METUS - Experts & Thought Leaders

Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC (METUS), a pioneering supplier of all-electric, all-climate Ductless and Ducted Mini-split and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump and air-conditioning systems, convened Elite residential contractors during the company’s Contractor Community Summit 2024 at the Kalahari Resort, Round Rock, Texas, from Nov. 18-19. The 900-plus attendees at the two-day event included members of the Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor® and Ductless Pro programs from around the country who are independent contractors earning the top-tier designation of Elite. Having evolved from smaller, regional events, this event was the first large, nationwide summit for Elite contractors. Elite dealer contractor programs “Engaging as an Elite dealer in our contractor programs sets these HVAC professionals up for the best possible success selling Mitsubishi Electric products,” said Brandon Jamerson, Manager, Contractor Programs, Partnerships & Local Marketing, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC. “At the summit, we thanked all attendees for their loyalty, congratulated them, and created an opportunity for them to connect with other Elite contractors from across the country to share ideas and expertise.” 900-plus members of the Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor® and Ductless Pro programs gathered in Round Rock, Texas, for the Contractor Community Summit 2024. (Photo: Business Wire) Benefits of the Elite Contractor programs Benefits of the Elite contractor programs include members’ access to exclusive rises and deals Becoming an Elite program contractor involves completing extensive METUS training, attaining significant purchase volume from distribution partners of Mitsubishi Electric products, committing to the company’s marketing initiatives, using Mitsubishi Electric sales tools, and more. Benefits of the Elite contractor programs include members’ access to exclusive promotions and discounts, marketing support, training and education, technical support, brand recognition, and warranty and service support. Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps and other products “Elite contractors represent the best innovators in the industry. They positively impact their communities and value honor and integrity,” said Jamerson. Attendees of the conference, themed Win as One, enjoyed informative sessions, including a keynote, training, networking with peers, updates on Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps and other products, a contractor panel, a vendor/product showcase, and a dinner and awards ceremony.  Win as One represents the winning collaboration between METUS and independent HVAC contractors, as well as independent distributors of the Mitsubishi Electric product line. Importance of finding gratitude The keynote speaker, "John Foley, a former lead solo pilot for the legendary Blue Angels flight team, spoke about the importance of having a Glad To Be Here® mindset, which helps to inspire a culture of excellence, trust within teams, and accountability." He also shared thoughts on the importance of finding gratitude in every endeavor and being a pioneer that teams rally around. Foley is the author of the book “Fearless Success,” and was also a pilot in the original “Top Gun” movie. Matt Scott [left] of Dave’s World receiving the Award for Excellence in Warranty Sales from METUS CFO Shane Lawrence [right]. (Photo: Business Wire) companies and contractors Awards The following companies and contractors received awards: Pinnacle Award for Finance Excellence in collaboration with Synchrony Finance Gianni DeCicco and Ted Teschner, Rycor HVAC, New Paltz, New York Award for Excellence in Warranty Sales in collaboration with JB Warranties Matt Scott, Dave’s World, Scarborough, Maine Awarded a 2025 Dealer Trip for a 40-plus-year collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Jonathan Duncklee, Duncklee Cooling & Heating, Stonington, Connecticut Additionally, two Elite contractors were presented a complimentary Mitsubishi Electric system for their unique and innovative ideas. Jared Herschell, BCA Mechanical, Columbus, Ohio Jack Schmidt, Benchmark Service, Irving, Texas Gianni DeCicco [left] and Ted Teschner [right] of Rycor HVAC receiving the Pinnacle Award for Finance Excellence from METUS CFO Shane Lawrence [middle]. (Photo: Business Wire) Latest information from METUS “The 2024 Contractor Community Summit received overwhelmingly positive feedback and was deemed a resounding success. We highly recommend that any qualifying contractors who were unable to attend this year make plans to do so in the future,” said Jamerson.  “The event offers extensive peer-to-peer networking along with the latest information from METUS on ways to win in their business and grow their companies around the Mitsubishi Electric product line.”

Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC, a pioneering supplier of Ductless and Ducted Mini-split and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump and air-conditioning systems, introduces the s-MEXT indoor unit, a Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) unit for I.T. cooling applications. Uses include small-to-medium-sized data rooms, cell phone and cable TV/telephone/internet provider relay stations, medical imaging equipment cooling and critical cooling infrastructure applications, laboratories, archives and libraries. Advanced s-MEXT indoor unit s-MEXT is designed to enhance protection of critical I.T. systems with precision temperature control. Models are available in either top or bottom air-discharge configurations, giving users flexibility to meet their specific project needs. “Businesses require their I.T. systems to operate smoothly 24/7, 365 days a year. Keeping data centers and other I.T. equipment cool and dry is imperative,” said James DeBerry, commercial marketing manager, METUS. “Our advanced s-MEXT indoor unit connected to our INVERTER-driven P-Series outdoor unit provides a plug-and-play cooling system for any small-to-medium-sized I.T. application.” s-MEXT features Two capacities, 22 KBTU/H and 40 KBTU/H, are available in two size cabinets and upflow or downflow configurations, both as a base model and with factory-installed accessories. s-MEXT features a single refrigeration circuit and total front accessibility for simplified maintenance. Up to 10 s-MEXT units can be LAN connected, each requiring its own PUY outdoor unit. The electrically commutated (EC) plug fan provides airflow modulation at low noise levels. “s-MEXT is a great addition to the Mitsubishi Electric product offering. These units are easy to install and maintain and can provide years of operation,” said DeBerry.

Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC (METUS), a major supplier of Ductless and Ducted Mini-Split and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) heat pump and air-conditioning systems, introduces kenza cloud®, a solution empowering commercial customers to remotely control, monitor, and analyze their Mitsubishi Electric VRF systems. Accessed through the website and its M-NET gateway (RMD-50A), Kenza Cloud is Mitsubishi Electric’s cloud-based platform for distributors, contractors, building owners, and facility managers who would benefit from remotely controlling, scheduling, and charting CITY MULTI and M-Series systems’ data, along with getting off-site troubleshooting support. kenza cloud M-NET gateway Kenza Cloud’s remote analytic capabilities help commercial customers reduce service calls Kenza Cloud’s remote analytic capabilities help commercial customers reduce service calls by identifying the issue, reviewing the maintenance data, and troubleshooting before requesting onsite maintenance or repairs.  Specifically, functions like Maintenance Tool File Download, Test Run, Refrigerant Check, and Branch Port Check (for CITY MULTI R2-Series systems) can benefit customers by reducing site visits to evaluate and resolve an issue. The subscription-based kenza cloud M-NET gateway can monitor up to 50 indoor units and 50 outdoor units per device. CITY MULTI equipment "Kenza Cloud gives technicians visibility into the systems they work on, which simplifies diagnosing and servicing CITY MULTI equipment," said James DeBerry, Commercial Marketing Manager, METUS. He adds, "Technicians will also benefit from automatic quarterly updates made to the platform at no extra cost, which is part of our commitment to continuously improve our control offerings."

Gaining early popularity in the 1970s, previous generations of heat pumps were only considered useful in mild climates. But today, modern heat pumps, especially variable-speed mini-split heat pumps, are reliable, sustainable, and used in various ways, including ways our parents and grandparents would never have thought of. New uses include she sheds, man caves, garages, tiny homes, sunrooms, and even boats.  We spoke to Sean Gallagher, Regional Sales Manager, Eastern Massachusetts, Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), to discuss how people use heat pumps in the U.S. and abroad. He described some of the technology's varied (and sometimes surprising!) uses.  Q: What are the most common applications of heat pumps on boats and marine crafts, and how do they differ from residential or commercial uses?  Gallagher: I know one Diamond Contractor® who installed a heat pump on his father’s yacht. Since my territory includes Southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island, I frequently see heat pumps on the large car-carrying and passenger-carrying ferries. Although commercial applications like ferries are more common, I think we will see more heat pumps on people’s boats and yachts, especially since we use an anti-corrosion coating that protects the outdoor heat exchanger against salt, sulfur and other airborne contaminants that impact the efficiency and performance of outdoor units.   Q: What are some other "off-beat" or previously underappreciated applications for heat pumps – she sheds, man caves, garages, tiny homes, sunrooms, or something similar?  Heat pumps are being used in high-end campers like Airstreams, smaller campers, parking lot kiosks Gallagher: All those applications apply, and there’s plenty more. My niece lives in a 400-square-foot studio apartment over my garage that’s heated and cooled with a heat pump. I also installed a low, wall-mounted heat pump unit in my father’s tool and woodworking shed. Since his tools hang on the wall, he didn’t want to give up any wall space, so now, he has a climate-controlled workshop that suits his needs. Heat pumps are also being used in high-end campers like Airstreams, smaller campers, parking lot kiosks, food trucks, and even intermodal shipping containers turned into spaces like laboratories.   Q: What are the key advantages of using variable-speed mini-split heat pumps in smaller applications in various climates?  Gallagher: All-climate heat pumps can conquer any climate in New England and most of the United States. Overall, variable-speed mini-split heat pumps provide efficiency, ease of installation, comfort, and quiet, regardless of outdoor temperature. Some of the best heat pumps on the market provide warmth, even if the temperature drops to a chilly –22 degrees F. At the opposite end of the thermometer, heat pump systems can cool indoor spaces when it’s a scorching 115 degrees F.  Q: How does the equipment used for these applications differ from the equipment in more common HVAC use cases?  Gallagher: In most HVAC use cases, people use a unitary, conventional HVAC device to heat a home. However, the market has been moving away from unitary devices toward having custom control in every room. Think about if you turned on your kitchen faucet and every faucet in the house turned on, or if you turned on your bedroom light and every light in your home turned on with it. It’s inefficient, which is how unitary systems work. All-climate heat pumps give precise temperature control and custom comfort in any area, whether it’s a shed, man cave, or garage. Each person can heat or cool the space to their comfort level. This is how heat pumps work in general and in these off-beat use cases.  Q: How has the reliability of modern heat pump technology expanded the potential for marine and other applications?   One-to-one heat pumps are perfect for smaller applications because of their turn-down ratio Gallagher: Since Mitsubishi Electric’s Hyper-Heating INVERTER® (H2i®) technology is not new – having come out around 2009 – the technology has grown by leaps and bounds. Today’s one-to-one heat pumps are perfect for smaller applications because of their turn-down ratio. They can ramp up quickly and then throttle back to meet the needs of a space, through a setpoint, in heating and cooling to use only the energy necessary to maintain the comfort of that indoor space. Multi-zone applications can handle larger spaces with ease and efficiency.  Q: Can you provide examples of how heat pumps are being used on boats or marine crafts in the U.S. and abroad? What technologies are they replacing?  Gallagher: Heat pumps are replacing electric-resistance heat, gas-fired HVAC units, and hydronic systems for watercraft powered by steam. For cooling, heat pumps are replacing chilled water systems on larger ships. Heat pumps are frequently used on large car-carrying and passenger-carrying ferries. I also know of people who have installed them on yachts and other boats, which I think will become more prevalent.  Q: What are the challenges HVAC professionals might face when installing and maintaining heat pumps on boats and/or in smaller applications?  The biggest challenge they face is contending with the caustic nature of the saltwater environment Gallagher: For maritime applications, the biggest challenge they face is contending with the caustic nature of the saltwater environment. I mentioned this a minute ago, but salt can degrade non-ferrous metals, like copper and aluminum. It’s crucial to use an anti-corrosion coating that protects the outdoor heat exchanger against salt, sulfur, and other airborne contaminants that impact the efficiency and performance of outdoor units. Some companies specialize in taking heat pumps apart and coating all the parts that could corrode to prevent them from doing so. This makes the heat pumps last much longer than they otherwise would.  Q: How does the installation of heat pumps on boats align with the growing demand for energy-efficient and sustainable solutions in the marine industry?  Gallagher: Energy-efficient heat pumps consume far less energy than a conventional HVAC system. Heat pump systems cycle hot and cold air where it’s wanted depending on the season and provide personalized comfort on a boat year-round. Modern heat pumps, especially variable-speed mini-split heat pumps, are reliable and sustainable, providing high-performance heating and air conditioning on boats anywhere, even in extremely cold or warm climates. Heat pumps are preferable in most climates, as the efficacy of a heat pump is generally 1.5 to 4 times greater when compared with electric resistance heating. {##Poll1731297929 - Which of these applications for heat pumps seems most surprising?##}

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. 

Some of the technologies in the HVAC market are mature, although the newest innovation is always just around the corner. Newer systems seek to be more sustainable and energy-efficient, and digital control technologies play a role in maximizing their performance. Trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart systems are the basis for the newest connectivity and control approaches. These innovations tie into the broader environment of smart buildings. Systems are also providing remote access to enable technicians to analyze system operation and troubleshoot any problems. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What's new in connectivity and control systems for HVAC?