Articles by Joanna R. Turpin

Sales of HVAC equipment were somewhat flat in 2015, according to AHRI, which reported year-to-date combined U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps decreased by 0.6 percent, and shipments of gas warm air furnaces increased 2.9 percent. 

According to HVAC manufacturers, customers are looking for highly efficient furnaces that shave dollars off their utility bills while providing the best possible levels of comfort. As a result, most furnaces displayed at the AHR Expo were designed to meet these market demands.

When it comes to figuring out what the market demands in a boiler, it usually comes down to the highest efficiencies possible along with advances in control technology. Indeed, efficiency and advanced control technologies were on display for most of the boilers introduced at the AHR Expo.

Numerous types of radiant products were on display at the AHR Expo, including heating, cooling, and snow melt systems. And, exhibiting manufacturers were all focused on touting the energy efficiency, sustainability, and safety benefits of their products.

Reducing energy consumption is a goal of commercial building owners and managers, and the way to do that is to take an overall systems approach when designing HVAC systems.

Due to volatility in the energy market, ducted air-source heat pumps remain a hot commodity with sales hitting a peak of almost 2.4 million units in 2014. 

GHPs may not often be a consumer’s first choice for heating and cooling, but many contractors remain dedicated to the technology, and they’re still finding consumers who want GHPs — even in areas where their benefits are not known as well.

Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) have been around for a long time, but recent technological advances have propelled these systems into a new sphere of efficiency and comfort.

As customer interest in geothermal has increased, numerous HVAC contractors have begun offering GHPs as a way to expand their businesses and give their customers another energy-efficient HVAC option. But, while many of these contractors have undergone extensive training and took the time to properly design and install their GHP systems, others may not have been so careful. 

Emerson Climate Technologies asked 1,500 U.S. homeowners about the most important features they consider when purchasing air conditioning and heating systems, as well as what typifies a high degree of satisfaction with their HVAC contractors. They also asked about factors that might prevent someone from buying a new HVAC system if they own an older, more problem-prone system.