2024 Dealer Design Awards: HVAC Residential Equipment
FLEXCOIL: One coil, to work with any refrigerant. (Courtesy of Advanced Distributor Products)
In the HVAC Residential Equipment category of this year’s Dealer Design Awards, the Gold award goes to Advanced Distributor Products (ADP) for its FlexCoil Evaporator Coils — and it’s exactly what its name implies.
“One coil, any refrigerant … It's designed to be a flexible product for the low-GWP refrigerant transition, to make it easy for distributors and dealers to navigate the transition,” said Timothy Orr, director of marketing and product management at ADP.
FlexCoil Evaporator Coils offer that flexibility by being configurable in the field to work with R-410A, R-22, R-32, or R-454B. The FlexCoil product line covers all applications of residential evaporator coils and is designed for both new installations as well as replacements.
“All manufacturers have been concentrating their efforts on developing new products and getting them in the field as quickly as possible for this refrigerant transition,” Orr said. “However, they won’t all be released at the same time. This will cause a need in the market for evaporator coils and air handlers for both the old and new refrigerants through the entire transition period, causing challenges in managing inventory for distributors.”
What FlexCoil provides is a full line of coils and air handlers certified for both refrigerant types.
“Pretty soon, we're going to be in a very mixed refrigerant environment where, going into a replacement job, contractors might not know which refrigerant is being used in that installation,” Orr said. “Here you have a product that can be configured to work with whatever that installation requires. It’s really around flexibility and giving the contractor or the dealer choices.”
The FlexCoil was also designed with a field or factory-installed refrigerant detection system (RDS). All FlexCoil products come with the sensor bracket preinstalled in the approved location, and have mechanical fit connections (like a TXV) to install or change the metering device.
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“[FlexCoil Evaporator Coils] is available to order and ship now,” Orr said. “We're excited about helping people through the [refrigerant] transition and making sure everyone's successful in 2024 and beyond.”
ADP will continue to expand its FlexCoil offerings to cover all ADP residential coils and air handlers.
SCALE PREVENTION: With the X3 Technology incorporated into Adapt units, technicians no longer have to service scale buildup or the damage that results from it. (Courtesy of A.O. Smith)
The Silver award in the HVAC Residential Equipment category goes to A.O. Smith for its Adapt Series of Premium Condensing Gas Tankless Water Heaters with X3 Scale Prevention Technology, the first tankless water heater designed and manufactured entirely by A.O. Smith. The unit features a patented heat exchanger, an integrated recirculation pump, and offers enhanced installation flexibility and performance.
To enhance installation flexibility, the Adapt line offers 2- and 3-inch dual pipe venting, ½- and ¾-inch gas line options, and universal indoor/outdoor installation. The unit is also designed with the ability to be converted from natural gas to liquid propane in the field with the included kit. Additionally, the unit features Wi-Fi capability for remote monitoring, and an integrated recirculation pump that provides customers with instant hot water.
The unit’s single stainless steel, heavy-duty heat exchanger design is paired with A. O. Smith’s unique X3 Scale Prevention Technology for protection from scale build-up and corrosion. The Adapt unit is highly efficient with a 22:1 turndown rate and a UEF of 0.95 — which also qualifies users for local, state, and federal rebates and incentives.
CONNECTION: NFC capabilities allow for built-in verifications for quality install and fewer callbacks, detailed diagnostic information and troubleshooting tips, and more. (Courtesy of Carrier)
Carrier takes home the Bronze in the HVAC Residential Equipment category for its Carrier Performance 96 Gas Furnace with Near Field Communication (NFC) and InteliSense Technology. This single-stage furnace with a variable 25-speed blower motor features an InteliSense technology connected system, return and supply air temperature sensor, new control board NFC compatibility with the upgraded Carrier Service Tech App, and more.
The NFC capabilities allow HVAC professionals to modify installation settings and pull diagnostic information with their cell phone, even if they have no power or no cell service. It also features built-in verifications for quality installation and fewer callbacks, detailed diagnostic information and troubleshooting tips, export report functionality, and more. The Performance 96 Gas Furnace is also rated up to 97% AFUE, qualifying it for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 25C tax credits.
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