CHICAGO - Programmable thermostats were the hot control item at the 2009 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo). Occupancy sensors and easy-to-read displays made the top of the new and improved features list.

Duro Dyne’s (www.durodyne.com) DuroZone® division introduced its new remote control (RCD) damper. Designed for use in commercial situations where adjacent rooms call for different comfort levels, it is available in sizes from 6 to 12 inches in diameter. Typically installed adjacent to the supply register, Model RCD dampers allow easy adjustment of the flow of conditioned air in individual rooms with the use of either a remote control, a wireless thermostat, or an occupancy sensor.

ecobee (www.ecobee.com) released its Smart Thermostat at the show. This seven-day programmable thermostat is designed to help conserve energy, save money, and reduce environmental impact. The unit and its features can be controlled remotely via Internet access, using a personalized Web portal on the company’s Website. The thermostat features full color touch-screen programming, a one touch Quick save setting, and live weather forecasts.

Emerson Climate Technologies (www.emersonclimate.com) featured its new Blue™ Easy Reader thermostat, a simple to operate thermostat with display characters and numbers twice as large as other Emerson thermostats for enhanced user readability, understanding, and functionality. The thermostat includes a 6-square-inch back display with large 1-inch characters for communicating room temperature, and half-inch characters for other communications. Other key features include homeowner-specified names on buttons, a soft-touch keypad with large control buttons with one function/one button selections, and simple menu options.

EnOcean Inc. (www.enocean.com) highlighted its self-powered wireless protocol, displaying multiple applications of the technology, including the Illumra Hotel Room Retro-fit kit. This self-powered wireless hotel key card switch generates its own power. Once inserted into a dock inside the room, it activates the room by turning on the power-consuming amenities, including the HVAC. Once removed, the amenities are set to a time delay and then shut off. On the receiving end of the system, integrators have two options - a line-powered thermostat or a plug-in PTAC controller.

EWC Controls Inc. (www.ewccontrols.com) displayed the EWT-3900, a wireless thermostat with 7 day or 5+2 day programming that allows for simplified retrofit applications. The thermostat includes the wireless receiver and a wall-mount bracket that is removable for hand-held programming. It is compatible with single stage and two-stage heating and cooling systems, as well as heat pumps and three-stage heating two-stage cooling systems. The receiver is 24 v powered.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) rolled out a new suite of products connected by one common feature, Red LINK™ technology. The first wireless technology engineered specifically for HVAC applications, it eliminates the need to run wires in many applications. After extensive testing, the wireless technology has been proven to work uninterrupted every time in every home. Applications available include the Prestige™ HD thermostat, Prestige Portable Comfort Control, wireless outdoor sensor, TruSTEAM™ humidification, Wireless FocusPRO®, and TrueZone® zoning panel.

KMC Controls (www.kmccontrols.com) featured its BAC-10000 Series FlexStat, a BACnet programmable thermostat that simplifies networked zone control. It features a high-contrast, backlit dot matrix LCD display with five buttons for menu/data selection and entry. Temperature sensing is standard and humidity sensing is optional. There is a built–in library of application control sequences and six on/off and independent heating and cooling set point periods per day. Password-protected access of advanced modes prevents disruption of operation.

Reliable Controls (www.reliablecontrols.com) showcased its new SMART-Space™ controller. This programmable device has a large, easy-to-read backlit display and is a fully programmable and networkable application specific controller. Optional models with real-time clock, humidity, and occupancy sensing are available. It has universal I/O with jumper selectable TRIAC outputs, auto addressing on network, and a 5-year warranty.

Publication date: 02/16/2009