The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers tax credits that home-owners can take advantage of when purchasing new, more energy efficient, higher-SEER HVAC equipment. "Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for improvements "placed in service" starting January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010." Consumers can also receive a 30% tax credit for geothermal heat pumps placed in service before December 31, 2016.

Another development that will have an impact on the growth of the HVAC industry is the phasing out of ozone-depleting used as refrigerants in older air conditioners. Having already phased out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) like R-11 and R-12 by 1995, the United States will now begin phasing out the use of the R-22 hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant as of January 1, 2010. According to the EPA, "chemical manufacturers may still produce R-22 to service existing equipment, but not for use in new equipment." In other words, while the existing stores of R-22 refrigerant can be used for existing equipment, new equipment will be required to use the alternative R-410A refrigerant instead. That will mean new business for installers and HVAC equipment manufacturers.

Further support for more efficient HVAC equipment comes from the DOE's Builder Challenge, which supports the construction of cost-effective, net-zero homes throughout the United States. The Building Technology Program's Builder's Challenge was developed by the Department of Energy with the goal of offering "affordable net-zero energy homes by 2020 and net-zero energy commercial buildings by 2025." The Department of Energy claims that homes that have already been built with the BTP's Building America best practices "can use 40 percent less energy than comparable new homes." The ultimate goal of the program is to offer homebuyers the choice of buying a "cost-neutral, net-zero energy home (NZEH) anywhere in the United States" by 2030.

Report Methodology

The information in HVAC in the U.S., 2nd Edition -- Green and Global is based on data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Census Bureau, along with information from trade associations such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), business journals, company literature and websites, and research services such as Simmons Market Research Bureau.

What You'll Get in This Report

HVAC in the U.S., 2nd Edition -- Green and Global, makes important predictions and recommendations regarding the future of this market, and pinpoints ways current and prospective players can capitalize on current trends and spearhead new ones. No other market research report provides both the comprehensive analysis and extensive data that HVAC in the U.S., 2nd Edition -- Green and Global offers. Plus, you'll benefit from extensive data, presented in easy-to-read and practical charts, tables and graphs.