Wilo USA - Experts & Thought Leaders

As heating season begins, installers are being advised to check they are commissioning new heating circulation pumps correctly to avoid undermining energy efficiency. The warning comes from Wilo, the efficiency-first pump manufacturer. With colder months approaching, installers once again will face more callouts to replace broken heating circulation pumps for homeowners and landlords. However, even if modern alternatives are being fitted, installers are still being urged to check they are commissioning them correctly to avoid unintentionally setting them as a default to a fixed speed setting. Old pump's fixed settings The problem can occur if installers are using app-based services that copy the old pump's fixed settings. This could be costing homeowners up to 80% more in electricity use as the new pump will use more energy than if it was set to a variable setting. Andy Thompson, National Sales Manager for Plumbing and Heating at Wilo, said: “You wouldn’t replace a car with a modern version that had the same inefficient engine, so why do that when fitting and commissioning heating circulation pumps? Despite a pump being new, installers could be inadvertently set to an outgoing pump’s settings through the use of app-based technology.” Demands of the home's heating system Installers should commission pumps so that they work to the demands of the home's heating system Installers should commission pumps so that they work to the demands of the home's heating system. To help installers, Wilo has a simple diagram on the box of its most popular heating circulator, the Yonos PICO, with pre-set settings to select from based on the number of radiators in the property. For quick and easy installation, the Yonos PICO can be commissioned without the need for additional app-based registration or programming. Instead, all the settings are to hand, displayed on the pump’s interface. Additional features include Wilo's unique Wilo-Connector for quicker electrical connection, as well as manual and auto functions for deblocking and venting to remove blockages or airlocks in the heating system. Fast and simple installation Andy Thompson adds: “We design our pumps so that installers can ‘fit and forget’. Everything needed for a fast and simple installation comes in the box. Homeowners deserve certainty that their heating systems are energy-efficient, which installers can ensure through commissioning pumps correctly.”

Wilo has bolstered its support for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sector with the appointment of Lee Green as National Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland. Lee brings over 20 years’ experience in the HVAC industry with him, including stints at some of the nation’s largest merchants and manufacturers. indoor climate solutions Lee Green has specialized in business development, account management, and strategic sales leadership In this time, Lee Green has specialized in business development, account management, and strategic sales leadership. Lee joins Wilo after three successful years as a sales manager at a global heating and indoor climate solutions provider. He will now work closely with OEMs to integrate high-efficiency pump and system solutions from inception to delivery and aftercare. These include circulation pumps for heating system applications, such as boilers and underfloor heating, through to pumps designed specifically for safety-critical applications like fire sprinkler systems. innovation and sustainability Lee Green said: "I am excited to be joining Wilo at such a pivotal time in its growth journey within a sector with enormous potential. The business’s commitment to innovation and sustainability perfectly aligns with the direction the industry is heading, and I am looking forward to helping businesses stay ahead in a competitive market." He adds, "I believe that my hands-on experience of over two decades will prove essential in understanding the individual requirements of each business. This will enable us to create a bespoke solution that simply works, no matter the product at the center of the project." Adopting smart technologies and building solutions Lee’s appointment comes amid Wilo’s ongoing efforts to support the increasing number of businesses looking to future-proof operations by adopting smart technologies and building solutions capable of reducing energy consumption. Simon Oakes, Sales Director at Wilo UK, said: "Lee’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the HVAC sector make him a valuable addition to our team. His customer-first mindset will be instrumental in helping OEMs across the country navigate the evolving demands of the market and deliver solutions that are innovative, reliable and sustainable."

With building heating and cooling performance crucial for achieving Net Zero, Wilo has unveiled its latest innovation, Sinum. The automatic de-aeration system optimizes building services by eliminating trapped air and ensuring proper pressurization. The Sinum has been designed for suitable operation across a host of applications, including buildings – such as schools and hospitals – as well as the nation’s exponentially increasing number of data centres. Improves heating and cooling The Wilo Sinum also automatically tops up systems to maintain pressure The unit, which consists of a pump unit and pressureless expansion vessel, improves heating and cooling of buildings by delivering constant pressurisation.  It does this through automatically eliminating trapped air (often known as ‘degassing’ amongst the industry) and solid particles within sealed heating systems and chilled water cooling systems. The Wilo Sinum also automatically tops up systems to maintain pressure.  It offers continuous degassing under three selectable operation modes and can be integrated into building management systems. It also improves the efficiency of the system over traditional degassing systems, as well as sitting on a much smaller footprint. This helps to reduce building costs and free up valuable space for other purposes. Making heating and cooling energy efficient Jason Cox, sales director at Wilo, said: “Heating and cooling processes are widely known to account for a substantial portion of global energy consumption and emissions.” “It’s estimated that half of the world's final energy consumption goes towards heating and cooling, and this sector is accountable for over 40% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Given this, it’s imperative that new buildings and their heating and cooling systems are as efficient as possible.” “This is where the Wilo Sinum comes in. By removing trapped air and dirt from water, it means pumps that move this water around the system do not have to work as hard. Ultimately, energy consumption is lowered as a result.” Easy installation and Efficient operation The Wilo Sinum features a host of technology to allow for easy installation and good ongoing operation The Wilo Sinum features a host of technology to allow for easy installation and good ongoing operation. This includes an intuitive digital display that shows error messages and a self-learning microprocessor, with a modular design for installation flexibility. The pressureless expansion vessels supplied with the Sinum come in a variety of sizes, including 100 - 1,000 litres in accordance with EN 13831, and 1,200 - 10,000 litres in accordance with AD2000. Meanwhile, the Sinum’s pump unit comes as a ‘mono’ or ‘double’ unit, depending on the needs and size of the system chosen. Other features of Wilo Sinum “The Wilo Sinum is the perfect solution when standard equipment with a diaphragm expansion tank reaches its limit,” said Jason. “It features a range of advanced technology, including volumetric controls and auto-topping up and replenishing of water systems, offering a long service life and easy maintenance,” concluded Jason Cox.

With ongoing efforts from governments across the globe to reduce carbon emissions and with an ever greater focus on sustainability, it is vital that the HVAC sector does its part in becoming more environmentally conscious. And, while there have been steps to become more sustainable, there is a huge amount that still needs to be done to make sure that many of the targets that have been set are attainable. In buildings, both large and small, industrial heating accounts for roughly two thirds of industrial energy demand and around a fifth of global energy consumption. Figures like this show the need to have efficient and environmentally-friendly HVAC equipment in place to make the crucial steps towards reducing the contributions these systems make to our carbon footprint. High energy consumption in construction sector A 2019 report by The International Environment Agency (IEA) showed that the buildings and construction sectors combined were responsible for over 30% of global energy consumption and nearly 40% of carbon emissions. This is indicative of the steps the sector needs to take to play its role in a more eco-friendly society, some of which are already underway. However, much more needs to be done if the UK is to reach its goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As we envisage what a post-COVID world might look like, businesses and governments are continuing to put sustainability and lower carbon emissions at the forefront of their planning and the HVAC sector is certainly no exception. But with change in the sector a daunting prospect, decision-makers often don’t know where to start. Smart Technology use in HVAC systems Smart HVAC uses sensors that integrate with a building’s automation system With the constant growth and greater deployment of smart technologies within the HVAC sector, this is certainly a way that systems can become more efficient. Smart HVAC uses sensors that integrate with a building’s automation system. These sensors then collect information about conditions throughout the building. Heat waves are now a far more common occurrence in the United Kingdom. The Met Office estimates they are up to 30 times more likely and will be a bi-annual occurrence by 2050. It is important that any uptake in HVAC usage doesn’t lead to a drastic increase in emission generation. This is one of the areas where smart systems will become crucial. Many scientists have been unequivocal in their sentiment that heat waves are a cause of greater emissions and expect temperature records in the UK and Europe to be broken more regularly, so sites will need to be equipped to handle these conditions. Regulating temperature with hand-held devices With wireless systems now much more commonplace, temperatures can be controlled easily from hand-held devices. With these new technologies, those managing the systems can also benefit from remote monitoring and maintenance, reducing the need to travel to the site for yet another environmental incentive. To accompany the smart systems, equipment including smart thermostats can be installed to maximize HVAC efficiency. Other smart systems available to businesses include smart furnaces and air conditioning units that are far easier to operate than their traditional counterparts. Reducing unnecessary ventilation While global temperatures continue to rise, air conditioning usage has increased and has contributed to greater levels of energy usage. A huge amount of needless emissions are generated by unnecessary ventilation, contributing heavily to heat loss and overall energy wastage. Recirculation of air is a traditionally lower energy cost method of retaining heat and keeping emissions low, however, we must be mindful of the risks associated with recirculating air. The risk of circulating diseases is negated somewhat with heat recovery ventilation, which both removes the risk of disease spreading and improves energy consumption. Efficiency performance of new AC units Air conditioning units in particular contribute significantly to a building’s energy consumption Air conditioning units in particular contribute significantly to a building’s energy consumption, equating to 10% of the UK’s electricity consumption and as such it is important that we bear in mind ways to counteract the emissions this creates. Global energy demand for air conditioning units is expected to triple by 2050, as temperatures continue to rise year on year. The efficiency performance of new air conditioning units will be the key, when it comes to ensuring that escalating demand does not equate to greater emissions. Another issue for suppliers and manufacturers to address is differing rates of consumption for AC units in different countries, with units sold in Japan and the EU typically more efficient than those found in China and the US. Modularization Modular HVACs have also become increasingly popular in recent years. Modular HVACs are responsible for heating, cooling and distributing air through an entire building, with their increase in popularity largely down to their greater levels of energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, flexibility and substantial ease of installation and maintenance. Modular HVACs can be tailored specifically for workspaces and they often allow work to be done on the systems without disturbing the workforce, achieved primarily through rooftop placement. Commercial workspaces are larger and often require differing needs to residential properties and can cater to a wide range of the specific requirements of work and commercial spaces. As we strive for lower carbon emissions, it seems that this trend will continue and will become a key area in reducing emissions that HVACs have traditionally generated. System maintenance and training To meet government and industry requirements, many new buildings will require HVAC systems that can be maintained simply in order to perform in a more energy efficient way. Many companies are looking at ways to become climate neutral and significantly reduce their footprint Many companies are looking at ways to become climate neutral and significantly reduce their footprint. Companies are following the likes of German-based company, Wilo Group, who have announced they are committing to sustainable manufacturing by developing a new carbon neutral plant and HQ in the next few years. Lowering carbon footprint As we continue to move towards an ever more environmentally conscious society, it will be of paramount importance for companies, governments and the public to think about ways in which we can lower carbon emissions. Smart technologies will certainly be at the forefront of this, negating many needless journeys and making it easier for industries to adjust settings and tackle issues remotely. Greater levels of training will help equip us with the tools to make sure we are best placed to reduce emissions and be more sustainable as a result. While the steps outlined above do show some progress and measures we can take, there is far more that we can do as a sector to significantly reduce HVAC’s carbon footprint and once we have moved beyond the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this will surely be at the front of industry leader minds.