Cool New HVAC Tools and Equipment
2019 seems to be flying by, and 2020 is just right around the corner. HVAC technology is evolving every year due to advancements in equipment and systems. Equipment manufacturers and tool companies alike continue to innovate and brings us new and improved technology, tools, and updated equipment. As HVAC professionals, its important for us to stay current with industry advancements and developments in order to provide the best service for our customers. Lets take a look at some of the hottest new products and trends of this year.
New HVAC Products 2019
Smart Thermostats
We live in the world of the internet of things. The HVAC industry not exempt from this Trend. Smart Thermostats allow for equipment to be controlled remotely via smartphones, apps, computers, tablets etc. Further more, these web enabled thermostats allow additional benefits over traditional thermostats to the end users by incorporating more complex features such as motion detectors, advanced scheduling, unit trends, voice control and the ability to integrate into home automation systems.
These smart thermostats are able to input data from your behaviors and alter set points, schedules and run times in order to conserve energy, reducing operating costs, and extend the HVAC equipment service life. These features are useful for both residential and commercial customers by allowing only the occupied spaces to operate in heating/cooling thus reducing overall energy costs.
I realize that smart thermostats are not to the point of being able to control a building the same way as a full on building automation system, but many customers are not going to be willing to shell out the upfront cost to install a full BAS control system. This is an alternative option to some, and if you are not willing to embrace smart thermostats and their up and coming place in the industry, someone else will. These products are new, and are only going to improve as time goes on.
Pipe Straightener Tool
Javac Tube Straightener
I’m not sure how its taken this long for someone to create this tool, but I am glad that someone finally did. Or maybe there is another version of it out there someplace and I have just been oblivious to it? Either way this little device looks really slick. Grab a roll of soft copper, straighten it as much as you can, and then slide this tool onto the tubing. Roll it across a few times, and it straightens that piping out no problem . Seriously Check it out on youtube! I am going to have to try one out.
C-RHEX® Cleanable, Reversible Magnetic Hex Drivers (5/16″ and 3/8″)
Finally, the driver all the commercial guys have been waiting for. The 1/4 - 5/16” driver has been out a while now, it was looking bleak for the 5/16” -3/8” but its finally here.
Available in 4 lengths:
2 inch (Model MSHC)
2-5/8 inch (Model MSHLC)
4 inch (Model MSHMLC)
6 inch (Model MSHXLC)
The C-RHEX design allows for you to complete remove the driver portion from the magnet to easily clean the metal shaving buildup that always seems to plague magnetic nut drivers. One bit that allows you to quickly change sizes. I am ordering mine today.
Variable Speed Heat Pumps
Traditional heat pumps were already much more efficient than electric heaters and fossil fuel furnaces, but newer heat pumps are equipped with 2 stage and variable speed compressors that allow increased unit efficiency that can cut your electrical cost by up to 50%. (source energy.gov) Conserving energy by replacing old energy hogs is in. Check with your local utility company to see what type of rebates are available in your area in order to help offset some of the install costs for your customers.
Mitsubishi City Multi
Variable Refrigerant Flow systems (VRF) are not going away anytime soon and are the future of HVAC. Manufactures such as Mitsubishi, Daikin, and LG continue to innovate with new and improved systems allowing simultaneous heating and cooling within residential and commercial applications. City multi systems have the ability to run as traditional air to air, water source, and geo thermal, applications for increased efficiency. As technology improves, these systems continue to outperform traditional heat pump systems by maintaining efficiencies down to blistering cold temperatures of -22 F. VRF systems are great options for building owners looking to replace dated hydronic heat pumps with no central air, or to add additional capacity/redundancy to a site with limited or no roof space.
ABB Vibration and Temperature Sensor Wimon100
ABB group one of the leaders of industrial technologies has designed a very compact, cost effective, easy to install device that brings continuous vibration analysis to all types of rotating machinery. The WiMon100 comes in at a very respectable 100 x 36 mm, mounts to any 1/4-28 tapped hole( Most Common Zirk Fitting ), holds an IP66 rating (dust tight, and resistant to water jetting) for use in harsh environments, supports IEEE 802.15.4. “The WiMon100 sensor design and the WirelessHART network configuration has been carefully optimised in order to target vibration signature analysis for ball bearings of a motor to identify wear and tear while supporting a lifetime of the network operation to be around 5 years”
I am excited to see how this device will be integrated into BAS systems for monitoring as well is predictive maintenance trending and logging. A device like this will likely play a vital role for contractors servicing equipment in critical labs, manufacturing plants, data centers etc.
Series IEFB Insertion Thermal Energy Meter
Dwyer Manufacturing looks to be introducing a new insertion thermal thermal energy meter. Utilizing electromagnetic technology to accurately and reliably measure fluid velocity and energy consumption. This Meter displays readings including temperature and energy consumption, making it ideal for installation on chillers, boilers. The device will be offered in 2 versions, High accuracy with the ability to fit pipe sizes 4-10” and standard accuracy which will adjust to pipes sized 4-36”. This unit is also configurable to offer several output options, including BACnet MS/TP or Modbus® RTU communications protocol over 2-wire RS-485 and standard analog, frequency, and alarm outputs.
key applications include:
Monitoring chiller cooling output performance
Industrial boiler heating performance
Energy efficiency monitoring
Optimization of heat energy performance
Commercial and residential heat energy consumption and metering
District heating and cooling monitoring
Energy cost allocation monitoring
Photo Credit Nest - Nest Store
Photo Credit Ecobee - Ecobee SmartThermostat
photo Credit Mitsubishi - VRF layout
Photo Credit Wimon100 - ABB
Photo Credit IEFB Thermal Meter - Dwyer Manufacturing
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