HVAC Industry News

The widespread adoption of battery energy storage systems (BESS) serves as an enabling technology for the radical transformation of how the world generates and consumes electricity, as the paradigm shifts from a centralized grid delivering one-way power flow from large-scale fossil fuel plants to new approaches that are cleaner and renewable, and more flexible, resilient, distributed, and cost-effective. The dramatic growth of the electric vehicle market has accelerated the adoption of stationa...

Understanding the lifespan of commercial HVAC systems is essential for business owners and facility managers. Service lives vary significantly based on factors such as maintenance practices, usage patterns, and other critical influences. The typical lifespan of commercial HVAC systems ranges from 10 to 25 years. This wide range is due to various factors that can either extend or shorten the equipment’s life. Regular maintenance and proper use are key to maximizing these systems’ li...

When the sweltering heat of an Oklahoma summer descends upon Tulsa, the importance of a fully functional air conditioning system becomes undeniably clear. In a region where temperatures can soar well above the 90-degree mark, having an efficient and reliable cooling system is crucial for the comfort and well-being of homes and businesses alike. Unfortunately, air conditioning systems can be prone to malfunctions, often leading to unexpected breakdowns that leave residents and commercial entiti...

AirNow.gov is the primary resource in the United States for up-to-date measurements of air quality. It’s part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) index for reporting air quality conditions all across the country. While this is an extremely helpful resource, it is focused on general conditions across large regions and may miss or ignore hyperlocal conditions near the home, which may be far away from the nearest monitor. Local air quality can be impacted by things...

It’s estimated that air pollution is responsible for more than 6.5 million deaths annually. Unhealthy air causes issues in every area of the world, and one of the most important parts of fighting this trend is to accurately monitor and report air quality levels in a timely manner. Pollutants like smog and wildfire smoke are easy to see, but sometimes airborne dangers aren’t so easy to detect on the local or regional levels. In those situations, some air quality monitoring organ...

Spring in Colorado brings not only beautiful blooms but also the challenges of high pollen counts and unpredictable weather patterns. For homeowners, this means ensuring that their HVAC systems are ready to tackle the changing conditions while maintaining indoor comfort and air quality. These essential tips will be helpful in preparing the HVAC for Colorado’s spring season. Air Filters An HVAC air filter prevents dirt and debris from damaging the internal components An HVAC air filter...

Colorado’s spring winds are formidable, capable of unsettling both homes and their vital HVAC systems. Even though these winds are a welcome sign of warmer weather to come, it’s best to prepare for their arrival and take proper precautions to ensure that the HVAC system is safe from potential damage. Spring Winds During the spring, the jet stream shifts from its winter to summer location, causing windy conditions. For some unknown reason, it is powerful in Colorado. Increased Str...

How is a kid’s school doing when it comes to air quality? Some evidence suggests that an increasing number of schools across the country are applying for and receiving funding to improve their air systems. But progress has been slow, and some schools aren’t taking full advantage of the opportunity to help students and staff in the long term. Healthy indoor air has a range of benefits, especially in schools. With increased ventilation in classrooms, fewer children suffer from th...

In January 2023, the Biden administration announced renewed efforts to combat air pollution and improve air quality protections across the United States. Alongside important steps people can take on an individual level to create a Healthy Home environment, this action by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is crucial in ensuring everyone has access to Healthy Air. One area of focus for the new regulations is soot pollution. Dangers of Soot Soot is most often the result of burning f...

Preventative commercial plumbing maintenance involves regularly scheduled checks on the building’s pipes, drains, water heaters, and other essential components. Restaurants, hotels, industrial plants, and healthcare facilities rely on plumbing to operate smoothly, making routine maintenance necessary. Failing to maintain these systems can result in costly repairs or operational downtime. For instance, an undetected pipe leak in a large office building could lead to structural damage, mol...

Mental health is an important topic that people are learning more about as added attention and funding are given to research and outreach campaigns. One of those efforts is Mental Health Awareness Month, recognized each May with the goal of increasing awareness, understanding, and acceptance of mental health issues. Understanding the causes of mental health problems is a complex process, with focus often given to genetics, isolation, stress, and several other factors. Another area being ex...

With the amount of time spent indoors and the impact that the spaces occupied can have on health, it is more important now than ever to ensure the air in homes and workplaces is as clean as possible. That is where the Project Sustainability Podcast comes in. Project Sustainability Podcast Hosted by a team of experts in sustainability and environmentalism, the Project Sustainability Podcast aims to educate and entertain listeners about a wide range of topics related to the environment...

Nearly every household utilizes an HVAC system to manage and circulate heated or cooled air throughout the home. These systems vary in type. Knowing what components are included with the home’s HVAC system can help ensure one stays on top of preventative or recurring maintenance to protect its performance and longevity. Below is a breakdown of the common HVAC-related terms that every homeowner should know. HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning There are two common ways to he...

Leaky ductwork wastes energy, overworks the HVAC system, drives up costs, and causes poor air circulation—all of which impact one’s business’s comfort and air quality. Now, through a partnership with Georgia Power, eligible small and medium-sized businesses can receive complimentary Aeroseal duct sealing—a proven, non-disruptive solution that seals leaks from the inside. With a proven track record of success in commercial duct sealing worldwide, Aeroseal brings unmatche...

Most Common Air Leak Offenders Bottom plate to subfloor connections – Framing gaps on uneven concrete or wood expansion over time. Duct and plumbing penetrations – Poorly sealed openings where mechanicals pass through walls, floors, and ceilings. Electrical panel and wiring – A major leakage point that gets overlooked. Attic hatches, can lights, and bath fans – Big weak spots that we assume are fine but usually aren’t. Dead spaces behind tubs and fireplaces &...

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy and comfortable home or office environment. Poor air quality can lead to a variety of health issues, including allergies, respiratory problems, and long-term conditions like asthma. Knowing how to test indoor air quality is essential for identifying potential issues and ensuring a safe living or working space. Importance of Air Quality Over time, exposure to poor air quality can cause chronic health problems Indoor air can...

This Earth Day, let’s focus on simple actions everyone can take to save energy and reduce the overall environmental impact. Implementing these tips can lead to significant savings on energy bills and contribute to a healthier planet. Maximize Natural Light Utilize natural light as much as possible. Arrange the workspace near windows and consider using light-colored curtains that allow sunlight to penetrate the home while preserving privacy. Upgrade to LED Lighting If not already switch...

Federal buildings are critical to national security, public service, and disaster response. Yet, many of these essential facilities face an often-overlooked vulnerability — air leakage in ductwork. This weakens HVAC system performance, making buildings more susceptible to disruptions, reduced air quality, and increased maintenance demands. To be truly resilient, federal buildings must maintain operations during extreme weather, power fluctuations, and other unexpected challenges.&nbs...

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical aspect of environmental health that can significantly impact the well-being of inhabitants within residential and commercial spaces. As people spend a substantial amount of their time indoors, particularly in climate-controlled environments, the quality of the air they breathe gains paramount importance. An efficient air conditioning (AC) system plays an essential role in maintaining comfortable temperatures and, ideally, should also promote healthy IAQ.&...

For new construction builders, passing a blower door test is a critical step in meeting energy codes and ensuring that buildings are energy-efficient, comfortable, healthy, and durable. A blower door test measures the air leakage of a building’s envelope, identifying air leaks that can lead to energy waste, higher operating costs, reduced indoor comfort, less indoor air quality, and moisture in the exterior wall. Building envelope sealing solution However, passing this test can be chall...

Artificial intelligence will either add to the burden on their already-strained electrical grid or people can use it to solve their most complex demand optimization problems, paving the way to a secure energy future. The choice is theirs. It is encouraging to see American homes, vehicles, and new industrial facilities moving away from fossil fuels in favor of clean electricity. A less welcome trend is the rapid growth in electricity demand that the power grid is unprepared for. The proliferatio...

Bell & Gossett’s Little Red Schoolhouse, the pioneer in industry education, is bringing its curriculum back to Canada with a two-day hydronics training seminar, to be offered in Toronto. Hosted by Michael Licastro, manager of training and education at Xylem–Bell & Gossett, the two-day Hydronic Training Seminar will take place June 5-6 from 8 to 4 p.m. at the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel and reflects Bell & Gossett's larger Building Better Futures mission of preparing t...

In the continuous evolution of refrigeration technology, heat exchangers play a pivotal role as essential components of refrigeration equipment. In recent years, plate heat exchangers have been increasingly adopted in refrigeration technology, showcasing strong potential for development. Compared to traditional shell-and-tube heat exchangers commonly used in refrigeration, refrigeration-specific plate heat exchangers not only possess the general characteristics of plate heat...

Russell Dean, Residential Product Group Director at Mitsubishi Electric responds to the Prime Minister's speech on net zero. “We welcome the government’s decision to increase the financial support available to households via the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £7,500. This will help offset the cost of installing a heat pump for homeowners ahead of implementing the Future Homes Standard in 2025." transition to heat pumps “Home heating currently accounts for almo...

Following the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) latest Progress Report to Parliament stating the United Kingdom (UK) is falling behind on its building decarbonization goals, Elta Fans have been calling on the building solutions supply chain to utilize available resources, such as TM65 reports and take measures to decarbonize current construction processes. The Climate Change Committee states the industry lacks urgency in its pace of reaching 2050 targets and needs more help to decarbonize...

Ideal Heating’s Engineering Director joined a Humber Business Week panel to discuss how the UK market pioneer is helping companies in its supply chain reduce their carbon footprint. Helen Villamuera said the company has a responsibility to help SMEs in its supply chain understand their carbon emissions and embark on their journey to net zero. She joined a panel of industry experts on the third day of Humber Business Week, at an event run by the Oh Yes! Net Zero initiative. decarbonizatio...

Thursday, 15 June 2023 is Clean Air Day. To mark the occasion, a group of more than 200 doctors and hospital staff from across the United Kingdom (UK) have written to Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak to demand action on air pollution.  Clean air expert - Mark Bouldin at Johnson Controls corroborates this view and stresses the importance of pushing forward government legislation on air quality.  Shedding light on an important issue Mark Bouldin comments, “Clean Air Day is a chance...

The Australian government has unveiled plans for a new ‘net zero authority’ to oversee the transition to renewable energy. The authority’s goals include supporting workers in emissions-intensive sectors to transition to new jobs, coordinating programs to attract and take advantage of new clean energy industries across the regions, and assisting investors and companies to harness net-zero transformation opportunities. New ‘net zero authority’ The announcement has...

The Government should put an end to the proposed Clean Heat Market Mechanism says the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC), as the second consultation on it runs until 8 June. policy The policy seeks to fine boiler manufacturers £5,000 for every gas boiler sold over a certain quota compared to their heat pump sales in an attempt to kickstart demand for heat pumps in the UK. The concern is being raised by the heating industry that fining the manufacturers who do not create the d...

The future of heating homes in rural areas has been kept secret until after the local elections, claims the CEO of leading trade body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), Mike Foster. His claim comes as the industry waits for the Government's response to a consultation that closed 15 months ago. delayed publication  In the consultation, the Government planned to ban the replacement of fossil fuel boilers, oil, and LPG, from 2026 accepting that consumers would face considerably higher cos...