March 6 2023 Issue

In this issue of The ACHR NEWS, we provide contractors with some of the biggest manufacturer news from the 2023 AHR Expo, which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, Feb. 6-8. HVACR manufacturers discussed recent trends across the industry, covering everything from heat pumps to the refrigerant transition and more, while showcasing new products and innovations. Also in this issue: Chat GPT for contractors, combustion gas "personalities," and HVAC sting operations.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

AHR Expo 2023 Draws Big Crowd in Atlanta

Kyle Gargaro

March 6, 2023

In what could be the last time the AHR Expo is held in Atlanta, the event saw a drastic uptick in attendees from the event last year in Las Vegas.

Residential Heating Scene Shows Mix of Cold Climate Heat Pumps, Furnaces

Manufacturers see dual fuel as a way to bridge the electrification transition

Maria Taylor

February 27, 2023

Cold climate heat pumps were on full display on the AHR show floor and manufacturers were eager to share their progress reports in the Department of Energy’s CCHP Challenge.

Heat Pumps Dominate Residential Cooling Scene at AHR

Focus shifts from a/cs to heat pumps; new products align with IRA tax credits

Maria Taylor

February 28, 2023

In the realm of residential cooling, two trends popped out at the 2023 AHR Expo: the new federal tax credits and heat pumps.

Emerson White-Rodgers Furnace Ignition Module

Today’s Residential HVAC Controls Are Smarter Than Ever

Smart thermostats give homeowners, contractors ultimate monitoring

Matt Jachman

March 1, 2023

Programmable thermostats that can be accessed through an internet device are old hat. Here are just a few of the residential HVAC controls products featured at the Georgia World Congress Center, the host venue for this year’s Expo.

Homes, Buildings Going Ductless

With newer products, ductless manufacturers are ready for a market boom

Matt Jachman

March 2, 2023

Major manufacturers are betting that ductless HVAC is catching on in the U.S.

Commercial Controls and Building Automation: Advancing It All

Advancing controls and building automation means providing less solutions, with more capabilities than ever

Hannah Belloli-Oster

March 3, 2023

Trends at this year’s AHR Expo within commercial controls and building automation were improving energy efficiency, making buildings more adaptable, streamlining workflow to make things easier for HVACR contractors, and a greater emphasis on cybersecurity and digitization.

Low-GWP Refrigerants Take Center Stage

New solutions are designed to replace R-410A, R-134a, and others

Joanna R. Turpin

March 5, 2023

Refrigerant manufacturers highlighted their low-GWP refrigerants for both air conditioning and refrigeration applications at the 2023 AHR Expo.

Boilers: There’s an App For That

Smart, connected boiler controls are part of the green energy transition

Maria Taylor

March 14, 2023

Connectivity was the top trend among boiler manufacturers at this year’s AHR Expo.

New Rooftops Meet DOE Energy Standards and More

Many recently launched units also achieve decarbonization, electrification, and IAQ goals

Joanna R. Turpin

March 16, 2023

Manufacturers were eager to show off their latest energy-efficient RTUs, many of which can also be used to meet building owners’ decarbonization and electrification goals.

Pandemic Drives Era of Residential IAQ Awareness

Building resiliency, decarbonization, balanced ventilation, and UVC among the top trends

Layan Dahhan

March 15, 2023

The global pandemic caused many people to reevaluate how they had been living their lives, and when it came to life at home, indoor air quality (IAQ) became a top priority.

Software: Digitize, Digitize, Digitize

Software manufacturers look for more opportunities to connect, communicate

Hannah Belloli-Oster

March 17, 2023

Since software can already do so much, manufacturers at this year’s AHR Expo focused on how to expand what can be digitized and how AI can be utilized in order to save contractor’s time and simplify the process.

Tools/Test Instruments: Getting Connected

Safer, more digital, smart tools with Bluetooth connectivity that are ready for A2L refrigerant regulations among top trends at this year’s AHR Expo

Hannah Belloli-Oster

March 10, 2023

Contractors are seeking tools that are equipped to handle A2L refrigerants, offer Bluetooth and wireless compatibility, operate efficiently, save the user time, and are safe to utilize.

Humidification and Dehumidification Bring Wellness and Comfort

Manufacturers focus on making air comfortable in the aftermath of the pandemic

Layan Dahhan

March 11, 2023

Comfortable, clean air. That’s what end users on both the residential and commercial sides are looking for in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Filters, DOAS, and Portable Units Contribute to Commercial IAQ

New technology, developments help make air cleaner for occupants

Layan Dahhan

March 15, 2023

Whether it is through the use of high-level filtration, UV lights, or other technology, manufacturers have been using the increased awareness of IAQ to their advantage, designing products to meet these new demands.

Gear Up! Having the Right Equipment Can Make the Difference in HVACR Installations

HVACR isn’t all about compressors and condensers, heat pumps, and higher-efficiency furnaces

Matt Jachman

March 12, 2023

Here’s a sampling of what the staff of The ACHR NEWS found at the exhibits of several companies whose products support and supply the men and women who design, build, and install heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems.

Compressors Help Energy Users Achieve Their Sustainability Goals

Decarbonization, low-GWP refrigerants, and energy efficiency were highlighted on the show floor

Joanna R. Turpin

March 9, 2023

End users are looking for more from their systems than just reliable cooling; they also want sustainable equipment that features better energy efficiency and low-GWP solutions. Several compressor manufacturers have happily obliged.

Refrigeration Solutions Featured at AHR Expo

New equipment and components were on display at this annual HVACR event

Joanna R. Turpin

March 18, 2023

At the AHR Expo, refrigeration manufacturers displayed their latest equipment and components that are geared toward the commercial refrigeration market.

Energy Savings, New Technology, Incentives: The Market for Geothermal is Heating Up

With renewed incentives, geothermal heating and cooling systems are now poised to meet the moment

Matt Jachman

March 8, 2023

Though geothermal systems can cost several times more than traditional HVAC units, the energy savings may be substantial.

ChatGPT Could Be the ‘Write’ Choice for HVACR Contractors

The free AI language model can help improve customer service, as well as train technicians

Joanna R. Turpin

January 31, 2023

AI is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including business, healthcare, education — and HVACR.

Five Combustion Gas Characteristics You May Recognize

David Richardson

January 10, 2023

It’s our job to control different combustion gases to prevent them from causing harm. Likewise, we also must focus on recognizing and improving the parts of our personality that may make us toxic to others.

The NEWSMakers Podcast: 14-Year-Old Plumber Turned HVAC Business Owner

Hannah Belloli-Oster

February 23, 2023

In the latest episode of The NEWSMakers podcast, The NEWS’ business management editor Hannah Belloli is joined by Ray Landry, owner and president of Landry Mechanical in Millbury Massachusetts.

February 27, 2023 NEWSRoom: Surplus Equipment, NY Decarbonization Plan, Slowing Sales, HVAC Opportunities

Layan Dahhan

February 27, 2023

Catch up on the latest headlines in this episode of the ACHR NEWSRoom.

Facts + Figures: AHRI Shipment Data for December 2022

February 15, 2023

Industry figures are estimates that are derived from the best available figures supplied by a sample of AHRI member companies.

HVAC Contractors Should Stay Wary of Stings

It’s springtime, which means sting time

Matt Michel

March 4, 2023

While HVAC, like any profession, is not corruption free, it is neither corruption riddled. A sting of one contractor damages all contractors.

HVAC Tactical Works to Change Industry Mindset

Founder of HVAC swag brand uses social media to empower “the guys (and gals) in the trenches”

Dan Vastyan

March 2, 2023

As HVAC Tactical gained traction across social media, Founder Ben Poole realized that the brand had potential to do what he really wanted: create a community that could change the prevailing mindset within the HVAC trade.

Taco’s AHR Press Conference Honors John Hazen White III

Hydronics giant presents his family with 2023 Dan Holohan Award

Maria Taylor

February 7, 2023

Taco Comfort Solutions presented the Dan Holohan Lifetime Contribution to Comfort Award to John Hazen White III’s wife to honor him after his sudden passing in November 2022.

AHR Hosts Innovation Awards, Announces Product of the Year

Cielo’s Breez Max smart thermostat wins Product of the Year

Layan Dahhan

February 7, 2023

At the AHR Expo's Innovation Award winners ceremony, 10 manufacturers were given awards for their innovative products, a donation was gifted to The Atlanta College and Career Academy, and the Product of the Year was announced.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

For your information news briefs from a wide variety of categories within the HVAC industry. Price increases, mergers and acquisitions, award winners, and more are highlighted here each week.

On Demand As AI workloads and high-density computing push traditional cooling methods to their limits, the data center industry is accelerating the adoption of next-generation HVAC technologies.

ACHR NEWS

2023 March 6

Cover Story

AHR Expo 2023 Draws Big Crowd in Atlanta

Feature Articles

Residential Heating Scene Shows Mix of Cold Climate Heat Pumps, Furnaces

Heat Pumps Dominate Residential Cooling Scene at AHR

Today’s Residential HVAC Controls Are Smarter Than Ever

Homes, Buildings Going Ductless

Commercial Controls and Building Automation: Advancing It All

Low-GWP Refrigerants Take Center Stage

Boilers: There’s an App For That

New Rooftops Meet DOE Energy Standards and More

Pandemic Drives Era of Residential IAQ Awareness

Software: Digitize, Digitize, Digitize

Tools/Test Instruments: Getting Connected

Humidification and Dehumidification Bring Wellness and Comfort

Filters, DOAS, and Portable Units Contribute to Commercial IAQ

Gear Up! Having the Right Equipment Can Make the Difference in HVACR Installations

Compressors Help Energy Users Achieve Their Sustainability Goals

Refrigeration Solutions Featured at AHR Expo

Energy Savings, New Technology, Incentives: The Market for Geothermal is Heating Up

ChatGPT Could Be the ‘Write’ Choice for HVACR Contractors

Five Combustion Gas Characteristics You May Recognize

The NEWSMakers Podcast: 14-Year-Old Plumber Turned HVAC Business Owner

February 27, 2023 NEWSRoom: Surplus Equipment, NY Decarbonization Plan, Slowing Sales, HVAC Opportunities

Facts + Figures: AHRI Shipment Data for December 2022

Columns

HVAC Contractors Should Stay Wary of Stings

Newsline

HVAC Tactical Works to Change Industry Mindset

Taco’s AHR Press Conference Honors John Hazen White III

AHR Hosts Innovation Awards, Announces Product of the Year

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - March 6, 2023

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