Today, technology is prominent in many HVAC trends mainly because it’s easily accessible and a lot smarter. AI, IoT, and virtual reality technologies are changing the HVAC industry in every possible way and have solved multiple problems. 

Some studies depict that the HVAC market can grow exponentially from 197.0 billion USD in 2021 to 277 billion USD by 2025. So technology has become a major contributor to this industry’s growth. The best part of this growth is these advancements have moved towards sustainability and energy-saving. 

In this post, we shall discuss the 10 new HVAC technology trends that benefit both the HVAC companies and their customers.

Advanced HVAC Technology Trends of 2023

Here are the 10 new technologies in the HVAC industry that will be trending in 2023.

1. HVAC Zoning System

HVAC zoning system or Zoned HVAC refers to the heating and cooling system where the ductwork is damped to regulate and redirect air to specific areas of the house alone.

Here a house is divided into different areas, and each part is individually controlled by separate smart thermostats using which the user can control and monitor the temperatures. Since each room has temperature settings, the best temperature for each area is achieved, and there is a decrease in usage in empty rooms.   

So by creating customized temperature zones throughout the house, you can increase comfort and save energy bills. 

The zones system can be applied to the VRF, air conditioning, or ductless systems. Also, zone systems can be installed in existing systems by using a zone control panel.

Almost every household that has adopted the HVAC zoning system benefits because there is an increased probability for houses to have a room too hot or too cold. Or at least family members with different temperature preferences. The HVAC zoning system can fulfill the different comfort needs and save monthly energy bills. So HVAC Zoning System is among the best HVAC innovations.

2. Energy Analysis Software

Another exciting HVAC technology is energy analysis software. Earlier, HVAC businesses, or technicians, had to manually check their energy bills, energy consumption, and other data when deciding to install a new HVAC unit.

However, the advancements in technology have eased this process. Various energy analysis software now helps HVAC business contractors save time and effort in researching the energy history while also saving customers money.

So this analytical software helps calculate the lifetime energy usage and other data related to the HVAC system and also tracks the efficiency of an HVAC system. Thus after analyzing it calculate the savings in comparison to other systems. 

This software has greatly helped customers and HVAC professionals make the best decision concerning their HVAC system and save energy costs.  

Also, these software programs can quickly lead to HVAC innovation on a large scale. So today, HVAC business engineers and architects can use this platform to find the appropriate equipment for their design and get an idea about the building’s lifetime energy consumption. And even if needed, consider the implementation of non-HVAC techniques like reflective roofing, geothermal, and night-sky cooling.

3. Thermally Driven Air Conditioning

Thermally driven air conditioning in HVAC systems is among the HVAC trends in 2022.

It is calculated that a large, portable air conditioning unit consumes about 4,100 watts per hour, while mid-sized air conditioners can use 2900 watts each hour. The electricity that powers these systems is mainly derived from fossil fuels than other energy forms.

So in an attempt to create an eco-friendly future, the advanced HVAC systems have incorporated thermally driven air conditioning unit that supplies electricity via solar power and thus have become sustainable systems.

And this method provides an energy-efficient cooling method that can be an alternative to the traditional air conditioners, and the biggest advantage it offers is eliminating electricity costs. 

Also, these systems have proved to remove heat with evaporation at low pressure. 

Though this technology has existed for many years, the ongoing research has helped curate a cost-efficient way to tackle energy consumption and carbon emissions and, thus, positively influence the environment.

4. Dual Fuel Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are generally more efficient and provide maximum comfort when using a combination of fuels. That said, the dual fuel heat pumps used in the HVAC systems come as a combination of an electric heat pump and gas furnace, providing efficient and cost-effective heating and cooling. 

During hot summers, the dual fuel heat pump becomes a high-efficiency central air conditioner, whereas, in the mid-spring or fall, it works as a cost-effective and efficient heat. Meanwhile, during winter, the heat pump shuts off, and the furnace takes over when the temperatures drop to greater heights. 

So the pumps automatically alternate between electric and gas pumps based on the outside temperature and provide higher energy efficiency, which is the next level of innovation. 

Though the initial cost of installing a dual-fuel heat pump is higher than a conventional system, in the long run, you will save your pocket. Also, this upgrade can be covered in the energy-saving tax credit and rebates. 

So if you plan to install a dual fuel pump, consult the HVAC professional about the same. Or, if you are an HVAC business contractor, explain this advanced HVAC technology and its tax benefit to your customer.

5. Smart HVAC technologies

You reached the office only to realize that you had left the AC ON. So will you return home to turn it off or just take advantage of smart technology and turn it off from the office itself?

Smart HVAC technology can be at your rescue at these crucial times. Also, imagine this scenario where you can get the AC turned on 15 minutes before you reach home. Isn’t it cool?

So smart technology can offer you the convenience of setting triggers and controlling the HVAC system from your mobile device. With advanced HVAC technologies equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, you can send commands to the HVAC units using your handheld device.

Smart controllers, smart ACs, and programmable thermostats can offer numerous benefits like remote monitoring and low energy bills. Apart from comfort and convenience, you can achieve energy efficiency and savings by setting triggers to activate your HVAC unit when needed. 

Thus, ensure that the HVAC unit is not running unnecessarily throughout the day. 

Now that many houses are adopting this technology; you can connect your unit with other smart appliances in your house and set them to work on automated conditions based on your preferences.

6. Predictive Maintenance

The predictive maintenance technique uses condition-monitoring tools and techniques that help monitor the performance of a structure or piece of equipment during its operation. 

Here predictive maintenance is one of the smart HVAC technologies that use IoT and AI to sense data on air quality and equipment status to predict the perfect time for maintenance. 

Since HVAC installations, repairs and maintenance are extremely costly, nobody would want to go through unnecessary maintenance at an odd time. So it is vital to stay alert about the working of the HVAC technology and predict when HVAC maintenance is required before a serious issue pop-up.

Overall, this technique helps reduce costly unexpected breakdowns in the systems and helps the HVAC professionals plan maintenance around their production schedule. Other benefits of this technique include improved air quality, better comfort, and a safer home.

7. Virtual Reality

While the installation, repair, or replacement of HVAC devices is generally done remotely, the training of HVAC technicians doesn’t necessarily be. HVAC technicians can also get trained for exceptional circumstances through virtual reality.

HVAC companies find virtual reality training cost-effective because these professionals can use virtual components and quickly develop their skills before moving into the real-world work culture. So this practice saves not only money but also time.

So the training with virtual reality is made possible using a virtual simulator. Using this device, HVAC business technicians can learn the process of installation or troubleshooting the new system. With the HVAC industry blooming, the workforce is also expected to increase. So virtual reality has made it possible for a large group of people to be trained in lesser time and, most importantly, with less equipment.

Another crucial benefit of this latest HVAC technology is that virtual reality training can provide safety, especially for beginners. As for the companies, this can be easy for them to handle risk and reduce the HVAC training cost.

8. Geothermal HVAC systems

With sustainable or green technology being the need of the hour, the HVAC industry has adopted different technologies that can contribute to the word eco-friendly.

One such technology is geothermal heating and cooling systems. This system is an excellent option to naturally cool a house using water, heat pumps, and an underground piping system. No refrigerant is used as geothermal heat pumps exchange heat with the ground, making them environmentally friendly. 

During summer, the heat is transferred to the ground after it is absorbed from the building. Whereas during winter, the heat is absorbed from the ground, then transferred into the building. Though installing geothermal systems is expensive, they deliver higher efficiency, and it is a better option than thermally driven AC systems.

9. Ductless HVAC Systems

Ductless heating and cooling systems offer two important benefits: they are efficient, and the installation doesn’t require extensive ducts, making them easy to install at less cost. 

Apart from this, a ductless system offers zoning capability where you can heat or cool a particular zone. The Ductless HVAC systems can be installed in moderate temperature zones and harsh temperature zones, and you can witness great seasonal efficiency ratings.

10. 3D Printed Air Conditioners

The 3D printing technology has gained more attention for more than a decade simply for its quick printing process of various products. 3D-printed air conditioners are a perfect example of how technology can meet HVAC unusually. 

These conditioners have a 3D porous block that absorbs humidity and cools the air via evaporation. Since 3D printer products are durable and require less maintenance, this technology is expected to bloom this year despite this technology being first created in 2015.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the latest technology in HVAC?

Technology has led to the advancement of the HVAC market to extreme levels. The latest technology in HVAC includes sustainable HVAC systems, robust mobile interface presence, artificial intelligence, and the utilization of smart thermostats.

What is the future of the HVAC industry?

The future of the HVAC industry is mainly focused on sustainable growth that helps reduce energy use and overall environmental impact. So HVAC’s future will use technologies like solar power, geothermal power, ice-powered air-conditioning, virtual reality, and 3D technology for blooming in an eco-friendly way.

What’s trending in HVAC?

Geothermal systems have gained more popularity over the past couple of years, and the trend is expected to rise. This is because these systems are 65% more efficient than the traditional HVAC systems as they use earth’s heat energy for effective and sustainable HVAC solutions.

What kind of HVAC system is best?

Heat pumps are the best HVAC system because they are super energy efficient. Though installing heat pumps is costly, you can quickly reap its benefits over the first few years via low energy bills.

What is the most popular HVAC system?

The most popular HVAC system is the standard split system that consists of a compressor outside the house and an air outlet unit inside the house.

Are new HVAC systems more efficient?

Yes, new HVAC systems have more energy efficiency ratings than 20-year-old systems. Also, modern systems utilize less electricity to cool your house.

Conclusion

U.S. Department of Energy reports show the HVAC system in a typical house in the U.S. consumes 48% of the total household energy usage. And the electricity that powers these systems are again from fossil fuels.

Not just the residential HVAC customers but also commercial buildings are worried about the high energy costs. Adopting various eco-friendly and energy-friendly trends can save pockets to a greater extent and also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint. 

Also, from manual buttons, remote controls, and dialers to controlling your HVAC system using voice commands, technology has enhanced and hugely eased the life of people. These latest trends in technology utilized in HVAC take it towards a sustainable future. You can use the best HVAC software that can make your HVAC operations easier, whether you are into an HVAC startup business or already running an HVAC company.