Architectural Product and Material AdvancesThe AHR Expo, the industry’s largest HVAC show in the U.S., returned in person in 2022. This unique show provides the venue where the future of HVACR technology is on display and the hot topic of discussion in the over 1,500 exhibitor booths hosted there. For those of us who were unable to attend, the AHR Expo Industry Trends Report summarized the direction the industry is headed. One key takeaway: The Future is Clean. A sentiment supported by the decarbonization, electrification, low-GWP refrigerants, and regulation updates that have become increasingly common across the market. The report also noted that the pandemic has changed the industry by making customers more aware of their indoor environments and identified indoor air quality (IAQ) as a design objective with some staying power. This issue of AP ProductWire profiles a few of the products that caught the eye and imagination of contributing writer John Mesenbrink.
New & Noteworthy
Chill Out
By marrying key design attributes of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology with chilled water production, LG is raising the standard for air-cooled chillers with a robust set of high-performance features.
The Future of Water Heating
The Heat2O, an all-electric domestic hot water heating system is designed to improve sustainability and reduce energy consumption in multifamily buildings and large-scale commercial facilities.
Environmentally Friendly
Lochinvar launches 20 new commercial heat pump models, ranging from 25,000 to 250,000 Btu/hr and with modular installation capabilities up to two million Btu/hr. This gives specifying engineers, architects, and plumbing contractors additional options to meet energy savings and sustainability goals.
The Low Carbon Society
The march toward electrification is here. Taco Comfort Solutions has partnered with Glen Dimplex to develop a complete air-to-water heat pump system for residential heating, cooling and DHW applications.
Sponsored
The Perfect Blend of Art & Science
An office design that artfully captures the essence of a company is no easy feat—particularly when they specialize in the science of gene editing. MetalWorks ceilings and walls offer the design flexibility needed to combine the unexpected. From custom perforations to indoor/outdoor applications to concealed suspension systems, thinking outside the box has never been so inspiring. Learn more about the art and science of metal at armstrongceilings.com/metalworks
Ronald McDonald House Courtyard is a Study in Fun
GBBN’s designers specified Petersen’s PAC-CLAD products to create the unique exteriors framing the courtyard of this Ronald McDonald House in Cincinnati. These included approximately 22,000 sq. ft. of the company’s Flush wall panels in a mix of Cityscape—a gray tone that creates a neutral background—along with Patina Green, Teal and the custom yellow Parakeet for the striping that surrounds the windows. An additional 860 sq. ft. of Petersen’s Snap-Clad roof panels were used to create a canopy for the facility’s 7th-story rooftop gathering space.
Bring a Sense of Calm with BalancedCare Tranquility Series
Introducing Tranquility Series, a family of ceiling luminaires and wall sconces that integrate beautiful, high-resolution photography or designer patterns, including an expanded pediatrics portfolio unlike any other in the industry. In addition to healthcare, the Tranquility Series is ideal for applications such as hospitality, retail, fitness, daycare, schools and universities—virtually anywhere that aesthetically pleasing, biologically enhancing environments are valued.
Beautiful Euro Style Partitions
Adorn your restroom spaces with Bradley’s new collection of elegant Euro style partitions. Three new models, including Float Series, Lucent Series and Loft Series, add distinctive style, advanced technology and resiliency to your restroom creations. With a selection of design elements like enameled tempered glass, minimalist frameless construction, flush surfaces and floating-on-air aesthetics, each partition model creates the perfect backdrop to an unexpectedly gorgeous bathroom setting. Quiet slow-close hinges and LED occupancy lighting further enhance users’ restroom experience.
Sustainability: Keeping the Commitment
Whether your goal is to incorporate sustainability initiatives into your design or secure LEED Certification for your next project, CENTRIA has a solution for the building envelope. Our product portfolio contains a host of external wall cladding options that drive sustainability credits while also delivering the desired aesthetics. CENTRIA Formawall Dimension Series combines unprecedented design freedom with unmatched performance, consolidating six wall components into one product. Formawall creates a distinct architectural wall profile to match any building design. The insulated metal panels include a halogen-free, red-list-free foam core that carries a health product declaration.
Special Purpose Doors for Every Project
Krieger Specialty Products doors are custom-designed and manufactured to meet your exact specifications, perfectly blending form and function. We offer a full array of special purpose doors including Acoustical & SCIF, Blast & Pressure, Bullet & Forced Entry, Radio Frequency, Oversized, and Tornado & Hurricane—all available in any size, style, finish, and performance combination your project requires. All Krieger products are proudly made in the USA and covered by our 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
Metal Panels Offer a Value Solution
With the introduction of EN-V by Dri-Design, the company aims to restore the true meaning of “value" in value engineering. Without cheapening the metal panel system, the company has optimized its processes to deliver cost savings without sacrificing performance or longevity. EN-V is a surprisingly economical and tested, architectural, dry-joint, pressure-equalized rainscreen system. The product doesn’t compromise on aesthetics either, as it is available in dozens of standard colors as well as custom color-matching capabilities that make the possibilities nearly endless.