At HVAC Comfortech 2010, 12 products were recognized as Product Showcase Award winners. Judges took into consideration the ease with which HVAC contractors can apply the technology, and the technical value of the product or service to the HVAC industry. We'll feature these products each month in upcoming issues of Contracting Business. This month, we're featuring Testo's 550 Refrigeration System Analyzer, the winner in the Instrumentation/Diagnostics category. For additional information on any of the products listed here, circle the appropriate number(s) on the reader service card at the back of this issue or visit www.contractingbusiness.com/freeinfo.html.
Testo Introduces the 550 Refrigeration System Analyzer
The Testo 550 is a high-performance Refrigeration System Analyzer that accurately performs temperature and pressure measurements in seconds. It automatically calculates superheat and subcooling for 34 different refrigerants. According to company sources, the 550 is simple enough to use right out of the box and rugged enough for daily use by HVAC technicians.
Use it to service, maintain and commission all types of air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump systems including the newest 16 SEER systems. Perform timed pressure drop tests as well as standing pressure tests required for properly commissioning AC/R systems. The testo 550 comes standard with a clamp probe, integrated hanger-hook and built in hose holders, all packed in a rugged protective housing.
New Unit Ventilators with Two-Stage Compressors Help Offer Classroom Comfort
McQuay International introduces the AAF-HermanNelson® self-contained unit ventilators with two-stage compressors that are ideal for classroom retrofits. They’re an affordable alternative to renovations, fit easily into existing ventilator space, offer the ultimate classroom comfort for students and teachers, and meet energy efficiency requirements. In addition to air conditioning with electric heat, units are available in both air-source and water-source heat pump configurations.
The new two-stage compressor reduces noise in the classroom and provides a more consistent and comfortable room temperature by allowing units to operate efficiently at reduced fan speeds a majority of the time. As a result, the units use less energy, lowering utility costs, and require fewer repairs with longer part life, company sources state. The AAF-HermanNelson® self-contained unit ventilator is also the first console classroom unit ventilator on the market using non-ozone-depleting R-410A refrigerant.
mcquay.com
circle 146
Three New Coleman® Air Handlers Deliver Improved Efficiency
The Coleman® brand HVAC equipment from Johnson Controls introduces three new air handlers that deliver improved efficiency to home comfort systems.
The newest additions to the LX Series — the MX modular blower air handler and the AHE air handler — feature a high-efficiency brushless, X13-style, DC electronically commutated motor (ECM) for system efficiency gains. The rugged, reliable design of the MX unit includes four-way, multi-position capabilities and a compact size for ease of installation. In addition, versatile blowers and coils can be combined to function as a cooling-only unit, with a heat pump, including electric heat, or with an electric heater as a stand-alone electric furnace.
The Comforteer AHR air handler uses a permanent split capacitator (PSC) motor. Like the AHE, the AHR offers three-way, multi-position capabilities (upflow, horizontal left or right) and requires a field-installed thermal expansion valve (TXV) to provide optimum performance and refrigerant control. Field-installed electric heat options provide cost-effective supplemental heat, and a foil-faced, thermally insulated cabinet prevents sweating.
colemanhvacdealer.com
circle 147
Greenheck Announces the Release of CAPS 4.6
Greenheck recently released Version 4.6 of its Computer Aided Product Selection Program (CAPS).
New products included in CAPS 4.6 are air-cooled packaged DX available on Models DGX, IGX and MSX make-up air units; seven models of OSHPD seismic rated spun aluminum fans and four models of OSHPD seismic rated blower fans; larger size air measuring dampers in sizes up to 144 x 148-in.; an expanded Vari-Green motor offering; the new SWB series 300 backward inclined fans; and UL Listed for Emergency Smoke Control Systems on Model GB spun aluminum downblast exhaust fans. CAPS 4.6 also features streamlined kitchen hood selection and a KVS Product Input Guide to make kitchen ventilation product selection easier and more efficient.
The AMCA certified CAPS program offers users the ability to download Revit drawing files for many of the products in CAPS. These files include specific performance based information on the respective product. Many product enhancements and improvements have also been included.
greenheck.com
circle 148
KZValve Stainless Steel Two-Piece, Two-Way Control Valves
Use KZValve stainless steel two-way control valves to perform operation-essential fluid control in extreme conditions with water, glycol or steam (up to 35 psi). These two-way ball valves, have a max 2000 psi. A waterproof actuator housing protects internal components from corrosion and extends actuator life. KZ's 88 series valves are constructed of CF8M stainless steel and actuators have solid state components for increased durability and maintenance-free performance in heating/cooling units, fan coil units, unit ventilators, reheat coils and bypass loops.
KZvalve.com
circle 149
Discrete Wireless Releases Updated Marcus Application
Discrete Wireless, Inc. announces its 8.8.2 release of its industry leading MARCUS® application, delivering advances in integrated dispatching, enhanced vehicle grouping and robust reporting functionality.
MARCUS Drive, an integrated GPS dispatching solution, provides instant messaging and navigation, in collaboration with the Garmin® dispatching software. With real-time GPS tracking functionality and the in-vehicle Garmin device, managers and fleet dispatchers plan their day better by setting up a driver’s daily jobs, communicating through two-way messaging, and addressing driver safety by pinpointing driver issues as they happen.
MARCUS Pulse offers an intuitive, graphical interface dashboard designed to help fleet managers and owners pinpoint the trends that increase cost and reduce overall productivity. An important upgrade in the 8.8.2 release is the customer’s ability to set their own goals on key performance indicators (KPIs) to benchmark fleet operations. In addition, taking into consideration customer feedback, 21 reports track overall fleet performance, including the ability to set up alerts and subscriptions to easily monitor productivity.
discretewireless.com
circle 150
Space-Ray Expands Line of Low Intensity U-Tube Heaters
Space-Ray has expanded its line of energy-efficient, unitized low intensity gas-fired U-tube heaters to 21 different models, with capacities from 40,000 to 250,000 BTU/hr to meet a variety of industrial and commercial application needs.
Available in both natural and propane gas, the expanded line of Space-Ray LTU series low-intensity U-tube heaters are designed to save fuel and reduce maintenance. The heaters are well suited for mounting heights of 12-ft. and higher, based on burner capacity. Some large capacity heaters have been installed successfully as high as 85-ft. above finished floor. Length of the heaters is from 17 to 27.5-ft.
spaceray.com
circle 151
Fulton's Vantage Boilers Receive AHRI Certification
Fulton Companies announces the certification of its popular Vantage series condensing hydronic boiler product line by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
The Fulton Vantage hydronic condensing boiler product line includes 2,000,000, 3,000,000, 4,000,000 and 6,000,000 BTU/hr models. The Vantage 2,000,000, 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 BTU/hr product line includes dual fuel models for natural gas/propane and natural gas/#2 oil capabilities. The Vantage boiler can operate in condensing mode when firing on B-100 bio-diesel and also can operate on a variety of digester gases.
Vantage boilers are an ideal choice for ultra-high-efficiency condensing applications. High product mass and large pressure vessel water volume design removes minimum water temperature requirements and reduces sensitivity to varying flow conditions, eliminating the need for boiler temperature control valves. Lower return water temperatures promote condensing of the flue gases and increase the Vantage boiler efficiency.
fulton.com
circle 152
New AcclimateT Communicating Control from Luxaire®
The new AcclimateT communicating control from Luxaire® appeals to both homeowners and contractors as it reaches out and communicates with every smart Luxaire device in a home comfort system, from air conditioners and furnaces to other system accessories. The product is offered by Johnson Controls.
Contractors will find that the unique control design delivers a number of time-saving and business-boosting features, beginning with a simple, four-wire plug-and-play design that eliminates time-consuming wiring and system checking at installation. As components are added to the system, the control’s auto configuration capability automatically recognizes and configures the components based on the comfort settings and operation requirements of the system.
luxbrightidea.com
circle 153