Economizers News & Trends

The National Education Association cites that nearly 57.5 million students and school employees enter the doors of the nation’s schools every day. According to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, half of these adults and children spend their school days breathing air polluted with toxic chemicals, mold, viruses, bacteria, asbestos, pesticides, smog and particulates from vehicle pollution, and more. While the threat of severe illness from viruses such as COVID may have...

As the summer break comes to a close, it’s time to prepare the primary school for the much-awaited back-to-school opening. One of the most critical aspects of this preparation is creating a safe and healthy learning environment for the students and staff. One key factor that often goes unnoticed but has a significant impact on the well-being of everyone in the school is indoor air quality (IAQ) and the proper functioning of the HVAC system. This article will provide facility managers...

Following the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) latest Progress Report to Parliament stating the United Kingdom (UK) is falling behind on its building decarbonization goals, Elta Fans have been calling on the building solutions supply chain to utilize available resources, such as TM65 reports and take measures to decarbonize current construction processes. The Climate Change Committee states the industry lacks urgency in its pace of reaching 2050 targets and needs more help to decarbonize...

Bosch Home Comfort (formerly Bosch Thermotechnology), a global source of high-quality heating, cooling, and hot water systems, recently launched Bosch Home Comfort PRO, HVAC contractors’ new one-stop shop for their every servicing need.  Benchmark User Interface This new portal improves upon the features offered by Bosch’s previous ABC program, brandishing a host of valuable new tools and rewards for loyal installers. Its industry benchmark user interface (UI) is designed for...

As heat alerts affected nearly 110 million people, a third of the U.S. population across 15 states, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a new report on July 13 called "Enhancing Resilience in Buildings Through Energy Efficiency." The report – which followed a study by a team of energy experts from DOE’s Building Energy Codes Program, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory – outlines...

Interplay Learning, the globally renowned provider of immersive training solutions for the skilled trades, announced the launch of its new driving safety training. Designed to address the crucial need for workplace safety among trade companies worldwide, this innovative training can equip employees with the necessary skills to be safe and secure while driving on the job. Interplay’s new driving safety training Interplay’s newly introduced driving safety training offers courses ta...

Britta Permats is the Managing Director at Svensk Ventilation (The Swedish Ventilation Association), where she previously served as Technical and Environmental Manager. As part of their ‘Faces of the Eurovent Commission’ series, she gave a synopsis of the Swedish IAQ and IEQ initiatives that Svensk Ventilation participates in. Britta Permats has been long involved in the Eurovent Commission and several Task Forces of Eurovent. She is a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)...

Eurovent, REHVA, and Nordic Ventilation Group have launched a common proposal on implementing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) requirements introduced by EPBD under revision. These new provisions added by the Commission's and Parliament's initiative, represent an important step forward to ensure healthy and comfortable IEQ in buildings. Guidelines and examples In this document, IEQ substance and requirements are explained just on a few pages In this document, IEQ substance and requiremen...

Trane® - by Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, and Santikos Entertainment announce that the theater has achieved an annual 30% energy savings as a result of comprehensive energy and infrastructure upgrades on six Santikos theaters. The annual savings involve 3,800,000 kWh in electricity. Using the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator to convert to carbon metrics, this is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of approximately 340 households. Theater guests en...

The importance of airflow is well-documented as a critical component in establishing healthy indoor air quality and energy-efficient building performance. But harnessing these benefits through commercial HVAC systems requires advanced air control solutions. Over the past 65 years, Ruskin® has remained the name behind the industry’s cutting-edge commercial HVAC dampers, louvers, energy recovery ventilators (ERV), and air measurement devices. Celebrates the milestone of 65 years 65 ye...

Calling all plumbers and installers of heating systems! The highly anticipated Installer Show is back, and Panasonic is excited to be a part of it once again. From June 27th to 29th, 2023, make sure to visit Stand D20 at the Installer Show 2023, which is taking place at NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK), where Panasonic will be showcasing the latest innovations in low carbon heating and cooling technology, smart building monitoring tools, and PRO Partner benefits. Panasonic’s latest i...

The Eurovent Product Group ‘Commercial Refrigeration Equipment’ (PG-RDC) has elected Victor Gomara (R&D Director, Koxka) as its new Vice-Chairperson. The elections took place during the group’s online meeting on 10 May 2023. Victor Gomara succeeds Jesus Beraza (Chief Commercial Officer Europe, Middle East, Africa & Oceania, Koxka) as the Vice-Chairperson and will be supporting Maurizio Orlandi, Chairperson of the group, in his new role. Extensive industry experience...

Johnson Controls., the global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings announced the launch of the YORK® YVAM air-cooled magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller operating with the ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, R-1234ze, for hyperscale and colocation data center cooling. YORK® YVAM chiller The YORK® YVAM chiller is one of the most efficient options for data center applications because its magnetic-bearing technology allows the system to operate very...

IonicBlue® has announced a CAD $100 million agreement with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to make net zero more attainable to Canadian organizations striving to reach their decarbonization targets. IonicBlue is a joint venture between Johnson Controls (JCI), the globally renowned company for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, with funds managed by Apollo Global Management, Inc. (APO), a major global alternative asset manager. IonicBlue gets funding from Canada Infrastructure B...

Tax Initiative 179D, also known as the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction, is a federal tax incentive program in the United States of America (USA) that encourages energy efficiency improvements in commercial buildings. It provides a deduction for the costs associated with implementing energy-efficient HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, lighting systems, and building envelope improvements. History of Tax Initiative 179D Tax Initiative 179D was introduced a...

Johnson Controls, the pioneer for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announced the launch of the YORK® YVAM air-cooled magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller, operating with the ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, R-1234ze, for hyperscale and colocation data center cooling. YORK® YVAM chiller The YORK® YVAM chiller is one of the most efficient options for data center applications because its magnetic-bearing technology allows the system to operate very effici...

Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, has released a first look at its Net-Zero Roadmap to decarbonize across its entire value chain by 2050. In 2022, Trane Technologies became the first in its industry – and one of the first companies in the world – to have its net-zero carbon emissions targets approved by the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). Trane Technologies’ Net-Zero Roadmap Sustainability is core to our strategy, and its success shows in our superior...

The Australian government has unveiled plans for a new ‘net zero authority’ to oversee the transition to renewable energy. The authority’s goals include supporting workers in emissions-intensive sectors to transition to new jobs, coordinating programs to attract and take advantage of new clean energy industries across the regions, and assisting investors and companies to harness net-zero transformation opportunities. New ‘net zero authority’ The announcement has...

Late last year, Danfoss Power Solutions celebrated the opening of its new remote controls manufacturing and design facility in San Sebastian, Spain. Now, the plant and its operators are demonstrating the value of the investment by delivering shorter lead times and higher quality remote control transmitters and receivers to its customers. Plant personnel are on a mission to become the benchmark in operational excellence, taking advantage of the facility’...

Two of Finland’s major hydro power plants, located in the freezing Arctic Circle, are now SF6 ‘greenhouse gas’ free, thanks to a turn-key generator circuit breaker retrofit that gears them up for a more resource-efficient future. ABB customer, Kemijoki Oy, is one of the most important players in Finland’s renowned carbon neutral electricity system – responsible for balancing half of the country’s grid output – as well as being the leading provider of hy...

Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. announces the release of AMCA Publication 511-21 (Rev. 12-22), Certified Ratings Program Product Rating Manual for Air Control Devices. Superseding AMCA Publication 511-21, AMCA Publication 511-21 (Rev. 12-22) outlines technical procedures and the proper presentation of data for the certification of air-control devices through the AMCA Certified Ratings Program (CRP). It is to be used in conjunction with AMCA Publication 11-22, Cert...

Building pressurization is the difference in air pressure between the inside and outside of a building. There are three types of pressure that are typically talked about: positive pressure, negative pressure, or stack pressure, and each has an effect on indoor air quality (IAQ). Positive pressure Positive pressure occurs when there is more air coming into the building than going out. This is often used in hospitals, laboratories, and other buildings where it’s important to keep the air...

Danfoss is pleased to announce its participation in this year’s Euroheat and Power Congress, which is taking place in Torino, Italy, from May 22 to May 24, 2023. The Euroheat and Power Congress 2023 theme, ‘District Energy: The Local Solution to Global Challenges’, will focus on how district heating and cooling (DHC) networks can enable local energy transitions and help cities decarbonize. Theme highlights a key Danfoss focus area For Danfoss, the congress theme harmonizes w...

Sensibo, the Climate Tech company combining smart ACs with a more sustainable world, launches on Earth Day 2023 Airbend, a new software allowing hotels, schools, and office buildings to manage air conditioning and air quality monitoring devices in bulk, reducing heating and cooling costs, while ensuring healthy air quality. Sensibo Airbend can lead to savings of over 40% on energy bills by optimized monitoring and management of all ACs in the facility. Sensibo Airbend Sensibo Airbend is...

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recently announced the recipients of its 2022 Safety Awards. As the world’s most respected authority on the inspection and cleaning of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, NADCA presents its Safety Awards to contractors who have shown a verifiable commitment to employee, customer, and community safety throughout the year.  The awards were announced on March 28 at the association’s 34th Annual Meeting &...

U.S. Senator - Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), alongside leaders from Henry Ford College (HFC), Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) and Garforth International, celebrated a US$ 3.1 million appropriation to support a sustainability initiative that demonstrates how schools, cities and organizations across the U.S.A. can reach their net zero targets, as well as train the next generation of energy leadership. Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP) With an Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP) as the corners...

High-performance Toshiba heating and cooling equipment has been used in combination with a solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage system as part of a project to help future-proof a five-bedroom home in Cheshire. Toshiba Carrier UK Ltd (TCUK) is part of Carrier Global Corporation, the global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable, and intelligent building and cold chain solutions. Toshiba ESTIA air-to-water heat pumps Two 11kW Toshiba ESTIA air-to-water heat pumps operating on lower globa...

Trane® - by Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, and Parkway School District, one of the largest school districts in Missouri, USA, announced that the district has achieved a total energy savings of more than US$ 1.1 million in the four years following comprehensive energy and infrastructure upgrades. This is 10% higher than the initial savings guaranteed by Trane. Following the upgrades, the district is using less electricity and natural gas, resulting in a 26% reduction in ener...

Resideo Technologies, Inc. (Resideo), a major global provider of solutions for home comfort, security, and safety, has launched its Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits. Resideo has enhanced its popular ENERGY STAR® certified Honeywell Home T10 Pro Smart Thermostat that was first released in 2019. Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits The new Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits with RedLINK® 3.0 offer additional control over three types of indoor air quality (IAQ) equip...

Schneider Electric, the globally renowned company in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been selected as the sustainability partner for the Boston University Center for Computing and Data Sciences. The newly completed education center sets a new standard for sustainable, all electric buildings in Boston and is the city’s largest net-zero building. Boston University will heat and cool the 345,000 square-foot property with 31 geothermic wells and all of its...