Change is always a constant in the HVAC industry. In the coming year, there are plenty of changes on the horizon that could potentially have wide-ranging effects throughout the industry. Here are a few of the HVAC industry changes you can expect to see in 2018.
HFC Phase-Out and New Refrigerant Regulations
In keeping with the Kigali Agreement that calls for a switch to refrigerants with low global warming potential among signatories, the U.S. and Canada are both making the transition away from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as refrigerants.
Not only are the purchase of HFCs and other ozone-depleting substances limited to certified reclaimers and technicians, but technicians must pass a certification exam before they’re able to work with these substances. Technicians must also keep detailed records regarding the disposal of equipment containing five pounds or more of refrigerant.
New Energy Conservation Standards
Another major change involves energy conservation standards for rooftop air conditioners, which are slated to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent. The new standards also include a change from Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) to Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio (IEER). IEER takes weighted calculations into account, providing a clearer picture of overall efficiency.
While these changes mainly affect commercial HVAC equipment, these HVAC industry changes could also have an effect on residential heating and cooling equipment.
New Ventilation Rate
Another industry change affects current ventilation standards in residential spaces. Set to go into effect in 2018 is a change in the minimum ventilation rate from “0.35 air changes per hour” to “(0.01 cfm/sq. ft.) + (7.5 cfm/person).” These changes will be reflected in both the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Residential Code (IRC).
To learn more about these HVAC industry changes and the impact they have on your Dayton-area heating and cooling needs, turn to the experts at Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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