AHR Expo Announces 2019 Innovation Award Winners

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.”

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

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.