12 HVAC Technology Trends to Research in 2021

When it comes to energy consumption, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry is one of the leading contributors in the United States. In 2020, HVAC accounted for about 27 percent of commercial energy use and 30 percent of the residential energy share across the nation. As demand continues to grow for cooling and heating services, trends toward more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies are predicted to dominate the industry in 2021. 

Emerging trends in HVAC technology include more eco-friendly systems, the integration of smart and mobile tech, dual-stage compressors, and renewable energy, among others.

Learn about the following 12 trends to stay up-to-date on the future of the HVAC industry:

1. Eco-Friendly HVAC Systems
2. Mobile Tech Meets HVAC Tech
3. Solar Panels Used for Air Conditioners
4. Customizable Room Temperatures
5. HVAC Usage Tracking and Reporting  
6. Better Maintenance and Repair Alerts
7. Virtual Reality Training Processes
8. HVAC Noise Reduction and Control
9. Geothermal HVAC Optimization
10. Variable-Speed Fan Systems
11. Dual-Stage Compressors
12. Flexible Ducts Sealing and Insulation

With federal standards for pollutants and energy efficiency constantly being updated, newer systems are becoming increasingly eco-friendly. Updated HVAC technology offers the benefits of less polluted air and better energy efficiency. See some examples of these trends in action:

• Electronic air filter: These are installed into HVAC systems to filter dust and other particles in the entire building.
• Energy analysis software: This software is used to model energy consumption in buildings to provide cost-effective, energy-efficient solutions or improvements for heating, cooling, and ventilation.
• Carbon capture and conversion: Large fans in commercial HVAC systems can be retrofitted to effectively scrub carbon dioxide from the air and catalyze it into hydrocarbon fuel. 

HVAC is responsible for maintaining normal thermal and air conditions in a space. When something goes wrong, negative outcomes can upset the entire building and put pressure on HVAC maintenance services to deliver quick solutions.

The integration of mobile technology with HVAC software allows technicians to offer accurate and efficient field solutions and services in real-time. Mobile apps give technicians access to software that streamlines the following processes:

• Scheduling technicians with the necessary skillsets for the job 
• Collecting data and observations onsite to improve efficiency 
• Accelerating work turnaround time and billing cycles

Solar paneled HVAC units can harness thermal energy instead of electricity for cooling. Heat collected from solar panels is converted to energy that drives a double-effect absorption chiller, and this device chills water that will cool the building. 

The use of solar panels as innovative air conditioning is a cost-effective, green alternative to conventional AC, which uses electricity to compress air and refrigerate for cooling. As solar isn’t always consistent, natural gas provides a reliable backup for solar AC systems.

Room temperatures can be customized using zoned HVAC technology. A control panel is used to create zones in your home or building, regardless of your current HVAC system. Each zone has its own thermostat, and optimal temperatures can be set for each zone to eliminate energy waste in unused spaces. 

Additionally, smart thermostats have the capability of detecting changes in temperature, humidity, and flow. Thanks to these insights, these thermostats can customize and automate the indoor climate of a building. This technology is capable of being controlled from mobile or other smart devices and is used to inform preventive maintenance decisions. 

Usage and performance can be tracked with an HVAC monitoring system. These systems also provide analytic reports on any problems or inefficiencies present in your HVAC. If there is a fault with your system, you’ll be alerted immediately and the issue can be resolved in a timely manner.

New HVAC technology is getting smarter thanks to the use of AI, IoT, and machine learning algorithms. This smart tech trend analyzes your consumption to forecast future problems and identify the right time for maintenance. Preventative action can be taken before problems intensify, saving you money and a headache later.

Virtual reality (VR) is a quick and cost-effective way of upskilling technicians’ savviness and training on new HVAC tools. Online courses use VR to teach foundational knowledge and advanced concepts, and offer low-risk practice opportunities with realistic scenarios and equipment.

Industry leaders, such as the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) organization and the online trade training company Interplay Learning, partnered to use VR to offer remote training and certification opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As remote learning and training continue, the trend of VR will be important to the HVAC and other trade industries.

HVAC systems are notorious for both making and carrying noise throughout the ducts of a building. Soundproofing can be tricky when it comes to HVAC, because any equipment used to dampen noise also needs to be heat resistant.

Fire-safe products such as barriers, liners, insulation, and wraps can be inserted into ducts and pipes to absorb and control the movement of sound waves while maintaining airflow.

Another eco-friendly trend is geothermal HVAC optimization. A heat pump is connected to a geothermal heat exchanger that uses liquid in pipes to transfer and store heat in the ground. A geothermal system’s life span lasts anywhere between two to four times longer than a regular air-source system and is 65 percent more energy efficient. Most of the heat energy used is renewable and comes from the temperature of the Earth’s soil.

This method of heating and cooling can be entirely renewable when the heat exchange process is optimized. Accurately sized heat exchangers are needed to achieve the long-term energy savings and economic viability of geothermal HVAC systems.

Variable-speed HVAC is a trend that merges efficiency with eco-friendly outcomes. Unlike traditional systems that run at 100 percent capacity each time they’re turned on, variable-speed fans adjust their capacity based on the temperature of the environment. They also operate continuously on low power and improve air filtration.

The fan’s ability to alter its output based on the building’s temperature allows it to consume less energy than one-speed fans. If this technology is used throughout a home or building, you may reduce overall energy consumption and save on costs.

A dual-stage compressor is the middle ground between a one-speed and variable-speed system. With two speeds (usually high and low), it has one more output option than a one-speed fan, but not as many options as a variable-speed fan. 

The advantages of a dual-stage compressor are that it operates at full power when needed and can use less power when it’s not. It can also save energy because it doesn’t need to turn on and off as frequently as a one-speed fan, and it also doesn’t need to run constantly like variable-speed systems.

Flexible ducts need proper installation to function properly. Updating them can help you save on energy and money, as well as keep the climate of a building more comfortable. Energy Star reports that heating and cooling efficiency can be increased by as much as 20 percent by updating the insulation and sealing of air ducts.

They recommend beginning with sealing and taping your ducts at any seams or connections. After sealing, all ducts should be properly insulated to protect against extreme temperatures. When they are well insulated, sealed, and supported, losses in energy and airflow can be prevented.

Smart, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient HVAC technology is the way of the future. Find everything for your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning needs at Zoro and update your HVAC equipment today.

Sources: I AQA | Energy Star 1 2 | U.S. Department of Energy 

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