending more for a system that provides premium comfort, higher efficiency, and is aesthetically pleasing — especially if it’s going to be installed in a high-end home.
Most of the time, it will be possible to come up with a solution to an IAQ problem, and contractors should take that opportunity to educate consumers on the health and comfort benefits of IAQ products.
This on-demand model has spread quickly into others markets, as well, and apps are now available that connect consumers with local freelance labor that can provide everything from same-day grocery delivery to dog walking to handyman services.
More often than not, homeowners are finding the new crop of heat pumps — boasting greater comfort levels and higher efficiencies — to be an attractive option.
Backup heat can be expensive to use, which is why it’s important to find the right temperature — the balance point — at which compressor operation stops and supplemental heat is activated.
Even though these systems can cost significantly more than non-inverter ASHPs, manufacturers note their higher price tags are more than offset by significantly higher efficiencies.
A growing number of building owners are looking to design buildings that produce as much energy as they consume each year. These so-called zero-net-energy (ZNE) buildings may sound like a pipe dream, but they’ve already become a reality in many parts of the U.S. and around the world.
It seems many HVAC contractors are feeling positive about the year ahead, at least according to ACCA, which reported its January 2015 Contractor Comfort Index (CCI) scored a 74 — much higher than a year earlier when the CCI stood at 69.