Exhibitors at the 2008 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) offered several new forced-air gas furnaces that featured high efficiency and superior comfort in compact sizes.
Products featuring higher SEER ratings and improved comfort levels were highlighted, as were totally new heat pump designs that haven’t been seen at the 2008 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition before.
Based on the ongoing volatility in the oil market, it’s probably safe to predict that gas prices will remain high for the near future, which isn’t good news to contractors. Higher gas prices mean lower profit margins, and many dealers are looking for ways to reduce fuel consumption to remain competitive.
Nine companies have been named as winners of the sixth annual AHR Expo Innovation Awards. All nine companies will be recognized at the awards ceremony at the Javits Convention Center on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. in the New Product Technology Theater A.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been 17 years since New York City last hosted the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo). This year’s event will definitely be bigger than when it was here in 1991, with more than 1,800 exhibiting companies from over 34 countries, including over 370 international exhibitors.
Developing
products that consumers need and will ultimately buy is something that
manufacturers spend much time - and money - researching. In the world of
humidification, manufacturers are constantly coming out with new products and
reworking existing products in order to respond to customers’ needs.
All
manufacturers now offer programmable thermostats that are easy to understand
and simple to program. These controls don’t just make life less complicated for
the homeowner, though; dealers also love how easy they are to install and how
well the smart systems communicate with the technician and the homeowner.
Over the last decade or so, manufacturers have incorporated numerous innovations into their furnace offerings in order to improve energy efficiency and comfort. The latest innovation is the modulating gas furnace.
The good news for homeowners is that most of the country is forecasted to see above-average winter temperatures. The bad news is that homeowners are going to see an increase in fuel bills. On the bright side, milder winter temperatures and higher fuel costs provide very good conditions for dual-fuel systems.