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 ClimateMaster's Tranquility Split Geothermal System, the winner in the Forced Air Heating 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.
The ClimateMaster Tranquility Split Geothermal System Offers Energy Savings
The Tranquility split geothermal system consists of the Tranquility outdoor split unit (TTP) and the Tranquility air handler (TAH). The Tranquility split system easily connects to new or existing fossil fuel and electric furnaces, uses Earthpure® HFC-410A and exceeds ASHRAE 90.1 and Energy Star 3.0 efficiencies. It also meets requirements for the 30% federal tax credit on installation costs.
Designed for the replacement market, quiet outdoor installations with weather and sound insulated cabinets make the TTP the perfect fit, sources say. The TAH units are fully convertible upflow, downflow, horizontal right and left downflow, making them ideal for remote applications such as a crawl space or an attic. Other features include condensate over-flow protection, 230 to 115volt compatibility, bi-directional thermal expansion valve, control transformer with circuit breaker protection, large removable access panels and dehumidification mode for high latent cooling.
Regular Products:
Multi-functional ColorTouch Touchscreen Thermostat From Venstar
Venstar® announced the launch of ColorTouch™, the multi-functional, simple-to-use, touch screen thermostat that thinks it's a digital picture frame. ColorTouch is compatible with every type of heating and air conditioning system.
ColorTouch has an output test screen that allows the contractor to test the system. Its graphical user interface shows what outputs turn on and which outputs should be on, so the contractor can ensure that all equipment is connected and working properly. The ColorTouch 'My Thermostat' screens allow the contractor to look at the thermostat status, making it easier to troubleshoot equipment or wiring issues. In addition, programming and configuration may be done in advance using the provided ColorTouch Assistant software and an SD memory card (not included).
Users can customize the appearance of their ColorTouch thermostats by using their own photos for the screen savers and background wallpaper.
venstar.com/thermostats/colortouch
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Luvata Provides Savings on Raw Material and Refrigerant Costs
Luvata HTS North America has developed a new large face 7.94mm HVACR coil to increase heat transfer efficiency and allow customers to address recent changes in refrigerant regulations and usage. The new coil surface is capable of capturing the benefits of the superior heat transfer properties of R-410A.
The large face engineered 7.94mm copper tube coil, which is available in face sizes of up to 60-in. (60 tubes high) x 108-in., offers a smaller diameter tube and a more compact heat exchanger for enhanced performance in commercial applications.
According to company sources, the large 7.94mm coil design utilizes a compact tube pattern, delivering savings on raw material and refrigerant costs to commercial air conditioning and specialty HVACR equipment manufacturers, without sacrificing efficiency.
luvata.com
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Cooper-Atkins Announces Updates to the TM99A
Cooper-Atkins Corporation announces a new and improved TM99A Thermistor temperature instrument. The new sleek design of the TM99A offers the user an easier grip on the unit and a condensed keypad for simple operation, sources say. The TM99A now comes with a 5-year instrument warranty and new full view clamshell packagaging.
Ideal for those applications where only one temperature is read at a time, the TM99A features include a min / max memory button, hold button and auto shut-off after 5 minutes of non-use. The thermistor temperature instrument also includes a backlight for working in dark environments. The TM99A comes with a 1075 general-purpose puncture probe and has a one-year probe warranty. The temperature range on this instrument is -40F to 302F (-40C to 150C) and is F / C switchable for easy operating.
cooper-atkins.com
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ICM Controls Launches New Replacement Heating Controls For OEM Models
ICM Controls announces several new replacement furnace controls for the 2010-2011 heating season. The new controls add to ICM's line of replacement heating controls.
During the past six months, ICM Controls has introduced six new replacement furnace boards and ignition controls, and is expecting to release up to 10 additional replacement heating controls throughout the 2010-2011 heating season. Each control is fully manufactured in the U.S. and is designed with microprocessor-based precision and a 100% lockout feature to ensure safety.
The new models, ICM284, ICM287, ICM289, ICM291, ICM292, and ICM2801, are added to the existing line of replacement heating controls, including the line of fan blower controls and oil primaries.
icmcontrols.com
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Wireless Receiver Enables Streaming of Live Video Over the Internet
General Tools & Instruments announces a new addition to its line of video inspection systems: The Seeker™ 100 (DCS100) wireless USB video inspection system. The Seeker 100 system includes another new product: the RCV100 USB video receiver. The RCV100 and its included software wirelessly connect the Seeker 100 to a Windows® computer, enabling video to be viewed on the computer or streamed live over the Internet via Skype®.
The Seeker 100 features a compact, wand-like, monitor-less, ergonomic grip that mates with a 12mm (0.47-in.) diameter, 1m (3.28-ft.) long, flexible-obedient, camera-tipped probe with adjustable LED lighting. The grip integrates a transmitter that communicates wirelessly with the RCV100 receiver, which plugs into and is powered by the USB port of any recent Windows computer. The range of this wireless connection is 3m (9.8 ft.). Working in concert, the grip, the receiver and the included software allow video to be viewed live on the computer or streamed over the Internet via Skype. Video can also be captured, recorded or edited using either the computer’s internal software or third-party video editing software.
generaltools.com
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Johnson Controls Cuts Refrigerant Charge Up To 40% in YORK® YK Chillers
Johnson Controls announces a refrigerant-charge reduction of up to 40% in its YORK® model YK centrifugal chillers.
Falling-film technology is used to accomplish the refrigerant reduction. Falling-film technology improves the efficiency of chiller evaporators by spraying refrigerant over the tubes, instead of covering the tubes in a refrigerant bath. Because of the efficiency improvement, less refrigerant is needed. Available in YK chillers up to approximately 1,000 TR (based on conditions), the technology helps buildings qualify for maximum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) points for Enhanced Refrigerant Management (EAc4).
YORK model YK chillers are engineered for maximum efficiency at both design and off-design conditions, contributing additional LEED points for the Optimize Energy Performance (EAc1) credit. Measured with the Air-conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute's (AHRI) Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV), YK chillers are unsurpassed in energy efficiency, company sources say. When equipped with an OptiSpeed™ variable-speed drive, they can reduce energy usage to as low as 0.20 kW/TR at off-design conditions.
YK chillers use HFC-134a, which has zero ozone-depletion potential (ODP).
johnsoncontrols.com
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Tapes Are UL-classified & For Use Down To 0F
Contractors in need of mechanical insulation tapes for use in temperatures as low as 0F can now turn to Avery Dennison’s Fasson® brand tapes for a cold-weather adhesive solution based on proven technology.
The company's new extreme weather, UL 723 classified acrylic mechanical insulation tapes are enhanced formulations of its all-weather acrylic adhesives product line. According to company sources, the extreme-weather aggressive acrylic adhesive tapes were developed in response to needs in the marketplace.
The new extreme-weather aggressive acrylic adhesive mechanical insulation Fasson brand tapes are in stock and available for immediate delivery.
averydennison.com
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Cliplight Introduces the Quick 7-Step Procedure for Refrigeration Sealant Injection
Cliplight Mfg. has introduced the Quick 7-Step, a fast three to five-minute installation procedure for applying Super Seal™ vacuum-packed leak sealants to all air conditioning/refrigeration systems including R-410A.
Developed from contractor focus group feedback and later confirmed as safe by Cliplight laboratory research, the Quick 7-Step is a more user-friendly and less detailed step-by-step guide for faster Super Seal installation. The Quick 7-Step procedure is now depicted on a card insert and will eventually appear on the can label in packages of Super Seal Classic™ and Total™ as well as Cliplight's Dry-R™ drying agent and Flash™ dye. Cliplight's revised, but more detailed instructions will remain in each package in English, French and Spanish.
cliplight.com
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Unique Reversible Fan Ventilates Musty Basements, Also Draws in Fresh Air
Tjernlund Products, Inc., has introduced a unique, energy-saving fan that is capable of automatically and simultaneously ridding basements or other areas of stale, musty or smelly air and drawing in fresh outside air. The "Xchanger", can be installed in an outside wall and features two reversible 90 CFM fans that can be positioned to move air in either direction. The user has three options: (1) exhaust air from the interior, (2) draw outside air into the home or (3) reverse one fan for balanced air exchange with no bypass from either airstream.
tjernlund.com
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