Hi Watch! - Innovative Industry Trends & Outcomes!.

Hi Watch - Innovative Industry Trends & Outcomes!.

The 3 videos series below are discussions on the findings of research, including R&D spending trends, the Most Innovative Companies, and how digital enablers are changing innovation. 

Changing Innovation

2013 Trends in R&D Spending

The 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2013

Innovation: Navigating the Digital Future

Hi Industry Regulators Latest News, Codes & Standards!. AMCA!!!

Below is a selective information on codes/standards activities in the industry where AMCA is active in the U.S. market:

• AMCA Standard 205 Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans
• Fan Efficiency Grades (FEGs) and ASHRAE 90.1
• Fan Efficiency Grades (FEGs) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
• AMCA 205 and Other Codes and Standards
• Air Curtains and International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
• Air Curtains and International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
• U.S. Dept. of Energy Proposed Rule making

The Foundation of Industry Building Blocks

Click Here to visit AMCA Homepage

Air Movement and Control Association International, INC

AMCA Standard 205: Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans:

ANSI/AMCA Standard 205-12 defines the classification for fans. The scope includes fans having an impeller diameter of 125 mm (5 in.) or greater, operating with a shaft power of 750 W (1 hp) and above, and having a total efficiency calculated according to one of the following fan test standards:

• ANSI/AMCA 210 / ANSI/ASHRAE 51 Laboratory Methods of Testing Fans for Certified Aerodynamic Performance Rating
• ANSI/AMCA 230 Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Circulating Fans for Rating and Certification
• AMCA 260 (induced-flow exhaust fans) 
• ISO 5801 Industrial fans -- Performance testing using standardized airways 
• All other fan types are excluded. The standard only applies to the fan, not the fan drive or the fan system

AMCA 205 can be used by legislative or regulatory bodies for defining the energy efficiency requirements of fans used in specific applications. 

ANSI/AMCA Standard 205-12, Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans

Manufacturers can estimate FEG ratings for their fan lines in accordance with AMCA 205 and provide FEG ratings data in catalogs and electronic product-selection software. They also can have FEG ratings certified through the AMCA Certified Ratings Program, which was expanded in March 2011 to include Fan Efficiency Grades. 

AMCA Publication 211-05 – Product Rating Manual for Fan Air Performance describes how fans are certified to bear the AMCA seal for Fan Efficiency Grade (FEG).

Click Here or image to visit ASHRAE homepage 

2- AMCA 205 and ASHRAE 90.1:  

AMCA International collaborated with the ASHRAE SSPC 90.1 Committee and its Mechanical Subcommittee,  and TC5.1 Fans to develop a fan efficiency requirement in the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.

The provision is written around ANSI/AMCA 205-12 Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. It specifies a fan efficiency grade (FEG) 67, and that the fan shall be sized and selected within 15 percentage points of its peak total efficiency. A number of exemptions are granted, including fans with motors <= 5 HP; fan arrays with an aggregate motor HP <= 5 HP; powered roof/wall ventilators; fans installed in equipment bearing certifications for air or energy performance; fans that operate only during emergencies; and fans that are not within the scope of AMCA 205.

A detailed technical article about the fan efficiency requirement in ASHRAE 90.1-2013, authored by John Cermak, PhD, and Michael Ivanovich, was published in the April 2013 issue of ASHRAE Journal. 

Fan Efficiency Requirements for ASHRAE 90.1-2013, by John Cermak, PhD, ACME Engineering; and Michael Ivanovich, AMCA International, ASHRAE Journal, April 2013.  

Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Following the approval of a fan efficiency requirement for ASHRAE 90.1-2013, ASHRAE and AMCA collaborated on code change proposals that seek to insert equivalent language the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with two important differences: fan efficiency grades for applicable fans would have to be "approved" and "labeled." These two measures would facilitate compliance checking and field inspections.

To help facilitate compliance checking with this requirement, AMCA has developed the FEG Finder utility to help engineers, code officials, and building owners to quickly find fan models that have AMCA-certified FEG ratings. 

Click here or image below to go to the FEG Finder web page. 

Click here or image below to view the current code development cycle.

 The codes will be split into groups with a Committee Action Hearing and Public Comment Hearing

Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC)

The 2012 International Green Construction Code is the first code or standard for energy efficiency or green construction to reference AMCA 205 Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. AMCA International initiated the code change proposal and successfully defended it at the final action hearings in Phoenix in 2011.

Click here or image above to visit the International Green Code Construction (IgCC) homepage

Fan Efficiency Grades and the International Green Construction Code (IgCC)

The 2012 International Green Construction Code is the first code or standard for energy efficiency or green construction to reference AMCA 205 Energy Efficiency Classification for Fans. AMCA International initiated the code change proposal and successfully defended it at the final action hearings in Phoenix in 2011.

Click here or image above to visit online IgCC store

Code Change Proposal 

AMCA 205 and other codes and standards

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO)

Click here or the image above to visit IAPMO homepage

STATUS: As of July 15, 2013:  The 2014 Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement, published by IAPMO as an overlay to the Uniform Mechanical Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code, will contain a fan efficiency requirement that is based on the language and requirements in Addendum u to ASHRAE 90.1-2010. 

Click here or image above to Visit the IAPMO online store

ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES 189.1 Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

AMCA International has submitted a continuous maintenance proposal (CMP to the SSPC 189.1 committee for a fan requirement that is identical to the Standard 90.1 requirement, except that instead of having a sizing/selection window of 15 percentage points, the window is a more-stringent 10 percentage points.STATUS: As of Sept. 9, 2013: An AMCA Continuous Maintenance Proposal was submitted to Working Group 7 - Energy Efficiency; it is currently working its way through that subcommittee.

Air Curtains and IgCC

The 2012 International Green Construction Code adopted language referencing AMCA 220-05 Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Curtains for Aerodynamic Performance Ratings, allowing air curtains to be used in place of vestibules. 

To aid engineers, architects, and code officials with applying air curtains in compliance with the IGCC, AMCA has made AMCA 220-05 and AMCA publication 222-08, Application Manual for Air Curtain Units, available:

AMCA Standard 220-05, Laboratory Methods of Testing Air Curtains for Aerodynamic Performance Ratings

AMCA Publication 222-08, Application Manual for Air Curtain Units

Air Curtains and IECC

A code change proposal, CE192-13, toward the 2015 IECC was submitted by AMCA, which was approved at the IECC  (Group B) Committee Action Hearings in Dallas on April 27, 2013. The proposal seeks to add an exception to the section requiring vestibules; the exception reads as follows:

6. Doors that have an installed air curtain that has been tested in accordance with ANSI/AMCA 220. Air curtains shall be controlled with the opening and closing of the door.

U.S. Dept. of Energy Proposed Rule making  

On June 28, 2011, the U.S. Dept. of Energy published a "proposed rule making" in the Federal Register signaling their intent to develop energy efficiency standards for commercial and industrial fans, blowers, and fume hoods. 

DOE

Department of Energy Proposal (DOE)

On July 29, 2011, AMCA submitted comments with a position that is generally supportive of the proposed rule making (i.e., DOE has the authority to do so), and suggested that DOE adopt existing standards where applicable for fan terminology and testing.

View AMCA's submitted comments below

On December 20, 2011, AMCA representatives met with the U.S. Dept. of Energy Appliance Standards program to make introductions across the respective teams and to exchange information about fan-efficiency standards and regulation. As required for federal openness rules, AMCA submitted an "ex parte" memorandum to DOE to memorialize the meeting, which is now posted below;

The meeting was requested by AMCA International to introduce the association’s leadership, standards, and experience in developing fan standards to DOE; to learn more about the DOE process for developing regulations for fan efficiency standards; and to inform DOE on how commercial and industrial fan markets work.

'ex parte'

On May 7, 2012, John Cymbalsky, who supervises the DOE Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, spoke at the AMCA Midyear Meeting, where he described the rule-making process in great detail. Click here for Mr. Cymbalsky's slides. On January 28, 2013, DOE published the Framework Document for public comment and industry response to 109 questions seeking input and clarification. The Framework Document presents DOE's current understanding of the fan market, its thinking regarding scope of coverage, possible approaches to regulating energy efficiency, and a description of DOE's process for developing a regulation and analyzing costs and benefits.  

Mr. Cymbalsk'y slides documented;

The deadline for written comments to the Framework Document has been extended to June 3, 2013. Download or view a PDF of the Framework Document below here. 

DOE Framework Document for Fans;

Information on submitting comments and attending the public hearing are on the DOE website click here to view.

On February 21, 2013, DOE held a public hearing at DOE Headquarters in Washington, DC. At the hearing, DOE presented a PowerPoint slide show that described the Framework Document and sought feedback to most of the 110 questions in the Framework Document.

AMCA sent a delegation consisting of Tim Kuski and Aaron Gotham, Greenheck Fan Inc.; Dan Hartlein, Twin City Fan; Mark Bublitz, New York Blower Co.; Robert Valbracht, Loren Cook Fan; Wade Smith, Mark Stevens, and Michael Ivanovich, AMCA International. Consultant Rob Boteler also participated on behalf of AMCA International. At the hearing, AMCA delegates responded orally to most of the questions presented by DOE and DOE's contractors, and used PowerPoint slides to support some of their answers and positions. 

View a PDF of the Public Hearing PowerPoint slides presented by DOE below;

View a PDF of the transcripts from the public hearing below,

View AMCA's PowerPoint slides below;

On May 29, 2013: AMCA submitted written comments to the DOE Framework Document. All comments were due June 2. Comments were submitted by a number of other organizations as well, including Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), Edison Electric Institute; Trane, ebm papst, Morrison Products, and non-governmental organizations such as American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). 

To see all comments from all organizations, visit the DOE Docket for the Fans and Blowers rule making by clicking here or image below.

Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial and Industrial Fans and Blowers

Status as of July 15, 2013: DOE is processing the framework comments. The next public milestone is the release of the Preliminary Technical Support Document and the Notice of Proposed Rule making for a Fan Efficiency Test Standard. Those documents are expected some time in mid-2014. 

Hi Software Click News.

Hi - Back of the Envelope Calculator!:

When it comes to building energy consumption, nearly everything affects everything. It's very difficult to get a feel for energy efficiency among the complicated interactions.

Back-of-the-Envelope calculator is a learning tool that allows anyone to interact with a building as an energy system. You can see real-time energy connections between building components, isolate the effects of changing a single energy parameter, or produce concept-level energy and CO2 emissions estimates.

You might be pondering these questions:

• What happens to cooling costs if I double my roof insulation?
• Does lighting efficiency also affect heating energy?
• Does it cost a lot to keep my building open longer?
• What if my building was made of glass?
• How much CO2 will this building produce annually?

This Provides rough estimates only & Limitations of this Tool are its assumptions;

Assumptions

Building Level

• The building is an office, 12' floor-to-roof, with square footprint.
• Climate is Madison, Wisconsin using hourly TMY2 weather data.
• The building is treated as a single thermal zone.
• Occupied hours first fill weekdays symmetrically around noon, and then fill weekends.
• Lights and plug loads are assumed to be at 1/20 power density during unoccupied times.
• There is no exterior lighting considered.
• There are no process loads in the building other than plug loads.

Envelope

• Envelope convective heat transfer is not considered.
• Envelope solar gain is not considered, except for windows.
• Infiltration is assumed zero during occupied times due to fan pressurization.
• Window solar
  • Direct radiation is based on hourly solar angles and hourly direct normal radiation from local weather data.
  • Diffuse radiation on windows is assumed equal to hourly horizontal diffuse radiation from local weather data.
  • Each wall faces directly North, South, East, or West.
  • Window area is equally distributed on North, South, East, or West exposures.
  • Latitude is 43 degrees for solar angle calculations.

HVAC

• HVAC system is rooftop VAV with hydronic reheat coils.
• Cooling is through air-cooled direct expansion.
• Supply fan system is variable air volume using variable frequency drives.
• Heating is through a natural gas hot water boiler.
• There is no pump energy calculated for hot water hydronic heating.
• There is no energy calculated for domestic hot water heating.
• Interior relative humidity of 50% is maintained year-round.
• There is no unoccupied thermostat setback schedule.
• Airside economizer operates only when full cooling load can be met. There is no partial economizing with mechanical cooling assistance.
• People sensible and latent loads are both 250 [Btu/hr]
• Indoor temperature is 72 [degF]
• Supply Air Temperature is 55 [degF]
• HVAC Fan Static Pressure is 3.5 [in water]
• Peak supply fan energy consumption is 0.000351 [kW/in*cfm]

How to download and use

You must have Microsoft Excel to use this tool.

Because of the large file-size (31MB), it's best to save a copy on your computer.

Click Here To Download

Hi Energy efficient HVAC market worth $33.2bn by 2020!.

Hi Energy efficient HVAC market worth 

$33.2bn by 2020!.

The global market for energy efficient HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems will be worth $33.2bn (AED 121.9m) annually by 2020, according to a new report from Navigant Research.

Currently worth $17.2bn (AED 4.7bn), the market is expected to grow by 94.2% in the next seven years, with the Asia Pacific region predicted to take a majority share of global revenue.

“In the wake of the global recession of 2009, developed markets for efficient HVAC – especially in North America and Europe – remain sluggish,” said Bob Gohn, senior research director with Navigant Research. “However, the North American market will revive during 2013 and begin to experience more substantial growth during 2014.

Europe will follow a similar trend, but recovery will likely not occur until mid to late 2014. The strongest region for energy efficient HVAC expansion, however, will be Asia Pacific, which will account for 55%t of the world market by 2020.”

The global HVAC market, according to the report, is led by large suppliers, such as UTC (Carrier), Hitachi, Ingersoll-Rand (Trane), Daikin, and LG Electronics, many of which also produce various other products, technologies, and services.

HVAC-only manufacturers are largely limited to smaller and midsize brands such as Lennox and Uponor. Some larger suppliers, such as Johnson Controls, also provide integrated engineering and operations/ maintenance services, overlapping in part with services more traditionally provided by energy service companies.

The report, “Energy Efficient HVAC Systems”, analyses the global market opportunity for energy efficient commercial HVAC systems, including unitary systems, heat pumps, furnaces and boilers, ductless cooling, engineered cooling systems, radiant heating and cooling, and ventilation systems.

The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the demand drivers, business models, policy and regulatory factors, and technology issues associated with the global market for these systems. Key industry players are profiled in depth, and worldwide revenue forecasts – segmented by application, region, and key major countries – extend through 2020.