Innovation Awards recognize the industry’s most inventive products, systems and technologies
WESTPORT, Conn., September 27, 2018 – Show Management today announced the winners of the2019 AHR Expo Innovation Awards competition.. Each year, products in 10 different categories are recognized for being some of the HVACR industry’s most innovative products, systems and technologies. Winners will be featured at the Show in Atlanta in January 2019. Winners were selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges who evaluated each award entry based on its innovative design, creativity, application, value and market impact. Winners from each award category will be formally recognized during the 2019
AHR Expo, Jan. 14-16 at the Georgia World Congress in Atlanta. The ceremony is open to all show attendees and is slated for January 15 at 1:00 PM EST. The AHR Expo will also announce this year’s winner of the highly-anticipated Product of the Year Award at the ceremony. “Every year we look forward to award submissions that set the bar for innovation and professional practices in HVACR,” said Clay Stevens, manager of AHR Expo. “Year after year we continue to receive entries that exceed our expectations. We congratulate these winners as leaders from across all facets of the industry and look forward to seeing these inventive solutions at the 2019 AHR Expo and in real-world practice.”
Winners and finalists selected within the categories of building automation, cooling, green building, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, refrigeration, software, tools and instruments, and ventilation are:
BUILDING AUTOMATION
Winner: Automated Logic Corporation (Booth C5731)
Innovation: OptiFlexTM virtual integrator is a software-based integration platform for data
monitoring across diverse building systems. OptiFlexTM provides scalable integration
solutions ideal for large integration projects such as data centers, hospitals and college
campuses. The virtual integrator supports up to 50,000 data points from a single
computing point, eliminating the need for multiple hardware gateways, which often
require costly materials and labor, and have installation limitations due to space
constraints in most mechanical rooms. It supports BACnet IP and Modbus TCP/IP, the two
most commonly used IP-based protocols, as well as a new pluggable protocol technology
that allows additional protocol additions. Customers can add additional points as needed
through a scalable licensing mechanism. Finalists in this category include: Building Automation Products, Inc./BAPI (BAPI Wireless 900 MHz Temperature and Humidity System); Delta Controls Inc. (O3 Sensor Hub); and Emerson (Supervisory Controls).
COOLING
Winner: Johnson Controls, Inc. (Booth B1617)
Innovation: YORK® YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller, a fully-optimized chiller, is
built with next-generation low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant to increase
energy efficiency. The YORK® YZ provides centrifugal-chiller energy efficiencies as low as 0.1kW/ton, and less in off-design conditions where typical fixed-speed chillers experience
performance issues. It has the potential to reduce annual electricity consumption by an
average of 35 percent. The YORK® YZ was designed with a holistic approach to system
design, with engineering optimization for every component around R-1233zd—a next
generation, low-pressure refrigerant—and is a unique combination of advanced
technologies, including a variable-speed magnetic bearing compressor, high-speed
hermetic induction motor, falling film evaporator, adaptive capacity control logic and
cloud-based analytics. Finalists in this category include: ArctiChill (ACA or ACW Magnetic Bearing Chillers with
Arctic Boost Option); Chemours (OpteonTM XP30 refrigerant); and Samsung HVAC of America (Wind-FreeTM 4-way cassette mini-split).
GREEN BUILDING
Winner: enVerid Systems (Booth B1061)
Innovation: HVAC Load Reduction® (HLR) module 1000E-M, an indoor air scrubber
module designed to lower energy wastage from HVAC systems, reduces the amount of
outside air needed for ventilation by 60-80 percent. This results in increased energy
efficiency and annual energy savings of 20-30 percent with peak capacity reductions of 10-
20 tons per HLR® 1000E-M module. The HLR® 1000E-M is fully compliant with ASHRAE
Standard 62.1 Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) and the international mechanical code
(IMC). The innovative design is a first-of-its-kind solution that safely removes all molecular
contaminants, including carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde and a full range of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air.
Finalists in this category include: Carrier (AquaEdge® 19DV centrifugal chiller); Smardt Chiller Group Inc. (Smardt DC water cooled chiller); and Software Motor Company (SMC Smart Motor System).
HEATING
Winner: Regal® (Booth B1639)
Innovation: Genteq® Ensite® motor, an electronically commutated motor specifically
designed for furnace application, enables customers to comply with the U.S. Department of
Energy’s (DOE) Fan Energy Rating (FER) regulatory requirements taking effect in July of
2019. The Genteq® Ensite® motor is a cost-efficient solution to achieving compliance
without compromising on premium features such as advanced Blak BoxTM and Near Field
Communication (NFC) capabilities that support Internet of Things (IoT) and preventive
maintenance.
Finalists in this category include: ArctiChill (SuperMod variable speed modular chiller
platform); Des Champs Technologies (Model Air-TrapTM IPN); and Emerson (Universal single-stage furnace control for ECMx blower motor).
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Winner: CPS Products, Inc. (Booth B3553)
Innovation: IAQ SmartAirTM is a smart tool used for identifying, diagnosing and solving IAQ
issues. This tool is designed to diagnose more accurate true read indoor air quality issues,
improve sales and enhance overall IAQ professional expertise. Its design walks
professionals through the measuring process and provides a compiled list of IAQ issues and
potential solutions based on collected and analyzed data. The IAQ SmartAirTM connects to
the internet via WiFi for remote monitoring and evaluation, and allows professionals to
create on-site customer reports and job quotations.
Finalists in this category include: Fresh-Aire UV (Mini UV DST-LED disinfection system for mini-split A/C systems); and Nortec [Condair] (DRAABE TrePur humidifier and evaporative cooler).
PLUMBING
Winner: Anvil International (Booth C6625)
Innovation: AnvilPressTM Copper, Copper Press Fittings and Coupling Systems are designed
with patented Visual Indicator technology that provides 200 percent more sealing surface
than typical fittings for leak prevention. The system is built with a double-fold sealing
characteristic and a replaceable O-ring seal design that supports superior pressure and
tensile performance. Its Virtual Indicator and Burr-Stop membrane solve the top two
causes of leaks: improperly pressed fittings and burrs on the tube that damage the O-ring
during installation.
Finalists in this category include: Caleffi Hydronic Solutions (ThermoSetterTM thermal balancing valve); Emerson (RIDGID Press Booster & rings for MegaPress® XL); and Noritz America (Noritz Residential Combination Boiler).
REFRIGERATION
Winner: Emerson (Booth B2219)
Innovation: Copeland ScrollTM fractional-horsepower, low-temperature compressors use
liquid injection technology and cooling discharge temperatures to reduce compressor
stress and meet federal regulatory requirements. With offerings ranging from 3⁄4 to 1 1⁄2,
OEMs can combine certain compliance efforts into a single design cycle for smaller low-to-
medium temperature applications that deliver high efficiency with reliable performance.
The Copeland ScrollTM is wide-ranged and multi-refrigerant capable with low sound and
vibration. It is an ideal solution for supermarkets, restaurants and convenience store
operations.
Finalists in this category include: Baltimore Aircoil Company (TrilliumSeriesTM adiabatic condenser); and DunAn Microstaq, Inc. (Silicon Refrigeration Valve).
SOFTWARE
Winner: Taco Comfort Solutions (Booth B2239)
Innovation: Taco Tags featuring eLinkTM is a cloud-based support program that provides
users with a web-based, factory-maintained knowledge base on their mobile device via NFC
technology. The Taco Tag is an IC chip and antenna wrapped in silicone designed to offer
durability under the most extreme conditions of heat and weather. It works using power
from a user’s devices, eliminating the need for wires or external batteries. Each tag
provides direct access to customer support, along with all vital information specific to each
product, and is connected to the eLink cloud-based service system where users can store
and access order information, product specifications, instruction sheets, suggested
replacement parts, CAD files, technical support, catalogs, local sales representative
information and project management.
Finalists in this category include: BreezoMeter Ltd. (Air quality and pollen data API); and Emerson (SensiTM Multiple Thermostat Manager).
TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS
Winner: Dwyer Instruments, Inc. (Booth C5407)
Innovation: The Wireless Hydronic Balancing Kit, Series 490W, is a manometer designed to
provide accurate and easy operation for HVAC professionals. The kit measures the pressure
drop across HVAC balancing valves by using wireless sensors, a versatile handheld and
Bluetooth® communication. Users can select valves for measurement from a
hydronic system in less time compared to traditional methods.
Finalists in this category include: Marketair, Inc. (Easybend); and Ritchie Engineering Co.,Inc. (YELLOW JACKET P51-870 TITAN Digital Manifold).
VENTILATION
Winner: Energy Wall, LLC (Booth B268)
Innovation: The Energy Wall Universal ERV (U-ERV) is an energy recovery ventilator that
is three times smaller and lighter than current technologies available on the market. It
weighs only 90 pounds, allowing for easy installation of the fully-functional, independent
system. A small footprint allows the modules to be hand-carried and assembled on site,
where they operate with a single duct connection and point-of-power and control. This
provides extreme redundancy for mission-critical facilities. It is also compliant with UL 900
fire/smoke standards and operates in all six orientations.
Finalists in this category include: Continental Fan Manufacturing Inc. (TEK-MAX plug fan);
LG Electronics USA, Inc. (LG AHU conversion kit); and Triatek (EcoAir ValveTM).
For more information regarding the AHR Expo Innovation Awards, visit the awards section
on the AHR Expo website. The AHR Expo provides a unique forum for industry professionals to meet under one roof
to share ideas, discover new products and technologies and find solutions to the industry’s technical problems. To register, visit the AHR registration website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the 2019 AHR Expo or the Innovation Awards Competition, please visit ahrexpo.com. Specific questions regarding 2020 Innovation Awards and entry processes can be emailed to kpires@iecshows.com.
About AHR Expo
The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) is theworld’s largest HVACR event, consisting of more than 2,100 exhibitors and attracting60,000+ attendees each year. Since 1930, the Show has provided a unique forum where the entire HVACR industry, including OEMs; engineers; contractors; manufacturers; distributors; commercial, industrial and institutional facility operators; and educators can come together to discover the latest products, learn about new technologies and developmutually beneficial business relationships. This year’s Show, co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI, will be held Jan. 14-16, 2019 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference.
For more information, visit ahrexpo.com and follow @ahrexpo on Twitter.
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