York’s Predator low-profile packaged heating-cooling units are lightweight and easy to conceal.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Nothing draws attention like a big piece of equipment sitting in a booth. That was definitely the case at the 2005 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo), where exhibitors set up their cooling towers, chillers, rooftop units, and other large mechanical systems to catch the eyes of attendees.

Airbloc (www.airbloc.com) featured its UAC surface-mounted and UACR recessed air curtains. Both models are suitable for a wide range of commercial applications, including restaurants, bars, schools, and lobby areas. These air curtains, which have been designed to separate internal and external environments, can be heated or unheated to suit the building's requirements.

Baltimore Aircoil (BAC, www.baltimoreaircoil.com) introduced a number of new items for its cooling towers, including a full range of control panels. Glenn Babcock, marketing manager, noted that these control panels include electromechanical starts, VFDs, and safety disconnect switches. "The BAC control package is pre-engineered to work seamlessly with all BAC units, providing a single-source solution for all evaporative cooling projects," he noted.

The company also announced the release of an automatic bearing greaser to its list of aftermarket parts and maintenance items. The greaser features a positive displacement pump, which allows for installation up to 30 feet away from the bearings.

Also on display was a new cooling tower vacuum, which is lightweight, portable, and easy to use, the company said. The vacuum features a heavy-duty pump and removes up to 50 gallons of water and debris per minute. A new pressure washer, which is ideal for cleaning the fill and basins in all types of evaporative cooling equipment, was also introduced.

Berner (www.berner.com) introduced an in-ceiling-mounted air curtain, which is typically installed above the doorway. This air curtain, whose performance is certified by Air Movement and Control Association International Inc. (AMCA), can be discreetly positioned in the ceiling and is easily accessible for service, the company said. Berner noted that its products work together to provide balanced volume, velocity, and uniformity.

Baltimore Aircoil introduced control panels and aftermarket parts including an automatic bearing greaser and a new cooling tower vacuum.
Carrier(www.carrier.com) introduced its Aquaforceâ„¢ air-cooled chillers, which use R-134a and range from 80 to 500 tons. The chiller delivers full-load efficiency ratings of up to 10.6 EER and part-load ratings up to 14.5 EER. An AeroAcoutisticâ„¢ fan system keeps the chillers quiet.

An expanded line of WeatherMaster™ constant-volume packaged rooftop units also was introduced. The new line offers 18-, 20-, and 25-ton units and the entire product line complies with the requirements of Energy Star® and exceeds ASHRAE 90.1 standards. Carrier also highlighted its new Centurion™ rooftop units, which feature R-410A. Bruce Burdon, director of product management and marketing, noted that the rooftop units provide easy access for service.

Delta Cooling Towers (www.deltacooling.com) featured its engineered plastic cooling towers, which last longer and won't corrode, according to chief executive officer John Flaherty. Specifically highlighted was the company's closed-circuit evaporative fluid cooler with pumping skid, which includes pumps, control panel, prewiring of skid components to the panel, piping complete on skid, and other options appropriate for application.

Fedders (www.fedders.com) introduced its quietest line of packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs). The new products feature wireless remote controls, center-mount electronic controls, digital temperature readouts, and easy-to-clean filters.

Fedders also highlighted its new wall-mounted products, including the FV air conditioning and FH heat pump series. These 10.3-EER wall-mount units are designed to provide the industry with a stocked product at an affordable price, the company said. It also showcased its Fedders Addison DC product line, a packaged direct-expansion (DX) heating-cooling unit that provides fresh air, ventilation, and energy recovery for commercial applications.

Friedrich (www.friedrich.com) displayed its new digital PTACs. Features include digital temperature control, one-touch operation, and an internal diagnostic program designed to make maintenance easier. There is a five-year warranty on the sealed refrigeration system.

Magic Aire (www.magicaire.com) highlighted its HBAW Series of belt-drive, horizontal chilled-water blower coil units. Victor Moreno said these units provide flexibility of design due to belt-driven fans, multiple coil row capability, and factory modifications that are available. Options include chilled-water and DX cooling coils, hot water/steam heating coils, pleated filters, mixing boxes, and discharge grilles available from stock in 2- to 20-ton sizes.

Also on display were BV Series vertical belt-driven air handlers with variable-pitch motor sheaves, which allow greater control to deliver a desired cfm. Available options are chilled-water and DX cooling coils, heating coils, discharge, and return boxes. Units are stocked from 2 to 10 tons.

Marley Cooling Technologies (www.marleyct.com) unveiled its MH fluid cooler with CoolBoostâ„¢ technology. The CTI-certified fluid cooler incorporates fill media and more circuits of coil to save footprint space and increase performance by as much as 10 percent, the company said.

Marc Michael, vice president and general manager, noted that using fill media with additional coils offers customers greater cooling efficiency and long-term cost savings. "The core location at the bottom allows more efficiency, and the thermal equalizer redistributes cold water across the coil, so there are no dead spots," he noted. The MH fluid cooler is built to handle 100 to 650 tons of fluids ranging from water to glycols.

Stulz Air Technology Systems (www.stulz-ats.com) introduced CyberChillâ„¢ cabinets. These high-performance (24-kW) cooled enclosure systems are designed to cool the enclosed servers, not the room. The closed-loop chilled-water design extracts heat from within the cabinet, which eliminates having to expel the hot air into the data room's environment.

The company also introduced the CyberAiR EC unit, which combines precision control and monitoring of the environment with the ability to exchange data with a building automation system, the company said.

Unico (www.unicosystem.com) featured its UniChiller-RC outdoor heating-cooling unit, which provides both hot and cold water for central heating and/or cooling. The unit features reverse-cycle operation, a quiet side fan discharge system, sealed refrigerant system, stainless steel pump, and minimal footprint, the company said.

York (www.york.com) introduced the Predatorâ„¢ low-profile series, which provides contractors with a packaged heating-cooling unit that is lightweight and easy to conceal. The series of new light commercial units provide EER ratings from 9.0 to 11.5 and up to 80-percent AFUE on gas/electric models. For maximum field flexibility and minimum inventory requirements, the series offers a convertible airflow design for down and side discharge that requires no panel cutting. All indoor fan motors are belt-driven and can handle most airflow requirements.

Publication date: 02/28/2005