Armstrong Fluid Technology - Experts & Thought Leaders

Armstrong Fluid Technology recently participated in the expansion of the Enwave Energy Corporation Deep Lake Water Cooling (DLWC) system that provides clean energy services to buildings in downtown Toronto via an innovative district cooling network. Recognized by the United Nations’ United 4 Sustainable Smart Cities initiative, the DLWC system draws water at 4C through pipes deep in Lake Ontario to a facility downtown where heat exchangers chill the water that flows to downtown buildings. Existing DLWC system Expanding the existing DLWC system by adding a fourth pipe will save 220 million gallons of water annually, reduce peak electricity demand by 60 megawatts, reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by 33,000 tons and boost the cooling capacity of the network by 60 percent. “Instead of each building operating a separate chiller system, chilled water is brought from the lake and distributed to a network of buildings,” said Paul Scarafile, Commercial Director, Canada, Armstrong Fluid Technology. Design Envelope pumps “Armstrong supplied six 600hp Design Envelope pumps to the project,” said Paul Scarafile, adding “We’ve worked closely with Enwave since the DLWC system was launched 20 years ago, and we're extremely proud to have contributed to this most recent expansion.” A ceremony to celebrate the expansion was held on August 29th with Toronto City officials, the Associate Ontario Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, and Armstrong representatives in attendance.

The AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) returned to Chicago for a lively week of learning, reconnecting, perusing, and demoing everything new coming to market in HVACR. Notable topics included all things decarbonization from equipment on the floor to discussions in education programming refrigerant regulation updates, the heat pump resurgence, and the unveiling of many new products that are shaping the path forward for HVACR.  Driving business “The industry showed up for business in Chicago,” said Show Manager Mark Stevens. “Throughout the year we’ve followed discussions regarding regulation rollouts, decarbonization trends, and various other tracks about the way we conduct business as an industry." "It was evident in the halls that the professionals in attendance are primed to create solutions and drive business forward.”  Networking trends are rising  Podcast Pavilion hosted 20 podcasters covering the latest topics happening across the industry It was clear to anyone filling the halls on the morning of the show that attendance was strong, welcoming 48,034 attendees there to interact with the 1,875 exhibitors spread across North and South Halls. Maximizing 527,520 square footage of space for booth displays, attendees gained access to all the latest the industry has to offer, including new products, technology, skill learning, and demonstration.  Additionally, Podcast Pavilion hosted 20 podcasters covering the latest topics happening across the industry. Podcasts were recorded and will be released by each respective podcaster in the coming weeks.  Strengthening social relationships Inside exhibitor booths, industry tradesmen, women, and influencers hosted events, competitions, and meet-ups, opening exciting channels of content creation and networking opportunities.  “The network transformation is resulting in incredible visibility and partnership for professionals,” said Nicole Bush, Director of Marketing. “There is a true line of two-way communication between the professionals in the field and the manufacturers creating products and technology. Having an in-person forum like AHR Expo to strengthen the social relationships formed online is proving to be immensely beneficial to our industry.”  Industry learning and connection  It’s encouraging to see the growth in the education program with topic variety and expertise" The 2024 Education Program highlighted topics within the industry to address pain points, opportunities, and applications to increase efficiencies, business, and relationships. “It’s encouraging to see the growth in our education programming, not only with topic variety but also with the expertise signing on to provide insight,” said Special Projects Manager Kimberly Pires. “There is a deepened connection between what’s being discussed in sessions and what’s being applied on the show floor and this continues to benefit attendees with a true understanding of current information in the industry.”  Education program In 2024, the education program featured 120 free sessions, 153 new product presentations in New Product Theaters located in South Hall, and seven panels in the AHR Panel Series.  In the 2024 State of the Industry Panel topics included decarbonization including gas bans, grid capacity, heat pumps, and dual-fuel options; building automation and AI as it relates to energy conservation and future planning; refrigerant updates including sell-through periods, EPA regulation, recovery and reclamation, etc.; workforce development, virtual training, bridge programs and more.  Opportunities for professionals Representatives will delve into creating programming and bridge opportunities to attract professionals to the skilled trades In the panel titled, How Do We Address the Workforce Development, Recruitment, and Retention Gap?, representatives from Lincoln Tech, a postsecondary vocational institute with locations across the US, joined a discussion featuring Jose De La Portilla of Rheem Manufacturing, Alison Neuman of Johnson Controls, Bryan Orr of HVAC School & Kalos Services, and Dominick Guarino of National Comfort Institute, Inc.  They will delve into creating programming and bridge opportunities to attract professionals to the skilled trades and prepare them for a lifelong career in HVACR.  Other popular sessions The group discussed how to promote the industry and build a successful culture to retain, train, and onboard to better prepare for fieldwork, and supportive technology, as well as identify weaknesses, gaps, and opportunities.  Other popular sessions included topics featuring heat pumps, business strategy and growth, emotional intelligence adeptness, building automation, controls and AI, social media and industry growth, smart solutions, A2Ls, compliance, codes, and standards, as well as various other niche topics, providing something for every job role represented in the industry.  AHR heads to Orlando for 2025 Honored to continue to provide the best all-industry meeting place and forum to learn" In 2025, AHR head south to Orlando. Save the date for February 10-12, 2025 at the Orange County Convention Center. Hotel blocks are expected to open for attendees late-Spring and registration will go live in early Summer.  “Each year we come away from the show with vigor for what the industry has in store,” continued Stevens. “We are honored to continue to provide the best all-industry meeting place and forum to learn, discuss, prepare, and calibrate goals for the future of HVACR. We hope to see everyone in Orlando.”  Heard around the industry  Heard around the halls throughout the week was excitement for learning and possibilities relating to the future of HVACR. Attendees and exhibitors alike were energized by great conversation and partnership planning. We’re overwhelmed with the sense of accomplishment from our stakeholders. See below for a roundup of reflections on our time in Chicago.  “The positive energy at AHR was inspiring, and we are excited about the relationships forged during the expo. As we wrap up, we look forward to continuing these connections and partnerships in the coming months. Cheers to the success of AHR Expo 2024, and here's to the growth and innovation that lies ahead,” Kuul Evaporative Technologies.  Manufacturers and experts An amazing day at the AHR Expo meeting people from around the world and networking with the best HVAC team" “We had the opportunity to visit key manufacturers and industry experts, such as Bell & Gossett, GRUNDFOS, Taco Comfort Solutions, Armstrong Fluid Technology, NIBCO INC., and more, at the AHR Expo last week in Chicago. What a great show!” Liberty Supply.  “Last week it was incredibly busy at the AHR Expo in Chicago. This was my first time in a show in the US, and the truth is that it has been a fantastic experience,” Adrián P. “What an amazing day at the AHR Expo meeting people from around the world and networking with the best HVAC team worldwide,” Bruno Friedmann, Germany.  Interviews and engagements “We had the best time at AHR Expo 2024 in Chicago!! Going to trade expos is one of our favorite parts of doing the podcast. We get to interview guests in person, attend speaking events with our trade besties, and (the best part of it all) meet some of our amazing Power Women of the Trades Podcast listeners!” Power Women of the Trades Podcast.  “Great turnout and awesome customer/prospect engagement,” James Carpenter, Account Manager, R.W. Beckett Corporation. “Can't wait for next year. Great job in Chicago,” KCC Companies.  Applications and technologies “What a show! It was great to connect with our representative partners, HVAC professionals, contractors, and engineers who visited the Desert Aire booth to discover our latest dehumidification technology solution (SwimAire), from indoor pools to controlled environment agriculture and a variety of other applications. We hope to see you again soon or at AHR Expo 2025 in Orlando!” Desert Aire LLC. “Invaluable event! See you in Orlando next year,” Klima Control Air Conditioning Supply. “Enjoyed all the conversations and introductions! Great seeing so many channel partners in this industry,” Rich Hargrave, vcita.

Driven by the demand for low-cost energy and the growing number of organizations committing to Net-Zero targets, the global market for District Heating and Cooling Systems market is expected to grow to over $745 billion by 2032. As a single source of heating and cooling for multiple buildings, District Energy installations worldwide typically reduce primary energy demand in heating and cooling by 50% and can achieve operational efficiency of up to 90%, according to the United Nations Environment Program. HVACR manufacturers iFMS can now integrate superior pump and control technology into a single packaged solution These impressive results are made possible in part by fluid flow technologies designed by HVACR manufacturers such as Armstrong Fluid Technology.  Intelligent fluid management systems (iFMS) can now integrate superior pump and control technology into a single packaged solution that can save 30% or more over other parallel pumping configurations. Energy savings can exceed 70% compared to a constant speed system. Modern variable speed controllers integrate with building BMS systems to provide the best efficiency modulation and staging while serving as many as 16 zones. Armstrong was recently involved with two municipal District Energy Heating Systems in Europe that contributed to an estimated 70% and 45%, respectively, in energy savings to the two projects using the technology described above. Rambervillers District Heating Eco District Rambervillers, a village in northeastern France with a population of 20,000, has captured steam from a nearby waste-to-energy plant and converted it into hot water for homes and businesses. As an integral element of the project, Armstrong installed an innovative Design Envelope Intelligent Fluid Management System that integrates pumps and controls and a Design Envelope Integrated Pumping System. Together these technologies reduce pump energy by 30% or more compared to standard pump-sequencing systems. Sarrebourg District Heating System The French municipality of Sarrebourg wanted to reduce the territory’s dependence on fossil fuels by creating a hot-water district heating system using wood heating to provide heat and domestic hot water to nearly 3,000 residential and commercial buildings. The new system will avoid the emission of more than 123,000 tons of CO over the next 20 years Using a 5 MW biomass biomass boiler as the heat source, the new system will avoid the emission of more than 123,000 tons of CO over the next 20 years. By supporting the project with Design Envelope solutions, Armstrong contributed to overall energy savings reducing pump energy by 70% compared to a constant speed system of similar size. Enwave Chicago Enwave Chicago currently operates the world’s largest interconnected district cooling system serving 45 million square feet of space in more than 100 buildings in downtown Chicago. Using thermal energy storage from Lake Michigan water, the system reduced its peak electric demand by 30 MW resulting in significant energy cost savings. Armstrong supports the efficiency of the Enwave Chicago system with a large number of Design Envelope pumps. “As demand continues to grow for District Energy Systems worldwide, the opportunities for innovative HVACR fluid flow systems and solutions will continue to mushroom as well,” predicts Tony Furst, RSEC Manager – US Application Engineering, Armstrong Fluid Technology.

As our urban centers grow, so does our demand for key resources, such as energy. Currently, cities are accountable for over 60% of resource use and an estimated 70% of global carbon emissions. In the Middle East particularly, countries have experienced unprecedented population growth, increased economic activity and consequently, increases in energy consumption. Integration of sustainable systems Fortunately, industry leaders and governments are placing sustainability at the heart of regional plans for urban development. The integration of sustainable systems is no longer a value-added benefit, but rather a necessary requirement. I believe a vital element for sustainable development in our cities is energy management. Energy is a costly commodity representing an average of 25% of all operating costs in office buildings. This cost, however, can be reduced by using energy management to optimize HVAC systems employed in a building. Effective energy management Energy management involves proactive tracking, systemic management and thoughtful optimization of energy consumption in a building, with the goal of improving energy efficiency. The concept of energy efficiency takes into account a variety of factors; we must consider system design, quality of installation and maintenance, efficiency rates and personal use. If we assume a system is designed with greatest efficiency in mind, its effectiveness is still deeply impacted by installation, maintenance and use. ‘Performance drift’ issues One challenge we face with the efficiency of HVAC systems is ‘performance drift’ One challenge we face with the efficiency of HVAC systems is ‘performance drift’. When first installed, and even in the first few months, HVAC systems operate immaculately. Over time, however, component efficiency and system conditions ‘drift’ away from the originally installed operating curve, meaning that efficiency and performance of the system can degrade incrementally. The deteriorating performance of HVAC systems has consequences, such as unnecessary use of energy, resulting in higher costs and emissions, in addition to reduced comfort for building occupants. Energy efficient HVAC pumps In order to truly have an impact on energy consumption, a holistic approach must be adopted. Only by carefully examining and optimizing each part of the HVAC system, can we then find ways to improve it. In my experience with Armstrong Fluid Technology, in the last decade, the technology for HVAC pumps has been enhanced to provide up to 70% energy efficiency savings through demand-based control and parallel pumping technology. These innovations enable the pumps to operate at optimum levels, consuming as little energy as possible. Innovative smart technology Systems that incorporate innovative smart technology enable more accurate system performance analysis and optimization. Pumps can function as highly accurate flow meters that provide valuable insight for building managers and operators. Data from the intelligent connected pumps can be collected through active performance management software, which enables the HVAC system to learn, predict and optimize to deliver even greater energy efficiency and cost savings through maintained optimized performance. Systems incorporating innovative smart technology enable more accurate system performance analysis Active performance management software Active performance management software enables real time and historical data reporting that directly demonstrates system efficiency and savings. Given the global shift towards sustainable building construction, legislation on energy reporting is inevitable, therefore employing systems with this in-built capability can prove to be extremely beneficial in the future. The software can also help maintain client comfort at all times by enabling predictive maintenance. Systems can provide alerts when they detect faults, allowing for early replacement before a full breakdown. This can be particularly helpful in mission critical applications such as hospitals. Importance of analyzed data in system optimization Without the ability to analyze data, buildings managers and operators cannot properly optimize mechanical systems Evidently, collecting data is essential for many reasons, including preventing, and even reversing, the loss of energy efficiency. Without the ability to analyze data, buildings managers and operators cannot properly optimize mechanical systems, which results in unnecessary energy use, insufficient maintenance practices and any related costs. There may be hesitation in the industry to incorporate more sophisticated systems as they require initial investment, however, the returns from using more efficient mechanical systems are impressive. Executing energy upgrades for HVAC systems Simple payback on energy upgrade projects is usually reached within 3 to 5 years. Furthermore, energy savings continue for the life of the system. Properly executed energy upgrades deliver up to 40% savings on energy consumption related to HVAC operation. Savings on that level for a large facility can be impactful for business operations. Energy efficiency is not ‘visible’ but has the potential to have a transformative effect on climate change, if embraced on a large scale. If we consume energy only as we need to, then we consume less of it. This, in turn, reduces our consumption of fossil fuels and consequently our greenhouse gas emissions. Aside from short-term benefits, such as costs savings and increased operation efficiency, energy management has the ability to help conserve energy for generations to come. Embracing energy saving solutions If we embrace innovative energy saving solutions in the building services industry, then we can begin to make a difference. With the recent launch of plans for sustainable development, such as the Dubai Master Plan 2040, green infrastructure, supporting solutions, will thrive. The global shift towards embracing sustainability has made individuals and organizations call into question their impact on our planet. Embracing sustainability is no longer a preference but a strategic business approach that helps to create long-term value on a social, economic and environmental level. The role of energy efficiency, and the systems that enable it, will inevitably play a key role in creating more sustainable buildings, communities and cities.

Newer buildings tend to be designed to be ‘green’, but what about older existing buildings, which still represent the largest share of environmental impact? There is more work to be done in the retrofit sector; and improving environmental performance of older buildings often involves ‘deep retrofits’ that are costly and impact multiple factors inside a building. In the COVID-19 era, there is also growing concern about needs such as circulating outside air, increasing humidity, and improving filtration systems even as older buildings seek to become greener. The consistent theme is a need to work toward better-designed, more energy efficient and healthier buildings.  Healthier Buildings for a Greener Future If you layer infrastructure issues with the new health challenges, it raises the issue to a higher level" “If you layer infrastructure issues with the new health challenges, it raises the issue to a higher level,” said Tony Cupido, Research Chair, Sustainability at Mohawk College, adding “You will see a greater need to provide health and wellness as we move forward.” Cupido was among the panelists at a ‘Healthier Buildings for a Greener Future’ Virtual Summit sponsored by Armstrong Fluid Technology. The discussion centered around the various aspects of “deep retrofits,” how to pay for such improvements and how to measure success. Balancing health features with energy-efficiency Achieving healthy and green buildings might involve working at cross purposes. “When we think about healthy buildings, we are seeing recommendations that tend to increase the energy needs of the buildings,” said Marta Schantz, Senior Vice President, Greenprint Center for Building Performance, Urban Land Institute, adding “For example, a better filtration system might require a more powerful motor to offset the added drag.”  “In order to be both healthy and energy efficient, there are creative strategies,” said Schantz, adding “We should be thoughtful about how sensors and other technologies can address the challenge of balancing healthy features with energy-efficient features.” Deep retrofits “Deep retrofits are more complex from an engineering standpoint, especially when compared to other green issues such as LED lighting. Paving the way for more deep retrofits can include reining in that complexity by creating prefabricated or ‘canned’ solutions that are easier to implement,” said Peter Thomsen, Director/Global – Building System Solutions, Armstrong Fluid Technology. An obstacle to deep retrofits is lack of information about what technologies are available. “You don’t know what you don’t know,” said Schantz. The second obstacle is financing. One approach is to ‘bundle’ multiple projects to improve building performance, such as combining a fast-payback project (e.g., lighting) with a longer- (and larger-) payback project such as an air handling system. Another approach is to create pay-as-you-go models and/or ‘energy efficiency as a service’ plans that help to make the expenditures and budgeting more manageable. A step-by-step approach can achieve energy savings that will pay for each successive step. Efficiency of Building management systems Occupants of buildings today have a better understanding and are more informed through better technology" New metering, intelligence and transparency capabilities of building management systems can yield metrics and measurable results that can drive return-on-investment (ROI) considerations. Metrics also drive useful comparisons with other buildings in the same peer group, thus inspiring best practices to achieve better results compared to buildings of the same size and type. “Occupants of buildings today have a better understanding and are more informed through better technology,” said Cupido, adding “It will become even better over time as AI (artificial intelligence) looks at the pieces and fixes it themselves.” Widening scope of AI integration Better understanding equates to more buy-in by building occupants. “They are not only becoming more informed, but are more likely to buy into the technology,” said Schantz, adding “The long-term success depends on it. Everyone needs to be bought into the technologies to ensure long-term success, both on the health and wellness side, and the energy efficiency side.” A holistic approach is needed when planning deep retrofits, and care should be taken to ‘right-size’ the equipment by taking into account design changes that can lower system requirements. Advent of new building systems Designers should resist the temptation to ‘bulk up’ systems to exceed minimum requirements. For example, when specifying a rooftop unit, engineers should factor in any efficiency gains they have achieved by using tighter windows, LED lighting or other factors. Building owners face a learning curve in relation to new systems" “The idea is that you don’t replace it directly, but right-size it to the new requirements,” said Schantz, adding “Building owners face a learning curve in relation to new systems, and new building systems are “almost like a computer. It’s no longer a case of just turning building systems on and off. There is a risk that the building operations team does not know how to run the equipment.” Avoiding data overload Schantz further said, “Technology will not run as intended if it is not operated properly. It loses some of its value. The building operations staff needs to stay up to date and know how to operate the equipment.  Peter Thomsen concludes, “One pitfall is to overwhelm building operators with too much data. “Data overload is too much and, as leaders, we need to avoid that.”

The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HVAC industry is being felt by all of us in the HVAC industry. The current challenges and threats have been well documented and, unfortunately, will continue to evolve over the coming days, weeks and months.  However, as with many tragic events, there can be positive changes that come from this tragedy. One of these positive changes will be the more rapid development and deployment of smart HVAC systems and remote asset management solutions. Data and solutions to building owners Although the development of technologies for smarter, more connected buildings has been underway for some time, it is now being accelerated by the need for social distancing and remote working conditions. It’s now more critical than ever that HVAC systems learn, predict and optimize so they can provide critical data and solutions to building owners and other HVAC professionals remotely before problems occur.  And, once potential problems or challenges are identified, experts must be able to communicate digitally with technicians onsite in real time to provide virtual assistance and troubleshooting.  The technology can detect dead-heading, excessive heating, broken coupling, cavitation, excessive vibration How can we accomplish this task under such difficult conditions? Different manufacturers offer a variety of solutions. At Armstrong Fluid Technology we call it Active Performance Management. Active Performance Management At its heart, Active Performance Management is a new approach to maximizing performance in building systems through a combination of actively seeking system insights and applying those to improved performance. The technology aspect consists of connecting intelligent pumps with other critical HVAC components via cloud-computing to provide critical diagnostic analytics to building owners and managers through a neuro network. This allows the system to learn, predict and optimize in real time so it can alert building managers to potential issues and predictive maintenance needs well before they become a pressing problem. The technology can detect dead-heading, excessive heating, broken coupling, cavitation, excessive vibration and many other potential issues before they become costly problems.  Digitization, digitalization via cloud computing, HVAC and building systems will exchange data, leading to smart building Equally important, it tracks such important operating efficiency data as energy savings, CO2 savings and much more.Over time, HVAC systems experience ‘operational drift’ as various components begin to operate less efficiently.This ‘drift’ can result in 30-40% wasted energy. By detecting and even predicting when this drift may begin to occur we can maintain peak performance and achieve significant energy and cost savings.  Fifth Wave of Technology  We believe the HVAC industry is experiencing a Fifth Wave of Technology that is being fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. This Fifth Wave is the decentralization of decision making which consists of adding ‘brains’ to equipment at all levels (pumps, heat exchangers, valves, etc.) to enable cross communications and create the neuro network mentioned previously. By providing a higher authority to lower level equipment, the analytics and decision making process is distributed throughout the larger group. This augments a building’s BAS system and provides combined brain power with more accurate data. When enabled by digitization and digitalization and connected via cloud computing, all HVAC and building systems will exchange data, leading to smart buildings – i.e. lighting systems talking to HVAC systems. Smart buildings will lead to smart cities that consist of similar buildings, all connected and learning from one another to further optimize performance and save energy. It’s now more critical than ever that HVAC systems learn, predict and optimize Remote Asset Management  It is no longer necessary for technicians to go to the jobsite to check the system’s operation But what has all of this to do with the COVID-19 pandemic and the accelerated change we are now seeing?  The data and analytics provided by Active Performance Management services are available to building managers remotely any time, anywhere, via cell phones, laptops and other connected devices.  Now that many people are working remotely it is more important than ever that they have all the data and analytics they need at their fingertips.It is no longer necessary for technicians to go to the jobsite to check the system’s operation and/or switch control modes between manual, automatic, BAS or IO.  And although this Remote Asset Management capability has been available for a while, it seems many building managers are hesitant to fully trust these systems and/or have the need for hands-on operation. Possible to cost-effectively upgrade existing pumps and system components into intelligent systems Switching Manual and Automatic modes In some instances, systems are put into manual mode for servicing but are never switched back to automatic mode. When this happens managers and building owners don’t realize all of the benefits and energy savings possible There are also instances where building managers don’t have intelligent pumps and components installed and think they don’t have the budgets to upgrade. However, it is now possible to cost-effectively upgrade existing pumps and system components into intelligent systems.  Whatever the case, we are seeing more and more building managers and maintenance professionals feeling much more confident and accepting of these intelligent systems now that they must observe social distancing. Augmented reality app that even allows both parties to draw on their screens and highlight various system parts Digital Trouble-Shooting Tools  But what happens when a potential problem or an emergency situation develops and it is necessary for the technician to speak with a system expert? Thanks to new technology, mobile apps now exist that allow both parties to video chat so the technician can show the expert exactly what is happening with the system.  They can collaborate in real-time and even see what button they need to push or valve they need to turn. There is a brand new augmented reality app that even allows both parties to draw on their screens and highlight various system parts.  Here again, we are seeing more and more customers that are feeling increasingly comfortable with remote service calls and probably will prefer this method moving forward. What Does The Future Hold?  Although no one knows what the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the HVAC industry, we believe the positive outcomes will be customers more willing and accepting of intelligent systems, a greater comfort level with remote analytics and an embracement of remote diagnostic troubleshooting.  And of course, this will result in greater energy savings, greater cost savings and reduction in CO2 emissions worldwide. So, there is some good news that will come from this unfortunate pandemic afterall.