Daikin Evaporator Coils  (10)

A cooling tower allows building owners and operators to take advantage of low cooling water temperatures and higher rates of heat rejection per square meter inherent in evaporative cooling systems. A well maintained cooling tower enables cooling systems to perform at optimum efficiency, reliably and cost-effectively, with contractors who maintain cooling systems able to service their customers with comprehensive and routine cooling tower maintenance programs that should maintain cooling performance for many years. Humble cooling tower Unfortunately, the humble cooling tower is often the forgotten component of the water cooling system when it comes to maintenance, but extremely high up the table when it comes to safety, so while certain tasks are regularly carried out others can be overlooked. A well maintained cooling tower should be able to reliably deliver its design fluid temperature A well maintained cooling tower should be able to reliably deliver its design fluid temperature and flow rate relative to the ambient condition indefinitely, but since its heat transfer operation creates a natural ‘air-scrubber’ environment, removing impurities from the cooling air as well as the circulating water, the cooling tower needs regular routine inspections and maintenance to continue performing at its best, and a small deterioration in performance should be expected, but easily managed. Cooling towers use large volumes of ambient air to take heat away from a process through sensible and non-sensible cooling. Critical maintenance activities Non-sensible cooling is a term that describes heat rejection through evaporation, where air will gain moisture until it reaches saturation, which is when the air is fully laden with water at 100% RH. This increase in water content requires energy to occur and this is obtained by taking heat out of the circulating water, reducing the temperature of the water in the process. Sensible cooling also occurs, which is where the colder inlet air reduces the temperature of the water due the difference in the air and water temperature, and in turn heats up as it travels through the heat exchange media. Because of this, one of the most critical maintenance activities of cooling systems is to ensure that the heat transfer has the best conditions to occur. Air moving equipment Maintenance on the air moving equipment will focus on the condition of the fans themselves The best conditions mean that the airflow is optimal, the heat exchange surfaces are clean and correctly installed, and the water distribution is balanced and operating correctly. Unless it is a natural draft cooling tower, the airflow will be created by fans which are driven by motors that are either directly attached to the fans or operate through gearboxes or fan belts. Maintenance on the air moving equipment will focus on the condition of the fans themselves, ensuring that the blade angles are set to achieve the necessary airflow if they can be adjusted and that the gearboxes or belts are operating properly with sufficient lubrication in bearings and gearboxes. Heat exchange media The heat exchange media in the cooling tower should be selected to offer the best trade-off between the tendency to foul and the amount of heat exchange surface. Maintenance on these components focuses first on the cleanliness of the heat exchange surfaces, as well as ensuring that the correct type of heat exchange media is being used and that it is properly fitted. The distribution systems in cooling towers are also essential to efficient operation Incorrect fill type or poor installation can lead to the packs becoming blocked quickly or could result in higher pressure drops reducing airflow. Poorly fitted fill packs can lead to air bypassing the water through gaps in the fill pack and results in loss of thermal performance and higher drift rates. The distribution systems in cooling towers are also essential to efficient operation. Heat exchange surfaces Heat exchange surfaces are only effective if there is a steady flow of water over them, blocked or broken nozzles can lead to an imbalance of water flow which results in variations of wetting rates or even dry spots throughout the fill where the airflow will be less effective. Water flow, airflow and heat exchange surface are the essential ingredients in cooling tower thermal performance, but these three critical subsystems don’t make up the entire system. The remaining systems are related to safety, access and containment, which carry a significant importance when concerned with the safe and effective operation of a cooling tower. Preventing direct sunlight Cooling towers are ultimately maintainable through a series of interconnected subsystems These systems include drift eliminators that prevent harmful water droplets from leaving the cooling tower, air inlet honeycombs that prevent direct sunlight from entering the cooling tower and reduce airside contamination, access systems that allow safe access for maintenance and the general fabric of tower to provide containment of fluids and protection to operators. All these things should be considered in a comprehensive maintenance plan which goes beyond cleanliness to ensure that you have not only a safe system but a high performing system. Cooling towers are ultimately maintainable through a series of interconnected subsystems that can all be relatively easily and cost effectively replaced. By allowing correctly maintained systems to operate at peak efficiency, they will work safely for many years.

In what can only be described as a very turbulent year, many businesses have had to shut their doors and have all but forgotten about the general upkeep of their sites. With priorities shifted to keeping companies afloat and staff employed, maintenance and servicing has taken a backseat, and many systems will be deteriorating unnoticed. It goes without saying that one of the first tasks that employers will have to tackle when returning to work is a deep clean. As we are still in the throes of a pandemic, a clean and disinfected workplace is the number one priority that needs to be ensured, before any staff can be welcomed back to work. This should be closely followed by maintenance of the site’s equipment. Importance of regular HVAC maintenance Regular HVAC maintenance is extremely important as it keeps systems performing efficiently and effectively Regular HVAC maintenance is extremely important as it keeps systems performing efficiently and effectively. The nature of HVAC maintenance does change depending on the time of year, and with some sites being shut for months and through different seasons, managers will need to review their current equipment to ensure it is compliant and working correctly as soon as possible as signs of normality start returning and facilities begin to reopen. While warehouses and factories may have still been operating in some capacity over the last 12 months, many office buildings have seen little to no employees for more than a year in some cases, therefore, risking deterioration and even damage to their systems going unnoticed and untreated. But with so many pieces of equipment at each site, it is often hard to know where to start and what to prioritize. Following HVAC manufacturer’s recommendations In order for businesses to keep functioning as best as they can and to avoid any more disruption, those in charge of maintenance and servicing need to be educated on how the conditions of a system affects the type of work it needs. Manufacturer’s recommendations should also be taken into account. To help define what these are and how to approach them, mechanical and electrical engineers recommend: The coils and pipes in HVAC equipment that are responsible for heat transfer are checked regularly, because if the equipment gets dirty, it won’t transfer heat and energy as well. Checking controls annually to ensure that the HVAC system is running properly, as control calibration can alter. By scheduling regular check-ups, accurate operation is maintained. Maintaining equipment with fans quarterly to maximize longevity. Three key areas include monitoring the impellers, belts and bearings for any dirt, wear and tear, friction or erosion. Keeping an eye on filters, as when they are clogged, it increases the pressure drop in a system, which makes fans work harder to maintain the same airflow. A quarterly clean is usually sufficient for most filters. This is also true of strainers in systems. Optimizing HVAC and electrical equipment With spring now upon us, businesses need to optimize their HVAC and electrical equipment for maximum efficiency With spring now upon us, businesses need to optimize their HVAC and electrical equipment for maximum efficiency. This includes reviewing the sequence of operations for a morning warm up and cool down. However, it’s important to remember that because of prolonged closures over the last 12 months, autumn and winter checks, and in some cases, even summer checks were not able to be carried out in 2020, so before the spring work begins, backdating the maintenance is a good place to start. Ensuring buildings’ energy efficiency With the help of experts, HVAC maintenance doesn’t have to be time-consuming and overwhelming, but it’s a critical part of maintaining an energy-efficient building that is both comfortable and reliable. With regular servicing and some basic knowledge of what is required, sites can maintain optimum efficiency all year round. Noise complaints can also be an issue, if HVAC maintenance isn’t carried out regularly. Spring is a good time for businesses to perform services on their equipment, prior to the summer months starting and should be used to ensure that condenser coils and air handler filters are both clean. The dirtier the equipment, the noisier and less efficient it becomes, which is bad news for any business. Preparing buildings for staff returning to work When a building is returning to normal occupancy after a lengthy closure, additional checks must be considered before reopening is discussed. When a building is initially mothballed, it must be prepared for long term vacancy, but many businesses will not have had this opportunity before the national lockdown, which basically entails that these checks will not have been carried out. After a building becomes unoccupied, it is not the case that maintenance activity should also stop After a building becomes unoccupied, it is not the case that maintenance activity should also stop. At the very least, the frequency of existing planned maintenance will change, but in some cases, more maintenance tasks are required in order to keep the site ticking over. This includes flushing of water systems, Legionella testing and insurance inspections to keep the property functional and compliant. Countering health and safety issues  As the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are lifted across the United Kingdom and many businesses are gradually reopening, it will present health and safety problems that have not been faced before and will very likely see a surge in services and maintenance being required. With this in mind, it is vital that maintenance becomes a priority as normal service is resumed to not only ensure efficiency, but also to make sure that no employee or visitor to a site is put in danger. Emerging from a surreal 12 months, there is no doubt that companies will still face challenges, so it is crucial that avoidable maintenance problems do not become one of them, so don’t delay in booking routine checks.  

TZOA pioneers of smart air quality technology for HVAC professionals and their homeowner customers, becomes HAVEN and announces the launch of the HAVEN central air controller. Along with the bold new look and brand comes an entirely fresh approach to air quality management. Combined with the existing HAVEN central air monitor, the HAVEN controller builds an ecosystem that makes any HVAC system smarter and homes healthier by detecting harmful pollutants and automatically circulating fresh air within the home. Central HVAC systems HVAC systems are typically used for comfort to heat and cool the home. Recent environmental issues such as heatwaves and forest fires, and health concerns such as COVID-19, have increased awareness of the need for improved air quality (IAQ) and led to a surge of interest in room air purifiers. HAVEN’s air purifying solution manages the whole home using the existing central HVAC systems Compared with other products that are loud, inefficient and take up living space, HAVEN’s air purifying solution automatically manages the whole home using the existing central HVAC systems to better address these concerns. Introduced in 2020, the HAVEN central air monitor is unlike other IAQ devices as it is the only system mounted directly within the duct, where it can monitor airborne pollutants across the entire home. Large sized homes It combines the diagnostic power of miniaturized, research-grade particulate sensing lasers and chemical sensors to detect levels of airborne contaminants such as dust, pollen, pet dander, odors, and materials off-gassing. The addition of the HAVEN central air controller allows for the HAVEN system to automatically control an HVAC system and ancillary equipment, taking action and responding by optimizing filtration, ventilation, or humidity levels on-demand. “Room air purifiers are great for cleaning small spaces such as apartments, yet few know that for average to large sized homes, our existing HVAC systems are the best method for circulating the air and capturing contaminants," explained Kevin Hart, CEO and Founder of HAVEN. Additional software services The HAVEN ecosystem is the first to monitor airflow and controls filtration, ventilation and humidity “We developed the HAVEN brand and ecosystem to allow any HVAC system to deliver clean air, as well as comfort. Today, more than ever, it is essential your home is safe, healthy, and free of pollutants that can harm your family. Our new name, look and feel reflects our fresh approach to air quality management, and we look forward to bringing it into millions of homes in North America.” Over the coming year, HAVEN will expand its ecosystem and develop more advanced algorithms and additional software services for Homeowners and HVAC professionals. It also plans to expand its sales channel. The flow of air within the home is the most important factor in improving air quality. The HAVEN ecosystem is the first to monitor airflow and controls filtration, ventilation and humidity, the three critical pillars that air movement enables. Detecting harmful particles HAVEN improves the air even further by avoiding the build-up of hyper-local airborne contamination caused by stagnant air, and leverages the proven IAQ approach of dilution and dispersion. Already deployed in thousands of homes, the HAVEN Monitor uses the ‘arteries’ of the home, aka ductwork, to capture an understanding of how the indoor environment is doing. It uses individually calibrated lasers that scatter light across the moving air within the duct to detect harmful particles known as PM2.5. HAVEN improves the air even further by avoiding the build-up of hyper-local airborne contamination It monitors air pollution and comfort levels, including chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), relative humidity, air velocity, and temperature to indicate whether a home needs improved filtration, ventilation or humidity control. Information is delivered to homeowners via the HAVEN IAQ app and to HVAC professionals via the HAVEN Pro web portal. Monitoring air quality Transmitted via WIFI, the app provides 24/7 air quality insights and historical data. The app also provides notifications and alerts as well as recommendations such as IAQ-friendly cleaning tips. In addition, it has an in-app ‘Contact your HAVEN Pro’ function to connect with technicians to address any major concerns, such as upgrading filters during wildfire events. The web portal allows HVAC professionals to monitor air quality for multiple customers within a single dashboard. Perfect for service/maintenance contracts, it provides individually tailored reports and ongoing touchpoints with customers to foster trust and long-term sales. The HAVEN Controller works in harmony with the monitor to intelligently automate and adjust HVAC equipment when necessary. Connected to specific terminals of the HVAC system, it enables the professional installer or homeowner to use the data from the monitor to create custom circulation schedules. Indoor air pollution This ensures air is circulated at specific times when particulate matter may increase This ensures air is circulated at specific times when particulate matter may increase and can intuitively trigger equipment when an air quality issue is identified: e.g activate filtration when cooking particles are detected, or turn on ventilation when high VOCs are detected. Using the data, a contractor can also assess the need for equipment maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Considering 90% of people’s time is spent indoors, and that indoor air pollution is typically 2- 5 times worse than pollution outside, it is not a surprise there has been a surge in demand for IAQ devices and purifiers. Providing additional services HAVEN has a different approach to standalone devices that can only impact a single room. By building an ecosystem, it provides a solution throughout the entire home. In addition, through its HAVEN Pro offering, the company provides HVAC professionals with platforms to generate increased sales and provide additional services to customers. The HAVEN ecosystem is now available through HVAC contractors across the U.S. and Canada. HAVEN products are carried by some of the largest HVAC distributors including Goodman, Amana & Daikin, Steven’s Equipment Supply, East Coast Metals, Crescent Parts & Equipment, TruTech Tools.

With the UK committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, drastic action is needed by the government. For new-build homes, there’s a gas boiler ban coming in less than five years’ time. And for older properties, it’s likely that gas prices will continue to rise, to encourage homeowners to switch to a more sustainable alternative. Renewable heating market With this in mind, the renewable heating market is growing rapidly, albeit from a very small base – but with targets in place to keep the momentum up. The government has committed to install 600,000 heat pumps into new homes by 2028. The government has committed to install 600,000 heat pumps into new homes by 2028 People who are already living in (old and new) properties heated by renewable technology should be applauded for pioneering it – but understandably, not everyone has the confidence to give up a solution they’re familiar with, and to step into the relative unknown. And that’s why the value of transitional technologies cannot be over-estimated– both to homeowners who want to live more sustainably and to installers looking to adapt and future-proof their businesses. But the role that hybrid heat pumps can play in accelerating progress on the road to zero has been somewhat overlooked to date. Hybrid heat pumps Hybrid heat pumps combine the power of a heat pump with the familiarity of a high-efficiency boiler. The two appliances work together to provide heating and hot water, providing the ideal replacement for a combi boiler as a first step towards introducing renewable heating technology into the home. Compared to a traditional gas boiler, hybrid heat pump systems can reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 55% and have been proven to deliver up to a 50% reduction in energy bills in homes in the UK. Our Daikin Altherma hybrid heat pump’s smart programming helps to save up to 35% more energy than a traditional condensing boiler by automatically determining the most economically and energy-efficient operating combination based on energy prices, outdoor temperatures, and indoor heat capacity. Heat pump share The hybrid system’s operating mode can be shifted to more electric heat pump share As well as being quick to install, hybrid systems are designed to look and operate like a conventional boiler system and deliver like-for-like performance and comfort levels. And to give homeowners peace of mind, the heat pump can act as a back-up for the boiler, and vice-versa – meaning they’ll never be caught short. Hybrid systems are best-suited to smaller homes in urban areas, that are likely to have a combi-boiler, and where the shell of the building is not energy-efficient enough to rely on electricity alone. But as the efficiency of the building is improved and upgraded over time, the hybrid system’s operating mode can be shifted to more electric heat pump share. And while there’s a lot of talk about new homes in the renewable heating debate, hybrid technology is ideal for renovations and boiler replacements. Heating system replacements We estimate that there are 1.1 million homes across the country that would be well-served by a hybrid system. That, combined with the benefits of hybrids for both installers and consumers, is why we firmly believe in hybrid heat pumps’ potential to support a faster, easier, and more affordable transition to low carbon heating in this country. Every homeowner who buys a Daikin Altherma hybrid system gets a high-efficiency boiler for free When consumers are looking at heating system replacements, we know that complexity and disruption are barriers to purchase. Fortunately, neither is an issue with hybrids. While hybrid heat pump systems can be installed with a household’s existing boiler, to help increase uptake, we’re running a special offer at the moment whereby every homeowner who buys a Daikin Altherma hybrid system gets a brand-new, high-efficiency boiler for free. Low carbon technology And there’s no need to lose valuable floor space to a hot water cylinder or to make changes to the radiators. Hybrids aren’t just good news for homeowners; they represent a real opportunity for installers, too. At the moment, there are 1,000 heat pump installers in the UK and around 125,000 gas boiler installers. We need to transition these boiler installers towards low carbon technology – not just to drive progress on the road to net zero, but to help their businesses stay relevant and competitive. This year, in partnership with 11 of our Daikin Sustainable Home Centres across the UK, we’re running a free nationwide training program to help installers enter the renewable heating market with hybrid heat pumps. eco-Friendly hybrid solution Reducing electricity prices isn’t enough to encourage people to change the way they heat their homes Installers who complete the day-long course can expand their portfolio and gain the skills to upgrade customers to an eco-friendly hybrid solution. Reducing electricity prices isn’t enough to encourage people to change the way they heat their homes; more needs to be done to make new, clean technologies accessible and appealing. We’re doing what we can to incentivize homeowners – and installers – to embrace the possibilities of a hybrid heat pump system, but a clear funding mechanism from Government is needed as well, specifically to help with the upfront cost of upgrading (free boiler or no free boiler). While the now-closed Green Homes Grant explicitly included hybrid heat pump technology, there’s a big question as to whether the same hybrid solutions will be included in the Clean Heat Grant – the details of which are expected later this year. The answer to that question needs to be ‘yes’.

HTS is pleased to announce that HTS New England is now representing an innovative line of Indoor DOAS products from Oxygen8. Oxygen8, a new and innovative HVAC equipment design and manufacturing company, launched a line of fully electric Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) to meet the needs of modern building design and to address current human health and climate change challenges. Clean tech entrepreneur, James Dean (Founder of dPoint/CORE), and HVAC engineer, Matthew Doherty (formerly with Swegon), have teamed up to create intelligent, future-facing HVAC solutions to improve health, comfort, and energy efficiency for offices, senior care facilities, classrooms, and other commercial buildings across North America.  Energy recovery technology Oxygen8 systems use membrane-based energy recovery technology and integrate Daikin’s VRV heating and cooling systems to provide 100% fresh, filtered air to indoor environments at an ideal temperature and humidity levels. The low profile design beautifully integrates into compact spaces and allows for ceiling, wall or floor mounted installation, providing 400-3500cfm of outside air directly indoors, preventing recirculation of air and cross-contamination of airborne viruses and bacteria. The current COVID-19 crisis has identified a need to implement better ways to ventilate buildings" “Our cities and workplaces are changing and it’s time that HVAC solutions followed suit.” explains Oxygen8 CEO James Dean. “Throughout North America, cities are moving toward net-zero energy and low carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The current COVID-19 crisis has identified a need to implement better ways to ventilate buildings and keep people healthy, safe and comfortable.” Rooftop HVAC equipment “Building owners and developers are looking to maximize their usable space and eliminate bulky rooftop HVAC equipment and ductwork. It was these challenges that inspired us to develop the next generation of ventilation products.” Breathe healthy with high IAQ - Low energy fans, fixed plate enthalpy exchangers, and high-MERV filters deliver 100% fresh, outdoor air to designated building zones, eliminating crossover and recirculation of contaminants while keeping relative humidity at healthy levels. Innovative design - Compact (16”, 20”, 24” or 30” deep), the decentralized design allows for seamless ceiling or wall installation, ensuring maximum usable floor or roof space, while ECM fans and double-wall construction make for a quiet operation. Energy efficient - 100% electric HVAC system with energy recovery makes for a more energy-efficient system and small carbon footprint. Smart solutions - Technology connects HVAC systems to smart devices for easy monitoring and maintenance, with real-time filter alerts, demand-controlled ventilation, and remote diagnosis. Climate controlled - Connectivity with the HVAC equipment from Daikin allows cutting-edge, fully integrated ERV and VRV systems that control temperature and humidity levels for unparalleled comfort and health. Easy installation and maintenance - Pre-installed coils, electronic expansion valves, and controls, plus easy-to-access filters and an ERV core with no moving parts ensures systems are easy to install and maintain.