CHICAGO - The IAQ sector may have more potential to help contractors weather the current economic storm than any other in the HVAC market. And the sector is digging deep into its potential to solve both energy and IAQ issues with a number of innovations and application kits for a variety of system types, and enhancements that go after more disposable consumer income, as was in evidence at the 2009 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo).

American Ultraviolet (www.americanultraviolet.com) introduced the CC Series UV lamps, which feature a two-year guarantee, with only a 20 percent decrease in output over those two years. These high-output, green lamps use less than 8 mg of mercury. The easy-to-install bulbs offer stainless steel construction with a polished reflector. Its 120-/230-/277-V ballast options allow worldwide application; its five sizes range from 19 to 65 inches with single- or dual-lamp configurations. They also are moisture-resistant.

Filtration Group’s (www.filtrationgroup.com) Geopleat filters boast a pleat geometry that provides even dust loading and maximum service life. According to the company, the high-impact plastic frame can withstand harsh environments, and the robust media withstands tearing and other types of damage. The pleat design provides low airflow resistance, thus low pressure drop and energy savings, said the company. It exceeds the LEED rating of MERV 13 and is incinerable.

The company’s dual-pack, dual-stage filter consists of a pleated particulate first-stage media, along with a second-stage gas removal media. This filter is designed to operate at temperatures up to 120°F. It’s applicable in offices, hospitals, airports, and other applications.

The Johnson Controls Unitary (www.york.com) booth displayed the York Affinity UVC germicidal product, which the company calls a step up from other IAQ offerings. And LED allows homeowners to know how well the system is operating depending on the color of the light. Blue means the unit is operating as planned. Yellow means that there have been changes to its operation. Red means the unit is not operating. The product is designed to bathe the coil with UV light.

Prolitec Inc. (www.prolitec.com), unveiled the Air/Q™ Whole House Air Freshener™ (WHAF), a fully adjustable, HVAC-integrated home air-freshening system. The manufacturer said it creates a pleasant scent throughout the home, and when used with the Aria™ air-treatment agent, it sanitizes the air by killing airborne odor-causing bacteria and mold, fungus, and microorganisms. The company called its product “a major new sales-generating opportunity for the industry.”

Promark Associates’ (www.promarkassociates.com) Total Spectrum Solution unites UV light, photocatalysis, and gas phase filtration to deliver indoor air that is cleaner than outside air. The product’s Dynamic Chemistry™ is a process that purifies indoor air without harmful emissions or waste byproducts, stated the company. It “destroys molds, bacteria, viruses, and other biologicals that challenge health”; converts CO to CO2; enables recirculation of cleaned and conditioned indoor air; returns purified, conditioned air with every air change (typically six times per hour); and has approximately a two-year payback.

Purafil (www.purafil.com) introduced GridBlok technology, which is housed within the PuraGrid filter. GridBlok consists of an extruded monolithic block containing a large number of small, parallel cells or channels. Each is a self-supporting grid structure composed of essentially 100 percent adsorbent materials, allowing the entire composite structure to serve as a gas filter.

Robertshaw (www.robertshaw.com) displayed its 7602 Series UV light systems, each weighing less than 2 pounds which the company said are easy to install. The kit includes a duct-mountable power supply and power cord, UV lamp, and mounting hardware. There is a three-year warranty on the power supply and one year on the bulb. An LED indicates proper operation to the homeowner. A safety interlock offers worry-free bulb replacement.

A new UVC Kit for Unitary Air Conditioners from Steril-Aire Inc. (www.sterilaire.com) provides economical and long-lasting UVC performance. Designed for easy installation in unitary systems of less than 5 tons, the kit may be used with mini-split and ductless systems, split systems, PTAC units, heat pumps, and window units with coil sizes up to 15 inches (38.1 cm) high by 26 inches (66 cm) wide.

Sidebar: UV for Icemakers

Triatomic Environmental (www.triatomic.com) introduced a UVC light designed to keep icemakers cleaner. The Fresh-Aire Ice UV is a germicidal UV light system that works around the clock, killing germs and helping to reduce ice machine maintenance. Kits include an internally mountable power supply, 6-foot lamp cable, 12-inch power cord, UV lamp, UV blocking tape, lamp mounting brackets, and mounting hardware. Several mounting options are possible. According to the company, UV light kills mold and other microbials before they become established, reducing the need for machine maintenance.

Publication date: 03/16/2009