Very soon manufacturers will have to abide by the 13 SEER standard. Even though the standard has required manufacturers to redesign their lines, develop new products, and reconfigure their factories, most state they are excited about the changes.
With energy prices soaring and a savvier public, some builders are realizing that consumers want higher-efficiency heating and cooling equipment, as well as other HVAC options. A home builder in Colorado recently offered high-end equipment in a spec, although custom, home.
The higher fuel costs expected this winter are definitely not good news for the consumer, who will be in for a nasty surprise when the first utility bills of the winter arrive. This is a good time, though, for contractors to talk with customers about the benefits of high-efficiency furnaces.
While there is no way to control the high cost of gasoline, contractors are looking for ways to compensate for high fuel prices. Installing global positioning systems (GPS) on service trucks has become one tool that many contractors are using to decrease fuel consumption.
Whenever a homeowner has a coil, air handler, or condensing unit replaced, California's Title 24 now requires duct leak testing and repair, plus third-party verification. The good news is that installation of high-efficiency equipment eliminates the duct sealing requirement and third-party verification.
In much of the United States, A/C systems are still in use, but here at The News, we're already thinking about all the new boilers, furnaces, and heat pumps being offered by manufacturers. It's time for The News' annual Heating Showcase.
It's not very often that you see a sophisticated heating system installed in a storage facility. These types of buildings are usually rather utilitarian. But the specialized Henson storage facility breaks that stereotype.
America's Gilded Age was a time in which truly magnificent houses were constructed along the Eastern seaboard. Originally summer homes, many are now hotels. The latest renovation of the Blantyre involved replacing the original heating system with new boilers and constructing a new spa.
A major restoration of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse has been progressing for the last few years. The historic complex has received much-needed updates, including the installation of a water-source heat pump system to heat and - for the first time ever - cool the building.