THE HVACR MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE
EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK
BY PETE GRASSO TERRY Tanker Publisher ttanker@hvacrbusiness.com PETE Grasso Editor pgrasso@hvacrbusiness.com MEGAN LaSalla Art Director mlasalla@hvacrbusiness.com BRUCE Sprague Circulation Manager bs200264@sbcglobal.net BARBARA Kerr Executive Assistant bkerr@hvacrbusiness.com
ADVERTISING STAFF EAST COAST/SOUTHEAST JIM Clifford Regional Sales Manager Tel 201-362-5561 Fax 201-334-9186 jclifford@hvacrbusiness.com MIDWEST ERIC Hagerman Regional Sales Manager Tel 216-409-3246 Fax 440-731-8750 ehagerman@hvacrbusiness.com WEST COAST TERRY Tanker Publisher Tel 440-731-8600 Fax 440-731-8750 ttanker@hvacrbusiness.com
HVACR Business, founded January 1981, is a monthly national trade magazine serving contractors, mechanical engineers, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, wholesalers, distributors, trade associations, and others in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry primarily in the U.S. The editorial focus and mission of HVACR Business is to provide business owners and managers with the very best business management concepts available. Critical topics covered include leadership, management, strategy, finance, sales, marketing, training, education, staffing, operations, human resources, legal issues, customer service and more. We are dedicated to helping contractors master these key management skills and provide them with the resources necessary to build strong, profitable companies. Every effort is made to provide accurate information, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of submitted advertising and editorial information. Copyright©2020 by JFT Properties LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or any information storage retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Unauthorized copying may subject violators to criminal penalties as well as liabilities for substantial monetary damages up to $100,000 per infringement, costs and attorneys’ fees. This publication should not be utilized as a substitute for professional advice in specific situations. If legal, medical, accounting, financial, consulting, coaching or other professional advice is required, the services of the appropriate professional should be sought. Neither the authors nor the publisher may be held liable in any way for any interpretation or use of the information in this publication. The authors will make recommendations for solutions for you to explore. Any recommendation is always based on the authors’ research and experience. The information contained herein is accurate to the best of the publisher’s and authors’ knowledge; however, the publisher and authors can accept no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for loss or damage caused by any use thereof. Subscription Rates: Free and controlled circulation to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified persons may subscribe at the following rates: U.S. and possessions: 1 year $48; 2 years $75; 3 years $96; Canadian and foreign, 1-year $108 U.S. funds only. Single copies $8. Subscriptions are prepaid, and check or money orders only. Subscriber Services: To order a subscription or change your address, write to HVACR Business, 31674 Center Ridge Road, Suite 104, North Ridgeville, OH 44039 or call (440) 731-8600; or visit our Web site at www.hvacrbusiness.com. For questions regarding your subscription, please contact bkerr@hvacrbusiness.com. HVACR Business (ISSN 2153-2877) Copyright ©2020 is published monthly by JFT Properties LLC,31674 Center Ridge Road, Suite 104, North Ridgeville, OH 44039, Phone: 440731-8600. Periodicals postage is paid at North Ridgeville, OH and additional mailing offices. (USPS 025-431) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to HVACR Business, 31674 Center Ridge Road, Suite 104, North Ridgeville, OH 44039.
31674 Center Ridge Road, Suite 104 North Ridgeville, OH 44039 Tel: (440) 731-8600 Fax: (440) 731-8750 Web site: www.hvacrbusiness.com (ISSN: 2153-2877)
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This is a Technology Industry
I
t’s late in the evening as I sit in my hotel room in Orlando. I’ve spent the last two days walking up and down the aisles of the Orange County Convention center, home of this year’s AHR Expo. I’m tired, sure, and also dreading my flight the next day that will deliver me from warm and sunny Florida to cold and snowy Cleveland. That said, I can’t help but feel a tremendous sense of optimism and pride for this industry. At every booth I visited — and believe me, there were many (with still more to see tomorrow) — I witnessed a new level of technology and innovation being introduced. It seems every year at the AHR Expo, a common theme in the industry emerges. I remember when all anyone could talk about was the move to 13 SEER. For a while, it was the ductless revolution that dominated conversations with many exhibitors.
When I visited the Daikin Applied Americas booth, I saw the Rebel Applied, a highly configurable rooftop heating and cooling system, which is up to 37 percent shorter in length and 30 percent lighter than legacy rooftop units. “We believe that quality design needs quality construction to deliver ultimate value,” said Mike Schwartz, CEO of Daikin Applied Americas. “With advanced fabrication and automation technologies, we can tailor the build to meet specific customer needs, optimize production and deliver products that will perform at the highest levels.”
At this year’s AHR Expo in Orlando, many manufacturers introduced a new level of technology for the betterment of the industry.
Throughout the years, the equipment and controls in this industry have continued to grow more and more sophisticated — with no signs of slowing down. If I had to pick a theme for this year’s AHR Expo, I wouldn’t hesitate to sum it up with one word: technology. In his opening remarks at the LG Air Conditioning Technologies press conference, Kevin McNamara, senior vice president and general manager, said, “LG is a technology company.”
That statement really struck a chord with me, because as I sat there listening to him speak, I couldn’t help but make a mental list of all the technology I had already seen the day before, as well as what was in store for me the rest of the show. “LG is reinforcing our commitment to deliver the most advanced controls, smart connectivity solutions and innovative, powerful technologies,” McNamara said. One of LG’s key highlights at AHR was the official debut of its Coil Communication Kit, which allows for seamless connection of LG smart inverter condensing units to thirdparty coils. Designed for the replacement market, the Coil Communication Kit broadens access to the benefits of LG’s energy-efficient technologies by allowing connection to third party furnaces or air handling equipment for residential and light-commercial applications.
Johnson Controls also showcased a collection of its latest and most advanced products, aimed at simplifying building management, increasing efficiency and reducing operating costs.
“The HVACR industry is constantly evolving and Johnson Controls is well-positioned to meet changing consumer demand with more efficient, sustainable and smart-ready products,” said Jeff Williams, president, Global Products, Johnson Controls. Many manufacturers are building apps around the technology in their products as well, making connectivity even easier for contractors. For example, A.O. Smith launched the new iCOMM Connectivity Platform, breaking down old barriers surrounding remote monitoring and hot water management and placing control firmly in your hands. “This app is designed to empower commercial contractors who want to provide superior service and facility managers who value the peace of mind that comes with knowing their business is running smoothly because it has the hot water it needs,” said David Chisolm, vice president of marketing for A. O. Smith. Of course, these are merely a few examples and only the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to the innovative technology showcased in Orlando. Be sure to check out our Product Focus (pg. 23), as well as hvacrbusiness.com, for more. If this year’s AHR Expo is any indication, you can expect a multitude of cutting-edge solutions from manufacturers for a long time. Because, to paraphrase McNamara, this is a technology industry. u
HVACR BUSINESS
FEBRUARY 2020
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