June 2022 New Products

quality, but can affect occupant health and performance. Off-gassing from furniture, building materials and the like also introduces volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, into the air.   

Sources report that the integrated SVT system addresses these concerns by removing CO_2, VOCs and other contaminants using sorbent filtration that captures pollutants while allowing oxygen and water to pass through freely, resulting in cleaner air.

Matthew Dodds, senior product manager for Daikin Applied, said there have been

feature enhancements in Rebel Applied regarding IAQ over the last couple of years given the current climate related to COVID.

"It seems like contractors are mostly focusing on how they can impact their retrofit and replacement businesses with IAQ," Dodds said. "Rebel Applied has a flexible cabinet and smaller footprint which gives contractors space to add IAQ features when they go to replace existing units. They’re able to grow the unit with IAQ features and still be able to fit it onto the existing roof curb. For example, maybe they would add extra high-efficiency filtration sections and UV lights.  Those are the two most common features they’ve been adding.

"They can also add inverter compressors to improve IAQ, with precise temperature and humidity control, or add ventilation using energy recovery or sorbent ventilation technology."

Dodds said the adoption of sorbent ventilation technology is due to changes to ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019 (addendum aa), which makes the application of air cleaning technologies like sorbent ventilation much simpler. 

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The Trane^® Mixed Air Unit is one option for adding ventilation to a space. It's an outside air unit that offers fresh air for improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency for an end-user's budget. The unit delivers up to 100% fresh air into your building and meets the ventilation requirements specified in ASHRAE 62.1.The unit meets minimum EER and IEER efficiency standards. 

Trane Commercial HVAC has engaged with Synexis^® the developer of innovative Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP) that fights different viruses, bacteria, mold, odors, and insects. DHP works continuously  to reduce the levels of microbes in any type of facility from the air and on surfaces – without anyone having to leave the room.

The Synexis Sphere is a sleek portable option for clients who desire effective microbial reduction while incorporating the technology into the aesthetics of their facility. The Sphere’s design is capable of custom branding. The Sphere can be mounted virtually anywhere and requires only a standard 120VAC/220VAC outlet. 

Chris James, Trane Commercial HVAC's IEQ Services product manager said Trane avoids product specifications until it knows the specifics of each IAQ problem.

"In schools, IAQ projects can involve rooftop units, or an applied system with air handlers and chillers. But there are also schools using VRF systems. there can  be rooftop units. Indoor air quality initiatives are not necessarily streamed to specific types of equipment." James said. 

"There's not a single solution that works for all customers in the same vertical market," added Florida-based Jeff Wiseman, indoor air quality portfolio leader for

Trane Commercial HVAC. "It's about understanding the current system capabilities and challenges they have. For example, a lot of schools in Florida have mold issues. So when looking at a solution, not only do you want to be effective on airborne viruses, but you also want something that can help with mold mitigation. Schools up north have a different challenge of how to get more outside air into the space and still keep it comfortable and within desired thresholds for humidity and other parameters." ASHRAE IAQ standards are also a guide as Trane offers solutions.

Healthcare settings are another important area where indoor air quality matters now more than ever before. "If  you're in a healtcare setting, those IAQ needs can be very different from those of a school or office. Some of those are seeking to move from a  Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) 8 to a MERV 13. MERV 8 is designed to protect the equipment, but at MERV 13, you start getting to a point where you're protecting occupants. 

"Then, there are customers who are looking for a health and safety rating, trying to get well building certified. At that point, you get into digital connectivity and monitoring challenges. [The course of action] does very much depend on the customers' ultimate goals," James explained.

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Alec Burmania, IAQ product manager for Lennox Commercial HVAC, said the company's commercial UVC germicidal lights were popular even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"What is interesting about UV-C in the last year is the typical use case, or reason why a customer would want UV-C,  has changed over the last few years,"

Burmania said. "Typically, in a packaged rooftop application, UV-C lights are installed on the evaporator coil and drain pan. They're very good at removing or eliminating contaminants from those sections of the rooftop unit that the air travels over. From a mold, mildew and bacterial growth perspective, you don't want air that is going into a space touching coils or drain pan that contain those contaminants. We've had those in our systems to prevent that specific issue in all sorts of applications. Now it's not just being applied to prevent bacteria and mold growth but also to eliminate viruses and other harmful bacteria on those surfaces, such as what we saw during the pandemic. Now, it's being used for both of those cases.

Burmania added that it's essential to have a way to verify IAQ efficacy and show flexibility in applications. "Two things important to customers are effectiveness of the product, especially with regard to virus elimination. Having clear data and claims around the customer benefits, but also, how it can be applied, and how can we sell it in our channel? For rooftop products, we offer factory- or field-installed kits, that make the product easy and safe to install. Those are two of the most important points."

Burmania said HVAC contractors understandably want installation guidelines. And for customers, when and how virus and mold elimination come into play, and what that means to customers and their building occupants.  

"Questions sales persons often receive are mostly related to UV-C safety (protection from ozone), where it can be installed, and effectiveness," he said.

Burmania said school applications are most in demand at present. 

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Fans

Greenheck’s SQ mixed flow fan line, with a unique combination of high efficiency, low sound, and ease of installation in a square housing design now includes a new outdoor option along with additional accessories and sizes. The SQ mixed flow fan can now be specified for ducted horizontal-mount outdoor applications when

space constraints require a cost-effective rooftop-mounted unit. The outdoor option is base-mounted and includes a full cover over the unit to protect electrical components and prevent water entrapment. 

New accessories include inlet and outlet guards to protect against intrusions; these guards remove easily for maintenance and inspection. The SQ mixed flow fan’s new filtration box provides a compact, clean air solution while eliminating the need for special remote filter box assemblies. A variety of washable aluminum, MERV-8 and MERV-13 filters are available.  

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Air Handlers

Aspen Manufacturing, LLC has introduced the LGM Series high-efficiency, multi-position, aluminum coil 120-volt air handlers. Sources say the 120-volt LGM Series offers outstanding installation versatility. Units are shipped as upflow or horizontal

right and can be converted for downflow when space constraints require a cost-effective rooftop-mounted unit. The outdoor option is base-mounted and includes a full cover over the unit to protect electrical components and prevent water entrainment.

New accessories include inlet and outlet guards to protect against intrusions; these guards remove easily for maintenance and inspection. The SQ mixed flow fan’s new filtration box provides a compact, clean air solution while eliminating the need for special remote filter box assemblies. Removable access panels on both sides of the filter section allow for easy access and maintenance. 

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Ducted HVAC

The Platinum 18 heat pump is part of a new lineup of American Standard communicating equipment featuring American Standard Link, an innovative technology to simplify the installation, commissioning, and remote monitoring of variable speed HVAC systems.

Created to provide technicians with a “plug and play” experience, it assists with installation accuracy through automated configuration, charging and system

testing; and it works with remote monitoring to provide quicker solutions and more efficient service calls.

Link provides the exact data technicians need for installation and troubleshooting on their own smart device.

These models have dual capability to operate with all existing AccuLink variable speed indoor equipment and controls, as well as the future American Standard Link air handlers and smart thermostats.

A full line of American Standard Link equipment will be available to our independent dealer nationwide in Fall 2022. americanstandardair.com

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Daikin says its Daikin Fit is revolutionizing the future of residential HVAC in North America, dominated by ducted systems. Daikin Fit melds the best features and performance of ductless-style systems with ability to connect to traditional ducted systems and include high-performing inverter compressors with cabinet designs

that are smaller, lighter, and quieter than traditional unitary outdoor condensing units, requiring only 4” of clearance.

Daikin Fit is controlled by the Daikin One+ smart thermostat.  Unlike other smart thermostats, it is the first to offer full two-way communications with Daikin HVAC systems, with a growing portfolio of Daikin One ecosystem IAQ modules, to give consumers more control over the air they breathe and a premium HVAC experience.

With efficiencies up to 18 SEER, Daikin Fit provides a mid-efficiency, cost-competitive system, from 1.5-5-tons, with clear design and performance advantages over traditional unitary, non-inverter systems and is compatible with Daikin’s communicating evaporator coils and gas furnaces.

www.daikinfit.com

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Powered by inverter technology, Goodman^® brand GVZC20 heat pumps deliver outstanding indoor comfort with up to 21 SEER cooling performance. 

Featuring Smart Speed™ technology, Goodman inverter-driven systems help prevent common temperature swings experienced with single- and two-stage units,

reaching indoor comfort settings quicker, while continually dehumidifying to balance heat load. A quiet, variable-speed ECM motor compliments the inverter’s superior acoustical comfort.

ComfortBridge™ communicating technology provides easy commissioning and diagnostics via indoor board Bluetooth using the CoolCloud™ mobile application. ComfortBridge works seamlessly with any single-stage thermostat or smart home controls. 

Factory-installed suction line accumulator; compressor crankcase heater; high-capacity muffler; high/low-pressure switches; coil/ambient temperature sensors; suction pressure transducer; and Goodman control algorithmic logic. 

Offered in 2- to 5-ton models (22,800-52,500 BTU/h cooling capacities), the GVZC20 is backed by Goodman’s Lifetime Compressor Limited Warranty, 10-Year Unit Replacement Limited Warranty and 10-Year Parts limited warranty. Goodman brand products are designed, engineered and assembled in the USA. goodmanmfg.com

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The new Lennox SL25XPV Heat Pump is the most precise and efficient heat pump available, sources say. Lennox’s Ultimate Comfort System™, with the help of the SL25XPV, offers an unprecedented, whole-home comfort system that seamlessly and intelligently works together to stay finely tuned to your home and offer

consistently clean, perfect air. The SL25XPV was designated as one of the Most Efficient ENERGY STAR certified products in 2022 and boasts an efficiency rating of up to 24 SEER and up to 11.8 HSPF. The unit also features TruHeat Performance, which delivers a greater amount of heat than traditional heat pumps for rich, warm comfort similar to a gas furnace — even during the coldest outdoor temperatures. Precise Comfort^® technology adjusts heating and cooling output in tiny increments to perfectly match your energy use with your comfort. This technology and industry-leading efficiency ensures the ultimate level of comfort, durability and quiet for homeowners.  Lennox.com

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Midea has launched the new Midea EVOX central inverter heat pump system. This product is presented as a flexible and advanced product solution that HVAC service providers can turn to when they need an “upgraded experience” for homes, to meet evolving SEER standards without adding excessive cost burden to consumers.

“The Midea EVOX System is one of the most compatible inverter technology products in the industry today, and despite having some of the highest energy ratings, is

very competitively priced – making it easier for suppliers and contractors to stock, sell and install a superior HVAC option,” said David Rames, senior product manager, Midea America.  “Our EVOX central inverter heat pump system was introduced first-hand to many builders and contractors at events like the International Builders Show (February 2022) and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) convention (March 2022). When contractors saw what the products had to offer, they were eager to learn more, and 98 percent of visitors to our booth said they liked the product and 100 percent expressed interest in future product trial opportunities,” Rames said.

Midea reports that the EVOX provides contractors and suppliers with an inverter product lineup that ranges from 18-20 SEER with more affordable pricing that makes it much more attractive for a much larger number of homeowners.

EVOX is also a high performance cold climate heat pump product with expansive system capacity, superior heating performance and high energy efficiency, at an affordable price point.

Available in a wide capacity range from 1.5 - 5 tons, all EVOX cold climate heat pumps are capable of 100 percent heating output at -4 degree Fahrenheit. This guarantees the EVOX heat pump can fit almost any housing size and can operate optimally in virtually every climate condition in North America, Midea reports. Read more about Midea EVOX online, at  https://contractingbusiness.com/21241174.

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The Rheem^® EcoNet^® enabled, inverter-driven Prestige^® Series Variable Speed RP20 Heat Pump is ENERGY STAR certified, while offering dependable technology and energy-saving performance. With variable-speed technology, this reliable heat pump adapts quickly and consistently to heating and cooling needs. This Rheem heat pump provides cooling efficiencies up to 54% higher and heating efficiencies up to 34% higher than typical heat pump designs and the unit has up to 20 SEER/14.5 EE and up to 11 HSPF.

Additionally, since variable-speed operations outperform single-stage systems and use 70% fewer moving parts for higher efficiency and increased reliability, this heat pump can adjust to meet non-peak heating and cooling demands resulting in money-saving performance for each season. (Homeowners can expect more than $7,000 in lifetimes savings*). 

CORRECTIONS: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Jeff Wiseman as Jeff Williams; and ASHRAE addendum aa was listed as addendum 8A.