Articles by Kimberly Schwartz

Some in the industry have described ASHRAE Standard 90.1 as a complex standard, yet chiller experts say the shift in the standard to a more holistic view of chiller efficiency is the right direction for the industry.

New company owners must be able to grasp certain business fundamentals and develop a support network they can rely on when they’re just starting out.

Few things make an honest contractor’s blood boil like hearing homeowners’ stories about how they’ve been scammed in the past. “All of it, just the total thievery and tactics, makes me sick,” said Dave Hutchins, owner and president of Bay Area Air Conditioning, Crystal River, Florida.

As the HVAC industry faces increasing regulatory pressure, the effects of new efficiency and environmental standards are impacting compressors.

Just as the human body must be regularly checked to ensure the heart is working properly, so, too, must HVAC equipment. 

There are a variety of OEMs and independent remanufacturers offering remanufactured compressors, but it’s clear there are vast differences in the quality of the end product.

While a busy summer season can bring increased business and profits, it can also mean long hours and tough conditions for employees.

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.

ASHRAE is committed to improving the efficiency of the built environment. That commitment is best exhibited through ASHRAE’s standards, which, through constant improvement, continue to raise the bar for building efficiency.