United States. The winners of the AHR Expo Innovation Awards 2019 competition were announced. Each year, products in 10 different categories are recognized as some of the most innovative products, systems and technologies in the HVAC/R industry. The winners will be featured at the Show in Atlanta in January 2019.
The winners were selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE member judges who evaluated each technology based on its innovative design, creativity, application, value and market impact. The winners of each award category will be formally recognized during AHR Expo 2019, January 14-16 at Georgia World Congress in Atlanta. The ceremony is open to all Show attendees and is scheduled 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.
Here are the winners:
Building Automation
Winner: Automated Logic Corporation
Innovation: The OptiFlex virtual integrator is a software-based integration platform for data monitoring in various building systems. It offers scalable integration solutions ideal for large integration projects, such as data centers, hospitals, and university 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 labor and expensive materials, and has installation limitations due to space limitations in most mechanical rooms. It supports BACnet IP and Modbus TCP/IP, the two most widely used IP-based protocols, as well as a new pluggable protocol technology that allows for additional protocol additions. Customers can add additional points as needed through a scalable licensing mechanism.
Cooling
Winner: Johnson Controls
Innovation: York's YZ magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller, a fully optimized chiller, is built with a next-generation low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant to increase energy efficiency. The chiller provides energy efficiencies of centrifugal coolers as low as 0.1kW/ton, and less so under different 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 each component around the R-1233zd.
Green Building
Winner: enVerid Systems
Innovation: The HVAC Load Reduction (HLR) 1000E-M module, an indoor air scrubbing module designed to reduce energy waste from HVAC systems, reduces the amount of outdoor air needed for ventilation by 60-80 percent. This translates into greater energy efficiency and annual energy savings of 20-30 percent with a maximum reduction capacity of 10-20 tons per HLR 1000E-M module. The HLR 1000E-M is fully compliant with the ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) and the International Mechanical Code (IMC). It is the first solution of its kind to safely remove all molecular contaminants, including carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde and a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air.
Heating
Winner: Regal
Innovation: The Genteq Ensite motor, an electronically switched motor designed specifically for furnace application, enables customers to meet the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Rating (FER) regulatory requirements that will go into effect in July 2019. Genteq Ensite is a cost-effective solution for achieving compliance without compromising premium features such as advanced field communication and Blak Box (NFC) capabilities that support the Internet of Things (IoT) and preventive maintenance.
Indoor Air Quality
Winner: CPS Products
Innovation: The IAQ SmartAir is an intelligent tool used to identify, diagnose and resolve IAQ problems. This tool is designed to diagnose indoor air quality issues more accurately, improve sales, and improve the overall IAQ professional experience. Its design guides practitioners through the measurement process and provides a compiled list of IAQ problems and possible solutions based on collected and analyzed data. The IAQ SmartAir connects to the internet via WiFi for remote monitoring and evaluation, and allows professionals to create on-site customer reports and job appointments.
Plumbing
Winner: Anvil International
Innovation: AnvilPress Copper, copper pressure fittings and coupling systems are designed with patented visual indicator technology that provides 200 percent more sealing surface than typical leak prevention fixtures. The system is built with a double-fold sealing feature and a replaceable O-ring design that supports superior pressure and extendable performance. Its virtual indicator and burr-Stop membrane solve the two main causes of leaks: adaptations and burrs poorly pressed into the tube that damage the O-ring during installation.
Refrigeration
Winner: Emerson
Innovation: Copeland Scroll fractional power 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-temperature applications in tomedium that offer high efficiency with reliable performance. The Copeland Scroll has wide-range, multi-coolant capability with low sound and vibration. It is an ideal solution for supermarkets, restaurants and convenience stores.
Software
Winner: Taco Comfort Solutions
Innovation: Taco Tags introduces eLink, a cloud-based support program that gives users web-based, factory-maintained knowledge on their mobile devices through NFC technology. Taco Tag is a silicone-wrapped IC chip and antenna designed to offer durability under the most extreme heat and weather conditions. It works by using power from a user's devices, eliminating the need for external cables or batteries. Each label provides direct access to customer support, along with all vital product-specific information, and is connected to the eLink cloud-based service system where users can store and access order information, product specifications, instruction sheets, suggested spare parts, CAD files, technical support, catalogs, local sales representative information, and project management.
Tools and Instruments
Winner: Dwyer Instruments
Innovation: The Wireless Hydronic Balance Kit, 490W Series, is a pressure gauge designed to provide accurate and easy operation for HVAC professionals. The kit measures the pressure drop in HVAC balance valves by using wireless sensors, a versatile handheld, and Bluetooth® communication. Users can select valves for measurement from a predetermined list or by manually input cv values. The handheld monitor allows the flow of up to three valves at once, with a single operator to monitor and balance a hydronic system in less time compared to traditional methods.
Ventilation
Winner: Energy Wall.
Innovation: The Energy Wall Universal ERV (U-ERV) is an energy recovery fan that is three times smaller and lighter than current technologies available on the market. It weighs just 90 pounds, allowing for easy installation of the fully functional and independent system. A small footprint allows modules to be transported and assembled by hand on site, where they operate with a single conduit connection and power and control point. This provides extreme redundancy for mission-critical installations. It also meets UL 900 fire/smoke standards and operates in all six orientations.
