According to a new market research report by marketsandmarkets.com, the home automation system market was valued at $39.93 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $79.57 billion by 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3 percent during the forecast period.

Self-diagnostics are heralded for their ability to save contractors precious time and money and for their ability to communicate a problem before a homeowner even realizes there is one.

When the HVAC industry expressed a need to reduce the time necessary to balance a system, Dwyer Instruments Inc. responded with the PredictAir™ Application Software (used with the Dwyer SMART Air Hood® Balancing Instrument) — the 2017 gold award-winning product in the Contractor Services and Software Category.

ESP-Systemwize is the evolution of Bell & Gossett’s ESP-Plus Online. It integrates the most popular aspects of the previous program while adding new user-friendly features to specify efficient pump systems.

RC-Reporter 3.4 extracts intelligence from archived building data and allows users to make informed operational decisions. This fully customizable, server-based application allows users to analyze the trend and runtime data from any BACnet® internet-connected building and generate professional performance reports quickly and accurately.

This Wi-Fi tool allows installers to operate a Fujitsu Airstage VRF system from anywhere with a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Airstage VRF systems are controlled from a webpage or by using an iOS or Android app.

The mCerberus HVAC Monitoring Hardware and Software System allows for continuous delta T monitoring both heating/cooling modes that may be installed on existing and/or new residential systems.

The Eastern Sheet Metal Equivalent Round Duct Calculator app allows sheet metal contractors, installers, HVAC engineers, and contractors to quickly convert rectangular and flat oval duct dimensions to round. It will also convert rectangular to flat oval.

The ScanSKU M Series Android Barcode Scanner and Data Collection Application was developed to ensure assets and maintenance schedules are tracked, and data are easily captured and shared.

While some contractors are proceeding with caution when it comes to smart home automation products, further training and awareness may force their hands sooner than later.