In this episode, Vince Gillette, Tim Cropp and Bobby Ring turn the tables and ask Karl Zellmer about how recent trends and regulations have impacted Emerson’s business.
Host: Karl Zellmer Guests:
Vince Gillette, President of Gillette Air Conditioning Company
Karl Zellmer and Bobby Ring of Meyer & Depew Company talk about trends in HVAC, looking at what’s going on today and where we are headed in the future.
Host: Karl Zellmer Guest: Bobby Ring, President/CEO, Meyer & Depew Company
In addition to high efficiency, other benefits of premium systems include comfort, humidity control, continuous airflow, zoning, and saving money. Also, new technology like Wi-Fi thermostats offers added convenience for a homeowner.
Host: Brandy Powell Guest: Frank Landwehr, VP Marketing and Planning, Emerson Climate Technologies
Discussing what homeowners should consider when purchasing a new HVAC system. Considerations include: finding a good contractor, installing and commissioning, doing research, looking for rebates, getting multiple quotes, use Copeland free app.
Discussing the common HVAC terms homeowners may find valuable when researching, purchasing a new system, or maintaining a current system. Common terms include seer, HSPF, AFUE, tonnage, heat pump, furnace, T-stat, coil.
Recently, several questions have been posted on our site, asking about installation practices and how to ensure a quality installation of an HVAC system in your home. A nationally-recognized industry organization named ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) provides a good resource on this topic. While Emerson is not affiliated with ACCA or otherwise endorsing this organization, this non-profit organization has been around for over 40 years and includes more than 60,000 professionals, along with 4,000 businesses in the indoor environment and energy services community. If you are a Homeowner, Building Manager, Contractor or Educator, ACCA has information available to you.
The Checklist
The checklist provided by ACCA can assist you in evaluating the capabilities of different HVAC companies and the proposals they submit. These contractor “areas” provide scoring for up to three different contractors on various elements that can help ensure a system provides comfort and reliability. The questions on the checklist will help you understand the requirements contained within the nationally-recognized HVAC quality installation standard, and the explanations detail “what’s in it for you.”
Our research shows that homeowners who are satisfied with their contractor are much more likely to be satisfied with their equipment selection. The research also shows that homeowners are generally more satisfied with contractors who do the proper sizing calculations and also discuss high efficiency options with their customers. This is why we recommend getting three estimates from different contractors before deciding on your HVAC investments. These systems typically last 15 to 20 years so it pays to take a little time to find the right contractor who can help with your equipment selection decisions.
With Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats predicted to outsell standard digital thermostats in the next five years, many contractors are making room for these next-generation thermostats on their trucks and in their business plans.
To ensure you are taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the rapid change to this market, we put together a list of five things every contractor needs to know about Wi-Fi thermostats:
Wi-Fi thermostats can be both affordable AND profitable. Shop carefully to ensure you are bringing your customers a Wi-Fi thermostat that meets their pricing expectations and offers your business strong margins. Check with your local wholesaler for their top recommendations.
They are easy to install. Don’t worry about your technicians having to learn complex new technology. There are quality Wi-Fi thermostats available that will walk you through the online setup via a mobile app.
Wi-Fi thermostats offer an opportunity to promote your business. Be sure to take advantage of the Wi-Fi thermostats that allow you to enter your business name, phone number and even logo. This way, your business is top of mind when system service is needed.
No c-wire required. More than 60 percent of homes do not have a c-wire. Good news, there are reputable Wi-Fi thermostat options that do not require one.
Homeowners love the convenience. Over 70 percent of homeowners who have a programmable thermostat don’t use the programming feature. The ability to adjust the temperature quickly to is a welcome convenience for busy homeowners.
Today, three out of four homes have Wi-Fi. Distributors and contractors, now is the time for to help grow your business by offering affordable options for Wi-Fi thermostats.
We have been working on a video series about designing a state-of-the-art air conditioning system for a large, new construction home near Knoxville, TN. Along the way, we began calling this the “Mega House” due to its physical size and the scope of the project. Links to the videos are shown at the end of this article and illustrate the steps involved with one homeowner’s journey to integrate a superior HVAC system into what has become a superior, luxury home.
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting an energy efficiency specialist named Jeff Christian. Jeff is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in energy efficiency and renewable energy. He is an accomplished Building Science Trainer of facility managers, building decision makers and building owners. He also works with private industry to develop and demonstrate profitable energy efficient technologies, practices and facilities, and he has written more than 170 technical papers, reports and journal articles.
When I first met Jeff, he was asked to help design and make an energy efficient large house. “How large?” I asked. Jeff responded that it would be roughly 9,000 sq. ft., and his first reaction was to suggest cutting the house by 2/3, and told the homeowner to read his book “How to build a zero energy house,” and call him in the morning. Jeff’s second thought was “what an intriguing challenge.”
The project was further impacted by the homeowner explaining that a lot of attention had been paid to capturing cosmic energy, but very little thus far on the pursuit of zero energy. This opportunity kept looking better when he realized that the town building code jurisdiction where this house is being constructed, had just adopted the IECC 2012.
Town hall meetings at that time were being held with code officials and local builders. The code officials explained that many areas around the country have already adapted this code. However, the builders in general were rather hesitant to be some of the first in Tennessee to build homes to these new standards. Jeff and I both thought this was a terrific learning and teaching opportunity to change an entire local building culture from energy wasting houses to verifiable energy efficient homes. This case study tells the story of the path taken to become the first house in the area to meet these dramatically more stringent energy efficiency requirements, and the key role of the HVAC selection process.
A Mega-Zero Energy House (Technically Speaking)
The final design of the mega house is 8,225 sq. ft., which includes the walkout conditioned terrace level. The main and upper floors completely above grade account for 5,513 sq. ft. The first exercise Jeff always performs, for his clients, is to show how the new or retrofit house they are planning can attain zero energy. He builds an energy model of the house and inputs reasonable-high energy efficiency features. In the case of the Mega-house: a high efficiency HVAC system with a high efficiency heat pump and smart zoning. He also recommend:
All ducts be placed inside the conditioned space
R-10 exterior insulated slab insulation (including the slab edge)
R-4 interior insulated board insulation to all ceilings exposed to the exterior or attic
R-5 exterior insulated sheathing to all walls
100% CFL lighting
Passive house standard envelope air tightness of 0.6 ACH@50,
80 gallon heat pump water heater
ERV system
Rotate the house 45 degrees clockwise to maximize winter solar gain and minimize summer window heat gain.
These features resulted in total annual energy costs of $3,318 based on 2013 utility rates. The HERS rating (100 is typical new house and 0 is a zero energy house) was estimated to be 41.
Construction began on August 1, 2013. The build out schedule calls for a nine-month construction period. The following informational videos offer intriguing closer look at the Mega House Construction Project:
