As tax credits for geothermal units continue, while tax credits for other HVAC equipment ended Dec. 31, 2010, interest in geothermal from both contractors and their customers has heated up. To help satisfy some of the contractor interest in geothermal units, this product roundup offers contractors information on some equipment available from a variety of different manufacturers.

AAON

AAON has expanded the geothermal market by introducing RQ Series geothermal rooftop units. This type of installation saves indoor building space by placing the unit on the rooftop instead of an indoor mechanical room. A rooftop unit can be serviced without disturbing the indoor building environment. The geothermal rooftop units require less piping due to the ability to use larger capacity units, the company said. Double-wall rigid polyurethane foam insulated cabinet construction and direct drive backward curved plenum fans allow the units to have quiet, energy-efficient airflow with high static pressure capabilities.

The units are engineered for performance, flexibility, and serviceability. Standard RQ Series features include stainless steel piano hinges, color-coded wiring diagrams, labeled components, and isolated controls and compressor compartments for ease of maintenance. Available options include high-efficiency variable-speed fans, variable-capacity compressors, energy recovery wheels, and economizers.

For more information, visit www.aaon.com

BARD

Bard Geothermal said its new and innovative Bard Geo-Trio compartmentalized geothermal heat pump has made it possible to install a geothermal system into almost any spot in almost any home, effectively replacing the word “impossible” with “ingenuity.”

According to Bard, the Geo-Trio is the only geothermal heat pump that comes in three slide and snap-together compartments, separating the blower, compressor, and the evaporator into three individual sound-absorbing steel cubes, so they can be carried into basements or up into attics one at a time.

Once in place, the cubes can be assembled into any configurations needed for upflow, downflow, horizontal, or for a split system. This assembly can also be accomplished with a factory-sealed refrigerant system that doesn’t require any vacuum pumps, brazing, or refrigeration gauges. The two-stage, Energy Star-rated Geo-Trio allows distributors to stock every configuration needed without spending a fortune on slow-moving inventory, stated the company.

For more information, visit www.bardgeothermal.com.

BOSCH

The new Bosch line of Energy Star-certified geothermal heat pumps offer best-in-class efficiency and backed by a 10-year parts and labor warranty. Each unit undergoes rigorous factory testing within a certified ISO 9001:2008 facility, ensuring consistent quality and reliable performance.

The line is offered in three product families: Geo 1000, Geo 3000 and Geo 6000 - offering consumers and HVAC professionals a broad range of water-to-water and water-to-air comfort solutions for residential heating and cooling needs. Bosch Geo Series high-efficiency geothermal heat pumps are sold in ½- to 6-ton configurations for all three model numbers.

For more information, visit www.bosch-climate.us.

CARRIER

The Carrier GT-PX Series is Energy Star-rated and provides the ultimate luxury and best overall comfort and performance, claims the company. The systems come equipped with Copeland Ultra-Tech two-stage unloading scroll compressor for top performance, efficiency, and reliability.

The variable-speed blower motor provides optimal comfort and is coupled with the double-grommet compressor isolation and insulated compressor section for quiet operation. The tin-plated air coil and stainless steel drain pan provide corrosion resistance. The system is easy to clean with foil-faced insulation in the blower section, and the MERV 11 filter promotes improved IAQ. The GT-PX Series’ Unit Performance Sentinel microprocessor control precisely sequences and monitors component operation for improved performance and serviceability.

For more information, visit www.residential.carrier.com.

CENTURY

Century’s HTS geothermal heat pump combines the advantages of a split system with two-stage efficiency, the company said. The compact cabinet is well-suited for locations where a packaged geothermal unit won’t fit the existing space - such as an attic or crawl space - and can be stacked for multiunit installations.

The two-stage system saves energy by shifting between part load and full load, automatically adjusting to optimize comfort. It does this by running at two-thirds capacity most of the time to keep temperature and humidity constant. When there’s a greater demand for conditioning, such as during weather extremes, the unit automatically shifts to 100 percent capacity.

Efficiency exceeds ASHRAE 90.1 standards and is enhanced by a multistage, unloading scroll compressor. Quiet operation is ensured by a double-isolation compressor mounting system and vibration isolation spring, as well as cabinet insulation. Also standard is a performance monitoring system that signals a problem before a lockout can occur.

For more information, visit www.century-hvac.com.

CLIMATEMASTER

The ClimateMaster® Tranquility 22 Digital series incorporates high-end features like two-stage compressor, EnergyStar™ tier 3 efficiency, variable-speed fan, communicating digital controls, and true plug-and-play functionality. Acording to the manufacturer, it also has one of the industry’s smallest footprints, making it suitable for installation in tight places.

Systems are available in vertical and horizontal configuration in capacities 024k, 030k,036k, 042k, 048k, and 060k Btuh.

The Tranquility 22 Digital Series is a Gold Winner of The NEWS 2011 Dealer Design Award in the HVAC High-Efficiency Residential Equipment category.

For more information, visit www.climatemaster.com.

COMFORT-AIRE

Comfort-Aire’s HT Series two-stage geothermal heat pumps can save half the cost of heating and cooling the average home, claims the company. The two-stage design allows the unit to run at 67 percent capacity most of the time, maintaining consistent temperature-humidity levels. When there’s a demand for greater heating or cooling, the unit instantly shifts to 100 percent capacity.

This full-load-part-load capacity shifting increases comfort by virtually eliminating on-off cycling. Additionally, the ECM blower motor adapts automatically to system demand, providing a multitude of operational modes and overcoming ductwork static pressure to maximize the flow of conditioned air. IAQ is enhanced as air is pulled across the filter whenever the unit is operating.

Adding to efficiencies that exceed ASHRAE Standard 90.1 is a Copeland multistage scroll compressor. The extended operating range of 20 to 120°F entering water temperature makes HT units suitable for virtually all applications and climates. The units are available in vertical, horizontal, and downflow/counterflow package models.

For more information, visit www.comfort-aire.com.

ENERTECH MANUFACTURING

The new CT Series combination unit from Enertech Manufacturing LLC utilizes a multipositional cabinet that is field convertible to upflow/downflow, with right or left return. The unit is available in sizes from 2 to 6 tons and features improved heating and cooling efficiencies (4.8 COP and 27.9 EER on 3-ton model, part load) versus the previous model. All models meet the Energy Star Tier 3 requirements that take effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

Acording to the manufacturer, utilizing an all-new brazed-plate heat exchanger for hydronic heating means that CT Series combos have the flexibility to provide forced-air heating, forced-air cooling, domestic hot water, plus hot water for radiant floor heat. The compact size of this heat exchanger allows for easier access to other internal components, reduces overall unit weight, and still allows for downflow conversion. The CT combination unit comes with standard features such as eye-level controls, quadruple compressor isolation, and foamed-in source coaxial heat exchanger.

The CT Series is available in GeoComfort, Hydron Module, and TETCO product lines.

For more information, visit www.enertechmfg.com.

GEOSYSTEMS

The Hydroheat® Mega-Tek heat pump by GeoSystems® can supply heating and cooling needs for up to 70 percent less than conventional systems, claimed the company. This system provides 100 percent of a home’s hot-water needs. It features a sophisticated microprocessor-based controller for precise monitoring of water temperature. The two-stage compressor provides space heating, air conditioning, and optional on-demand hot-water heating with integrated desuperheater technology.

A variable-speed ECM fan motor provides soft starts and adjusts airflow to match the capacity changes of the compressor. The microprocessor controller system enables the installer to customize operating set points to match each application. The Banana, a hand-held terminal that interfaces to provide service technicians with diagnostic capabilities. It also enables service technicians to customize system operation, obtain operating data, and perform system calibration.

For more information, visit www.geosystemsghp.com.

TRANE

The Trane EarthWise Geothermal Systems are industry-leading product offerings in both efficiency and features, claims the company. They come with a limited 10-year parts and labor warranty. EarthWise geothermal systems are also compatible with Trane’s top-of-the-line controls, including the award-winning ComfortLink™ II thermostat.

The initial EarthWise geothermal product offering includes a full line of packaged systems and water-heating systems. Split systems matched with the Trane Hyperion air handler will be available soon.

Acording to Trane, the EarthWise geothermal systems offer homeowners many advantages and benefits, including:

• Efficiency: They can return up to $4 of heat for every $1 of electricity used;

• Environmental friendliness: They use renewable heat from deep inside the earth, a virtually unlimited supply of energy;

• Comfort: The EarthWise Geothermal Systems provide consistent, even temperatures every day of the year;

• Reliability: The systems are built with quality materials and true craftsmanship, and backed with robust warranties; and

• Flexibility: Three different configurations allow the geothermal systems to adapt to any region, in any house.

For more information, visit www.trane.com.

WATERFURNACE

Envision products from WaterFurnace International are known for efficiency, reliability, and quiet operation, using ozone-safe R-410A refrigerant to meet the most stringent EPA requirements, the company said. Available in seven single-speed sizes and five dual-capacity sizes, Envision units feature efficient Copeland Scroll™ compressors and coated air coils that resist corrosion and increase equipment life. In addition, a sophisticated microprocessor control sequences all components during operation for optimum performance and provides easy-to-use troubleshooting features with fault lights and onboard diagnostics.

Unit configurations in the Envision line include horizontal, vertical top discharge, and vertical bottom discharge. Heavy-gauge metal cabinets are coated with durable poly paint for long lasting protection.

All Envision Series units exceed performance standards for the Energy Star rating and are eligible for tax credits available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - 30 percent of the total investment for a geothermal system installed before Dec. 31, 2016. This tax incentive is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009.

For more information, visit www.waterfurnace.com.

Publication date: 07/25/2011