We’ve highlighted three HVAC trends we think will be critical for your business to think about in 2023, plus important factors for the coming years. This high-level overview may help your business prepare to meet your customers’ needs.
1. Energy Efficiency Takes Center Stage
January 1, 2023, kicks off a massive change in energy efficiency regulations with the new SEER2 requirements for HVAC systems. Heat pumps are going through a nationwide efficiency increase and split-system air conditioners are going through regional efficiency increases, according to Heating, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International.
The new testing procedure increases the external static pressure (ESP) from 0.1 ESP to 0.5 ESP. That means any increase in blower motor watts will reduce the efficiency rating of a product. The new tests also mean a new rating system in 2023: SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2. The numerical ratings for the new metrics are actually lower to account for the more stringent testing. Now, minimally compliant products are 7% more efficient.
While the ratings vary on a regional level for air conditioning units, heat pump ratings are regulated nationally. The new SEER2 rating of 14.3 in 2023 would actually be one point higher (15) than the previous SEER standard (14).
Implementing these standards could collectively save homeowners $2.5 billion to $12 billion over the next 30 years if they use central air conditioners or heat pumps, according to the Department of Energy.
In 2023, GE Appliances Air and Water Solutions is releasing a full lineup of ducted residential HVAC products which are already designed to meet the national regulatory changes going into effect in January. These products, with higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio ratings and heating seasonal performance factor ratings, exceed the new national and regional standards.
Visit our residential ducted HVAC website to learn more about these pro-centric products and how they can help support and build your business.
2. More Smart HVAC Products Will Enter the Market
Smart home devices have boomed in recent years, and the market is expected to grow over the next several years. A recent industry report estimated the global smart home market size — $99 billion in 2020 — will nearly quadruple to an astounding $380 billion by 2028.
Smart appliances are increasingly becoming the industry norm. In fact, many experts project that smart appliances will reach a worldwide market volume of at least $76 billion by 2026.
GE Appliances’ SmartHQ™ comes standard on many of our HVAC systems, benefiting both homeowners and property managers. SmartHQ gives consumers total control by providing a simple way to manage and service appliances from one centralized location.
Homeowners can control their built-in, portable and window air conditioners or ductless mini-splits from an easy-to-use app on their phone. They can monitor the status of their unit, adjust the temperature, and set cooling and heating schedules from anywhere with the push of a button.
As part of SmartHQ Pro’s enterprise-level solution, SmartHQ Management and SmartHQ Service offer proactive maintenance of appliances across multiple properties remotely, with precision diagnostics to simplify service on-site. Both the Zoneline® UltimateV10™ and Zoneline® UltimateV12™ vertical terminal air conditioners feature SmartHQ Pro, giving property managers powerful insights that can save them both time and money on maintenance.
3. Better Indoor Air Quality Will Become Even More Important in Hospitality
As we work with our customers to help determine their biggest needs, we continue to see a growing demand for fresh, makeup air — especially from hospitality customers who see a continuous cycle of guests day in and day out.
Ever since COVID-19, indoor air quality has been top of mind for many hotel property managers. More and more people are concerned about the indoor environment in which they’re staying and its effects on their health and well-being, according to the Continuing Education Center for Architecture and Construction.
“The spaces we occupy have a critical effect on our physical and mental health, which in turn affects the quality of the decisions we make, the way we feel, how we move in the world and interact with others, how well we accomplish our daily tasks and work, and in general, the way we experience our lives.”
To meet this growing demand, GE Appliances Air and Water Solutions has made new innovations in both packaged terminal air conditioners and vertical terminal air conditioners.
For VTACs, the Zoneline Ultimate V12 features a heat pump with inverter technology and adjustable-speed makeup air capability, for hospitality and multi-unit residential use. For projects requiring highly filtered makeup air, the optional RAA13V makeup air filter provides MERV13-level filtration that stops most dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, viruses and other airborne pathogens from entering the room.
On the PTAC side, the industry is focused on specific units that not only introduce outside air but also add an extra layer of virus-fighting protection to drastically improve the air quality in the room. While our Zoneline® PTAC series already introduces makeup air, we’ve also developed kits to install air-purifying UV lights into some of our Zoneline products.
UVC lighting can eliminate bacteria in the air, focusing ultraviolet light on the air as it passes through the channel. Results from the Environmental Protection Agency testing show this process is 94% effective in reducing the viral concentration of a room in three hours. While helpful for hotels and multifamily dwellings, it is also an important asset for assisted living facilities that use PTAC systems to help protect residents with already-compromised immune systems.
See how GE Appliances Air & Water Solutions can help you capitalize on these trends over the coming year. Have a question? Contact us today.