Contributor: AHR Expo

BUILDING AUTOMATION

Company: Delta Controls Inc.
Innovation: O3 Sensor Hub 2.0

The O3 Sensor Hub 2.0 combines seven different sensors to provide the most accurate view of an interior space available on the market. IoT-enabled to function as a standalone room controller, the O3 Sensor Hub 2.0 combines temperature sensing, occupancy detection, humidity and wireless integration into one. This innovation uses Sensor Fusion to enhance the occupant experience with heightened room control and to reduce false occupancy detections. The O3 is ceiling-mounted to maximize functionality from the best vantage point of the room, enabling it to accurately detect occupancy with simple reads from body heat, keyboard noise or other motion. It also quickly detects when occupants leave the room, resulting in cost savings valuable to facilities management. With the O3 Sensor Hub 2.0, Delta Controls Inc. aims to change how the controls industry looks at occupant satisfaction.

FINALISTS

75F – 75F Building Intelligence System
BELIMO Americas – Ultrasonic Flow Sensor
Danfoss – Danfoss VLT® condition-based monitoring

COOLING

Company: Danfoss
Innovation: Danfoss Interlaced Micro Channel Heat Exchanger (iMCHE)

The Danfoss Interlaced Micro Channel Heat Exchanger (iMCHE) integrates multiple circuits into a single coil. It works using a shared air heat transfer area and controlling each one independently by a multi-circuits system. The iMCHE uses a whole air side heat transfer when operating under partial load conditions to maximize efficiency. Based on the results of a recent case study, the IEER increased 18% when using the iMCHE solution. The iMCHE provides a compact and cost-effective solution for dual-circuit rooftop units. While public concern for climate change continues to increase and higher energy standards are predicted, the iMCHE allows equipment to easily meet new standards with low cost impact.

FINALISTS

Baltimore Aircoil Company – Nexus™ Modular Hybrid Cooler
Smardt Chiller Group Inc. – Smardt G-class 515B Low GWP Chiller
Vertiv – Liebert® VRC Rack Cooling System

GREEN BUILDING

Company: Danfoss
Innovation: Danfoss Turbocor® TG490 Compressor

The Danfoss Turbocor® TG490 Compressor is designed for air or water cooled chiller applications. The oil-free, variable speed, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor is optimized for use with HFO-1234ze, which has a GWP of less than 1, and can also be used with low-GWP refrigerant R-515B. The Danfoss Turbocor® TG490 is the first of its kind oil-free, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor that offers industry-leading efficiency, reduced maintenance requirements and simplified design through the elimination of a traditional oil management system. It is also the industry’s first oil-free compressor technology with the flexibility to be used with low-GWP R-515B—which has a rating as low as 299 as well as A1 safety classification.

FINALISTS

Aeroseal LLC – AeroBarrier: air sealing technology
Arctic Chiller Group – EcoTherm modular simultaneous
heating and cooling Heat Pump
Baltimore Aircoil Company – HXV Hybrid Cooler

HEATING

Company: YORK® For Your Home
Innovation: YORK® LX Series TL9E Ultra-Low NOx Gas Furnace

The York® LX Series TL9E Ultra-Low NOx Gas Furnace is an environmentally responsible gas furnace that meets even the most stringent standards for air quality while reducing greenhouse and smog-producing gasses by up to 65% compared to standard low-NOx furnaces. The furnace is ENERGY STAR® rated and reduces fuel costs by as much as 20% when connected to select YORK® home comfort systems.

FINALISTS

AERCO, a Watts brand – AERCO Benchmark Platinum Boiler with Edge Controller
Emerson – Universal Single Stage Furnace Control for ECMx
Blower Motors (Model 50X57-843)
Rheem Manufacturing Company – Rheem® Ultra Low NOx Gas Furnace

IAQ

Company: Fresh-Aire UV
Innovation: Purity Low Profile LED 1” Polarized Filter / LED Disinfection System

The Purity Low Profile LED 1” Polarized Filter/LED Disinfection System (PLP-LED) by Fresh-Aire UV is the first 3-stage 1” polarized HVAC filtration system to incorporate Mini-LED technology. The PLP-LED offers high-efficiency filtration that captures 97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size. The system also uses antimicrobial UV reactive media with an advanced photocatalytic coating for odor and VOC reduction. Fresh-Aire UV’s filter mitigates many IAQ issues as well as many other challenges faced by occupants and contractors through delivery of a cleaner, safer filter to handle and service.

FINALISTS

AtmosAir Solutions – AtmosAir Denali 600™ with AtmosSmart™, IoT Enabled Active Air Monitoring and Air Purification System
RGF Environmental Group Inc. – HALO-LED™ Whole Home Indoor
Air Purification System
Sensirion, Inc. – SCD40 CO2 and RH/T Sensor Component

PLUMBING

Company: LG Electronics USA, Inc.
Innovation: LG Hydro Kit

LG Electronics USA, Inc. has developed the LG Hydro Kit, an indoor heat exchanger for LG Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems capable of transferring heat or cooling energy expelled from the air conditioning process to water, offering further efficiency of LG heat recovery and heat pump systems. Available in 42,000 and 96,000 Btu/h capacity, the LG Hydro Kits utilize waste energy generated during the conditioning process and enhance the energy efficiencies of LG VRF systems. This allows the hot or chilled water generated to then be distributed out to a number of different applications with integrated controls that set the temperature of the leaving water, hot water tank temperature or the temperature of the conditioned space.

FINALISTS

Caleffi Hydronic Solutions – LEGIOMIX® 6000 series Highest
Flow Electronic Mixing Valve
NIBCO INC. – 585HP Full Port Bronze Ball Valve
Viega LLC – Viega MegaPressG

REFRIGERATION

Company: Danfoss
Innovation: Danfoss CO2 Adaptive Liquid Management Solution

The Danfoss CO2 Adaptive Liquid Management (CALM) solution combines Danfoss’ liquid ejector and adaptive liquid control case controller algorithm to fully utilize the evaporator surface in display cases and cold rooms. This technology provides, without equipment change, up to 10% greater energy efficiency in addition to the energy-saving inherent of CO2 refrigeration. The CALM solution works by pulling liquid refrigerant from the suction side and injects it into the evaporator of display cases and cold rooms. Danfoss’ CALM solution aims to assist customers in making the transition to climate-friendly refrigerants while saving energy, maintaining system reliability and ensuring food safety.

FINALISTS

Emerson – Copeland™ End-to-End Solution for Micro-Distributed Architectures
Fresh-Aire UV – Ice UV-LED Disinfection System for Ice-Machines
Sporlan Division – Parker Hannifan – SCS-PB Superheat Control System for Pulse Width Valve with Bluetooth feature

SOFTWARE

Company: Interplay Learning
Innovation: SkillMill™ Skilled Trades Course Catalog

The Interplay Learning SkillMill™ Skilled Trades Course Catalog is an online, on-demand training course catalog designed for HVAC professionals to gain worksite skills accessible via mobile phone, computer, tablet, or in virtual reality (VR). HVACR professionals can sign-on to view expert-led video courses designed to first drive understanding, then move on to the interactive, 3D-based HVAC troubleshooting simulations delivered via field-like training. The training platform aims to provide scalable training that is robust enough to keep up with the growing skills gap as well as prepare HVAC techs quickly for every situation or scenario they might encounter in the real world. The use of state-of-the-art 3D simulations creates a unique, immersive learning environment for users.

FINALISTS

Armstrong Fluid Technology – Pump Manager
BCA Technologies, Inc. – eRep CPQ
Distech Controls – xpressNetwork Utility

TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS

Company: Matelex
Innovation: DNI (détecteur de niveau intelligent/smart level detector)

Matelex has developed a détecteur de niveau intelligent/smart level detector (DNI) system that measures pressure, temperature and refrigerant levels every 2-3 seconds, as well as conducts a complete leak detection cycle every hour. The system is designed to trigger an alarm using algorithmic learning in the event of a detected leak. The smart refrigerant leak detection system is also coupled with a remote surveillance web interface (Sentinelle) to issue email alerts when a leak occurs. It is suitable for all refrigerants and tanks —vertical, horizontal, inclined horizontal—and connects to the IoT via WIFI, cable ethernet or 3G-4G modules. When tested in the food retail sector, the system has saved 79% of refrigerant compared to traditional methods due to real-time data alerts and increased responsiveness to system maintenance requirements.

FINALISTS

Fluke Corporation – Fluke PTi120 Pocket Thermal Camera
Milwaukee Tool – M18 FUEL™ Pipe Threader w/ ONE-KEY™
Topcon Positioning System – Topcon GTL-1000

VENTILATION

Company: Infinitum Electric
Innovation: Infinitum Electric, A Breakthrough HVAC Motor

The Infinitum Electric HVAC motor is significantly smaller, smarter and quieter than traditional electric motors. These benefits equate to an ultra-high-efficiency motor that results in up to 25% lower costs for customers. The motor uses a circuit board stator resulting in up to 60% less weight, superior durability, improved performance and enhanced IoT connectivity. Infinitum Electric aims to change the industry standard for motor size and weight.

FINALISTS

American Aldes – IQ by ALDES (IQ-VFC) ERV/HRV-Integrated Vertical Fan Coil Units
Rosenberg USA, Inc. – Rosenberg “Generation 3” EC motors for
plug fans and axial fans
ZIEHL-ABEGG, Inc. – ZAbluefin