November 20 2023 Issue

This issue of The ACHR NEWS offers opinions as to why mandating high-efficiency furnaces will limit consumer choice, debates if the current HVAC trade school model is sustainable, showcases new equipment designed to accommodate low-GWP refrigerants, details the benefits of high-end HVAC equipment, compares and contrasts electric and hydronic radiant heat equipment, details HVAC capillary tubes, provides guidance on refrigerant leaks, and more. This issue also includes our Distribution Trends supplement, which details the upcoming HARDI Annual Conference and much more.

Check back throughout the week for additional content.

Mandating High-Efficiency Furnaces Will Limit Consumer Choice, Critics in HVAC Industry Say

Furnace Rule ‘Doesn’t Pencil Out’

Matt Jachman

October 30, 2023

Residential gas furnaces must all have a minimum AFUE of 95% beginning in five years. Some in the HVAC industry say the new Department of Energy rule will ultimately hurt homeowners.

HVAC Educators Grade the Trade School Model

Traditional HVAC trade schools must evolve with the times

Herb Woerpel

November 9, 2023

Regardless of the teaching profession’s demands and challenges, many HVACR instructors continue to instruct because of their unconditional love for the trades and desire to prepare the industry’s next generation.

Innovative Technologies In Low-GWP Refrigeration Systems

Manufacturers are offering new solutions to meet regulatory — and end-user — demands

Joanna R. Turpin

November 21, 2023

Manufacturers have been preparing for the transition to low-GWP refrigerants for a number of years and are now introducing a wide range of innovative commercial refrigeration technologies.

Bosch IDS Premium Connected Heat Pump System

Cashing In on High-End HVAC Equipment

Homeowners looking for more from their systems can find it with these products

Matt Jachman

November 13, 2023

These seven products from major manufacturers offer extras in terms of efficiency, comfort, and ease of installation and servicing.

Radiant Heating Systems Deliver Comfort, Regardless of the Energy Source

HVAC contractors and end users should consider radiant heating systems as more than niche solutions

Herb Woerpel

November 20, 2023

When considering radiant heating options, installers and homeowners are learning that using both hydronic and electric sources may be the best of both worlds.

Hasty Heat Pump Installations Could Lead To Headaches

Heat pumps can be a great option – when applied and installed correctly

Joanna R. Turpin

October 27, 2023

With the rush to install heat pumps across the U.S., industry experts are concerned that they may not be installed correctly.

All You Need To Know About HVAC Capillary Tubes, Part 1

Sizing these cost-effective metering devices is crucial to system performance

John Tomczyk

December 9, 2019

Most systems employing capillary tubes as metering devices do not require high-side receivers, which add to cost savings.

Preventing Leaks In Refrigeration Systems

Refrigerant is expensive, so be on the lookout for potential leaks

Joe Marchese

November 21, 2023

While servicing equipment, technicians should be on the lookout for sources of potential future leaks, as well as follow good service practices to prevent creating leaks.

Contractors and Transparent Online Pricing

Contractor Pro Homeowner Series

Contractors Reap the Benefits of Transparent Online Pricing

The decision to publish pricing online is a complex one for HVAC contractors that unearths numerous questions

Herb Woerpel

October 3, 2023

A recent survey conducted by ClearSeas Research and The ACHR NEWS revealed that 71% of homeowners are more likely to call an HVAC contractor that includes pricing on its website.

Project Files: Episode 64 — Flame-Free Retrofit at Smithsonian Vault

RLS press fittings joined HVACR lines in museum’s cold storage

Maria Taylor

November 3, 2023

Press fittings took flame out of the equation in an HVAC project conducted near fragile books from the Middle Ages.

HARDI Heading to Phoenix for Annual Conference

Organizers say Ascend conference will help distributors thrive amid change, challenges

Matt Jachman

November 16, 2023

The conference will offer six keynote speakers, meals, breakout sessions on a variety of topics, socializing and networking, and opportunities to meet with suppliers and representatives of businesses that support distributors.

The Distributor as a Contractor’s Partner

Helping boost service department profitability can win business with contractors

Darrell Sterling

November 25, 2023

Service technicians typically feel that their employers are making a ton of money in the service department, and that they charge too much for their services, when in reality the opposite may be true.

HVAC Counter Talk

M&A Supply’s Anderson Says HVACR is in a Good Place Despite its Labor Woes

Thriving in Tough Times

Matt Jachman

November 23, 2023

Cory Anderson took the presidency of M&A Supply in the spring of 2020, an especially challenging time. He reflected on that, and on the state of the HVACR industry, during a recent conversation.

HVAC Veteran Remembered for Artistic Side, Love of Outdoors

October 11, 2023

After working in the textile industry, Kimble found his calling in the HVAC industry. He worked for several companies, finishing up his career with 18 years at Jackson Systems & Supply.

Dakota Supply Breaks Ground for Iowa Facility

November 13, 2023

The planned 30,000-square-foot facility is expected to open next year.

Republic Opens New Distribution, Training Complex

October 12, 2023

The event attracted nearly 100 mechanical and electrical contractors from the surrounding area, opening the door for new business avenues both for Republic and its manufacturer partners.

Six Steps to Smoothly Transition to A2L Refrigerants

The move from HFCs to A2Ls is bringing us from a nonflammable refrigerant to a mildly flammable one

Matt Serdar

August 17, 2023

Starting next year, HFC production will be cut by 40% and the transition to A2L in manufacturing will be nearly complete.

Hudson Technologies Joins Cool Coalition

October 6, 2023

The Cool Coalition is a global network of participants from government, cities, international organizations, businesses, finance, academia, and civil society to facilitate knowledge exchange, advocacy, and joint action toward a transition to efficient, climate-friendly cooling.

Commercial Contractor Hobbs Makes Several Acquisitions

October 10, 2023

“We are thrilled to take an important next step in our growth journey, with support from MDP, as we build upon our capabilities for customers and enhance our relationships with manufacturers across different regions throughout the country,” said Hobbs CEO Brad Hobbs.

Cambridge Air Solutions Marks 60th Anniversary

November 7, 2023

Cambridge Air Solutions was founded as Cambridge Engineering in 1963 by brothers Jack and Fred Kramer, then rebranded in 2020.

LG, University of Alaska Team Up on Heat Pump Research

November 6, 2023

The partnership is intended to facilitate collaboration among LG innovators, university researchers, local industry, and government agencies to help drive market transformation through research on heat pump technology and electrification.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - November 20, 2023

November 20, 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.

In this webinar, we'll walk you through exactly what to get in place before you add AI to your business. You'll leave with a clear picture of where you stand today and a practical action plan to set yourself up for real results.

ACHR NEWS

2023 November 20

Cover Story

Mandating High-Efficiency Furnaces Will Limit Consumer Choice, Critics in HVAC Industry Say

HVAC Educators Grade the Trade School Model

Feature Articles

Innovative Technologies In Low-GWP Refrigeration Systems

Cashing In on High-End HVAC Equipment

Radiant Heating Systems Deliver Comfort, Regardless of the Energy Source

Hasty Heat Pump Installations Could Lead To Headaches

All You Need To Know About HVAC Capillary Tubes, Part 1

Preventing Leaks In Refrigeration Systems

Contractors Reap the Benefits of Transparent Online Pricing

Project Files: Episode 64 — Flame-Free Retrofit at Smithsonian Vault

Distribution Trends

HARDI Heading to Phoenix for Annual Conference

The Distributor as a Contractor’s Partner

M&A Supply’s Anderson Says HVACR is in a Good Place Despite its Labor Woes

HVAC Veteran Remembered for Artistic Side, Love of Outdoors

Dakota Supply Breaks Ground for Iowa Facility

Republic Opens New Distribution, Training Complex

Columns

Six Steps to Smoothly Transition to A2L Refrigerants

Newsline

Hudson Technologies Joins Cool Coalition

Commercial Contractor Hobbs Makes Several Acquisitions

Cambridge Air Solutions Marks 60th Anniversary

LG, University of Alaska Team Up on Heat Pump Research

FYI

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - November 20, 2023

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