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What if they cause more harm than good? Let’s look at the potential impact these smartphone-controlled dampers can have on the typical duct systems found across the country.

Despite the fact that Mobilegeddon has come and gone, there are still plenty of sites that are not mobile friendly. This means there’s a great opportunity for savvy HVAC contractors of all sizes to get a jump on their competitors. 

The NEWS' editor-in-chief traveled to Texas and had the opportunity to sit down with Doug Young, COO and president, Lennox Intl. Inc., the day before Young participated in the ACCA CEO Forum. Young provided a general overview of the surging HVAC industry during the discussion.

Industry figures are estimates that are derived from the best available figures supplied by a sample of AHRI member companies. 

Across the country, manufacturers and contractors are coming together to find zoning solutions that increase efficiency and comfort for consumers. The following zoning projects provide a telling showcase for zoning and the benefits it can provide within the HVAC marketplace.

In March, the EPA approved several low-GWP hydrocarbon refrigerants for use in refrigeration and air conditioning applications, subject to use conditions. The approval drew a mixture of reactions ranging from support to concern.

Thermostats and controls are at the forefront of the connected home charge, and homeowners or facility managers may now control the climates within individual rooms from a million miles away, courtesy of their mobile devices.

For many seasoned HVAC contractors, the initial sales pitch when selling zoning to consumers can be as simple as a quick question-and-answer session. The unfortunate reality for zoning, however, remains that, for now, it’s still a relatively niche aspect of the HVAC industry as zoning is installed on less than 3 percent of HVAC systems. 

He acknowledges the proposed compliance requirements are not feasible and would cause considerable harm, result in economic job losses, and may increase — not decrease — risks to the American public. Whitfield said this opinion was the consensus of the most affected industries, including the air conditioning and refrigeration sectors.

In this article, I would like to keep the momentum going by tackling the critical issue of what steps trade schools should be taking to educate and train our industry’s future technicians and installers so they can hit the ground running as soon as they graduate.