NEW YORK — In response to requests by customers and in-depth research on how contractors use The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute’s (AHRI’s) certified products database, Carrier Enterprise (CE) developed CE’s AHRI HVAC System Builder, an online tool that provides HVAC dealers and contractors with a simple way to build AHRI-certified HVAC systems. This innovative tool instantly checks for current system compatibility, equipment AHRI performance ratings, possible rebates for the contractor and the customer, and real-time pricing and inventory levels at the contractor’s local CE sales center.

The desktop and mobile friendly tool saves the contractor time in estimating the job, getting customer approval, ordering the equipment, and facilitating delivery or pickup directly from the device. And, since the AHRI System Builder works seamlessly between all devices, contractors can easily work from the office, truck, or onsite at the customer’s location. 

“We are excited to be the first HVAC distributor to provide this unique tool to the contractor community. We believe it will be a game changer for how our customers run their HVAC businesses and will ensure higher productivity, increased sales, and greater profitability. We spent years developing this tool and ran a successful pilot program with our most active HVAC contractors. The results have been fantastic, and we are excited to launch it nationally so that our entire distributor network of customers can get the benefits of the tool, “ said Edward Gaffneny, CE’s president of digital business.

CE’s AHRI System Builder tool allows contractors to build a new or replacement HVAC system in several ways based on the customer’s goals and the scope of the job. With the “AHRI Certification Number” option, contractors enter the AHRI certification number, and CE’s AHRI System Builder will display the status of that AHRI number, as well as the models, pricing, and availability in the local CE sales center for the equipment. 

If contractors already have the model number for the required equipment, they can search for the equipment in the system using the “Model Number” option. Contractors simply enter the outdoor, indoor, and/or furnace model numbers of the equipment, and CE’s AHRI System Builder will present all of the AHRI-certified systems available at the local CE sales center that include those models. 

If contractors are looking for specific performance requirements and system types, the “System Needs” option will produce a range of results. Contractors simply choose between cooling only, cooling and heating, heat pump, heating only, packaged, or ductless and then enter the required parameters of the system. Contractors will be given a list of all of the corresponding HVAC system solutions available for online ordering or purchase at a local CE sales center. 

In addition, the tool will suggest any required accessories and controls to complete the HVAC system.  Finally, the AHRI number and efficiency ratings can be printed for the customer or technician’s use at the jobsite, and they are also saved within the contractors’ online CE account for building future systems and online ordering — saving contractors time and increasing overall productivity.

"As part of the contractor focus group, I have been using CE’s AHRI System Builder for a couple of weeks now, and I find it to be very easy to use and informative. I am looking forward to sharing this with my team along with future updates that will make the tool even easier” said Richard Dusza, vice president, Stafford Mechanical Services Inc., Stafford, Connecticut.