With federal tax credits to stir the pot, homeowners are more aware of energy-efficient HVAC equipment than they used to be and are choosing to have it installed despite the higher price tag. Below are some residential products and components that meet Energy Star’s current standards. And besides helping to cut energy usage, they may even cut down on noise pollution.

AIR CONDITIONERS

The Evolution® System Central Air Conditioner Model 186B byBryantdelivers savings on energy bills with efficiency levels of up to 16 SEER. The Energy Star®-rated Model 186B Air Conditioner with Puron® refrigerant can be added to any energy-efficient Bryant Evolution System to enhance a home’s IAQ and provide maximum comfort year-round.www.bryant.com

The Armstrong Air A96MV gas furnace’s sealed service doors reduce air and burner noise.

TheGoodmanDSCX18 air conditioner offers up to 18 SEER performance. According to the manufacturer, the product supports LEED energy efficiency and Energy Star energy-efficiency opportunities. It is compatible with the ComfortNet™ communications system and has Comfort Alert diagnostics built in. The unit contains a two-stage Copeland® UltraTech scroll compressor, high-density foam compressor sound blanket, and Goodman brand sound control top design. Features include high- and low-pressure switches, coil and ambient temperature sensors, diagnostic indicator lights and storage of six fault codes, color-coded terminal strip for noncommunicating setup, factory-installed filter drier, and two-speed quiet condenser fan motor.www.goodmanmfg.com

The Coleman Model TM9M gas furnace has a capacity of 60-120 MBtuh.

COMPRESSORS

The next-generation Copeland Scroll UltraTech™ modulating compressor byEmerson Climate Technologiescan aid manufacturers in reaching the stringent Energy Star 3.0 standards and obtaining LEED points due to the advantage that modulation gives in improved efficiency. With as much as a 200-W reduction in power consumption, systems equipped with Copeland Scroll UltraTech compressors can better meet market needs for higher SEER and EER ratings, says the manufacturer. The compressor’s two-step capacity design offers an easy-to-apply solution to enhance system efficiency and reliability for both air conditioners and heat pumps, the company states.www.copelandscroll.com



The Dave Lennox Signature collection SLP98V line of gas furnaces offer an AFUE efficiency up to 98.2 percent.

FURNACES

The Energy Star-approved Freedom 95 Single-Stage Furnace byAmerican Standardconverts up to 95 percent of fuel to heat a home. All models meet efficiency requirements for federal energy tax credits (which expire Dec. 31, 2010). The steel insulated cabinet is durable, quiet, and holds more heat in the furnace to better warm a home, says the company. The multispeed blower motor offers quiet and efficient operation.www.americanstandardair.com

The Armstrong Air A96MV 96 percent efficient modulating gas furnace byAllied Air Enterprisesis Energy Star-qualified and is eligible for up to $1,500 in U.S. federal tax credits. It provides modulating heat. Features include variable-speed blower, stainless steel primary and secondary heat exchangers, and burner enclosure. The sealed service doors reduce air and burner noise, and the anti-vibration blower assembly reduces noise typically associated with starts and stops. The insulated cabinet prevents loss of warm air while reducing the noise from the motor.www.armstrongair.com

The Bryant Evolution® System central air conditioner Model 186B offers efficiency levels of up to 16 SEER.

TheColeman®LX Series Model TM9M modulating gas-fired residential multiposition gas furnace from Johnson Controls has a capacity of 60-120 MBtuh. The Energy Star-qualified furnace utilizes a PSC motor and achieves 97 percent AFUE. The unit features quiet operation of the inducer and burner due to modulation operation in 100 stages, and an insulated blower compartment ensures quiet operation of the blower. According to the manufacturer, the timed-on, adjustable-off blower capabilities ensure maximum comfort, and external air filters offer maximum flexibility in meeting customer IAQ needs.www.colemanhvacdealer.com

TheLuxaire®LX Series Model TM9X single-stage gas-fired residential multiposition gas furnace from Johnson Controls is Energy Star-qualified. It has an AFUE rating of 95.5 percent. The furnace features a compact 33-inch design for installation in tight spaces and a five-speed, direct-drive X13 high-efficiency DC motor optimized for high SEER ratings. The four-position unit provides quarter-turn knobs for easy door removal and access to connect wiring. A fully supported blower assembly provides easy access and blower removal, and no condensate trap is required.www.joinluxaire.com

Trane’s XC95m furnace modulates from 40 percent to 100 percent of capacity.

Dave Lennox Signature collection SLP98V line of residential gas furnaces byLennox Internationalhas an AFUE efficiency of up to 98.2 percent. With a sealed blower compartment, the furnace contributes when a requirement exists to minimize “system duct leakage.” When the furnace is attached to the ductwork it is then considered part of the duct system. The residential gas furnace is classified as “Electrically Efficient” by the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute. According to the manufacturer, these and other features will contribute to the benefit of the customer when participating in a LEED or Energy Star program.www.lennox.com

TheTraneXC95m modulating communicating furnace is designed with technology that prevents the system from overshooting the set temperature and almost eliminates temperature swings. The technology allows the furnace to modulate from 40 percent to 100 percent of capacity, in less than 1 percent increments. Features include ComfortLink II communicating capability, increased dehumidification with Comfort-R™ mode, convertible to horizontal left or right, AL29-4C stainless steel secondary heat exchanger, and cleanable filter with spring-loaded filter rack. The furnace is ERV-, humidifier-, and air cleaner-compatible. Rated up to 95 percent AFUE, the furnace meets Energy Star requirements when appropriate outdoor unit and coils are used.www.trane.com

Trane’s XC95m furnace modulates from 40 percent to 100 percent of capacity.

TheYorkLX Series Model TM9V two-stage variable-speed gas-fired residential multiposition gas furnace by Johnson Controls uses a variable-speed premium ECM fan motor to provide more consistent airflow and temperatures, as well as more options for continuous airflow settings, which ensure increased filtration and improved comfort. The Energy Star-qualified furnace provides a capacity of 60-120 MBtuh and up to 96 percent AFUE. The four-position, 33-inch-tall unit features quiet operation of the inducer and burner, and an insulated blower compartment ensures quiet operation. Quarter-turn knobs provide easy door removal and access to connect wiring.www.yorkhvacdealer.com



The Truebreeze balanced ventilation systems by Honeywell eliminate the need for overhead ducting.

GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS

The Tranquility split geothermal system fromClimateMasterconsists of the Tranquility outdoor split unit (TTP) and the Tranquility air handler (TAH). The Tranquility split system easily connects to new or existing fossil fuel and electric furnaces and uses the environmentally friendly Earthpure® HFC-410A refrigerant. It also exceeds American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers 90.1 Standard and Energy Star 3.0 efficiencies. It also meets requirements for the 30 percent federal tax credit on installation costs. The TAH units are fully convertible upflow, downflow, horizontal right and left downflow, so they can be installed in remote applications such as a crawl space or an attic.www.climatemaster.com

The Luxaire® Model TM9X gas furnace features a direct-drive high-efficiency DC motor.

HEAT PUMPS

The Maytag iQ Drive® heat pump byNordynequalifies for Energy Star and earns the maximum LEED for Homes points in all climate zones. It is rated at up to 22 SEER, 10 HSPF, and 14.6 EER. The heat pump uses inverter-driven rotary technology to achieve high efficiency levels. The unit can modulate anywhere from 40 to 118 percent of capacity, instantly adjusting to exactly offset the demands on the home. The heat pump can be paired with a Maytag iQ Drive fully modulating gas furnace to create a dual-fuel system.www.maytaghvac.com

TheWaterFurnace InternationalLegend Series geothermal heat pumps feature highly efficient, reliable, single-capacity scroll compressors paired with five-speed X13 ECM blower motors (or optional three-speed PSC motors). With an 18.5 energy efficiency ratio (EER) and a 3.8 coefficient of performance (COP), the Energy Star®-rated series exceeds ASHRAE 90.1 efficiency standards. The product uses environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant and is available in capacities ranging from 24,000 through 70,000 Btuh. An optional hot-water generator allows the heat pumps to preheat water in the water heater to save money. In heating mode, water is heated at the efficiency of the unit. In cooling mode, the heat from the home is transferred to the water heater rather than the ground, providing free hot water.www.waterfurnace.com

The York LX Series Model TM9V uses a variable-speed premium ECM fan motor to provide more consistent airflow and temperatures.

HRVs/ERVs

Truebreeze balanced ventilation systems byHoneywell eliminate the need for overhead ducting and balance without adjusting dampers. The two variable-speed motors - one for each airstream - work with the integrated speed control of the HRVs/ERVs, so installers can adjust the speed of each motor up and down to easily balance the system. This eliminates the need for adjusting dampers. The HRVs/ERVs are Energy Star®-rated, and the HRV models meet new Canadian standards. All the wiring is done from the integrated control box, which is also used to control operation and speed.www.customer.honeywell.com

The ClimateMaster Tranquility split geothermal system consists of the Tranquility outdoor split unit and the Tranquility air handler. The split system connects to new or existing fossil fuel and electric furnaces.

PACKAGED UNIT, FURNACE, AND A/C UNIT

TheNordyne ecoLogic™ Energy Star-rated, green systems includes the 15-SEER iHybrid packaged unit, the 97 plus percent AFUE iQ Drive modulating gas furnace, and the 24.5 SEER iQ Drive air conditioner. The units have multistage, variable-speed compressors for optimal indoor comfort and efficiency and smart control boards or diagnostic controls for IAQ. The units incorporate noise-reduction features. According to the company, many of these features not only reduce energy consumption, they also make indoor air temperature more uniform and comfortable, reduce noise levels in the home and control humidity and indoor allergens. The products are available in the Maytag, Broan, Frigidaire, NuTone, Tappan and Westinghouse brands.www.nordyne.com

The Energy Star-approved Freedom 95 Single-Stage Furnace by American Standard converts up to 95 percent of fuel to heat a home. All models meet efficiency requirements for federal energy tax credits.

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL HEAT PUMP

The Geo-Trio multiposition geothermal heat pump consists of three separate components (an A-coil, blower, and compressor) and is suitable for upflow, downflow, horizontal left or right, split and dual-fuel configurations. Additional features include a step-capacity two-stage scroll compressor, R-410A refrigerant, variable-speed ECM motor, domestic hot water heat exchanger system, high- and low-pressure switches, and insulated high-efficiency coaxial water coil. The product, which can be used in residential and commercial applications, meets the Energy Star requirements, and could qualify for LEED energy and conservation credits in a LEED-certified project.www.bardhvac.com

Publication date:10/11/2010