What is in store for the HVAC industry in 2024? AHRI’s Steve Yurek fills us in on all the trends that will be affecting HVAC contractors in the upcoming year. Topics include refrigerant transition, decarbonization, and HVAC sales.

His jacket was emblazoned with the logo of a manufacturer of high-performing heat pumps, but when I mentioned that we were thinking of getting one, the tech shot down the idea.

Josh Crouch and Tersh Blissett, who have HVAC backgrounds, say AI can be employed in an answering service or a chatbot, for outbound dialing, as a technician’s assistant, or to respond to customers’ online reviews.

At the AHR Expo, manufacturers talked about what’s fueling their design of smart products and ensuring they are simpler, more integrated, and save energy and time.

Contractors have to ensure their service agreements actually service customers, and have meaningful conversations with them to solve their problems.

Decarbonization and electrification, the refrigerant transition, and incentives were big topics among geothermal companies at the AHR Expo. Consumer education and ease of product serviceability were also discussed.

At the AHR Expo, manufacturers talked about their plans for switching to low-GWP refrigerants for commercial refrigeration equipment and displayed some of their solutions.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz is leading the charge to assist HVAC contractors in pushing back on the final rule on gas furnace efficiency standards from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

While the installation of heat pumps may seem to be slowing due to inflation and rising interest rates, coupled with a confusing rollout of federal funding, they are expected to pick up speed this year.

As AI continues to prove itself as more than just a fad, businesses should be harnessing its power to increase efficiencies and improve customer experiences.