CCN checks out the latest innovations on show at AHR Expo 2020, one of the industry’s biggest international trade shows.
A major theme at the international event, which was held this week in Orlando, was energy efficiency and technologies aimed at reducing our impact on the environment.
One innovation that generated a lot of interest was Dual Path Technology which has been developed by TORO Water Air Thermal Technologies (TORO WATT), a Canadian-based company.
The company’s CEO, Tiger Aster, said the air conditioning technology reduces energy consumption by up to 70%.
“Humans are great at sensing temperature and climate conditions. If you’re traveling in the desert in California, for example, which is an extremely dry area of the planet, you know that at midday it’s hot. It is different to travelling in the Florida Everglades where the humidity is routinely in the 90% range,” he explained.
“While humans are great at knowing the difference in those temperature feelings, air conditioning systems traditionally are terrible at sensing the difference.”
However a TORO WATT air conditioner senses both the temperature and the humidity level separately and conditions the air for optimal comfort.
Darshi Dhaliwal, CTO and innovator of Dual Path Technology, said in a dry atmosphere where there is very little humidity, a traditional air conditioner is still running its dehumidifier at full blast and is consuming all the energy that the system thinks it requires.
“The TORO WATT air conditioner is able to decide which technology, temperature reduction or dehumidifying, is needed and in what amount. Along with the dual sensing technology, TORO WATT air conditioners also have a patent pending process of recycling condensate and an advanced control panel for maximum customization and efficiency,” Dhaliwal said.
Rebel rooftops
While at AHR Expo 2020, Daikin previewed its new Rebel Applied rooftop heating and cooling system.
Rebel Applied is the only packaged system to meet ASHRAE’s latest standard for performance in airflow design. Ideal for building retrofits due to its compact and customizable design, Rebel Applied delivers superior comfort, indoor air quality and energy savings, according to Mike Schwartz, CEO of Daikin Applied Americas.
“We believe that quality design needs quality construction to deliver ultimate value,” he said. “So, we opened a new manufacturing facility in southern Minnesota dedicated to the production of Rebel Applied. With advanced fabrication and automation technologies, we can tailor the build to meet specific customer needs, optimize production and deliver products that will perform at the highest levels.”
The rooftop system’s efficient footprint is up to 37 per cent shorter in length and 30 per cent lighter than legacy rooftop units.
It is highly configurable as well; contractors can add or remove sections to adjust the length of the unit to fit on old or existing roof curb, saving time and expense for facility updates and upgrades.
Along with Rebel Applied, Daikin previewed two new ultra-high-efficiency chillers at the exhibition — the Magnitude Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller and Aptitude Oil Bearing Centrifugal Chiller.
Both chillers feature the smallest footprints in the industry compared to equipment with the same cooling capacity utilizing the ultra-low GWP, R1233zd refrigerant, making them ideal for retrofits where real estate is limited or at a premium cost.
The Magnitude chiller builds on Daikin’s latest magnetic bearing technology, which eliminates oil, seals, gears and wear surfaces for longer machine life. This allows the equipment to run at peak levels, up to 40 per cent more efficient than standard centrifugal chillers.
The Magnitude can perform at full load efficiencies as low as 0.49 kilowatts per ton (kW/ton) with part load values as low as 0.29 kW/ton. Both chillers will be available later this year.