• COMFORTECH PRODUCT SHOWCASE AWARD: July 2010

    June 30, 2010
    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'll feature these products each month in upcoming issues of Contracting Business.

    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'll feature these products each month in upcoming issues of Contracting Business. This month, we're featuring The Training Source's Customer Care Plus, the winner in the Training category. For additional information on any of the products listed here, visit www.contractingbusiness.com/freeinfo.html

    New Customer Feedback Management System
    Customer Care Plus, powered by Mindshare Technologies, uses the power of the Internet to provide instant alerts to service issues and reduces customer service measurement program costs with its flat rate pricing system. Customer Care Plus uses a four-step process:

    The first step is to invite 100% of customers to take a response survey. The survey invitation is printed on the customers copy of the invoice.

    The second step is to capture customer feedback. Customers complete the survey by calling a toll free number or visiting a website.

    The third step is integrated real-time reporting with multiple hierarchies and distribution of reports.

    The final step is customer feedback to help improve business. Customers tell what they like about your business so it can be repeated, and which areas need to be improved. Customer responses drive a Customer Satisfaction Index score for each technician or location.

    Weekly trend reports graphically present 13 different key performance indicators to keep the program awareness high among all company employees.

    High-performance Circulators are Maintenance-free
    Taco'’s 2400 series pumps are designed for quiet, efficient operation in a wide range of medium to high flow/head applications, including hydronic heating, chilled water cooling, and hot water recirculation. They feature space-saving, close-coupled, maintenance-free motors with permanently-lubricated bearings and carbon/silicone-carbide mechanical seal provide superb reliability for a wide variety of uses, sources say.
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    Rheem Adds Tankless Electric Water Heaters to Its Product Mix
    Rheem has added tankless electric water heaters to its line of water heating products. They can be installed in under sinks in kitchens and bathrooms, and other point-of-use areas where hot water is needed. The water heaters provide energy and water savings and can be used for residential, light commercial, recreational, and hospitality applications, sources say. Voltage modulation saves energy by heating water on demand.
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    NuTone Introduces New Tax-Credit Split Systems
    NuTone's "E series" air conditioners and heat pumps are cost-effective alternatives to the brand's premium equipment. They're available in:

    • 13 SEER air conditioners and 13 SEER/8.0-HSPF heat pumps in 1.5-5 tons.
    • 14 SEER air conditioners and 14 SEER/8.0-HSPF heat pumps in 1.5-5 tons (heat pump achieves up to 15 SEER and 8.5 HSPF plus, when paired with variable-speed indoor unit).
    • 16 SEER two-stage air conditioners and up to 16 SEER/9.0 HSPF heat pumps in 2-5 tons.
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    WeatherMaster® Products Set New Efficiency Heights
    Carrier has introduced its newest series of WeatherMaster® rooftops, now with Puron® refrigerant. This first release of the WeatherMaster line includes units from 3 to 10 tons. The new models provide SEERs up to 15.6 and EERs as high as 13.0 in gas heating/electric cooling, electric heating/electric cooling, and cooling only models. Enhancements include integrated energy-saving single or dual enthalpy economizers.
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    New Under-floor Heating Plate Maximizes Thermal Efficiency
    Watts Radiant’s FlexPlate is a new type of under floor heating plate. The primary material in the plate is a specially processed natural graphite, which gives FlexPlate unique heat conduction properties. Sources say testing indicates FlexPlate will outperform industry standard aluminum plates.
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    5-Ton Portable Air Conditioner Provides Small Footprint
    A redesigned portable air conditioner that delivers five tons (60,000 BTU/hr) of cooling capacity in a space-saving footprint is offered by Atlas Sales & Rentals, Inc. The units are manufactured by KwiKool Portable Cooling Systems. The SAC (Strategic Air Center) model 6021 portable unit features a very compact package, measuring just 24-in. wide x 52-in. long x 57.5-in. high. It's the first unit of its size to offer a hyper twin direct drive (HTD).
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    Onset Announces Wireless Sensors for Monitoring
    Onset's HOBO® ZW series of wireless data nodes are used for centralized monitoring of building energy use and environmental conditions.

    HOBO ZW series data nodes measure, record, and transmit real-time energy use and environmental data — from dozens of points— to a central PC. HOBO data nodes transmit logged data to a PC at regular intervals.
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    Jackson Systems Introduces the The T-32-P™ Thermostat
    Jackson Systems has released a new version of the Comfort System™ T-32-P™ universal touch screen thermostat. The configuration and selection settings are done with simple changes to the slide switches on the thermostat. There's no need to enter a complicated installer setup menu to change the thermostat from single stage to multi-stage, heat pump, or even dual fuel applications.
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    In-Line Draft Inducers Are Time-Proven Venting Problem Solvers
    Tjernlund Products offers a wide range of in-line draft inducers. The inducers boost the draft or exhaust in chimneys serving boilers, water heaters, and process equipment. Inducers are available for inputs from 25,000 to 5,300,000 BTU/hr. Accessories include a UC1 universal control and PS1505 fan proving switch that interlocks with burner circuits. LED status/diagnostics simplify new installations and service calls.
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