Whether one is heating or cooling one room or many, it doesn’t matter; customers still expect their HVAC equipment to work well. And for contractors, they seek not only products that are good for the customer’s application, but also ones that can be installed and serviced faster and easier.

The recipients of The NEWS’ seventh annual Dealer Design Awards in the HVAC Residential Equipment category do just that. They perform their job while making an installer’s and service technician’s job easier. The winners in this category are Enertech Manufacturing with its Hydron Module Revolution HXT Series (gold), Friedrich Air Conditioning with the Kühl Series (silver), and AAON’s RQ Series (bronze).

GOLD WINNER

The Hydron Module Revolution Series residential and light commercial geothermal heating and cooling system is a multi-positional geothermal system capable of being field-converted from upflow to downflow, right-hand return or left-hand return, all in the same cabinet. The cabinet is field-convertible from standard upflow supply air to downflow supply air with a simple kit and minimal tools. Additionally, the modular control box is mounted to the top of the unit via a movable connector plate. This allows the unit to be installed in either right-hand return air or left-hand return air configurations.

The unique cabinet design and charcoal color with stainless steel accent panels makes this product standout from any other system available today, stated the company. Sizes range up to 6 tons. The unit uses Copeland two-stage UltraTech® scroll compressors and GE ECM blower motors.

The control box’s high- and low-voltage wiring is performed at eye level. All water connections and condensation connections are located under the air coil for easy connection. The standard digital controls package helps contractors quickly diagnose any faults or issues at a glance with the standard LED fault lights. All components of the unit are quickly accessible through multiple service panels. Components are also located in convenient spots in the event they may require service.

The quadruple compressor isolation is designed to absorb a wide range of sound and vibration to make the unit one of the quietest around, according to the manufacturer. Integrated door seals on all panels make the cabinet nearly airtight and eliminate any potential panel rattle. The entire series can be ordered using just five SKUs, maximizing inventory space and making ordering easy, stated the manufacturer.

Judges remarked on the capability of the unit to be installed in different positions. One said, “The multi-positional option makes the unit very versatile.”

Another remarked, “The multi-positional cabinet is a definite benefit. Having the control box on top so that wiring is performed at eye level, without having to work on your hands and knees, sounds great.”

SILVER WINNER

The Kühl Series is a commercial-grade room cooling solution for window and through-the-wall installations constructed with robust materials including heavy-gauge steel, high-tech fins, high-efficiency compressors, extra thick rubber grommets, an insulated plenum, aluminum endplates and a heavy-duty, enclosed fan motor. Steel inner wall and extra dense insulation materials block outdoor noise. New firm grip handles drastically simplify chassis installation and removal. Electronic maintenance indicators include error code storage and check filter reminder. The seven-day programmable thermostat with up to four settings per day can be operated four ways: simple operation, seven-day default program, seven-day custom program, or remote thermostat operation.

Electronic maintenance indicators include error code storage and check filter reminder. New firm grip handles simplify chassis installation and removal. Keypad lockout protects settings. The control module is separate from touch controls for better protection from the elements, abusive handling, or accidental damage. The unit has a hinged filter door for easy access, and it ships with nut driver for the front cover attachment and heavy-duty window installation hardware (optional accessory on models with heat). It includes rugged hardboard side panels for more permanent installation.

The judges liked this product. One said that it is “a very nice, high-tech unit. The ability to program the system operation as well as having auto changeover on the units with heat is a very nice feature.” A second judge said of the air conditioners, “This will be a good unit for those … applications that really want a solid, dependable, and quiet unit.” A third judge gave the product a thumbs-up, saying it is “really manufactured with both the customer and servicer in mind.”

BRONZE WINNER

The AAON RQ Series packaged rooftop units, outdoor air handling units and air-source, water-source and geothermal heat pumps are available from 2-6 tons (24-72 MBtuh). For energy savings, all models feature double-wall rigid polyurethane foam insulated cabinet construction with a thermal break, which provides a thermal resistance of R-13 or greater and reduces or eliminates air leakage and infiltration. All models offer variable-speed electronically commutated motor-driven direct drive backward curved plenum supply fans.

To reduce installation and maintenance time and extend the life of the unit, all models feature cleanable and moisture-resistant double-wall construction, corrosion-resistant stainless steel condensate drain pans, corrosion-resistant 2,500-hour salt spray-tested exterior paint, direct drive fans which do not require any belt maintenance, and lockable hinged service doors which provide complete access to the unit.

The judges looked favorably on this product. One judge said, “This is a very nice lineup of flexible package units. This is a great example of how a company takes advantage of the need to redesign or develop new systems because of the refrigerant change and incorporate some great features.” Another judge remarked, “The RQ Series offers lots of features and options, and it sounds very easy to service and maintain.”

2010 HONOREES - HVAC RESIDENTIAL EQUIPMENT

Gold Winner:
Enertech Manufacturing LLC
www.enertechmfg.com
Hydron Module Revolution HXT Series

Silver Winner:
Friedrich Air Conditioning
www.friedrich.com
Kühl

Bronze Winner:
AAON
www.aaon.com
RQ Series

Publication date: 07/12/2010