D+R Insight Blog

The D+R International team is made up of several teams that focus on energy consulting, efficiency, and education for dozens of clients and organizations. D+R LEARN, the educational side of the company, has had the pleasure of researching, documenting, and designing case studies, online classes, and virtual interactive tours that focus on educating and training both new and future professionals. We even help educate general audiences, such as homeowners and project managers of real estate and similar areas.

D+R LEARN has had the pleasure of documenting dozens of installations over the years for training and educational purposes. Many of those installations were focused on new designs and technology centered around water heating. While heat pumps have proven over the years to be beneficial for efficiency and savings, sometimes seeing an installation in action can be the final bit of reassurance that installers and homeowners need to make the switch from traditional water heaters.

The D+R LEARN has taken part in dozens of case studies, site captures, and content development projects over the years. Many of those have focused on heat pump technology and the impact the technology has on water heating, HVAC, and energy efficiency in a number of environments. Surprisingly, heat pump technology is not as new to the scene as many homeowners or commercial site operators think.In fact, heat pumps have been around for over a century, advancing and improving efficiency and service over time.

Originally built in 1967, The Hostel underwent major renovations in 2021 under the guidance of owner Cody Mueller, who prioritized energy-efficient upgrades, including LED lighting and HVAC improvements. Ephoca AIO wall-mounted units were installed due to their unique compact design, dual functionality, and energy-efficient operation. These units replaced outdated baseboard heaters, freed up space and streamlined thermal comfort through a single, wall-mounted thermostat.

As heating and cooling equipment manufacturers continue to innovate to meet the demands of both commercial and residential consumers, ductless HVAC systems have emerged as a bright spot in the marketplace....

Last summer, a report published by The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the Institute for Electric Innovation (IEI), confirmed that “electrification is our biggest opportunity.”...

Often, in order to look towards the future, you need to look at the past. What worked, what didn’t work and why not? ...

Turns out that 2018 was a milestone year for electric vehicle (EV) sales in the U.S. According to Inside EVs, six consecutive months claimed a spot on their list of top months for EV sales....

Last week, I was in Nashville, Tenn., for ACEEE’s 2019 Hot Water Forum. It’s always a great event with tons to learn about the latest technology and policy developments in the world of water heating....

In order for utilities to prepare for the EV revolution, they will have to align their business strategies with market developments. In this webinar, we discuss opportunities and challenges that utilities face in advancing their electric mo...

The electric vehicle (EV) revolution continues to make headlines as sales forecasts are revised upwards....

D+R International’s John Morris and Stephen Baboi are packing their bags, charging a Tesla X, and plotting their route for an electric vehicle (EV) road trip to Efficiency Exchange 2019 (EFX). ...D+R International’s John Morris and Stephen Baboi are packing their bags, charging a Tesla X, and plotting their route for an electric vehicle (EV) road trip to Efficiency Exchange 2019 (EFX). ...

D+R International’s John Morris and Stephen Baboi charged a Tesla S and took an electric vehicle (EV) road trip to Efficiency Exchange 2019 (EFX), the premier networking and learning conference for energy efficiency professionals from acr...

Over the past decade, “Big Data” has been hailed as the miracle cure for businesses of all types. ...

Don’t Let Data be the Enemy. Use Data to Help You Help Your Business....

My son (I call him Big A in my online posts) turned 15 this spring and he is counting the days until he gets his learner’s permit to begin driving. ...

Listicles. They are all over the Internet. If you want to know how to eat right, how to work out more efficiently and how to improve your finances, you will surely find a list online offering neatly packaged lists of tips....

Insights from the ASAE Annual Meeting. In August, we traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to attend the American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE) annual meeting and exposition....

How a regular data checkup can keep your organization healthy....

Rural electric cooperatives are sometimes overlooked in the conversation about transforming how the U.S. generates and consumes energy....

Growing cannabis indoors is an energy intense process. As the number of states legalizing medical and recreational marijuana increases, the energy footprint increases as well. ...

About a month ago, the D+R team attended the first annual JD Power Auto Revolution conference to learn more about automotive trends and how OEMs, dealers, and other stakeholders in the industry are preparing for the future of mobility....

The holiday season seems to come earlier and earlier each year. With household decorations being such a big part of gearing up for the holidays, it is important to consider the impact of your purchases as you stock up for the season. ...

Growing food and cannabis crops indoors is no longer the plot of a Sci-Fi movie. Indoor agriculture is an industry that not only exists, but it is one that is rapidly growing in North America....

The D+R International (D+R) team values staying up to date in the world of sustainability and green building....

The D+R team had an amazing time co-hosting the inaugural Indoor Agriculture Energy Solutions Conference (IAES Conference) with the Resource Innovation Institute (RII). ...

As EV demand continues to grow, utilities should be preparing for the subsequent increase in electricity demand with in-depth electrification strategies....

While the rise of Electric Vehicle (EV) use causes some uncertainty for utilities, they can develop strategies to prepare for and even lead the EV revolution....

EV rebate and incentive programs for residential and commercial installations and purchases are among the most effective ways to encourage EV adoption....

Developing a transportation electrification plan is key for utilities looking to advance transportation electrification in their service areas. ...

There are environmental benefits to increased EV adoption, but we are stepping into uncharted territory when it comes to powering large numbers of EVs....

You may have heard of Demand Response (DR), but do you know why it is so important for grid modernization? ...

Here are a few of the trends for electric vehicles that we expect to impact utilities and the auto industry in 2021....

Microgrids. Everyone is talking about them, and why shouldn’t they? We are seeing the impact of harsh weather on our grids, leading to anything from brownouts to wildfires. ...

Now is the time for utilities to engage auto dealerships in order to stay at the forefront of the Electric Vehicle (EV) conversation. As a growing interest in EVs develops, there is a misalignment of the perceived value of EVs among utiliti...

HPWHs are the future of water heating, with local jurisdictions promoting all-electric buildings and a new national effort to accelerate this market. ...

Find out what we’re learning about behind-the-meter batteries, global EV market trends, and the new Ford F-150 Lighting....

D+R interviewed auto dealers throughout Southern Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia to gained insight into EV readiness among auto dealerships in the region. ...

DOE Supports the Future of Water Heating, New Research on Windows from ENERGY STAR, and the Keys to Electrifying HVAC Systems in Cold Climates....

This month, our “What We’re Learning” series highlights workforce education in the HVAC industry....

Acquisition broadens D+R International’s reach into the energy efficiency marketplace SILVER SPRING, MD, October 8, 2019 – D+R International, Ltd., the experts in energy efficiency market analysis, announced today that it has acquired ASWB Engineering, an engineering consulting firm that provides energy and demand management…

SILVER SPRING, Md., October 26, 2018 – D+R International, a leading provider of data and market analysis, is pleased to announce that Dan Vida, D+R’s Senior Manager – Market Intelligence, will serve as an expert panelist at the Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International’s (HARDI)…

SILVER SPRING, Md., May 2, 2018—D+R International is pleased to announce that effective May 2, 2018, LED Lighting Facts resumed acceptance of LED lighting products under the direction of D+R International, the implementer of the program since its inception. The simple “truth-in-advertising” labeling program provides…