When it comes to large commercial systems, cooling towers seem to receive less attention than other system components. Yet, cooling tower maintenance is vital to ensuring overall system efficiency and preventing downtime.
Some in the industry have described ASHRAE Standard 90.1 as a complex standard, yet chiller experts say the shift in the standard to a more holistic view of chiller efficiency is the right direction for the industry.
Within the HVAC universe, pure-play manufacturers have led the market since January 2012 with a cumulative return of 173 percent. Diversified HVAC manufacturers and HVAC service and distribution stocks have also performed well, gaining 67 percent and 62 percent, respectively.
The NEWS' annual issue has traditionally introduced the latest air conditioning units available for the upcoming summer season. The intent is to help contractors prepare for this busy period by doing the research that will help them to distinguish between brands.
A growing number of building owners are looking to design buildings that produce as much energy as they consume each year. These so-called zero-net-energy (ZNE) buildings may sound like a pipe dream, but they’ve already become a reality in many parts of the U.S. and around the world.
The demand for HVAC equipment in the U.S. is forecast to increase 6.8 percent annually through 2019 to $20.4 billion, recording gains at about twice the rate of the 2009-2014 period, according to a new study released in March by The Freedonia Group.
These larger refrigeration systems present tremendous opportunities for energy-efficiency improvements that can lead to significant operational savings.