Annual shipments of IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee wireless chipsets doubled last year and are forecast to reach a cumulative 2.5 billion chipset sales within the next five years, according to a report from research firm ON World. The smart home market is expected to utilize over two-thirds of the IEEE 802.15.4 chipsets at this time.

Munters AB announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire HB Group, an international company that specializes in customized hygienic climate control systems for the food/dairy industries. HB Group is headquartered in Almelo, the Netherlands, with a joint venture in Hrusky, Czech Republic.

Johnson Controls announced that it has opened a new variable refrigerant flow (VRF) training facility in Dallas. The company said the 12,600-square-foot education center will help HVAC contractors and sales professionals deliver quality VRF services through a multi-day training program.

On the 113th anniversary of Dr. Willis H. Carrier’s invention of modern air conditioning, Carrier announced it is celebrating another milestone: 175 million metric tons of avoided greenhouse gas emissions since 2000 as a result of the installation of high-efficiency Carrier HVACR systems.