2023 Dealer Design Awards: Residential Controls
MULTIPLE BLOWERS: The White-Rodgers single-stage replacement control provides the ability to replace over 550 part numbers with one control, making it an essential truck stock universal replacement. (Courtesy of Copeland)
Copeland took home the Gold in the Residential Controls category for its White-Rodgers Universal Single Stage HSI Integrated Furnace Control (50M56X-843), which allows contractors to carry fewer parts while making more replacements.
Over two years of research, including customer feedback from Copeland’s existing Universal Controls (namely, the 50M56U-843), went into the design of the 50M56X-843, which is used in residential single-stage furnaces.
The unit was designed with multiple blower types in mind, granting it compatibility as a replacement for both PSC and ECMx blower motors.
“This single-stage replacement control provides the ability to replace over 550 part numbers with one control, making it an essential truck stock universal replacement,” said John Bushur, senior product manager at Copeland. “A technician can carry fewer parts but still have the part needed to get the homeowners’ system running quickly without leaving the job site — resulting in more jobs completed in a day.”
Its design also includes simplified installation with the White-Rodgers Connect app, allowing technicians to quickly configure the control via a mobile device prior to installation. The control is equipped with features like near field communication (NFC), which allows for wireless connection between the control and a mobile device.
Dakota Cromer, owner and technician at Austin Star Services, was worried the control would be a pain to install.
“But it wasn’t,” he admitted. “It was intuitive. I actually have avoided using [controls like this] in the past. … But this one was actually very doable.”
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The White-Rodgers Connect app utilizes the NFC connection by allowing contractors to quickly configure the control without power prior to its installation.
“It doesn’t require Wi-Fi or cell service,” said Bushur. “The app also provides accurate diagnostics with full fault code text and troubleshooting tips.”
The furnace control’s seven-segment LED display provides an alternative method for configuration and diagnostics to the app. The unit even displays flame current in real time.
“The control provides easy installation with OEM harness detection, which doesn’t require any additional harnesses — they’re simply plug-and-play,” continued Bushur. “There is no rollout accessory or wire required, and a thermostat connector block is included for simple wiring.”
Copeland plans to continually review and expand the cross-reference coverage to allow the 50M56X-843 to replace all the latest single-stage furnace controls being released to the market.
“I work with a lot of rental properties, and if I have a furnace down, it’s not good when we can’t get the unit back up and running immediately,” Cromer said. “Copeland has all these different boards it can cover, so it’s nice to have that as an option that will help us get that unit running.”
DEALER AND HOMEOWNER: The S40 Smart Thermostat helps dealer and homeowner communicate and solve problems regarding the HVAC system. (Courtesy of Lennox)
Lennox earned Silver in the Residential Controls category for its S40 Smart Thermostat, which is more than just a temperature regulator.
The S40 Smart Thermostat is a command center for entire HVAC systems, with the ability to monitor sensors throughout homes and equipment. The smart thermostat detects air pollutants, customizes comfort room by room, provides maintenance and service reminders, and automatically notifies users if their system goes out of tune, allowing them to then remotely share the system’s diagnostics with a Lennox contractor.
Via a proprietary Bluetooth mesh protocol and the Lennox Smart Technician app, contractors can connect to the S40 the new smart accessories: the Smart Room Sensor, Smart Air Quality Monitor, and Wireless Extender.
Users can also add on Lennox Smart Room Sensors to balance temperatures more evenly across rooms, plus the Lennox Wireless Extender almost doubles the connection coverage area, ensuring end users get the most from their communicating equipment.
The S40 has two new apps to provide convenience to both contractors and homeowners. With the Lennox Smart Tech App, contractors can reliably run tests and diagnostics and change system settings directly from their smartphones without the back-and-forth from equipment to thermostat. For homeowners, the Lennox Smart Thermostat App allows them to remotely access and control the S40 Smart Thermostat and advanced accessories from anywhere in the world.
The S40 also gives contractors the opportunity to connect to thermostats through the Service Dashboard. With the Service Dashboard, contractors can provide remote diagnostics to system issues; proactively respond to service or system alerts when maintenance is needed; access reports of a customer’s system overview along with alert history, equipment purchases, and customer contact information; and access metric charts to better understand key performance indicators (KPIs) and system information. These features are designed to save time and money by already knowing the issues at hand, having technicians armed with the parts needed before the truck rolls, and reducing the time spent at a customer’s home.
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