AHR 2022 Innovation Award Winners Announced
November 17, 2021 | By Logan Caswell
The winners were selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE judges who evaluated entries based on innovative design, creativity, application, value, and market impact.
The 2022 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Exposition (AHR Expo) Innovation Award winners have been selected prior to the kickoff of the event scheduled for Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, in Las Vegas. The winners were selected by a panel of third-party ASHRAE judges who evaluated entries based on innovative design, creativity, application, value, and market impact, and will be honoured at the event.
The finalists were chosen in 10 industry categories to represent the most innovative products and technologies due to hit the market in the coming year. The innovation awards program helps serve as a metric to see the year-to-year growth in the industry and showcases good examples of how manufacturers are growing the industry in unique ways.
Categories for the 2022 winners were selected from the following categories including building automation, cooling, heating, indoor air quality, plumbing, refrigeration, software, sustainable solutions, tools and instruments, and ventilation.
Building Automation
Winner: iSMA CONTROLLI S.p.A., iSMA-B-MAC36NL Hybrid Controller powered by Niagara Framework
The iSMA-B-MAC36NL master application controller provides an all-in-one solution for mini-BMS. The visuals can be displayed and controlled via HDMI output and two USB ports that enable the connection of a mouse/keyboard or dedicated touch for the HMI panel. The onboard M-Bus port, two ethernet ports, and the RS485 port can be integrated with just one device.
Cooling
Winner: Danfoss, Danfoss Turbocor VTCA400 Compressor
The new VTCA400 from Danfoss offers improvements on traditional centrifugal compressor designs that are large in physical size and footprint. It uses a patent-pending hybrid compression design that uses a combination of mixed flow and radial impellers enabling both high-performance and a compact footprint. It also maintains a 10% improvement in full load efficiency and 30% improvement in IPLV above ASHRAE 90.1-2019 minimums when considering a three compressor, 1200-Ton system.
Heating
Winner: Carrier, Infinity 24 Heat Pump with Greenspeed Intelligence
The Infinity 24 Heat pump with Greenspeed can remove up to four times more moisture than standard systems. It offers up to 24 SEER and 13 HSPF for premium energy savings. The variable speed compressor allows it to adapt its output to the needs of the home with infinite adjustments between 25 – 100% capacity.
Indoor Air Quality
Winner: Antrum, AntrumX IAQ Facilities Monitoring System
The patented AntrumX monitors IAQ for 32 spaces from a single location, using one sensor for every 16 rooms. Consolidating one centralized sensor for multiple spaces increases sensor accessibility while ensuring better overall control. Additionally, the AntrumX has the ability to transport air without moving parts. Leveraging the building’s pressure differential between supply and exhaust, AntrumX is able to move air samples from each space to the Sensor Pack without adding energy to the system.
Plumbing
Winner: Franklin Electric / Little Giant, Inline SpecPAK, Multi-Pump Pressure Boosting System
Franklin Electric’s Inline 1100 SpecPAK Pressure Boosting System is small enough to hang in a small utility closet or be wall hung where floor space is at a premium. The system’s constant pressure pumps are quiet, compact, self-contained, and versatile. Both the suction and discharge headers are sized to accommodate the flow rate from the maximum speed of four pumps. It is easy to disconnect from the main panel which allows customers to disconnect each pump individually with minimal system disruption.
Refrigeration
Winner: ebm-papst Inc., AxiEco 630-910 Axial Fan
The AxiEco 630-910 from Ebm-papst incorporates new impeller geometry with a rotating diffuser and optimized blade design to reach a low noise level and high-efficiency. The steep air performance curve provides an extraordinary pressure increase of more than 700 Pa. With a maximum air flow of up to 30,000 m³/h. The AxiEco 630-910 covers a wide range of different applications, especially those where high-efficiency and high back pressure are key.
Software
Winner: Bluon, Bluon Support Platform
The Bluon Support Platform is a mobile application that becomes a centralized hub for HVAC technicians. The system provides detailed system information, just-in-time training, best practices and 24/7 live tech support. The free app offers a comprehensive unit database of 40,000 HVAC model numbers spanning 75+ brands, with 75,000+ original manuals, troubleshooting guides, wiring diagrams, and technical specifications, best practices known as “pro-hacks” for a wide range of situations, easy to use calculators for SH/SC, airflow, pressure setpoints and TXV sizing.
Sustainable Solutions
Winner: Enginuity Power Systems Inc. E/ONE Home Power System
Enginuity’s E/ONE Home Power System is a modern rethinking of a classic combined heat and power system. Using natural gas, the E/ONE produces both electricity and heat for homes or businesses. The system can make more power than the home or business requires, the additional power can be sold back to the grid, generating income for E/ONE owner. The E/ONE also leverages the reliability of the natural gas distribution network to replace conventional backup generators.
Tools & Instruments
Winner: Fluke Corporation, Fluke 378 Non-Contact Voltage True-rms AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex
The Fluke 378 FC true-rms clamp meter uses FieldSense technology to make testing faster and safer, all without contacting a live conductor. The meter measures accurate voltage and current measurements through the clamp jaw. The 378 FC clamp includes a PQ function that senses power quality issues automatically. When making FieldSense measurements, the 378 FC will detect and display power quality issues, relating to current, voltage, power factor or any combination of the three.
Ventilation
Winner: Aldes, InspirAIR Fresh
Aldes’ InspirAIR Fresh features a newly developed counterflow enthalpic core and unique fan scrolls ensure 75% sensible recovery efficiency at 32F as tested to the new CSA 439 standard. The system produces fresh filtered air due to variable speed EC motors that adjust speed to changes in pressure due to stack effect and filter loading. The InspirAir is designed to provide optimal fresh air, regardless of filter type. ERVs are rated for use with a basic filter, and when using a MERV13 or HEPA filter, the airflow is reduced significantly.
