HVAC TV

Join us for an informative episode as we welcome Mark Brady, Regional Sales Manager for Nortek Air Solutions, back to the studio. Mark's vast industry knowledge and expertise in array controls are excellent as he breaks down the basics to the advanced. This short yet powerful episode will provide you with a clear understanding of standard fan array electric panels and control options.

You can watch the full video version of this episode on our YouTube Channel, Insight Partners HVAC TV, by clicking on the following link:

Insight Partners Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.insightusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Tony Mormino at Insight Partners: [email protected]

Throughout the episode, we touch on fan array motor overload protection, fan array VFD panels, VFD panels with bypass, Fanwall with redundant VFD panels, and multi-drive VFD panels for fan arrays.

Fanwall technology has become increasingly popular among building owners in various commercial and industrial applications such as hospitals, data centers, laboratories, schools and universities, and office buildings. The FANWALL array of fans enables designers to optimize fan wheel geometry and motor horsepower for specific applications, resulting in smaller fans and motors running closer to peak efficiencies, thus reducing energy costs.

Today, we are excited to bring you episode 31, a live recording. I’m Tony Mormino with Insight Partners, and thank you for joining us.

YouTube Channel:⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/InsightPartnersHVACTV⁠⁠⁠

Insight Partners Website:⁠⁠⁠www.insightusa.com⁠⁠⁠

Connect with me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mormino⁠⁠⁠

View current line card:⁠⁠⁠https://www.insightusa.com/manufacturers⁠⁠⁠

Connect to Insight Partners on LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/insightusa⁠⁠⁠

Tony Mormino at Insight Partners: [email protected]

Our guest for this episode is the one and only Mark Fly, PE, with over 40 years of experience as a Researcher, Consulting Engineer, Contractor, and Manufacturer in the HVAC industry. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of the Norman Asbjornson Innovation Center & Laboratory (NAIC) at AAON, Inc. in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Mr. Fly will share his insights on the challenges associated with regulations, their compliance metrics, and how they often manifest unintended consequences. As we strive to lower building energy and carbon consumption, we must raise the bar on energy efficiency.

In this presentation, Mark will discuss the future development of performance maps for all types of equipment and the better incorporation of control and operation sequences into modeling software. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the whole-building energy and carbon use, which requires the reliance on whole-building energy modeling combined with continuous commissioning to ensure continued efficient building operation.

Recently, I was a guest on Greg Crumpton's podcast called Straight Outta Crumpton, which is an awesome name. Greg and I had a great conversation about using social media to bring value to and build relationships with the HVAC community. 

Greg is a well-known figure in the HVAC industry, and his podcast has gained nationwide recognition. It was an honor to appear on his show, and I am delighted to share this episode with you.

During our conversation, we discussed the significance of embracing digital technology and social media to communicate one's message effectively.

YouTube Channel:⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/InsightPartnersHVACTV⁠⁠

Insight Partners Website:⁠⁠www.insightusa.com⁠⁠

Connect with me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mormino⁠⁠

View current line card:⁠⁠https://www.insightusa.com/manufacturers⁠⁠

Connect to Insight Partners on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/insightusa⁠⁠

Tony Mormino at Insight Partners: [email protected]

The HVAC industry might not immediately come to mind when thinking about social media Insight Partners has not been camera-shy.

If you want to start building an online community, here are some tips we've learned.

1. Authenticity: Viewers appreciate authenticity in online content. They want a genuine perspective on a topic rather than a staged or overly polished version.

2. Value Over Quality: Never let production quality stop you from posting value-driven content. The quality comes from its value to the viewer—education, entertainment, etc. Don't be the judge; let the audience judge the content.

3. Relatability: Great content comes from the heart and connects to emotional or intellectual truths. This is something that I'm trying to get better at.

4. Relevance: The content should be relevant to its intended audience. It should be something that people can relate to, addressing their interests or concerns.

5. Context: Content should be contextual to your posting platform. LinkedIn - Business Professionals, YouTube - Educational, TikTok - Short vids, high engagement, Facebook - Friends in HVAC biz, Instagram - Visual and Feelings, Twitter - The online water cooler.

6. Resilience: It's ok if something doesn't work. Most of it won't, and that's ok. If you know it's ok to fail; there's nothing to fear, so keep going!

We hope that you find this helpful; thank you for listening!

In this live recording of episode 29, we will discuss the new DOE minimum energy-efficiency standards for single-phase residential air conditioners and heat pumps known as expressed in the new terms EER2, SEER2, and HSPF2.

YouTube Channel:⁠https://www.youtube.com/InsightPartnersHVACTV⁠

Insight Partners Website:⁠www.insightusa.com⁠

Connect with me on LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-mormino⁠

View current line card:⁠https://www.insightusa.com/manufacturers⁠

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Tony Mormino at Insight Partners: [email protected]

All AHRI standards outlined in this podcast can be downloaded at: https://www.ahrinet.org/

1) Review of EER, SEER, and HSPF

2) DOE testing procedures for single-phase products under 65k Btu

3) EER2, SEER2, and HSPF2 and how they affect your business, whether you are a consultant, contractor, or owner

This does qualify for PDH credits, so please email me for your certificate.

Every six years, the Department of Energy (DOE) reanalyzes the effects of energy usage, sets minimum efficiency requirements, and manages the testing standards by which those efficiencies are measured. In 2018 the DOE started the first phase of its six-year plan requiring a 13% increase in energy efficiency for commercially packaged air conditioners, heat pumps, and split systems. The second phase of this plan will start in 2023.

The DOE has also reanalyzed and adjusted the minimum efficiencies of single-phase air conditioners and heat pumps, 5 tons or less. KEY DIFFERENCE:

Compared to today’s test procedure, the external static pressure used when testing will be increased by up to 5X, which will more closely represent

All “RESIDENTIAL” air conditioners AND Heat Pumps must comply with the Department of Energy’s minimum efficiency standard requirements on January 1st,

The testing requirements will be more stringent but also more accurate, and the metrics will be referred to as SEER2, HSPF2, and EER2. These testing procedure changes ONLY apply for single-phase equipment less than or equal to 65,000 Btuh.

AHRI 210/240-2023 (2020), first published in May 2020, establishes a method to rate residential central air conditioners and heat pumps consistent with the new DOE test procedure. The energy efficiency metrics, expressed in terms of Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2), Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER2), and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF2), are required for representations coincident with the compliance date of the new efficiency standards in the

The primary changes in this edition of AHRI 210/240 are those required to align with the new performance metrics and requirements of Appendix M1 of 10 CFR 430 (Code of Federal Regulations), as issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (82 FR 1426, January 2017). A working group of many stakeholders (including but not limited to AHRI members, independent laboratories, energy advocates, and DOE consultants) met periodically over the course of two years to evaluate necessary changes and improvements in language.

Because compliance with the Appendix M1 test procedure and ratings are not mandatory until January 1, 2023, AHRI has chosen “2023” as the year version of this standard.

In this live podcast, we discuss the current R410A phase-down schedule and a review of the properties of the two via low GWP refrigerants R32 and R454B.

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We talk about the status of the current EPA refrigerant regulations, including the EPA's NOPR (notice of proposed rule), the critical milestones for R410A equipment manufacturing, and the current R410A phase downtime schedule.

We also show the properties of the two via R410A alternatives, R32 and R454B. In particular, we show the meaning of A2L refrigerants as explained in ASHRAE 34-2022, Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants, which is a shorthand way of naming refrigerants and assigning safety classifications based on toxicity and flammability data.

We delve into the benefits and drawbacks of each low GWP refrigerant, exploring factors such as its global warming potential, energy efficiency, and flammability.

Refrigerants play a critical role in the functioning of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. They are responsible for transferring heat from the indoor or outdoor space to the refrigeration unit, allowing for temperature control. However, the impact of refrigerants on the environment is a growing concern. Many commonly used refrigerants have high global warming potential (GWP), contributing to climate change. In recent years, there has been a push to develop and adopt refrigerants with lower GWP, leading to the emergence of new refrigerants with unique properties.

Two such refrigerants are R32 and R454B. R32 is a pure hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant, while R454B is a blend of HFC and hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants. While these refrigerants offer lower GWP, they have unique properties that distinguish them from each other.

Both have similar performance to R410A. Both have a similar performance to each other. Both are classified as A2L, mildly flammable refrigerants. Both have a lower GWP than R410A.

R32 is a single-component refrigerant. It is a mildly flammable A2L refrigerant, meaning it can ignite in the presence of an ignition source but only under certain conditions. R32 has a low GWP of 675, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious companies.

R454B is a zeotropic blend of HFC and HFO refrigerants, 69% R32 and 31% R1234yf. It is a mildly flammable A2L refrigerant with a low GWP of 466. R454B was developed as a potential replacement for high-GWP refrigerants like R410A.

For those of us who have been around awhile, you may be very familiar with R22 and even R12. Past Transitions were driven by Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

This podcast is for anyone that wants a brief overview of Natatorium Indoor Pool Design, where we explore the unique nature of indoor pool rooms and the importance of properly sizing and designing HVAC units and systems for these spaces.

Here is a link to the Natatorium Design Guide as presented in this video: https://poolpak.com/natatorium-design-guide/

This design guide was created by PoolPak, a division of Dehumidified Air Solutions, the world's largest manufacturer of indoor pool dehumidification units. 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/InsightPartnersHVACTV

Insight Partners Website:

Connect with me on LinkedIn:

View current line card:

Connect to Insight Partners on LinkedIn:

Tony Mormino at Insight Partners: [email protected] 

For assistance with our indoor pool dehumidification calculator and to size your commercial dehumidifier for indoor pool, please contact Insight Partners today. 

Unlike other commercial spaces, indoor pool construction and HVAC design present unique challenges. These challenges include controlling humidity levels, maintaining air quality, and ensuring proper ventilation to prevent moisture damage, corrosion, and mold growth.

Our expert team has years of experience helping consulting engineers and contractor design and build natatoriums. We understand the importance of creating a comfortable and safe environment for swimmers and spectators. In this video, we will discuss the essential elements of indoor pool design, including the design of the building itself and the HVAC system required to maintain proper conditions.

We'll explore the importance of factors such as proper insulation, ventilation, and dehumidification, as well as the specific design considerations necessary to create an optimal environment for indoor swimming. We'll also discuss the latest indoor pool dehumidification technologies and how they can be utilized to ensure efficient operation and minimal environmental impact.

If you're involved in the planning and construction of an indoor pool or looking to upgrade your current natatorium, this video is a must-watch. Join us as we explore the unique challenges of indoor pool design and discover the strategies and solutions necessary to create a safe, comfortable, and efficient indoor swimming environment.

The know-how and experience to provide a first-class indoor pool experience exist today. There are hundreds of successful indoor pools currently operating in North America. 

Resources are available to help guide and educate indoor pool designers, operators, and owners. In 2019, ASHRAE created a new chapter in the design handbooks dedicated to indoor pool design. The CDC’s Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC) is also actively working to provide better guidelines on indoor pool design and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

In this live podcast, we quickly look at the six most common types of heat pumps used in the HVAC industry today. Heat pumps are gaining popularity as an alternative to traditional gas heating systems as the world moves towards electrification and away from fossil fuels.

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While heat pumps are not a new technology, first invented in 1856 to dry salt in the Austrian salt marshes, they've come a long way since then. As HVAC professionals, we must stay informed about the different heat pump technologies available today to serve our customers and clients better.

Several heat pump technologies are available, each with advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common types:

1. Air-source heat pumps: This heat pump extracts heat from the outdoor air to heat indoor spaces. They are suitable for moderate climates where temperatures don't drop below zero.

2. Water-source heat pumps: These heat pumps extract heat from water sources, such as a lake or river, or more commonly, water cooled in a cooling tower. They are highly efficient and can be used in all climates but require a nearby water source.

3. Heat Pump Chillers: These are conventional centrifugal chillers modified to serve as heat pumps.

4. Heat Pump Water Heaters: Dedicated heat pumps are designed to transfer heat from the ambient air to water.

5. VRF heat pumps: These systems offer many advantages over traditional ducted systems, such as energy efficiency, individual temperature control, and flexible design. However, they also have disadvantages, such as the higher initial cost and increased maintenance expertise requirements.

6. Ground-source heat pumps: Also known as geothermal heat pumps, these systems extract heat from the ground using a series of pipes buried beneath the surface. They are highly efficient and can be used in all climates but are more expensive to install.

As an HVAC professional, it's essential to stay informed about the latest trends and advancements in the industry to provide our clients with the best possible solutions.

In this episode, we discuss the impending phase-out of R410A refrigerant. As the industry shifts toward more environmentally friendly alternatives, we compare the physical properties of two viable replacements: R32 and R454B.

We delve into the benefits and drawbacks of each refrigerant, exploring factors such as its global warming potential, energy efficiency, and flammability.

Join us as we explore the complex world of refrigerants and the exciting innovations driving the HVAC industry forward.

Refrigerants play a critical role in the functioning of air conditioning and refrigeration systems. They are responsible for transferring heat from the indoor or outdoor space to the refrigeration unit, allowing for temperature control. However, the impact of refrigerants on the environment is a growing concern. Many commonly used refrigerants have high global warming potential (GWP), contributing to climate change. In recent years, there has been a push to develop and adopt refrigerants with lower GWP, leading to the emergence of new refrigerants with unique properties.

Two such refrigerants are R32 and R454B. R32 is a pure hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant, while R454B is a blend of HFC and hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants. While both of these refrigerants offer lower GWP, they have unique properties that distinguish them from each other.

Both have similar performance to R410A. Both have a similar performance to each other. Both are classified as A2L, mildly flammable refrigerants. Both have a lower GWP than R410A.

R32 is a single-component refrigerant. It is a mildly flammable A2L refrigerant, meaning it can ignite in the presence of an ignition source but only under certain conditions. R32 has a low GWP of 675, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious companies.

R454B is a zeotropic blend of HFC and HFO refrigerants, 69% R32 and 31% R1234yf. It is a mildly flammable A2L refrigerant with a low GWP of 466. R454B was developed as a potential replacement for high-GWP refrigerants like R410A.

Have you ever made a mistake? If you're a human, I'm sure I know the answer. After 25 years in the industry, I've made a few and am still learning today.

One of my earlier mistakes happened when I sold my first 100% OA Unit.

In this episode, I share this story and a few tips when specifying MAUs. 

You can find detailed video explanations related to this and many other HVAC topics on our YouTube channel.

YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/InsightPartnersHVACTV

Thank you!

Tony Mormino

Marketing Director, Insight Partners

[email protected]

This episode covers pump chart basics, fully explaining pump and system curves.  

You can watch the video version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFY_VIzBPng

At the end of this presentation, participants will better understand the following:

What is a pump system curve