Not much is staying here this time around.
Forgive that shameless, unoriginal play on the "What Happens in Vegas..." ad campaign. But you just can't keep quiet about this show.
The 2011 Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition assembled in Las Vegas, NV for the first time in its history, and, judging from the first day, it's a sure bet, royal flush, straight, four aces with a wild card, for the estimated 40,000 attendees. The show includes more than 100 educational sessions and seminars, with 16 presented by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Here's a look at what I found on AHR Expo day 1:
Taco held an early bird press conference prior to the show's opening, to celebrate a number of new developments. The Taco singers were on hand, in there electric green outfits, singing, "Taco's Got the Green Pumps Now."
"One of the great things about being involved in developing this business is to have seen it in many phases, in good times and difficult times. But we have never strayed from our beliefs," said Taco President/CEO John White, Jr., in opening remarks to media.
"There is so much going on at Taco, this year more than any other, from a company and products standpoint."
Among those developments, Taco will build a new Innovation & Development Center consisting of a two-story 24,037 square foot addition in combination with 24,487 square feet of interior renovation. This new Innovation & Development Center will utilize, display and provide a hands-on learning environment for the best equipment and systems that today’s HVAC industry offers for comfort, efficiency and sustainability.
The HVAC products and systems will be visible throughout the entire facility forming “Living Laboratories” that allow for close-up viewing, hands-on learning and teaching.
"Training and education are very important to Taco," said Executive Vice President, Chris Intaglia. "They have defined who we are. Our goal is to remain in the U.S. The learning center will show what all of us are capable of doing for our industry now and in the future." Among its new products, Taco’s new 1900 VFD close-coupled, in-line pumps with integrated variable frequency drives are designed to enhance pump and building efficiency.
The single- or three-phase 1900 VFD line greatly increases energy efficiency and building comfort.
Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating Solutions (Mitsubishi Electric), an industry leader in split-zoning and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) cooling and heating technology in the U.S., today announced that it will incorporate Honeywell’s RedLINK™ wireless HVAC protocol into Mitsubishi Electric’s line of split-ductless and ducted heat pumps.
The RedLINK-enabled split-ductless system is designed to maximize comfort and reduce energy costs. “Mitsubishi Electric is excited to begin this journey with Honeywell. The RedLINK-enabled system personifies our commitment to providing consumers with the smartest way to individualize and perfect the comfort of their indoor environment,” says Bill Rau, senior vice president and general manager, Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating Solutions. With RedLINK technology, a wall-mounted wireless remote controller (pictured above) communicates through radio frequency, meaning that the wireless controller(s) can be placed in a different room than the indoor units and that no wires need to be run through the walls. The wall-mounted controller(s) will look almost identical to traditional wall-mounted thermostats to which customers in the U.S. market are accustomed, with easy-to-read backlit displays and intuitive operational functions.
RedLINK technology will be available in controllers for Mitsubishi Electric’s P-Series units of split-ductless and ducted heat pumps in March, with Mitsubishi Electric’s residential M-Series units featuring the wireless HVAC protocol soon following.
LG is introducing valuable additions to its Multi-V and PTAC lines, as well as new high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rated (SEER) models for residential and light commercial applications. “LG Electronics is one of the world’s largest producers of air conditioners, and here in the United States we are building on this global leadership position, continuing to grow the business,” said Kevin McNamara, vice president, Commercial Air Conditioning, LG Electronics USA, Inc. “This week we are introducing higher efficiency heating and cooling solutions that blend effortlessly into a wide range of commercial and residential environments.” Energy Efficient Climate Control Best known for its advanced duct-free systems, LG’s commercial air conditioning products provide innovative and energy efficient climate control solutions. Expanding the company’s line of energy efficient products, LG is showcasing four new high SEER Art Cool Mirror models. These models range in efficiency from 18.9 SEER to 20 SEER and allow LG to qualify for the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax benefit. Also on display this week in the LG booth is the company’s expanded line of Multi-V commercial systems and Flex Multi residential/light commercial products.
The Lochinvar KNIGHT®, an advanced heating boiler, is now available in wall mounted units with an innovative new fire tube design. Developed to provide contractors with all of the options they need to serve every application, the new KNIGHT Wall Mount fire tube models are available in seven models with inputs from 55,000 to 399,000 BTU/hr., which makes them ideal for residential or light-duty applications such as small hotels, schools and office buildings. For higher demand applications, Lochinvar’s exclusive SMART SYSTEM™ operating control features a built-in cascading sequencer that allows up to eight units to be installed, delivering up to 3.2 million BTU/hr. heating capacity.
The new KNIGHT Wall Mount Boiler models offer up to 99% thermal efficiency, Low-NOx emissions and a fully modulating burner, providing the perfect heating solution for today’s environmentally conscious market.
Rheem Manufacturing Company is showcasing a variety of technologically advanced and highly efficient heating, cooling and water heating products, and debuting an industry-first commercial hybrid air and water product. “Rheem is leveraging our unique expertise in both air and water to create truly compelling products and solutions that increase energy efficiency,” said Rheem Senior Vice President and COO Chris Peel.
“The solutions on-display at this year’s AHR Expo are technologically advanced, while maintaining the same high-quality and reliability Rheem is known for. We want to ensure that distributors, contractors and others attending the show fully appreciate the robust arsenal of products at their disposal.”
Some of the featured products at this year’s show include: the all-new Rheem Hybrid Air and Water Package Unit; the Integrated Heating & Water Heating System Powered by Tankless Technology; the Hybrid Water Heater with Heat Pump Technology; and the Prestige™ Condensing Tankless Water Heater.
2011 INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS
Building Automation: ecobee, Energy Management System
Cooling: Advantix Systems, DuCool DuTreat System
Green Building: Daikin AC (Americas), Inc., Daikin Altherma Air-to-Water Heat Pump System
Heating: LG Electronics, V2 Injection Heat Pump
Indoor Air Quality: Triatomic Environmental, Inc., Fresh-Aire UV
Plumbing: ITT, Ecocirc domestic hot water pump
Refrigeration: Emerson Climate Technologies, Copeland Discus Digital™ compressor
Software: CAN2GO, BAS IP web interface
Tools: Neutronics, Ultima ID Pro refrigerant analyzer
Ventilation: Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating Solutions, CITY MULTI® dedicated outside air system