AHR Expo 2022: Exhibitors Combine Digital Products With Tried-And-True

AHR Expo was back in a big way for 2022, reflecting a dynamic industry that not only survived the pandemic but has found new ways to thrive. Technical developments on display in Las Vegas spanned traditional product categories, which continued to display new levels of innovation in a mature market. Also reflecting progress were new digital offerings that increase control and efficiency of HVAC products and link them to the expanding world of data. 

Omar Tabba, the Chief Product Officer at Brainbox AI, said “You see a lot of vendors at the show, who are software value-adds to equipment, to systems, to sensors, and there is a more genuine openness and acceptance that this is a valuable thing,”

Connected cloud-based applications

Omar Tabba adds, “An important driver in the market is the ability to have cloud-based applications connected to buildings. Another driver is an intense scrutiny to come up with environmentally friendly solutions and to reduce the carbon footprint.”

Brainbox AI is among the companies leveraging the value of data in the building environment and applying it to increasing energy efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Brainbox cloud-based system

At the AHR Expo 2022 show, Brainbox announced a distribution agreement with ABB

The Brainbox cloud-based system leverages data from building systems, analyzes it in the Cloud using Artificial Intelligence (AI), and then guides the system to optimize building HVAC operations in real time. The company has three primary pathways into the market - strategic accounts for large end users, systems integrators/resellers, and through OEM partners. At the AHR Expo 2022 show, Brainbox announced a distribution agreement with ABB, to sell their cloud-based product around the world, thus taking advantage of a large global platform.

“The show has been great,” said Omar Tabba, echoing the feedback heard throughout the show from multiple exhibitors, adding “We were kind of apprehensive, given the pandemic, about whether the attendance would be good. We have been blown away. We had a full booth the first two days, and the third day was good as well.”

Transitioning to Heat Pumps

Electrification is a driving trend in the market and Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US introduced a product that can help to smooth the transition from gas- and oil-fire furnaces to heat pump systems.

Their intelli-HEAT Dual Fuel system is a heat pump that is installed on top of a furnace with an intelligent system that enables switch-over back and forth between the two systems to maximize efficiency.

Mitsubishi Electric’s intelli-HEAT Dual Fuel system

This intelli-HEAT system helps home owners who are comfortable with a furnace system make the transition to a heat pump that provides hyper-heating, down to minus 13 degrees F. Depending on the climate zone, the changeover temperature can be adjusted to ensure efficiency and every hour the heat pump operates, means no burning of fossil fuels, which is good for the environment.

At 40% better efficiency, the system provides a return on investment (ROI) within 5 to 10 years. Also, the system creates a pathway for contractors into the home for future business, as the electrification transition continues. 

Kumo cloud system

At the AHR Expo 2022, Mitsubishi Electric also highlighted the Kumo cloud system

At the AHR Expo 2022, Mitsubishi Electric also highlighted the Kumo cloud system, an app-based controller for residential systems that manages every indoor unit from a single app and connects with Google assistant and Alexa for voice control of each zone.

Also previewed at AHR Expo was the Lossnay system from Mitsubishi Electric, a new wall-mounted residential ERV (energy recovery ventilator); a fan moves air through opposing channels, with a heat membrane that transfers the heat from one air stream to the other. In effect, incoming fresh air is preheated by the exhaust air going out.

Hybrid VRF on display

On the commercial side, Mitsubishi Electric offered a hybrid VRF that uses water as a hydronic energy exchange medium rather than refrigerant. A refrigerant loop connects the outdoor VRF unit to the BC controller, while a water loop is provided to each indoor unit.

One cost benefit is to avoid the rising cost of refrigerant, while water also avoids the possibility of a refrigerant leak that could impact fire safety, especially in a setting such as a school.

HEAT2O system using VRF technology

The HEAT2O system from Mitsubishi Electric uses VRF technology to heat water in tanks from 175 to 500 gallons and using CO2 as a refrigerant. Heating water with heat-pump technology allows for just the capacity needed, can prepare for peak flows, or can phase down when demand is low.

A shift to concerns about indoor air quality (IAQ) and healthy buildings was evident at the Carrier booth, which highlighted a new certification program called ‘Carrier Certified Quality Air Systems’.

“It’s important to educate people about air quality,” said Holly Rhodes, Associate Director for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Products for Carrier Corporation.

OptiClean Air Scrubber using long-life HEPA filter

The booth highlighted the OptiClean Air Scrubber that uses a long-life HEPA filter for larger spaces

The booth highlighted the OptiClean Air Scrubber that uses a long-life HEPA filter for larger spaces, such as school cafeterias; the unit is on wheels and plugs into an outlet for easy deployment. There was also a smaller Room Purifier, available as a consumer product, which can purify air in up to 550 square feet of a home, with prices ranging from US$ 350 to US$ 500.

Carrier Corporation displayed at the AHR Expo for the first time as an independent company, since spinning off from United Technologies Corporation (UTC). The Carrier booth assembled all their brands under one footprint at the show, providing one face to the market. Also featured was the Abound cloud platform that unites air handling, air purifier systems and services to enable users to visualize indoor air quality with graphs and a dashboard that balances air quality and energy usage concerns.

19MV Water-Cooled Centrifugal chiller

On the commercial side, Carrier displayed a smaller-footprint 19MV Water-Cooled Centrifugal chiller, at 300- to 700-ton capacities, with an EquiDrive compressor for better efficiency and small enough to pass through double doors.

A higher-tier product, the 19DV chiller, at 300 to 1150 tons, uses low-pressure, low-GWP refrigerant and leverages “free cooling” (i.e., with the compressor off) to increase sustainability.

Complementary Lines for Ducted and Ductless

Air and Water Solutions is the new brand that combines the GE Appliances, Haier and Hotpoint brands under an umbrella that combines resources and renews their dedication to the professional side of the business.

At the AHR Expo 2022, Air and Water Systems announced reentry into the ducted space for the first time in 40 years; with a full line of the Unitary brand residential products, including heat pumps, air handlers and other equipment. The new line is complementary to their mature ductless line and provides a more complete menu of options.

SmartHQ Service diagnostics platform

There is also a template that allows installers to pre-drill holes to simplify installation

The emphasis is ease of installation and service. For example, a ‘kick-stand’ allows a unit to pull out from the wall to make connections and then pop back flush to the wall. There is also a template that allows installers to pre-drill holes to simplify installation. When changing a PCB, it is not necessary to take the unit apart.

The SmartHQ Service diagnostics platform provides visibility into the internal parameters and operation of a system. A plug-in interface tool collects data to provide dealer-installers insights to help with troubleshooting and maintenance, and to analyze historical operation data.

Performance, efficiency and enhanced ventilation

LG displayed Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology, energy efficient heat pumps, and emphasized indoor air quality and building connectivity products.

The LG Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller uses inverter technology to provide hot and cold water for comfort and process applications with new levels of performance and efficiency. The LG Split Compact Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) helps to address ventilation concerns in the age of COVID-19.