CARRIER CORP.

Toshiba Carrier VRF

Carrier’s Toshiba Carrier Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heating and cooling products can now connect seamlessly to the i-Vu building automation system (BAS), which allows building operators to manage their HVAC systems around the clock, from anywhere.

The new “i-Vu ready” Toshiba Carrier VRF interface enables seamless communication between the i-Vu BAS and the VRF equipment in the building. The functionality can be ordered as part of the Carrier VRF equipment offering, providing Carrier customers with a turnkey solution that enables building automation in addition to the numerous benefits of the VRF system. Toshiba Carrier’s VRF equipment provides climate control with flexibility, zoning options, and energy efficiency.

The Toshiba Carrier interface allows building operators to monitor or control a multi-zone VRF system from anywhere using the i-Vu building automation platform  through a wall-mounted touchscreen interface in the building or from any web-enabled device. Using this system, building operators can proactively manage occupant comfort levels inside the facility. Additionally, standard building automation features, such as graphics, trends, reports, schedules, and alarms, are enabled for VRF equipment, allowing operators to optimize energy usage, maximize equipment performance, assess and address building trends, and resolve problems faster.

“Carrier and our Toshiba partners are working tirelessly to improve our products and services to provide our customers with enhanced control,” said Meredith Emmerich, managing director, Ductless and VRF, Carrier. “This latest compatibility with the i-Vu building automation system marks another important milestone in our ability to deliver VRF systems that meet and exceed our customer’s expectations.”

For more information, visit www.carriervrf.com.

CIELO BREEZ

Smart Controller

Cielo Breez can convert any air conditioner to a smart air conditioner. The plug-and-play Wi-Fi controller works with already installed or newly procured ductless systems. Cielo Breez is brand independent and can convert any mini split, fan coil unit, floor-standing unit, window a/c, or packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) with a remote control into a smart a/c. It features built-in temperature, humidity, and luminosity sensors and comes with a personalized display showing actual room conditions. The display can also be used as a digital picture frame.

Cielo Breez comes with a complete ecosystem of proprietary mobile apps (both for Android and iOS), an enterprise web app, and an associated Amazon Web Services Internet of Things (IoT) cloud.

Features include unlimited controls from anywhere, comprehensive usage statistics, complete usage audit of connected air conditioners and heat pumps, weekly scheduling, location-based controls, air filter status, and much more. Users can save up to 25 percent on their energy bills by using Cielo’s futuristic feature set and energy saving algorithms. Additionally, the Cielo Breez works with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant. For more information, visit www.cielowigle.com.

DAIKIN NORTH AMERICA LLC

VRV T-Series Water Cooled Condensing Units

Daikin North America LLC announced the launch of the VRV T-Series Water Cooled condensing units, which provide all the same attributes of an air-cooled variable refrigerant volume (VRV) system, such as low sound levels, advanced comfort control and zoning, and the added flexibility for cold climate applications and buildings with water loops or geothermal applications.

The new VRV T-Series provides efficiency improvements of up to 37 percent IEER and up to 33 percent coefficient of performance (COP) compared to previous PC-Series.

New single modules in either 208-230V/3Ph/60Hz or 460V/3Ph/60Hz are now available in compact, single module 8-, 10-, and 12-ton sizes. Single modules can be manifolded together, with up to three units to form one system of up to 36 ton.

Main features and benefits include a wide offering with 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-ton single-modules and up to 36-ton with multi-modules; up to 64 indoor units can be connected to one system; space reduction of up to 50 percent and up to a 37 percent weight reduction compared to previous PC-Series; a reduced cabinet height that allows double stacking with 7-foot ceilings and triple stacking with 11-foot ceilings; heat rejection cancellation technology minimizes mechanical room conditioning, service space requirements, and more. For more information, visit www.daikinac.com.

FRIEDRICH

VRP Heat Pump

Friedrich Air Conditioning Co.’s Variable Refrigerant Package (VRP) Heat Pump system is a total HVAC solution that utilizes a precision inverter compressor that gives it efficiencies of up to 20 SEER and 13 EER and reduces sound. VRP  also improves IAQ game changer as it incorporates patent-pending make-up air and sophisticated humidity control with onboard sensors that monitor and adjust compressor speeds to enhance dehumidification. Friedrich’s FreshAire system™ helps building owners meet ASHRAE 61.1-2013 for conditioned fresh air, bringing in up to 70 cfm of conditioned, MERV 8-filtered, outside air without the cost or complexity associated with large dedicated outside air systems (DOAS).

Other notable VRP benefits include variable refrigerant flow (VRF), along with the convenience and maintenance advantage of a closet-mounted, single-packaged unit. Because Friedrich VRP units are fully contained with in-closet design flexibility, it helps keep upfront install costs low and offers simple replacement and maintenance advantages. This all-in-one solution offers great benefits for hospitality, multifamily, and commercial applications, delivering exceptional efficiency, easy installation, true humidity control, and conditioned fresh air all while maintaining low upfront and operational costs, according to the company.

“Our goal is provide innovative products to the market and bring new advancements to our customers that offer them greater benefits than ever before,” said Chuck Campbell, CEO of Friedrich Air Conditioning Co. “VRP fits into that category, and we’re proud that Friedrich’s leadership is being recognized in this way.”

The VRP was honored as a 2017 AHR Expo Innovation Award finalist in the IAQ category and was named a Silver Award Winner for Excellence in the IAQ category of The NEWS’ 2017 Dealer Design Awards contest. For more information, visit www.friedrich.com.

FUJITSU

Airstage VRF

Fujitsu General America’s Airstage VRF system wall-mount, floor-mount, compact cassette, and slim duct evaporators are now available in 4,000-Btu capacities.

The new indoor units are compatible with Fujitsu’s Airstage VRF V-Series (three-phase) and J-Series (single-phase) heating and cooling systems. The smaller capacity offered by these units creates more flexibility in the growing residential VRF market and in commercial applications with tighter building envelopes or smaller zones.

Although inverter technology allows for VRF systems to adapt to the needs of the space, smaller zones in new construction may only need 1,500-2,000 Btu. If a designer is given this type load and is forced to use 7,000- to 9,000-Btu indoor units, the comfort of the space will be compromised. In addition, the overall size of the outdoor units will need to be larger to accommodate the larger indoor products.

“With the expansion of green building practices, Fujitsu is introducing 4,000-Btu indoor units to provide just the right amount of load, eliminating oversizing and creating an energy-efficient solution ideal for high-performance buildings”, said Kal Osman, director of product management, Fujitsu. “Because these indoor models are compatible with the full Airstage line of VRF products, they are the perfect solution for low-load applications in both residential and commercial sectors.”

With four indoor unit styles to choose from, the new units are applicable for nearly any indoor space, requiring minimal heating and cooling loads, according to the company. For more information, visit www.fujitsugeneral.com.

HAIER

FlexFit Pro Series

Haier Ductless is launching a new series designed for light commercial installation as well as large residential applications. The FlexFit Pro Series offers a number of options to make installation and inventory easy.

“Available from 24,000-48,000 Btu, the FlexFit Pro Series is the next evolution of our product assortment for North America,” said Nick Shin, vice president and business unit leader, Haier Ductless. “The outdoor condenser unit can be used with three different types of indoor units for a wide variety of applications.”

The FlexFit outdoor unit features flexible installation with long piping length up to 230 feet and 100 feet of drop; 100 percent cooling capacity at 0°F; low standby power at 4W; and its quiet operating mode reduces noise below 45dB(A). Its cassette indoor unit features a unique round-corner air outlet to eliminate blind spots, individual airflow control of the four louvers, and an optional intelligent eye for continuous monitoring and control for improved efficiency. For more information, visit haierductless.com.

JOHNSON CONTROLS INC.

York® VRF Gen II

Johnson Controls Inc. recently launched the York Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Gen II, the second generation of VRF HVAC equipment for the North American market. It offers many significant enhancements, including a re-engineered outdoor unit line with an impressive operating range; a wider selection of single module sizes; and an indoor unit line that includes re-engineered ducted units with greater static pressure, a full range of multi-port change-over boxes for heat recovery systems, and enhanced controllers.

The line has an extended operating range with cooling down to an ambient outdoor temperature as low as minus 4°F with the low ambient kit (for server rooms or other areas that require cooling year-round) and as high as 122°. The heating operating range extends from an ambient outdoor temperature of minus 13° to 59°. This extended operating range enables customers to select highly efficient VRF systems for more projects, including those with demanding requirements. For further flexibility, single modules are now available in 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-ton capacities, enabling heat pump or heat recovery systems up to 36 ton to be configured more economically.

In addition to offering higher-static ducted indoor units in multiple sizes, the new lineup also includes non-ducted units in more capacities. This enables equipment to be precisely sized to project specifications.

It also offers a full line of change-over box options, including single-port change-over boxes in two capacities and multi-port change-over boxes with four, eight, and 12 ports for more heat recovery system design options. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/JohnsonControlsVRF.

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

PLFY-EP-NEMU-E

Mitsubishi Electric US Inc. Cooling & Heating Division recently released its CITY MULTI® ceiling cassette indoor unit featuring the new 3D i-see Sensor™ (PLFY-EP-NEMU-E).

The 3D i-see Sensor is a small, yet powerful component mounted to the exterior panel of the ceiling cassette. The sensor continuously analyzes the thermal profile of a room, identifying cool and warm spots. To achieve an accurate thermal profile, it performs hundreds of circular scans with multiple points per scan, continuously monitoring a given space.

“The intelligence of the 3D i-see Sensor ensures that the PLFY ceiling cassette is constantly delivering the best possible comfort experience and energy saving benefits,” said Kevin Miskewicz, director, commercial marketing, Mitsubishi Electric US Inc. Cooling & Heating Division. “The unit’s technology is reflective of the features we know are most important to building owners, managers, and tenants.”

When a room is occupied, the 3D i-see Sensor scans and identifies heat signatures and applies cool or warm air as needed throughout the space. For maximum personalized comfort, this feature may be customized to direct the unit to deliver air toward or away from the occupants. In an unoccupied room, the sensor automatically adjusts the temperature levels and may also be customized to switch to an energy efficiency mode.

The indoor unit is available in capacities ranging from 8,000-48,000 Btuh. Additional features, with a PAR-32MAA-J controller, include an automatic setback based on occupancy detection and a 3-D turbo fan that enables increased airflow. For more information, visit www.mitsubishipro.com.

MSA

Chillgard® VRF Refrigerant Leak Detector

Building engineers and contractors who are installing or maintaining energy-saving variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems will find the Chillgard VRF Refrigerant Leak Detector with integrated BACNet capability from MSA provides advanced leak detection technology to protect the respiratory safety of building and facility occupants.

Designed with MSA’s advanced photoacoustic infrared (PAIR) sensing technology, Chillgard VRF Refrigerant Detectors operate with a stable zero baseline. PAIR technology eliminates sensor drift and allows operation for lengthy periods over temperatures ranging from 32-140°F, 0-60°C, and 0-95 percent relative humidity levels without adjustment or maintenance.

The PAIR sensors in Chillgard Detectors feature a wide operating range of 0-1,000 ppm with a minimum detection level of 25 ppm and alarming pre-set at 50 ppm with repeatability of ±10 ppm at 50 ppm. T50 response time is less than 240 seconds. Approvals include Canadian Standards Association (CSA), UL, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and CE with Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)/Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance.

Building VRF systems use pure refrigerant as the cooling and heating medium to achieve greater energy efficiency as opposed to the conventional large HVAC systems, which rely on hot and cold water. Instead, multiple VRF units are placed throughout a building and are connected by pressurized pipes that convey the refrigerant for climate control.

Installation is simple, requiring 24 vdc/vac power. There are no moving parts for low maintenance and only an annual calibration check is recommended. For more information, visit www.msasafety.com/detection.

NORTEK

V5 VRF Systems

Nortek Global HVAC recently introduced a new line of commercial variable refrigerant flow (VRF) multi-zone systems. The complete line consists of V5 mini VRF heat pumps, V5 modular heat pumps, and V5 heat recovery systems.

The Nortek Global HVAC VRF systems have new design features to make installations easier than competitive VRF systems, including selection software that is more user friendly; longer piping lengths to provide more flexibility for each job; simple communication wiring that is easy to install using non-polarity-sensitive 18 AWG stranded 2 conductor wiring; minus 22°F (minus 30°C) heating performance; auto-addressing of indoor units, which eliminates setting dipswitches manually; and debugging and commissioning software.

The V5 VRF systems feature DC inverter-driven compressors for precise temperature control.

Up to 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) of total piping length and up to 36 indoor connections make them easy to install, network, and maintain, according to the company. Standard gold and blue fin coating provides increased performance and greater corrosion resistance.

The V5 mini VRF systems are designed for light commercial or residential applications. Their compact design and thinner profile make them adaptable in tight spaces. Up to 984 feet (300 meters) of total pipe length simplifies installation. Both feature an energy-efficient, ultra-quiet DC inverter compressor and powerful heating capacity in low ambient temperatures. These 208/230V condensers are available in 3, 4, or 5 ton and will accommodate up to seven, eight, or nine zones.

Indoor units are available in wall-mounted, ceiling cassettes, consoles, universal floor/ceiling, and ducted type units.

“Commercial VRF systems are growing in popularity due to their efficiency and flexibility,” said Keith Clark, VRF national sales manager, Nortek Global HVAC. “We’re proud to offer a high-value VRF product at a reasonable price, so our contractor customers can be competitive on jobs.”

For more information, visit www.nortekhvac.com.  

Publication date: 2/5/2018