December 22, 2025

Maximizing HVAC Efficiency: Sustainable Restoration, Diagnostics, and ROI

29 minutes

Mike Nemer interviewed Kevin Carriere, the CEO of Powertron Global, who explained that he entered the HVAC industry after meeting engineers developing solutions for heat exchanger efficiency restoration. On episode 310 of The Green Insider podcast, Kevin described how Powertron Global was founded to address HVAC efficiency issues, expanding beyond initial heat exchanger solutions to tackle other efficiency-robbing factors in climate control systems.

Todays podcast includes:

Sustainable HVAC Efficiency Restoration

Sustainable HVAC practices can lead to cost savings, not just environmental benefits.

HVAC systems lose efficiency over time, mainly due to heat exchanger capacity loss, which increases energy use and maintenance.

Powertron engineers developed a heat exchanger restoration technology to restore lost efficiency, filling a gap in the industry.

Craftsmanship and education on efficiency restoration are crucial, especially for city and government agencies.

HVAC Efficiency Diagnostics Platform

Most HVAC systems, especially in taxpayer-funded facilities, operate 30–40% below their intended design capacity.

Powertron created a proprietary forensic measurement and verification platform, collecting data from over 400 studies in 38 countries.

The company focuses on restoring system capacity and providing diagnostic data to manufacturers and researchers, serving clients like cell tower huts, convenience stores, and government facilities.

HVAC Efficiency Loss Over Time

New HVAC systems lose 5–7% efficiency in the first year (with proper maintenance), then 3–4% annually, reaching a 25–30% reduction over time.

Systems in regions with long cooling seasons (eastern/western US) can lose significant efficiency in 3.5–5 years; in the Midwest, it takes about twice as long.

Rooftop units expected to last 15 years are often replaced in 10 due to efficiency loss and increased runtime.

Type System ROI and Sustainability

The ROI for Powertron’s type system is typically 12–18 months, but as short as 3 months for mission-critical sites (e.g., data centers, hospitals).

The goal is to restore systems to their design capacity, improving efficiency and generating further savings.

Certified reports are provided to quantify emissions reductions and energy savings, which can be used in customers’ sustainability reports.

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This podcast is sponsored by UTSI International. To learn more about our sponsor or ask about being a sponsor, contact ERENEWABLE and the Green Insider Podcast.

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