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While the geothermal industry is enjoying the growth, many are focused on 2016, when the tax credits are set to expire. The existing tax credit grants a 30 percent incentive for residential projects and 10 percent for commercial projects.

With model building codes mandating tighter and tighter ductwork, and with homeowners and building owners desiring increasingly higher efficiencies from their ducted systems, many new products have hit the market to help builders and installers efficiently and effectively meet those requirements. 

With the ductless market predicted to grow to more than $9 billion by 2020, more and more AHR Expo exhibitors were featuring new, sophisticated ductless solutions on the show floor.

A major push behind energy efficiency has led many manufacturers to create speed-controlled compressors driven by next-generation refrigerants. 

Not only are modulating gas condensing boilers more efficient, but they’re easier to operate, as many come designed with Internet connectivity and controls. In turn, contractors are enjoying the simplified installation procedures and maintenance routines such new-age boilers provide.

The hour-long event focused on a range of topics, from regulatory issues to next-generation building efficiencies related to intelligent equipment to high-efficiency retrofits.

To figure out which efficiency improvements make the most sense, owners usually turn to HVAC professionals to conduct comprehensive energy audits, which are used to thoroughly evaluate existing mechanical systems. While energy audits have traditionally occurred on-site, some firms are offering virtual energy audits.

With today’s technology, it’s possible for a high-performance building to integrate and optimize all its major functions while also ensuring energy efficiency and comfort. Yet, while opportunities abound for HVAC contractors in this niche, many say there are still barriers restricting the growth of high-performance buildings.

The goal of a high-performance building is to optimize its performance and energy use at all times, in all conditions. And, trends in smart controls and system integration are making this goal more achievable than ever before.

A couple of months ago, I addressed the topic of how proper HVAC system design could not guarantee the installed performance of a system. Since that article, I have received a number of emails requesting I go into further detail about the measurements I mentioned and how to verify the installed performance of a system.