At HVAC Comfortech 2009, 11 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've been featuring these products each month in issues of Contracting Business. This month, we're featuring Emerson's Easy Reader Thermostat, the winner in the Controls 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.
Easy Reader is an Easy Choice for Consumers
The Emerson BLUE Easy Reader Thermostat, 1F95EZ-0671, features tall characters and one-touch mode buttons that make it easy to set or adjust. The lighted display emphasizes the current setting and options, allowing the user to easily scan and understand the display. Other features include: one-touch mode buttons to set the temperature or selectable 7-day program (installer selectable), and patented pre-programmed schedule simplifies time and temperature programming. The thermostat offers a choice of battery-powered with optional power stealing assist or hardwired with battery backup. It also meets Energy Star™ specifications.
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Trane Introduces the Hyperion Air Handler
The new Hyperion air handler offers options such as, over the water heater, front return, electronic or hydronic heat, UVC light kit with a plug and play connection, and side return. Options vary by model.
According to company sources, the Trane Hyperion is actually constructed more like a refrigerator, with insulation between the walls of the patented cabinet design preventing condensate and circulation of unwanted insulation particles for improved air quality. Double wall construction and refrigerant condensate seals prevent air leakage; providing greater efficiency, reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The tighter cabinet seal significantly reduces air leakage. In addition, it also eliminates sweating, which eliminates the possibility of mold and water damage as well, sources state.
The airtight cabinet also prevents outside airborne pollutants from entering the airstream, resulting in healthier indoor air. The double-wall foam-filled design makes the Hyperion the industry’s first air handler made without exposed fibrous insulation.
The Hyperion design features 4-way application flexibility with no conversion right out of the box, eliminating the need to reposition the coil or drain-pan. Electronic expansion valve (EEV) and refrigerant connections are located right in front, making it easier to install and service. Quick turn fasteners stay with the cabinet doors for convenience. Panel identifiers facilitate easier installation and service. Major components slide out for easy accessibility with the state-of-the-art integrated rail system.
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Modine Offers Efficiency with the Effinity93
Modine introduces the Effinity93 unit heater with 93% efficiency, and Conservicore™ technology, which is designed to be the most efficient gas-fired unit heater in North America. The unit is part of a full line of six models ranging from 135,000 to 310,000 BTU/hr.
The Effinity93 (Model PTC) features Modine’s Conservicore technology. This technology offers greater durability than standard aluminum secondary heat exchangers offered by other manufacturers sources say. The Effinity93 can be vented as a two-pipe or concentric vent system for maximum flexibility with either 3-in. or 4-in. PVC vent piping.
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Ultra-Aire™ Unveils New Ultra-Aire 70H
The new Ultra-Aire 70H, which replaces the Ultra-Aire 65H, incorporates a host of improvements to benefit both homeowners and contractors:
- Improved efficiency – requires only 5.1 amps of power, creating a class-leading Energy Factor of 2.37 L/kWh.
- Increased capacity – features 70 pints per day of water removal at Association of Home Appliance Manufacuters (AHAM) conditions, maximizing performance from its compact cabinet design.
- Quieter operation – features enhanced insulation and vibration damping, suppressing noise levels.
- More flexible installation – features cabinet improvements that allow dual-side filter access, as well as a unique design that allows conversion from flow-through to vertical ducting in seconds.
With 70 pints of water removal capacity and a high-volume motorized impeller, the Ultra-Aire 70H is designed for areas up to 1,800-sq. ft. Optional fresh outdoor air may be ducted to the unit, providing fresh air to dilute pollutants and maintain optimum oxygen content in the home. The amount of fresh air ventilation can be regulated by a variety of dampers and controls. The unit also includes MERV-11 air filtration to improve indoor air quality.
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PVI Industries Introduces 99% Efficient Condensing Gas Water Heater
Tubopower 99 gas water heater features 99% thermal efficiency at full fire with a 100 degree temperature rise. The heater employs a four-pass, submerged, fire tube heat exchanger. The flue products are cool enough to vent through low-cost PVC pipe. Electronic operating control is capable of connecting to a building automation system via a 485 serial port and ModBus RTU protocol. Heaters are available with inputs from 500,000 to 2 million BTUH and store 330 to 1200 gallons of water at set point temperature.
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New SMACNA Reference Manual
Especially useful for change orders, the "SMACNA Reference Manual for Labor Units for Sheet Metal and HVAC" helps the contractor educate the customer on why the price is what it is. The spreadsheet helps walk the customer through the project, letting them know the circumstances encountered, and identifies changing conditions that may affect the project labor factors. It will help to justify the labor costs on each specific change order.
Published in 2010, the comprehensive document lists the national average amount of man-hours required to fabricate and/or install a given quantity of each item under project specific conditions ranging from "normal" to "very difficult," and contains spreadsheets that adjust data for different projects.
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Tankless Water Heater Water and Gas Connection Kits
Dormont Manufacturing introduces a family of tankless water heater water and gas connection kits. These kits provide installers with all of the components needed to easily and economically install gas or electric tankless water heaters. Each kit consists of service valves designed specifically for tankless water heaters, and a high BTU gas connector (for gas applications) and (2) water connectors.
According to company sources, the service valves are easy to install and connect. The valve handles are color-coded for hot (red) and cold (blue), and feature a valve for isolation of the tankless unit. When the valve handles are in the closed position, the tankless water heater is isolated from the home plumbing, which enables required routine maintenance to keep the system working properly.
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Grundfos Expands SuperBruteXL Line
Grundfos Pumps recently unveiled a third option in its growing line of SuperBrute XL circulators: Model UPS50-60, complementing the previously introduced UPS26-150 and UPS43-100. Intended for residential and commercial applications, the maintenance-free SuperBruteXL features the proven 3-speed wet-rotor design and is available in both cast iron and stainless steel material options.
One of the main features of a SuperBrute is its proven 3-speed motor. This unique motor advancement allows the pump speed to be adjusted to fit your specific application.
Other standard features include: wet-rotor design, two different material options, the easy-to-read LED (light-emitting diode, and Integrated Flange Ports.
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New Green Online Tools From Siemens
Siemens Industry, Inc. has launched a new suite of interactive tools on its Green Online Tools web page. The site delivers useful content and applications aimed squarely at helping customers advance the sustainability of their buildings.
The Green Building Portal is a user-friendly educational tool used to navigate through the U.S.Green Building Council’s (USGBC) New Construction and Existing Building (NC and EB) LEED® rating systems. The Green Building Portal helps industry professionals understand the key requirements for each prerequisite and credit, and to demonstrate how Siemens Building Technologies solutions can help meet and support specific LEED certification objectives. Users can navigate LEED two ways: point-by-point, or by the solutions Siemens offers. The portal’s Solutions page offers straightforward navigation across individual Siemens solutions tabs covering the full array of offerings:
- Evaluation & Planning
- Efficient Infrastructure
- Information Management
- Ongoing Services & Improvements
Supporting those choices are additional tabs which cover LEED rating systems, associated Siemens solutions and supporting resources.
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