• Tech Update: A Time for Cooling

    Feb. 1, 2009
    Amana Amana brand 18 SEER heating and cooling systems feature high energy efficiencies, low operating sound levels, and strong warranties. Backed by a

    Amana

    Amana® brand 18 SEER heating and cooling systems feature high energy efficiencies, low operating sound levels, and strong warranties.

    Backed by a lifetime unit replacement limited warranty, the Amana ASZ18 heat pump and the Amana ASX18 ducted air conditioner also have the benefit of featuring R-410A refrigerant, sources say.

    The units are engineered to be operationally quiet, with a compressor sound-reduction cover made of high-density foam that works in concert with a specially designed sound-control top to minimize operational noise.
    amana-hac.com
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    American Standard

    The newest member of the Heritage Hybrid™ comfort system with AccuLink is the Heritage® 20 heat pump. With up to 20 SEER efficiency, the Heritage® 20 uses R-410A refrigerant and has two-stage cooling. When paired with a Freedom® 80 or 95 communicating furnace, it has a Continuous Comfort-R mode for more precise comfort and humidity control, that's made possible through the communicating technology.

    AccuLink™ digitally enables the American Standard Heritage® 20 heat pump to be automatically and properly configured to the indoor components.
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    Bryant

    The Bryant Hybrid Heat® Dual Fuel System includes a gas furnace paired with a heat pump, which lets dealers offer homeowners an ultra efficient system that uses gas or electricity.

    According to company sources, the system is a more energy-efficient variation of the traditional heating and cooling split system, because it enables greater control over which fuel is used for heating.
    bryant.com
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    ClimateMaster

    The Tranquility 27 split system compressor section can be coupled with a variety of air handlers and add-on furnace coils to achieve ultra high efficiencies, while still providing the flexibility of an all-electric or dual fuel system and a remote compressor section location.

    According to company sources, the TT Series uses EarthPure HFC-410A refrigerant along with the Copeland UltraTech two-stage compressor and General Electric ECM variable speed motor. This series is also eligible for additional LEED points because of the green technology design.
    climatemaster.com
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    Daikin

    Daikin's multi-split systems can serve two to four rooms (or zones) using one outdoor unit, and allows individual control of the heating and cooling in each space. Home owners can select duct-free wall mounted units or slim ducted fan coil units which can be installed in a soffit or ceiling. Also, a mixture of duct-free and ducted fan coil units may be chosen to design an installation that fits virtually any space. There are a total of 115 possible combinations, Daikin sources say.
    daikinac.com
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    Frigidaire

    Frigidaire ultra high efficiency heat pumps - when matched with a Frigidaire variable-speed air handler or variable-speed equipped gas furnace - offer a line of heat pump systems rated up to 16 SEER and 9.0 Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF).

    Because of the unit's energy efficiency, two-stage compressor and non-ozone-depleting refrigerant, these heat pumps qualify for the brand's ecoLogic designation. Frigidaire.net
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    Lennox

    Lennox Industries recently unveiled SunSource, one of the industry's first integrated solar-assisted residential heating & cooling system.

    The Lennox SunSource uses a single 190-watt solar panel which provides power to assist the fan motor. According to company sources, even on days with limited sun exposure, the Lennox SunSource can reduce energy usage. Lennox.com
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    Maytag

    Maytag just announced that its iQ Drive® split-system air conditioner has been re-rated from 23 SEER to 24.5 SEER, which is 88% more efficient than the government minimum when paired with an air handler.

    All Maytag 2, 3 and 4-ton models get a SEER boost with the new straight-cooling ratings.

    The iQ Drive's inverter-driven rotary compressor provides fully variable operation. It reacts to the cooling demand and changes the system capacity by modulating the speed of the compressor and motors. maytaghvac.com
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    Mitsubishi

    Mitsubishi Electric HVAC has introduced a new Mr. Slim® M-Series high-efficiency, split-ductless heat pump system.

    The new M-Series system, which consists of the MSZ-FD indoor unit and the MUZ-FD outdoor unit, is Energy Star® Tier 2 qualified. These systems have a rated cooling capacity of 9,000 BTU/h and a rated heating capacity of 10,900 BTU/H, while the MSZ-FD12NA models have a rated cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU/H and a rated heating capacity of 13,600 BTU/H.
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    Sanyo

    Sanyo Commercial Solutions, announces the new XS/XHS1271 and 1872 ceiling-recessed air conditioner & heat pumps. The new 4-way airflow design sends cool air in all directions within the room and returns the air through the center of the grille, which evenly distributes air through each of the openings.

    The indoor units feature one of the smallest footprints in the industry with overall dimensions of 24 19/32-in. × 24 19/32-in. × 12 5/16-in. and will fit into any traditional ceiling grid with no modifications. Sanyohvac.com
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    Tappan

    The Tappan Q4SE series of packaged heat pumps are rated up to 14.5 SEER/11.0 EER/8.0 HSPF. Several of the self-contained units have achieved the 2009 Energy Star rating.

    In addition to high efficiency levels, Tappan Q4SE heat pumps offer a variable-speed motor, two stages of heating and cooling for quiet and comfort, and R-410A refrigerant. These heat pumps qualify for Tappan's ecoLogic green seal. tappan.net.circle 165

    Trane

    Trane has introduced the new Trane XL 20i air conditioner and heat pump featuring the Trane ComfortLink II Communicating System with Charge Assist.

    The Trane XL 20i uses R-410A refrigerant, offers two-stage cooling or heating with dual compressors, and features Quick-Sess service access panels. It also includes easy access to clean the Trane exclusive all-aluminum Spine FinTM Coil which delivers very low airflow resistance, greater heat exchanging capabilities and more resistance to formicary corrosion and leaks.
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    Samsung

    Samsung's exclusive S*Inverter technology achieves the goals of consistent comfort and energy savings simultaneously with the Vivace line.

    Instead of constantly cycling the compressor on and off as the room temperature fluctuates, the inverter-controlled compressor switches to “economy mode”, and runs more slowly while maintaining the desired temperature. The resultant energy saved approaches 50% compared to non-inverter heat pumps/air conditioners. Additional benefits to the Vivace line include the MPI Generator, a device which actively generates hydrogen and oxygen ions and removes impurities from the air. quietside.com
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    Westinghouse

    The Westinghouse brand's line of FS4BF series air conditioners offers high-efficiency and two-stage cooling. Rated at 16 SEER and up to 13.5 EER, all models surpass 2009 Energy Star requirements and qualify for the $300 federal tax credit when paired with a matched system.

    The Westinghouse FS4BF split systems also use R-410A refrigerant and qualify for the brand's ecoLogic green seal.

    Additional features include the ComfortAlert diagnostic module, Copeland UltraTech scroll compressor, a fully louvered jacket; easy access to compressor and controls; and a 10-year limited warranty on parts and the Westinghouse Quality Pledge to replace the entire unit if the compressor fails within the first 10 years of operation. westinghousehvac.com.
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