If you took a look at your current water heater, there’s a great chance it’s an open-combustion unit. While these are the most common among households, they may not be the most efficient or the safest. Open-Combustion Water Heaters vs. Sealed Combustion Water Heaters An open-combustion water heater draws air from the space around the […]
Around the world, air conditioning in homes and offices has emerged as one of the biggest drivers of energy usage. In fact, according to a report from the IEA, that energy demand is set to triple by 2050, which would require “new electricity capacity the equivalent to the combined electricity capacity of the United States, […]
The biggest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions isn’t cars but buildings. Housing is responsible for about 54% of GHG while transportation releases about 42%. According to a government of Australia paper, a typical HVAC system accounts for approximately 40% of total building consumption. In the coming years, energy efficiency will become more important to […]
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) have been around for a while, with the vast majority of consumers showing little interest. Until recently, it’s been easy to see why: HPWHs are significantly more expensive than conventional gas or electric water heaters, and the potential cost savings can be hard to communicate. But all of that […]
For as long as people have been heating and cooling their homes, there’s been a complicated relationship between energy loss and indoor air quality (IAQ). In fact, conventional wisdom dictates the two are more or less always at-odds: The more efficient a building is, the poorer the IAQ is. Right? Well, not quite. It’s true […]
For nearly a decade, the global HVAC industry has been experiencing a steady boom. In fact, the industry has grown every year since 2011, and that trend is expected to continue through 2019 and beyond. Analysts are predicting 9% growth for 2019 with more than $70 billion in additional revenue over the coming years. What’s […]
Your customers probably don’t worry about the integrity of their building envelope, but they might about their energy bills. When you’re installing a new HVAC system or performing maintenance tasks, consider the need for efficient wall vents or windows. How do windows and wall systems support a healthy building envelope and an energy-efficient home? The […]
With real estate at a premium, every square inch of indoor environment is worth more to your customers. Ductwork can eat into living space so innovative space-saving features like squeeze elbows are in demand. Ceiling diffusers can help route vents to alternative locations avoiding lengths of ductwork. The majority of ducts are installed in unconditioned […]
Energy efficiency and resident comfort are critical to the success of your HVAC business. Installing the right equipment, providing sufficient ventilation and protecting the building’s rainscreen are a good start, but you also need to balance the HVAC system. If you plan to grow your HVAC business, consider adding air balancing to your suite of […]
Your customers want more control over their household temperature and their energy bill, and they want the highest quality HVAC system their money can buy. That means more than smart thermostats and top-grade heating and cooling units, ducts and vents. It means an HVAC design that makes sense for their needs. In many cases, they […]
Did you know the same technology providing a stunning prop in the half-time entertainment at the Super Bowl can also be used to inspect rooftop HVAC systems, intake and exhaust vents, and many other elements of the health and energy efficiency of a building? As regulations evolve and drones become less expensive, you’ll see more […]
As the world’s attention turns to energy efficiency, HVAC installers who know their stuff will be in high demand. If you know what’s trending in equipment, you can help your customers score well with popular certification programs. This means you’ll be busy all year! Make sure you know what to look for in fittings to […]
Your customers want to reduce their energy bills. For owners and operators of large residential and commercial buildings, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC could be the way to go. The benefits of VRF include energy efficiency, improved comfort and integration with smart technology, but it’s not ideal for every project. In contrast to air conditioning […]
A green certification program called BREEAM was recently introduced in the U.S. If you’re a HVAC installer in North America, get to know the program, as chances are you’ll encounter a project seeking BREEAM certification. This building endorsement requires careful design of the HVAC system as well as the use of top grade equipment, from […]
Can you help your customers choose an HVAC system that integrates seamlessly and takes advantage of available energy efficiency and monitoring capabilities? Integration is a key trend in the HVAC industry. It refers to HVAC and other building systems like lighting and security that are part of a single automation system. Yes, we’re talking about […]
The first half of 2016 was the hottest six months on record since we began recording temperatures 137 years ago. With these record-breaking temperatures, it’s no surprise that building energy efficiency standards are being revised to mitigate global warming. Anyone installing HVAC needs to familiarize themselves with standards, and right now this is especially true […]
There’s been a lot of talk lately about net-zero energy (NZE) homes but what exactly are they? The idea is they generate enough energy to offset the amount they use. But most homes are unable to produce that much, so most of the equation is based on energy conservation. This means the house must be […]