Fall 2011 A SUPPLEMENT TO PENTON PUBLICATIONS THE MAGAZINE OF THE AIR-CONDITIONING, HEATING, AND REFRIGERATION INSTITUTE Advances in Water Heating Technology WORKING IN CERTIFICATION CARBON MONOXIDE THE ZONE PROGRAMS ALARMS PAGE 12 PAGE 18 PAGE 20 A resource for HVACR contractors and technicians, AHRI Trends is published in May and September prior to the annual cooling and heating seasons. Visit us online at www.AHRInet.org and www.AHRIdirectory.org. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 703/524-8800 Fax: 703/528-3816 e-Mail: [email protected] www.AHRInet.org Leadership Morrison Carter coverstory Chairman Stephen R. Yurek President & CEO 8 Advances in Water Heating Technology Acknowledgements AHRI Communications Staff Francis Dietz and Monica Cardenas AHRI Technical Advisors (for this issue) features Sunil Nanjundaram, Marc Neufcourt, and Dave Calabrese 12 Working in the Zone 18 Certifi cation Programs Publishing Offi ce 20 Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Every Home 1300 E. 9th Street Cleveland, OH 44114 216/696-7000 tel 216/696-1752 fax www.penton.com departments Dan Ashenden 2 Chairman’s Message Group Publisher 4 Policy Watch Mike Weil AHRI Editorial Director 27 The Final Word trends Bob Mader Advertising Index Editor-in-Chief | www.AHRInet.org American Standard ........................... 3 Modine Manufacturing Co. ............ 24 Bradford White ............................... 25 Parker Hannifi n ............................... 17 Bethany Borger Account Manager Danfoss .......................................... 21 Peerless Boilers .............................. 23 Emerson Climate Technologies .........5 Rheem .......................................... IFC Lisa Murton Beets Contributing Editor Energy Conservatory ...................... 15 Ritchie Engineering Company .........26 Flir Commercial Systems ................ 13 Shortridge Instruments Inc ....7, 22, 28 Jane Cooper Marketing Mitsubishi Electric .......................... BC The Trane Company ......................IBC Shaun Kelly Production Manager Cavedweller Studio Art Direction 1 chairman’smessage After the Heat of Summer, What’s Next? Even though the approach of fall means crisp apples, AHRI and its member companies are very active in Wash- brightly colored leaves, and a greater use of home and ington, in the states, and around the world promoting our commercial heating equipment, it is still diffi cult for most industry and our world-class standards and performance of us to see summer go. But as we savor the memories of certifi cation programs. Together with our association another happy summer, we can ease into fall by perusing partners, including those that represent contractors, tech- this issue of AHRI Trends! nicians, and distributors, we are working to ensure a level playing fi eld for those who work in our industry. In this issue, we take a look at the latest technological trends in water heaters; an exciting new guide to the I hope you enjoy the articles. is magazine is for you. In proper design and installation of zone control systems it, we are committed to providing you with information (ACCA’s Manual ZR), the importance of carbon monox- that you can use in your everyday jobs. Please let us know ide detectors, and a handy primer on AHRI’s certifi cation how we’re doing, and thanks for reading! program and its growing importance in today’s energy- conscious world. In our Policy Watch, readers will learn Sincerely, about what’s happening in Washington, with federal agencies like the Department of Energy busily trying to duplicate successful private-sector programs like AHRI’s certifi cation program and a Congress mired in acrimony and completely occupied by spending curbs and the loom- ing presidential election cycle. All these things have very Morrison Carter serious consequences for our industry. AHRI Chairman | Fall 2011 trends AHRI 2 B?RHN=EBD>MH?>>E:L@HH=:;HNMMA>EH@HHGRHNKIKH=N<ML :LRHN=H:;HNMMA>G:F>HGRHNKLMHK>% © 2010 American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning All rights reserved American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning knows that reputations are built every day, with every sale. Which is why we’re proud to support American Standard dealers with extensive training, sales support, innovative products, industry-leading reliability and over a century of quality. If you’d like to be part of a better way to do business, we’d love to make your dealership part of our family. It’s time to contact your independent American Standard distributor. American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, as comfortable as it is reliable. :AB@A>KLM:G=:K=H?<HF?HKM' Zf^kb\ZglmZg]Zk]Zbk'\hf policywatch Engaging Policy Makers on Energy and Environmental Issues Department of Energy Extends by a letter from AHRI outlining several concerns, includ- Certifi cation Compliance ing the fact that the rule would result in increased costs, Deadline by 18 Months potential shipment delays, and administrative hurdles for At the urging of AHRI, the Department of Energy products covered by the rule—all of which are unneces- (DOE) has extended by 18 months the compliance sary given the fact that AHRI already reports compliance deadline for new certifi cation requirements specifi ed for with federal minimum effi ciency standards to DOE for commercial heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning participants in its certifi cation program. equipment; water heating equipment; walk-in coolers and freezers; and automatic commercial ice makers. While the rule was scheduled to go into eff ect on July 5, it was postponed 18 months to allow DOE to assess ways to e rule was originally published in the Federal Register reduce the testing burden on manufacturers. on March 7, 2011, setting forth onerous new procedures for manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with federal AHRI will continue to closely monitor this rule, and will energy effi ciency standards. It was immediately followed meet with DOE offi cials as necessary. While the rule was scheduled to go into effect on July 5, it was postponed 18 months to allow DOE to assess ways to reduce the testing burden on manufacturers. | Fall 2011 trends AHRI 4 policywatch AHRI Praises Rule to Establish include even higher minimum effi ciency levels forheat- Regional Energy Effi ciency ing and cooling systems in their building codes for new Standards, Raises Concerns Over construction. e Senate bill also includes standards Limits on Stand-by Power for several other AHRI products based on similar con- e Department of Energy’s (DOE) direct fi nal rule sensus agreements. [Read more about the Implementa- establishing regional effi ciency standards for residential tion of National Consensus Appliance Agreements Act furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps was of 2011 on page 7.] published in the Federal Register on June 27th. e rule mirrors effi ciency levels suggested in the consensus Based on these standards, a typical new air conditioner agreement crafted by AHRI and several energy effi ciency in the South will use about 40 percent less energy, and advocacy groups in October 2009. a typical new furnace in the North will use about 20 percent less than one sold before national standards were e minimum energy effi ciency standards and the established in the late 1980s. According to DOE, the standby power requirements will become eff ective on updated air conditioner and heat pump standards will May 1, 2013, for furnaces and January 1, 2015, for save enough electricity over 30 years to meet the total central air conditioners and heat pumps. e direct fi nal energy needs of 8.7 million typical American homes for rule is eff ective October 27, 2011, unless signifi cant a year. e new furnace standards will save about 31 bil- adverse comments are received on or before October 17. lion therms over 32 years, or enough natural gas over the If the DOE receives adverse comments that are deemed same period to heat 62 million typical American homes. to provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct (One therm is equal to 96.7 cubic feet of natural gas.) fi nal rule, a timely withdrawal of this rule will be pub- e new standards will save U.S. consumers more than lished in the Federal Register. $13 billion between their eff ective dates and 2030. Even with DOE’s announcement, legislation is needed e signatories to the joint agreement on which the because a key provision of the agreement can only be standards are based are: AHRI, the American Coun- done via a change to the law. It would allow states to cil for an Energy-Effi cient Economy (ACEEE), the | Fall 2011 trends AHRI 6 The bill enjoys broad support because it would reduce the regulatory burden placed on manufacturers, reduce nationwide energy consumption, and save consumers money on their monthly energy bills. Alliance to Save Energy, the Appliance Standards House Energy and Commerce Committee, has Awareness Project (ASAP), the California Energy expressed support for INCAAA, he has indicated that Commission (CEC), the Natural Resources Defense he will not allow his Committee to consider it until the Council (NRDC), other advocacy groups, and more Senate has acted fi rst. than a dozen individual furnace, heat pump, and air conditioner manufacturers. AHRI staff continues to work with our allies in the House and Senate to enact this bill before the end of AHRI-supported INCAAA the session. Bill Stalls in the Senate Early this year, the Implementation of National Con- sensus Appliance Agreements Act of 2011 (INCAAA) was introduced in the Senate by Energy