Product launches dominated activity on the trade show floor at ARBS 2024. CCN provides a comprehensive roundup of new products launched during the three day event.
There was plenty of big machinery on display including units manufactured right here in Australia.
A good example is the Lean Line 2.0 Transcritical Boosters at the SCM Ref Australia stand.
By manufacturing locally, SCM Ref has reduced lead times for the Lean Line down to eight to 10 weeks and it also means there are plenty of customisable options.
SCM Ref can offer low temperature, medium temperature and air conditioning all in one solution.
The Beijer Ref stand had plenty of local options from the Armcor units to the Kirby Contractor Condensing Unit.
The Contractor is a new addition to the Kirby range modified especially for Australia.
Local engineers liaised with overseas manufacturers to ensure this product was built to operate effectively in the harsh Australian climate.
There was a mixed bag at the Danfoss stand with heat exchangers, HVAC drives, Bock compressors and condensing units.
The company’s latest transcritical and subcritical CO2 compressors were on display.
The biggest announcement to come out of Danfoss is the introduction of a new aftersales service known as RefCare.
Danfoss RefCare will build an international network of certified service partners and Danfoss-owned service hubs, capable of providing best-in-class service and maintenance of BOCK compressors.
The aftersales service for BOCK compressors, is aimed at enhancing technical expertise in local markets.
As part of the new service, Certified RefCare partners can perform warranty inspections, repair compressors, train customers, and offer local language support to service technicians.
Another product launched at ARBS that is manufactured locally is Regal Round. It was launched on day one of the exhibition by pre-insulated duct manufacturer, Ductus.
Heat pumps
Over at the GEA stand visitors were able to take a look at the new Red Genium heat pump which has just been introduced to the Australian market.
The GEA RedGenium is a compact heat pump for small to medium and up to slightly higher heat loads. At its heart there are three different reciprocating compressor series completing a total range of 11 models.
There are a number of local projects underway using the RedGenium. Installations are being undertaken by a soft drink manufacturer, a chocolate company and a meat processing firm.
Three very different applications but proof that heat pump technology is gaining traction in the Australian market.
There were a lot of heat pumps on display this year. Wilson Industries unveiled its latest innovation, the Wilson Aqualux Heat Pump.
The Wilson Aqualux Heat Pump promises to deliver hot water when needed, while significantly reducing energy costs.
By harnessing the latest inverter technology and utilising environmentally friendly R-290 refrigerant, this heat pump achieves energy savings of up to 80 per cent compared to traditional hot water systems.
The Wilson Aqualux Heat Pump boasts a superior coefficient of performance (COP) of greater than 4.5, ensuring optimal performance in a wide range of conditions.
MTA introduced the iHCYGNUS N its new air-source R290 heat pump with inverter compressor. Designed to reduce environmental impact, it has high water temperatures and low noise operations. It provides heating, cooling, and domestic hot water production in a single unit.
VRF products
ActronAir commemorated an important milestone at ARBS this year celebrating their 40th anniversary. It was also an opportunity to introduce the ECOFLEX Mini VRF system, which has also been designed for Australian conditions.
The unit has a temperature range from -20°C to 52°C.
This Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system is available in six outdoor capacities ranging from 8.0kW to 18kW, offering both single-phase and three-phase power options.
With nine different types of indoor units to choose from, this system provides the flexibility needed for a variety of applications.
On the VRF front, Carrier introduced the XCT8 to the Australian market.
This milestone marks Carrier Australia’s entry into the VRF product segment, leveraging decades of its expertise in chiller and airside markets to provide engineered solutions to customers across Australia.
Carrier Australia sales director, Damitha Sajeewa, said the company is committed to delivering innovative solutions that exceed customer expectations.
“With XCT8, we are confident in our ability to provide comfort and energy efficiency to businesses and homeowners across the country,” he said.
With a long piping length of 1,200m and a high diversity of up to 200 per cent combination ratio, the XCT8 range of VRF solutions offers design and installation flexibility.
It operates up to a COP of 6.7 at 50 per cent load, and is designed to perform efficiently during part load operations.
The XCT8 is designed for continuous heating even during external defrost operations.
Chillers
Modular chillers are another product that continues to grow in popularity. Mitsubishi Electric showcased its new water-cooled ERCV unit which is available in 90kW or put two units together to get 180kW of capacity.
Not only does it produce heat recovery from the indoor units on the same 2-pipe refrigerant circuit, it also produces heat recovery via the water circuit between heat source units, making it a very economical system. The chiller is a new arrival in Australia and is available now.
There was a long list of new products on display at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air Conditioners (MHIAA) stand.
Firstly the Hydrolution Ezy air-to-water (ATW) heat pump, which includes two models with capacities of 10kW and 14kW, which will be launched into the Australian market in the very near future.
The Hydrolution EZY series has a monobloc design and uses R32 refrigerant.
The Hydrolution Pro Chiller is ideal for the commercial market and is available in models up to 90kW.
For the larger household, small commercial offices and educational institutions, MHIAA has added to the Award winning FDUA Ducted range with the launch of a larger three-phase 23.5kW capacity system, previously the biggest size was 20kW.
Moving to the commercial market, MHIAA showcased its high performance KXZE3 VRF system which will be available in 22.4kW, 28.0kW and 33.5kW capacities with combination up to 100.0kW.
To complement their VRF products MHIAA has formed a partnership with SystemAir, a company well known for its DX-AHU air handling units. The two companies have come together to provide fully customisable solutions to the Australian market.
MHIAA national sales manager, Graham Hamilton, said the partnership has been in the works for the past 12 months. “Now we are ready to take orders,” he said.
In the demanding world of HVACR installations, having the right tools is essential. This is why JD Power introduced the BD2-F Material Lifter at ARBS this year.
The BD2-F has a maximum load capacity of 180 kg and a lifting height of up to 374 cm. It's perfect for heavy-duty tasks like installing air conditioners, garage doors (BD2-C), retractable awnings, refrigeration and electric heaters.
The BD2-F comes with various attachments, including forks, a pipe cradle, and a jib crane, making it adaptable for different installation needs. The lowest lifting point is just 17 cm, enabling precise, close-to-ground lifting operations.
Air purification
At the Panasonic stand there was a big focus on Indoor Air Quality. Most of the company’s products feature nanoe X technology which actively cleans the air and surfaces within a room.
The nanoe X technology uses OH radicals encapsulated in water to inhibit micro-organisms–including bacteria and viruses as well as inhibiting mould allergens and pollen and reducing odours.
This active air purification technology is featured across the majority of Panasonic’s product range from wall splits, ducted systems and commercial solutions.
The air purification product range includes the Floor Standing nanoe X Air Purifier, the Ceiling Mounted nanoe X Generator and the latest Portable nanoe X Generator
Also at the stand were ventilation systems such as the Motion Sensor Ceiling Mounted Ventilation Fan Equipped with an intelligent Motion Sensor the ceiling fan detects human activity and turns on and off automatically when people enter and exit the room.
Panasonic’s alliance with Schneider Electric has led to the creation of its Smart Connectivity solution which enables all Panasonic light commercial air conditioning and VRF systems with plug-and- play connection to Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
Panasonic also showcased the AC Smart Cloud solution which allows an administrator to remotely control air conditioning systems and monitor the energy status in multiple locations via their tablet or computer.
Panasonics Comfort Cloud App also offers a smarter way to control air conditioning – anytime anywhere.
The Comfort Cloud App can individually manage up to eight zones in the home offering tailored comfort to meet the specific needs of each family member.
Panasonic air conditioners also boast intuitive voice control through its partnership with Google Assistant enabling users to control their air conditioning solution with just their voice.
Debut
Hisense showcased a wide range of products including VRF systems and the user-friendly ConnectLife home control app.
Hisense was able to present a diverse portfolio of products designed to seamlessly integrate into any residential or commercial space.
The company's pioneering 25 years of inverter technology provides exceptional energy efficiency and adherence to 64 rigorous international standards. This is why Hisense products are built to endure the harsh Australian climate, providing long-lasting performance.
TCL's inaugural participation in the ARBS 2024 exhibition in Sydney marked a milestone event for the company.
TCL Electronics national marketing manager, Rafael Mayen, said the TCL stand was a showcase of the company’s innovative spirit and commitment to excellence in the HVAC industry.
He said there was a lot of interest in TCL's cutting-edge products, particularly the FreshIN Split system air conditioner, the ducted air conditioning series, and the integrated heat pump water heater.
“The excitement surrounding TCL's offerings was palpable, as attendees eagerly anticipated the market launch of these products in the second half of the year,” Mayen said.
The FreshIN Split system air conditioner, designed to enhance indoor air quality, captured considerable attention for its innovative features and sleek design.
The ducted air conditioning series is built for diverse spaces, and the integrated heat pump water heater garnered praise for its sustainability and energy efficiency.
"This experience at ARBS 2024 has revealed a significant growth opportunity for TCL,” Mayen said.
"The insights gained from the exhibition are invaluable, providing us with direct feedback from industry professionals and potential customers.
“This feedback will be instrumental in refining our products and ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality, performance but also value."
No drilling
Heat pumps dominated this year’s exhibition with Ecotherm Australia providing visitors with a firsthand look at its innovative heating and cooling solutions.
Ecoforest ground source and air source heat pumps are renowned for their energy efficiency, sustainability and versatility with solutions based solely on clean and natural energy.
One of the stand-out products at the Ecotherm Australia stand was the versatile ecoGEO+ Compact ground source heat pump with Australian Watermark certification.
This all-in-one marvel not only heats and cools but also provides domestic hot water, thanks to its integrated 165-litre tank.
By tapping into the earth’s energy, Ecoforest heat pumps can slash energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions contributing to a greener, more sustainable environment. They are suitable for a wide range of building sizes and applications and the company has been transitioning its entire range to R290.
The ecoGEO+ range of ground source heat pumps can be connected to an external air unit, there’s no need for drilling or a ground loop.
Ecotherm Australia managing director, Richard Jefford, said this lowers the installation cost and is perfect for applications with limited land area.
“These heat pumps are at the forefront of renewable energy technology. With more Australians looking for eco-friendly and cost-effective ways to heat and cool their spaces, the Ecoforest range is exactly what the market needs,” Jefford said.