Lux Products Thermostats

If you’re an HVAC installer, you know how challenging it can be to convince homeowners to upgrade their systems. Homeowners would rather save money than ensure that their heating and air conditioning systems are in excellent working condition. Others put off the upgrade until it’s too late and problems start to surface. Part of your job is to make them understand that regular maintenance of their HVAC system is essential for their safety and good health. Customers Priorities Air conditioning installation experts like you can start by asking questions and determining your customers’ priorities. Are the homeowners always busy so that HVAC concerns are often neglected? Are your customers worried about the expenses that come with the upgrade? Do the homeowners always give you petty excuses? Are you sure your clients understand the importance of regular HVAC maintenance? The answers to these questions will help you develop a strategy for persuading the homeowner to schedule preventive maintenance. Maintained HVAC System Once you know your customers’ concerns, you can sit down and talk to them. Give them a visual walkthrough of what can happen if they continue to neglect their HVAC system. For example, let your customers imagine what it feels like living in a home surrounded by dust and debris in the air. Let them visualize walls covered with molds and their children suffering from all kinds of allergies. Then let them visually experience what a home with a regularly-maintained HVAC system is like. Enumerate the benefits: Healthier air Better airflow Safer home Efficient use of energy = significant savings More environmentally friendly home Comfortable home the whole year round Increased resale value Talk to your customers and assure them that you’re there to help every step of the way.  Here’s an infographic that you can use to explain to your customers the importance of regularly upgrading their HVAC systems:

As we look back at 2020, we are all reflecting on the year that was, and what we have learned from it. In the HVAC space, the year provided us with opportunities for growth and change, as we adjusted to our “new normal.” Here’s a look at some of the HVAC trends we see happening now taking hold as we head into 2021. Advancements and applications in indoor air quality - especially in HVAC space (SF / MF / CRE) 2020 was filled with starts and stops with regards to innovation. Covid-19 halted work in some facilities altogether earlier in the year. The pandemic has brought with it a re-energized interest in the air quality around us, especially in the public sector. There has been a newfound imperative in creating indoor air quality solutions that ensure that air is circulated, sanitized and purified to reduce the likelihood of the spread of sickness. This is a massive issue and 2021 will see growing efforts in these areas and the increased introduction of systems that will purify air quality. HVAC building systems Continued push toward energy efficiency (mainly SF but also CRE) Energy efficiency will be an ongoing issue into the foreseeable future. Once we have looked back at 2020’s carbon emission reductions (because fewer people were flying and driving) there will be no turning back. The same can be said for HVAC. Increased efficiency will continue to be an ongoing pursuit in 2021 and beyond. On average, HVAC appliances consume 48% of a household’s total energy usage. The latest generation of smart thermostats that use the newer 410A refrigerant have brought about reduced energy consumption by up to 35% optimizing how HVAC building systems are operated (reducing the possibility of leaving the AC on too long, and when it’s not necessary to use). convenience and energy savings Increase in supply chain management / platform services HVAC services such as those that collect and manage data including HVAC unit age, efficiency and condition at the property and portfolio level will continue to see increased adoption. These convenience and energy savings they provide is being seen in the multi-family and commercial space, especially with some building owners having been grounded by the pandemic in 2020. New construction had a role in expanding interest in HVAC asset tagging and helping it gain traction in the industry The data gathered by these services can be used in the future to predict HVAC system failures with significant accuracy before they happen. The convenience and potential cost savings acquired by implementing these services will continue to push their popularity into 2021. Additionally, it is interesting to note that new construction in 2020 had a role in expanding interest in HVAC asset tagging and helping it gain traction in the industry. Cataloguing HVAC assets ensures the follow up and guarantees that warranty registration holds and can help track future maintenance during a hold. At the time of sale, the current owner can present true data of the maintenance of these systems, which can increase the current value of the property and can also be used as a tool in negotiation. performing regular maintenance Remote monitoring can be the end to end solution that completes the action behind the alert (CRE mainly) Remote monitoring will continue to see adoption in 2021. Service providers will continue to rely less and less on clients identifying and reporting a problem a heating/cooling issue. The complaint from the tenant may come in some hours after the problem actually starts, and then by the time they get a service request completed, several hours more. And by the time the contractor is on the scene, it is likely more time has elapsed. Remote monitoring also results in regular maintenance, extending the lifetime of a HVAC system. By proactively performing regular maintenance, the overall costs of maintaining a system can be reduced by 40 percent, in addition to ensuring that units are always using the least amount of energy necessary. seamless customer experience Consolidation of HVAC services and equipment - the way people buy - turnkey integrated services One stop shopping for HVAC services and equipment gained popularity in 2020 One stop shopping for HVAC services and equipment gained popularity in 2020 and we will continue to see increased traction in 2021. There are many reasons why developers what to buy equipment directly from the manufacturer, such as convenience, working with a supplier because of its reputation, cost and guarantees on product and services. As more developers buy equipment directly, these manufacturers are responding by helping out with mechanical drawings. This process cuts down the supply chain, allows certainty that correct equipment is quoted, and saves money. The HVAC industry is also turning the corner in becoming more proactive in remediating failing assets and contractors are redoubling their efforts to provide a seamless customer experience increasing customer satisfaction for multi-family communities as well as other means of optimization of services that positively impact tenants, helping increase retention. HVAC providers that can manage the entire process from installation, to job request to invoicing, even reporting and tracking for each job, will be increasingly in demand in 2021.

Inverter driven air conditioning is more energy efficient, cheaper to operate and more profitable to install than its non-inverter driven equivalent. Here Neil Ballinger, head of EMEA at automation parts supplier EU Automation, explains how HVAC engineers can maintain the inverters in their customer’s aircon units. Do you remember cross country at school? It was exhausting; miles of seemingly pointless jogging and sprinting and, if the teacher was not looking, walking. If you were unlucky enough to be born before modern safeguarding measures were introduced, it probably also meant getting lost in the nearest woods.Why isn’t every installation an inverter driven unit, instead of the traditional single stage or dual stage models? My PE teacher, who seemed particularly vicious at the time, but in retrospect just knew about sports science than most, used to make us do something called fartlek as well. This meant long distance runs, incorporating elements of speed training by mixing up sprints with jogs and walks. The worst bit was starting to run again after a walk. That is exactly how the motor in your customer’s air conditioner feel if the units you fit are not inverter controlled. The motor has to act just like a runner doing fartlek — it sprints continuously, operating at full speed until the thermostat tells it the room is cool, then it stops. When the room gets warm, it starts again, powers immediately up to full speed and repeats the process indefinitely. Just like a teenage cross-country runner, it is the starting and stopping that is the tough bit. Furthermore, the unit probably doesn’t have to run at full speed to keep the room at the correct temperature, if the motor were inverter controlled it would speed up and slow down as the temperature fluctuates. Why isn’t all aircon inverter driven? We all know that inverter driven aircon is better than its non-inverter driven cousins. It can provide heating as well as cooling and the lifetime cost of use is less for the customer — because their energy bills stay low. The cost of installation is also higher because it is a more complex job, so it works out better for the contractor. It’s a win-win. The research firm Technavio even lists it as one of the key technologies driving growth in the HVAC market in its annual reports every year. So, the only question is, why isn’t every installation an inverter driven unit, instead of the traditional single stage or dual stage models?When contractors contact EU Automation to buy automation parts, for the units they maintain, they have given us another reason: maintenance Cost is a factor, but when contractors contact EU Automation to buy replacement motors and inverters, and other automation parts, for the units they maintain, they have given us another reason: maintenance. As HVAC engineers, we are not necessarily specialists in power electronics, and this makes inverter maintenance daunting. Microcontrollers and IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) are not beyond us by any means, but they can be intimidating. Personally, I would back an electrical or heating engineer over an electronics specialist in a problem-solving contest all day long; but that doesn’t solve the problem at hand. Furthermore, while we are experts in air conditioning brands, and know our Daikins and Grees from our Mitsubishis and Fujitsus, we don’t necessarily have contacts at the inverter manufacturers. Amtech, Danfoss, Vacon and Yaskawa are all names we know, but the local dealer for any of them is probably not in your phone book. This is especially true if the unit you need is from a first-generation inverter driven aircon unit and well over a decade old. While we are experts in air conditioning brands, and know our Daikins and Grees from our Mitsubishis and Fujitsus, we don’t necessarily have contacts at the inverter manufacturers Maintenance techniques While inverter maintenance can be daunting, it isn’t difficult. The tools you will need most often are nothing more than a rag and a spanner, while the more esoteric kit is stuff you probably carry anyway, a laptop, vacuum and a Fluke meter. Before you start, remember that while we tend to refer to an inverter as an inverter, the manufacturers themselves, and many of the sources of information online, often refer to them as VSDs (Variable Speed Drives), VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) or just plain old drives. As a result, when you are searching online for a video to explain something, it’s worth using all three of those terms, alongside the inverter manufacturer’s name and the problem to make sure you get the right result.While inverter maintenance can be daunting, it isn’t difficult When you do move on to maintenance, step one is simple; make sure that the unit is free of dust. This is as easy as vacuuming the heatsink with an ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) vacuum cleaner when you perform routine maintenance or investigate a problem. While you are checking for build up of dust and daily grime, check the filters. They will probably have to be replaced during annual maintenance, but high use might mean they need to be replaced more often. The control panel itself should be well ventilated and free of dust as well, if it isn’t it can overheat, which is the number one cause of inverter damage and the most common reason contractors contact us for replacement units. Before you put your vacuum and duster away, you should make sure that the inverter unit’s location is clean and as sheltered from the elements as possible. Because it’s normally situated on a roof, it’s not going to be perfect, but the units are designed to take a limited battering. That doesn’t mean it’s okay for them to be covered in leaves, surrounded by rubbish or immediately beneath the guttering outlet though! Before you put your vacuum and duster away, you should make sure that the inverter unit’s location is clean and as sheltered from the elements as possible Get out the spanner Once you’ve finished these steps, you are done with dusting for now, it’s time to get out your screwdriver and your spanner. Step one is to make sure the fans on the inverter are operating normally, without noise and with nothing blocking their rotation. The fan keeps the internal components running effectively, just as it does on PC, and if its function is impaired the capacitors will overheat and the inverter will fail.When you install or maintain an inverter on an air conditioning system, it is a sensible precaution to back up the drive parameters to your laptop The next job is to grab your spanner and make sure the power terminals are on tight. Loose connections cause arcing, overheating and even melting of components and are easily checked during any kind of maintenance and repair. While we are still in the realms of the work your apprentice can do with their eyes closed, you should also make sure that the inverter’s removable LCD control pad is stored sensibly and not continually attached to the drive. If it remains attached, there is a chance the display will stay on permanently, which means that when you need it to diagnose a problem, it will probably already be burnt out. Break out the laptop When you install or maintain an inverter on an air conditioning system, it is a sensible precaution to back up the drive parameters to your laptop. It takes minutes and is normally done by using the removable LCD control. In fact, it’s often as simple as selecting ‘PARs’ and then ‘BACKUP’ from the menu. If you struggle, there are lots of videos on YouTube, like this one, which explain the process for each drive. As a result, if the inverter ever does need replacing, you can whip out your backed up parameters and order a new or refurbished one easily, before reloading the parameters to the replacement and getting up and running in no time. Your customers will think you are a power electronics genius, as well as a HVAC expert, and they will be loyal for life; especially of you save them on a hot day! If you follow these simple measures, you will find that the inverters in your customer’s air conditioning units last much longer and no motors will have to run the equivalent of a cross country, thanks to a lack of inverter control.

Johnson Controls announced the latest addition to its suite of LUX Products: the LUX CS1 Smart Thermostat. When paired with the LUX App, the LUX CS1 provides a variety of easy-to-use features for effortless comfort, control and savings. At $99 MSRP, the Energy-Star certified LUX CS1 is priced well below comparable thermostat models to make the benefits of smart technology even more accessible for homeowners and building operators alike. “The LUX CS1 Smart Thermostat is all about accessibility. Its price point, approachable design and intuitive technology make it one of the most affordable, feature-packed smart thermostats on the market today,” said Rob Munin, General Manager, Thermostats and Sensors at Johnson Controls. Internet of Things For smart technology beginners, it’s the perfect gateway to connected comfort, control and savings" “The LUX CS1 perfectly marries traditional thermostat functionality such as large digits with advanced features including geofencing powered by the LUX App. For smart technology beginners, it’s the perfect gateway to connected comfort, control and savings.” LUX Products, a Johnson Controls brand, is an innovator in indoor comfort. From manual to smart thermostats, the company’s range of technology includes a wide variety of well-designed and feature appropriate thermostats for every setting and budget. The LUX CS1 brings a new level of affordability to the LUX thermostat line up and features these smart capabilities: Minimal set-up: Flexible installation using either a Power Wire, C-wire or LUX Power Bridge. Then, hook it up to Wi-Fi for a secure, reliable connection. Intuitive design: The simple interface features a straightforward display including large digits, backlighting and easy access to temperature and scheduling settings. Smart tech: Connects to the Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands free control and voice activation. It also works with IFTTT (If This Then That), enabling LUX CS1 users to create a unique Internet of Things (IOT) experience together with other mobile applications and devices. Smart app: Compatible with the LUX App to control temperature from anywhere, plus tap into geofencing and smart scheduling for greater energy and cost savings. Peace of mind: Custom alerts provide notifications about abnormal room temperature or filter replacement requirements. Extensive compatibility: Designed for a wide range of heating and cooling systems to fit within most homes and buildings. smart thermostat capabilities Users can download the LUX App from their smart phone to monitor and adjust the LUX CS1 from anywhere, at any time. The app is compatible with the entire suite of LUX smart thermostats including the LUX KONO and LUX GEO. This user-friendly app enhances smart thermostat capabilities thanks to these features: Always-on: Monitor and adjust the thermostat’s temperature and settings from anywhere for 24/7 comfort, control and peace of mind. Energy savings: Home and Away Aware geofencing monitors occupancy and automatically makes energy efficient adjustments. Cost savings: Smart scheduling, learning and adaptive tips and demand response programs - where available - provide potential savings. Multiple thermostat connectivity: Homeowners can connect up to 10 thermostats, and businesses can take advantage of unlimited connectivity within a single app. enhanced user interface Plus, users can look forward to the release of the new LUX App coming later this summer. The new app will feature an enhanced user interface including personalized settings and smart features for energy and cost savings. The LUX CS1 Smart Thermostat is available for purchase now at LuxProducts, BestBuy and local wholesalers. It will also be available soon at Amazon. Users can download the LUX App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Johnson Controls announced it has acquired the assets of Lux Products Corporation (LUX), a provider of residential thermostats and smart home products. LUX markets several successful residential and commercial lines ranging from timers to smart home thermostats including Kono and Geo. “The acquisition of LUX strengthens our portfolio in the consumer retail channel and offerings in thermostats,” said Chris Eichmann, Vice President, General Manager of Johnson Controls. “We are excited to work together with LUX to bring great products to even more customers, leveraging Johnson Controls’ resources to drive continued innovation.” smart thermostat This announcement comes shortly after the launch of Johnson Controls’ new GLAS, the stunning new smart thermostat that features a translucent OLED touchscreen display, among other high-tech features. For Johnson Controls, the LUX acquisition enhances its commitment to thermostats, a natural progression from the company that invented the first room thermostat more than 135 years ago. The move also enables faster product development cycles, improves customer service capabilities and supports greater product innovation. “We look forward to joining forces with Johnson Controls, a company that shares our passion for expertly-designed, innovative and reliable products,” said Rob Munin, CEO of LUX and newly named general manager, Thermostats for Johnson Controls. “Together, we will enhance a strong position in the residential channel and look forward to expanding our offerings to serve a wide range of customers.”

LUX Products Corporation announced the launch of LUX KONOz, a Zigbee Certified smart hub thermostat. The thermostat uses the Zigbee 3.0 platform to work with Zigbee-based smart hub systems. In addition to seamlessly connecting to various smart hubs, KONOz comes in an attractive white finish and offers additional Interchangeable Décor-snap covers in nine trend-setting colors for added personalization and is priced at $149 MSRP. KONOz can be powered by 4 AA alkaline batteries for up to two years, C-wire or LUX Power Bridge (sold separately) and is designed for easy installation with tooless push terminals and 2h/1c universal system compatibility. It offers a simple and intuitive knob interface with easy access to menus, set-up and comfort control. KONOz is equipped with the renowned Cortet EM357 module for superior RF performance and longer battery life. reliable thermostat solution We are excited to have a membership of innovators and leaders in the Internet of Things" “We are proud to have the first thermostat approved as a certified Zigbee 3.0 device,” said Rob Munin, CEO at LUX Products. “For cable and security companies and big box retailers, KONOz offers a quality and reliable thermostat solution that is affordable and one that easily connects to various Zigbee smart hubs - making it an easy purchase for homeowners. It’s easy to install, offers a level of personalization with its Décor Snap covers and provides zero degrees of difficulty for users. It’s a great win for the industry.” Internet of Things “We are excited to have a membership of innovators and leaders in the Internet of Things,” said Victor Berrios, Vice President of Technology for the Zigbee Alliance. “By certifying the LUX KONOz, LUX has expanded the Zigbee 3.0 ecosystem with a new, cutting-edge product and taken a step toward a comprehensive, user-focused smart home.' KONOz is built on the highly rated and successful KONO Smart Wi-Fi platform that LUX introduced late last year. KONOz joins LUX’s portfolio of quality and reliable thermostats that are designed for easy installation at price points that are budget-friendly for homeowners and businesses. The thermostat can be connected with other devices through a smart hub and can be easily managed via a hub system’s mobile app. KONOz can be controlled from anywhere through the app and, when paired with voice assistants through smart hub, users can control thermostats with voice commands.