DALLAS - The weather was frigid during the 2007 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo). Fortunately, exhibitors offered several new furnaces to keep homeowners warm.

As with many other products exhibited, high efficiency, along with superior comfort, was touted by manufacturers.

WARM AND TOASTY

Carrier (www.carrier.com) displayed one of its more unique energy-saving products - the Hybrid Heat™ system. This system is a fuel-saving alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems, as it combines a furnace with a heat pump, rather than an air conditioner. The heat pump works as both an air conditioner in hot weather and a heater in cold weather. Rather than burning fuel to generate heat, the heat pump moves heat without a flame, making it a more efficient home-heating method.
 


Halsey Cook, president, Carrier Residential and Light Commercial Systems, North America, stated that the Hybrid Heat system reduces energy consumption, which is a responsible goal for the environment.

“For homeowners, the end of inexpensive heating gas and oil and the concern over energy efficiency has become cold reality,” said Halsey Cook, president, Carrier Residential and Light Commercial Systems, North America. “A Hybrid Heat system is the next phase in responsible treatment of our environment by reducing energy consumption, which will help to lower monthly heating bills this winter.”

Cozy/Louisville Tin & Stove Co.(www.cozyheaters.com) in-troduced three new products. The High-Efficient Direct Vent furnace mounts easily on any outside wall and offers 80 percent plus efficiency. The sealed combustion chamber draws air for combustion from outside and exhausts the products of combustion to the outside. The standard vent kit can be cut to fit wall thicknesses from 5 to 32 inches.

The Direct Vent Gas-Fired baseboard heater installs on any outside wall and can be used to retrofit expensive electric baseboard heaters, or to heat cold spots throughout a home. It requires only a 2 1/2-inch wall opening, and up to three units may be operated in parallel on one wall thermostat. There are two models from which to choose, 5,000 Btu (4 feet) and 9,000 Btu (6 feet).

The Wind-O-Warm direct vent gas-fired heater is designed for heating rooms that need zone temperature control and are short on space. Spokesperson Bob Busby said the heater can be installed through a window or a wall and can fit easily between 16-inch center studs. The grille face extends only 3 inches into the room.

Heat Controller highlighted its new Conquest 90 Max two-stage, high-efficiency gas furnace, which the company says will keep occupants comfortable and save fuel.

Heat Controller(www.heatcontroller.com) introduced the Conquest 90® gas furnace in the Comfort-Aire and Century lines. At only 34 inches in height, the company says this is the smallest high-efficiency 90 percent plus gas furnace on the market today. It is available in upflow, downflow, or horizontal in heating capacities ranging from 45,000 to 120,000 Btuh. Service, if necessary, is quick and easy with the aid of self-diagnostic controls.

Also highlighted was the new Conquest 90 Max two-stage, high-efficiency gas furnace. This furnace keeps occupants comfortable while saving fuel. It does this by operating in the low firing mode most of the time, providing a gentle flow of warm air. But when the weather turns really cold, the furnace automatically shifts into the high firing stage to provide the extra heat needed to keep the home comfortable. The two-stage operation reduces the on-off cycling and temperature swings common with other furnaces.

Publication date:02/19/2007