subject: Hvac In The 2nd Edition Green And Global-aarkstore Enterprise [print this page] HVAC in the U.S., 2nd Edition Green and Global
The U.S. HVAC market grew 41% in heating systems and 45% in air conditioners from 1997 through 2006. This period of growth hit a wall, however, with the housing and credit market collapse of 2007 and the historic rise in unemployment. From 2006 to 2007 heating system installations dropped 24% and air conditioners saw a similar decline of 23%. As the housing market starts to pick up again, the credit crisis subsides and unemployment figures begin to drop, economic conditions will once again lead to increased growth in the industry. The green HVAC market should benefit in particular from federal and state support of more energy efficient homes and buildings.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average home spends about $1,900 annually on energy bills. Heating and cooling accounts for as much as half of a homes energy use. The DOE estimates that home owners can reduce their energy bills by up to 20% merely by replacing furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners and heat pumps with more efficient models. Electric Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs) offer some of the most efficient heating and cooling methods available today.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers tax credits that home-owners can take advantage of when purchasing new, more energy efficient, higher-SEER HVAC equipment. Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements "placed in service" starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. Consumers can also receive a 30% tax credit for geothermal heat pumps placed in service before December 31, 2016.
Another development that will have an impact on the growth of the HVAC industry is the phasing out of ozone-depleting used as refrigerants in older air conditioners. Having already phased out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) like R-11 and R-12 by 1995, the United States will now begin phasing out the use of the R-22 hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant as of January 1, 2010. According to the EPA, "chemical manufacturers may still produce R-22 to service existing equipment, but not for use in new equipment. In other words, while the existing stores of R-22 refrigerant can be used for existing equipment, new equipment will be required to use the alternative R-410A refrigerant instead. That will mean new business for installers and HVAC equipment manufacturers.
