5 New HVAC Technologies You Need To Know About

HVAC technology is changing to meet growing demand, and innovative products are reshaping the industry. The latest tech, from single products to entire home systems, is driving down installation and maintenance costs. As a result, homeowners in Lake Placid, Florida, are enjoying the many benefits these systems bring to their families. Here are five new HVAC technologies every homeowner should keep an eye on:

Thermally Driven HVAC

Solar technology is sprouting up everywhere, and a thermally driven chiller is an innovative alternative to conventional HVAC systems. Chromasun, an Australian company, developed chillers to take advantage of solar power. Conventional systems use electrically driven compressors to produce chilled air, which can be expensive during peak usage.

Chromasun chillers use solar power. Instead of drawing energy from a conventional electric power source, a Chromasun chiller employs a micro-concentrator (MCT) Panel. These panels are next generation collectors that are smaller than older solar panels. They fit easily on rooftops and can achieve working temperatures of up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ice Power

Ice power works in conjunction with a conventional HVAC system already installed in a home. The technology is based on freezing a 450-gallon tank of water each night. The block of ice is then used to cool the home the next day. Once the ice melts, your HVAC system kicks in and cools for the remainder of the day.

Homeowners can reduce their residential cooling bills by up to 40 percent using this method. The technology also helps homeowners reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 percent. Although ice power will decrease your overall energy bill, it can’t replace your current HVAC system. Therefore, it’s important that your current unit is highly efficient.

DeVAP

Experts predict this technology will change the industry and may be the wave of the future. DeVAP stands for Desiccant-Enhanced Evaporative. The technology uses a honeycomb membrane. The system absorbs the water from the surrounding air and sends it through this desiccant material. Air then flows through an evaporative cooler to condition and remove humidity from it.

The desiccant material regenerates using waste heat. During the process, the system only uses electrical energy to dehumidify the air. A DeVAP air conditioner uses 30 to 80 percent less energy than conventional systems. Air conditioning alone accounts for an average of almost 50 percent of a homeowner’s monthly bill. A DeVAP system can be a net-zero energy source.

Current manufacturers and even government agencies are working hard to adapt the technology to residential use. Be on the lookout for this emerging technology.

Geothermal Heating and Cooling

Outside temperatures fluctuate wildly, geothermal systems tap into an unlimited supply of constant energy just a few feet underground. Geothermal employs a system of underground pipes, also know as loops, to capture this energy. Residential geothermal systems can use loops that are arranged horizontally, vertically or submerged into an accessible body of water.

Installers place horizontal loops 6 to 8 feet beneath the surface of the ground. A vertical loop extends down from 250 to 300 feet. If there’s an accessible body of water, an installer may choose to submerge a series of pipes in it.

The pipes fill with a fluid. In the summer months, heat dissipates through the earth. In winter months, the earth’s heat is absorbed. A geothermal heat pump installed inside the home works in much the same way as a traditional heat pump. The geothermal heat pump utilizes the earth’s own stable temperature to keep your home comfortable. As a result, you can benefit from lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.

Smart Thermostats

Lastly, homeowners can make an immediate impact on their energy bills by utilizing the latest thermostat technology. With smart thermostats, controlling your home temperature is as easy as using a smartphone app. You can apply various settings to control temperatures while you’re at home, away or asleep. As a result, you’ll avoid wasting energy when no one is home.

The future is here, bringing with it plenty of innovative ways to save money on your home’s energy bills. Contact Miller’s Central Air, Inc. at 863-699-5455 to talk to one of our professionals today about our offering of new HVAC technologies.

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