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Southwest HVAC News
New VRF A/C
Training Center Epitomizes HVAC/R Industry's Trend Toward
Installation Aesthetics.
RectorSeal's new line of Engineered Products
combined with Samsung's DVM Plus III Series makes distributor
Quietside's VRF training center an installation demo showcase.
Fort Worth, Texas--The hundreds
of HVAC/R contractors expected to attend air conditioning system
classes at distributor, Quietside's newly-expanded training center
will learn as much about installation aesthetics as they will about
Samsung's Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems.
"There's an HVAC/R trend that's
pressuring contractors to make an air-conditioning installations
look as good as they function," said Matt Wall, system air
conditioning engineering and VRF technical trainer, Quietside-Texas,
Fort Worth, Texas, which is the master distributor of Samsung air
conditioning products in North America. "Architects and engineers
are realizing that the visual impact a competed project makes on
building owners and prospective clients can greatly affect their
future business. Air conditioning systems can't just work well
anymore, they have to look great, too."
This aesthetics trend was the
Quietside technical support staff's impetus for showcasing not only
Samsung's DVM Plus III Series VRF equipment, but also accessories
that create a professional appearance. Therefore, Wall specified
Aspen Pumps for condensate management, the PD-Series of lineset
ducting and Big Foot Systems equipment mounts for supporting the VRF--all
which is available from the new Engineered Products division of
RectorSeal Corp., Houston.
Contractors attending any of
Quietside's 16 two-day VRF training seminars every year now get
hands-on demonstrations of the training center's working VRF
equipment and the installation accessories. The two-day seminars
cover everything from VRF basics and installation to wiring,
commissioning and now accessories.
The Carrollton, Texas office of HVAC/R
contractor, Bell Mechanical, Baton Rouge, La., installed one 10-ton
heat recovery unit supplying nine evaporator coils; and two 8-ton
heat recovery units and one 8-ton heat pump, which supplies one
evaporator coil each. The outdoor, ground-level equipment supplies
the 1,200-square-foot training center, warehouse, assembly area and
offices that were included in the expansion of the five-year-old,
52,000-square-foot building, one of four Quietside distribution
facilities in the U.S. "VRF systems are really driving the trend of
using all these accessories to make a project look professional,"
said Mike Bell, president, Bell Mechanical.
Quick and easily-assembled mounting
supports are the aesthetic foundation for an aesthetic installation,
according to Wall. The three DVM units are mounted on Big Foot
Systems' prefabricated 1.6-square-inch corrosion-resistant,
hot-dipped galvanized tube modules supported by 1-square-foot
UV-protected, glass-filled nylon footings with anti-vibration mat
bases. The VRF units are 18-inches off the ground for easier
serviceability and protection against landscaping tools. The modular
supports were assembled within minutes and reduce mounting costs by
more than half versus I-beam rails, poured cement pads or other
conventional methods. Leveling the equipment requires only wrenching
one or more of the four adjustable support legs.
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Lineset protection
duct makes the most noticeable difference in installation
aesthetics, Wall said. Each unit's linesets are enclosed in
their own gray 4.7-inch-diameter round PVC plastic ducts from
RectorSeal's PD-Series. The lineset ducts themselves are also
supported every 10 feet by a series of piping support footings.
Bell Mechanical used three elbows and two flanges on each of the
three runs that total more than 60 linear feet. "Protective
ducts also help contractors maintain level piping throughout the
run and avoid sagging or low spots that can lead to oil
migration issues," said Wall.
"Lineset protection
ducts are invaluable for retrofit work, because generally there's no
opportunity to hide linesets under roofs and inside walls as exists
with new construction projects," said Bell, who uses lineset
protection ducts and condensate pumps regularly on ductless air
conditioning.
Inside the complex of
warehousing, assembly, offices and training areas, Wall specified
condensate pumps for nine evaporator coils and one mode change unit.
The mini pumps are from Aspen Pumps' Orange Series, Lime Series and
White Series to assure proper condensate drainage and prevent
property damage. "We occasionally see contractors just mount a
mismatched or noisy condensate pump on the wall next to the
evaporator coil," said Wall, "Instead, the HVAC industry now offers
a variety of small pumps aesthetically designed for concealing
inside lineset ducting or elbow, or inside the evaporator drain
pan."
Quietside will soon
have available an additional system for troubleshooting and
training, according to Wall. A DVM S Series system, which features a
dual inverter, vapor-injected scroll compressors and
industry-leading efficiencies, will be installed with Big Foot
Systems mounts and Aspen pumps.
As VRF becomes increasingly popular in North America, using
aesthetic equipment mounting, lineset ducting and recessed
condensate pumps on evaporators provide a positive first impression
to the technology's newcomers. "VRF is one of the fastest growing
segments of HVAC, as illustrated with Quietside's double-digit sales
increases annually," said Wall. "If someone's first VRF contact is
an eyesore, they're not likely to jump on the trend," Wall said.
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About Rectorseal: The RectorsealŽ Corporation is a leading
manufacturer of chemical and specialty products designed for
professional tradesmen. With a diversified business strategy,
Rectorseal aggressively pursues new and unique technologies to serve
the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical and construction
industries. The Rectorseal Corporation is devoted to providing
innovative quality products supported by strong customer and
technical service. For more information on the PD-Series, Big Foot
Systems rooftop equipment mounts, Aspen Pumps, or other engineered
products from RectorSeal, call (800) 231-3345 to order the 24-page,
color "RectorSeal Engineered HVAC/R Products Catalog." Visit
www.rectorseal.com or email
marketing@rectorseal.com.
About Quietside:
QuietsideŽ was founded in 1998 with headquarters in California,
Quietside is the master distributor of Samsung Mini Splits, Samsung
DVM VRF systems, Quietside Mini Splits and Quietside Water Heaters
to HVACR wholesale distributors throughout North America.
Quietside focuses on energy efficient products that are accepted
worldwide yet are niche markets in North America, and is currently
developing innovative products in the field of solar photovoltaic
technology and other renewable energy sources Visit
www.quietside.com
or email sales@quietside.com
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