Energate Inc., a provider of interactive energy management solutions, announced a new partnership with Stream, a provider of connected services, to supply programmable communicating thermostats (PCT) and in-home displays (IHD) to up to 30,000 eligible Texas customers.

While thermostats have been around for decades, the latest technology advancements have only just begun to gain traction, noted Navigant Research.

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.

High-end furnaces are an important part of the whole-house comfort solution and can help HVAC contractors set themselves apart from their competition.

After only a handful of years in existence, the market for smart thermostats is now poised for growth, says Navigant Research. This market is being driven by the advent of a range of innovative devices and software that appeal to a variety of customer segments, particularly in North America and Europe.

First introduced in the late 2000s, smart thermostat technology has only recently gained real traction among customers, says Navigant Research. During the last year, the market for communicating and smart thermostats has expanded rapidly, with new offerings from several high-profile providers.

The NEWS honors the 2014 Dealer Design Award winners in the Residential Controls (Including Zoning) category.