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2018 AHR Expo

In 2018, energy efficiency was again one of the topics exhibitors and visitors were concerned with at the 2018 AHR Expo, which was held from January 22 -24 in Chicago. Thus, the punker exhibition team was thrilled about the great interest with which the high-efficiency D-Series fan wheels were met once again. Presented for the first time was an extremely lightweight fan impeller in a welded execution: the Dlight – welded.

New Product: Dlight – welded

With the Dlight – welded, punker adds to the existing D-Series, a product range of energy-efficient diffusor fan wheels unhoused applications such as plug fans, plenum fans,  and air handling. The welded aluminum impeller offers a high ventilation system performance paired with low weight and pleasant acoustics. It is suited for applications that require a static pressure increase of 4 – 5.5″ WG (AMCA Class I) and compatible with various AC or EC drives.

AHR Expo – International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition

AHR Expo is the most important exhibition for Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigerating on the American continents. With an estimated 70,000 visitors and 2,100 exhibiting companies, this year’s show is the largest event since it’s start in 1930. In the good company of industry giants like ebm-papst, Ziehl-Abegg, Rosenberg and Comefri, punker exhibited fan wheels “Engineered in Germany – Made in the USA” for the seventh year in a row.

HVAC Manufacturers confident About Economic Outlook

The record-breaking visitor count is congruent with HVAC manufacturers’ extremely positive outlook for the fiscal year of 2018. According to the latest AHR Expo and ASHRAE Journal Annual Economic Outlook Survey, 89% of responders expect excellent or good growth, up 15% from the already positive outlook in 2017. The development of sales indicates that this is not just a snapshot: 69% of respondents reported higher sales in 2017 versus 57% in 2016. The percentage of businesses with a significantly higher  sales growth (more than 10% year-on-year) increased as well, from Und  23% in 2016 to 34% in 2017.

punker meets Market Requirements of Reliability and Energy Efficiency

With such a positive outlook for the new fiscal year, many manufacturers are looking for the latest and best technologies and products. With regard to customer expectations, respondents continue to consider reliability and energy efficiency as the most influential factors in their 2018 buying decisions. With the D-Series, punker offers the right solution for these market requirements. This was also reflected in an even higher number of visitors on our booth, compared to the previous year.

Facts & Figures Markets

New Energy Efficiency Standards in the USA

In my blog post “ENERGY EFFICIENCY- THE HVAC-INDUSTRY IS ENTERING NEW TERRITORY” from October 2015, I talked about developments regarding energy efficiency in the USA.
In December 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) finalized new energy conservation standards for commercial air conditioners, heat pumps and commercial warm-air furnaces.

According to Ernest Moniz, U.S. Energy Secretary, this “marks the largest energy saving standard in history and demonstrates that America is leading the effort to reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions.”
The DOE estimates the new program will save businesses up to $167 billion in energy costs over the lifetime of the equipment. Additionally, carbon monoxide discharge will be reduced by as much as 885 million metric tons over a period of thirty years.

The new directive was finalized with cooperation between the DOE and 17 stakeholder groups including industry organization, manufacturers, efficiency organizations and institutes. The new standard will be implemented in two phases:

  1. Beginning January 1, 2018 commercial air conditioners and commercial warm air furnaces must achieve thirteen percent improvement in efficiency.
  2. In 2023, an additional fifteen percent increase will be required.

How can punker help manufacturers of commercial air conditioning systems?

The DOE’s final ruling delivers a clear regulatory roadmap to manufacturers of commercial air conditioning systems. This will force manufacturers to rise to the challenge of optimizing their products accordingly.
As a leading developer and manufacturer of radial fan wheels, punker has been focusing its product development on energy efficiency since the European Union’s Eco-design Directive “ErP” (Energy related Products) extended its scope to air conditioning and ventilation systems in a 2009 revision.

The ErP defines minimum efficiency requirements for fans with an output range of 0.125 kw to 500 kw and took effect in two phases in 2013 and 2015. The assessment takes into account the efficiency of the entire systems, consisting of the motor, the transmission (belt drive, for example) and the fan wheel.

The fan wheel has a large impact on the overall efficiency of the fan system. This is where manufacturers of unhoused fan applications can rely on punker’s extensive knowledge and expertise. Our product portfolio offers suitable fan wheels for plug fans and plenum fans to meet the DOE’s new efficiency requirements. Our fan wheel series R63D HVAC and D light, are constructed to achieve the highest static efficiencies at optimal working points worldwide.

Here at punker, we look forward to assisting manufacturers in turning these challenges into opportunities.