• Comfortech Product Showcase Award

    Feb. 1, 2011
    At HVAC Comfortech 2010, 12 products were recognized as Product Showcase Award winners. Judges took into consideration the ease with which HVAC contractors can apply the technology, and the technical value of the product or service to the HVAC industry. We'll feature these products each month in upcoming issues of Contracting Business. This month, we're featuring LG's Flex Multi Split, the winner in the Zoning Equipment category.

    At HVAC Comfortech 2010, 12 products were recognized as Product Showcase Award winners. Judges took into consideration the ease with which HVAC contractors can apply the technology, and the technical value of the product or service to the HVAC industry. We'll feature these products each month in upcoming issues of Contracting Business. This month, we're featuring Rheem's Integrated HVAC & Water Heating System, the winner in the Hydronic Equipment category. For additional information on any of the products listed here, circle the appropriate number(s) on the reader service card at the back of this issue or visit www.contractingbusiness.com/freeinfo.html.

    Rheem Integrated Comfort System Provides Total Home Comfort from a Single Source
    Rheem introduces its Integrated HVAC & Water Heating System Powered by Tankless Technology, a product that offers home heating and hot water from a single source. When combined with Rheem cooling equipment, the system offers complete air and water home comfort. According to company sources, this system is unique in that it's designed, built, and warranted by a single manufacturer, ensuring seamless product integration that can create one of the most efficient home comfort systems possible.

    The heart of the Integrated HVAC & Water Heating System is Rheem tankless technology, which in this new application not only fulfills hot water needs, but also provides heating to the entire home. When a Rheem tankless water heater is matched with a Rheem hydronic air handler, hot water is circulated through the hydronic air handler to provide warmth and is then re-circulated back to the tankless water heater to ensure that no water is wasted. This pairing of products provides a soft, comfortable heat to the home while maintaining comfortable humidity levels regardless of the climate.

    Regular Products:

    Ultra-Powerful Leak Detection Flashlight Slashes Inspection Time
    Spectronics Corporation has unveiled the new Spectroline® OPX-3000 Optimax™ 3000 — a powerful, portable, super-high intensity blue LED fluorescent leak detection flashlight. With its focused beam, the Optimax™ 3000 makes it easy for technicians to pinpoint all refrigerant leaks — even those elusive leaks that are missed by other lamps and by other methods of leak detection, sources say. There are no cords that can become snagged on components of air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

    The Optimax™ 3000 uses breakthrough super-hi-flux LED technology to deliver 15 times brighter leak detection light than regular LED lamps. Its power equals that of 150-watt lamps that must be plugged into an AC power source, and it has an inspection range of up to 20-ft. or more. Powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery, the unit has a 50,000-hr. LED life.

    The flashlight comes with fluorescence-enhancing glasses and an AC and DC battery charger for added convenience.
    spectroline.com
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    Greenheck Announces the Release of CAPS 4.5
    Greenheck recently released Version 4.5 of its Computer Aided Product Selection Program (CAPS). This release of the AMCA certified CAPS program offers users the ability to download Revit drawing files for many of the products in CAPS. These files include specific performance based information on the respective product. CAPS 4.5 also includes new products such as digital scroll compressors on energy recovery models ERCH and VER; ceiling radiation damper model CRD-1WT; FEMA grille model FSH 801, and a horizontal wall screen model EES-401. In addition, to comply with the new EISA regulations, new motor efficiencies are in place. Many product enhancements and improvements have also been included.
    greenheck.com
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    Flexible, Lightweight and Compressible Duct Cleaning Hose from Flexaust
    Flexaust introduces a flexible, lightweight, and highly compressible PVC hose designed for manufacturers of portable duct cleaning equipment where TPR truck hose is too heavy and bulky to use.

    Flexaust Flexadux® ADC hose is made of lightweight PVC that is reinforced with a spring steel wire helix and features 9:1 compressibility. Designed for OEMs of residential and light commercial duct cleaning equipment, this flexible hose is more durable than Mylar®, is clear for viewing inside, and is easier to handle and store than TPR and EPDM hoses, company sources state.

    Available in 6-in to 18-in. dia. sizes and standard 25-ft. lengths, Flexaust Flexadux® ADC hose offers good chemical and moisture resistance and is manufactured with FDA acceptable materials. A wide variety of connectors, clamps, and accessories can be provided.
    flexaust.com
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    Aprilaire® Introduces the 8600 Touch-Screen Thermostat
    The Aprilaire Model 8600 Touch-screenThermostat is designed with many features for both contractors and homeowners. For contractors, the 8600 features universal multi-stage dual fuel operation, dual power, configures for heat only, cool only or both and includes custom imprinted battery covers. Homeowners enjoy simple, real-language programming, maintenance reminders, programmable and circulate fan modes, a large 10.3-sq.in. backlit touch screen and 5-year warranty.
    aprilairepartners.com
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    Central Geothermal System Solution Features Single Chiller Option
    Responding to customer requests for a geothermal solution for K-12 education buildings, Trane, and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, now offers a single chiller option for its central geothermal system.

    The single chiller option optimizes efficiency and sustainability in environments that need to address cooling loads of 80 to 250 tons, a load common in K-12 school buildings.

    Compared to traditional GHPs, the central geothermal system from Trane offers increased energy efficiency, reduced noise, increased air cleaning options and centralized maintenance, company sources state.

    The Trane system combines the energy efficiency of geothermal with the benefits of a centralized heating, cooling and air handling system to provide an even more efficient and comfortable solution than traditional geothermal systems. For ease of use, all major equipment is centrally located in the mechanical room.
    ingersollrand.com/trane.com
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    Rooftop Inducer Control Maintains Constant Exhaust/Draft Pressure
    Tjernlund Products, Inc., has introduced a Constant Operating Pressure control (COP) for its RT-Series line of rooftop inducers. The COP control enables the inducer to maintain a user set system pressure by modulating the inducer motor speed to meet fluctuating draft and exhaust demands while reducing inducer motor power consumption by up to 70%.

    RT-Series fans paired with the Draft COP control are compatible with non-condensing modulating gas, oil-fired heaters, and multiple heaters tied into a common vent. The Draft COP includes the ability to interlock with the heater(s) it serves.

    Applications for inducer fans and the Exhaust COP control include exhausting multiple clothes dryers in a common vent or controlling pressure in an exhaust chase serving multiple floors.
    tjernlund.com
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    Infrared Thermometer/Scanner Features Star Burst Laser Targeting
    The new Thermo Seeker infrared thermometer/scanner (Model #IRTC50) from General Tools & Instruments is a precision point-and-shoot, non-contact, infrared thermometer which offers an easy and safe method for scanning and measuring surface temperatures of equipment or surfaces that are difficult or dangerous to contact directly. It allows the user to designate a set point and determine whether subsequent temperature readings are within or outside of any of three selectable ranges from that set point. A star burst laser aiming and measuring system lets the user easily determine the "spot" area being measured.

    With the Thermo Seeker, as subsequent scanning measurements are taken the user is provided with audible and visual indications to determine whether scanned temperatures are within or outside of the selected range: green for within, red for above, blue for below.
    generaltools.com
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