HVAC Innovation Showdown: And Then There Were Eight

A trade publication marking its 100th anniversary is running a bracket-style contest to crown the greatest HVAC innovation of all time, and voting is open to the public. Readers pick winners in head-to-head matchups, tournament style, until one technology is crowned champion.

The first round narrowed 16 innovations down to eight. Smart thermostats beat out zoning systems, and low-GWP refrigerants (a newer generation of coolants designed to have less impact on the atmosphere) edged out CO2 refrigeration in a close race. Cold-climate heat pumps beat geothermal systems, ductless mini-splits beat high-efficiency condensing furnaces, and inverter-driven compressors beat standard central air conditioners. Also advancing: ECM motors (efficient electric motors used in blowers and fans), TXVs (valves that regulate refrigerant flow), and digital diagnostics and Bluetooth tools, which beat out indoor air quality accessories.

This is a fun, informal contest rather than a policy or product announcement, so it doesn't change what's available for your house or what rebates you can get. But the list itself is a useful snapshot of which technologies the industry considers milestones — several of them, like cold-climate heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, and smart thermostats, are also common options homeowners consider today when planning heating and cooling upgrades. If any of those are on your radar, it may be worth looking into current rebates or incentives in your state, separate from this contest.