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Crossing residential and commercial boundaries, the light commercial arena continues to benefit from innovative products and their creative applications. The NEWS’ fifth annual Dealer Design Awards’ HVAC Light Commercial Equipment category awarded three manufacturers who brought new compressor technology to the forefront.

The gold winner, Copeland Scroll by Emerson Climate Technologies’ Copeland Scroll Digital™ R-410A compressor line, automatically adjusts and matches capacity output to changing cooling demand without the use of hot-gas bypass or inverter drives. Lennox Industries Inc.’s Strategos™ rooftop unit line employs four compressors for its new MSAV™ technology, winning the company silver. The bronze winner, the Ruud Heating & Cooling 16 SEER RRRL gas-electric package unit, is an all-in-one unit that provides both heating and cooling performance.

GOLD WINNER

GOLD: Copeland Scroll by Emerson Climate Technologies’ Copeland Scroll Digital™ R-410A compressors automatically adjust compressor capacity output between 10 and 100 percent.

Copeland Scroll by Emerson Climate Technologies’ Copeland Scroll Digital™ R-410A compressors — ideal for commercial air conditioning applications with widely varying loads or a need to maintain precise temperature and humidity control — are available in 3 to 12 horsepower.

Utilizing un- matched capabilities built into the Copeland Scroll® compressor, the Copeland Scroll Digital R-410A compressor product line can automatically adjust compressor capacity output between 10 and 100 percent, precisely matching capacity output to changing cooling demand without the use of hot-gas bypass or inverter drives.

“Up to 30 percent more efficient than traditional hot-gas-bypass systems, they can precisely hold temperatures to within ½˚F,” said the company.

Designed with contractors in mind, the compressor requires roughly the same amount of space as a traditional scroll compressor and is designed for simple brazing into the system. Its control electronics are contained inside the Copeland Scroll Digital controller, which is mounted inside the condenser cabinet and wired to the compressor. There it monitors the compressor and identifies common system problems via flashing LED lights, taking action to protect the compressor.

This new compressor also incorporates modulation technology that allows contractors to be prepared for future regulations. It provides a wide modulation range and can modulate infinitely within this range. One judge was highly impressed with the added efficiency for a modulating compressor.

“This is a nice compressor,” he said. “Copeland has done a good job with this excellent product.”

SILVER WINNER

SILVER: Lennox Industries Inc.’s Strategos™ Rooftop Unit Line comes fully configured and tested from the factory with a MSAV™ (multi-stage air volume) supply fan option that offers up to seven different levels of airflow.

Lennox Industries Inc.’s Strategos™ rooftop unit line was designed for applications requiring energy efficiency during full- and part-load operation. These rooftop units have efficiency ratings up to 14.3 EER, 16.1 SEER, and 16.4 IPLV. The use of R-410A refrigerant is standard on all Strategos units.

Ideal for commercial buildings such as retail stores, warehouses, and office buildings, the units are available with MSAV™ (multi-stage air volume) supply fan option that offers up to seven different levels of airflow — up to four airflow levels are available for cooling, with separate airflows provided for heating, ventilation, and smoke detector modes.

All Strategos rooftop units were designed for fast and easy installation, maintenance, and service to help contractors save time and maximize profits, said the company. Each unit comes fully configured and tested from the factory with more than a dozen installed standard features that are generally considered field-installed options or accessories.

To further reduce time associated with maintenance and service, every Strategos unit features Lennox’s Integrated Modular Controller (IMC). Designed to provide centralized control for improved performance and fast, simple troubleshooting, the IMC has more than 100 unit alarm and diagnostic codes and is preprogrammed with more than 200 control parameters customizable to fit specific applications. The intelligent unit controller and standard mechanical components, such as high- and low-pressure switches, also help prevent catastrophic unit failure.

From the full perimeter base rail and factory-tested startup to the slide-out blower deck, independent motor mount and 115-V ground fault circuit interrupter (service outlet), the standard features of Strategos rooftop units were all designed to help contractors.

“Lennox has done a great job with this piece,” said one judge. “It is an excellent piece of equipment,” echoed another.

BRONZE WINNER

BRONZE: The Ruud Heating & Cooling 16 SEER RRRL gas-electric package unit features R-410A refrigerant and is equipped with a Copeland Two-Stage Ultra-Tech™ scroll compressor complete with Comfort Alert™ System Diagnostics.

The Ruud Heating & Cooling 16 SEER RRRL gas-electric package unit is an all-in-one unit that provides both heating and cooling performance.

Not only does this model feature R-410A refrigerant, but it is also equipped with a Copeland two-stage Ultra-Tech™ scroll compressor complete with Comfort Alert™ system diagnostics, and a variable-speed indoor blower motor for constant airflow.

The unit also has high/low pressure switches for refrigerant cycle control, a stainless steel tubular heat exchanger, on-demand dehumidification, an all-steel, fully louvered coil protection, and a powder-painted finish to protect against weather extremes and yard hazards.

The product is designed to meet a wide range of applications from residential to light commercial, and can be converted from horizontal to downflow applications.

This unit can be installed with industry standard practices and requires no special installation methods. Considered by the company to be service friendly, the unit offers easy access to all components within the system via removable access panels.

Each unit also has an external gauge that allows for more convenient system checks. Technicians will find labeled components and number- and color-coded wires in the control box.

The RRRL comes standard with a variable motor that adjusts airflow between the first and second stage of cooling and also allows for on-demand humidification. This motor can deliver normal airflow up to 1 inch of static pressure.

Other standard features in- clude a stainless steel heat ex- changer, louvered coil protection, convertible airflow, thermostatic expansion valve refrigerant control, and filter drier.

Honorees: Light Commercial Equipment

Gold
Copeland Scroll by Emerson Climate Technologies
www.copelandscroll.com
Copeland Scroll Digital™ compressor for R-410A applications

Silver
Lennox Industries Inc.
www.lennoxcommercial.com
Strategos™ rooftop unit line

Bronze
Ruud Heating & Cooling
www.ruudac.com
Ruud gas-electric package unit

Publication Date: 07/14/2008