High-end compressors, many of which have come to market in the last few years, feature advanced technologies that allow cooling systems to work more efficiently and reliably. This couldn't come at a better time for OEMs to help them meet and exceed the 13 SEER minimum.

Phoenix Wholesale recently opened the doors of its newest location in the Phoenix area. At the grand opening, contractors streamed through the squeaky clean warehouse and parts store, admiring the stacks of Ruud equipment and commenting on the diverse products available in the ProStock shop.

Manufacturers purposely design condenser coils and evaporator coils to work together in order to provide the best possible efficiency. So why would anyone consider replacing one coil and not the other? The answer isn't as simple as you think, and the 13 SEER transition has brought the ongoing mismatched coil debate to a head.

It turns out that 2005 wasn't just a good year for manufacturers, it was also a terrific year for distributors. The Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) believes the positive trend will continue. But there are some lingering concerns.

Following a rosy 2005, unitary manufacturers agree that the transition to 13 SEER is the biggest challenge and opportunity at the moment. Meanwhile, other concerns, such as raw material costs and R-22's phaseout, loom.

Of course, how a contractor performed last year depended in large part on where in the United States he was located. Regardless of location, contractors still have their share of universal concerns.

The most commonly asked question regarding the new 13 SEER systems is: Should the indoor coil always be changed when a new 13 SEER condensing unit is installed? The answer is, it depends.

With the transition to 13 SEER, there is increased focus on making sure systems are installed properly. The same rules apply to 13 SEER as to 10 SEER: Follow all manufacturer's guidelines, and install the system as you would in your own home.

It seemed that everywhere you looked at the 2006 AHR Expo, there were new duct, grille, register, and diffuser offerings. Crowds flocked to see everything from fabric duct to sheet metal and plastic grilles to custom-fabricated registers.

The Windy City was the perfect place to showcase gas furnaces and heaters, as it was a little chilly at the 2006 AHR Expo. The crowds soon warmed, though, to the new energy-efficient products shown by a multitude of manufacturers.