The COVID-19 pandemic that’s sweeping its way around the world is an unprecedented crisis. In addition to the danger it poses to public health everywhere, it’s also causing massive economic disruption. No business owner could have anticipated these developments, but they are offering us all a lesson in the importance of creating safe and healthy […]
Just like a well-functioning cardiovascular system is a sign of a healthy body, a well-functioning HVAC system is a sign of a healthy home. But beyond the mechanical equipment used in that system—such as the furnace and air conditioner—ductwork plays a more significant role than some realize. There’s no shortage of rules to follow when […]
For decades, innovation in the HVAC industry has revolved around improving equipment—making it more efficient, more eco-friendly, and smarter. Even ducting, vents, and caps have undergone precision engineering to ensure peak performance. But there could be a new area of innovation in the HVAC industry. Recently, a new business model for HVAC manufacturers and service […]
Opportunity is knocking for HVAC professionals and where it’s coming from might surprise you: Zoned heating and air conditioning systems. To be sure, forced air zoning is anything but a new concept. In fact, it’s been around since the 1960s. But the last several years has seen consumer demand for zoned HVAC systems grow by […]
Another year has wrapped at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), with the latest innovations on display teasing about the next big breakthroughs in everything from self-driving cars to smart home crossovers. If you’re an HVAC specialist, CES is an opportunity to take stock of coming trends and get a sneak peek at how yours might […]
If you haven’t noticed already, the new construction industry has been undergoing some transformative changes over the past few years. From drones to machine learning to virtual reality, the widespread adoption of new technology by forward-thinking construction companies has made planning more precise and processes more efficient. Put another way: Professionals in the new construction […]
In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, refrigerant standards for air conditioners are evolving yet again. But unlike the previous transition away from R-22 refrigerants, the next transition is a little murkier. What will the new standards be? When will they be implemented? Will they require operators to receive new training? Are there safety […]
It’s hard to believe the first official day of autumn is a couple of weeks away. Soon the leaves will start to change colors and fall. The days will grow cooler and shorter. And, as HVAC specialists know, indoor air quality or IAQ, will start to degrade and deteriorate. Yes, as windows and doors in […]
Ask any homeowner who’s gone through a major flood or water leak in their home and they’ll likely tell the same horror story: In addition to the high cost of repairs and cleanup, insurance deductibles skyrocket after water damage claims. Fortunately, there are smart products aimed, not only at warning of leaks but actually stopping […]
It’s the height of summer and most of North America is sweating away under intense heat, so let’s talk about cooling things down. Way, way down. More specifically, let’s talk about an essential skill every HVAC specialist likely doesn’t think twice about: His or her ability to properly size an air conditioning system. Before reading […]
Turn on the news and you’re likely to see a story about extreme weather. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and heat waves have become the norm, not the exception. Which is one reason that air conditioning is such a pressing topic. As temperatures rise in many areas of the world, more people will be looking to cool […]
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 […]
It’s no secret that traditional hot water tanks and systems are big-time energy hogs. According to Environment Canada, they account for 19% of the energy used in a typical home, and 8% of the energy used in a typical commercial setting. But what will those numbers look like in five years? What will they look […]
“Run it until it breaks.” For decades, this has been the way many business owners manage their HVAC equipment. They’ll happily let their heating and air conditioning units, or commercial fridges and freezers, deteriorate over the course of years even to the point of requiring replacement. If you’re an HVAC company, this presents a […]
Did you know that right now, raccoons all over North America are hunkering down in attics and crawl spaces to give birth and raise their young? It might not seem like the kind of factoid an HVAC specialist should know, but it is. Every year, pests of all kinds find their way into the warm […]
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 […]
With spring in the air and summer on the horizon, perhaps you’re daydreaming about hitting the beach, mixing margaritas, and building sandcastles this summer, right? Unfortunately, this year, the onset of summer in North America will likely mean another round of intense wildfires, and that has major implications for HVAC technicians when they prepare to […]
If you’re an HVAC technician, you’ve heard it again and again: “This room never fully heats up or cools down.” It’s one of the most common complaints homeowners and building managers make about their HVAC systems, and the solution might be simpler than you think. Check the registers When responding to one of these calls […]
One of the most common complaints customers make about HVAC systems is the noise they generate. Sometimes it indicates a problem that needs fixing, such as a broken blower wheel or check valve, but most of the time it’s a result of normal operation. Business owners and commercial building managers are the most likely to […]