The program targets homeowners looking to upgrade their HVAC systems with little or no upfront cost and low monthly payments spread over a much longer payback period than most other financing options.
Contractor will not be able to conduct business as usual — at least not without carefully considering regional efficiencies, system matches, high-efficiency motors, impending cost increases, and the penalties associated with the new standards.
Savvy contractors working in this niche market focus not only on deep energy reductions, but on non-energy benefits, such as improved comfort, better IAQ, increased home values, and a more durable home.
Capable of producing hot water up to 140°F, the RTA modular gas absorption heat pump system uses renewable outdoor heat to provide a heating efficiency up to 129 percent.
Manufacturers had a lot to like about last year. According to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), shipments of equipment increased in just about every category in 2013. Especially notable were shipments of air-source heat pumps, which were up 16 percent over 2012.
Sales of air-source heat pumps used to be concentrated primarily in the Southern U.S., but that is changing as consumers become more aware of their energy-saving capabilities. In fact, in many markets, it may be more cost-effective to use an air-source heat pump for the majority of a homeowner’s heating and cooling needs.