WebHVAC August 2018 Monthly Top 5 HVAC News Stories
Every month, we bring you interesting and informative HVAC news stories from around the web. This month’s list brings doses of love, energy savings, weather information and more.
August 2018 Top HVAC News Stories
Lennox Feel the Love Program
Why not start with good news?
Lennox’s Feel the Love program is a partnership with the manufacturer and its dealers “focused on providing home comfort to families in need.”
According to the Lennox news release, “Recipients are chosen based on a variety of criteria, including physical, mental, or social disabilities; financial challenges; job loss; military service; and community service. Nominations are accepted through the Feel the Love website now through September 5.”
There’s still time to nominate a family that could really benefit from a new furnace this winter!
Since its inception in 2009, $3.8 million worth of equipment and labor has been donated. This includes furnaces, thermostats, parts and supplies and installation.
Sure, this is good Lennox PR, but it’s doing more good than $3.8 million in advertising would produce.
El Niño is Coming: What it Means for Your Winter
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “The odds of El Niño emerging in the tropical Pacific by fall have dropped slightly to 60% (from 65%), but remain at 70% by winter.”
The typical El Niño winter is warmer and drier – bad news for those that love skiing and snowmobiling or businesses that depend on winter recreation spending. For others who dread winter’s blast, its not bad news.
Here are a couple current maps, subject to change, look like.
10 Ways to Reduce Energy Use
Solar Estimate just released tips for reducing your energy bill in 2018 and beyond. There are obvious suggestions like use LED bulbs and some ones you might not have considered.
Check out 10 ways to reduce energy use including HVAC tips.
Brand Similarities
What brand is better, Trane or American Standard? Carrier or Bryant? How about Carrier or Day & Night?
Would you be surprised to know the brands in each question are identical – or so nearly so it won’t make a difference which you choose?
With that in mind, here are identical/very similar brands and who owns them:
- Amana/Goodman/Daikin – Daikin
- Rheem/Ruud –Pamona Industries
- York/Coleman/Luxaire – Johnson Controls
- Carrier/Bryant/Payne – United Technologies
- Heil, Arcoaire, Day & Night, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, Keeprite – ICP, and ICP is owned by United Technologies
- Trane/American Standard – Ingersoll Rand
- Armstrong Air, AirEase, Ducane, Concord – Allied Air, which is owned by Lennox but has different products
United Technologies Corporation residential HVAC Brands
While the HVAC equipment is identical or nearly so from the same manufacturer, pricing is sometimes different.
For example, Amana costs more than Goodman but has better warranties.
Day & Night and Tempstar are sold for less than Carrier in order to attract homeowners that think, “I won’t even get an estimate from Carrier. They’re just too expensive.”
Is Environmentalism Informing your HVAC Decisions?
Ken Ely of Johnson Controls (York, Luxaire, Coleman) says, “A study on home comfort reported that four out of five consumers prefer purchasing from manufacturers that are known for producing environmentally friendly products, and seven in 10 are willing to pay more for such products.
“Evidence of this trend has been a driving factor in sustaining the demand for these products over time, despite economic factors.”
Are you part of the trend? Read more about it here.