Winning Applications Run the Ventilation Gamut

Dryer venting, hurricanes, and whistling registers aren't a problem for the winners of the Ventilation Products category in The NEWS' third annual Dealer Design Awards. IN-O-VATE Technologies Inc.'s Dryer-Ellâ„¢ and the Hurricane Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) Louver by Reliable Products tied for gold, as dryer venting and hurricanes faced off. Increased efficiency and heavy-duty construction helped these two products come out on top. Automated Ceiling Registers LLC won the bronze for its Quick and Easy Ceiling Register System, impressing the judges with its no whistling or rattling design.

GOLD: IN-O-VATE Technologies Inc. won gold for its innovative 90-degree re-engineered dryer exhaust fitting Dryer-Ellâ„¢.

GOLD WINNERS

IN-O-VATE Technologies Inc. won gold for its innovative 90 degree Dryer-Ellâ„¢. This re-engineered dryer exhaust fitting exhibits a larger radius and smoother interior, providing a net gain of approximately 4.8 feet in allowable duct length when used as a standard replacement for the conventional 4 inch ell used in dryer venting.

"This is a great idea versus the regular 4 inch elbow," said one judge.

Based on American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers methodology for calculating friction loss in ducts and fittings, the Dryer-Ell will provide key benefits to the builder and tradesmen by removing the 5-foot reduction sequence found in all building codes.

"This product may really help contractors out in new construction dryer venting," noted one of the judges.

Contractors will find that the larger radius and smooth interior increases dryer efficiency. It can also replace a restrictive 3-inch radius elbow and be used as an alternative to a booster fan.

"I wish I would have thought of this," said one judge. "I like it."

GOLD: Also winning gold is the Hurricane Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) Louver, an exterior architectural louver by Reliable Products. It is certified by Miami Dade County for severe weather.

The Hurricane Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) Louver by Reliable Products is an exterior architectural louver. It is the only exterior louver certified by Miami Dade County and it meets all criteria of the county's impact tests. The louver is manufactured to meet all attachment methods of the specific PTAC manufacturer and is a standard 42 by 16 inches.

It attaches directly to the PTAC wall sleeve and the studs on the louver will line up directly with the holes.

"It's a good alternative for replacement of damaged PTAC louvers," said one judge. "A well-engineered, all-weather PTAC louver."

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Designed especially for severe weather, "It looks like a great product to me," commented another judge. "It's heavy duty - almost bulletproof."

BRONZE: The Quick and Easy Ceiling Register System doesn't rattle or whistle when it is closed, according to its maker Automated Ceiling Registers LLC.

BRONZE WINNER

The Quick and Easy Ceiling Register System doesn't rattle or whistle when it is closed, according to its maker Automated Ceiling Registers LLC. The kit, which is compatible with flexible duct or metal duct, includes a round metal collar, two metal mounting rails, a push-in metal trim ring, and a round air valve mechanism designed to slide inside the round collar and lock into a special groove for an airtight seal. The unit is available in both motorized and manual models. According to the manufacturer, it reduces installation time and cost, eliminates the need for register boxes, and provides quiet aerodynamic airflow.

"The product offers time saving in the installation," commented one judge. "It is a great idea for speeding installation."

According to the company, insulated register boxes are eliminated, and the manual and automated registers are easily adjusted by the homeowner to balance airflow, thus reducing the number of callbacks and customer complaints. Airflow is uniform and directed outward from the register.

Honorees: Ventilation Products

GOLD
IN-O-VATE Technologies Inc. - www.dryer-ell.com - The Dryer-Ell

Reliable Products - www.reliablelouvers.com - Hurricane PTAC Louver

BRONZE
Automated Ceiling Registers LLC - www.acrc.biz - The Quick and Easy Ceiling Register System

HONORABLE MENTION
International Diversified Marketing - www.controlaflow.com - Comfort First Filtered Diffuser

Publication date: 07/17/2006

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Angela Harris is the Technology Editor. She can be contacted at 248-786-1254 or angelaharris@achrnews.com. Angela is responsible for What’s New and Technology articles for The NEWS. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in English from Oakland University and has nine years of professional journalism experience.