Like a small but mighty country,The NEWS’seventh annual Dealer Design Awards’ Ventilation Products category wasn’t the largest, but each competitor stepped into the ring and packed a large punch. The gold winner, hailing from Broan® and NuTone® in Hartford, Wis., dropped its competition with a knockout punch - its Humidity Sensing Recessed Fan/Lights featuring SensAire® technology. The silver winner, hailing from Ruskin Co. in Kansas City, Mo., landed a solid right hook, with its ELC6375DXD - Extruded Combination Louver, sending its competitors sprawling. Both stayed on their feet to become product champions.

GOLD WINNER: Humidity Sensing Recessed Fan/Lights from Broan® and NuTone® brackets can span up to 24 inches and fit within 2 by 8 inch construction.

GOLD WINNER

The Energy Star® qualified Humidity Sensing Recessed Fan/Lights from Broan® and NuTone® feature SensAire® technology to help ensure moisture is effectively exhausted at the source by automatically ridding the home of excess humidity. Though appearing to be a recessed light, inside is a humidity sensing switch that triggers the concealed and quiet ventilation fan. This product is intended to provide light and a method to exhaust air in residential applications.

Typical installations include bathrooms, shower enclosures, and in any areas of the home where both light and supplemental ventilation is desired. This product was designed for easy installation by incorporating adjustable mounting brackets that can span up to 24 inches and fit within 2-by-8 inch construction.

The corrosion resistant housing is constructed of 26-gauge galvanized steel. A polymeric 4-inch round duct connector with a 2-inch tapered sleeve is provided for quick connection of ductwork.

The humidity sensor is built into the fan, so there are no additional components to install. The switch turns on when it senses a quick jump in humidity and turns off automatically, helping cut down energy costs. The fan delivers 70 CFM at 1.5 Sones and features an auto shut-off that is adjustable from 5-60 minutes, with optional manual operation.

The unit also features an adjustable humidity sensitivity level and 6-inch white trim matched to designs of major recessed light manufacturers. The 6-7/8-inch-high housing fits new construction and 2-by-8 inch ceiling joists, 4-inch round duct connector, and is UL listed for use over tub or shower when connected to GFCI protected branch circuit.

SILVER WINNER: Ruskin Co.’s model ELC6375DXD is Miami-Dade approved as a single product.

SILVER WINNER

Ruskin Co.’s model ELC6375DXD - Extruded Combination Louver - is a 6-inch-deep drainable louver with an integral low leak damper used for outside air openings in buildings.

This low pressure drop and high water penetration resistance product has been tested to the stringent pressure, missile impact, and windload procedures of South Florida, making it the only ELC on the market today with the prestigious Miami-Dade County approval, said the manufacturer.

This ELC6375DXD provides air intake or air exhaust for building openings not only in Florida, but in any other hurricane areas globally. It can be used in either forced air or natural ventilation applications. By combining the louver and damper functions into one product, field costs associated with combining them in the field is eliminated.

The ELC6375DXD is also Miami-Dade approved as a single product. The installing contractor does not need to worry about adding dampers in the field that might violate the tested installation methods. Access to the actuator or hand quadrant is easily accommodated on the back side of the ELC.

It is approved for use in both open and closed structures with provisions to manage weather infiltration. Rated to ±110 psf windload, this AMCA licensed product can be installed in unlimited widths by 120 inches high, satisfying those systems that require more ventilation. Concealed blade linkage is protected from weather exposure and reduces the required installation depth. Factory installed filter racks, security bars, or any type of bird or insect screen are available.

2010 HONOREES - VENTILATION PRODUCTS

Gold Winner:
Broan-NuTone LLC
www.broan-nutone.com
Humidity Sensing Recessed Fan/Lights from Broan® and NuTone®

Silver Winner:
Ruskin Co.
www.ruskin.com
Combination OA Louver/Damper

Publication date: 07/12/2010