Crossroad or Access Ramp;

There are so many things happening in our industry that we are surely at the beginning of major shift in how we do business. At a recent trade show I saw and heard more new things than I have in years. I’ve been trying to acquire the knowledge to pass on the information one topic at a time. I’ve come to realize that it’s just not out there in the main stream arena yet. So for now I want to just throw out a couple of what we’ll call future topics for later posting.

IEER, Inverter Energy Efficiency Rating is a new standard that will be the acronym for the coefficient of performance for equipment with variable capacity compressors. We all know that these units consume less electricity than standard units but the realization of how much is going to drive demand. IDC’s, Inverter Duty Compressors in package units will help technicians get comfortable with the technology. Variables are removed with a package unit that allow a technician to experience how these systems are going to function under varying load conditions. A package unit with a factory charge will give them a chance to see what to expect with problems like dirty coils, low refrigerant and restrictions. The numbers floating around for the energy savings are 40% less than a standard unit. The new mentality will be the price difference between major repairs and unit replacement will be realized in few years with the energy savings.

Variable Refrigeration Flow Systems with air and water cooled refrigerant plants. To date we’ve been hesitant in our area to get behind them as design build and direct to owner upgrades. However they're getting in more plan and spec jobs every year. There are currently 3 big players and a 4th is on the way. As more systems are installed and we get comfortable servicing them the market will grow in direct proportion to people’s desire to save money on installation and operating cost. These systems have so many advantages they seem too good to be true. We can’t deny how they should be the first choice for many installations. If they work as intended without being a high maintenance hard to troubleshoot and repair system they’ll corner the market.

The quick wrap up is as follows, cast boilers are out, burners are out, and cooling towers are going down with big chillers. High efficiency tube boilers with modulating outputs are in. Air cooled chillers with several small circuits and plate heat exchangers are in. Packaged equipment from standard heat/cool to chilled water/hot water plants are in. Reciprocating, screw and centrifugal compressors are out, scrolls and inverters are in. Expect more on all these topics as the information becomes available.