Whether new or already on the market, thermostats, controls, and building automation system (BAS) products are integral pieces of the HVAC puzzle. The following products are currently on the market to assist commercial and residential contractors in achieving effective HVAC balance and control.

To fill the void of a valid performance test for ductless equipment, the Department of Energy (DOE) began working on new procedures in 2007. With input from the industry, DOE created a test procedure and issued a mandate. In response, AHRI adopted the new test procedure into its 210/240 standard.

California’s Building Standards Commission (BSC) unanimously adopted the United States’ first statewide green building code. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has taken a strong interactive role as the state has worked on creating a new, long-term energy-efficiency strategic plan.

Homeowners often come to HVAC contractors with a single complaint - discomfort. Resolving this discomfort requires multiple considerations for the contractor that extend beyond heating and cooling to humidity control, IAQ, etc.

A few contractors took a moment to explain what they thought it meant to be green and some shared their attempts at implementing green practices and how it affected their business.

Crossing residential and commercial boundaries, the light commercial arena continues to benefit from innovative products and their creative applications. The NEWS’ fifth annual Dealer Design Awards’ HVAC Light Commercial Equipment category awarded three manufacturers who brought new compressor technology to the forefront.

The NEWS’ fifth annual Dealer Design Awards’ Testing & Monitoring Products category winners were all golden according to the judges who scored the winning entries. The three gold winners emphasized the need for user-friendly testing and monitoring tools that provide accurate and timely information.

Changing the way things are done and where components are located are why The NEWS is honoring the following units in the HVAC Commercial Equipment category of the fifth annual Dealer Design Awards.

The Contractor Services and Software category of The NEWS’ Dealer Design Awards highlights products that contractor peers felt were the most helpful in navigating back and front office challenges. FastEST Inc. won the gold award for its On-Screen Digitizer. Wrightsoft Corp. took silver for its Right-N® software and bronze for its Right-Contact™ software.

The NEWS’ fifth annual Dealer Design Awards’ Refrigeration & Ice Machines category winners are: Hoshizaki America Inc.’s self-contained DT-400BAH-OS, Heatcraft Refrigeration Products’ Mohave™ Advanced Hot Gas Defrost System, and Heatcraft Refrigeration Products’ PRO3 Side Mount Packaged Refrigeration System.