The LRP16GE from Lennox Industries Inc. is an Energy Star-certified residential packaged unit designed to deliver consistent comfort and high efficiency with available two-stage heating, two-stage cooling, and a variable-speed supply fan. According to Lennox, the LRP16GE achieves a cooling efficiency rating of 16 SEER and 12 EER across all 2- to 5-ton sizes and provides utility rebate qualifying efficiencies by achieving Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Tier II.

The LRP16GE, which earned The NEWS’ 2017 Dealer Design gold award in the HVAC Residential Equipment category, utilizes an aluminized tubular steel heat exchanger and features a compact design that reduces space requirements in the heat exchanger cabinet. The burner assembly is removable from the unit as a single component for ease of service, and each burner may also be removed individually. The heating system utilizes both a two-stage gas control valve and a two-stage combustion air inducer. The unit’s Healthy Climate® PCO accessory uses photo-catalytic oxidation technology to significantly reduce levels of airborne volatile organic compounds, cooking odors, and common household odors.

The LRP16GE’s Copeland Scroll Ultra Tech™ two-stage compressor features uniform suction flow, constant discharge flow, high volumetric efficiency, and quiet operation. The compressor’s continuous flank contact, maintained by centrifugal force, is designed to minimize gas leakage and maximize efficiency.

Lennox Industries Inc. said the LRP product family has been in development since 2013, and its development included input from a focus group of six dealers to discuss ways the packaged unit line could be redesigned and optimized.

“The LRP16GE has set a new standard for high-efficiency packaged units in the industry,” said Brittani Youman, product marketing management lead, Lennox Industries Inc. “Its dealer-focused redesign paired with the addition of the PCO feature specific to Lennox products allows the LRP16GE to rise above the competition for both dealers and homeowners.”

Rich Mitchell, owner, Carolina Comfort Inc., Columbia, South Carolina, said he and his technicians appreciate many of the features Lennox incorporated into the LRP16GE, including its compact design, easily accessible control panel and compressor compartment, and the fact that it provides a true 16-SEER across all capacities.

“This unit makes Lennox the leader in the packaged market, and as a Lennox Premier Dealer that’s a really cool thing,” Mitchell said. “Lennox asked us what would make a great unit, and they really listened. It’s also important to us that unit is built in the U.S., right here in South Carolina.”

Tim Hopson, sales specialist, Shoals MPE LLC, which has five locations in Alabama, called the LRP16GE “one of the best packaged units on the market.”

“I’m a big two-stage compressor, variable-speed indoor blower kind of guy, and this unit has done everything you could ask,” Hopson said.

He noted that homeowners deal with a lot of humidity in Alabama, and the LRP16GE’s features help reduce the indoor humidity without a long run time on the unit.

“I tell customers to raise their temperatures from 70° to 75°F and set their humidistats at 55 percent, and they’re surprised by how cool and crisp the air feels when they walk into their homes,” he said. “Add to that the fact that they’re saving money on their utility bills, and customers just love it.”

Added a Dealer Design Awards judge: “This is an exceptional packaged unit, which exceeds most of the features on competitive units. The quietness of the unit is important along with the benefits of two-stage heating and two-stage cooling.”

SILVER

The Rheem Prestige® Series hybrid electric water heater received the silver award in the HVAC Residential Equipment category. Available in 50-, 65- and 80-gallon sizes, the Prestige Series hybrid electric water heater is designed to reduce hot water energy use by up to 73 percent. It operates at a 3.5 energy factor (EF), which exceeds National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) 2015 and Energy Star requirements and qualifies it for Tier 2 & 3 rebates from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Features include a leak sensor, which is integrated with the water heater control to provide a local audible alarm and remote alarm (via the Rheem app) to the homeowner in case any leak is sensed in the water pan, and multiple operating modes, such as “Vacation” and “High Demand.”

The heaters are designed to be easy to install and service and are EcoNet®-enabled.

“The heat pump technology found in this unit is familiar to HVAC contractors,” said Ankur Maheshwari, senior product manager, Rheem Mfg. Co. “If any HVAC company decides to add water heaters to its portfolio, this unit is a great one to include right away because of the easy learning curve.”

BRONZE

The Lennox Elite®-series EL16XC1 air conditioner is the recipient of the bronze award in this category.

The EL16XC1 utilizes an exclusive Lennox Quantum™ coil engineered from a fortified aluminum alloy to protect against corrosion and a PermaGuard™ cabinet specifically designed to resist rust. According to Lennox Industries Inc., the EL16XC1 is lightweight and boasts a sound-dampening system that lowers operating sounds to as little as 71 decibels while maintaining high performance with up to 17-SEER efficiency.

The Lennox EL16XC1 air conditioner is used for residential cooling applications requiring 1.5- to 5-ton capacities.

Julie Blakely, product marketing manager, cooling, Lennox, said that although the EL16XC1 is designed for residential applications, it is versatile and dependable enough to also be compatible with commercial, single-phase applications.

“A very efficient single-stage unit,’ said a Dealer Design Award judge. “We have used a number of these units and are very satisfied with them.” 

Publication date: 7/24/2016

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