HVAC Industry News

ASHRAE and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the organizations’ relationship. The MoU was signed by 2018-2019 ASHRAE President Sheila J. Hayter and AIA President William J. Bates on May 22. The agreement defines parameters on how the two societies will collaborate more closely to continue promoting the advancements of a more sustainable built environment. Training And Education Programs Areas of potential collabora...

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is proud to announce Sean Robertson as ACCA’s new Vice President of Membership and Business Operations and Todd Washam as Vice President of Public Policy and Industry Relations. Sean Robertson comes to ACCA with more than fifteen years of experience leading advocacy and member engagement efforts at the Alzheimer’s Association, the Land Trust Alliance, and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. In each role, he harnessed the...

ASHRAE announced the launch of a webpage to encourage the advancement of refrigeration technology and its application. The new Refrigeration webpage, referred to as the “R” in ASHRAE, highlights the Society’s commitment to supporting the role of refrigeration worldwide. The webpage features resources information and publications concerning refrigeration and refrigerants such as standards, design guides, ASHRAE courses and more. This page incorporates ASHRAE’s past in re...

Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. announces the revision of ANSI/AMCA Standard 610, Laboratory Methods of Testing Airflow Measurement Stations for Performance Rating. Accuracy Of Airflow Measurement The newly designated ANSI/AMCA Standard 610-19 establishes uniform test methods for determining the performance characteristics and accuracy of airflow measurement stations under varied airflow rates and conditions. Revisions to ANSI/AMCA Standard 610 include: Updat...

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is excited to announce a partnership with Savings4Members that promises greater monthly savings for ACCA members. ACCA’s membership benefit program with Savings4Members enables ACCA members to access to more than twenty vendors offerings discounts to ACCA members. For more than thirty years, Savings4Members has specialized in helping independent businesses save time and money by partnering with associations like ACCA. With this new partne...

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) announces that is has submitted comments supporting the Department of Labor’s proposed overtime rule, Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Professional, Outside Sales, and Computer Employees (Overtime Rule). On March 7, 2019 the Department of Labor announced that it was proposing to update regulations issued under the Fair Labor Standards Act that implement exemptions from overtime pay requirements for executive, administ...

The introduction of Boiler Plus legislation in April 2018 has encouraged innovation within the industry and delivered a greater range of heating system products for consumers to choose from, says the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC). Controlling Domestic Heating Systems Stewart Clements, Director, HHIC said, “Mandating certain controls, such as programmable timers and modern thermostats, is leading the market to develop new products and improve existing ones to cater for the...

With fan energy index (FEI) beginning to replace fan efficiency grade (FEG) as the metric used for fan-efficiency provisions in model and state energy codes and standards, Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. announces the publication of AMCA Advocacy Brief, Fan Energy Index, a multimedia document aimed at code officials and others considering proposals to convert FEG provisions to FEI. Online Educational Modules Produced in partnership with Colorado State University...

From April 2019, Humidity Solutions based in Leatherhead will be sole UK distributor for the Vapac range of electrode boiler steam humidifiers. The knowledge and expertise of both companies combine to enable Vapac humidifiers to be offered to the market with a full package of support services. These include: Stock availability of standard units, consumables and spares Free design, site surveys and quotations Technical telephone support Servicing and maintenance Training and familiarizatio...

Worcester Bosch, renowned boiler manufacture based in the United Kingdom, has announced a major change to its training program. With 16,000 installers passing through its Training Academy each and every year, it was decided that it was time to over-haul the courses. The re-hauled program has a topic-specific course instead of just focusing on a singular boiler range. Topics include Specification; Installation and Commissioning; Service and Maintenance; and Fault Finding and Repair, among others...

AMCA revises Publication 802 for Power Generation Fans. Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. announces the revision of AMCA Publication 802, Industrial Process/Power Generation Fans: Establishing Performance Using Laboratory Models. Power-Generation Fans The newly designated AMCA Publication 802-19 outlines methods used by manufacturers to determine the performance of full-size industrial-process and power-generation fans. These methods include: The prediction of f...

There’s a good chance that, for the past few years, users have been hearing HVAC contractors talk about the R-22 phase-out or the ‘Freon’ phase-out, especially if they own an AC system that still relies on it. But what even is the phase-out? And how does it impact users? Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to clue everybody in on it. What Is R-22 Refrigerant? Nearly all modern cooling systems rely on a refrigerant loop, in order to cool homes Nearly all...

Frankfurt trade fair has been in business for over 800 years. Currently, it’s amongst the world’s biggest trade fair, congress, and event organizers with own grounds. In 2018 another outstanding events space has been created with the inauguration of hall 12. Messe Frankfurt is using highly efficient Wilo products for modern heating, air-conditioning, and cooling technology in the hall. So, the Dortmund-based company’s innovative solutions are not just being showcased at ISH 20...

Throughout 2019, Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. is making ANSI/AMCA Standard 208, Calculation of the Fan Energy Index, available for download at no cost in its online store. The ratio of the electrical power of a reference fan to the electrical power of an actual fan, both calculated at a given airflow and pressure duty point, FEI ‘levels the playing field,’ enabling meaningful comparisons of many different fan types. It was developed by AMCA and its...

The following statement regarding the pre-publication release by the Department of Energy (DOE) of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the Process Rule can be attributed to Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute’s (AHRI) President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Stephen Yurek. He said, “As the trade association representing manufacturers of HVACR and water heating equipment, we work closely with the Department of Energy, as it fulfills its Congressionally-mandate...

Recently, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Quality Assured (QA) program has accredited the company as a Quality Assured Contractor. This accreditation means Bob’s Heating & Air Conditioning is able to meet nationally recognized, industry-developed standards to provide excellent support of ENERGY STAR Certified Homes and Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Homes. Most importantly, this ensures the customers that the company is a professional in the field and...

Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. announced the revision of ANSI/AMCA Standard 500-D, Laboratory Methods of Testing Dampers for Rating. AMCA Standard 500-D-18 Designated AMCA Standard 500-D-18, the newly revised standard establishes uniform laboratory test methods for dampers. Included are methods for determining, as appropriate, air leakage, pressure drop, dynamic closure, and operational torque. Changes to the standard include: The addition of the use of orif...

Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. announces the revision of AMCA Publication 211, Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance. Designated AMCA Publication 211-13 (Rev. 10-18), the newly revised manual prescribes technical procedures to be used in connection with the AMCA Certified Ratings Program (CRP) for fan air performance. Certification Of Large-Diameter Ceiling Fans To obtain a new jet-fan CRP seal, a fan must be tested in accordan...

Carrier and Whisker Labs have teamed up to help homeowners save on heating and cooling costs while allowing participating utilities to better maintain grid reliability during peak demand. ‘Bring Your Own Thermostat’ model Whisker Labs is managing this new program, in which participating utilities can now include connected Carrier Côr thermostats in demand response and energy curtailment programs that use a ‘Bring Your Own Thermostat’ (BYOT) model for customer enro...

Whether or not one has a white Christmas, everyone can guarantee temperatures will gradually drop and the heating will be on daily. In a public or commercial building like an office, hospital, shop or school, comfort, health and safety is paramount. That includes keeping premises warm and ventilated and booking a service undertaken by a qualified engineer. Servicing AC is not just a summer thing. It’s a common misconception that air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems only need...

Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. announces the launch of a microsite dedicated to educating the buildings industry about fan energy index (FEI) and supporting use of the metric in efforts to save energy, reduce operating costs, and accelerate decarbonization. Fan-Efficiency Codes Developed by AMCA and member companies to support fan-efficiency codes, standards, regulations, and rebate programs, FEI is a wire-to-air, design-point metric emphasizing compliant fan se...

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has appointed the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) to develop hydrogen standards for ‘Hy4Heat’. ‘Hy4Heat’ is a range of inter-related work packages that will form a feasibility study to establish whether it is safe, practical and technically possible to employ hydrogen as a zero-carbon replacement for the natural gas that we currently use. Alternative fuel source feasibility study Martyn B...

Temperatures in the UK are becoming increasingly unstable. The extreme fluctuations that are now being experienced, particularly during the winter months, have strengthened the case for a more widespread use of sophisticated heating controls. So how can heating controls help customers get-ahead of swinging temperatures? Greenstar Sense II weather compensator When weather systems like the ‘Beast from the East’ strike, heating controls that can automatically respond to cooling house...

The cool air, turning leaves, and the arrival of apple cider at the store mean that autumn’s official start is around the corner. At home, this seasonal change can quickly translate into higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are a few ways to lower these costs. Staying comfortable in the home—at an affordable rate—is relatively easy when you opt for energy-efficient solutions. Schedule the Heating Tune-Up This time of year, the biggest energy bills for the home-related to...

The EU’s Ecodesign policy aims to make products more energy efficient and less environmentally harmful. The final phase of the ErP (Energy Related Product) directive will come into force on 26 September 2018 and all new gas-fired appliances must meet the maximum NOx emission of 56 mg/kWh level from this date onwards. Preference for condensing-only systems Emphasizing on the need to care for the environment, Lochinvar has been investing in condensing technologies for over 20 years. The co...

During the hot summer months, most homeowners don’t expect to find ice on their air conditioning unit. Unfortunately, this issue is more common than you might think, and having ice on the AC is a sure sign that something’s not right. Reviewing the likely causes can help you get the equipment back to its normal working state. Problems with AC Ice Once you notice that there’s ice on the unit, you need to turn the AC off. This can help prevent the situation from getting worse. A...

UK Power Reserve announces that it has partnered with Fluence, a globally renowned provider of energy storage technology and services to deliver the first phase of its 120MW battery storage portfolio. This partnership represents the single largest energy storage portfolio transaction with one technology provider announced in the UK to date. The UK’s renowned flexibility provider is starting construction on the first 60MW of its battery portfolio - a total of 120MW were secured in the 2016...

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) now includes mandatory individual room temperature controls ‘where technically, economically and functionally feasible’. Individual room temperature controls, such as Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs), must now be installed either during the construction of new buildings, or when boilers are replaced. The benefits of TRVs are enhanced further when paired with smart controls, such as the new Bosch EasyControl Thermostatic Radiat...

In its current May 2018 Edition, Stiftung Warentest, Germany’s leading product testing institute, has tested eleven different heating pumps in terms of energy efficiency, handling, finish, and declarations. The Wilo-Yonos Pico Plus Heating Circulator and the Wilo-Yonos Pico-STG Solar Pump were distinguished with the two highest ratings “very good” (1.4) and “good” (2.0) in their respective areas. User-friendliness and service life “We always aim to develop...

Poor indoor air quality during this time of year can feel either humid and stuffy, or terribly stale. A lot of people will crack open a window to try to fix the situation. But there’s a much better (and more efficient!) way to address your stale air problems. Why Does the Air Feel Stale? Stale air is created in a number of different ways. Some of the most common causes are lack of ventilation and various contaminants. The odors and allergens from commercial cleaning products and dust mit...