Heat Pump Systems

http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/heat-pump-systems

For climates with moderate heating and cooling needs, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house and during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide equivalent space conditioning at as little as one quarter of the cost of operating conventional heating or cooling appliances.

Power Shift In Congress To Impact HVAC

http://digital.bnpmedia.com/display_article.php?id=1871391&id_issue=236133
Jen Anesi

Gridlock May Continue, Despite Republican Control of 114th Congress

On Nov. 4, American voters elected a wave of Republican candidates who will soon take control of the U.S. Senate and increase their current majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. And while some industry leaders think the power shift may help loosen the gridlock that has plagued the 113th Congress, and perhaps lead to a renewed focus on energy legislation and other issues beneficial to the HVAC industry, others are less optimistic.

Power Shift

'Do You Want Fries with That Burger?' | 2014-09-24 | Distribution Center

'Do You Want Fries with That Burger?' | 2014-09-24 | Distribution Center

Furnace Standard Fans The Flames

http://digital.bnpmedia.com/display_article.php?id=1871404&id_issue=236133

Joanna R. Turpin

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently published new energy conservation standards for residential furnace fans, which it says will help reduce carbon pollution by up to 34 million metric tons and save Americans more than $9 billion in home electricity bills through 2030. Critics of the rule argue the DOE is placing an undue burden on the HVAC industry by regulating components of appliances that already meet energy-efficiency guidelines, and that consumers will be harmed by the higher cost of the new furnaces.

Manufacturers will initially bear the brunt of this change, as they will need to redesign their furnace lines in order to comply with the new standard, which takes effect in 2019. While it is still too early to tell how much that will cost, it will likely be significant, noted Francis Dietz, vice president of public affairs, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). “We believe that regulating individual components is a step in the wrong direction. Instead, we should be moving in the other direction — considering the overall efficiency of systems rather than components.”

Condensing Furnaces Require Special Care

http://digital.bnpmedia.com/display_article.php?id=1871457&id_issue=236133Sophisticated 

Joanna R. Turpin

Systems Require More Comprehensive, Consistent Maintenance

After enduring last winter’s bitterly cold temperatures across much of the country, many will be relieved to hear the polar vortex is not expected to make a return appearance this year. However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) cautions that below-average temperatures are likely in the south-central and Southeastern U.S. And, for those who put stock in it, “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” predicts this winter will bring Arctic-like temperatures and above-normal snowfall throughout much of the nation.