ASHRAE - Experts & Thought Leaders

GF Building Flow Solutions Americas (formerly Uponor North America), a global provider of Uponor-branded products, announced that Hailey Mick, Business Development Manager of Engineering Services, was recently selected as the incoming President of the ASHRAE Tennessee Valley Chapter. Her two-year term will begin on July 1, 2024.  ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, advances the arts and sciences of HVACR and their allied fields while striving to achieve a healthy and sustainable built environment for all. As a long-standing member, Hailey was voted in as president by the ASHRAE Board and will draw on the theme of 'Building on Foundations, Empowering Today, and Shaping Tomorrow'. Necessary steps to improve As President, Hailey will represent the Tennessee Valley Chapter at both regional and national conferences, pioneering with education to bring value to the industry and inspiring others to take the necessary steps to improve the built environment.  "We couldn’t be more excited for Hailey as she steps into this role with an organization that’s highly committed to sustainability and innovation," says Matt Bahr, Vice President of Sales at GF Building Flow Solutions Americas, adding "Hailey is uniquely suited for this role with a passion for protecting the environment, advancing the industry with a new way of thinking, and inspiring others along the way."

The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has recently introduced an invaluable tool to assist professionals in navigating the complex world of refrigerant regulations. The A2L Refrigerant Building Code Map is a revolutionary, map-based codes and standards resource designed specifically for A2L refrigerants. User-friendly interface Accessible through AHRI's website, the A2L Refrigerant Building Code Map provides a comprehensive overview of regulatory environments in all fifty states and US territories. The user-friendly interface allows for easy navigation through a dropdown menu or direct interaction with the map. Legislative Action: The tool highlights legislative actions across various states, such as those in Oklahoma, offering specific bill numbers, dates passed and summaries of actions taken to support the use of A2L refrigerants. Codes and Standards Updates: Stay informed on the latest updates to air conditioning, refrigeration and warehousing codes, as well as modifications to ASHRAE and UL Standards. Direct Access to AHRI Experts: Links are provided for purchasing the latest versions of codes, and users can access AHRI's in-house subject matter experts via email for further inquiries. Climate Control Group's Commitment AHRI's A2L Refrigerant Building Code Map stands as a crucial resource for HVAC professionals As part of their ongoing commitment to providing the latest information and resources, Climate Control Group encourages industry professionals to explore and utilize the A2L Refrigerant Building Code Map. This tool facilitates a smoother transition to A2L refrigerants, ensuring that users’ are well-equipped for the changing landscape. Climate Control Group remains dedicated to monitoring and reporting on training resources related to the transition to A2L refrigerants. Their products are ready for specification and order, supporting users as they navigate these regulatory changes. In the face of evolving regulations, AHRI's A2L Refrigerant Building Code Map stands as a crucial resource for HVAC professionals. Embrace this tool in their planning and decision-making processes to ensure a sustainable and compliant future for the industry.

The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) 2024 Innovation Awards call for entries is open. Entries will be accepted through July 25, 2023. The competition, held annually, looks to honor the most innovative and original products, systems and technologies to be featured on the floor in Chicago’s McCormick Place on January 22-24, 2024. Exhibitors with a signed contract are encouraged to submit new or upgraded products. 2024 innovation awards   Debuted in 2003, the Innovation Awards provide an opportunity to highlight those in the industry who are pushing boundaries to create innovative solutions for existing and arising challenges.  What’s more, they honor the most inventive, useful, and original products, systems, and technologies disrupting the HVACR market today. Selection criteria Entrants are evaluated by a panel of third-party judges selected by ASHRAE for their knowledge and experience Winners are selected from ten industry categories, including building automation; cooling; heating; indoor air quality; plumbing; refrigeration; software; sustainable solutions; tools & instruments; and ventilation. Entrants are evaluated by a panel of third-party judges selected by ASHRAE for their knowledge and experience within their area of expertise. Scores are tabulated and recognition is then given to winners and finalists demonstrating the highest levels of innovative design, creativity, application and performance, product and solution value, and market impact.  Product of the Year In addition to category winners, one overall Product of the Year winner will be announced and awarded at the show. This prestigious honor is awarded based on exceptional leadership in HVACR innovation. “The Innovation Awards competition has grown along with the industry,” said Mark Stevens, manager of AHR Expo. “HVACR has been tested with new and emerging goals and challenges in recent years and the birth of new ideas, products, and technologies has exploded as a result. The Awards have reflected this boom and our entrants as a whole are shaping the industry as we know it.” Award features Stevens continued, “The winning companies continue to define the future of the industry and provide new and exciting avenues for growth. We look forward to highlighting those in the industry taking the lead with innovation.” Winners will be invited to attend a special reception in Chicago where they will be presented with their award. Additionally, winners and finalists will receive acknowledgment in print and online features highlighting the Innovation Awards in major industry publications, on the AHR Expo website, and all AHR Expo social media channels. Submissions and judging To be considered, products must be exhibited at the 2024 show and must be available for purchase All confirmed exhibitors for the 2024 AHR Expo are eligible to enter the Innovation Awards and may submit one product in each category. Submitted products will not be considered if they have previously been a category winner. To be considered, products must be exhibited at the 2024 show and must be available for purchase by the end of February 2024. Completed entry forms, along with a non-refundable $150 entry fee, must be submitted no later than July 25, 2023. Entry fees Entry fees for the 2024 Innovation Awards (approximately $25,000) will support AHR Expo’s Workforce Development initiative through a partnership with a Chicago area HVAC student training program as a means to strengthen the future of the industry.

Revised building codes, based on model “I-Codes” developed by the International Code Council (ICC), are being widely adopted to allow A2L refrigerants to be used in comfort air conditioning applications. Previously, the use of A2L refrigerants, which are “mildly flammable,” was not allowed by building codes in force in 2021 and before because of safety concerns.   benefits of A2Ls However, the benefits of using A2Ls instead of refrigerants with higher global warming potential (GWP) have led to their acceptance as a replacement for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in air conditioning applications. In response to the greater acceptance, driven by EPA refrigerant cutbacks, ICC has revised their building codes to permit the use of A2Ls, and local jurisdictions are in the process of adopting the revised building codes.  2024 I-Code changes Approved code changes in the 2024 IBC, IFC, and IMC allow commercial and residential use of A2L refrigerants The 2024 I-Code changes facilitate compliance with new refrigerant requirements and support producers and refrigerant appliance manufacturers already transitioning to lower-GWP solutions such as A2Ls.  Approved code changes in the 2024 International Building Code (IBC), International Fire Code (IFC), and International Mechanical Code (IMC) allow commercial and residential use of A2L refrigerants to replace refrigerants. The use of A2L impacts all three intertwined sets of building codes, which have been undergoing the three-year amendment process since 2021.  model codes and standards The International Code Council is a global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions that include product evaluation, accreditation, technology, training, and certification.  ICC is working with the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to partner with the construction industry and to facilitate legislation to navigate this positive change.  The IBC, IMC, and IFC code revisions, all managed by ICC, have been approved; two finalized codes were published earlier in 2023 and the third is being released in November 2023. Building, mechanical, and Fire codes Building code revisions align with established safety standards regarding handling of A2L refrigerants The Building and Fire codes cover storage of A2Ls in a warehouse, while the Mechanical code covers requirements for installing equipment that uses A2Ls.   Building code revisions align with established safety standards regarding handling of A2L refrigerants, including ASHRAE 15 (Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems), UL 484 (Room Air Conditioners), UL/CSA 60335-2-40 (refrigerant detector requirements) and UL/CSA 60335-2-89 (enabling higher charge limits for flammable refrigerants).   requirements of ASHRAE 15 In buildings where HVAC machinery is installed, the code changes reflect requirements of ASHRAE 15, such as no equipment with open flames, elevated temperature limits in a room, and refrigerant detection requirements that trigger a mechanical ventilation system in case of a leak. Any piping that carries A2L must be labeled as flammable with a warning. Condensers and evaporators will need to carry the familiar triangular flammability labels and “risk of fire explosion” verbiage, all consistent with the ASHRAE 15 standard.   Diamond-shaped labeling An interlock requirement ensures ventilation processes are implemented in case “Diamond-shaped labeling must be displayed on packaging, storage, and containers so that anyone coming into a room knows there is flammable refrigerant there,” says Jim Cika, a director of technical resources for the International Code Council.   The codes cover safety requirements such as leak detection, ventilation requirements, and “flammable” labeling. An interlock requirement ensures ventilation processes are implemented in case of a detected leak of A2L gas.  storage and warehousing “The biggest concern is proper storage and warehousing,” says Jim Cika. “Due to flammability, there are significant additional storage requirements compared to HFC. Distributors have to be prepared with appropriate space and labeling requirements, especially when the materials are being stored in bulk and large quantities.”  A2L code provisions The code changes are required to enable builders to transition to A2L refrigerants ICC has created a website that provides relevant A2L code provisions including documents with specific wording related to code changes. Some states adopt the codes state-wide, while other “home-rule” states leave the adoption of the codes to the individual local jurisdictions. The code changes are required to enable builders to transition to A2L refrigerants.   new codes ICC has been publicizing the code changes with the help of a grassroots effort with AHRI. “We have put our code provisions out there so everybody knows what they need to be concerned about and to be ready for inspection,” says Cika. The new codes are coordinated with the EPA and the requirements of the SNAP programs. “We are all on the same page,” he says.  installation of new equipment After 2025, new equipment will no longer use HFCs but will need to use A2Ls or another low-GWP refrigerant Up to 25 lbs. of A2L refrigerant can be transported without any hazardous material restrictions; in effect, installers and contractors can transport A2L just as they did HFC.  Transitioning to A2L refrigerants involves the installation of new equipment since the legacy equipment that uses HFCs is not compatible with the new refrigerants. After 2025, new equipment will no longer use HFCs but will need to use A2Ls or another low-GWP refrigerant. transition to A2Ls Technicians will still be able to service and maintain existing equipment installed in the field for the rest of its useful life. With equipment using both types of refrigerant operating among various customers, technicians will need to be able to work on either type of system during the transition period.  Phased down and limited supplies of HFCs, as ordained by EPA regulations, will likely push installers and their customers to the newer technologies using A2Ls. 

Each day we’re reading headlines about decarbonization ambitions for buildings while challenged with supporting day-to-day operational needs. Yet, we’re still tasked with delivering energy and cost reductions. Given the magnitude of energy consumption and the importance to occupant/tenant comfort, HVAC systems warrant significant attention. There are a lot of options with new equipment and controls to drive energy use down and enhance overall comfort that are very impactful, when budgets allow. However, there are budget friendly options that should be considered now. There are aftermarket products that restore lost performance efficiency, reduce loads on equipment and extend equipment life.  A challenge is knowing which products really work and what can be trusted. Refrigerant additives have been around for decades, solving several issues including improved thermal heat transfer, reduced frictional forces through enhanced lubrication, acid scavengers, water displacement, stop leaks, and the list goes on. Over forty years ago, some of the first refrigerant treatments were formulated, with varied results. The principal objective was twofold: enhance the heat transfer from the refrigerant to the heat exchanger coils and reduce friction on the compressor moving parts.  How to reduce compressor friction and keep it low Industry offered improvements to refrigerant oils, building on synthetic oil development HVAC systems include oil to lubricate the compressor mechanical moving parts with mineral oil being the old standard, used for decades. Older systems with R-22 refrigerant, as well as other types, use mineral oil.  This oil, made from naturally occurring crude petroleum oil, is prone to breakdown over time from wear and elevated temperatures. This means hermetically sealed compressors operating with the same oil as when originally built are running with greatly diminished friction protection. Friction protection longevity was greatly improved with the advent of synthetic oils, but even these oils can see diminished protection from wear and elevated temperatures. Industry offered improvements to refrigerant oils, building on synthetic oil development. Two additives commonly found in gear oils include active sulfur with phosphorus, noted as Extreme Pressure (EP) gear oils. This same approach found its way to HVAC systems, adding materials that offered greatly improved friction reduction. Some mistakes were made, such as using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), best known as Teflon. Although PTFE has phenomenal lubricating properties, it is too large of a minimum particle size, creating havoc within expansion valves. Teflon also received scrutiny by researchers identifying adverse health effects. Today, there are several technologies promoting improved refrigerant lubricants, either as a direct replacement or as an additive to existing oils. How to restore lost HVAC performance efficiency The refrigerant oils that keep compressor moving parts running serves a second important role: acting as a seal to keep compressed refrigerant from escaping from the compressor and ending up in the oil sump. HVAC engineers allow and design for some oil to migrate through the refrigerant loop, the condenser and evaporator coils. More sophisticated equipment, such as chillers, have features to collect and return most of this oil. Simpler systems rely on the high velocity of the refrigerant to pull the oil through the coils and return it to the compressor. Inevitably, some oil remains as a film on the heat exchanger coils and slowly builds through the operational life of the equipment. The oil buildup continues to reduce the heat transfer efficiency between the refrigerant and the coil walls. There have been numerous formulations brought to the market with few detailed accounts of chemistry specifics An opportunity was born for creative individuals to invent formulations that would remove this efficiency robbing oil layer. Early design attempts sometimes led to more problems than the efficiency improvements were worth. Some chemistry mistakes included using solvents or other cleaning agents to aid in removing oil from heat exchanger tubing. This diminished the effectiveness of the refrigerant oil and led to shortened equipment lives. There have been numerous formulations brought to the market over the past four decades with few detailed accounts of chemistry specifics. There are few patents in addition to product website information that offer limited details in the public domain, making it hard to trust the suppliers. Today’s formulations offer greater opportunity for realized performance gains, especially given advances in material science. Nanomaterials have enabled several newer solutions to be developed. One such product employs graphene, which is known for its fantastic heat transfer and lubricating properties. Nanomaterials offer properties to enhance heat transfer, improve lubrication while negating concerns about excessive buildup within expansion valves. For example, graphene exists as a one atom thick nanomaterial. Perhaps the biggest challenge to the use of nanomaterials was how to keep the particles in suspension over the life of equipment, something that most specialty chemical houses hold as trade secrets.  Some products offered today boost refrigerant performance, stating altered boiling points. The performance is achieved by adding particulate that acts as nucleating sites. As material science continues to advance, we’ll see more products enter the market that also address changes in the choice of refrigerants and refrigerant oils. How to select the best additive for your needs Make sure the formulation is compatible with your specific equipment, refrigerant and refrigerant oil When considering additives to reduce energy consumption for your HVAC refrigerant systems, your contribution to decarbonization, do your own due diligence and require validated performance efficiency improvements.  Make sure the formulation is compatible with your specific equipment, refrigerant and refrigerant oil. Given that many sales agents won’t divulge their respective chemistry (or don’t know it) and most individuals responsible for HVAC equipment aren’t chemists, look for credentialed validations and testing. Ensure the products have been evaluated against ANSI standard compatibility tests and performance validated to ASHRAE or other accepted industry standards.  What the market thinks of refrigerant additives Over the first few decades since the creation of efficiency improving formulations for refrigerants and refrigerant oils, there has been mixed market adoption. The early days of failed attempts with oil degrading use of solvents or the use of expansion valve clogging solids, left a lingering perception of “snake oil”. Only those businesses that took the time to sort through the offerings to find the truly validated products found success in reducing their HVAC energy use and an added benefit of extending the life of their equipment. Today the market is better accepting of newer technologies, gaining distance to the old wild west days of unproven formulations.  Trust is being earned for those businesses that offer professionally validated products that stand behind them with warranties.

The importance of caring for the environment has become a top priority both around the world and increasingly in the United States. As regulations and social expectations become more stringent, future-proofing our infrastructure - beginning with energy consumption in buildings - is a natural first step. There are four key strategies a building owner or facility manager can focus on to improve energy efficiency and reduce a building’s carbon footprint, all while improving building performance: Retrofit control solutions Upgrade HVAC controls – No matter the size of the building, there are opportunities to optimize HVAC equipment through better control. With millions of aging, inefficient rooftop units (RTUs) in the United States, a simple retrofit control solution is budget-friendly for a building owner, while proving easy for contractors to install and manage. Retrofit control solutions are an easy way for small or low complexity buildings to improve performance. Retrofit control solutions are an easy way for small or low complexity buildings to improve performance For larger building systems, controllers newly available to the market have more processing power and flexibility to adapt to new and unique system configurations. Motion sensors enable room level automation and improve efficiency when spaces are vacant, turning off lighting and altering room temperature settings to reduce unnecessary energy use. Connected lighting and shade control also delivers efficiency gains by effectively harnessing the building’s natural environment. Bull Valley Country Club and Bangor Savings Bank are just two examples that are ‘seeing green,’ with new approaches to RTU equipment and room optimization.     Better project specifications Adopt standardized HVAC control sequences – As every building developed is unique, it is more difficult to carry efficiency knowledge from project to project. Uniform sequences of operation help maximize energy efficiency and performance in a building's HVAC system. ASHRAE published Guideline 36 that helps engineers deliver better project specifications for building systems. Guideline 36 provides a good balance of energy optimization through a combination of different ASHRAE specs that a manufacturer should meet including ASHRAE 90.1 for energy optimization, ASHRAE 55 for comfort standards, and ASHRAE 62.1 on indoor air quality (IAQ). Guideline 36 enables manufacturers to develop and test applications to deliver proven solutions for optimized HVAC efficiency. ASHRAE published Guideline 36 that helps engineers deliver better project specifications Balance energy consumption Improve building performance visibility with BAS – Monitoring electrical power, combined with a building automation system (BAS), helps to balance energy consumption while ensuring occupant comfort. Fully integrated building management systems provide easy visualization of energy consumption trends and mitigate costly problems. HVAC scheduling through a BAS can also reduce energy consumption by coordinating the use of heating, ventilation and air conditioning to synchronize with tenant occupancy schedules. By integrating schedules and calendars, the BAS can automatically adjust HVAC, lighting, and shades to accommodate areas when they are used, but turn off energy use when they are not.  Beyond dashboards and graphics lies a wealth of actionable insight For those buildings that have a BAS in place, how that data is used after it is collected is an equally important step to optimizing performance and energy efficiency. Beyond dashboards and graphics lies a wealth of actionable insight. For instance, building data can be exported into a cloud-based fault detection and diagnostic (FDD) program to add an additional layer of usefulness. Predictive fault detection Predictive fault detection and reactive visualization provide alerts to end-users through rule-based parameters that help to counter-balance potential threats before a problem occurs. As smart buildings continue to move down a path to becoming autonomous, the more building data points there are, the more that data can be applied to improve the comfort, productivity, and energy efficiency of that building through Artificial Intelligence (AI). Although we are just beginning to scratch the surface on how we may apply AI to buildings fully, using building data will empower real-time insights to make actionable adjustments to its system components. Improving how building data is managed does not have to be a daunting project. For example, having the right insights allowed the Renasant Convention Center to reduce chilled water usage while adding square footage and thermal load. HVAC energy consumption Hydronic flow optimization is a prime way to reduce HVAC energy consumption by up to 30% Use the right valves for precise control in hydronic systems – Hydronic flow optimization is a prime way to reduce HVAC energy consumption by up to 30%, while increasing building efficiency, operational performance and overall comfort. Pressure independent control valves have greater control accuracy and simplify regulating flow, which prevents over-and under-supply of heating or cooling energy. With no shortage of strategies at hand, improving building performance and efficiency is a step not to be overlooked on the path to decarbonization. As a building owner, it is important to partner with a solutions provider that can help you unlock the true potential of your property. Controlling energy usage Look for a provider that is highly knowledgeable about building efficiency and has access to the full breadth of hardware and software to create a complete solution. This way, they can deliver the complete mix of devices and technology you need to monitor and control energy usage, optimize HVAC equipment, and reduce energy costs to transform your building into an asset rather than a liability. With approaches adapted to a building’s unique lifecycle, supported by reliable HVAC devices, automation controls, and software solutions, you can turn your building into a green machine that is energy efficient and high performing, without compromising on comfort or occupant satisfaction.