The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Exposition (AHR Expo) blew into Chicago on Jan. 23 and provided big crowds, hot topics, and a plethora of new products.
The NEWS reports on new products found by our editors at the recent AHR Expo in Chicago. Products are listed in alphabetical order within each category.
The goal of Energy Star is to help consumers save money and protect the environment through the use of energy-efficient products. The HVAC products shown here have earned the Energy Star label by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines, which Energy Star states will enhance the comfort of a home while saving energy.
Although the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its final rule establishing regional standards for air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces last October, the fight is not over yet. Both the Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) have filed petitions to intervene through the United States Court of Appeals against the DOE.
How much HCFC-22 will be available to contractors in 2012 is an unanswered question as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers a faster phaseout of HCFCs. The EPA began the year by issuing a proposal called Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Adjustments to the Allowance System for Controlling HCFC Production, Import, and Export.
HVAC contractors are embracing Energy Star for New Homes Version 3, with many noting that even though they must now become certified to participate in the program its stricter guidelines improve quality, reduce callbacks, and raise the bar for the industry.
This year will bring plenty of changes to the Energy Star program, including implementation of Version 3 of its New Homes program. Most of the new guidelines became mandatory on Jan. 1. The rest kick in after July 1.
Members of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) will travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in March to not only enjoy some fun in the sun, but more importantly learn how to improve their businesses and navigate the challenges for the coming year.
HCFC-22 may not have been historically a refrigeration refrigerant, but it sure has been high on the minds of those wholesalers who deal with a lot of refrigeration products.
Comfort Supply, a Nashville-based wholesaler of Ruud HVAC products, has teamed up with KB Watson Enterprises to provide contractors with a suite of cloud-based calculators designed to simplify the most common tasks performed by HVAC comfort advisors, system designers, installers, and service technicians.
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