PHI Technology

PHI stands for photohydroionization, an ionized hydroperoxide technology developed by RGF Environmental. It simulates the naturally occurring hydroperoxides in the outside air. The technology works on a rare metal catalyst and a hydrating agent activated by a broad-spectrum UV light reacting with ambient moisture in the air creating hydroperoxides. A later PHI development, also by RGF, ionized the hydroperoxides, basically super charging them. This technology creates hydroperoxides from moisture in the air within an HVAC system, almost like misting the indoor air with a weak hydrogen peroxide solution.

“RGF developed the advanced oxidation technology in 1985. Since then, the company has introduced over 500 different products for the food, water, and air purification industries,” said Fred Perfetto, vice president of commercial and consumer products at RGF Environmental Group Inc. “The PTAC PHI Cell was over a year in development before the introduction. The challenge in the design of this product was to develop something for all manufacturers of PTAC or ETAC units. The engineers had to design a compact product that could put out enough PHI to sanitize a 700-square-foot area.”

According to the company, this concept is a proactive, aggressive method of indoor air sanitation. Instead of a contaminant or microbe being trapped or killed in a filter system, the PHI systems kill microbes at the source, in the room before customers come in contact with them.

Application and Installation

Used in PTAC and ETAC applications across the industry, the PHI Cell was designed with contractor ease of installation in mind.

“One of the targets the engineers had to meet was to have a quick and easy installation process for the technician,” said Perfetto. “We needed to ensure the mounting of the product would be secure and simple to install. With just four screws the unit mounts to the screen below the outlet grille. The balance of the installation is simply wiring it into the control panel.”

The PHI Cell is mounted discreetly inside the discharge air grille of the unit. The unit is mounted to the metal screen on the inside surface of the grille. The cell is wired directly to the incoming power to the unit. This means the product is constantly releasing hydroperoxides into the room. The installation time is approximately 15 minutes per unit.

These units can be used in the hospitality business, long-term health care, day care facilities, and many other applications where single-room air conditioning is needed.

RGF plans to continue target marketing this product in the industries that could use the technology. “This product opened up several market categories that were in need of air purification solutions,” said Perfetto. “RGF is constantly improving its products and services through extensive research and development and the company plans to continue that tradition.”

Gold Winner Highlights

RGF Environmental Group Inc.
PTAC/ETAC Air Purification System
www.rgf.com

Silver Winner

HVAC Carbon Block

The ClenAir HVAC Carbon Block is an add-on high-capacity carbon filter. It is designed to be a one-size-fits-all carbon filter that can be added to any existing filter to remove chemicals, gases, VOCs [volatile organic compounds], and odors from the indoor air. The filter is made of a carbon extruded media on both sides of the filter face. The filter is filled with a mix of high-quality activated carbon and mineral pellets known as Carbon Z. This combination is designed to adsorb the greatest variety of indoor air pollutants that may be found in a home or building.

Silver Winner Highlights

ClenAir Mfg. Inc.
HVAC Carbon Block
www.clenair.com

Bronze Winner

Vantage-Vac

Wm. W. Meyer and Sons Inc.’s Vantage-Vac is an insulation removal vacuum ideally suited for mold remediation especially when removing damaged or contaminated insulation for improved IAQ. According to the company, the corresponding flexible hose package is easy to set up and commence the remediation of damaged insulation. The vacuum can be located close to the material source and the hoses are attached using a common screwdriver. The damaged insulation is then deposited into a disposable collection bag for easy disposal. It has a two-wheeled design and large pneumatic tires for easy maneuvering. The integrated lifting lug assists in loading and unloading the vacuum to and from the transport vehicle.

Bronze Winner Highlights

Wm. W. Meyer and Sons Inc.
Vantage-Vac
www.wmwmeyer.com

Bronze Winner

3000 Series Air Cleaners

Aprilaire’s 3000 Series line of media air cleaners are designed to provide contractors with superior MERV 13 performance. Every Aprilaire 3000 Series air cleaner comes complete with an Aprilaire Model 8476 universal programmable multistage thermostat. According to the company, the packaging of the two products together makes it easier to be sure that everything needed for installation is ready and that no key component has been left out. The 8476 replaces the fan button with a clean-air button. When a homeowner pushes the clean-air button on the 8476, a menu prompts them as to how they want their air cleaner to run.

Bronze Winner Highlights

Aprilaire
3000 Series Air Cleaners
www.aprilaire.com

Bronze Winner

ULTRA Sense™ Ventilation Fan/Lights

The Broan® and NuTone® ULTRA Sense™ Ventilation Fan/Lights provide humidity- or motion-sensing capabilities while employing technologies that make them easy to install, quiet, and environmentally friendly. These fans are engineered to meet whole-house mechanical ventilation codes and green-building program requirements. The humidity function detects a rapid rise in humidity to turn multispeed fans from low to high. This allows the unit to react to shower humidity more quickly, according to the company. The motion function fan is equipped with a sensor that turns multispeed fans to high when someone walks into the room and reduces fan speed to low after a user-adjustable time delay.

Bronze Winner Highlights

Broan-NuTone LLC
ULTRA Sense™ Ventilation Fan/Lights
www.broan-nutone.com

Publication date: 7/22/2013 

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