Ross Stafford reports on the intersection of smart technology and HVAC systems. He provides critical analysis of energy-efficiency trends and the shifting landscape of building automation.
Heat Pumps
RecycleForce in Indianapolis is set to receive a $500,000 Brownfields Job Training Grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a move aimed at boosting the local economy and cleaning up communities. One might say it's about time someone got around to it. The EPA's
Heat Pumps
City & Guilds and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE) are collaborating to address skills gaps and enhance training standards in the plumbing and heating sector, reflecting growing concerns about the industry's ability to meet current and future demands. This alliance aims to tackle pressing
Fans & Motors
A European Parliament report highlights the connection between air pollution and COVID-19, emphasising ventilation's importance. The report examines the impact of air pollution on health, with a specific focus on COVID-19 transmission. The report stresses that adequate ventilation is crucial for reducing the spread of Sars-COV-2, and considers
BMS & Controls
Airedale by Modine's Helix Unit Controls platform combines hardware and software for efficient HVAC automation. The Helix platform includes features such as self-diagnostics and compliance with Ecodesign standards. It also facilitates connectivity between multiple units and to ACIS or third-party BMS systems. Key components include the Vu Display,
Heat Pumps
The passing of Christiane Schaufler-Münch, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of BITZER SE, sees her shares transferred to THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION, ensuring the company's continued independence. Christiane Schaufler-Münch’s shares will transfer to THE SCHAUFLER FOUNDATION, solidifying its influence. This arrangement, coupled with the appointment of Christian Wehrle
Heat Pumps
Updated VAT guidance clarifies which energy-saving materials qualify for zero-rate VAT until March 2027. NIBE has announced updated guidance on VAT rates for energy-saving materials, effective from April 2022 in Great Britain. The revised rules remove both the social conditions test and the 60% test for qualifying installations in England,
Heat Pumps
NIBE's S735C exhaust air heat pump aims to capture and reuse domestic energy, improving efficiency via integration with the myUplink platform. NIBE has introduced its S735C exhaust air heat pump to the British market, a system designed to extract warm air from homes and convert it into useful
Refrigerants
Beijer Ref and BITZER have extended their partnership agreement for another year, continuing their collaboration in supplying refrigeration and air conditioning components. Following a prior extension, BITZER and Beijer Ref are continuing their long-standing collaboration, focusing on energy-efficient solutions, including the use of natural refrigerants. BITZER supplies Beijer Ref’s
Heat Pumps
Eurovent has issued complementary Product Category Rules (cPCR) guidance to standardise environmental reporting for commercial refrigeration equipment and facilitate the development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD’s). The guidance supplements EN15804 or EN50693 and is intended for manufacturers, consultants, and environmental professionals. It addresses product descriptions, performance, service life, lifecycle
Chillers
Trane Technologies' acquisition of LiquidStack signals a strategic expansion into data centre liquid cooling technology. This acquisition, expected to close in early 2026, builds upon Trane's existing minority investment in LiquidStack made in 2023. This move demonstrates a focused pivot towards the specific challenges of data centre
Refrigerants
A recent Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) survey has highlighted a worrying skills gap within the UK's heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) sector, with employers finding it increasingly difficult to recruit technically competent engineers. The survey, conducted in October 2025, highlights a confluence of factors contributing to
Heat Pumps
BITZER is using World Refrigeration Day to highlight the range of career paths the sector offers. To mark World Refrigeration Day 2021, BITZER is raising awareness of the many opportunities in the field. BITZER supports World Refrigeration Day, which falls annually on 26 June. The date marks the birthday of