JULY PRODUCT PARADE

ELECTRIC HEATING

The Trane® Thermafit Air-Source Modular Multipipe Unit Model MAS is the newest addition to the Thermafit family of modular units designed to bring more buildings into the future of sustainable comfort. The Thermafit air-source modular multipipe unit is a 30-ton (433 MBH)  unit that is expandable up to 300 tons (4330 MBH bank ). It's an all-electric, all-in-one solution capable of 3 modes of operation, cooling, heating, or simultaneous heating and cooling, to meet different building loads. Engineers can integrate the Model MAS easily into new or existing systems.   

The Trane Thermafit Air-Source Modular Multipipe Unit model MAS is an excellent fit for large buildings located in highly regulated environments where all-electric cooling and heating solutions are needed. Owners of large buildings seeking to meet ESG goals, reduce energy costs, and increase sustainability will find that heat pump technologies will help them meet their targets.  

The need for full electric heating and cooling is growing as utility grids get greener. Electrification of heat helps cities and states achieve higher sustainability and meet the growing demand for electric heating due to changing regulations and building codes as regions decarbonize.  

Trane sources recommend the Thermafit for 

  • K-12 schools
  • Outpatient healthcare facilities
  • Hospitality such as lodging, restaurants, recreation, and entertainment venues
  • Federal government buildings
  • Commercial office buildings. 


HEAT PUMPS

YORK® HH8 18 SEER2 Side-Discharge Variable Speed Heat Pumps deliver the superior comfort and technology of a high-tier efficiency unit. Modulating technology maximizes comfort and reduces energy bills, while the inverter system maintains smooth operation – all within a compact design. HH8 heat pumps utilize low-GWP refrigerant R-454B and are optimized for energy efficiency to allow homeowners to apply for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C). 

YORK® HH8 heat pumps offer easier access during service checks, making routine maintenance faster. The systems are equipped for standard installation and are compatible with conventional equipment and devices. Additionally, HH8 heat pumps work with the free DS Solutions App to provide easy access to essential equipment information, troubleshooting support and helpful tools – including an intelligent refrigeration detection system (RDS) that can be accessed via a smart device.

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Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. received a 2024 SEAL Sustainable Product Award for Daikin ATMOSPHERA, the first single-zone ductless heat pump system in North America with R-32, a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant.

SEAL (Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership) Awards is an environmental advocacy organization that honors leadership through its business sustainability awards. The SEAL Sustainable Product Award honors innovative and impactful products that are literally “purpose-built” for a sustainable future.

The Daikin ATMOSPHERA single-zone ductless inverter heat pump system is ideal for spot cooling and heating needs in residential and commercial spaces. In addition, it is an effective source of heat to offset old, inefficient furnaces or boiler heating systems. The Daikin ATMOSPHERA ductless system is easily applicable to both renovations, for areas that may not have had prior heating or cooling, and new construction, for areas where it is desirable to have comfort control of a single area such as an office, bedroom or living area. 

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The  Goodman SD side-discharge design for ducted applications is transforming residential HVAC. Inverter-driven, communicating Goodman SD heat pumps or air conditioners are up to 53 percent lighter and 40 percent smaller than a traditional cube-style unit – a size and weight easily managed by one HVAC contractor using a dolly.

Merging high-performance ductless engineering with ducted systems, Goodman SD outdoor units require just 4” of clearance, solving installation challenges. They run quietly, down to 56 dBA, with energy-saving performance up to 17.5 SEER2 and 8.5 HSPF2 (heat pump). Goodman SD covers a remarkable range of outdoor temperatures, up to 115°F DB and, for the heat pump, down to -10°F DB.

The new American Standard Silver 15 SEER2 Heat Pump features the lower global warming potential R-454B refrigerant ahead of the Jan. 1, 2025 federal regulation deadline. American Standard’s units with the new A2L refrigerant include industry-leading refrigerant detection sensors that provide a patent-pending installation clip that lets them easily snap onto the side of the pan. When using this sensor, the unit can detect if there is a refrigerant leak. It is available in 1.5- to 5-ton sizes, for residential, light commercial or commercial applications. 

It has a fixed motor speed. Heating Season Performance Factor of up to 8.5 HSPF2, and SEER rating up to 16.5 SEER2.

Allied Air Enterprises announced the launch of low global warming potential (GWP) residential HVAC solutions to meet the 2025 Low-GWP Refrigerant regulations. Significantly reducing the impact of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, the transition to Low-GWP refrigerant is a positive step towards sustainability and protecting the planet.

Allied Air is set to launch an extensive range of HVAC systems powered by the eco-conscious refrigerant R-454B, which reduces global warming potential by up to 78%*. To help transition into this environmentally sustainable set of offerings, Allied Air supports energy savings and sustainable solutions for its direct-to-distributor customer model.

As products adapt to comply with new regulatory requirements, Allied Air is meeting the demand for forward and backward compatibility by providing multi-refrigerant air handlers and cased coils that enable the transition from R-410A to R-454B refrigerant. Multi-refrigerant cased coils ship from the factory ready for R-410A installations and can be field-converted for use with a R-454B system with a conversion kit.

Additionally, the company will provide refrigerant detection system kits, enabling compatibility between existing furnaces and the new R-454B systems to ensure that distributors' inventory remains usable into 2025 and beyond.

Allied Air is committed to offering adaptable solutions and resources to ease the adoption of Low-GWP refrigerants for their distributors. Products will be available for ordering throughout the remainder of 2024, significantly ahead of the 2025 regulatory shift and aligned with customer demand.

*78% reduction in global warming potential when compared to R-410A refrigerant.

INSTRUMENTS & TEST EQUIPMENT 

Ritchie Engineering Company, Inc. has released the TITANMAX™ digital manifold to the HVACR market.

The  TITANMAX digital manifold provides the easiest path to system measurements. This 4-valve manifold provides fast and accurate measurements for refrigeration and A/C systems. The high-resolution, backlit touchscreen display erases the need for multi-function buttons and provides clear graphical and digital measurements.

TITANMAX provides ultimate user interface with information link on all major screens and internal data logging. Integrated magnets for mounting on equipment cabinet also serve to store the new TITAN® Temperature Clamps. Users may connect via Bluetooth® to the YJACK VIEW® App or measureQuick® App for further analysis. The TITANMAX P/N 40881 includes two (2) temperature clamps, a vacuum sensor and a USB-C charging and data cable. Kits also include PLUS II hoses, wireless probes and a sturdy, multi-pocket backpack.

For more information, visit www.yellowjacket.com/product/combustible-gas-leak-detector/.

CONTROLS

Fellowes has released the Fellowes® Array Air Quality system, the state-of-the-art solution designed to ensure superior protection against the health hazards of wildfire smoke, as well as viruses, and other pathogens in communal indoor environments.

Array's innovative network of localized air purification units complements HVAC systems to address  any limitations of the filtration of indoor air. The Array system continuously monitors each occupied space, adapting to fluctuating air quality to optimally deliver advanced filtration technology — effectively, efficiently, and quietly ensuring clean, healthy air.

While ventilation is essential for reducing indoor respiratory pathogens like H1N1 and COVID-19, ventilation without adequate filtration can be counterproductive when outdoor air quality is poor due to wildfires. Standard HVAC systems often struggle to handle poor outdoor air quality, including the growing dangers of wildfire smoke across vast regions of the United States and Canada which worsen each year. Even when HVAC systems are manually set to reduce the amount of outdoor air brought in through mechanical ventilation, this does nothing to change the quality of the air already inside. Additionally, stopping outdoor-air ventilation may reduce the amount of polluted outdoor air coming in, but outdoor air still seeps into indoor spaces through cracks in the building envelope.

 

Johnson Controls has released Facility Explorer FX90 Supervisory Controller, packed with unique, advanced features to make building automation easier, smarter and more cost efficient. The FX90 represents the next generation of Facility Explorer supervisory controllers designed to streamline and automate workflows to increase building automation performance with minimal maintenance.

The FX90 features a one-size-fits-all hardware platform with modular accessories and flexible device/point licensing that enables it to handle building automation jobs of any size and complexity. Some of the key benefits of the FX90 controller include:

  • It creates powerful, future-ready buildings: Increased computing power with 2 GB memory and 8 GB storage provides faster boot-up and station startup, quicker data access and decision making along with plenty of storage for backups, point history and future upgrades.
  • It provides seamless integration: FX Workbench Import Managers and N2 protocol drivers enable easy integrations, including added support for the TEC3000 Series Thermostat Controller.
  • It maximizes scalability: The controller scales from basic to complex applications with a single hardware platform, using orderable device and point licensing. License upgrades can be purchased as future needs arise.

 

Ecoer unveils its latest groundbreaking technology, EAC, the Ecoer Automated Charge. Designed to empower HVAC contractors with a seamless, hassle-free experience, EAC represents a significant leap forward in the industry as the global leader in inverter-driven and IoT-connected heat pump manufacturing. Ecoer integrates proprietary IoT and AI-based machine control technologies into its Gen2 product line, ESi Decades Extreme series, and new products launched in Q2 like RTi and TDi, etc.

Ecoer reports EAC is the industry's first fully digitized method for charging inverter-driven residential heat pump systems. This revolutionary technology streamlines the refrigerant-charging process by eliminating the need for gauges and minimizing human error. With the touch of their fingertips to establish the setpoint, contractors can now step back as the system autonomously handles the process, ensuring unparalleled efficiency, precision, and reliability without constant monitoring.

 

GEOTHERMAL

The TranquilityR 24 (SY) Compact Two-Stage Series from ClimateMaster comes with all the reliability features for which the ClimateMaster Tranquility Series is known. Those include superb efficiency ratings, quiet operation, and application flexibility. Tranquility SY surpasses ASHRAE 90.1 efficiency standards and utilizes R-454B low Global Warming Potential refrigerant, setting a high standard for eco-friendly performance. Climatemaster.com

Press Fittings Increase Efficiency in VRF Installations 

Jamie Christensen, owner of Seattle-based Elevated Mechanical, LLC, celebrated his second year in business this past winter, marking a successful transition from a 20-year industry veteran to an independent entrepreneur. Christensen’s goal in starting his own company is to provide high-quality HVAC services and an unmatched level of customer service. While operating independently also affords him the flexibility to establish a schedule that prioritizes his family, it also requires Christensen to assume full responsibility of overseeing projects from start to finish to ensure his businesses reputation stays strong within the community.

In a recent project at a CNC machine manufacturing shop, Elevated Mechanical was tasked with its biggest commercial variant refrigerant flow (VRF) project yet. The job entailed the installation of a 26-ton Mitsubishi VRF unit, incorporating two branch boxes — one comprising 12 circuits and the other eight circuits — with a total of 19 heads. The challenge was heightened by the need to work on pipes mounted 20 feet in the air.

Christensen had plenty of VRF experience and knew that brazing the entire project was not an option. The open flame from the torch coupled with the nitrogen purging process would pose too much of a risk in a functioning manufacturing facility where he had to work so close to overhead sprinklers and the facility’s employees. Additionally, the large and heavy brazing equipment would make maneuvering around on a small lift even more difficult, not to mention the time it would take to complete the entire process. Christensen turned to Rapid Locking System (RLS) to get the job done.

RLS is a patented press-to-connect fitting specifically developed for the high-pressure application of the HVAC and refrigeration industries. As a flame-free alternative, RLS press fittings are fully registered and listed to UL207 for pressures up to 700 PSI and can create connections up to 60 percent faster than brazing, making them a convenient option to use during install in addition to the traditional brazing method for VRF applications.

“Brazing around an entire fitting while sitting in a lift and holding a torch above your head to make a connection isn’t ideal,” Christensen explained. “Press fittings simplify the whole process.”

RLS fittings are installed with a tool and jaw that handles most of the work, which means connections are consistent between contractors and easily repeatable. Press fittings also result in less rework by virtually eliminating the chance of human error. Christensen reported that he has never received a call-back for projects where he opted for press fittings over brazing.

More than 150 press fittings were used throughout the project to connect overhanging pipes to the new VRF system – a task that would have taken more than double the time, and significantly more supplies and labor had it been brazed. The ease and efficiency that press fittings offer allowed Christensen to exceed the client’s expectations and further Elevated Mechanical’s reputation in the Seattle area.

As his company continues to grow, Christensen increasingly relies on his press tool. Press not only offers practical solutions to challenges he faces in the field but has become an integral part of Christensen's business strategy, enhancin efficiency and maximizing profits.  

“You don’t realize how labor-intensive jobs like these are until you’re on your own,” said Christensen. “RLS has been instrumental in helping me expand my small business.”