HVAC Light Commercial MarketRooftop Units

Product Snapshots: RTUs and AHUs

By Herb Woerpel

Rooftop Roundup 1 — The Amana® APD14 dual-fuel packaged unit combines cooling with a heat pump and gas heating for year-long performance in one self-contained unit, suitable for rooftop installations and horizontal or downflow applications.

Rooftop Roundup 2 — Carrier’s WeatherExpert™ Series is available in 3- to 5-ton sizes. The Energy Star-rated models meet or exceed the Consortium of Energy Efficiency rebate levels with SEER ratings up to 17.5.

Rooftop Roundup 3 — Century’s PCG Series of self-contained rooftop air conditioners feature two-stage Copeland scroll compressors and are available in 7.5- through 25-ton capacities.

Rooftop Roundup 4 — ClimateMaster’s Tranquility Rooftop (TRE) Series is available in 3- to 20-ton options and offers the option of introducing a fixed amount of outside air year-round, or a modulating economizer to provide free cooling when outdoor conditions are favorable.

Rooftop Roundup 5 — Daikin McQuay recently introduced the Rebel™ commercial rooftop unit, which is available in 3- to 12-ton sizes. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced that the Rebel exceeded its high-efficiency commercial rooftop challenge of 18 IEER by producing efficiencies of up to 19.5 IEER.

Rooftop Roundup 6 — Goodman Mfg.’s 20-ton packaged gas/electric CPG units provide 13 SEER, up to 11.5 EER, and 80 percent AFUE. The CPG units save installation time by providing contractors with lugs, full-perimeter rails, standard 2-inch filters, and single-point service access.

Rooftop Roundup 7 — Greenheck’s newest rooftop ventilation unit, Model RV/RVE, fully conditions and controls any mixture of outdoor and return air. Designed for rooftop installations, Model RV/RVE is easily configurable, making it ideal for HVAC systems in commercial or institutional applications including schools, offices, or government buildings.

Rooftop Roundup 8 — Designed for full-service restaurants, the Rheem H2AC™ rooftop unit with eSync™ integration technology delivers air conditioning and water heating from a single source. The system uses heat removed from the HVAC system — which would normally be rejected into the atmosphere — to heat water.

Rooftop Roundup 9 — York’s packaged units range from 6.5 to 40 tons and are available in cooling only, and with gas and electric heat options. The product is designed for use with constant volume and VAV applications utilizing a variable-frequency drive to vary the supply fan speed on a multiple zoned VAV system.

Rooftop Roundup 10 — Bosch offers a complete range of unitary air handlers for both DX and hydronic applications, including cased and uncased DX coils. Its RT Series of 100 percent outdoor air rooftop heat pumps from FHP are available in 13 sizes, ranging from 4 to 30 tons.

Rooftop Roundup 11 — Frigidaire Heating and Cooling recently released its line of B6 air handlers, designed to combat formicary corrosion. The B6 series includes two types of evaporator coils to reduce or eliminate formicary corrosion, the No. 1 cause of coil leakage.

Rooftop Roundup 12 — Lennox’s CBX40UHV air handler uses variable-speed technology to provide a constant flow of air with no drafts or loud operating sounds. The same technology that improves air circulation and comfort also enhances energy efficiency.

Rooftop Roundup 13 — Trane’s Hyperion XL series air handler is designed to circulate better air. The unit is constructed more like a refrigerator, with insulation between the double walls of the unique, modular cabinet.

Boasting better efficiency, cleaner air, stronger structures, and more, the industry’s newest rooftop units (RTUs) and air handling units (AHUs) offer numerous benefits for both commercial and residential facilities.

RTUs

Amana
www.amana-hac.com

The Amana® APD14 dual-fuel packaged unit combines cooling with a heat pump and gas heating for year-long performance in one self-contained unit, suitable for rooftop installations and horizontal or downflow applications. The unit — which offers up to 14.5 SEER, 80 percent AFUE, and 8.0 HSPF — boasts a high-efficiency scroll compressor that operates in tandem with the unit’s high-efficiency condenser coil, constructed of refrigeration-grade copper tubing and aluminum fins to maximize heat transfer. The Million-Air® heat exchanger is built from stainless steel and formed into a dual-diameter configuration using Amana’s wrinkle-bend technology.

Carrier
www.carrier.utc.com

Carrier’s WeatherExpert™ Series is available in 3- to 5-ton sizes. The Energy Star-rated models meet or exceed the Consortium of Energy Efficiency rebate levels with SEER ratings up to 17.5. WeatherExpert units were designed to fit on the same Carrier roof curbs that have been installed over the last 30 years. The unit is available with a multi-capacity scroll compressor and electronically commutated motor (ECM) outdoor fan motor. Customers also have the option of choosing an ECM indoor fan motor or indoor belt variable-frequency drive, depending on the specific application.

Century
www.century-hvac.com

Century’s PCG Series of self-contained rooftop air conditioners feature two-stage Copeland scroll compressors and are available in 7.5- through 25-ton capacities. Pre-charged with R-410A, the units are designed for easy installation with field convertible horizontal and vertical airflow adding flexibility. The full perimeter forkable baserail with lifting holes makes even large units easy to handle, and the cabinet finish meets the 1,000-hour salt spray test standard. Providing water management is a one-piece top with drip-lip over the indoor section and 1-inch raised flanges for supply and return air connections. The filter, blower, electric heat, and compressor/control panels are readily accessible and refrigeration ports are externally mounted for convenience. A full range of accessories, including plug-in economizers and roof curbs, is available.

ClimateMaster
www.climatemaster.com

ClimateMaster’s Tranquility Rooftop (TRE) Series is available in 3- to 20-ton options and offers the option of introducing a fixed amount of outside air year-round, or a modulating economizer to provide free cooling when outdoor conditions are favorable. TRE units are designed for an extended range of source water temperatures, making it suitable for closed-loop, or ground-source closed-loop systems. With the ground loop conditions, the efficiency can range from 15 to 18 EER. Other features include galvanized steel construction with polyester powder coat paint, Copeland scroll compressors, insulated cabinetry, a TXV metering device, slide-out blower assembly with high efficiency motors, and a Unit Performance Sentinel monitoring system.

Daikin McQuay
www.daikinmcquay.com

Daikin McQuay recently introduced the Rebel™ commercial rooftop unit, which is available in 3- to 12-ton sizes. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced that the Rebel exceeded its high-efficiency commercial rooftop challenge of 18 IEER by producing efficiencies of up to 19.5 IEER. The unit also surpasses ASHRAE’s 90.1 minimum standard by 60 to 70 percent. Rebel incorporates a variable-speed inverter scroll compressor, hybrid (gas, electric, and hot water) heat options, variable-speed direct-drive electronically commutated motors on all fans, and electronic expansion valves. All compressors, fans, and supplemental heaters are available with modulating capacity control and can be applied on VAV, single-zone VAV, CAV, or 100 percent dedicated outdoor air system applications. Additional features include a MicroTech® III controller for integration into BAS systems, single-point power connection, slide-out filter racks, ¼-turn door latches, and a modulating hot gas reheat option for superior dehumidification control.

Goodman Mfg.
www.goodmanmfg.com

Goodman Mfg.’s 20-ton packaged gas/electric CPG units provide 13 SEER, up to 11.5 EER, and 80 percent AFUE. The CPG units save installation time by providing contractors with lugs, full-perimeter rails, standard 2-inch filters, and single-point service access. Goodman units often match to existing roof curbs for simpler installation. Other features include Goodman’s TuffTube™ tubular heat exchanger, a high-efficiency scroll compressor, copper tube/aluminum fin coils, chlorine-free R-410A refrigerant, and more.

Greenheck
www.greenheck.com

Greenheck’s newest rooftop ventilation unit, Model RV/RVE, fully conditions and controls any mixture of outdoor and return air. Designed for rooftop installations, Model RV/RVE is easily configurable, making it ideal for HVAC systems in commercial or institutional applications including schools, offices, or government buildings. The pre-engineered system features 2-inch double-wall construction, coupled with direct-drive plenum fans, heating options (indirect gas furnace, hot water, or electric), cooling options (packaged DX, chilled water, or split DX), and an optional energy wheel (Model RVE). Performance capabilities up to 9,500 cfm allow the equipment to meet the demands of today’s heating, cooling, dehumidification, and ventilation requirements.

Rheem
www.rheem.com

Designed for full-service restaurants, the Rheem H2AC™ rooftop unit with eSync™ integration technology delivers air conditioning and water heating from a single source. The system uses heat removed from the HVAC system — which would normally be rejected into the atmosphere — to heat water. Specifically, the unit switches from a refrigerant-to-air system, to a refrigerant-to-water system, when a restaurant has demand for air conditioning and hot water. Rheem estimates the system can provide full-service restaurants with up to 50 percent savings on their monthly water heating expenses.

York
www.york.com

York’s packaged units range from 6.5 to 40 tons and are available in cooling only, and with gas and electric heat options. The product is designed for use with constant volume and VAV applications utilizing a variable-frequency drive to vary the supply fan speed on a multiple zoned VAV system. Multiple staged and modulating gas/heat options allow for improved energy efficiency and a more comfortable environment in the heating mode. An available heat recovery enthalpy wheel is offered in two sizes. An optional phenolic-coated or copper condenser and evaporator coils provide protection in highly corrosive environments.

AHUs

Bosch
www.bosch.us

Bosch offers a complete range of unitary air handlers for both DX and hydronic applications, including cased and uncased DX coils. Its RT Series of 100 percent outdoor air rooftop heat pumps from FHP are available in 13 sizes, ranging from 4 to 30 tons. The built-in, high-efficiency energy recovery wheel can satisfy up to 75 percent of the incoming fresh air demand for cooling and heating. This helps lower installation costs and provides an increase in energy savings. Additionally, the Computer Aided Product Solution (CAPS) software assists contractors and engineers in easily specifying and ordering the RT Series.

Frigidaire Heating and Cooling
www.frigidaire.net

Frigidaire Heating and Cooling recently released its line of B6 air handlers, designed to combat formicary corrosion. The B6 series includes two types of evaporator coils to reduce or eliminate formicary corrosion, the No. 1 cause of coil leakage. The 13 and 14 SEER Anteater MC™ micro-channel evaporator coils are aluminum extruded tubes that are brazed to enhanced aluminum fins. Without copper, the corrosion process is eliminated. The 16 and 24.4 SEER variable-speed air handlers utilize traditional copper tube-in-fin coils treated with Anteater technology for better protection against formicary corrosion than untreated copper.

Lennox
www.lennox.com

Lennox’s CBX40UHV air handler uses variable-speed technology to provide a constant flow of air with no drafts or loud operating sounds. The same technology that improves air circulation and comfort also enhances energy efficiency. A built-in filtration system provides maximum protection against pollutants and allergens. A factory-installed MERV 16 Precision Pleat media filter can even catch particles as small as the common cold air virus.

Trane
www.trane.com

Trane’s Hyperion XL series air handler is designed to circulate better air. The unit is constructed more like a refrigerator, with insulation between the double walls of the unique, modular cabinet. A variable-speed blower motor eliminates hot and cold spots, while regulating humidity within the home. Trane’s Vortica™ blower provides homeowners with reliable, quiet operation.

Publication date: 6/11/2012

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Herb Woerpel was a senior editor with The ACHR NEWS. He is committed to delivering practical, insightful information in an accessible, engaging way. Herb joined BNP Media in 2011. He most recently served as editor-in-chief of Engineered Systems and was previously employed as managing editor of The ACHR NEWS. Before joining BNP Media, he worked as a reporter with the Advance Newspapers, a subsidiary of MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. He holds a bachelor’s degree in news editorial journalism from Central Michigan University and boasts 16-plus years of professional journalism experience.