green HVACR Issue 04: June+July 2018

The best sustainable solutions for the HVACR industry

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EDITORS ’ PICKS Check out Rheem’s Triton, a high-efficiency commercial gas water heater, and more.

BETTER AIR FILTER EFFICIENCY AND IAQ Filtration Group’s diverse line of MERV 13 air filters promote healthier environments.

16 HERESITE P-413 Corrosion control experts share why you should implement coil coating to protect your HVAC equipment.

05 HEAT INDEX What’s hot and what’s not

18 ECONOMICS OF RECLAMATION Hudson Technologies is incentivizing contractors to reclaim refrigerants.

06 ROSTER Industry shakeups, promotions, and more

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COMFORT MEETS SUSTAINABILITY ACV Triangle Tube is leading the industry with reliable water heaters.

COOLTROL AND REMOTE SITE MANAGER NRM’s refrigeration control products are making facility management operations run smoother.

22 THE HVAC COMMUNITY How ASHRAE inspires its members

12 VRF NATURAL GAS HEAT PUMP SYSTEM YANMAR is reinventing Variable Refrigerant Flow technology and creating greener systems.

23 EXCHANGE This Italian hotel has energy-saving technology.

JUNE+JULY 2018 GREENHVACRMAG.COM

INSIDE!

NEW PRODUCTS and INSPIRING PROCESSES to

make your next BUILDING PROJECT more efficient.

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greenhvacrmag.com

greenhvacrmag.com VOL. 01-NO. 04 JUNE+JULY 2018

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Christopher Howe ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Laura Heidenreich laura@gbdmagazine.com

editor’s letter

MANAGING EDITOR

Laura Rote lrote@gdmagazine.com ART DIRECTOR

Kristina Walton Zapata ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Julia Stone ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Julie Veternick SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER

Brianna Wynsma ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Briagenn Adams, Ciara Gomez EDITORIAL INTERNS

Brooke Nagler, Maia Welbel DESIGN INTERN

Sam Weber CONTRIBUTORS

Colleen DeHart, Russ Klettke, Karine Leblanc

MAIL

green HVACR magazine 1765 N. Elston Ave. Suite 202B Chicago, IL 60642 Printed in the USA. © 2018 by Green Advocacy Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations.

green HVACR is a certified B Corp. B Corp is to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit BLab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

The magazine is also available in digital formats at greenhvacrmag.com/currentissue. Please recycle this magazine.

The best sustainable solutions for the HVACR industry

04

14

EDITORS ’ PICKS Check out Rheem’s Triton, a high-efficiency commercial gas water heater, and more.

BETTER AIR FILTER EFFICIENCY AND IAQ Filtration Group’s diverse line of MERV 13 air filters promote healthier environments.

16 HERESITE P-413 Corrosion control experts share why you should implement coil coating to protect your HVAC equipment.

05 HEAT INDEX What’s hot and what’s not

Innovative refrigeration controls, high-quality coil coatings, the most efficient water heaters—the June/July issue of green HVACR teaches us a lot about the latest and greatest products in the HVAC industry today.

In the pages of the newest magazine, we explore groundbreaking technology like that of ACV Triangle Tube (page 20), whose new patented Ginius indirect water heater has a heat exchanger inside. Hot water from the boiler circulates through the heat exchanger to heat the incoming cold water, eliminating the flue gas loss that occurs with traditional gas-fired water heaters. The family-owned company itself is a leader in the industry, designing water heaters since the 1940s.

In this issue we also discover National Resource Management (NRM)’s latest tools, like CoolTrol® and Remote Site Manager (page 8). These on-site refrigeration controls help you improve system performance—ensuring that if and when a problem occurs, you know exactly when, where, and why it’s happening, in addition to being able to take action immediately. “NRM lets me know there’s a problem before there’s a problem,” says Shawn Clarke, facilities manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, in an interview with our Associate Editor Julia Stone.

The pages of this magazine also inspire us to work together, reminding us of the value of networking and building a community within the industry. On page 22, columnist Karine Leblanc shares with us part of her journey in the HVAC industry and how she became involved in ASHRAE. It’s a commitment she says made her feel not only welcome in the HVAC world, but it also taught her to be a strong leader and reminded her of the importance of sustainability. Stories like hers encourage so many of us to keep moving forward, as we strive to make this industry a greener place.

à

This colorful hotel’s energy supply is entirely green (page 23).

18 ECONOMICS OF RECLAMATION Hudson Technologies is incentivizing contractors to reclaim refrigerants.

06 ROSTER Industry shakeups, promotions, and more

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COMFORT MEETS SUSTAINABILITY ACV Triangle Tube is leading the industry with reliable water heaters.

COOLTROL AND REMOTE SITE MANAGER NRM’s refrigeration control products are making facility management operations run smoother.

22 THE HVAC COMMUNITY How ASHRAE inspires its members

12 VRF NATURAL GAS HEAT PUMP SYSTEM YANMAR is reinventing Variable Refrigerant Flow technology and creating greener systems.

23 EXCHANGE This Italian hotel has energy-saving technology.

CHRIS HOWE Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

JUNE+JULY 2018 GREENHVACRMAG.COM

INSIDE!

NEW PRODUCTS and INSPIRING PROCESSES to make your next BUILDING PROJECT more efficient.

ON THE COVER THIS MONTH Rheem’s Triton high-efficiency commercial gas water heater can also be managed remotely.

green HVACR

The April/May print issue’s Spotlight story on Switched Reluctance Motor prominently featured a Baldor motor for comparison purposes only. The SMC Smart Switched Reluctance Motor was featured on the cover and in the lower right corner of Spotlight. Read more at greenhvacrmag.com/2018/switched-reluctance-motor.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF LAGARE HOTEL MILANO CENTRALE - MGALLERY BY SOFITEL

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Awair Omni Indoor air quality is critical in the workplace. Healthy indoor air quality in offices substantially increases workplace productivity, according to a Harvard University study. Awair’s new device, Omni, tracks indoor air quality for unsafe or unhealthy particles. Designed specifically for businesses, Omni helps keep the workplace environment safe for employees and clients.

The innovative device records five air quality features: temperature, humidity, CO2, chemicals (VOCs), and dust. Omni notifies you when the air quality becomes unsafe. It is constantly monitoring the air and providing real-time readings so the user can track air quality changes. You can manage multiple monitors through the Awair dashboard, keeping track of all of the information in the user-friendly portal. getawair.com

Editors’ Picks A C LO S E R LO O K AT T H E TO P S U S TA I N A B L E P R O D U C T S IN THE INDUSTRY

Share your suggestions for the best new products by emailing info@greenhvacrmag.com

> > > Rheem Triton

ECO-FLO Energy Recovery Ventilator Say goodbye to stale indoor air. This Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) from Continental Fan Manufacturing Inc. exchanges stale air for fresh air while preserving the heat energy from the extracted air. The compact unit maintains the indoor air quality by having the incoming air preheated or pre-cooled (depending on the environment) and controlling the humidity level. It also has a number of other features like air purification, moisture damage prevention, and a multifunctional wireless remote control.

The ERV can be used as a single unit, ventilating up to nearly 350 square feet, or in coordination with other units, either working independently or in synchronous operation. Multiple ECO-FLO ventilators offer a cost-effective solution for large buildings undergoing renovations or construction. The ventilators work well in both residential and commercial spaces, providing constant circulation between spaces no matter the scale. continentalfan.com

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Rheem recently released Triton, the industry’s first smart highefficiency commercial gas water heater. It includes an intelligent monitoring technology known as EcoNet that provides systematic performance checks and maintenance service notifications.

EcoNet also is able to connect with Wi-Fi for remote management capabilities. The technology features a built-in BACnet port, so you can use the building management system to monitor the water heater, too.

Triton’s advanced leak prevention system alerts you about an issue before it occurs. This innovative system is truly gamechanging for fault detection—it can identify a leak as small as a grain of sand and sends an immediate text, so you can eliminate emergencies right away. Triton is also extra durable, lasting five years longer than the industry standard. The water heater’s scheduling feature can save you energy by only heating water during peak operating hours. Triton also has flexible venting options and other universal retrofit features that make it an ideal product for new construction and water heater replacements.

The condensate neutralizer lessens water acidity and reduces corrosion. rheem.com greenhvacrmag.com

HEAT INDEX What’s hot and what’s not in the HVACR world

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The Trump administration set steep tariffs on imported manufacturing materials: 25% on all steel imports and 10% on aluminum.

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Johnson Controls acquired Triatek, a leading manufacturer of safe and energy-efficient airflow products for critical environments.

Geoclima Circlemiser

The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced greenhouse gas emissions grew by 1.4% in 2017, marking the first CO2 emission increase in three years.

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The future of the chiller industry is taking shape—and it is ultra efficient. The new cylindrical design of this Geoclima air cooler allows for optimal efficiency, with an increased energy efficiency rate (EER) of 15% (with multi-compressor units) as compared to previous models.

The unique cylindrical arrangement allows for a great increase in the heat exchanger capacity—the heat exchange surface area is 45% larger than other condensers. The increased capacity reduces the condensing and approach temperatures.

Also, this chiller has cascade flooded evaporators, which reduce the change in temperature between evaporation temperature and outlet temperature of the fluid. The cascade arrangement increases the evaporation temperature and, at the same time, reduces energy consumption, leading to higher overall efficiency. geoclima.com

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The energy-efficient motor market is projected to reach $41.57 billion by 2023 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%, according to MarketsandMarkets.

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The natural refrigerants market is forecast to increase at a rate of 11% CAGR from 2015 to 2020, according to a report by Zion Research.

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The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy received $2.3 billion to put toward clean energy research— significantly more than the $636 million Trump requested.

Chillers can be compact, but still efficient. Trane’s new water-cooled centrifugal chiller offers a redesigned model ideal for small commercial facilities, without sacrificing comfort or sustainability. Through its new design, the Agility chiller uses high-efficiency evaporators that decrease its size by 25% as compared to other products on the market.

Agility has a number of features that make it a leading chiller in the sustainable refrigeration industry. It operates with the refrigerant R-513A or R-134A, both of which have a lower global warming potential (GWP) than other refrigerants. Its efficient design means its total chiller refrigerant charge is reduced by up to 25%. It also has a high-performance capacity, with an integrated part load value (IPLV) that is 40% better than the ASHRAE 90.1 requirements. trane.com green HVACR

Grundfos and Taka Solutions signed an MoU for a new energy saving initiative, focusing on energy saving opportunities in pumps system retrofits, modifications, and replacements.

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Agility Chiller

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Roster Industry shakeups, new faces, promotions, and more

Distech Controls

News The Latest Headlines From the Industry

LAB USES 3D PRINTING FOR GREEN REFRIGERATION SYSTEM Distech Controls named Scott Hamilton vice president of sales. Hamilton was most recently head of automation channels at Siemens Building Technology. He will now manage international sales channels and Distech Controls Energy Services. “Scott’s hands-on customer experience and remarkable people skills will undoubtedly play an integral role going forward in connecting buildings and occupants with Distech Controls’ innovative solutions for enhanced health, productivity, and efficiency,” says President of Distech Controls Martin Villeneuve.

CaloriSMART is a system that uses low quantities of

magnetocaloric materials to achieve refrigeration level cooling. Developed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory, this project will replace the century-old practice of using gas-compression refrigerators and is also 30% more efficient. Initial tests placed gadolinium in magnetic fields and used timed pumps to circulate water, demonstrating a cooling capacity to just under 30˚F.

A scientist custom built the encasing for the system using 3D printing. The model is being developed to accelerate the design of caloric materials so they can be installed into commercial spaces faster. The team has future plans in the works with elastocaloric materials that change temperature in response to cyclic tension and compression, and electrocaloric materials, whose temperature fluctuates when the magnetic field changes. ameslab.gov

AquaMotion, Inc.

Rich Gruber was appointed national sales manager at AquaMotion, Inc., a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient circulators and instant hot water recirculation systems. Gruber previously worked as utility sales manager for Rheem Water Heating and northeast sales manager in the specialty products division for Rheem. He was the national sales manager for Viessmann Manufacturing Company and Honeywell Sparco, Inc. “His broad experience will be an asset to the fast growth of AquaMotion,” says President of AquaMotion Hans Kuster.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation recently announced Takeshi Sugiyama as the new president and CEO. Sugiyama first worked as an engineer at Mitsubishi Electric’s Himeji Works. He served as the company’s executive officer and group president of the Living Environment & Digital Media Equipment Group in 2014 and senior vice president in 2016.

He was promoted to representative executive officer, executive vice president, and group president of the Living Environment & Digital Media Equipment Group in 2017.

Send your staff updates for consideration

“We are setting the benchmark with gadolinium, and we know there are other materials that will perform even better.”

—Project Scientist Julie Slaughter

to jstone@greenhvacrmag.com.

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greenhvacrmag.com

PHOTO, CENTER: COURTESY OF AMES LABORATORY, USDOE

Mitsubishi Electric Corp.

3D P R IN T E D

PV E N E R GY THREE ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY PILOT PROGRAM The International Renewable Energy Agency, the International Geothermal Association, and the World Bank are fostering geothermal energy use around the world with a new pilot program. They’re developing a system to qualify estimates of extractable geothermal energy.

To gauge levels of obtainable geothermal energy, the UN Framework Classification takes into account a number of factors, including economic viability, geographic confidence, and technical feasibility. The framework also provides information for investors, consumers, regulators, and governments, ensuring geothermal projects receive adequate attention and funding. irena.org

THIN FILM TECHNOLOGY TO CONVERT UNUSED HEAT INTO ENERGY Pyroelectric energy conversion may be the most effective way to ensure no energy is wasted. Engineers at the University of California, Berkeley are developing a thinfilm technology that can be placed on sources of heat waste to produce energy.

Unlike other systems that turn heat into energy, pyroelectric energy conversion does not require any additional moving parts; it can happen entirely in a solid state.

In the U.S., 70% of energy is wasted as heat—this technology can tap into the massive supply of heat waste. The technology could also be implemented in places of heat fluctuations, converting the random heat generated into energy. Although pyroelectric energy has been considered as a possibility for energy production for some time, the creation of this thin film to properly harness the conversion technique required the information from a recent study explaining pyroelectric physics. This new understanding allowed the engineers to develop the thin film device that is less than 100 nanometers thick. berkeley.edu

CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT SUPPORTS EPA & DOE

Contrary to the Trump administration’s threats to remove funding for government environmental programs, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 will benefit many government environmental programs.

The bill maintains the budget for the EPA so voluntary EPA programs like Energy Start and SmartWay may continue running.

These programs give businesses information to make their operations more sustainable.

The new bill also increases funding to the Department of Energy. There is an 11% increase to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy and a 15% boost to the Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy, which develops technologies for energy efficiency. There is also a 10% increase to the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides resources for lowincome families and senior citizens to make their homes energy efficient. energy.gov

PHOTO: COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII MAUI TO USE 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2019 The University of Hawaii Maui campus will soon be the first campus in the U.S. to generate all of its energy from photovoltaic (PV) panels coupled with battery storage

systems, eliminating their dependence on fossil fuels. The move to green energy follows Hawaii’s 2015 decision to become completely reliant on renewable energy by 2045.

While the Maui campus, one of 10 University of Hawaii campuses, will reach this goal of net-zero energy usage by 2019, the Hawaii legislature aims to make all the University of Hawaii campuses centers for net-zero usage by 2035. The university plans to achieve this goal through a partnership with PV plus storage systems developed by Johnson Controls and owned by the Hawaii based Pacific Current. hawaii.edu

green HVACR

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VISIT US ON THE WEB!

Find more spotlights at greenhvacrmag.com

Spotlight Discover the Best New Sustainable Products

COOLTROL® AND REMOTE SITE MANAGER How to improve system performance and management with NRM’s cutting-edge refrigeration control system

By Julia Stone

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N N

ational Resource Management, Inc. (NRM) has been redefining cold storage and facility operations for more than 20 years with its optimization and analysis tools. Their comprehensive solution comprises CoolTrol®—NRM’s cutting-edge on-site controls—and Remote Site Manager, a cloudbased platform that monitors your equipment’s performance, making your facility operations run smoother.

None of the refrigeration controls on the market provided a high level of data access or flexibility, so NRM decided it was time to develop their own refrigeration control system. “We needed something that was smart enough to figure out when conditions were right and to use free cooling or mechanical cooling while not putting any of the customer’s product at risk,” says Emre Schveighoffer, president of NRM. “We also realized we should be able to use the internet, so we could connect with faraway clients and know what was going on before heading all the way out to their sites for service calls.” And that’s how Remote Site Manager (RSM) was born. greenhvacrmag.com

PHOTO: COURTESY OF NRM

Innovative controls like CoolTrol® and Remote Site Manager monitor your equipment’s performance so you can be proactive.

Simplifying Operations Schveighoffer and his team built a total solution from scratch. You can find NRM’s controls in more than 40,000 coolers and freezers, including retail coolers, distribution and manufacturing plants, laboratory environmental rooms, and food service facilities across North America. “We’re focused on the end-user and enabling them to quickly diagnose issues and determine the what, how, and when to best service their equipment,” Schveighoffer says.

Before NRM, you couldn’t pinpoint problems or see what the compressor was doing during cooling—now you can. Their platform, which has much more processing power than other management systems, receives up-to-date data in real time.

“Part of it is energy savings and that it pays for itself, but the real value is the value our system provides for operations and management of their facility,” Schveighoffer says. NRM makes life easier for contractors, technicians, and end-users alike.

“NRM lets me know there’s a problem before there’s a problem,” says Shawn Clarke, facilities manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Austin, Texas. Clarke has relied on NRM to help manage Thermo Fisher’s cold storage for eight years. He mainly uses the system to avoid product loss and emergency incidents.

Thermo Fisher once suffered a brownout that knocked out two of its compressors. Thanks to NRM’s notifications, they knew right away their compressors weren’t running, which saved them from valuable product loss.

“NRM has the one software system that actually works for me,” Clarke says. He can

also troubleshoot his refrigeration systems on his cell phone. Thermo Fisher stores invaluable medical supplies, including biomedical products and cancer research, so the products must be monitored carefully.

Clarke says he’s become a better manager since implementing NRM’s system. “It has allowed us to be more of a preventative facility team versus a reactive facility team,” he says.

“Now we actually have some time to figure out the issue.”

he doesn’t have to drive from home to work to check on things. “I love that it’s internet-based and I can make changes remotely. I can shut a unit off or call a contractor to fix it,” he says.

“It’s very convenient, and I don’t have to depend on other people to monitor things.”

NRM’s system stands out from the rest because it also offers a bypass mode where the user can easily turn off the system if needed.

This feature gives users and technicians the option of reverting back to the original mechanical operation.

“I’m an old-school contractor and a lot of Improving Convenience Michael Bruzzese, director of facilities at contractors in their 50s and 60s are not the State Garden, Inc., doesn’t know how he most technologically savvy types of people,” managed his facility before NRM’s tech- says Charlie Sternberg, owner of S&S Renology. He manages millions of dollars in frigeration Co. If one of Sternberg’s workers products in three buildings and monitors and isn’t familiar with the NRM system, all they have manages about 50 units. Bruzzese mainly to do is flip a switch and they can go back to uses NRM’s system to monitor and maintain the old method. Sternberg knows if the NRM temperatures between the set boundaries. “To system stops working, his refrigeration system have something on the wall is nice, but no one can still run. And that’s a big deal. will pay attention to it. But with NRM, I can “A lot of refrigeration systems only offer check and see what is going on, even from temperature monitoring. But if you have a problem with temperatures, don’t you want my phone.” to know what caused it?” Schveighoffer says.

Because State Garden sells to major grocery stores, the company is frequently audited. NRM takes it a step further—showing you exWith NRM, Bruzzese doesn’t have to write actly when it started, as well as where and what down detailed the problem is. records because The user can eashe can show hisily monitor their summary page, torical data to the which shows all auditors directly N R M AT A G L A N C E of their coolers from the system. and freezers in a NRM’s unique [ On-site controls for cold solution also saves clear and detailed storage facilities him time because table. The cells on

[ Remote

Site Manager monitors equipment performance

[ Receive

PHOTO: COURTESY OF NRM

email alerts for immediate fault detection

green HVACR

THE CONTRACTOR’S CORNER

“What the NRM system provides is real-time system functionality and control, energy savings, monitoring, and notifications of potential issues,” says Charlie Sternberg, owner of S&S Refrigeration Co. in New Jersey. “It’s almost like a check engine light in your car.”

When it comes to effective refrigeration controls, fault detection is key. Like a check

“It helps me as a contractor because I’m providing a viable and reliable service. It gives them more peace of mind.” engine light, NRM’s system alerts facilities managers to check on their equipment. Sternberg and his team design, sell, and install refrigerated buildings and facilities for food and pharmaceutical distributors.

Many of Sternberg’s clients feel safer knowing that he is monitoring their valuable product and equipment with a proven solution.

“It helps me as a contractor because I’m providing a viable and reliable service. It gives them more peace of mind.”

Contractors are usually not at their desks—they often work within a 100-mile radius of their office.

“Driving a long distance to check a customer’s system for a minor problem is a waste of time and money,” Sternberg says. “With NRM, I can sit at my desk and maybe fix the problem remotely before we have to drive out to the site, like initiating a defrost remotely if a coil is iced up.”

Another common issue with cold storage is short-cycling, or when the compressor goes on and off excessively. This can lead to a $10,000 or $20,000 malfunction.

“Back in the day, all we would know is the motor has already burnt out,” says Sternberg. Now, with NRM, he and his team can react to shortcycling right when the notification arrives and preempt a major repair.

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BENEFITS OF NRM The best turn to NRM, including Harvard University, who installed NRM’s controls in more than 50 walk-ins after a major setback before an important fundraiser. They turned to NRM because features like these below guarantee they’ll never experience such a failure again— and they haven’t in the 10 years since.

Scheduling Options

• Schedule temperature setpoints and system ON/OFF for energy demand, production times, seasonality • Schedule for alternating times (lead-lag) for main and spare units to make sure both are running properly

Time Savings

• Fix minor issues remotely to avoid the driving to site • Know what the problem is before you arrive

Improved Maintenance • Save on maintenance costs by preempting emergencies • Be proactive instead of reactive Fault Detection

• Get email and text notifications to help prevent major breakdowns and alert user of poor performance • Customize the alerts you receive, such as: • • • • •

Saving Energy

Device stops communicating Compressor or probe fails to respond Excessive runtime Short-cycling Temperature is too low or too high

• Monitoring based commissioning for continuous improvement and optimization • Intelligent management of cooling, evaporator fans, anti-condensate heaters, setbacks, and defrost can reduce operating costs by up to 50% • Adaptive defrost saves energy by initiating defrost only as needed

Detailed Information

• Summary page shows temperatures, equipment status, and diagnostics at a glance • 24-hour: weighted average temp, number of compressor starts, percent run time of compressor and evaporator fans

Accessible Data

• Generate graphs for individual units • Access data quickly for audits • Set specific time intervals for viewing granular reports and download historical data as CSV file

Convenience

• Easily switch control between Run and Bypass mode for servicing and diagnosing an issue • Access from any web browser on PC, tablet, and mobile phone

Technical Support

• Attend a video-recorded training session you can reference later • Contact NRM for immediate assistance

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the data table are constantly updating because NRM features a gateway that communicates with all of the controllers—if anything has changed, it immediately sends the information to their server.

The alarm and fault detection system can send an email alert to multiple users for a variety of equipment performance issues. You can easily inhibit alarms that don’t apply to your system by customizing your notifications.

Additional Features NRM also provides intelligent defrost. NRM’s adaptive defrost control uses a variety of sensors and algorithms to achieve better defrost performance and efficiency, with improved temperature stability.

Sternberg compares the system to diagnosing a medical condition. If your doctor had remote access to your vital signals, he could call and tell you if you’re coming down with something. Sternberg and his team of contractors are able to diagnose minor issues before they turn into serious ones, and his service team can help a customer eliminate potential failures or loss of product.

Users also can set up lead-lag schedules to alternate between units at preset intervals. This allows for redundancy where both units—the backup and the main unit—are exercised and used. “By scheduling alternating run times, you get quite a bit of savings. Users need to know if one of their units go down since it’s their backup. They can’t wait until the first unit greenhvacrmag.com

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF NRM

• Data and information is updated in real time

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF NRM

breaks down to figure that tain users can change setout,” Schveighoffer says. tings. The setpoint change Avoid product loss Dole used NRM’s system alert was added in the last and emergency for its 113,000-square-foot couple of years because in incidents with cooler of fruit cups. By imregulated food storage or NRM’s notifications, which show you biomedical facilities alterplementing an alternating exactly where a lead-lag schedule of the five ing the setpoint is a safety problem is and refrigeration systems and inhazard—even a one degree when it started. stalling destratification fans change could negatively afin the center of each aisle, fect products.

NRM reduced Dole’s energy usage by over One of the main problems in the facilities 50%. The new fans would constantly mix the management industry is that people ignore air so it would be the same temperature at floor alerts and alarms and then all of the sudden level and at up to 30 feet of product storage. have a catastrophic failure, Schveighoffer Schveighoffer and his team are continuous- says. “It’s not about blame. It’s about how do ly improving the system and adding features. we solve this problem so this doesn’t happen You can set specific permissions so only cer- again?” green HVACR

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Spotlight Discover the Best New Sustainable Products

VRF NATURAL GAS HEAT PUMP SYSTEM YANMAR is making Variable Refrigerant Flow technology greener with natural gas.

By Julia Stone

YA N M A R AT A G L A N C E

Y Y

[ Efficient

zone controls and heat recovery technology

ANMAR began manufac-

turing Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems in 1987, but the company has been producing reliable, compact diesel engines for more than a century. Their VRF heat pump features powerful heating and cooling capabilities while relying on minimal electricity. The natural gas– powered engine is what sets this system apart when it comes to all things green—natural gas emits less harmful greenhouse gases than coal: 80% less NOx, 100% less SOx, and 35% less CO2.

“We’re not using electricity to drive the compressors, so the energy reduction is immense,” says Eddie Caton, regional sales and service manager at YANMAR America.

On top of energy savings, YANMAR’s VRF system also provides lower operating costs, increased comfort, and cutting-edge control integration. As a flexible way to provide indoor comfort, YANMAR’s natural gas heat pump VRF system has been implemented in schools, office buildings, restaurants, and multi-family complexes.

Natural Gas vs. Electricity Caton says one of the greatest benefits of using natural gas is the fact that it’s greener.

“We have an abundance of natural gas here in

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the United States,” he says. “It’s greener than burning coal to make electricity, and we don’t have that same transmission loss.”

For the most part, conventional VRF systems use electrical power for outdoor units, but YANMAR favors natural gas. The energy savings of using natural gas are based on the spark spread, or the gap between the electricity cost and the cost for natural gas—the higher that differential is, the more savings you’re going to get by using natural gas. “The spark spread between the natural gas rate and the electric rate is very high because the majority of areas have a lower rate for natural gas, so the customer would be able to save energy, as well as benefit from economic savings,” says Mike Mehrvarz, engineering manager at YANMAR America.

Miles Johnson, mechanical designer at Croft & Associates, was the architect and designer for YANMAR’s new EVO//CENTER, which opened in November 2017. Johnson says the primary benefit of YANMAR’s VRF is that it uses natural gas instead of electricity, which provides cost savings and increased energy efficiency. “Gas-fired heat pumps offer a very economically viable solution to minimizing the carbon footprint of a building,” he says. “VRF tends to use significantly less energy than comparable HVAC systems. Whenever you can combine that with a gas-generated power then the benefits tend to stack up pretty nicely.”

Zone Control [ Reduced electrical energy con& Comfort sumption Unlike conventional HVAC [ Easy automation integration and systems, YANMAR’s multiremote monitoring capabilities zone VRF system gives you total control over your indoor environment. Every room, or zone, can have its own indoor unit and thermostat. In addition, you can turn off heating and cooling in unoccupied Economic Savings rooms or floors to cut down on your energy The cost of operating the compressor in gas-powered outdoor units is 1/10 the enusage. The advanced zoning capabilities are especially helpful during renovations because ergy cost of a traditional electric VRF systhe system allows each floor to be occupied tem—that’s because YANMAR’s natural gas upon completion while construction work VRF units only require 750 watts per hour continues in other areas. “Instead of your to operate. Depending on local utility costs, HVAC central system dumping the cooling YANMAR’s VRF system can decrease energy or heating to the whole building, you would spending by 30 to 70%. When YANMAR be able to control which zone requires coolreplaces electric VRF systems with natural ing or heating, or even provide heating and gas VRF systems, building owners quickly see cooling simultaneously,” Mehrvarz says. the benefits, Mehrvarz says.

Adding to your indoor comfort, YANAlso, because their VRF systems are duMAR’s VRF units are also much quieter rable, this cuts down on the overall life cybecause of sound-dampening materials incle cost. “We have seen that our system can stalled on the panels. “Sound is just about reach a maximum of 90,000 hours of opernonexistent,” Caton says. Traditional rooftop ation, which is equivalent to 10 to 15 years,” Mehrvarz says. units usually run at 90 decibels, while YANMAR’s outdoor units run at between 54 and YANMAR has also developed a ROI 58 decibels.

Analysis tool, which can help you decide if YANMAR also offers solutions for just YANMAR is the right choice for your project about any air flow, air direction, or capacity budget. The tool shows the amount of financial requirement for cooling and heating. savings you can expect, as well as the estimated greenhvacrmag.com

YANMAR’s new EVO//CENTER incorporates a VRF system, which considerably reduced building operating costs.

The Future of VRF

PHOTO AND RENDERING: COURTESY OF YANMAR

payback period. It also provides the internal rate of return and an annual cash flow projection.

When Croft analyzed YANMAR’s VRF systems for the new EVO//CENTER, Johnson and his team conducted cost comparisons and evaluations. They were able to save on project costs by using VRF where a standard variable air volume (VAV) system would not have been as cost-effective—in fact, they ended up using YANMAR’s VRF system for more than 75% of the HVAC units for the building.

Energy Efficiency YANMAR’s engineering team is in the process of collaborating with ASHRAE to study how to calculate the actual efficiency of their natural gas VRF system. “There is no official EER efficiency standard for our system because this type of equipment is new in the United States, but our unit is 90% efficient overall,” Mehrvarz says.

As far as heat exchange efficiency, YANMAR is leading the pack. Their VRF system operates well during cold periods by using waste heat to boost the amount of heating for the building. Their system captures the waste heat from the gas-powered engine and returns it into the refrigerant line through the use of a plate heat exchanger. “A typical heat pump would require emergency heat strips, green HVACR

but we don’t need those,” Caton says. “We have a plate heat exchanger, which transfers heat back to the refrigerant. So, our recovery time and operating temperatures are a lot lower than typical competitors.”

System Integration Control integration is simple with YANMAR’s VRF system. “Because we partner with Daikin, all of our controls are Daikin controls,” Mehrvarz says. “We’re able to provide control for the HVAC system, as well as integration with any building management system using our open protocol with a BACnet or LonWorks interface.”

YANMAR’s remote monitoring control helps with troubleshooting and preventative maintenance. It can connect to multiple outdoor units, and if any errors are detected, the system will send emails to YANMAR’s service staff, so they can address the issue before the customer even realizes something is wrong, Mehrvarz says. The remote monitoring control allows YANMAR to oversee system performance, such as the level of coolant, hours of operations, and the engine’s RPM and temperature.

Easy Installation & Maintenance It’s quite easy to install YANMAR’s VRF system. All you need to do is maintain a flat

concrete surface on the ground or the roof and bolt down the unit. “There’s very small wiring required for the unit since the only electrical requirement for the VRF to be able to operate is about 0.8 kilowatts—not even 1 kilowatt,” Mehrvarz says. You don’t need a large cable for the unit, just a gas hook-up. Electric VRF systems require more kilowatts to run, and therefore a larger cable. There is also no need to expand building electrical infrastructure since YANMAR’s product only requires single phase power supply.

Maintenance is required every 10,000 hours, which means the first call for maintenance typically isn’t for two to three years.

Caton says the maintenance check consists of changing the spark plugs, motor oil, air filter, oil filter, and compressor belt. They also do a general inspection of your system, including checking your system’s coolant levels and making sure the gap on the valves are still within specifications.

“One of the benefits of monitoring your system remotely is that we will be able to see hours of operation,” Mehrvarz says. When a unit has close to 10,000 hours of operation, YANMAR will contact the customer to remind them about their first maintenance check and schedule when to send their maintenance team.

Croft & Associates Mechanical Designer Miles Johnson has been using Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems in his projects for more than 10 years, and he plans to continue implementing the technology.

“The overwhelming response to VRF at this point is that the building owners like the reduced maintenance, simpler system, increased comfort, increased control, and reduced utility bills,” Johnson says. “The more I hear about all of the benefits the owners are getting, the more it makes me want to use VRF in my future projects.”

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Spotlight

Filtration Group’s GeoPleat is a high efficiency filter in a compact frame.

Discover the Best New Sustainable Products

A GUIDE TO BETTER ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND IAQ Filtration Group shares how to save energy and boost IAQ with high MERV air filters.

By Julia Stone

F

iltration Group’s MERV 13 air filter

products are fostering healthier, safer, and more productive environments. The global manufacturing company’s diverse range of high-efficiency air filters optimize energy usage without sacrificing indoor air quality, whether your project is residential, commercial, or industrial.

“Anything below MERV 13 is basically just protecting your equipment, whereas MERV 13 and above filter smaller particulates in the 0.3-2.5 micron range that can get in your lungs and potentially your bloodstream,” says Michael Bruce, director of product and channel marketing at Filtration Group. In addition to providing better air quality, MERV 13 filters qualify for LEED credits and can also contribute to energy efficiency when changed at regular intervals.

David Heritage, head of sales for national accounts at Filtration Group, points out three major sustainability factors for air filters: energy consumption, service life, and carbon footprint. Energy consumption is tied to filtration resistance—Filtration Group’s MERV 13 air filters have very low initial resistance, meaning they consume less energy. In terms of service life, their long-lasting filters help reduce landfill waste. And by manufacturing their products regionally across the nation, Filtration Group eliminates mileage and reduces their supply chain’s carbon footprint.

Filtration Group’s MERV 13 filters reduce the supply air’s particulate count to provide more fresh oxygen and reduce the buildup of CO2 and VOCs. The filters also have a low resistance, which increases airflow while enhancing IAQ. “If you didn’t have an air filter, then your indoor air quality would have a similar particulate count as the outdoors—it actually would get higher be-

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[ Filtration cause you keep concentrating it as you supply more air,” Heritage says. “The combination of particulate efficiency and low resistance in our MERV 13 products allows for improved IAQ.” Mike Perinovic, co-owner of Filtration Concepts, Inc. in Wisconsin, says his company has been able to improve indoor air quality with Filtration Group’s high efficiency products. Over 30 years, his customers have implemented Filtration Group’s MERV 13 air filters in food plants, hospitals, office buildings, biomedical facilities, school systems, and more.

Media Matters In many cases, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) conflicts with indoor air quality because higher MERV ratings generally result in a higher resistance and higher costs. But Filtration Group’s Green Pleat, GeoPleat®, and FP-S product lines are made from electret-charged synthetic media that allows them to achieve a MERV 13 and above rating at a lower resistance—and a TCO. Also, these three products have high dust-holding capacities, and when coupled with their low initial pressure drops, keeps their energy consumption low for their lives.

“The charged electrets allow you to achieve a much higher level of filtration and indoor air quality while keeping the pressure drop low,” Bruce says. Even though the Green Pleat, GeoPleat®, and FP-S are all made from

Group offers a diverse line of MERV 13 filters.

[ Optimize

energy usage for your project— whether residential, commercial, or industrial.

[ Improve

IAQ by increasing airflow and reducing the buildup of CO2 and VOCs.

the same electret charged media, it is still important to pick the best air filter for your project’s specific filtration needs. Coming in a range of sizes and MERV ratings, these three product lines cover the main types of applications where high efficiency air filters are needed.

• Green Pleat The MERV 13 Green Pleat is Filtration Group’s highest medium-efficiency air filter that can be implemented in residential and commercial applications. The company introduced the Green Pleat product as a response to customers that desired higher filtration efficiency and cleaner air.

“The Green Pleat raised the bar from the traditional pleated filter, which at that time was a MERV 7 or 8,” Heritage says. Back then, it was difficult to achieve high efficiency with a traditional pleated air filter, so Filtration Group ingreenhvacrmag.com

REPLACEMENT = SAVINGS Investing in upgrades to the filter replacement cycle and changing filters more regularly is proven to reduce costs.

TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP—ANNUAL

$1,800 $1,600 $1,400 $1,200 $1,000 $800 $600 $400 $200 0 4 MONTH CHANGEOUT

6 MONTH CHANGEOUT

PHOTO AND CHART: COURTESY OF FILTRATION GROUP

Annual Filter Cost

vestigated different media to use. Eventually, by developing the Green Pleat, they achieved a MERV 13 rating in two, four, and one-inch pleated air filters. “In terms of application, the Green Pleat is by far the most versatile, since pleats are the most common product type sold in the broad commercial, industrial, and residential market,” Bruce says.

The Green Pleat has allowed Perinovic and his team to install high efficiency air filters into HVAC systems for areas that require higher efficiency, like office spaces, commercial buildings, and hospitals. “The Green Pleat is a great compromise where you can put a MERV 13 filter with fairly low pressure drop in units that don’t have room for a 12- or 13-inch deep air filter,” Perinovic says.

• GeoPleat® For commercial and industrial buildings with higher flow rates, you should consider the GeoPleat® or the FP-S air filter, Bruce says. Both of these products are in the high-efficiency category of air filters. The GeoPleat® tends to be used more in commercial and industrial applications than residential—in some cases, it may be used in multi-family residential applications.

“One thing we like about the GeoPleat® is green HVACR

it’s a high efficiency filter in a compact frame,” Perinovic says. “Because we do filter service, it’s very easy for us to move the GeoPleat® around from our service trucks up to air handlers on second or third floors.”

The GeoPleat®’s smaller size increases installer productivity. Being able to put three 4-inch filters in a box instead of one 12-inch filter makes transporting the products much easier. “If you can carry three times as many up to the roof, you get huge productivity savings, and a big shipping savings too because you’re shipping more filters in a single box,” Bruce says. The 4-inch deep GeoPleat® also has a significantly lower initial pressure drop and a higher level of filtration than many six or 12-inch deep filters, making it a viable replacement filter with a lower TCO.

• FP-S The FP-S is for more high-end applications than the GeoPleat®. It is 12 inches deep like many of its predecessors, but its level of performance is much higher. “Compared to the old-style filters of the past, many of which are still in production, the FP-S’s life span is greater, its pressure drop is lower, and therefore, its TCO savings are tremendous,” Bruce says.

The FP-S and GeoPleat® can fit in the same kinds of applications, Heritage says. In comparison, the FP-S has significantly more media, longer service life, and as a result, a higher cost. “But the FP-S’s TCO is actually lower if you can take advantage of the lower resistance, longer service life, reduced disposal cost, and lower labor rates—and most applications can,” Heritage says.

Perinovic says the FP-S is the number one high-efficiency filter his company sells because it lasts twice as long as many filters on the market and has an extremely low pressure drop. With the low pressure drop, the air handler can function

Annual System Energy

Annual Changeout Labor

3 MONTH CHANGEOUT Disposal Costs

with much less energy. “A unit that’s at full capacity is starving for air, but once you put the FP-S in, all of the sudden you get air you didn’t have before,” Perinovic says. “Our clients love it. We have very few customers that don’t use that filter.”

Changing Your Filter Whether you’re using the Green Pleat, GeoPleat®, or FP-S, Filtration Group recommends changing your air filter regularly to keep lowering the pressure drop range. Filtration Group’s TCO calculations show that changing out a filter well below the maximum differential pressure can save you 30% on energy consumption—in other words, the energy savings will more than offset the costs of change-out labor and the replacement filter.

Many facilities managers only look at the cost of the filters upfront, and not necessarily the savings you can get from energy efficiency. By deferring maintenance, you end up with higher operating costs due to a buildup of high resistance, driving higher fan speeds and higher energy usage.

“With any of these filters, you should change it more frequently because that gets you the lowest TCO,” Bruce says. “The more you wait, the more the pressure drop goes up, which means the more energy you are consuming. Even if the filter can last a certain length of time doesn’t mean it should.”

Looking Ahead After several acquisitions over the past decade, Filtration Group has evolved into a global organization. Heritage says they can now incorporate new technologies that were only available in other segments of filtration that may have been too niche in the past, like medical and process filtration. The company is also co-developing products and bringing best practices from other filtration disciplines into the HVAC space.

Filtration Group is still growing and continuing to break down barriers in the filtration industry. “It’s very easy to think of air filters as a mass production commodity type of product, but we work very hard to look at things holistically and what our impact is on the world,” Heritage says.

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Workbook Spotlight Discover Explore the the Benefits Best New of the Latest Sustainable Solutions Products

Heresite is the leader in coating protection for the most corrosive environments, with the industry’s most extensive data set.

HERESITE P-413 The corrosion control experts at Heresite share why you should implement coil coating to protect your HVAC equipment now.

By Laura Rote

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF HERESITE PROTECTIVE COATINGS

S

ince the 1960s, Heresite Protective Coatings has been serving the HVAC-R industry as the first company to develop a coating and process to significantly lengthen the lifespan of aluminum condensers and evaporators.

The Heresite coating used today is notable for its minimal thermal loss (less than 1%), flexible yet corrosion-resistant finish, and ability to withstand temperature shocks—from well below freezing all the way up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The company has the longest track record of providing high-quality protective coatings for air conditioning and refrigeration systems in moderate to severely corrosive environments, including coastal and industrial applications.

Innovation didn’t stop in the ’60s, though. The company’s latest product goes by a well-known name, P-413, but offers new levels of performance using phenolic-epoxy coating for heat exchangers. The P-413 offers increased performance in all applications, from marine salt air to high humidity and chemical exposure. It also protects in industrial applications like wastewater treatment, swimming pools, food processing, factories, and other environments with exposure to chemical fumes.

Other innovations will follow the P-413, as the company is focused on product R&D and testing to develop new coating chemistries outside of phenolics. “We are focused on delivering the best coating type and application process for the type of performance our customers are trying to achieve. It’s always changing, but we are

H E R E S I T E AT A G L A N C E

PHOTO: COURTESY OF HERESITE PROTECTIVE COATINGS

fortunate to have a tion. There are trade[ Resistance to extreme marine/salt air and chemical substantial history of offs, and performance environments product development depends on the type of and testing within the coating and application [ Corrosion protection delivheat transfer coatings process. “The most roered in a thin, flexible film market,” says Peter bust process is with our P-413 coating from the Hellman, president [ Coating solutions for any of Heresite Protecfactory,” Hellman says. style coil tive Coatings. The “But budgets and lomost recent advances gistics certainly factor in R&D aside from into the decision-makthe P-413 are a new ing. The P-413 is a hydrophilic topcoat premium option, but (HL-300) and a new coil spray (ES-600), now being efforts with the ES-600 will target the spray-applied released to the market. market that is typically lower in cost and often a more local solution, applied closer to the time of installation.”

Heresite’s coating from the factory is also ovThe Best Time to Coat is Now Hellman says proper coil coating from the outset can en-cured, so it performs to a higher level and higher double or triple a component’s life. While coil coating specifications than what you’d get onsite, when ambimay be done at different times, it works best when it’s ent cured products, or those cured by exposure to the completed before installation into a unit—fully imair, are installed. “You get real performance benefits mersing the condenser and evaporator coils to ensure through an oven cure,” Hellman says. “The resulting full coverage of the coil’s surface. While protective film is more resilient to corrosive conditions, be it masprays are effective for certain coil styles and other rine or chemical.” parts/equipment, many end-users are most satisfied with a full immersion process.

Top-notch Testing, Proven Results Heresite acknowledges the upfront costs of coil Several years ago, Heresite began looking at the Intercoatings, but it’s worth it to reduce the unit’s failure national Organization for Standardization (ISO) testrate, according to Dan Puyleart, Heresite’s technical ing procedures for coatings in offshore environments director. Some may prefer to use a different metal sub(ISO 20340). This testing process was used to develop strate to protect their unit, typically copper, but that the new P-413. adds cost, Puyleart says. “While the coating is adding While Heresite and competitors all complete incremental cost, it’s a sound investment and a better ASTM-B117, static salt spray testing, Heresite does option than going with the alternative,” he says. more intensive cyclic testing, too. Consider Florida, Of course, Heresite has solutions whether you want where you have salt air exposure but also sun and rain.

Heresite’s use of the ISO-20340 procedure cycles the to fully immerse coils or spray coils before installa-

5 Reasons to Implement Coil Coatings 1 Prevent corrosion of HVAC equipment in coastal and marine areas, refineries, wastewater plants, swimming pool environments, and more.

2 Improve functionality of your equipment.

3 Protect your unit in a high humidity environment.

4 Easier to clean equipment.

5 Increased lifespan of your components.

coating through salt spray, sunlight, and freezing weekly for 25 weeks. “A coating that performs well with static ASTM B-117 salt spray doesn’t necessarily pass this test,” Hellman says. If you’re making this kind of investment, don’t you want to know what the coating can really stand up to?

Of course, there are many styles of coils, from aluminum fin, copper tube to all-aluminum microchannel, and Heresite can protect them all. “We have coating options for any style of coil,” Hellman says. “Some people think you can’t coat certain coils with some products, but we’ve done coils up to 30 fins per inch. We’ve coated coils greater than 35 feet that weigh 15,000 pounds and we’ve done work that’s the size of a toaster. No matter your fin style or metal, no matter how intricate, we have options and processes to coat those surfaces.”

Heresite coil coatings are thin and flexible, while providing consistent and complete coverage of HVAC fins and coils. green HVACR

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VISIT US US ON ON THE THE WEB! WEB! VISIT

Find more inspiring stories Find more spotlights at at greenhvacrmag.com greenhvacrmag.com

Up Close Behind the Scenes with the Industry’s Leading Innovators

Hudson can reclaim every type of refrigerant on the market.

REFRIGERANTS: THE ECONOMICS OF RECLAMATION The succession of gases implicated in ozone hole depletion and global warming has been dizzying. But reclamation by way of Hudson Technologies prevents harm by incentivizing contractors to quit venting.

By Russ Klettke

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PHOTO: COURTESY OF HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY

II

f business schools are teaching about environmental economics, they should study the case histories of coolers, chillers, and other refrigeration technologies. And not just the equipment that sits on building roofs or next to food storage facilities. A central part of the equation is refrigerant gases.

Few know this better than one of the leading companies in the refrigerants business— Hudson Technologies, based in Pearl River, New York, with operating facilities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The company’s founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board Kevin Zugibe, has been addressing environmental concerns with refrigerants since the late 1980s, when the words “ozone hole” first entered the public discourse.

“The amendment to the Clean Air Act on ozone meant there would be no more venting of CFCs after 1992,” says Zugibe, who was a professional mechanical engineer with experience designing and installing air conditioning systems prior to then. That venting was of the most common refrigerant of the time, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs); after a period of service most refrigerant gases were simply disposed of into the atmosphere.

Relatively harmless to life on the ground, the chlorine in the organic compound rose a dozen or more miles into the stratosphere, where it interacted with the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere, destroying it (largely

The best replacement for R-22 is reclaimed R-22, according to the experts at Hudson Technologies Company.

over Antarctica) and allowing harmful ultraviolet radiation to reach humans and other life back on the ground.

The phasing out of CFCs is widely credited as an effective global effort to repair the ozone hole. In place of CFCs came other technologies (HCFCs and HFCs), and in particular HCFC-22, otherwise referred to as R-22.

U.S. and most other developed countries in 2020. So where does that leave owners of legacy coolers, those designed to run with the greatest energy efficiency on R-22?

The economic and environmental equation is not lost on Hudson. The company’s technologies and services—as delivered through wholesalers and HVAC contractors—enable reclamation of existing R-22 refrigerants.

“The best replacement for R-22 is reclaimed R-22,” says Chuck Harkins, vice president of sales and marketing at Hudson.

“Systems designed for R-22 operate most efficiently on R-22, and since reclaimed R-22 meets or exceeds the same purity standard, it is the best alternative.”

A Faster, More Efficient Way to Reclaim Refrigerants Zugibe, who describes himself an entrepreneur-engineer, devised a system for extracting, cleaning, and reclaiming used refrigerants in anticipation of the 1992 legislation.

The equipment of that time, which distilled gases as a means to remove impurities, was Supply-Demand Dynamics slow and required a lot of energy.

Owners of coolers that run on R-22 may or “I wanted a much faster, energy-efficient, may not be motivated by the environmensingle-plate distillation mechanism,” he tal imperative to cease using it. But supply says. So he built one himself, which today limits have effectively raised prices, providis still the fastest, most efficient reclamation ing economic incentives in a value chain of machine in the world. customers, HVAC conThat same machine tractors, and Hudson Technologies to cap(affectionately referred to in the industry as ture, clean, and resell “the Zugibeast®”) is esthe refrigerant. sentially how the comAnother curveball to the refrigerant ecopany cleans refrigerant gases today. nomic landscape came As those newer rein 2013 when the EPA frigerant technologies surprisingly allowed evolved, Hudson recan increase in R-22 Compliance with production, effectivelamation services were EPA rules on refrigerant capable of recovery, ly lowering the price, reclamation reduces reclamation, and reuse which reduced reclamathe annual metric tons of all, including R-22. tion and likely increased But this is where the venting. “A glut in the of carbon dioxide environmental ecomarket that was already equivalent (MTCO2e) nomics class on refrigoversupplied with virby 7.3 million. eration technologies gin R-22 eliminated takes a twist. R-22 is the economic incentive capable of some degree for proper refrigerant of ozone depletion and, to a greater degree, management and reclamation,” Harkins says. it’s a global-warming greenhouse gas. Air That oversupply has since settled out, but conditioning units manufactured prior to it’s common for end-users to be confused by 2010 run with optimal efficiency on R-22. the changes in technologies and EPA reguSo R-22 is being phased out, per the EPA. lations. “Price fluctuations have been wild,” Production and importation will cease in the says Leah Lampton, marketing manager for

The Scope

Rogers Supply Company in Illinois. She

shares that the per-pound prices have ranged from $5.50 in 2015 to $11 in 2016–2017, then back down to $7 in 2018. “Some people worry that R-22 will run out in the future.

But we tell them if their equipment is in good shape to stick with the reclaimed product.”

People like Lampton are on the front lines of this information battle about refrigerants.

She distributes newsletters and posters to contractors and dealers to educate them on such things as regulatory requirements, prohibitions on venting, and the rules for refrigerator disposal. One such poster reminded technicians that compliance with EPA rules on refrigerant reclamation reduces the annual metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) by 7.3 million, about what is produced by 1.5 million cars.

Alignment Equals Fewer GHGs The reclamation process can be operationally efficient to perform even onsite at large buildings or facilities. It’s analogous to kidney dialysis in that the building chillers can continue operating while the refrigerant is diverted to the Zugibeast® cleaning process.

“We can clean very fast on-site,” Zugibe says.

The process Zugibe developed a quarter-century ago is fundamentally the same as what’s used today, and it’s still the fastest, most efficient reclamation equipment in the world, able to reclaim every type of refrigerant on the market. And with millions poured into further research and development, Hudson Technologies can also certify that reclaimed gases meet standards set by the AHRI. Hudson also provides energy consulting and design services across the globe, offering such things as web-based fault detection, diagnostics, and optimization for chilled water plants.

This private-public collaboration is hardly unusual, and it speaks to the interconnectedness of many players in the refrigerants-environment-economics equation. For Zugibe, the entrepreneur-engineer, that’s consistent with his mission.

“Our business has always been built on the environmental cause,” he says. “If people continue to use R-22 without venting it, we can achieve a zero global warming goal and buildings can keep using their equipment running at their optimal efficiency. Why make new molecules when you can reclaim what’s already in use?”

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY

7.3 M

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Up Close Behind the Scenes with the Industry’s Leading Innovators ACV Triangle Tube offers and encourages training for all contractors on how to properly install and maintain equipment.

E

COMFORT MEETS SUSTAINABILITY Meet the leader of innovation in water heaters

By Colleen DeHart

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A Genius Solution Triangle Tube’s newest Ginius technology is just another way the company is leading the industry. The patented Ginius is an indirect water heater with a “Picanto”—meaning hot or spicy—heat exchanger located inside (the largest model has two heat exchangers), says Mark Avron, national sales manager for Triangle Tube.

Hot water, heated to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, from the boiler circulates through the heat exchanger, heating the incoming cold domestic water. This method of heating water eliminates the flue gas loss that occurs with a traditional gas-fired water heater, Avron says.

And that’s not all. To further enhance the system’s efficiency, the Ginius tank is insulated with two inches of CFC/HCFC-free foam, bringing standby loss to less than one degree Fahrenheit per hour. “It was about generating the same amount of water, or more, as a typical tank, but more energy efficiently,” Avron says.

The tank is made completely of stainless steel, greatly reducing the likelihood of corrosion and allowing the company to offer a lifetime warranty on the product. “We use stainless steel because we don’t need to coat it to protect it—unlike your typical glass-coated tank—and it is inherently resistant to corrosion,” Avron says. “You can’t find a glass-coated tank anywhere with a lifetime warranty.”

Always an Innovator Triangle Tube is continuously working to bring something new and exciting to the market. “We have really been a company that has looked to continually innovate and not just be a follower in the industry,” Avron says.

One of the company’s star products—the only one like it in the industry—is a combination of a high greenhvacrmag.com

PHOTO: JAY GROCCIA OF ONSITE STUDIOS

veryone knows that awful moment. The one where mid-shower, with shampoo-lathered hair, the water turns cold and no matter how high the nozzle is turned the warmth will not return. Leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of water heaters ACV Triangle Tube wants to ensure that never happens, and in the most sustainable way possible.

The family-owned company, part of the ACV Group in Belgium, has been designing water heaters for consumers since 1946, with innovation and energy-efficiency always at the forefront. “We have always aimed to lessen the output of CO2 into our atmosphere, without slacking on comfort,” says Sjacco van de Sande, Triangle Tube CEO. “We want to supply at the lowest cost, the best comfort for the homeowner, the best temperature control, and more gallons-per-minute capacity while having the lowest environmental footprint possible.”

The ACV Ginius tank is made of stainless steel, greatly reducing the likelihood of corrosion.

where everything is connected to the internet, the company is cutting down on the guessing game by giving water heaters Wi-Fi connectivity.

The technology—currently in the works—will allow contractors to receive messages through a phone application from their clients’ boiler system informing them of a potential problem. “Right now the only way to know if there is a problem with your boiler is when your house gets cold or you have no hot water,” Avron says. “This preempts that. Before your house gets cold, your contractor will get a text message telling them which part of the boiler is affected. The technician will have an idea of the nature of the problem before he even shows up.” efficiency condensing boiler and a domestic water heater. The storage combination boiler, known as the HeatMaster TC, condenses fully in both hot water and space heating modes. It operates by maintaining a consistently high temperature in the upper tank so it’s always ready to supply hot water, while allowing the heating system return to enter a low-temperature total condensing tank. Cold water enters through the total condensing tank and is pre-heated before entering the hot water tank. Once it’s up to temperature, the system is able to produce heat and hot water simultaneously. The end result is a product that is 96% energy-efficient.

the country. For contractors unable to get to these locations, the company can bring the training to them.

Environmental Awareness Triangle Tube is not just focused on meeting the growing needs of consumers—who are more educated and aware than ever before—but they also have taken steps to reduce their impact as a business. The company utilizes a low energy consumption lighting system, a water conservation system for research and development, and reclaims energy from the manufacturing process for heating. They recycle wood, plastic, cardboard, and office paper and have implemented All in the Training a water-based refrigerant in the foaming process of the Achieving maximum enerThe energy efficiency water heaters. They also use gy efficiency and reliability of the HeatMaster TC low-VOC paint. “Every one is not just on the products or a combination themselves; much of it has to of us, whether we are individcondensing boiler and do with the installation and uals or corporations but espedomestic water heater control process. “The reality is cially corporations, should be the efficiency of these prodaware of the impact we have ucts is driven more so by the on our environment,” Avron installation and the setup of says. “It is a small world we the equipment than anything else,” Avron says. live in, and it is the responsibility of everyone to care That’s why Triangle Tube offers, and encourages, for our resources.” training for all contractors on how to properly install With consumers searching for products that will and maintain equipment. “If you buy solar panels and serve their comfort needs in an environmentally reput them on the north side of your house they won’t sponsible manner, Triangle Tube has strived to make work well. If you buy a condensing boiler and you don’t their products attainable by everyone. In an effort to use the proper controls and install it properly you won’t service consumers of all needs and demographics, the achieve what you are looking for,” Avron says. “So how company offers “good, better, and best solutions,” van do you do that? You educate contractors that are the de Sande says, covering a variety of price ranges. face to the consumer.”

The company holds regular training at its U.S. headComing Down the Pipeline quarters in New Jersey and at several facilities around Triangle Tube has big plans for the future. In a world

The Scope

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ACV TRIANGLE TUBE

96%

green HVACR

Leading the Way “Being a leader in the heating and hot water industry forces us to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation to give our customers the best experience possible while satisfying the demand for environmentally friendly solutions,” van de Sande says.

Over the past three years, ACV Triangle Tube has financially and physically invested in building the next generation of products. The investments include a new production plant, new R&D facility, and renewing the existing production facilities.

Van de Sande says, “We believe that by offering our customers amazing products with higher efficiencies and enhanced technology, we are empowering them to achieve excellence in the communities they serve.”

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Blueprint

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Advice, Columns, and Tips From the Experts

THE HVAC COMMUNITY 5 ways joining ASHRAE has affected my career

By Karine Leblanc

1

It challenged me to become a sustainable engineer from a young age. I was first exposed to ASHRAE around age 18. One of the HVAC program classes included a student design project. I can assure you that ASHRAE’s fundamental books got a lot of good use. Not only did I get exposed to ASHRAE, but also to sustainability. Our project was a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP). The GSHP systems last longer and are very quiet and more energy-efficient than traditional HVAC systems.

I remember my team looking at options regarding the piping length, size, depth, and material. We had to look at either designing around horizontal or vertical boreholes and decide which design would work best and give us the most efficient system. We learned a lot during this class, and the fact that it was a “real life” project was so inspiring.

2

It helped me make meaningful connections. After graduating from technical college, I went on to pursue my mechanical engineering degree specializing in HVAC. Around the same time, I had my first official ASHRAE role as student branch president of a small committee. I started attending the Montreal ASHRAE Chapter meetings more religiously during my four years of univer-

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sity. Not only did I start building a social network at a young age, but I also had the privilege to hear technical presentations at all the meetings.

I was blessed with the opportunity to do an internship in Los Angeles during my last year in university. I already knew what I wanted to do in the HVAC world, but I was missing a critical key element—I was not fluent in English. I could get by with the very basics, but I could not carry a conversation. I started my internship in January 2001 and it lasted eight months. It took me half of the journey to become fluent in English.

This life-changing experience would have never happened without the help of my dear mentor and the support from the management of the company. Fast-forward 17 years, and I am still working at the same place with the same owners.

(2009–2010) since 1930. At that time, I was also the youngest. Learning to be a great leader at a volunteer organization like ASHRAE is the best form of education you could ask for.

4

It taught me to be a strong leader. Joining the Southern California chapter was just the first step. Next, I got involved in ASHRAE Region X, which covers four states: California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii. I started as student activities regional vice chair and eventually became the first female director and regional chair since 1959.

The best part about being involved in ASHRAE Region X is getting to meet and inspire new members to join, learning to become a better engineer, and of-

3

It made me feel welcome in the industry. Moving 3,000 miles to another country was not an easy task, but I fell in love with beautiful, sunny southern California. Not knowing anyone in Los Angeles, the first thing I did was join the Southern California Chapter of ASHRAE. At my first meeting, I was one of the few women in the room, but I was used to this after graduating from engineering school.

However, my first impression of the chapter was how welcoming everyone was. My first role in the chapter was reception chair, which was a great way to meet everyone. It didn’t take long until I became an officer and joined the board.

I filled many chair positions until I became the second female chapter president

sonally and professionally. Not only did I get to vote on important issues related to making ASHRAE a better organization, I also made sure we maintained our status as a leader in the latest HVACR technologies.

5

It showed me the importance of sustainability. I’ve learned a lot over my 17 years in the industry, witnessing the increase in energy efficiency, sustainability awareness, and the drive to create net-zero buildings. It’s all very inspiring and makes me get up every morning ready to be part of building a better world. I couldn’t accomplish this without the support of the ASHRAE community.

ASHRAE’s mission is to advance the arts and sciences of the HVACR indus-

“My first impression of the chapter was how welcoming ever yone was.” fering help and support in performance solutions for the HVAC industry.

We have approximately 4,500 members in our region, so I had a lot of members to represent at the board of directors at a society level. This well-respected, three-year term position within ASHRAE helped me tremendously per-

try, to serve humanity, and to promote a sustainable world. I feel they are doing just that. The organization is committed to cultivating better engineers and helping us achieve higher efficiency and more sustainable systems. Don’t just take my word for it—feel free to ask any of the other 57,000 ASHRAE members.

studied mechanical engineering at ÉCOLE DE TECHNOLOpart of the University of Quebec. She has been working as an HVAC sales engineer for US Air Conditioning Distributors since 2002. She served on the ASHRAE Society Board of Directors from 2014 to 2017 and became the first female Region X Director Regional Chair since 1959.

KARINE LEBLANC

GIE SUPÉRIEURE ,

greenhvacrmag.com

PHOTO: COURTESY OF KARINE LEBLANC

M M

y father taught HVAC classes at a technical college and was a licensed mechanical contractor.

Surprisingly enough, he never pushed me toward a mechanical engineering career path, but I was always curious and attracted to the diversity of the profession.

The fact that I could learn and practice plumbing, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, fire protection, and estimating—to name only a few—was fascinating. And joining ASHRAE helped my career immensely.

Exchange Project

INSPIRING PROJECTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

LaGare Hotel Milano Centrale Location

Milan, Italy LEED Gold Certification

2015 Size

100,000 square feet Architect

BMS Progetti HVAC Supplier

PHOTO: COURTESY OF LAGARE HOTEL MILANO CENTRALE - MGALLERY BY SOFITEL

Siemens

BMS Progetti transformed what was once an abandoned office building into this super sustainable hotel. Completed in 2015, LaGare Hotel Milano Centrale is filled with energy-saving technologies.

The LEED-certified hotel uses an innovative geothermal heating and cooling system. These energy systems make the building’s energy supply completely green. Its walls are lined with insulation that reduces the hotel’s energy usage by up to 70%.

Even the construction process was green—95% of the project’s construction waste was recycled. The hotel’s water systems are also extremely efficient, with showers and sinks harvesting rainwater instead of potable water and dispensing it minimally. The hotel, which features 12 floors and 145 rooms, stands out in the heart of Milan with its sleek design. The exterior is glass and metallic and its interior is illuminated by motion sensor LED lamps. green HVACR

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INTRODUCING

The LED of Motors OVER 45% OF ELECTRICITY COSTS GO TO HVACR AND PUMPS. HALF OF THIS GETS WASTED DUE TO INEFFICIENT ELECTRIC MOTORS. UNTIL TODAY. THE LED OF MOTORS IS SETTING A NEW INDUSTRY STANDARD:

EFFICIENT RELIABLE INTELLIGENT

THE SMC SMART MOTOR SYSTEM IS FOR COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL HVACR AND PUMPING APPLICATIONS AND GIVES CONTRACTORS A REVOLUTIONARY WAY TO BUILD VALUE-ADDED CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPROVE FIELD PRODUCTIVITY.

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