The Workhorses of the Building World 

HVAC/R systems are an essential part of a building. We might not always notice these beasts of burden when they're working properly, but you'll definitely notice when they break or when their inefficiencies cost you money. In fact, as I type this, we have one of our building's maintenance people shoulder-deep into our ceiling trying to figure out why half of the staff needs to be wearing shorts while the other half looks bundled and ready to run the Iditarod.

An efficient, well-maintained system can keep costs low and people comfortable all while pushing sustainability to the forefront. This Targeted eNews highlights some of the latest trends in HVAC/R with some news, products and articles.

Cheers,

Derrick Teal

ED+C Managing Editor

P.S. - Time is running out to enter the 2009 EID awards. Visit eid.EDCmag.com to enter today!

Standard 90.1-2004 Established as National Reference Standard by DOE
Atlanta - States must now certify that their building codes meet the requirements in ASHRAE/IESNA's 2004 energy efficiency standard, under a ruling issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that finds the standard saves more energy than an earlier version... more

New Report Provides Roadmap for Energy Policy and Strategies
Atlanta  - A new report from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides a potential roadmap for addressing the nation's dependence on foreign energy sources and its greenhouse gas emissions while growing the economy...more

New Study Looks at Impact of Sustainable Practices on Supermarket Sales
Bourne, Mass.  - A new research study by University of Missouri professors Brian Fricke and Bryan Becker for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) involves studying the energy use of two different types of supermarket display cases - glass door vertical display cases an open vertical display cases. The research is aimed at promoting sustainable, energy-efficient practices in grocery stores, which typically spend up to 50 percent of total energy costs on refrigeration... more

Residential Water Heaters Can Now Carry the ENERGY STAR Label
Washington, D.C.  - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that as of January 2009, ENERGY STAR-qualified residential water heaters are now available. Five types of residential water heaters will be allowed to carry the ENERGY STAR label: high-efficiency, gas-fueled, storage water heaters; gas-fueled condensing water heaters; whole-home, gas-fueled, tankless water heaters; heat pump water heaters; and solar water heaters... more

For more HVAC/R News, visit www.EDCmag.com .

New High-Performance Modular Outdoor Units
Suwanee, Ga. - Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products Division's ( www.mehvac.com) new Y- and R2-Series Modular Outdoor Units represent the next generation of CITY MULTI VRFZ technology, the company reports. The new line-up consists of 6-, 8- and 10-ton outdoor unit modules, which can be combined to form up to a 30-ton outdoor unit system capable of connecting to as many as 50 indoor units. The units are lightweight and smaller than previous models, which allow them to be installed and transported easily, the smallest module fitting in a standard, 6-person elevator.

Water-Treatment System for Cooling Towers and Process Water
Schertz, Texas - VRTX, from VRTX Technologies ( www.vrtxtech.com) is a non-chemical side-stream water-treatment system for cooling towers and process water. Blowdown can be reduced by 40 percent and the discharged water can be used for non-potable applications such as landscaping. Studies show that a typical VRTX-treated cooling tower system could see annual potable water savings of nearly 1 million gallons, according to the company.

Variable Speed Scroll Compressor for Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps
Baltimore - The Danfoss ( www.danfoss.us) Apexx VSH compressor, a 2009 AHR Innovation Award winner for Cooling, is the first high-capacity (12 to 40 tons of refrigeration) R-410A variable speed scroll compressor for air conditioning and heat pumps, the company reports. The Apexx solution offers continuous matching of cooling capacity to cooling load, resulting in high energy efficiency and enhanced cooling comfort. In each application range, a high-efficiency scroll compressor and a variable speed drive are designed specifically for operation with each other and optimized for efficient performance.

For more HVAC/R products, visit www.EDCmag.com.

Going Green Wirelessly Leads to Increased Sales
by John R. Hall
There are many different products in the HVAC equipment world that cater to the green building tidal wave. Efficiency is a key green element that builders are using to market residential and commercial new construction. And what better way to promote efficiency than through the expanding world of wireless products?..more

Green Technologies Impress Onlookers
by John R. Hall
The Mobile Classroom of Sustainable Technologies, sometimes called the "big green trailer," made its way through the capital of Michigan and surrounding areas as it continued its mission to educate consumers and HVACR tradespeople about the many green technologies available today, technologies designed to save on energy costs while increasing energy efficiency without harming the environment... more

Looking at HVAC
by Joseph H. Mayton III
ED+C's sister publication, Sustainable Facility, approached a mechanical and electrical engineering firm with a series of questions regarding modern HVAC systems. Randy Olson and Dale Holland at Dunham Associates, Inc. ( www.dunhameng.com) are consulting engineers who provided some professional feedback to the HVAC queries posed...more