Tyler K. Pugh of All Coast Plumbing & Rooter (Tujunga, Calif.) is the winner of the $10,000 grand prize in Noritz America’s recently concluded Retrofit Rewards sweepstakes promotion for plumbing and HVAC contractors in the United States and Canada. Pugh received the winning Scratch & Win Card after purchasing a Noritz NRCR Residential Condensing Tankless Read more
Industry News
Tyler Rygh (far right) of All Coast Plumbing & Rooter accepts $10,000 grand prize in Noritz’s Retrofit Rewards promotion from Noritz SoCal Territory manager Dylan Stieler (far left), as sales specialists Robert Espadas (center, left) and Adolfo Sandoval of Hirsch Pipe & Supply look on. (Photo courtesy Noritz America).
Tyler K. Pugh of All Coast Plumbing & Rooter (Tujunga, Calif.) is the winner of the $10,000 grand prize in Noritz America’s recently concluded Retrofit Rewards sweepstakes promotion for plumbing and HVAC contractors in the United States and Canada. Pugh received the winning Scratch & Win Card after purchasing a Noritz NRCR Residential Condensing Tankless Water from wholesaler-distributor Hirsch Pipe & Supply at its branch operation in Santa Clarita, Calif.
Tyler Pugh owns All Coast Plumbing, a Southern California company that does residential and commercial work. Coming from a long line of plumbers, Tyler decided to obtain his license in 2017 before opening his company in the same year. His company principally serves the San Fernando Valley and its surrounding areas.
Prior to becoming a licensed plumber, Tyler had over 20 years of experience working as a tankless water heating installer. While he recommends many Noritz products to his clients, his favorite model is the NRCR111, which coincidentally was the winning product. “The NRCR is a favorite because of the size,” he explains. “I do a lot of remodeling and addition work. If I’m working on a project where the homeowner wants to add a bathroom, I know the Noritz models can handle the additional volume well,” Tyler says.
The promotion, which began on June 1, 2023, included select models in the Noritz EZ and NRCR tankless series available at supply houses across the United States. Professional plumbing and HVAC contractors were rewarded with a free Scratch & Win Card, providing them with two opportunities to win exciting prizes.
The first opportunity guaranteed a prize of Noritz branded merchandise or a discount code offering up to 25% off purchases from Noritz’s online support and parts store. In addition, contractors had the chance to win substantial cash prizes. Over 90 EZ and NRCR units carried a total of $72,500 in prize money. Among them, 50 models offered a $150 cash prize, 20 offered $500, another 20 offered $1,000, and five units offered $5,000. The highlight of the sweepstakes was the grand prize of $10,000, which was won by Tyler Pugh.
Danfoss, a leading global supplier of technologies for HVAC/R, will exhibit their broad portfolio of solutions to help their customers reach decarbonization goals at the annual AHR Expo, January 21-23, the premier annual event for the HVAC/R industry. With an expected 50,000 attendees and 1,600 exhibitors, the event provides an invaluable opportunity to showcase the company’s technologies Read more
Danfoss, a leading global supplier of technologies for HVAC/R, will exhibit their broad portfolio of solutions to help their customers reach decarbonization goals at the annual AHR Expo, January 21-23, the premier annual event for the HVAC/R industry. With an expected 50,000 attendees and 1,600 exhibitors, the event provides an invaluable opportunity to showcase the company’s technologies that enable customers to build energy-efficient heat pumps, data centers, rooftop units, Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS), chillers and food retail refrigeration systems. Reflecting the growing push toward decarbonization, Danfoss HVAC/R solutions offer robust and energy-efficient performance to end users looking to reduce carbon emissions along with their energy and maintenance expenses.
On display will be the newest technologies, including the BOCK 6-cylinder CO2 compressor, its accompanying CO2 condensing unit, Turbocor compressors, the iC2 Micro family of drives and the EC+ technology for HVAC drives. Booth visitors will be able to see demonstrations of Alsmart and Alsense, Danfoss’ automation solutions for building HVAC systems and food retail, respectively. A feature this year will be a Lego-sized model of a Smart Store, utilizing the latest energy-efficient and low-carbon food retail solutions. Visitors to the booth will have the opportunity to enter to win a set of Legos by snapping a selfie next to the Smart Store display, posting the photo on LinkedIn and tagging the Danfoss North America page.
Also on display will be the new DSG compressor, winner of the Expo’s Innovation Award in the Cooling category. The DSG is specifically designed for low pressure, low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants and provides chiller systems with a wide range of compressor capacities to support unit design requirements. It showcases Danfoss expertise in helping its customers make the transition to environmentally friendly refrigerants as HFC phasedown continues. As an award category winner, the DSG compressor is a finalist for Product of the Year, which will be announced at the Expo.
“Danfoss innovation in decarbonization and energy efficiency will be on full display at the Expo,” said Rick Sporrer, president of Danfoss North America. “With our broad portfolio of solutions, we have the expertise needed to become our customers’ preferred decarbonization partner. We are looking forward to highlighting our latest solutions and sharing our insights with the industry.”
Aidoo Pro integration with Nest thermostats ushers in a new era of Inverter/VRF HVAC control and interoperability. Airzone Control, provider of HVAC solutions for zoning, automation and smart control, announces a revolutionary new integration with the full portfolio of Nest™ thermostats. The integration between the Airzone Aidoo Pro and Nest smart thermostats (Nest Thermostat™ and Nest Read more
Aidoo Pro integration with Nest thermostats ushers in a new era of Inverter/VRF HVAC control and interoperability.
Airzone Control, provider of HVAC solutions for zoning, automation and smart control, announces a revolutionary new integration with the full portfolio of Nest™ thermostats. The integration between the Airzone Aidoo Pro and Nest smart thermostats (Nest Thermostat™ and Nest Learning Thermostat™) enables seamless bi-directional communication between the Inverter/VRF and mini split HVAC units that are soaring in popularity.
Two Expanding Categories, One Growing Problem
The Inverter/VRF solutions market is expected to reach $31.9 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 12.7 % between 2021 and 2025. The global smart thermostat market is expanding in parallel and expected to triple by 2028 as more users gravitate towards innovative solutions that provide control over a critical component of indoor spaces: heating and cooling. While these are two of the fastest-growing categories in the HVAC industry, there is a costly roadblock.
The core problem stems from these two technologies developing and evolving in insolated environments. These systems fail to communicate complex instructions effectively due to inadequate two-way communication. Without a solution in between, Inverter/VRF and mini split solutions deployed with a smart thermostat are incompatible. The resulting communication breakdown between the two forces the HVAC system to revert back to single-speed operations, undermining the full potential and sophisticated features of the system.
Simplified, smart thermostats and HVAC unit speak different languages. Since Inverter/VRF and mini split HVAC systems are traditionally adjusted by means of their own communication protocol, and the output for the smart thermostat is a dry contact closure, the full picture is never effectively communicated back to the heating/cooling system and critical information is missing. Within this scenario, the smart thermostat is unable to provide information about how hard the system should be working or the deviation from the desired set point temperature. As a result, the system cannot modulate output to precisely match the temperature needs of an environment, and the air handling unit (AHU) becomes forced to operate at maximum capacity, creating inefficiency and discomfort.
The Solution Backed By Expertise
The Airzone Aidoo Pro is a simple-to-install system add-on that sits between the HVAC system and the Nest smart thermostat and serves as a conduit between the world of HVAC and IoT to preserve Inverter/VRF features, benefits, and functionality while meeting user demand for smart control.
Airzone’s exclusive library of manufacturer-certified HVAC protocols enables full bi-directional communication between the Aidoo Pro, the HVAC solution, and the Nest Thermostat or Nest Learning Thermostat. The Aidoo Pro receives smart thermostat data, interprets it, and then sends the appropriate commands to the Inverter/VRF or mini split unit via system specific, manufacturer-certified protocols. The Inverter/VRF solution continues to function at a variable rate, preserving the superior comfort and efficiency of the system.
Airzone has spent decades cultivating privileged working relationships with the industry’s leading HVAC Inverter/VRF and mini-split manufacturers. The Aidoo Pro has manufacturer-certified HVAC protocols from all leading brands, including Daikin, Fujitsu, Hitachi, LG, Mitsubishi Electric, and Panasonic. Now, with a dedicated integration with Nest, the industry’s most popular smart thermostat solutions can be connected to and properly control Inverter/VRF and mini split HVAC systems using the Aidoo Pro.
“Our integration with the Nest smart thermostats through Aidoo Pro represents an unprecedented leap forward for our industry,” said Antonio Mediato, founder, and CEO of Airzone. “This brings together two of the industry’s fastest growing sectors in a way that was previously thought impossible. With Nest as our valued partner, together we are setting a new standard for the industry and redefining what is possible in the world of HVAC and IoT.”
Both Airzone and Google Nest will be at the upcoming AHR Expo taking place in Chicago January 22-24, 2024. For the opportunity to learn more about the Aidoo Pro/Nest integration in person, be sure to visit Airzone at AHR Expo 2024 at booth S8659 and the Google Nest Pro team at booth N1549.
To learn more about Airzone, visit https://www.airzonecontrol.com/na/en/.
Google, Nest, Nest Thermostat, Nest Learning Thermostat, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC.
Full product line will now have up to 98.3% thermal efficiency Lochinvar, an industry leader in high-efficiency boilers and water heaters, announces that its full line of FTXL™ fire-tube boilers will feature many of the innovations pioneered last year on its high-end FTXL 1.0 model. FTXL boilers 400-850 now incorporate a 7-inch display featuring Lochinvar’s Read more
Full product line will now have up to 98.3% thermal efficiency
Lochinvar, an industry leader in high-efficiency boilers and water heaters, announces that its full line of FTXL™ fire-tube boilers will feature many of the innovations pioneered last year on its high-end FTXL 1.0 model. FTXL boilers 400-850 now incorporate a 7-inch display featuring Lochinvar’s SmartTouch™ capacitive touch screen with CON·X·US® Remote Connectivity.
The FTXL boiler family’s 7-inch LCD touchscreen display makes it easier for contractors to adjust parameters and provides access to remote connectivity for easier maintenance and troubleshooting.
In addition, all models in the FTXL boiler line now deliver 98.3% thermal efficiency and up to a 10:1 turndown ratio. All models also share the same sleek look with a new front bezel and Lochinvar’s badge prominently displayed.
“We understand no two installations are the same, and we’re excited to provide our customers with a wide range of options that fit each unique application,” says Ross Brawner, Lochinvar product manager. “Now every product in our FTXL boiler line offers remote connectivity for easier setup and system monitoring.”
Lochinvar’s fire-tube boilers have a stainless-steel fire-tube heat exchanger that allows them to operate over a wide range of flow rates with minimal low-pressure drops, making the units more flexible at handling frequent fluctuations. This heat exchanger allows units to be installed in variable primary systems, eliminating the time and material costs of primary/secondary piping and pumps potentially needed to maintain flow in a water-tube boiler.
To learn more about Lochinvar’s FTXL fire-tube boiler line, visit www.Lochinvar.com.
Airzone’s Inverter/VRF zoning solution reduces AHU demands, supporting ASHRAE 15 Compliance. Airzone Control, provider of HVAC solutions for zoning, automation, and smart control, will showcase their expanded Easyzone product line at AHR Expo, the essential event for HVACR industry professionals. This all-in-one zoning solution for concealed Inverter/VRF HVAC units is now compatible with the top Read more
Airzone’s Inverter/VRF zoning solution reduces AHU demands, supporting ASHRAE 15 Compliance.
Airzone Control, provider of HVAC solutions for zoning, automation, and smart control, will showcase their expanded Easyzone product line at AHR Expo, the essential event for HVACR industry professionals. This all-in-one zoning solution for concealed Inverter/VRF HVAC units is now compatible with the top seven leading manufacturers in the North American market, including Samsung, Daikin, Mitsubishi, LG, Toshiba, Fujitsu, and Hitachi.
Zoning is a powerful tool for engineers, contractors and owners in delivering decarbonization benefits to building designers, contractors and owners, while offering practical solutions that can help mitigate ASHRAE 15. Easyzone is Airzone’s uniquely effective plug-and-play zoning solution. There are compatible Easyzone prewired kits for all of the industry’s top providers, covering 90 percent of the North American market.
Easyzone by Airzone eliminates the need for bypass dampers, resulting in optimal energy savings. At AHR, the Airzone team will be showcasing projects from across the US and Europe that will demonstrate the efficiency results and ease of application and installation.
Leveraging Easyzone for ASHRAE 15 Compliance
The HVAC industry will navigate a complex minefield of efficiency incentives and regulatory changes over the next three years; zoning solutions will be essential to the industry’s future. The EPA has mandated a transition away from R-410A refrigerants to R-32. These newer, more climate-friendly refrigerants are far more volatile: To ensure system safety, ASHRAE Standard 15 will limit the amount of R-32 refrigerant each system may use. This leaves HVACR professionals with a paradox: how can they provide the same level of comfort from less powerful systems?
Easyzone is this answer. This solution allows HVAC engineers to use fewer and/or less powerful air handling units (AHUs) than an un-zoned solution. In addition, Airzone’s unique control board precisely adjusts the airflow and unit capacity, resulting in energy consumption savings of up to 30%.
Airzone leaders Borja Ferndandez and Victoria Garcia Massimo will offer additional guidance on navigating forthcoming regulations at the AHR session The No By-Pass Zoning Solution That Can Help Mitigate ASHRAE 15, scheduled for January 22, 2024 at 4:15 PM CT in Theater D. The presentation is free and open to all AHR attendees. This session will educate the design and construction community on simple, cost-effective zoning strategies for their next commercial or large residential project.
“The growth of Easyzone solutions comes at a pivotal moment,” says Antonio Mediato, CEO of Airzone. “As a global leader in innovative HVAC control systems with a headquarters in Spain, Airzone has already weathered the transition to R-32 refrigerant. Easyzone already enables engineers across Europe to deliver both superior comfort and compliant system designs. This is a proven solution North American engineers can rely on to effectively reduce the number of AHUs per project, supporting AHRAE Standard 15 compliance.”
Flexibility for Any Application
Easyzone offers the efficiency HVAC engineers will require for future designs – as well as the flexibility to integrate with practically any system. Easyzone is compatible with a broad range of fully programmable wired and wireless thermostats, and integrates with BMS such as BACnet and Modbus and home automation systems including Control4, Crestron, Lutron, ELAN, and Savant.
The full power of Airzone’s portfolio will be on display at AHR Expo 2024. Stop by booth S8659 for additional information, product demonstrations, or to connect directly with Airzone to learn more about how Easyzone can help you deliver efficiency and comfort with ease.
To learn more about Airzone, visit https://www.airzonecontrol.com/na/en/.