United States. AHR Expo announced the winners of the AHR Expo Innovation Awards 2022, an annual competition that honors the most creative and original products, systems and technologies on display at each year's AHR Expo and will be held in 2022 from January 31 to February 2 in Las Vegas.
Products go hand in hand in the following categories: building automation; cooling; heating; Indoor air quality; plumbing; refrigeration; software; sustainable solutions (it was green building); tools and instruments; and ventilation. Winners are selected by a panel of ASHRAE member judges who evaluate all entries to the awards based on innovative design, creativity, application, value and market impact.
Building Automation
Hybrid IoT Controller iSMA CONTROLLI S.p.A. / iSMA-B-MAC36NL powered by Niagara Framework
The iSMA-B-MAC36NL family of master application controllers provides an all-in-one solution for mini-BMS. The created display can be displayed and controlled via the HDMI output and 2 USB ports that allow the connection of a mouse/keyboard or a dedicated touch to the HMI panel. No PCs, additional licenses, or additional costs are required. Since MAC controllers are based on the Niagara Framework, it allows the integration of almost any existing protocol into the building network. The integrated M-Bus port, 2 Ethernet ports and RS485 port can be integrated with a single device. Finally, the controller has a built-in dip and rotary switches that can be used as part of the application. All controller functions are managed by dedicated modules in the Niagara Framework to speed up the installation process and thus reduce labor costs.
- Finalists: BrainBox AI, BrainBox AI; CUBE USA, CUBE Edge IOT
Cooling
Danfoss Compressor / Danfoss Turbocor® VTCA400
Danfoss' new VTCA400 offers improvements to traditional centrifugal compressor designs that are large in physical size and space, ultimately leading to higher cost and space limitations for the end user. The VTCA400 solves this problem by using a patent-pending hybrid compression design that uses a combination of radial and mixed-flow impellers that enable high performance and a compact footprint. In this design, the first stage impeller uses a mixed flow impeller with axial and radial components, while the second stage impeller uses a radial design. The hybrid compression design allows for a compressor footprint that is half the physical size and weight of a conventional radial-only design. It also maintains high levels of efficiency: a 10% improvement in efficiency at full load and 30% in THE IPLV above the minimums of ASHRAE 90.1-2019 when considering a system of three (3) compressors and 1200 tons.
- Finalists: Copeland / Emerson compressors and condensing units, Copeland ™ oil-free centrifugal compressor; Teqtoniq GmbH, Teqtoniq TRC150 Oil-free centrifugal compressor
Heating
Carrier / Infinity® 24 heat pump with Greenspeed® intelligence
The Infinity® 24 heat pump with Greenspeed® Intelligence is Carrier's most advanced and most efficient heat pump with up to 24 SEER and 13 HSPF for premium energy savings, extremely quiet performance and premium comfort features. The unique variable speed compressor of this unit allows you to adapt your power to the needs of the home with infinite adjustments between 25 and 100% of its capacity. The heat pump offers excellent humidity control and is capable of removing up to 400% more moisture than standard systems. According to Carrier's tests, all data was run with the systems in cycle once it reached the initial assumed load. The load assumed under AHAM conditions (80/70, 80) is the variable speed capacity that works continuously in dehumidification mode. The load of difficult conditions was determined by a Wrightsoft® load calculation for a house in Florida at 69 OD 72/63 ID. This condition was provided by a client in Florida as "the worst-case scenario."
- Finalists: HVAC Manufacturing and Technology Inc., SpaceGain Air Handling Units; Addison, FrostShield non-defrosting heat pumps
Indoor air quality
IAQ Antrum / AntrumX ™ Facility Monitoring System
AntrumX is a patented centralized sensing technology. AntrumX monitors IAQ for 32 spaces from a single location, using one sensor for every 16 rooms. Consolidating a centralized sensor for multiple spaces increases sensor accessibility while ensuring better overall control. Centralized sensing ensures better overall control because data from 16 spaces comes from a single source, allowing building managers to optimize their ventilation strategy and save energy without sacrificing IAQ. In addition, the AntrumX has the ability to carry air without moving parts. Taking advantage of the building's pressure differential between supply and exhaust, AntrumX can move air samples from each space to the Sensor Pack without adding energy to the system.
- Finalists: LG Electronics USA, Inc., LG Split Rooftop DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) with Energy Recovery Wheel; TZOA, HAVEN IAQ
Plumbing
Franklin Electric/Little Giant, SpecPAK Inline, Multi-Pump Pressure Booster System
At just 14.5 inches deep, its smaller unique footprint makes the Franklin Electric Inline 1100 SpecPAK pressure booster system small enough to hang in a small utility closet or hang on the wall to preserve critical floor space. The system's Inline 1100 constant pressure pumps are quiet, compact, autonomous and versatile. Powered by water-cooled engines, it offers quieter operation than traditional air-cooled engines.
Finalists: Lochinvar, LLC, Lochinvar Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters; Towle Whitney LLC, GEN-5 platform
Refrigeration
axial fan ebm-papst Inc. / AxiEco 630-910
The AxiEco 630-910 incorporates a new impeller geometry with a rotating diffuser and a blade design optimized to achieve low noise level and high efficiency. The steep air performance curve provides a pressure increase of more than 700 Pa, which is extraordinary for axial fans. With a maximum airflow of up to 30,000 m³/h, the AxiEco 630-910 covers a wide range of different applications, especially those where high efficiency and high back pressure are key. Integrated switching electronics with an active PFC (power factor correction) as an option allows the fan to be used in applications with low harmonic requirements, without external filtering measures.
- Finalists: Copeland / Emerson compressors and condensing units, Copeland ™ variable speed horizontal scroll compressor for refrigeration (1 to 4 HP); Johnson Controls, Inc., ZS Series horizontal displacement compressors with R290 and variable speed support.
Software
Bluon, Inc. / Bluon Support Platform
The Bluon support platform is a mobile app that becomes a centralized hub for HVAC technicians. Bluon was created for technicians, by technicians, and provides detailed system information, just-in-time training, best practices, and 24/7 live technical support. The most important function of the application is its ability to make the lives of technicians easier by providing a single, reliable source of detailed HVAC system information, along with live technical support when needed in the field.
- Finalists: CoolAutomation, service delivery application; Interplay Learning, SkillMill ™
Sustainable solutions
(formerly Green Building)
Enginuity Power Systems Inc / E / ONE Home Power System
Enginuity's E/ONE home energy system is a modern rethink of a classic combined heat and power system. Using clean and abundant natural gas, the E/ONE produces electricity and heat for homes or businesses. Since the E/ONE is capable of generating more power than the home or business requires, the additional energy can be sold to the grid, generating income for the owner of the E/ONE. In addition, the E/ONE leverages the reliability of the natural gas distribution network to replace conventional backup generators. E/NEs easily produce all the electricity needed to operate homes or businesses, therefore periodic blackouts like those recently seen in Texas and California will not affect the product's ability to function.
- Finalists: Caleffi Hydronic Solutions, Commercial domestic hot water recirculation (DHW) systems combine energy efficiency and water conservation; Danfoss, Danfoss Turbocor® TGS380 compressor
Tools and instruments
True Value Effective Ac/DC Clamp Meter Without Contact Fluke Corporation / Fluke 378 FC with iFlex
The True Value Effective Clamp Meter Fluke 378 FC uses FieldSense technology to make testing faster and safer, all without coming into contact with an active driver. The meter measures accurate voltage and current measurements through the clamp jaw. It works by trimming the black test cable to any electrical ground and placing the clamp jaw around the conductor, resulting in reliable and accurate voltage and current values on the display. The 378 FC clamp meter includes a unique PQ function that automatically detects power quality issues. When performing FieldSense measurements, the 378 FC will detect and display power quality issues related to current, voltage, power factor, or any combination of the three. This allows for a quick determination if there is an upstream supply problem or if there is a downstream equipment problem.
- Finalists: Climatech International S.A., F-100 Cordless Stud Welder Machine; RIDGID / Emerson tube saw, RIDGID® PCS-500
Ventilation
Aldes / InspirAIR® Fresh
The InspirAIR® Fresh contains innovative new design features. A newly developed counterflow enthalpic core and exclusive fan wisps ensure sensitive recovery efficiency of 75% at 32°F, as tested according to the new CSA 439 standard required from October 2020. Occupants can also expect to get enough fresh filtered air due to variable speed EC motors that adjust speed to pressure changes due to the stack effect and filter load. The InspirAIR® Fresh is designed to provide optimal fresh air, regardless of the type of filter. Currently, ERVs are rated for use with a basic filter, and when using a MERV13 or HEPA filter, airflow is significantly reduced.
- Finalists: Carrier, Carrier Aero® 39M with PLENUM ECM Direct Drive fans; LG Electronics USA, Inc., LG Split Compact DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System)
