Attend In-Person to See Winning Products and Technology Come to Life on the Show Floor in Las Vegas The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) today announced the winners of the 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Awards. Each year, winners are chosen in ten industry categories to represent the most innovative products and technologies hitting Read more
Industry News
Attend In-Person to See Winning Products and Technology Come to Life on the Show Floor in Las Vegas
The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) today announced the winners of the 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Awards. Each year, winners are chosen in ten industry categories to represent the most innovative products and technologies hitting the market in the coming year.
“This past year was a challenge for everyone, and in unique ways, the HVACR industry,” said Show Manager, Mark Stevens. “Our industry was called to the front lines to put our very best products and technologies to the test. The Innovation Awards purpose is to honor those that are pushing the bar to create innovative solutions to difficult problems. We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s winners and what they bring to the industry, as well as to continue to champion innovation among our professionals. ”
The Innovation Awards encourage exhibitors to submit new products and technologies for recognition via review and selection by a panel of third-party judges made up of distinguished ASHRAE members. Entrants are evaluated based on overall innovative design, the creativity of the product or service offered, application, as well as potential market impact.
“This industry is tremendously exciting for its role in our everyday lives,” continued Stevens. “Now more than ever we have the chance to show the world just how important HVACR is. Manufacturers on the AHR Expo Show floor are in tune with their stakeholders and the greater needs of the world and are responding by developing new tools, products and services that offer safety, efficiency, and sustainable smart solutions.”
The Innovation Awards program serves as a metric to see the year-to-year growth in the industry. While the Awards officially recognize only a select few, the Show floor is a robust example of how manufacturers are growing the industry in exciting ways.
“AHR Show Management would like to formally congratulate each of our 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Award winners, as well as finalists and all our entrants, for their continued leadership and contribution to HVACR,” said Stevens. “We look forward to seeing these innovators in the marketplace in the coming year, and in-person on the Show floor in 2022.”
The 2022 AHR Expo Innovation Award Winners and finalists were selected in ten industry categories, including building automation, cooling, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, refrigeration, software, sustainable solutions (formerly green building), tools and instruments, and ventilation.
BUILDING AUTOMATION
Winner: iSMA CONTROLLI S.p.A., iSMA-B-MAC36NL Hybrid IoT Controller powered by Niagara Framework, Booth C969
Innovation: The iSMA-B-MAC36NL master application controller family provides an all-in-one solution for mini-BMS. Created visualization can be displayed and controlled via HDMI output and 2 USB ports that enable connection of a mouse/keyboard or dedicated touch for the HMI panel. No PC, additional licenses, or additional costs are required. As MAC controllers are based on the Niagara Framework, it enables the integration of almost any existing protocol on the building network. The onboard M-Bus port, 2 ethernet ports, and the RS485 port can be integrated with just one device. Finally, the controller has an onboard dip and rotary switches that can be used as a part of the application. All of the features of the controller are managed by dedicated modules in Niagara Framework to accelerate the installation process and thus reduce labor costs.
Finalists in this category include: BrainBox AI, BrainBox AI; CUBE USA, CUBE Edge IOT
COOLING
Winner: Danfoss, Danfoss Turbocor® VTCA400 Compressor, Booth C3906
Innovation: The new VTCA400 from Danfoss offers improvements on traditional centrifugal compressor designs that are large in physical size and footprint, which ultimately lead to higher cost and space constraints for the end user. The VTCA400 solves this problem by using a patent-pending hybrid compression design that uses a combination of mixed flow and radial impellers enabling both high-performance and a compact footprint. In this design, the first stage impeller uses a mixed flow impeller with both axial and radial components while the second stage impeller uses a radial design. The hybrid
compression design allows for a compressor footprint that is half the physical size and weight of a conventional radial-only design. It also maintains high efficiency levels —a 10% improvement in full load efficiency and 30% improvement in IPLV above ASHRAE 90.1-2019 minimums when considering a three (3) compressor, 1200-Ton system.
Finalists in this category include: Copeland Compressors and Condensing Units/Emerson, Copeland™ oil-free centrifugal compressor; Teqtoniq GmbH, Teqtoniq TRC150 Oil-Free Centrifugal Compressor
HEATING
Winner: Carrier, Infinity® 24 Heat Pump with Greenspeed® Intelligence, Booth C1310 Innovation: The Infinity® 24 Heat Pump with Greenspeed® Intelligence is Carrier’s highest-efficiency and most advanced heat pump with up to 24 SEER and 13 HSPF for premium energy savings, extremely quiet performance and premium comfort features. The unique, variable speed compressor of this unit allows it to adapt its output to the needs of the home with infinite adjustments between 25 – 100% capacity. The heat pump offers excellent humidity control and is capable of removing up to 400% more moisture than standard systems. Based on Carrier testing, all data was run with the systems cycling once they met the assumed home load. The assumed load at AHAM conditions (80/70, 80) is the capacity of the variable-speed running continuously in dehumidification mode. The difficult conditions load was determined by a Wrightsoft® load calculation for a home in Florida at 69 OD 72/63 ID. This condition was provided by a customer in Florida as “worst case.”
Finalists in this category include: HVAC Manufacturing and Technology Inc., SpaceGain Air Handling Units; Addison, FrostShield Defrost-Free Heat Pumps
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Winner: Antrum, AntrumX™ IAQ Facilities Monitoring System, Booth C1071
Innovation: AntrumX is a patented centralized sensing technology. AntrumX monitors IAQ for 32 spaces from a single location, using one sensor for every 16 rooms. Consolidating one centralized sensor for multiple spaces increases sensor accessibility while ensuring better overall control. Centralized sensing ensures better overall control because the data from 16 spaces comes from a single source, allowing building managers to optimize their ventilation strategy, and save energy without sacrificing IAQ. Additionally, the AntrumX has the ability to transport air without moving parts. Leveraging the building’s pressure differential between supply and exhaust, AntrumX is able to move air samples from each space to the Sensor Pack without adding energy to the system.
The Sensor Pack also monitors multiple data points across multiple rooms. Using over-the-air software updates and a state-of-the-art hardware design, the Sensor Pack can be customized to sense what’s required today and be easily exchanged or updated as requirements change over the life of the building.
Finalists in this category include: LG Electronics USA, Inc., LG Split Rooftop DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) with Energy Recovery Wheel; TZOA, HAVEN IAQ
PLUMBING
Winner: Franklin Electric / Little Giant, Inline SpecPAK, Multi-Pump Pressure Boosting System, Booth C4334
Innovation: With only 14.5 inches deep, its unique smaller footprint makes the Franklin Electric Inline 1100 SpecPAK Pressure Boosting System small enough to be hung in a small utility closet or wall hung to preserve critical floor space. The system’s Inline 1100 constant pressure pumps are quiet, compact, self-contained, and versatile. Powered by water-cooled motors, it delivers quieter operation versus traditional air-cooled motors.
The self-contained design delivers a “plug and play” solution that is part of a complete package centered around easy installation, operation, and durability. The ability to expand is a foundational and distinctive benefit. Both the suction and discharge headers are sized to accommodate the flow rate from the maximum speed of four pumps. Quick and easy disconnects to the main panel allow customers to disconnect each pump individually with minimal system disruption.
Finalists in this category include: Lochinvar, LLC, Lochinvar Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters; Towle Whitney LLC, GEN-5 Platform
REFRIGERATION
Winner: ebm-papst Inc., AxiEco 630-910 Axial Fan, Booth C3324
Innovation: The AxiEco 630-910 incorporates new impeller geometry with a rotating diffuser and optimized blade design in order to reach a low noise level and high-efficiency.
The steep air performance curve provides a pressure increase of more than 700 Pa, which is extraordinary for axial fans. With a maximum air flow of up to 30,000 m³/h the AxiEco 630-910 covers a wide range of different applications, especially those where high-efficiency and high back pressure are key. The integrated commutation electronics with an active PFC (power factor correction) as an option enables the fan to be used in applications with low harmonics requirements, without any external filtering measures.
Finalists in this category include: Copeland Compressors and Condensing Units /Emerson, Copeland™ horizontal variable speed scroll compressor for refrigeration (1 to 4 HP); Johnson Controls, Inc., ZS series horizontal scroll compressors with R290 and variable speed compatibility
SOFTWARE
Winner: Bluon, Inc., Bluon Support Platform, Booth C6617
Innovation: The Bluon Support Platform is a mobile application that becomes a centralized hub for HVAC technicians. Bluon was built for technicians, by technicians, and provides detailed system information, just-in-time training, best practices and 24/7 live tech support. The app’s most important function is its ability to make the lives of technicians easier by providing a single, trustworthy source of detailed HVAC system information, along with live tech support when needed in the field. The main features of the free app include:
a comprehensive unit database of 40,000 HVAC model numbers spanning 75+ brands, with 75,000+ original manuals, troubleshooting guides, wiring diagrams, and technical specifications; best practices known as “pro-hacks” for a wide-range of situations; easy to\use calculators for SH/SC, airflow, pressure setpoints, TXV sizing, etc.; HVAC training videos and tools that techs can use on the job; a revolutionary HVAC forum that gets techs the info they need when they need it; 24/7 live tech support; and a replacement parts identification
tool cross-referenced by model numbers and compatible part numbers.
Finalists in this category include: CoolAutomation, Service Provision App; Interplay Learning, SkillMill™
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS (formerly Green Building)
Winner: Enginuity Power Systems Inc, E/ONE Home Power System, Booth N7435 Innovation: Enginuity’s E/ONE Home Power System is a modern rethinking of a classic combined heat and power system. Using clean and plentiful natural gas, the E/ONE produces both electricity and heat for homes or businesses. Since the E/ONE is capable of making more power than the home or business requires, the additional power can be sold back to the grid, generating income for the E/ONE’s owner. In addition, the E/ONE leverages the reliability of the natural gas distribution network to replace conventional
backup generators. E/ONEs easily produce all the electricity needed to operate homes or businesses, therefore the periodic blackouts such as those recently seen in Texas and California will not affect the product’s ability to function.
Finalists in this category include: Caleffi Hydronic Solutions, Commercial domestic hot water (DHW) recirculation systems combine energy efficiency and water conservation; Danfoss, Danfoss Turbocor® TGS380 Compressor
TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS
Winner: Fluke Corporation, Fluke 378 FC Non-Contact Voltage True-rms AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex, Booth C2737
Innovation: The Fluke 378 FC true-rms clamp meter uses FieldSense technology to make testing faster and safer, all without contacting a live conductor. The meter measures accurate voltage and current measurements through the clamp jaw. It works by clipping the black test lead to any electrical ground and putting the clamp jaw around the conductor which results in reliable, accurate voltage and current values on the display. The 378 FC clamp meter includes a unique PQ function that senses power quality issues automatically. When making FieldSense measurements, the 378 FC will detect and display power quality issues, relating to current, voltage, power factor or any combination of the three. This allows for quick determination if an upstream supply problem exists, or if there is a downstream equipment problem.
Finalists in this category include: Climatech International S.A., F-100 Cordless Stud Welder Machine; RIDGID / Emerson, RIDGID® PCS-500 Pipe Saw
VENTILATION
Winner: Aldes, InspirAIR® Fresh, Booth C2734
Innovation: The InspirAIR® Fresh contains new innovative design features. A newly developed counterflow enthalpic core and unique fan scrolls ensure 75% sensible recovery efficiency at 32F as tested to the new CSA 439 standard required as of October 2020. Occupants can also expect to get ample fresh filtered air due to variable speed EC motors that adjust speed to changes in pressure due to stack effect and filter loading. The InspirAIR® Fresh is designed to provide optimal fresh air, regardless of filter type. Currently, ERVs are rated for use with a basic filter, and when using a MERV1 or HEPA
filter, the airflow is reduced significantly.
Finalists in this category include: Carrier, Carrier Aero® 39M with ECM Direct Drive Plenum Fans; LG Electronics USA, Inc., LG Split Compact DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System)
“It’s always exciting to follow along as these products and services come to life in the marketplace,” said Stevens. “What’s more, is to see others work to keep pace with innovation and develop new solutions. We are thrilled to be back in-person and headed to Las Vegas for a return to business. We hope you’ll join us and these winners in action on the Show floor before they hit the market.”
Funds raised from the entry fees of the Innovation Awards competition will be donated to a Vegas-area charitable cause. More information to follow. Registration for the 2022 AHR Expo is free until January 30, 2021, and can be completed on ahrexpo.com.
Lennox and dealer network complete Feel The Love Week, providing essential heating and cooling equipment and installations to deserving homeowners at no cost. Lennox Industries proudly partnered with HVAC dealers across the U.S. and Canada to install 130 HVAC units in 37 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces as part of the company’s Feel The Love program. Selected homeowners Read more
Lennox and dealer network complete Feel The Love Week, providing essential heating and cooling equipment and installations to deserving homeowners at no cost.
Lennox Industries proudly partnered with HVAC dealers across the U.S. and Canada to install 130 HVAC units in 37 U.S. states and 5 Canadian provinces as part of the company’s Feel The Love program. Selected homeowners received heating and cooling equipment free of charge throughout the second week of October in Lennox’ first, week-long installation event.
Each Feel The Love recipient is an unsung hero who may be going through hardship, facing adversity or in need of community support. Recipients were nominated by their neighbors, friends and family members as a way of bringing hope and support to homes across North America. In 2021, Lennox continued to expand the Feel The Love program to honor essential and frontline workers who went above and beyond to keep their communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We greatly appreciate Lennox for choosing us to be a part of this wonderful program,” said Courtney Johnson, Dallas Hope Center’s housing manager and 2021 Feel The Love recipient. “The installation definitely put a lot of smiles on our board members faces, our CEO’s and on mine as the housing manager. There are a lot of things that are needed in the community, and having the organization see those needs and act is very imperative and exciting. I’m very grateful to be a part of it.”
The Feel The Love program is made possible through the ongoing partnership of the Lennox dealer network across North America. Since the inaugural Feel The Love program in 2009, Lennox and its dealers have completed over 1,600 free installations, with 130 installations occurring in 2021 alone. Every donated unit comes complete with 3-year Comfort Shield Labor Protection Plans, and Feel The Love dealers donate their time and labor to make the program a success.
“At Lennox, we believe everyone deserves clean, perfect air, and we’re dedicated to making sure everyone feels safe and comfortable in their own homes,” said Kim McGill, Vice President of Marketing at Lennox Industries. “Through our Feel The Love program, we honor local heroes in the communities where we work and live and are proud to give those in need the perfect air they deserve, thanks to the collaboration and generosity of our dealer partners.”
For more information about the Feel The Love program and its impact on the community, visit FeelTheLove.com.
About Feel The Love™
Since 2009, Feel The Love (formally known as Heat U.P.) has been a key program for Lennox Industries to give back to its communities. Culminating in Feel The Love Week, Lennox partners with HVAC installers and local community members in the United States and portions of Canada to deliver units at no cost to people who consistently put others before themselves and need a helping hand. For more information about how Lennox is bringing perfect air to deserving households across the United States and Canada, visit FeelTheLove.com.
Tankless Units Offer Consistent Hot Water for Transitional Housing Tiny Home Community A. O. Smith, a leader in water heater manufacturing, recently donated 24 tankless water heaters valued at over $25,000 to House of Hope Village, a community of highly efficient tiny homes which will provide temporary, dignified transitional housing to community members in need Read more
Tankless Units Offer Consistent Hot Water for Transitional Housing Tiny Home Community
A. O. Smith, a leader in water heater manufacturing, recently donated 24 tankless water heaters valued at over $25,000 to House of Hope Village, a community of highly efficient tiny homes which will provide temporary, dignified transitional housing to community members in need.
The project, which broke ground mid-September 2020, is located in Florence, South Carolina. On September 30, House of Hope Village unveiled the first four completed homes set to accommodate members of the community in need of transitional housing. The ribbon cutting event hosted guests from House of Hope, A. O. Smith, key donors, city council members and local media outlets. Bryan Braddock, executive director of House of Hope offered remarks and announced the collective gifts and donations will allow them to complete the project fully funded. The project is valued at a cost of $1.7 million dollars.
“We are so grateful to A. O. Smith for the donation of tankless water heaters for each of the homes in Hope Village. This product donation alleviates a large portion of costs for each home, and also provides consistent, clean, hot water for our residents. A. O. Smith offered us the first in-kind donation of this magnitude and truly set a trend for other companies to get involved,” said Bryan Braddock, executive director at House of Hope. “Hope Village aims to provide transitional housing and educational opportunities for families in our community, offering them a chance to stay together under one roof and create a new path for a brighter future.”
Eyeing a December 2021 completion date, House of Hope Village will be a fully outfitted community ideal for families. The development will feature a community center, laundry center, privacy and security fence, gated access, playground, garden boxes, 24-hour security, landscaping, and more. All of these amenities are thanks to a variety of local and national donors, including A. O. Smith.
“Clean, hot, healthy water is essential for any family, and House of Hope has created a great opportunity for A. O. Smith to help the Florence community through donating these units to such an amazing cause,” said Nick Grady, fabrication product manager at A. O. Smith. “A. O. Smith’s tankless water heaters provide consistent, reliable, and efficient hot water and it is our hope these units will assist in easing the transition of those who reside in House of Hope Village, as well as cut down on energy consumption and utility bill costs.”
A.O. Smith’s donation will help bring hot water on demand to the residents of Hope Village. While tankless units are excellent space-savers for these tiny homes, they also offer a variety of other benefits that will help Hope Village in the long run.
Running a tiny home village like Hope Village comes at a cost, but because tankless water heaters run at a higher efficiency than a traditional storage tank water heater, they decrease utility costs. Additionally, tankless water heaters have a longer life span, which will greatly benefit House of Hope’s long-term costs.
To learn more about A. O. Smith products visit www.hotwater.com and to learn more about House of Hope, visit https://hofh.org.
Viega LLC will reduce paper waste by 32 tons a year by eliminating printed instructions in favor of QR codes Beginning in October, the printed instructions inside the packages of most ProPress, MegaPress and PureFlow products made in the United States will be removed in favor of a QR code printed on the product label. A Read more
Viega LLC will reduce paper waste by 32 tons a year by eliminating printed instructions in favor of QR codes
Beginning in October, the printed instructions inside the packages of most ProPress, MegaPress and PureFlow products made in the United States will be removed in favor of a QR code printed on the product label. A scan of the code will send the user to the product instruction page on viega.us. It’s estimated that this will eliminate more than 6 million pieces of paper a year, paper which often wound up littering jobsites.
Having the instructions in digital format means any updates are immediately and automatically reflected, another benefit.
“Viega LLC is committed to reducing its environmental impact in ways big and small,” said Adam Botts, Portfolio Manager for piping systems. “This is an example of a simple measure that, in total, will save an enormous amount of paper without inconveniencing customers. This absolves them of having to recycle or dispose of the instruction sheets properly. We look forward to rolling out additional initiatives, both seen and unseen, that will have positive impacts on our company footprint.”
Earlier this year, Viega Holding GmbH & Co., parent company of Viega LLC, was named one of the 50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders by TBD Media Group.
RIDGID, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is committed to supporting trade education RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, will award scholarships to four plumbing and HVACR apprentices as part of its partnership with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Educational Foundation and its apprentice contest. Each winner will receive a $1,000 education scholarship, plus Read more
RIDGID, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is committed to supporting trade education
RIDGID, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, will award scholarships to four plumbing and HVACR apprentices as part of its partnership with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Educational Foundation and its apprentice contest.
Each winner will receive a $1,000 education scholarship, plus $1,500 of tools from RIDGID and a special recognition at PHCC CONNECT 2021, Oct. 20-22, in Kansas City, Mo. Scholarship winners are selected by the PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarship Committee’s contractor members.
“RIDGID has had a long-standing commitment of supporting trade education and has been a proud sponsor of the PHCC Apprentice Contest for over a decade,” said Denis Hanna, director of sales and vocational training programs, RIDGID for Emerson. “The contest is a great opportunity for apprentices to showcase their skills and learn from others. We’re excited to see the impact each of this year’s RIDGID scholarship winners has on the industry in the coming years.”
2021 scholarship recipients include:
- Christopher Friendly of Anchorage, Alaska, is studying plumbing installation, service and repair at Alaska Vocational Technical Center.
- Paul Kwiecinski of Chicago, Ill., is studying HVACR installation, service and repair at HVAC Technical Institute Chicago.
Paul Kwiecinski
- Martin Gorman of Belmont, Mass., is studying plumbing installation, service and repair at New England Institute of Technology.
Martin Gorman
- Tyler Earle of Forestdale, Mass, is studying plumbing installation, service and repair at Upper Cape Tech Adult & Continuing Education.
Tyler Earle
To learn more about RIDGID, visit RIDGID.com.