The HVAC industry is buzzing with exciting, innovative, and transformative advancements that are set to redefine heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. If you’re looking to upgrade your heating or cooling system, here are some emerging technologies you should watch out for.
Smart Home Integration
Smart thermostats and home automation systems are becoming crucial components of heating and air conditioning systems today. Smart thermostats can learn your daily schedule and temperature preferences and automatically fine-tune your home’s climate based on your habits. Modern thermostats take this a step further by detecting room occupancy and adjusting the temperature dynamically, ensuring optimal comfort and energy efficiency.
Moreover, modern smart thermostats can effortlessly connect to your smartphone, laptop, and voice command devices, such as Amazon Echo, Google Nest, Siri, and other smart home assistants, to give you full control over your house’s climate settings, even when you’re away. This integration also allows your home systems to be in sync, enabling a fully automated and cohesive living environment. For instance, if you leave your house and the security system is alarmed, the thermostat can automatically switch to energy-saving mode. Similarly, when you’re on your way home, geofencing technology can trigger your HVAC system to adjust the temperatures to comfortable levels, turn the lights on, or even open the garage door to welcome you.
Energy Efficiency Standards
With growing awareness of climate change, the federal government encouraged HVAC manufacturers to focus on developing energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. The minimum SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) required for HVAC systems is 14 in the northern regions and 15 in the southern US. SEER is a metric that measures the cooling output of an HVAC system over an entire cooling season, divided by the energy it consumes in watt-hours. The higher the number, the more efficient a system is.
Besides SEER, heat pumps use a metric known as HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor). This factor measures the efficiency of a heat pump’s heating mode over a heating season. It’s basically SEER in the winter season. The minimum required rating is 8.8 HSPF nationwide.
You may have noticed that SEER and HSPF are now often labeled with a “2” suffix, appearing as SEER2 and HSPF2. This updated labeling reflects new testing standards introduced by the Department of Energy (DOE) to accurately measure the performance of HVAC units under real-world conditions. A 15 SEER rating translates to 14.3 SEER2, while 8.8 HSPF converts to 7.5 HSPF2.
Boilers and furnaces use a rating known as AFUE (annualized fuel utilization efficiency) to measure their energy efficiency. It’s indicated as a percentage. For instance, an AFUE rating of 95% means that 95% of the fuel the heating system consumes turns into heat that warms the house, while the remaining 5% is lost. The nationwide minimum AFUE rating is 81%. However, to qualify for ENERGY STAR certification, heating systems must achieve a rating of at least 90% in the southern regions and 95% or higher in the northern regions.
Air Quality Enhancements
Modern HVAC systems are now equipped with advanced, high-efficiency air filters. Previously, residential HVAC systems had filters with a MERV rating between 5 and 12. Today, the minimum MERV rating required for HVAC air filters is 11. These filters can trap dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and lint. However, consider systems rated MERV 13 or higher. A MERV 13 filter can trap everything a MERV 11 can, plus smoke, smog, some airborne viruses and bacteria, and fine particles that can contribute to respiratory problems.
Modern HVAC systems can also regulate your home’s relative humidity. They come with humidity sensors and built-in humidifiers or dehumidifiers, which can add or remove moisture to improve the quality of your indoor air.
Zoning Systems for Personalized Comfort
Zoned HVAC systems use motor-driven dampers in the ductwork, which regulate the flow of conditioned air to specific areas of the house. Each room is equipped with its own thermostat, enabling occupants to set their desired temperatures independently. This setup eliminates the need to heat or cool unused spaces, reducing energy consumption while enhancing comfort for every individual in the household.
There are two types of zoning systems you can invest in: single-stage and multi-stage systems. A single-stage system is the most basic option available. It operates with only two settings: on or off. This means it either functions at full capacity when active or completely shuts down when not in use.
A multi-stage system, on the other hand, adds more variety and precision. It can operate at different levels of output, depending on your heating or cooling demands. For example, in mild summer months, your unit’s condenser may run at a lower speed (like 55% capacity) to maintain comfortable temperatures. However, during peak summer, the system can adjust to operate at full capacity to meet your cooling demands. This flexibility not only enhances indoor comfort but also optimizes energy efficiency, prolonging the lifespan of your equipment.
Quiet Operation Technology
New advancements in technology are making HVAC systems quieter than ever before. For starters, the inverter technology that allows multi-stage systems to run at different speeds rather than always operating at full capacity reduces operational noise significantly. Manufacturers have also developed aerodynamic fan blades that move air more efficiently without vibrations or disruptive sounds.
Additionally, HVAC engineers are incorporating insulated panels and noise-dampening materials into heating and cooling systems. For instance, there are compressors that come with sound-absorbing enclosures to minimize noise generated during operation. Most units today also have vibration isolation mounts that prevent mechanical parts from transmitting vibration to the surrounding structures.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly HVAC Systems
In 1987, governments all over the world signed an agreement known as “The Montreal Protocol” to phase out the production and use of substances that deplete the ozone layer. Among the substances targeted were chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were commonly used in HVAC units as refrigerants. In 2025, the refrigerant being phased out is R-410A. If you’re planning to upgrade to a whole-home ducted HVAC system, look for models that use R-454B refrigerant. For ductless systems, consider options that utilize R-32 refrigerant.
Sustainability efforts have also led to the rise of heat pump adoption. Heat pumps can be up to 300% efficient and provide year-round indoor comfort.
While heat pumps are known for struggling in extremely cold climates like in the north, modern advancements have improved their performance significantly. Innovations such as dual-fuel systems combine the efficiency of a heat pump with the reliability of a furnace, ensuring effective heating even in sub-zero temperatures. There are also cold climate heat pumps specifically designed to perform in freezing conditions, using advanced compressors and refrigerants to retain heating capacity.
Contact F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling for More Information
Consult with F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to stay ahead of the latest HVAC trends. Our knowledgeable and experienced technicians can help you navigate these exciting advancements while also informing you about the evolving laws and regulations that may impact the industry. We also offer heating and cooling installation services, maintenance, and repairs. Call F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today for HVAC upgrades in Cheshire.
