Pinewood Forest is one of several large, master-planned developments that’s sidestepping the traditional HVAC system to embrace — and mandate — geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling communitywide.

Following a contentious two-year struggle, the HVACR industry is enthusiastically applauding Congress’ decision to reinstate the federal residential and commercial geothermal heat pump tax credits.

Nortek needed all hands on deck at the AHR Expo as the company showcased numerous new equipment lines in multiple categories, including split system air conditioners, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) units, data center management modules, heat pumps, gas/electric packaged systems, and more.

LG Electronics USA Inc. had so many new products to introduce at the AHR Expo, it needed two booths. The company was showcasing a lineup of commercial, light commercial, and residential HVAC solutions, including variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology and customizable control systems.

After making the “big leap” into a mortgage to secure a 60-acre parcel in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, farmers Keith and Jenessa Frey considered all the options for a home.

After two years of strenuous, grassroots efforts, it appears as if geothermal tax credits are making a comeback.

The NEWS spotlights the industry’s latest commercial heating products in the following photo feature. The manufacturers provided us with brief descriptions of the features included with each product. For more information, please contact the manufacturers or their distributors.

On Dec. 31, 2016, the 30 percent residential and 10 percent commercial federal tax credits for geothermal heat pumps expired while credits for solar and wind were extended.

HR 1090 — The Technologies for Energy Security Act of 2017 — introduced by Rep. Tom Reed, R-N.Y., would correct a congressional oversight in late-2015 that extended tax credits for solar and wind but left behind “orphaned” technologies, like geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells, microturbines, small wind, and combined heat and power (CHP) when their credits expired Jan. 1 of this year. The Reed bill currently boasts 108 cosponsors, 59 of which are Republicans.

The McElroy Pit Bull 14 butt fusion machine is designed to fuse 1-inch IPS to 4-inch DIPS (32-110mm) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe that is commonly used on geothermal well installations.