Electrification, decarbonization policies, user comfort expectations, and the rapid shift toward connected, predictive home systems are reshaping how manufacturers design next-generation heat pumps, air conditioners, boilers, and ventilation equipment.

Component reliability, sensing accuracy, and integration flexibility have become central to addressing OEM needs. As HVAC systems grow more complex, component suppliers must stay aligned with global trends, anticipating new technical constraints, supporting new architectures, and enabling smarter, more efficient system behavior.

Market Trends Reshaping Residential HVAC

#1. Electrification and the rise of heat pumps

Heat pumps are becoming the default technology for heating in many regions driven by:

• Carbon-reduction policies
• High energy efficiency and low operating costs
• Advances enabling better performance in cold climates

Global heat pump production is now counted in the millions annually and is expected to grow significantly in Europe, China, and North America over the next decade.

#2. Continued dominance of air conditioning, driven by Asia

Air conditioners represent the majority of residential HVAC volumes. Key trends include:

• Seasonal efficiency improvements
• Design compactness
• Better condensate management
• Increased reliance on fast, accurate sensors

#3. Persistence of the boiler market

Despite electrification, boilers remain widely deployed for domestic hot water and heating. OEMs are focusing on:

• Safety improvements
• Compact architectures
• Enhanced temperature regulation
• Integration with hybrid heating solutions

Technical Challenges Driving Innovation Needs

#1. Efficiency in Extreme Climates

Heat pumps experience efficiency losses at −10°C to −15°C due to humidity, icing on external units, and limited heat extraction capacity. Defrost cycles reduce system uptime and efficiency. 

Technical impact:

• Precise temperature sensing is required across refrigerant circuits.
• Fast-response sensors on tubing are becoming essential.
• Backup systems (electrical heating, air-air units) are increasingly integrated.

These conditions create demand for:

• Faster response temperature sensors
• Reliable safety switches
• Precise control over refrigerant cycle components

#2. Tightness and Refrigerant Management

Systems must preserve refrigerant gases under pressure. To minimize leakage risk, many OEMs prefer sensors mounted externally on tubing rather than inserted into the refrigerant line. 

Design challenges:

• Need for high thermal conductivity through bracket or clamp designs
• Need to deliver fast response time despite external mounting
• Compatibility with multiple tube diameters (12–20 mm)

As a result, sensors and thermostats increasingly need to be:

• Mounted externally on tubes
• Mechanical-assembly-friendly
• Compatible with various tube diameters
• Designed for fast thermal transfer 

 #3. From Simple Sensing to Smart Sensing

OEMs increasingly request multifunction sensors capable of integrating:

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Pressure
• Diagnostic intelligence

For instance, combining humidity and temperature enables perceived temperature compensation, improving user comfort and system optimization. 

HVAC systems are becoming smart systems. Manufacturers look for sensors capable of:

• Combining temperature with humidity and pressure
• Providing interpreted or compensated values
• Integrating predictive insights for maintenance and efficiency
• Supporting connectivity to cloud or home automation systems

#4. Connectivity and Predictive Maintenance

HVAC systems are now expected to be IoT-ready:

• Remote monitoring
• Usage-based maintenance
• Cloud-based optimization

OEMs are prioritizing components that:

• Fit into constrained spaces
• Support multiple mounting standards
• Reduce assembly complexity
• Enable platform standardization across product lines

Cebi’s innovation roadmap is already aligned with this evolution, particularly through the Smart Sensor Program. 

How to support Customer Needs

Cebi supports HVAC OEMs in a various ways including: 

• Comprehensive HVAC portfolio: Temperature and pressure sensing, thermal safety, electric motors, condensate management, and actuators for heat pumps, boilers, and AC systems, enabling OEMs to reduce supplier complexity while improving reliability.

    View our E-catalog     

• Tube-mounted sensing expertise: Robust “clip-on” sensor solutions designed for refrigerant tightness, fast thermal response, multiple tube diameters, and reliable operation in harsh outdoor environments.
• Smart sensor development: Multi-function sensing modules combining temperature, humidity, pressure, local processing, and connectivity to support energy efficiency, comfort, and remote diagnostics.
• Cross-sector reliability: Proven industrial quality, testing standards, and design-for-manufacturing excellence derived from decades of automotive and household appliance experience.
• OEM co-development and proximity: Global footprint enabling local support, co-design workshops, rapid prototyping, and early involvement in customer innovation programs.

One of the latest co-development project Cebi ran was about designing tube-mounted thermostats tailored to the OEM’s system geometry and is a prime example of this co-engineering approach. 

Conclusion

Residential HVAC is evolving toward smarter, more efficient, more electrified systems. OEMs face a growing need for reliable sensing, precise thermal management, compact actuator solutions, and embedded intelligence. It makes the Residential HVAC appliances one of the fastest-growing segments in the global home energy ecosystem. 

By aligning its product development with these global trends, Cebi is well positioned to support manufacturers in delivering high-performance residential HVAC solutions.