Hitachi - Experts & Thought Leaders

airCore 700 with HeatForce is Hitachi's newest ENERGY STAR® certified cold-climate heat pump for light commercial and residential applications. Available up to 3 tons and utilizing low-GWP refrigerant R-32, it features a best-in-class piping length and a universal single-split outdoor unit with multiple indoor options to fit a wide variety of applications. With HeatForce technology, it offers 100% heating capacity at 5°F and 70% heating capacity or greater at -13°F, meeting most cold region climate rebates and incentives. Ducted Systems: Residential The cold climate-compatible YORK® HH8 Side-Discharge Heat Pump features variable-speed drive technology The cold climate-compatible YORK® HH8 Side-Discharge Heat Pump features variable-speed drive technology and can deliver approximately 70% heating capacity at 0°F. This sustainable residential solution has been optimized for use with low-GWP refrigerant R-454B, qualifying it for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C).  With a side discharge, compact footprint, and the ability to be stacked, the highly adaptable HH8 can be hidden under raised decks or installed in zero-lot-line neighborhoods. Ducted Systems: Commercial Available within the company’s Ducted Systems Solutions App, the new Refrigerant Detection System (RDS) Calculator is a first-of-its-kind tool. After entering details about a job, such as refrigerant volume, supply air discharge height and total area being conditioned, the calculator provides contractors with an immediate report confirming if an RDS is required for A2L equipment or not. This ensures an installation is compliant with current regulations without requiring contractors to complete complicated calculations. BAS/Controls The newest iteration of the industry-pioneering Building Automation System, Metasys 14.0, is designed to elevate a commercial building’s overall performance and sustainability while enhancing occupant comfort, health and safety. It builds on the proven Metasys platform with revolutionary new features that offer an improved user experience, enhanced network efficiency, flexibility and security, simplified administration and improved energy management.  PENN® System 550 The new PENN® System 550 is a user-friendly modular electronic control solution  The new PENN® System 550 is a user-friendly modular electronic control solution that fulfills temperature, humidity, and/or pressure control needs.  System 550, the plug-and-play solution, is the first of its kind to include A2L refrigerant leak sensing and mitigation functionality and optional two-way cloud connectivity, providing a complete solution to meet A2L refrigerant regulations. Applied Equipment The next-generation YORK® YMAE Air-to-Water Inverter Scroll Modular Heat Pump is a high-efficiency, future-ready HVAC decarbonization solution for commercial and institutional buildings that want to minimize their environmental impact. The modular YORK YMAE is available in 2-pipe and 4-pipe configurations and can be configured with as many as 32 modules in a single control array, making it highly flexible to serve a wide range of applications. Variable speed inverter scroll compressors with enhanced vapor injection (EVI) technology efficiently widens the YMAE operating map, allowing it to provide water temperatures up to 130°F (55°C) at low ambient conditions of 0°F (-18°C). OpenBlue Enterprise Manager The OpenBlue Enterprise Manager suite of digital solutions, part of the OpenBlue digital ecosystem, now features significantly expanded AI capabilities. The updates include the first customer-facing generative AI applications, more autonomous building controls, and a significantly improved user experience. Coupled with equipment upgrades and proactive services, OpenBlue customers can reduce energy spend by up to 30%, reduce maintenance spend by up to 20%, and optimize space utilization by up to 10% - a win for the environment and the bottom line.

Johnson Controls Hitachi Air Conditioning UK & Ireland has announced a new partnership with HomeServe, one of the UK’s pioneering home assistance providers, to offer Annual Service Plans for Hitachi Air Source Heat Pumps. This partnership ensures homeowners and landlords can keep their heat pumps running smoothly year-round, with services carried out by qualified engineers. Heating and cooling solutions Partnership aims to provide customers’ peace of mind by offering service plans As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting customers, Johnson Controls Hitachi Air Conditioning UK & Ireland entered a partnership with HomeServe on 5 September 2024, an international home repairs and improvements company that helps customers address everyday problems in and around their homes. As the demand for sustainable heating and cooling solutions grows, this partnership aims to provide customers’ peace of mind by offering service plans designed to maintain optimal performance, extend the lifespan of Hitachi heat pumps, and ensure compliance with warranty and safety standards. HomeServe’s heat pump service plans With this partnership, Johnson Controls Hitachi Air Conditioning and HomeServe aim to make servicing sustainable heating solutions simple, convenient, and worry-free. Starting from just £15 per month, HomeServe’s heat pump service plans include a full inspection of the heat pump and its installation pipework to ensure safety and compliance with the manufacturer's guidelines. This includes, where required: Completing an operational and safety check and visually checking the refrigerant circuit for leaks Checking the general condition of the system, including electrical connections, control valves, expansion vessel, and controls Checking the external unit for debris and obstructions Checking the water quality and updating the service record Customers, whether homeowners or landlords, can choose from a range of service plans that best suit their needs. Comfort and energy efficiency “Johnson Controls-Hitachi is committed to delivering exceptional comfort and energy efficiency to homeowners." "Teaming up with HomeServe allows us to extend our commitment by offering servicing that keeps our heat pumps running at peak performance,” Tom Hall, Johnson Controls - Hitachi Air Conditioning Country Manager.

YORK® Factory Direct, a pioneer in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning services, is excited to announce contractors can order its award-winning products, technical expertise and fast delivery at the website and starting November 1, 2024, these services will be available to contractors through its brand new factory direct store locations. This direct-to-contractor offering provides high-quality and expedient delivery of the company’s full line of residential and commercial HVAC ducted and ductless systems, parts, supplies, and components. YORK® advantage Contractors can fulfill any warranty needs they may have, as well as benefit from the YORK® advantage, which includes competitive pricing, a dedicated delivery service, e-commerce, marketing assistance, and live customer service reps. “This is a strategic growth opportunity for us to be closer to our customers and provide better quality, delivery, and support to the contractors in these new markets,” said David W. Budzinski, President, Global Residential & Light Commercial at Johnson Controls. Latest in HITACHI® ductless products These new locations offer the latest in HITACHI® ductless products including single and multi-split units David W. Budzinski adds: “We are committed to helping contractors succeed through a best-in-class technology portfolio with top-notch customer service, and the highest quality standards.” These new locations will also offer the latest in HITACHI® ductless products including single and multi-split units, variable refrigerant flow systems, and air-to-water heat pumps. These products provide contractors with an unmatched portfolio of the newest technologies and brands all backed by the factory's direct reputation for quality service, and more than 24,000 industry-pioneering parts and tools. New direct-to-contractor support “We are proud to be able to offer new direct-to-contractor support in these new markets,” said Joshua Coaten, YORK® Vice President and General Manager for Ducted Factory Direct & Source One, adding “Contractors in the Tennessee and Alabama region can now take advantage of these offerings to ensure they have what they need to get the job done right – the first time, every time.” Contractors can continue to work with regional locations including Little Rock and Fort Smith, Arkansas, Tallahassee, Florida, and Marietta, Georgia. More locations in Tennessee and Alabama will be opening soon. Additional information on YORK® factory direct can be found by visiting the YORK® site.

AHR Expo 2024 was abuzz with activity, befitting a dynamic industry in the throes of change.  Industry developments such as electrification and the refrigerant transition render business opportunities on the AHR Expo show floor, where exhibitors display a determination to meet the challenges and thrive in the process. Walking from booth to booth during the three-day show in Chicago, I saw the best the HVAC industry has to offer, up close and personal. Innovation and adaptability are the watchwords as the industry journeys into 2024 and beyond. Refrigerant Transition Top of Mind  Patented R-454B refrigerant enables a simpler transition without redesigning equipment The technology transition is well underway for OEMs seeking to meet a pending AIM Act deadline at the end of the year. OEMs are choosing to embrace either R-32 or R454-B refrigerant to replace legacy R-410A, which is being phased out. Patented R-454B refrigerant enables a simpler transition without redesigning equipment, while R-32 offers advantages such as higher capacity, higher efficiency, and easier cradle-to-cradle management. Arkema Arkema is the only producer of R-32 refrigerant in the United States. The newer refrigerant is being embraced as HVAC OEMs seek to meet the deadline of Jan. 1, 2025, to use lower-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants in their products. The technology transition is just part of the AIM Act implementation that will also limit allocation and require refrigerant management. Chemours Chemours is a manufacturer of R-454A, R-454B, and R-454C refrigerants. At AHR, they presented hourly education sessions on a variety of subjects. The refrigerant transition will impact everyone in the industry, including refrigerant producers, equipment manufacturers, contractors, and end users. R-454B refrigerant provides identical performance in HVAC systems compared to the previous refrigerant (R-410A). There is less need to redesign equipment; just adding sensors for leak mitigation can address the mild flammability of A2L refrigerants. Because of the 2025 deadline, 2024 will be the “year of new products” in the HVAC market. OEMs pioneering Innovation  Carrier and others are offering smaller footprints, seeking to meet environmental targets Innovation in the HVAC market is led by companies such as Carrier, which has introduced 100 new products each year for the past eight years. Carrier and others are offering smaller footprints, seeking to meet environmental targets, and providing flexibility for customers. New products include the AquaSnap 30RC air-cooled chiller and the AquaEdge 19MV chiller with low GWP refrigerant to meet pending regulatory requirements.  Copeland Copeland, recently divested from Emerson, also emphasizes innovation, including 12 research and development (R&D) facilities, 1,700 engineers, and more than 3,000 patents. At a press conference at AHR Expo, the 100-year-old company announced it is a “new” company owned by Blackstone Private Equity.  Products featured Among the featured products at AHR are Copeland’s oil-free centrifugal compressor with Aero-lift bearing technology; and Copeland’s CC200 case controller, specifically designed to handle the unique challenges of the current retail grocery refrigeration environments. Copeland also pledges to play a role in educating the market about new trends and the transition to new refrigerants.  Emphasizing a Smaller Footprint  Trailblazer AGZ-F is an R-32 air-cooled scroll chiller that delivers 10% greater capacity and efficiency Daikin Daikin highlights the Atmosphera, a single-zone ductless split system (using R-32) that can reduce carbon emissions by 80% (compared to R-410A). Also, Trailblazer AGZ-F is an R-32 air-cooled scroll chiller that delivers 10% greater capacity and efficiency. Products emphasize a smaller footprint and less weight than their predecessors. Rebel Applied is a packaged rooftop unit that continually adjusts operation to address the building load, consuming less energy. Trailblazer HP is an air-to-water heat pump chiller with a reversing function that allows the product to switch between cooling and heating based on temperature requirements.  Friedrich Air Conditioning Friedrich Air Conditioning features the Breeze universally flexible inverter heat pump, a ducted mini-split for upgrading traditional equipment. It works with any furnace or air handler, has side discharge, is 40% smaller, and is cold weather capable to minus 13. Friedrich's new Vert-I-Pak is a line of M1-compliant single package Vertical Heat Pumps (available in 9K, 12K, 18K, and 24K Btu), supporting decarbonization efforts with heat pump operation down to 10°F. High Efficiency for Commercial and Residential Johnson Controls Johnson Controls exhibits their highly efficient residential and commercial HVAC solutions designed for Department of Energy (DOE) 2023 compliance and helping customers achieve Net Zero goals through decarbonization. On display was the York High-Efficiency 18 SEER2 Side-Discharge Heat Pump with up to 30% smaller footprint than vertical-discharge equipment. Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning's Aircore 700 single split system is aimed at light commercial and residential. Midea Their 3-ton model achieved 118% of rated capacity heating output at minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit Midea, known for selling consumer products, has kept a low profile in the professional sector, selling products that are either OEMed for Carrier or private-labeled by a contractor company. Seeking to promote the Midea brand, the Chinese company is staking its claim on the trade market with an emphasis on performance: The company exceeded performance in the Department of Energy’s “ColdClimate Heat Pump Challenge:” Their 3-ton model achieved 118% of rated capacity heating output at minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat pump awareness Results of a survey conducted by Midea show that more than half of homeowners are not fully aware of heat pumps and their function. Awareness lags among contractors, too: 70% of contractors indicate they do not know that the current’s advanced heat pumps can generate 100% heat output to a minimum temperature of minus 4 F. Wide Selection of New Products Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US emphasizes all-electric heat pump solutions. The Deluxe Wall-mounted H2i sumo System connects with an outdoor unit, and the intelli-HEAT dual fuel system can determine the best source of heat – electric or gas – on cold days. Among commercial products, Heat2OHeat Pump Water Heaters are designed to produce high-volume domestic hot water for commercial facilities in any climate. LG Electronics LG Electronics’ booth includes a wide product range, including advanced heating, ventilating, air conditioning LG Electronics’ booth includes a wide product range, including advanced heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and building management solutions for residential and commercial applications. Home electrification products include the LG R32 Air-to-Water Heat Pump Monobloc system; the LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater the LG Electronics Home 8 Energy Storage System, and ThinQ, LG’s mobile app. LG Art Cool Gallery multi-zone wall-mount indoor unit The LG Art Cool Gallery multi-zone wall-mount indoor unit features a customizable picture frame that doubles as a cooling and heating vent. Also, LG’s Medium and High-Temperature Hydro Kit Systems use a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger to produce chilled or heated water. LG’s Split Compact M3 DOAS with Multi V S is suited to light commercial use where single-phase power is available and as an HVAC solution for outdoor air treatment. Easier Access for Technicians  Rheem Manufacturing New equipment at the Rheem Manufacturing booth at AHR Expo includes true multi-zone operation, smaller footprints, lighter weights, and components that are positioned for easy access by technicians. An LED in the control cabinet displays a fault code that identifies the problem to service technicians. The Resolute and Renaissance lines are commercially packaged heat pump units. The company is emphasizing the transition from R-410A to R-454B refrigerant by the end of 2024. Aeroseal Whether a new install or a retrofit, the product saves energy, saves money, and keeps customers compliant Aeroseal seals ducts by spraying a vinyl acetate polymer substance to increase HVAC efficiency. Whether a new install or a retrofit, the product saves energy, saves money, and keeps customers compliant, and a 30% tax deduction is available through the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  Airzone Airzone is a Spanish company that controls inverters and VRFs (variable refrigerant flow units). Their communication gateway controller incorporates protocols from various manufacturers, and the Easyzone is an easy-to-install zoning system.  Infinitum Infinitum manufactures a motor system that leverages a printed circuit board as a stator, making the motor system lighter weight and also smaller, quieter, and more efficient. The Aircore EC uses a standard printed circuit board manufacturing process to eliminate bearings. The component is used in blowers by OEMs Lau, Acme, Canarm, and Peerless, whose products are displayed at the booth.  Bell & Gossett Bell & Gossett debuts its line of smart, connected products designed to improve sustainability Bell & Gossett, a Xylem brand, debuts its line of smart, connected products designed to improve the sustainability of commercial buildings and reduce complexity in the design process. Combining pumps and smart motors are the e-1510 end-suction pump, e-80 vertical in-line pump, and TECHNOFORCE e-HV packaged booster system.  NIBCO Simplifying the job of an HVAC installer is the PressACR copper press connection system from NIBCO, which connects copper pipes without brazing, which involves soldering and high temperatures, thus a fire hazard. The patent-pending groove design and crimp pattern support the higher-pressure requirement of an HVACR system. Pipes are pressed together using PressACR jaws and adapter jaws in a variety of sizes. NIBCO also displayed its Webstone brand of residential and commercial valves.  Control Products Provide Data  Resideo Resideo displayed home system products, including the Honeywell Home T10+ thermostat with RedLINK 3.0; sensors enable temperature balancing for hot and cold spots. Pro-IQ Services provides software tools designed for the connected home, including insights on heating, cooling, water, and indoor air quality devices to help contractors track customers. Professional-grade water damage prevention, the First Alert L2 WiFi Water Sensor and Switch provide alarms if there is a water leak.  Schneider Electric The EcoStruxure Building Operation system is open system software for building and facility management Schneider Electric seeks to be “digital partners for our customers,” working with Fortune 500 companies seeking to achieve ESG (environment, social and corporate governance) goals. They help customers establish where they are currently vis-à-vis their goals and then deploy science-based key performance indicators (KPIs) to direct them to where they want to be. The EcoStruxure Building Operation system is open system software for building and facility management, including two products for the small and medium building (SMB) market. Energy measurement Schneider measures energy usage through power meters, indoor air quality, and energy spent to achieve efficiency, compiling data according to what the customer wants to achieve. They sell through a national sales team, direct branch business (20 branches), and 200 system integrators (EcoXperts). Their customers include QSR (quick-service restaurant chains) that control climate centrally with data compiled in the cloud.  Siemens Siemens displays solutions for smart, adaptable buildings for a sustainable tomorrow, including the Building X system and the Sustainability Manager application, providing an understanding of a building’s performance and tracking it against sustainability and compliance targets. The Building X Lifecycle Twin tracks operational building performance via a “digital twin,” providing an augmented reality (AR) headset through which one can view equipment with information superimposed on the screen. Uponor  Uponor seeks to leverage the capital cost of heating systems to deliver heating and hot water. They make pipes and connectors and other technologies, including the AuqaPort, which improves water quality and energy savings in domestic hot water (DHW) applications. They seek to future-proof buildings by combining energy efficiency and comfort. Water recirculates and provides hot water on demand using 40% less piping. A “radiant roll-out mat” is preconfigured piping that can be rolled out to simplify installation. 

President Biden’s plan to switch from burning fossil fuels to a reliance on more renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and geothermal, could bring the grid to 100% clean electricity (zero net greenhouse gas emissions) by 2035 and put the United States on a path to economywide, net-zero emissions by 2050.  In the built space, this includes replacing traditional, fossil fuel-burning sources of space and water heat with electrically powered alternatives, namely, high-efficiency heat pumps.  air-source heat pumps “It’s simple to replace an air conditioner with an electric heat pump, but air-source heat pumps, even cold climate air-source heat pumps are installed with backup heating for periods when heating demand exceeds their capacity,” says David Budzinski, President, of Global Residential and Light Commercial, Johnson Controls. “When the backup heating source is electricity, right now the system uses inefficient resistance ‘strip’ heat. Embracing hybrid heat pumps that do not use electricity for backup heat can overcome barriers such as increased utility costs and strain on the electric grid as the grid evolves.”  hybrid heat pumps Replacing an air conditioner outdoor unit with a heat pump can be relatively straightforward Budzinski says hybrid heat pumps are critical to the electrification movement, especially for existing homes with air conditioner/furnace systems. Replacing an air conditioner outdoor unit with a heat pump can be relatively straightforward, but replacing a furnace with electric resistance heat often requires electrical service upgrades, and if relied on too heavily for the home’s heating load, will lead to significant increases in utility costs and strain on the electric grid. electrification “Hybrid heat pump systems make scaled beneficial electrification possible now by maximizing the scale of heat pump deployment while breaking down the barriers to electrification,” says Budzinski. “As heat pump technology continues to advance, along with building technology and grid infrastructure more broadly, we see decarbonization as creating new opportunities across all building solutions and service providers to increase their value proposition for customers.”  Hitachi air365 Hybrid heat pump Hitachi mini-VRF heat pump becomes the primary source of heat, homeowners can cut utility costs by up to two-thirds The Hitachi air365 Hybrid heat pump features a Dual Fuel Module that attaches to either an existing or new gas furnace, such as the YORK® YP9C 98% Modulating Gas Furnace and is paired with an external Hitachi Mini VRF heat pump as the primary heating and cooling source. A smart sensor in the dual fuel module monitors outdoor ambient conditions and automatically switches to the furnace if it reaches a temperature where the heat pump cannot efficiently meet the indoor heating demand. Since the Hitachi mini-VRF heat pump becomes the primary source of heat, homeowners can cut utility costs by up to two-thirds compared to conventional heating systems.  Cost-effective and less carbon-intensive As the grid evolves, it may become more cost-effective and less carbon-intensive to use electric resistance for the limited periods where backup heat is needed, says Budzinski. “At that point, the gas burner can be removed and, if necessary, replaced by an air handler with an electric resistance element.” This change can happen at a more opportune time for the homeowner to upgrade their electric panel, such as when additional electric appliances like a water heater, cooktop, electric vehicle charger, rooftop solar, and/or electric storage are installed. Exceeding heat pump capacity Homeowners in colder climates who want to reduce their carbon footprint and utility bills" The existing heat pump outdoor unit can remain in place throughout the process.  “Homeowners in colder climates who want to reduce their carbon footprint and utility bills, but whose heating demands can sometimes exceed heat pump capacity, may benefit from a hybrid heat pump solution,” says Budzinski. Energy-efficient The benefits are especially significant for homeowners with high peak electricity rates. Hybrid systems are extremely energy-efficient reducing site energy use by as much as two-thirds when the heat pump is operational while eliminating inefficient electric resistance backup heating. Ultimately, savings will vary based on the efficiency of the heat pump and the legacy heating system, as well as the climate, operating conditions, and utility rates.  heat pump adoption Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) expanded incentives for high-efficiency HVAC equipment, including the 25C tax credit Currently, many incentives at federal, state, and local levels encourage heat pump adoption and significantly reduce the upfront costs of hybrid heat pump systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) expanded incentives for high-efficiency HVAC equipment, including the 25C tax credit. Many electric utilities also offer incentives for customers to install high-efficiency heat pumps, and these incentives can usually be combined with federal and state programs. Climate policies and incentive programs differ from state to state and even city to city, so rebate amounts and qualifications may change depending on the homeowner’s location.  air365 Hybrid dual fuel system The air365 Hybrid dual fuel system provides homeowners remote access using a cloud-based smartphone application. Both the heat pump and the backup furnace are controlled by a single thermostat, and no adaptors are required for third-party device integration. Many modern, connected thermostats monitor both indoor and outdoor temperatures to help the system run efficiently at any given moment to help maintain a comfortable indoor environment at the optimal utility cost and carbon footprint, says Budzinski.  energy savings The energy savings as well as incentives and rebates can significantly offset the upfront costs" For contractors, hybrid heat pumps can increase sales opportunities at the “solution” level. “The energy savings as well as incentives and rebates can significantly offset the upfront costs of the equipment and can make the systems more accessible to a wider population,” says Budzinski. Simple to install “Hybrid systems are often simpler and less time-consuming to install in homes with existing air conditioner/furnace systems.” Contractors who understand a home’s heating load, heat pump operating conditions, utility rates, and available incentives will be well-positioned to sell hybrid heat pump systems, he adds.  optimal efficiency “Homeowners may believe that to realize optimal savings, they will need to completely replace their existing air conditioner/furnace system. Not true," says Budzinski. “In cold climates, a hybrid system offers a great solution to realize optimal efficiency while ensuring optimal comfort and reducing emissions during periods of extreme cold temperatures,” he says.