Just as it is in many technical occupations, it can be important for HVAC technicians to stay current with government regulations.1 Students graduating from HVAC training programs in 2020 who are planning on pursuing careers in commercial refrigeration can benefit from knowing the latest regulations set forth by the Department of Energy (DOE).2 Following these […]

The HVAC industry, like any industry, is not immune to occasional misinformation or exaggeration, which is why staying informed of the facts and not believing everything you hear is important. Such is the case with the R-22 phaseout.1 Some customers mistakenly believe: R-22 is illegal. They’ll have to replace their R-22 HVAC systems. R-22 is […]

In early 2020, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) repealed its HFC refrigerant management rules.1 However, many states are enacting their own laws to regulate HFC leak detection and recordkeeping.2 This could create some confusion in the industry because the laws governing the service of HFC equipment will likely vary across the nation.3 If you’re […]

A major deadline in the HVAC industry is swiftly approaching. New sources of one of the most commonly used refrigerants in the industry, R-22, will no longer be available starting on January 1, 2020.[1] Chances are, by the time you graduate from your HVAC/R training program and are working in the field, you could have […]

Guess what the top HVAC/R industry trends are for 2019? If you answered energy efficiency and going green, you’re on the right track. These were the top most important trends attendees of the recent ASHRAE- and AHRI-sponsored AHR Expo predicted for this year.[1] They’re also the focus of two regulations that could impact the industry […]

If you’re interested in becoming an HVAC technician, you’re in luck. The HVAC industry continues to grow at a very healthy rate. A new research report predicts that the HVAC market will grow by 6.20 percent between 2014 and 2022.[1] There are a number of trends that drive this growth, and they reflect the most […]

Even with all the good that refrigerants do for the world, some types actually have not so good effects on the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with preventing or limiting the bad they can do, such as contributing to global warming, as mandated under the Clean Air Act. EPA Section 608 of […]

Under the Obama administration, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) because they contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere. For this reason, the previous government compelled HVAC businesses to collaborate to reduce the use of HFCs. Two HFC manufacturers, however, sued the EPA on two grounds: The […]

Comfort is costly. HVAC equipment can account for 40 percent of the electricity a building consumes in order to stay cool and warm. And electricity costs a lot of money to keep running. Since the ‘70s and ‘80s, the HVAC industry has been working to reduce the amount of energy the equipment uses, making it […]

The Department of Energy (DOE) recently enacted new efficiency standards for the types of water pumps used to circulate cold and hot water in commercial HVAC systems. 1 But you’ve only started working toward your mechanical maintenance degree, so why should you care? The truth is, anyone who wants to work in mechanical maintenance needs […]