HVAC Commercial Market

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The baffling element of the Omnibus spending bill passed by Congress in December 2015 was the lawmakers’ decision to extend residential and commercial tax credits for solar photovoltaics and big wind through 2021, while allowing similar incentives for ground source heat pumps and other “orphaned” technologies to die on the vine.

We recently calculated that an energy-intensive manufacturer could achieve about 80 percent of its targeted energy savings just through HVAC optimization. To achieve results like that, though, facility managers must ensure the equipment operates efficiently at all times and in all situations.

A one-paragraph, simple overview of the basic CHP approach reads like this: A building’s (or campus’) system uses fuel to make its own electricity, and then it applies the waste heat from that process toward its HVAC needs.

It is difficult to imagine a city running out of water, but it’s no longer impossible. Water conservation is getting more important in the U.S., and HVAC systems on a large scale represent a chance to make an impact (or not).

That landmark in geothermal history was eventually followed by the Commonwealth Building in Portland, Oregon, which became the first commercial building in the U.S. to employ a geothermal system for heating and cooling.

HFCs were created to take the place of HCFCs, but they, too, are being targeted for a phasedown and are likely to be replaced by HFO blends.

HVAC contracting companies already have an uphill battle since there is a somewhat less than honorable stigma associated with the trade. However, many have managed to establish solid, trustworthy reputations in their service areas.

These actions have increased the prices of sheet metal and aluminum, among other items, and they seem to be having a trickle-down effect for commercial HVACR contractors.