Technicians have the choice of using either a digital or mechanical manifold gauge. Each one has its benefits and disadvantages, which is why it may pay to own one of each kind.

With a little ingenuity, HVAC contractors could come out on top in the smart homes market for years to come.

The path to temperature control through smart thermostat technology is more involved than many customers realize.

When homeowners purchase a Nest product, Google will connect the customers to a qualified installer, a “Nest Pro.”

Through the new integration, ecobee thermostat owners who also own Generac home standby generators can easily see the status of the generator and remedy potential issues.

Lennox received a 2023 Green Builder Sustainable Product of the Year recognition.

Thermostats have come a long way since the first thermostat hit the market. So, it makes sense that consumers demand more from the technology’s capabilities than ever before.

OK, you’ve exhausted all of the existing air from an interior space; now how do you replace it? You bring in makeup air from another source. For the purpose of an HVAC discussion, your source will be mechanical equipment — makeup air units.

Heat-only, direct-fired, and indirect-fired makeup air units have been added to the company’s product line. 

While traditional hospital HVAC systems often consist of chillers and boilers, other types of equipment are becoming more widely accepted in the health care market, including variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, air curtains, and geothermal heat pumps. 

The Magnitude^® magnetic bearing centrifugal chillers from Daikin Applied not only reduce maintenance requirements and offer increased efficiencies, according to one Dealer Design Awards judge, but they also feature nearly nonexistent compressor vibration and top-tier customer support. 

The unit includes a standard neoprene, vibration-isolated blower and motor for quiet operation.

Ideal for cost-conscious applications that require 100 percent outside air, the new unit from Modine provides first-rate efficiency with a 100 percent thermal efficiency (92 percent sensible), and extends airflow capability to as low as 800CFM to cover far more applications than previously offered.

The MUAA distributes tempered fresh air to provide maximum comfort to the occupants in well-ventilated homes. The heating elements modulate continuously, which allow fresh, hot air at a low cost.

The U.S. Department of Commerce is investigating whether Chinese HFCs are circumventing the 2016 antidumping duty order on HFC blends.

Food retailers shared their concerns and experiences with refrigeration systems that use alternative refrigerants at the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI’s) 2023 Energy & Store Development Conference.

The transition to A2Ls will likely serve as an interim solution. Europe has already embraced propane in certain heat pump systems, and the U.S. may follow suit, albeit with a different low-GWP refrigerant.

ALDI aims to become the most sustainable grocer in the U.S., by committing to transition to natural refrigerants in all stores by 2035.

New A2L-related code requirements will impact HVAC system installation and include warning labels, ventilation, leak detection, and limits on refrigerant amounts for comfort air conditioning.

With more than a trillion dollars designated from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) starting to hit the wider economic field, HVAC contractors and the utility industry should be aware of how to cash in.

In preparing for the refrigerant transition, contractors and distributors should review their inventory and become educated on the regulations.

Sales of VRF systems continue to rise unabated, leading many to predict their shipments will increase by double digits annually for the foreseeable future.

The NEWS’ Extra Edition page is home to hundreds of online-exclusive service and maintenance, technical, and business management articles. Here are some of the best.

Developments in zoning capabilites have brought mini splits into the multiroom realm. And it goes without mention that the march of engineering progress has taken ductless systems on the road, into parts of the country where no mini split has ever gone before.

Different areas have particular needs and also embrace new technology at different speeds.

Honing in on the high-end heating market, there have been several changes over the years, but four primary trends stand out among the rest: connectivity, efficiency, aesthetics and health, and upgraded technology.

While ductless HVAC is not without its flaws, the technology has evolved exponentially to now provide customers with numerous configurations at affordable prices appropriate for nearly every application, which is music to the ears of entrepreneurial contractors.

Once only found in mild climates, the technology now stretches across the U.S., thanks to advances in inverter technology and zone controls. On the other hand, the level of sophistication in these systems sometimes makes them difficult to troubleshoot when something goes wrong.

Friedrich recently sponsored a NEWS webinar titled “Ductless Split System Innovations That Matter to Your Bottom Line.”  Below are questions taken from the Q&A portion of that webinar.

Access Inc. will be the new manufacturers' representative for Hitachi VRF systems and SmartFlex™ systems in eastern Michigan and Northwest Ohio

This product line features voice-activated control through the Google Assistant on smart speakers, if the mini split has built-in Wi-Fi.

Many of Fujitsu General America’s Halcyon mini-split system products now qualify for Energy Star Most Efficient certification.

The 25 SEER model is a wall mount unit with Wi-Fi capabilities, a silver ion filter, a cold catalyst filter, and a GoldFin anti-corrosive coating.

With over 1,000 Sunday service attendees and many church activities throughout the week, energy efficiency for the sake of cost savings was critical.

The two-story lake house totals 4,600 square feet above ground and 2,000 finished square feet in the daylight basement.

The equipment in this month’s troubleshooting situation is a split system that has only been in service for two years, but there is a lot of history.

Most of the rest of the world has relied on ductless mini-split systems for their heating and cooling needs for decades, but that has not been the case in the U.S. That may be changing with the advent of ducted mini-split systems.

Keeping a refrigeration system clean and dry by changing the liquid line drier can be the least expensive insurance against compressor failure.

In today's economy, cost-conscious end users want to extend their HVAC equipment lifespan as long as possible. Regular maintenance on condensing units can help maximize their longevity and performance.

The proposed new approach to chilled water HVAC systems promises to provide significant capital cost savings, energy cost savings, and a path to eliminate CO₂ emissions.

Trained to identify the varying types of asbestos used in old buildings, Matt Mountain of Mountain Duct Cleaning knows what he’s looking for.

Manufacturers and contractors are working to educate end users about the ways heat pumps work differently from traditional heat sources.

The moment for geothermal seemed to have arrived several times since the 1970s. A number of factors are forecasting wider use of this type of heating and cooling solution.

The bill significantly reduces the cost of a geothermal installation, spurs job creation, and hopes to inspire more contractors to tap into the geothermal market.

Efficient refrigeration and HVAC systems are essential to energy management and operational cost of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings.

While balanced ventilation does have energy benefits, there is a misconception about its ability to reduce humidity.

As HVAC providers, we have the ability to advise homeowners, builders, and property managers on ways to improve their indoor air quality.

In this month’s troubleshooting problem, the equipment is a split system that’s approximately 8 years old.

Four core components work together to control when refrigerant is absorbing heat, and when it is releasing heat.

The proper application of modern HVAC technologies can help maximize indoor air quality while minimizing losses in operational efficiency.