HVAC IoT

ARC Thermal (ARC Thermal Products) has launched WHIZ (Wireless Heated Infrared Zone) heating solution, which provides thermal warmth for individual workstations, in factories, warehouses, distribution centers, and other industrial buildings. This is a cost-effective, energy-efficient, low-carbon, heating solution. Heating poorly insulated, large industrial spaces has always been a problem, particularly as heat rises, where there are high ceilings. WHIZ (Wireless Heated Infrared Zone) system The WHIZ system gives a soft, pleasant heat, which directly warms anyone located within the heating zone. By creating ‘heat islands’ around occupied areas, the WHIZ solution avoids the need to heat the entire building, as is the case with convection-based systems. As a result, WHIZ is one of the most cost-effective and energy-efficient heating solutions for maintaining a comfortable working environment, in large cold industrial buildings. Infrared heating enables a clean indoor climate The infrared heating reduces air movement, creating a hygienic indoor climate The infrared heating reduces air movement, creating a hygienic indoor climate, where the spread of airborne viruses is reduced. It, therefore, helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, the spread of allergens, dust, and odors is also alleviated. Additional benefits of the WHIZ (Wireless Heated Infrared Zone) heating solution include silent operation, no light emission, individual user temperature control, admin control remotely via smart devices, straightforward installation, low/no ongoing maintenance, an expandable modular system - up to 32 workstations, and a five-year manufacturer’s warranty. Energy-efficient warehouse heating solution ARC Thermal’s Managing Director, Andy Bloore, commented “COP26 has made everyone think even more deeply about climate change. Industrialists and warehouse owners are keen to play their part.” He adds, “Winter is coming and there has never been a better time to investigate energy-efficient warehouse heating solutions that can make staff happier and more productive.”

NevadaNano, the innovator in gas detection sensor technology, announced that Naren Prasad joined the company to guide the Hardware enabled SaaS products to reduce methane emissions. Naren will serve as Chief Product Architect and Delivery Officer. “As one of the original developers and innovators of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure industry, Naren has a long history of enabling disruptive transformation in the IoT world,” said Ralph Whitten, CEO of NevadaNano. New business strategies “He will be a tremendous asset to NevadaNano as we continue to drive innovation in the gas sensing industry, by providing products to reduce methane and refrigerant emissions worldwide.” Naren brings nearly 30 years of experience to NevadaNano during which he worked in software development for both new and established companies. Throughout his career, he has led product development teams to define new business strategies and initiatives and deliver pioneer products. He has held leadership roles for market pioneers including Landis+Gyr, eMeter Corporation (now part of Siemens), and CellNet Data Systems (acquired by Schlumberger). He holds a patent for Message-Bus-Based Advanced Meter Information System with Applications for Cleaning, Estimating, and Validating Meter Data. Naren earned his B. Tech CSE from the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, India.

Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning (Forrest Anderson), a family-owned business in the Phoenix area since 1961, is pleased to announce the winner of the 6th Annual Military Hero A/C Giveaway. Olga Tucker, a Peoria resident and U.S. Army Veteran, secured the most public votes to win a free air conditioning unit in this local event that honors the sacrifices of Veterans, active duty service members, and their families. “Thank you, Forrest Anderson. I am beyond humbled and truly blessed by the support from friends and strangers,” said Olga Tucker. “It’s going to make such a huge difference for my kids and myself.” Air conditioning unit Tucker served in the Army from 2004 to 2012 as a Sergeant and 88M-Motor Transport Operator, providing transportation and logistical support for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team ‘Rakkasans’ with the 101st Airborne Division. Tucker is medically retired and a single mother of three children. Tucker continues to give back to her community by serving as the Veteran’s Resource Coordinator and Advisor for Operation Enduring Gratitude and volunteers to several nonprofits including Mission 22, 22 Until None, and the PTSD Foundation of America. Tucker is also actively involved in her community as a member of the Peoria Military Affairs Committee and as a community leader within Peoria’s Pine District. Air conditioning unit Forrest Anderson will replace Tucker’s failing, 27-year-old A/C unit with a brand new unit A friend nominated Tucker, citing her perseverance and dedication to help others in the Veteran community. Forrest Anderson selected Tucker to be one of three finalists in this year’s Military Hero A/C Giveaway and the community selected her as the winner of a new air conditioning unit during a 10-day public voting period. Forrest Anderson will replace Tucker’s failing, 27-year-old A/C unit with a brand new unit, fully installed with the help of industry partners, MORSCO HVAC/Bush Supply, presented her with a $500 gift card. “The Forrest Anderson team is proud to honor Olga. It is a small thank you for her service to our country and her community involvement,” said Audrey Monell, President of Forrest Anderson. Supporting military members “We are so thankful to all of our finalists this year. We hope that sharing their stories we have started conversations about the importance of supporting military members, many who return home with conditions that impact their physical and mental health.” To recognize the two runners-up, Monell is giving Mark Denman of Litchfield Park and Andrez Romero of Mesa a free A/C Tune Up for one unit valued at $84.95. Since 2016, Forrest Anderson has worked with local partners to sponsor the Military Hero A/C Giveaway each year around Veterans Day because they see the health risks of living without air conditioning in Arizona.

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company in smart, healthy and sustainable building solutions, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company’s commercial HVAC manufacturing plant in Norman, Oklahoma, USA. The 900,000 square-feet facility, known as Johnson Controls Rooftop Center of Excellence, serves as the company’s flagship location for industry research, manufacturing and testing of commercial rooftop units. Johnson Controls Rooftop Center of Excellence  In 1971, the facility shipped its first HVAC system, which was a pivotal milestone for the plant and the beginning of its long history of HVAC manufacturing and innovation. It was originally owned by Westinghouse, from 1971-1981 and subsequently purchased by YORK in 1981, which was acquired by Johnson Controls in 2005. “Over the last 50 years, there has been continuous improvement at the Norman facility to modernize and expand the plant, automate the manufacturing process, improve safety and ensure our products are built to the highest quality standards possible for our customers,” said Vicki Davis, Program Management Director, West region, at Johnson Controls. commercial rooftop units switch to refrigerant R-454B The most notable expansion that the Norman facility underwent was in April 2019 Vicki Davis adds, “These improvements will make it possible for us to ensure all commercial rooftop units meet and exceed DOE 2023 energy efficiency requirements, and will utilize the low-GWP refrigerant R-454B by 2025, to minimize our customers’ environmental impact and energy use.” The most notable expansion that the Norman facility underwent was in April 2019. The facility now features nearly 400,000 square-feet of incremental laboratory and manufacturing space, which includes a two-story, 52-foot high testing lab, which is roughly the size of one-and-a-half football fields. Extensive laboratory to conduct on-site development The extensive laboratory allows Johnson Controls to conduct on-site development, regulatory compliance, performance, safety, and reliability testing, including the ability to test a 150-ton rooftop unit, in climates ranging from -30ºF to 130ºF. The 2019 expansion also included renovations to more than 150,000 square-feet of office and meeting space. Since the facility has been operated by Johnson Controls, approximately 650,000 HVAC systems have been manufactured for Johnson Controls, under its brands of YORK, TempMaster, Luxaire, Coleman, Champion and Fraser Johnston brands. Today, approximately 1,100 people are employed at the facility. Pioneer in decarbonization of buildings With a history of making buildings more sustainable for 135 years, Johnson Controls is a worldwide company in the effort to decarbonize buildings. This includes developing solutions to facilitate the transition to electric-based heating and the development of OpenBlue, a suite of connected solutions that help drive building system efficiencies.

Motili’s latest video outlines the importance of seasonal preventative maintenance and ensures HVAC systems are able to transition without failure from the cooling season to the heating season. HVAC maintenance list Fall is here! And so is the heating season. Motili offers a complete HVAC maintenance list for the heating season, to help maintain energy efficiency of HVAC systems. Air filters The change of seasons is the perfect time to change out an HVAC system’s air filter. Not only is it easy to do, but it provides several benefits, such as improved energy efficiency and cost savings. Changing the air filter also helps prevent unnecessary stress on the HVAC system. An air filter that has not been changed, since the last summer season, is likely filled with particulate matter and needs to be replaced immediately. Inspect the HVAC system The fall season is a good time to inspect at the HVAC system for maintenance and repair. Remove any leaves or sticks that have gathered around the compressors. Residents should also take a look at the system to ensure there are no leaks or structural damage. A quick look around and cleanup of an HVAC system can help it run longer and more efficiently.  Inspect the boiler system Corrosion is often associated with boiler systems. Now is a good time to take a look at the boiler systems, in order to ensure there are no water leaks. It’s also important to check for air leaks around doors and windows, and fix with caulking or weather stripping, so as to ensure optimal energy efficiency. A quick inspection and fix can help keep the house warmer for longer, and also keep the furnace from running hard, so as to maintain a building’s ideal temperature. Shut down AC system for the season At the end of the cooling season, it is recommended that the air conditioning side of the HVAC system be shut off. When doing this, residents should take a few minutes to clean the compressor with a brush and vacuum. This simple maintenance can help set up the HVAC system for success over the upcoming year, while also maintaining its energy efficiency for long. Inspecting and maintaining HVAC systems Just a quick inspection and cleaning can provide significant energy efficiencies" “It’s important to evaluate a building’s HVAC every season, as well as maintain its filters and the environment around the system. Just a quick inspection and cleaning can provide significant energy efficiencies, which are so important when it comes to the environmental impact of the system, as well as the cost to maintain it,” said Matthew Sallee, the Vice President (VP) of Sales, Multi Dwelling and Commercial, at Motili. Matthew Sallee adds, “Inspecting and maintaining an HVAC system in these straightforward ways helps ensure it will be available and working for the upcoming cooling season, as well.” Property management technology platform Motili brings contractors, operations teams, and the industry’s most advanced property management technology platform together, in order to assess and complete HVAC work requests, from start to finish. Motili automatically schedules, dispatches, manages, and invoices job requests and its predictive analytics improve budgeting accuracy, by predicting product life cycle. Motili leverages its nationwide network of over 2,000 contractors and 1,000 distribution centers, in order to provide HVAC and hot water services, across the United States of America, to customers both large and small in size.

As part of its ambition to make buildings smarter, safer, and more secure, while also improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, ABB (ABB Group) has announced an investment in Montreal-based building technology startup, BrainBox AI. Investing in BrainBox AI Launched in 2019, BrainBox AI has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions from Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in commercial buildings. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed. This investment and strategic engagement allow ABB’s Smart Buildings division to combine its existing portfolio of digital solutions, particularly the ABB Ability Building Ecosystem, with BrainBox AI’s predictive, self-adaptive and scalable cloud-based artificial intelligence. ABB and BrainBox AI committed to interoperability ABB and BrainBox AI are committed to interoperability, allowing customers to use a variety of technologies ABB and BrainBox AI are committed to interoperability, allowing customers to use a variety of technologies. The joint offering is available from Q4 2021. HVAC systems account for most of the energy use and carbon footprint of a typical commercial building, while buildings contribute 28 percent of total global energy-related CO2 emissions. In addition to enabling up to 25 percent reductions in energy costs and 20 to 40 percent lower carbon emissions, BrainBox AI’s deep learning software increases occupant comfort and extends the service life of HVAC equipment, all without upfront capital expenditure.  Safe, secure, smart, and sustainable solutions “Our core focus is on bringing radical change to new and existing buildings with safe, secure, smart, and sustainable solutions,” said Oliver Iltisberger, the President of ABB’s Smart Buildings division. Oliver adds, “I am confident that ABB’s investment in BrainBox AI, when combined with our ABB Ability Building Ecosystem, will help us leapfrog current approaches to digital transformation, further reduce energy costs and play our part in addressing climate change.” AI-driven energy solutions BrainBox AI is excited to be working with ABB, a global technology leader, at the core of the energy transition" “BrainBox AI is excited to be working with ABB, a global technology leader, at the core of the energy transition, to further accelerate the deployment of our industry-changing, AI-driven energy solutions, for the commercial real estate sector,” said Sam Ramadori, the President of BrainBox AI. Sam adds, “With buildings producing 28 percent of the world’s total carbon emissions, it is more critical than ever, to bring scalable clean technology to our cities. Overlaying autonomous artificial intelligence on existing infrastructure in the built environment is not only key to energy efficiency, but also a crucial step towards future grid-interactive buildings.” Autonomous AI engine and SaaS business model “With its true autonomous artificial intelligence engine and its pure SaaS business model, BrainBox AI constitutes the epitome of the kind of investments we look for,” commented Malin Carlstrom, the Head of Ventures at ABB Electrification. Malin Carlstrom adds, “The capital injected will be used for Brainbox AI’s continued and accelerated internationalization, as well as for product and offering development.” ABB Technology Ventures leads the Series A investment round in Brainbox AI, which also included Canadian-based Esplanade Ventures and Desjardins Capital, in addition to a number of private investors.

Seasonal transitions are the perfect time to take inventory and inspect a building’s various systems. We’ve been reminded for years that when we set our clocks back, we should also replace the batteries in our smoke detectors. The same thought process can be applied in support of seasonal preventative maintenance for a building’s HVAC system. Now that the cooling season has passed for a large part of the country, it is time to ensure that HVAC systems have been shut down properly for the winter months. A few simple checks and changes help ensure that the HVAC system is able to transition without failure, from the cooling season to the heating season. Enhancing energy efficiency of HVAC systems Home and building owner inspections can go a long way in increasing the energy efficiency of a system or in mitigating a more complex system failure. Taking a few minutes to inspect an HVAC system for irregularities can help keep repair costs and energy waste to a minimum. Here is a short and easy to complete HVAC inspection check list to execute to help maintain the system and ensure it runs in an energy efficient manner as the outdoor temperature begins to fall. Air filters The change of seasons is the perfect time to change out an HVAC system’s air filter The change of seasons is the perfect time to change out an HVAC system’s air filter. Filters are a key point in a building’s HVAC system, helping keep dust, pollen and larger particulate matter out, and potentially saving it from damage. HVAC equipment accounts for 40 percent of energy usage in a building, so any actions that positively affect energy efficiency are impactful. Not only is changing filters easy to do, but it also provides several benefits, such as improved energy efficiency, cost savings and it helps limit unnecessary stress on the HVAC system, by keeping the air entering it as clean as possible. Dirty, unchanged filters are a leading cause of issues with an HVAC system. The bottom line is that an air filter that has not been changed since the summer needs to be replaced. Inspect the HVAC system Now is a good time to walk around and view the entirety of a building’s HVAC system. How does it look? Make sure the system is clean and in good repair. Examine the ducts to ensure they are clean, undamaged and venting properly. If they are dirty or if there is suspicion that they are clogged, a duct cleaning by a professional may be needed. Remove any leaves or sticks that have gathered around the compressors. Clean the coils of any debris with a garden hose. Trim back any trees or bushes, which are in close contact with the unit. Make sure the condenser unit is still level. If it is not, it can impede the flow of refrigerant and oil, thereby leading to costly repairs. Take a look at the HVAC system to make sure there are no leaks, cracks or structural damage. A quick scan around and cleanup of an HVAC system can help it run longer and more efficiently. Inspect the boiler system Inspect the boiler system by looking for signs of old leaks, which can include stains around the boiler Corrosion is often associated with boiler systems. Inspect the boiler system by looking for signs of old leaks, which can include stains around the boiler or warped floorboards under radiators. Also, be on the lookout for water spots on the ceiling that is below the floor with radiant heat pipes. Make note of any corrosion you find throughout the system, including on the radiators, valves and other components. It’s a smart idea to have a professional inspect a boiler system each year, in order to maintain its functionality and ensure it is running safely, and optimally for a long time. Air Leaks An inspection may also reveal air leaks around doors and windows. These small leaks can add up to significant heat loss and energy costs. If sunlight is peeking through the areas around the perimeter of a window, door or skylight, there’s an air gap to be filled. A quick fix with caulking or weather stripping can ensure optimal energy efficiency. Also, inspect window panes for any cracks, as they will need to be replaced. Furthermore, double check that the windows and doors all close and lock properly. If they don’t, there’s an air leak that needs repair, as well. An inspection of doors and windows can keep a house warmer longer, and help keep the furnace from running over time to maintain a building’s ideal temperature. Shut down AC system for the season At the end of the cooling season, it is recommended that the air conditioning side of the HVAC system be shut off. When doing this, take a few minutes to clean the compressor with a brush and vacuum. Cover the unit with an insulated, waterproof cover that completely covers the whole unit. Secure the cover tightly, so it stays in place over the winter. This simple maintenance can help set up the system for success next year, while also maintaining its energy efficiency. Need for proactive system inspections and maintenance It’s important to evaluate a building’s HVAC system every season, as well as maintain its filters It’s important to evaluate a building’s HVAC system every season, as well as maintain its filters and the environment around the system. Being proactive about systems inspections and maintenance is the best way to keep a system running at peak efficiency, saving money and the environment, as well as providing peace of mind. With a few simple actions, home and building owners can keep their HVAC systems in good shape for longer, and be ready to go for the next season ahead. Motili’s predictive analytics improves budgeting accuracy Motili brings contractors, operations teams and the industry’s most advanced property management technology platform together, to assess and complete HVAC work requests, from start to finish. Motili automatically schedules, dispatches, manages and invoices job requests, and its predictive analytics improves budgeting accuracy, by predicting product life cycle. Motili leverages its nationwide network of over 2,000 contractors and 1,000 distribution centers, in order to provide HVAC and hot water services, across the United States of America, to customers both large and small in size.

I am writing this the day after the Autumn Spending Review, which among many measures, included a huge focus on how the Government wants to ‘level up the country’, creating a new post-pandemic economy, with higher wages and higher skills. Part of this is the £500 million ‘Multiply’ scheme, which aims to increase numeracy and basic mathematics for adults in the United Kingdom via in person tutoring, digital training and flexible courses. Lack of basic skills to access digital training It is laudable, but there is an elephant in the classroom here, a lot of people do not have the basic skills and confidence, to access digital training and these are the ones, who are in danger of being left further behind. What does this have to do with heating their homes? It comes down to access and confidence around tech and that begins in the home. Smart technology inaccessible to most people During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard from far too many people, who simply couldn’t get to grips with the tech We work at the sharp end of this, with many years of experience showing us that while smart tech and smart homes sound fantastic (and for the majority, they are indeed), however, for too many people, it remains inaccessible. They are the most vulnerable and they need help. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard from far too many people, who simply couldn’t get to grips with the tech and they were suffering as a result. Widespread adoption of digital control systems In a welcome drive to improve the energy efficiency of electric heaters, more sophisticated digital control systems have seen widespread introduction. However, for people who are not digitally savvy, they are now presented with a product that they struggle to use as intended. Sadly, many are subsequently bypassing the very systems designed to improve efficiency and resorting to basic manual control of their appliances. For many users, the complicated programming and multiple overrides is even leading to them having no heat at all. manual settings of heaters lead to High Energy consumption In too many cases, these energy-saving thermostatic controls have caused more anxiety and the energy-efficient controls are not being correctly used. Additionally, due to the heaters being left on manual settings, there are many cases of higher energy consumption than needed. The gadgets are great, but if you can’t understand them or use them, they are redundant and can even be counterproductive. System diagnostics Of course, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a home visit was not even an option for many customers Ordinarily, we would schedule a visit to diagnose these types of problems, but this can take too long, which causes frustration and affects the well-being of the customer. Of course, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a home visit was not even an option for many customers, who were self-isolating. However, new computer modeling research from Harvard University warns that intermittent measures may need to be maintained well into 2022, therefore, social distancing will remain a key concern for our vulnerable community. Current solutions for the digital savvy Current solutions available are for the digital savvy, however, these still do not provide early fault finding and they are not accessible to a huge part of our society, approximately 5.3 million adults, who have never used the internet in the United Kingdom and 53% of these adults are aged 75 plus. We decided to do something about this, by devising a robust solution that will eliminate multiple site maintenance visits and provide immediate solutions, without customers needing to understand digital technologies. CAVE smart thermostat with intelligent remote communications As a result, this winter will see the launch of Trust Electric Heating’s CAVE product, a smart thermostat for the confined, adults, vulnerable and elderly people. CAVE builds on our existing digital thermostat technology, further developing it to include intelligent remote communications. This will allow remote access to program the system, monitor/manage energy use and to diagnose and solve a variety of faults that would traditionally require a visit from an engineer. Transforming CAVE into a stand-alone product There are over 8 million adults over 70 years old in the UK, who are classed as vulnerable The pace of development has been accelerated by a strategic Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the University of Huddersfield and backed by Innovate UK, who awarded us with a further development grant, earlier in 2021, to transform CAVE into a stand-alone product that will work on all electric radiators. There are over 8 million adults over 70 years old in the UK, who are classed as vulnerable and around 1.5 million adults (some not over 70) have been asked to self-isolate due to their underlying health conditions as they are classed as our shielded society. For these individuals the present pandemic has changed their life significantly. Remote monitoring, diagnosis and control of electric heating systems CAVE is a web-based technology that enables remote monitoring, diagnosis and control of electric heating systems, providing help and support for this critically overlooked group. In an era, when the pace of change is already so fast, sometimes it pays to slow down a little and adjust the speed, as there are a lot of people who we must not leave behind in the digital economy.

The development of digital technologies in the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sector has been transformational for the industry, as well as for those who run HVAC systems. While the electrification and digitalization of machines, and assets has made a lot of operations simpler, it has also meant that the collection of machine data has never been more critical. Given that engineers can now view lots of different metrics on a single screen, including things like heating controls, humidity levels, and more, what exactly are the skillsets required of a modern HVAC engineer in the digital age? And, what will the role look like as digitalization and data-driven processes continue to evolve? Remote Working This real-time data can be used to ensure that assets are doing what is expected of them The most obvious change to the way HVAC engineers are operating in the digital era is the ability to perform diagnostic tasks remotely. Thanks to mission-critical assets being monitored and managed by the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, engineers can see when burners are activated, or when defrost cycles kick into action. This real-time data can be used to ensure that assets are doing what is expected of them and if concerning behavioral patterns are flagged in the data, engineers can diagnose faults, without having to attend the site. Efficient fault diagnosis and repair Even with a machine right in front of them, engineers can often still learn more about what is going on inside, from their laptops. The ability to gain deep insight into how a machine is functioning, without having to physically ‘open it up and look inside’, is a benefit to both the engineer and the site. Engineers can diagnose faults more efficiently, without having to undertake invasive investigative work on a shop floor or workplace. New skillset for HVAC engineers The HVAC engineers of the digital age may be more likely to be sat with a laptop, rather than up a ladder, so what new skills does this role require? The reality is that HVAC engineering now requires maintenance professionals to understand the data, as much as the mechanics of the assets that they are trying to fix. There are lots of different sensors, control panels, and monitoring solutions, all presenting different forms of data, so engineers need to be able to interpret information, from all these different layers. As many manufacturers have their own digital controls systems, engineers will also be dealing with different naming conventions and unstandardized data, even within a single site. Controls agnostic IoT solutions The need for digital skills and comprehension of data analytics is still fundamental to the modern role Thankfully, recent innovations in controls systems means that engineers will have the digital tools that they need to translate this complex and disparate data. Controls agnostic IoT solutions sit across existing digital infrastructure, to connect directly to the asset and present the data in a simple standardized language, for engineers to analyze. The need for digital skills and comprehension of data analytics is still fundamental to the modern role, but it’s made a lot easier and more efficient, thanks to these progressive innovations. Real-time data analysis The ability to see data in real-time means that the way maintenance is carried out is starting to look very different. Thanks to machine behavior monitoring and trend analysis, engineers will be alerted to a machine starting to go wrong, much earlier than the point at which it breaks, enabling them to proactively visit sites, in order to fix minor faults, before they reach critical failure. The ability to proactively fix faults also saves end-users a lot of money, as maintenance calls will be less frequent and when they are needed, much less severe than they otherwise would have been, if the fault was only detected at the point of the asset breaking down. Digital Skills and the Future What does digitalization mean for HVAC engineers? A lot of the requirements for diagnosing and fixing faults in modern HVAC systems have developed over time, so skills have grown slowly and steadily. There hasn’t been a big bang of digitalization in HVAC, but rather a steady move towards integrating newer technology. This means that most engineers already have the skills, to carry out maintenance roles in the digital age and will continue to be able to learn new skills, at the rate of digitalization. Commissioning engineers, new HVAC specialist role There are a small number of new, specialist positions, which are important in the HVAC engineering profession There are a small number of new, specialist positions, which are important in the HVAC engineering profession, due to digitalization, with the most obvious being commissioning engineers. This role specializes in controls engineering to implement new digital systems, for either new or existing sites, at the beginning of an organization’s digital transformation journey. Much the same as the HVAC engineer of the pre-digitalization age, the commissioning engineer will work with site managers, so as to ensure systems are implemented correctly and to the right specifications, for a particular venue. Data-enabled future of automated HVAC The bottom line is that we’ll always need HVAC engineers, as there will always be assets that need fixing or replacing onsite. Even as we move towards the data-enabled future of automated HVAC machines, they are just that, machines that will break down on occasion and will need to be fixed by a professional. Furthermore, the HVAC engineer of the future will certainly see a shift in skillsets, as they are increasingly required to understand data analytics and software engineering. If you had to ask me to make a bold prediction, I’d say the HVAC engineer of the future will be at a desk, more than up a ladder, but their hands on skills and expertise will be required, for as long as there are physical machines with moving parts.

The concept of district heating refers to a group of customers, or even a whole city, which shares a system providing ambient heat, often using steam or water heated by sources that emit less carbon dioxide. A network of insulated pipes, constructed underground in a community, transports the heat among customers, and various meters and billing systems keep up with how much heat is provided. District heating District heating is seen as an increasingly important option, as municipalities seek to lower their carbon footprints to ‘net zero’. In addition to producing less pollution than individual alternatives, district heating systems also have competitive pricing. The option is especially attractive in areas that are more densely populated and where new blocks of housing or businesses are being constructed. In the United Kingdom, district heating can help to achieve new Sustainable Development Goals. Leverage central supply of hot water A district heating system might leverage a central supply of hot water, transported through a network of pipes A district heating system might leverage a central supply of hot water, transported through a network of pipes, located underground in a community. Heat sources might include waste from forests, such as branches or wood timber, waste timber from building sites, or even surplus heat from industry or data centers. Heat waste from industries can be reprocessed and reused. In recent decades, renewable heat from geothermal wells, solar collectors and biomass fuels have also been introduced. High taxation of natural gas in some jurisdictions provides an incentive to seek out alternatives, such as district heating. District cooling District cooling has also been deployed in some areas. The first district cooling system was introduced in Sweden in 1992. The United States leads the world in district cooling (chilled water networks). Although an emerging option in many areas, district heating has been popular for years in Scandinavia. In Sweden, for example, district heating was introduced in 1948 and more than 50% of the country’s commercial and residential buildings are served by district heating. The technology dominates the business-to-business segment in Sweden, with more than 90% of the market share for multi-dwelling buildings and around 80% for non-residential buildings. Space and cost savings District heating is also used in single-family residential houses, industrial premises, and ground heating for snow removal. District heating allows customers to save space and expenses, by avoiding individual installation, operation, and maintenance of in‐building heating, cooling, and water‐heating equipment. Using economies of scale, district systems often distribute heat generated by combined heat and power (CHP) systems, to use thermal energy that is produced more efficiently. Renewable and lower-carbon energy resources include biomass, geothermal, surplus industrial heat, solar energy, or cold lake or ocean water that may not be feasible on an individual-building basis. District systems in commercial buildings District systems are more commonly found in commercial clusters of buildings District systems are more commonly found in commercial clusters of buildings, such as colleges, hospitals, downtowns, healthcare, and government campuses. In the United States, common applications for district heating and cooling systems include colleges/universities, central business districts, residential and mixed-use clusters, military bases, healthcare campuses, schools and prisons. By aggregating the thermal loads of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of buildings, district energy systems facilitate investment in lower-carbon resources, and enable enhanced economic resiliency. Communication and transparency Communication and transparency, among inhabitants, heating providers, energy suppliers and property owners, are important factors in an effective district heating system. Centrally distributed heat will become more common as the industry works toward net zero goals, but factors, such as customer service and satisfaction will also need to be addressed.

A focus of research and development in the HVAC arena has been to develop alternative materials and technologies that requires less energy to function while still providing a benefit to regulate temperature. More passive approaches to regulating temperature offer green benefits and yield new components in systems to regulate temperatures in the future. Here are some examples and a glimpse of what’s to come. Phase-change materials have drawn interest because of their ability to change their physical state depending on the temperature in the environment. When PCMs store heat, they convert from solid to liquid, and vice versa when they release heat. Providing scalable opportunities Phase-change material (PCM) composites can regulate the temperature inside buildings using a simple and cost-effective manufacturing process. The composites can be added to building materials such as paint or can be 3D-printed as home accents to integrate into indoor environments. By augmenting climate control strategies, they can help to lessen the burden on struggling power grids. These materials are passive components that require no electricity to regulate temperature Using the PCM composites provides scalable opportunities to regulate temperatures passively in both new buildings and existing structures. These materials are passive components that require no electricity to regulate temperature. Researchers at Texas A&M University combined light-sensitive liquid resins with a phase-changing paraffin wax powder to create a new 3D printable ink composite. Broader temperature ranges Using a light-sensitive resin, they cured it with an ultraviolet light to solidify the 3D printable paste. In the future, researchers will experiment with various phase-change materials that operate at broader temperature ranges and manage more thermal energy during a given cycle. Cooling chips made from bismuth telluride have applications in air conditioning and refrigeration. When electrical current runs through the chips, it removes heat, allowing one side of the chip to cool while the other side heats up. Phononics is a Durham, N.C., startup that has secured $50 million in funding from Goldman Sachs Asset Management to develop the approach. Cooling outdoor installations The funding will be used to build out high-volume manufacturing in North Carolina and in Thailand It’s a versatile technology that enables small or large chips that can be used to deliver the coolant effect needed for compact freezers, for air conditioning, or to prevent overheating of laser-based sensors in autonomous cars or optical transceivers to transmit 5G data. In the future, there are possible applications in cooling mattresses, motorbike helmets, and cooling outdoor installations. The funding will be used to build out high-volume manufacturing in North Carolina and in Thailand. An advantage of the approach is that there is no impact on global warming, unlike traditional vapor compression systems. Although bismuth telluride powder is toxic, it is benign when manufactured into chips, and can be safely recycled or disposed of. Light-Colored material An associate professor at Northeastern University in Boston has created ‘cooling paper,’ which enables a building or home to essentially keep cool with no electricity required. The paper, which is recyclable, reflects heat away from rooftops and removes heat from homes and buildings. The paper can cool down a room’s temperature by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The invention works through the porous microstructure of the natural fibers inside the cooling paper, which absorbs warmth and reemits it away from the building. The light-colored material is part of the study of nanomaterials by Yi Zheng, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Northeastern University.

‘Net zero’ is an unavoidable reality in the continuing fight against climate change. For example, both the United Kingdom and the European Union have set targets of having net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These objectives are in line with a commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. Net zero - carbon neutral Net zero refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. It’s another term for ‘carbon neutral’. Any activity that creates carbon emissions must be offset by corresponding actions that remove an equal amount of emissions. Examples might be to plant trees that remove CO2 from the atmosphere or to re-purpose emissions-free energy for additional uses. For the HVAC market, the goal of net-zero emissions presents a variety of challenges For the HVAC market, the goal of net-zero emissions presents a variety of challenges. More than 40% of today’s CO2 emissions come from buildings and 30% of energy in buildings is wasted. According to a 2018 International Energy Agency (IEA) report, around 20% of the electricity used in buildings is related to HVAC, and the number is set to more than triple by 2050. Connected systems and real-time data analytics Fortunately, the HVAC industry has developed technology tools to address the challenge, including real-time data analytics and connected systems, to scrutinize how and where energy is being used, and to optimize efficiencies and building performance. In addition to helping to eventually achieve net-zero emissions, these activities will also provide cost savings. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shutdown highlighted the potential impact of lowering greenhouse gas emissions. During the pandemic, global greenhouse gas emissions declined by 7% compared to the previous year, according to research from the University of East Anglia, the University of Exeter and the Global Carbon Project. However, the emissions have resumed as global economies have recovered.  Public-private cooperation to achieve net-zero emissions Achieving net-zero emissions will involve many stakeholders and will require public-private cooperation that includes local governments, building owners and other businesses. Part of the solution is regulation, as governments encourage construction of green buildings. Meeting the objectives involves not just internal systems and infrastructure in a building, but also the materials used, including options, such as smart glass windows and solar panels. There is also an opportunity to educate the public on the positive role that buildings, including HVAC systems, can play in the campaign to eliminate climate change. The public often associates pollution with vehicle exhaust, for example, and may not realize the role that building systems can have on the environment, for better or worse. Leveraging technology to reduce emissions Leveraging technology to reduce emissions in the buildings sector can have a positive impact on the environment Leveraging technology to reduce emissions in the buildings sector can have a positive impact on the environment and on public opinion of the industry’s role to achieve green goals. The role of the HVAC industry should not be overlooked. There are resources available to help guide the path. For example, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program provides a rating system that covers the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings worldwide. U.S. Federal, state and local governments are positioned to require or reward LEED certification, including tax credits, zoning allowances, reduced fees or expedited permitting. building energy efficiency and electrification US President Joe Biden has also announced an initiative to invest federal dollars in building energy efficiency and electrification, with a goal of modernizing and upgrading the nation’s buildings to be affordable, resilient, accessible, energy-efficient, and electrified. Fortunately, manufacturers in the HVAC market as a whole are focused on providing energy-efficient and sustainable technologies to drive the net-zero future of the industry.

As part of the Evotech Technical Services Group, a national HVAC engineering company founded in 2003, Evotech Air Quality (Evotech) is a growing team of engineers, technicians and data scientists passionate about the air we breathe. Evotech helps UK businesses and organizations create safe working environments by transforming indoor air quality. They began offering the Airthings for Business solution in June 2020 for accurate, accessible air quality data. In this case study, Evotech shall explore their installation at No1. Whitehall in Leeds. Indoor air quality "Airthings share our belief that everyone has the right to breathe clean air, and today the importance of indoor quality has never been greater. Using their industry-leading sensor platform, we have been able to provide our customers not only with enhanced indoor environmental surveillance, but, by integrating their technology with other 3rd party systems, we are creating greater end-user value through improved building performance and optimization.’’- Evotech. Evotech saw indoor air quality, pre-COVID-19, becoming the next asbestos health crisis Evotech saw indoor air quality, pre-COVID-19, becoming the next asbestos health crisis. In the UK, we have legislation for electric, gas, water hygiene, and safety, etc. but not for air quality. Then COVID-19 struck and indoor air quality (IAQ) became even more important. Enhanced environmental sensors Their objective was to help their clients provide safe, healthy indoor spaces, using IOT technology advancements. To do this, they provide enhanced environmental sensors above and beyond what a traditional building management system provides. By utilizing real-time data from Airthings IAQ sensors, they can optimize how buildings perform and achieve greater levels of energy efficiency. What’s more, Airthings sensors can alert them to issues with the HVAC system, so they could resolve it quickly, even before clients reported it. Improving operational management and energy efficiency Ensuring the health and wellbeing of employees and visitors Building management system Evotech really does offer the best to their clients, while drawing data from the Airthings solution Evotech really does offer the best to their clients, while drawing data from the Airthings solution via our API, they can also integrate with other IoT solutions and tailor to the needs of each client. For No. 1 Whitehall, Airthings air quality data enabled them to optimize a building management system using accurate IOT environmental data, monitor in real-time how the building performs, and respond to environmental changes and HVAC plant failures proactively. In early September, Evotech installed 22 Wave Plus for Business sensors at their client site, No.1 Whitehall Riverside Leeds, a circa 12,000 sq.m modern multi-tenanted office building. Let’s see how they got on! Incoming fresh air Insights, confidence, and comfort. Live monitoring of environmental conditions has given Evotech’s operational team real-time insight into on-site HVAC performance and provides their client with the confidence that their indoor spaces are safe and healthy. No. 1 Whitehall uses humidifiers designed to condition incoming fresh air No. 1 Whitehall uses humidifiers designed to condition incoming fresh air in order to keep indoor humidity at optimal levels. These are maintained in line with SFG20 guidelines, and Evotech visits them quarterly throughout the year to undertake scheduled maintenance to ensure that building occupants enjoy the healthiest air. Planned maintenance visit However, in early December 2020, the Airthings sensors reported low humidity levels throughout the building. After investigating, it was found that some of the humidifiers had stopped due to component failure. This can happen to anyone. Evotech knew instantly and ordered parts to replace them quickly. They got the humidifiers back online before the humidity levels dropped even lower. They demonstrated excellent foresight and a quick turnaround time simply by being able to access air quality data remotely thanks to the Airthings Dashboard and API integration. “Without the deployment of the Airthings sensors on site this HVAC plant failure would have gone unnoticed until our next scheduled planned maintenance visit, due many weeks later, or possibly until we attended site following occupant complaint(s).” – Evotech. Fully functioning chiller High temperatures were reported by the Airthings sensors in June 2021 on several floors In May 2021, the Airthings sensors reported unusually warm readings of 29 degrees Celsius at No. 1 Whitehall. As a result, an engineer was instantly deployed and a pressure issue was found in the chilled water system, which they were able to rectify immediately, allowing the air temperature to return to normal levels. Similarly, high temperatures were reported by the Airthings sensors in June 2021 on several floors in the building. Again, Evotech’s engineering team was immediately sent to investigate and identify a small refrigerant leak in one of the chiller circuits. Without the air quality data, they would have had to rely on tenant complaints. Instead, using the air quality data, they were proactive and returned the comfort cooling system back to full use. Acting immediately reduced the amount of refrigerant wasted and prevented the system from expending extra energy trying to cool a building without a fully functioning chiller.

Florida Gators Sports Properties and Air Pros USA, a residential and commercial air conditioning service company and the official Air Conditioning partner for Gators football, demonstrated gratitude for Veterans at the Florida Gators ‘saluting those who serve’ football game which took place on Saturday, November 13th. As part of the saluting those who serve game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Air Pros CEO Anthony Perera was recognized on the field and surprised the five local Veterans highlighted for their service earlier in the game with a free air conditioning unit. Small gesture of appreciation “Air Pros USA is committed to the honor and recognition of our Veterans and will continue to give back to those who have given so much to our country,” says Anthony Perera, founder of Air Pros USA.  “We are proud to present this small gesture of appreciation to these Veterans and thank the Florida Gators’ for including us in their ongoing dedication to the Veteran community.” During the game, the Gators also showed a touching video of decorated Veteran, Eddie Thomas, who was recognized for his sacrifice to the country and awarded a new A/C unit by Air Pros USA. Thomas served in the United States Air Force from 1954-1958, as well as during the Korean War. His service included overseeing security at his base in Germany and K-9 units. Incredible giveaway surprise Thomas, who is legally blind, still volunteers and serves on the Korean War Veterans of America Color Guard During active-duty, Thomas earned a Good Conduct Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Outstanding Unit Award, Small Arms Expert Award, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, as well as the United Nations Service Medal.  Thomas, who is legally blind, still volunteers and serves on the Korean War Veterans of America Color Guard at Veteran events and funerals. “We’re humbled our partners at Air Pros USA wanted to be a part of the ‘saluting those who serve game’ and surprise Veterans with this incredible giveaway,” said Lee Douglas, Vice President and General Manager of Florida Gators Sports Properties. Brave military servicemen “It was a wonderful moment to show gratitude to the brave military servicemen and women who’ve done so much for our country.” Air Pros USA is continuously finding ways to give back to the community, including Veterans and military service members. Air Pros USA will continue to look for opportunities such as donations, giveaways and hiring initiatives to support those who serve the country.

Carrier Global Corporation, a global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable, and intelligent building and cold chain solutions is delivering a full suite of innovative building technologies at Emory Healthcare’s new cutting-edge Musculoskeletal Institute (MSKI) in Atlanta, Georgia. Advanced solutions Carrier and Emory are collaborating to implement advanced solutions from Carrier’s Healthy Buildings Program – including HVAC, building automation, fire detection, access, and video management and digital services – at this state-of-the-art facility. Carrier’s portfolio features products that optimize indoor environments to improve occupant experience, operational efficiency, and inspire confidence in everything from physical safety and security to improved health, productivity, and cognitive performance. Eco-friendly building design Emory’s vision to be a model of transformative practices serves as the inspiration for the eco-friendly design" “Emory’s vision to be a model of transformative practices and sustainable choices at every level serves as the inspiration for the eco-friendly design of the building,” said Scott D. Boden, MD, Director of Emory MSKI and Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine. To deliver this vision, it was important for Emory to partner with an innovative building technologies company like Carrier that provides the most advanced solutions. Intelligent technologies “At Carrier, we recognize the potential for indoor environments to help shape a healthier future. We are pleased to provide Emory’s MSKI with our full suite of intelligent building technologies. It’s through relationships built on a shared vision of innovation, that we can see the full potential of our technologies,” said Mead Rusert, President, Automated Logic Corporation, a Carrier Company. “I am confident that patients and staff will see and feel the benefits of the technologies in this world-class facility.” From the most fundamental elements of safety and security to the cognitive and health benefits of improved air quality and ventilation, Carrier’s high-performing building solutions at the Emory MSKI facility enhance the occupant experience. WebCTRL® building automation system WebCTRL helps customers achieve their sustainability and energy-efficiency goals by optimizing equipment At the core of the enhancements is the Automated Logic WebCTRL® building automation system, a powerful web-based platform that provides the MSK Facilities Team with software tools and insight to keep occupants comfortable while managing energy consumption and to identify, prioritize and analyze operational issues. WebCTRL helps customers achieve their sustainability and energy-efficiency goals by optimizing equipment and proactively identifying issues. Carrier’s Abound IoT platform will integrate into WebCTRL and will monitor indoor air quality and operational performance, displaying the data on user-friendly dashboards in the main lobby and on MSK’s website. Safety and security MSK chose products from Carrier’s Fire & Security portfolio, including LenelS2 and Edwards, to enhance the safety and security of the facility. The LenelS2 OnGuard® access control system secures the facility by leveraging mobile credentialing technology through the MyWay app, eliminating a significant number of access touchpoints and affording a safer, more secure, healthier experience for building occupants. In addition, through LenelS2’s continued collaboration with Milestone Systems, a provider of video management software, MSKI operators benefit from a unified security management system that incorporates access control, video surveillance, and other technologies to help keep people and property safe. EST4 enhances system survivability through advanced encryption and safeguards, managing cyber threats EST4 emergency communications system The facility also utilizes the Edwards EST4 premier emergency communications system. Featuring new network architecture, EST4 enhances system survivability through advanced encryption and safeguards, managing today's cyber threats. The system also benefits from Edwards’ Signature Optica™ detectors which distinguish between different types of fires, enhancing the protection of people and property, while reducing the number of false alarms that cause business interruption and unnecessary responses by fire departments. Location Located in Emory’s Executive Park health innovation district, Emory’s MSKI is a six-story,180,000 square-foot building that focuses on innovation, improving the patient experience and research while providing all musculoskeletal services in one convenient location for patients.

A historic Art Deco icon meets cutting-edge luxury at The Sinclair, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel. Built during the early 20th Century oil boom of Texas, the Sinclair Building has stood as one of the most recognizable landmarks of downtown Fort Worth, since 1929. The Sinclair, a historic hotel Designed to reflect the Gilded Age Art Deco style of the roaring 1920s, the Sinclair Building served the surrounding business community and employed thousands of Texans over the decades before undergoing a dramatic transformation. Addressing the need for an innovative, intelligent luxury and lifestyle hotel in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square district, the Sinclair Building was restored to its original splendor beginning in 2017, completing its restaging in 2019 when the hotel opened its doors to guests. Blending advanced technology with effortless style The Sinclair’s mission is to create an unforgettable and luxurious experience for its guests Re-defining smart sophistication, each of the 164 boutique rooms and suites at The Sinclair, seamlessly blends advanced technology with effortless style, to create a high-end experience for guests. The hotel property includes a variety of spaces, ranging from a large lower-level restaurant and rooftop bar with impressive views of the city’s downtown to tech-savvy meeting rooms.  The Sinclair’s mission is to create an unforgettable and luxurious experience for its guests, in a classic building environment. The hotel’s owner and design team sought state-of-the-art technology, to power, sustain and manage the entire property, while carefully maintaining the historic building’s unique design and architectural details. Retaining the integrity of original hotel design Retaining the integrity of its original design and intricate artistic architectural accents was paramount, with the desire to pay homage to the historic building’s storied past, while keeping an eye to the future, with some of the most cutting-edge technology concepts available. In this drive to create a beautifully designed and technologically advanced space, the building’s owner and managers were required to play within the confines of the existing structure, as much as possible. HVAC system upgrade With guest comfort of the utmost importance, the team looked for an HVAC system that could address the complex needs of the space itself. First, there was a need to replace the inefficient air conditioning system (an older model chiller system) that had taken up precious real estate on the property’s lower level, upper level, and rooftop, areas that could be repurposed for other uses. Additionally, the property’s slab-to-slab heights were much lower than is now common and the team sought to keep as much ceiling height as possible. This posed a particular challenge in the individual guest rooms themselves. Another challenge that was related to the guest rooms, as well as the restaurant, was noise and the need to minimize operational sound, as much as possible. Lastly, space was also at a premium in the exterior portions of the building, with very limited room outside to put condensing units, thereby emphasizing the sizing and placement criteria of the desired HVAC solutions. “I work with some of the most innovative and forward-thinking partners around the globe, when developing my properties and creating an unforgettable experience for my guests is of the utmost importance,” said Farukh Aslam, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sinclair Holdings. Power-Over-Ethernet technology for energy efficiency The hotel aimed to be low-voltage and the management team explored Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE) technology To that end, it was paramount that The Sinclair renovation includes the right mix of advanced technologies, to deliver on this exceptional guest experience. The hotel aimed to be low-voltage and the management team explored Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE) technology, in order to help achieve many of The Sinclair’s energy-efficiency and forward-thinking technology goals. The adoption of PoE aims to increase the integration of technologies that can be seamlessly run by one source of power, lending itself toward the overall goal of creating a future-ready building for the present time. Heating and cooling for the lobby bar and reception area The hotel required individual control of its HVAC system, throughout 164 guest rooms (featuring 50 different room types), and sufficient heating and cooling for the lobby bar, reception area, and large basement restaurant. The hotel management wanted to work with a partner that was not only able to fulfill a myriad of HVAC needs but also create a complete building ecosystem with its range of innovative technologies across an expansive portfolio. To achieve the gold standard of technology and energy efficiency desired, the hotel sought out a supplier that would allow them to integrate a range of solutions that were compatible with this cutting-edge technology. LG’s Multi V IV Heat Recovery Unit For the HVAC system, LG's award-winning Multi V IV Heat Recovery Unit was selected for its ability to provide individual room comfort for each space within the larger property. Offering a compact footprint without sacrificing power, the Multi V IV contributes to building energy efficiency, high performance, and flexibility in design and installation options. Installation versatility was a key factor, as the historic building was restricted in regard to lower ceilings, as well as space for outdoor equipment. Recognizing the importance of the quieter operation, especially in The Sinclair’s guest rooms, HVAC and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology experts, Texas AirSystems, advised on the installation of a variety of indoor air-handling solutions. LG’s AC Smart controller Texas Air Systems also specified LG’s AC Smart controller, which allowed for virtually seamless control of the HVAC system Their recommendations included versatile wall-mounted units and LG ceiling cassettes that did not require bulky ductwork to accommodate the tight ceiling area constraints while supporting the tranquil environment required of guest rooms. The technology works behind the scenes, translating to the overall comfort and experience of a guest's stay. Texas Air Systems also specified LG’s AC Smart controller, which allowed for virtually seamless control of the HVAC system, for the building management team. This innovative control solution is compatible with a variety of applications and offers a single LG platform that drives both VRF technology and energy efficiency. Property managers can now easily manage, set, and monitor the building’s heating and cooling performance. LG’s VRF technology Prior to installing LG’s VRF technology, the building relied on an old chiller system to condition the entire building, which also required a great deal of space in the building's lower and upper levels. After switching to VRF, the hotel was able to gain a significant amount of usable floor space for the large lower-level restaurant and executive top floor suites. On the exterior of The Sinclair hotel, LG outdoor units with slim, minimal features were installed, to further increase saved space. LG’s industry-renowned VRF technology helps minimize efficiency losses, energy consumption, and life cycle costs. LG OLED hotel TVs installed in guest rooms With an eye towards implementing cutting-edge technology, the developer also incorporated a stunning array of LG OLED hotel TVs into every guest room, the first hotel to have OLED TVs in every guest room. Premium OLED displays deliver a picture with perfect blacks and incredible color, even from wide viewing angles. It uses self-lighting pixels that can be individually turned on and off for exact control of image brightness and quality, delivering an infinite contrast ratio optimized for high-dynamic range content. In addition to the guest room displays, a number of other LG commercial displays are featured throughout the property's public spaces, including the lobby, restaurants, and bars. “Thanks to our strong relationship with Sinclair's owner and building managers, there are multiple products across an array of LG business units installed throughout the property,” said Doug Bougher, the Director of Sales for LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA. Advanced suite of LG solutions The advanced suite of LG solutions across the entire property helped satisfy a multitude of needs Doug Bougher adds, “Aligning with a partner like The Sinclair, on our shared goals to power the building of the future, allowed an ecosystem that connects our industry-renowned air conditioning technologies and other LG innovations to create a comfortable, elevated experience for guests across the entire property.” The advanced suite of LG solutions across the entire property helped satisfy a multitude of needs, required by the management staff, creating this innovative and groundbreaking establishment, and delivering a comfortable, elevated experience for guests. The team employed what is believed to be one of the first applications of PoE to a large array of end points, in order to achieve many of the energy-efficiency and forward-thinking goals that the Sinclair desired. Reliable, energy-efficient HVAC solution From an HVAC perspective, LG’s Multi V IV Heat Recovery unit system served as a more advanced and energy-efficient solution for the property’s need to heat and cool its numerous spaces across individual guest rooms and shared spaces. For nearly the same cost as a traditional system, The Sinclair now has a highly reliable, energy-efficient HVAC solution that is designed to deliver effortless occupant comfort and convenience. Farukh Aslam said, “I am very sold on LG’s technologies and the results are quite impressive, thanks to its amazing energy efficiency and quietness, contributing to the tranquil atmosphere, throughout the property.” High-class, high-technology hotel The Sinclair Hotel is a ground-breaking example of the hotels of the future. Farukh Aslam adds, “There's no hotel as forward-thinking as ours – from the power generation of the entire building to the most advanced tech toys, like the OLED TVs, found in each room, The Sinclair is a study in high-class high-tech.” LG’s wide offerings, from HVAC to OLED TVs and commercial displays, solar energy offerings, appliances, and everything in between, can help customers like The Sinclair create a truly comprehensive building ecosystem, with one trusted brand.

The owner of a 107-year old home sought an advanced hydronic heating solution for a major basement finishing project and to alleviate his existing heating woes on the first and second floors of the residence. The installation of an innovative and highly efficient boiler from Weil-McLain helped make the basement remodel a success and the family's home comfortably warm throughout. Hydronic heating solution Michael Bartholomay-Berreth, owner of the 2,700 square-foot, two-story Craftsman residence, built in 1914, in Fargo, North Dakota, had been having issues with the home’s boiler, which provides heat and hot water, for some time. The family also had decided to convert their unfinished basement into a warm, livable space consisting of a living room and bedroom with radiant heated floors. “We live in Fargo, so obviously a house is only as good as its heating system,” said Michael Bartholomay-Berreth, adding “Heating the basement was a major concern because it got very cold down there in the winter, sometimes dipping below 50 degrees. On top of that, our existing boiler was really inefficient and was the only heat source for the first and second floor radiators.” Heating system upgrade Upon inspection, the heating system consisted of a very old boiler and an old gravity system" Michael Bartholomay-Berreth contacted John Robinson, at Esser Plumbing & Heating (Aire Serv of Fargo - Esser Plumbing), which performs commercial and residential installations, and services, throughout the Lakes Area in Minnesota and the Fargo-Moorhead area, to handle the upgrade. John Robinson stated, “Upon inspection, the heating system consisted of a very old boiler and an old gravity system, with pipes hanging below the ceiling and 2-inch lines connected to the boiler. With limited space for the boiler replacement, the homeowner sought a single boiler solution, to heat the basement’s new radiant floors and provide a multi-zone capability, for the main floor and second floor radiators.” ECO Tec 150 MBH gas boiler installed After careful review, John Robinson recommended installing a Weil-McLain brand high-efficiency ECO Tec 150 MBH gas boiler featuring powerful, intuitive controls and built-in zone control designed to provide targeted, abundant heat for all levels of the home. As part of the basement re-modeling project, the contracting team broke up and removed the entire concrete floor from the basement. Then, they dug out the ground to lower the floor level by a foot, to make room for the installation of radiant floor heat. Radiant heat and new concrete flooring With the radiant heat and the new concrete flooring installed, the team connected the radiant flooring and all the existing cast iron hot water radiators on the upper levels of the home, to the new ECO Tec boiler. The team also installed an indirect tank for hot water, also powered by the ECO Tec boiler. “The location of the boiler is in a cramped space, the size of a small closet and Esser did such a great job installing and feeding all of the lines in there,” said Michael Bartholomay-Berreth, adding “Thankfully, this boiler is designed for easy access and installation into tight areas.” ECO Tec boiler installation benefits The Weil-McLain brand 95% AFUE high-efficiency ECO Tec boiler features heat only and combi versions The Weil-McLain brand 95% AFUE high-efficiency ECO Tec boiler features heat only and combi versions for all residential space and domestic hot water heating. It features a durable stainless steel fire tube heat exchanger with sound dampening air silencer, corrosion-resistant condensate collector base, easy-to-use setup wizards, and touch screen display. Michael Bartholomay-Berreth has experienced several benefits from the new Weil-McLain brand ECO Tec boiler installation. He said, “The new Weil-McLain brand system was the ideal solution to our problems. Esser Plumbing & Heating did an unbelievable job in getting the system up and running quickly. The result was a new boiler that provides highly-efficient heat and hot water for our entire home.” Michael Bartholomay-Berreth also enjoys learning more about the user-friendly ECO Tec unit. Featuring intelligent boiler control “I've been monitoring the boiler to see how the system works and to use the cool touchscreen,” said Michael Bartholomay-Berreth, adding “I like to see which zones are receiving heat at any given time to learn more about how it works. The unit is pretty slick. Its intelligent boiler control is able to supply higher temperatures to the radiators and water heater, for them to operate as designed; and a lower temperature to the radiant floor system, for a warm even heat.” Most importantly, the house is a warmer and more comfortable environment. Michael Bartholomay-Berreth concludes, “This is a special house that has been around a long time. And our new boiler system lets us appreciate and enjoy it that much more.”

Florida Gators Sports Properties and Air Pros USA, a residential and commercial air conditioning services company and the official Air Conditioning partner for Gators football, came together for the annual ‘Saluting Those Who Serve’ initiative to recognize a local Veteran. Working with the Alachua County Veteran Services Division, Air Pros USA and the Florida Gators awarded 88-year-old Eddie Thomas, a decorated Korean War Veteran, with a brand-new air conditioning unit and installation, free of charge. Life changing opportunity Thomas was nominated by the Alachua County Veteran Services Division because of his service to the country and he has a 23-year-old A/C unit in need of being replaced. Thomas served in the United States Air Force from 1954-1958, as well as during the Korean War. His service included overseeing security at his base in Germany as well as the K-9 units. Thomas says that the military was ahead of its times in terms of diversity and inclusion to put him in such a supervisory role at a young age. "I am so pleased that our local Korean War Veteran, Eddie Thomas, was selected for this wonderful opportunity,” says Kim Davis, Executive Director for Alachua County Veteran Services Division. “Our Veteran Services Team is very dedicated to our Veteran Community as we strive to help them with their needs and when something special comes along, it warms our hearts to see a deserving Veteran receive a life changing opportunity." Good Conduct Ribbon Like many who call South Florida home, we are passionate about the Florida Gators" During active-duty Thomas earned a Good Conduct Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Outstanding Unit Award, Small Arms Expert Award, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. His military service is such a source of pride for him. Thomas, who is legally blind, still volunteers and serves on the Korean War Veterans of America Color Guard at Veteran events and funerals. “Like many who call South Florida home, we are passionate about the Florida Gators and giving back to the community we serve,” said Anthony Perera, President of Air Pros USA. “Honoring those who have served our country will always be a priority for Air Pros USA not only with donations and giveaways but also in our hiring initiatives and event support.” Other prestigious companies “We are excited that Air Pros, like several other prestigious companies, is joining us in our annual Saluting Those Who Serve initiative in supporting the Florida Gators,” said Scott Stricklin, Athletics Director at the University of Florida. “They are truly exemplary not only as one of the fastest-growing Heating and Air Conditioning companies in the state but also in their commitment to veterans and giving back.” Air Pros USA is continuously finding ways to give back to the community, including Veterans and military service members, to thank them for their service.

For schools, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) is a basic function of HVAC systems, which also ensures a high comfort level for students, teachers and staff. Schools can be a lucrative market for HVAC systems, but there are challenges, such as long sales cycles and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the challenges for HVAC in serving the education/schools market?

Shifting demographics suggest a need for ‘new blood’ in the HVAC industry. It has never been a more important time to attract new applicants into the industry. Fortunately, there is a range of exciting opportunities for applicants of any age, including new disciplines and skills needed as HVAC systems transform in the digital age. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the emerging career opportunities in the HVAC industry?

The practice of working from home soared during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and many observers see a likely continuation of the trend, as infection risks gradually subside. Both environments – home and office – depend on HVAC systems to keep occupants comfortable (and safe!). Therefore, the industry stands to be impacted whichever way the trend plays out. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How will remote working affect residential and commercial HVAC?