< Previous10 JANUARY 2019HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAYHIGH-PERFORMANCE NEWStelecom centers; hospitals/health-care; restaurants/hospitality; and laboratories/cleanrooms. Of these, lodging is forecasted to experience the fastest growth, with projections up 10% from last year at 64%. Overall sector growth predictions are up in comparison to last year as well, with positive outlooks across all markets at nearly 60% or bet-ter forecasts for excellent or good growth projections for 2019.For the third year, the report shows a shift in potential market drivers for busi-ness, with retrofit and renovations tak-ing the lead for 2019 at 36% – up nearly 10% from last year.As expected, reliability remains the most important customer requirement when making buying decisions. Re-sponses indicate a steady rise in ener-gy efficiency and indoor air quality as close second top-rated factors for pur-chase decision-making. Energy efficiency saw the most growth, up 6% to more than 96% of re-spondents ranking it important to very important in their considerations. This aligns with the responses for most important trend or issue with potential impact for businesses in 2019 – lead-ing the charge is the Internet of Things (IoT) and the rise of connected buildings as they relate to energy efficiency and smart control.Issues of concern are reported as rising tariffs and the need to hire more professionals across the HVAC industry. The survey, known as the Annual Economic Out-look of HVACR manufac-turers, is sponsored by AHR Expo and the ASHRAE Journal.were released in November and showed that HVACR Industry manufacturers re-ported positive 2018 sales growth. It seems that last year’s confidence in the industry’s economic outlook is forecasted to carry into 2019, with 87% of respondents anticipating positive business prospects heading into the new fiscal year.The report also indicates the HVACR market is primed for continued business growth. Reports for 2018 are at an all-time high, with 44% of respondents reporting a significant sales increase of more than 10% year-on-year; this is up from an al-ready impressive 2017 record of 35%.The AHR Expo, co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI, is held concurrent-ly with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference. The event will take place on Jan. 14-16, 2019 at the Georgia World Congress convention center in Atlanta, GA.Market Segment Growth Expected in All Sectors – Respondents expect to see steady growth across all market segments in the areas of: residential; light com-mercial; heavy commer-cial; schools; non-school institutional buildings; office buildings; lodging; manufacturing/industrial; data/4-5:30 PM in room B315.This entry level class will highlight how testing alone doesn’t save any energy. It will demonstrate, however, that balancing an HVAC system can save some energy by bringing the system closer to designer and equipment manufacturer specifications. It will also show how you can use additional balancing test-ing to diagnose the system, find hidden system shortcomings, and make cus-tom repairs. By the way, custom repairs are where the greatest HVAC savings can be found.This class is being taught by Peter Ja-cobs, president, Building Metrics; Ben Lipscomb, P.E., engineering manager, NCI, and Rob Falke, president, NCI.What it Takes to Get an Installed HVAC System to Operate at Equip-ment Rated Capacity – taught by Rob Falke, president of NCI.This last entry-level NCI class will be held Tuesday, January 15th from 1-2:30 PM in room B312.Rob will talk about how most peo-ple believe it’s extremely difficult to op-timize the performance of an installed HVAC system. Then he will show that de-veloping your skill and ability to discov-er system defects may be easier than you think. He says, “Once the defects are identified, improving system efficiency may be more straightforward than you ever imagined.”AHR EXPO SURVEY SHOWS UPBEAT OUTLOOK FOR 2019Each year the management team at AHR Expo surveys their HVACR manufac-turer exhibitors to get their views on the upcoming economic year. The results Rob Falke fills the house during his 2018 AHR Expo presentation. JANUARY 2019 11HVACTODAY.COMHIGH-PERFORMANCE PRODUCTSBUILDING INTEGRATION PLATFORMAutomated Logic Corp.’s OptiFlex™ virtual integrator is a soft-ware-based integration platform for data monitoring across di-verse building systems. OptiFlex™ provides scalable integration solutions ideal for large integration projects such as data cen-ters, hospitals, and college campuses. It monitors large volumes of data across various building sys-tems, sub-systems, and devices – regardless of the manufactur-er. The data can then be turned into actionable insights to help operators improve overall building performance.The virtual integrator supports up to 50,000 data points from a single computing point. This eliminates the need for multiple hardware gateways, which often require costly materials and labor, and have installation limitations due to space constraints in most mechanical rooms. It supports BACnet IP and Modbus TCP/IP, the two most com-monly used IP-based protocols, as well as a new pluggable pro-tocol technology that allows other protocol additions. The OptiFlex also includes new commissioning tools for tech-nicians. A web-accessible, table-based user interface makes it fast and easy to connect, configure, and commission third party devices, as well as sort, categorize, and scale data points. Alarms and trends can also be enabled and configured for diagnostics and troubleshooting.Customers can add additional points as needed through a scalable licensing mechanism.For more information, visit ncilink.com/OptiflexMAGNETIC BEARING CENTRIFUGAL CHILLERThe YORK® YZ Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Chiller, from Johnson Controls, Inc., is a fully-optimized chiller built for use with next-generation low-global warming potential (GWP) re-frigerant to increase energy efficiency. It provides centrifugal-chiller energy efficiencies as low as 0.1kW/ton, and less in off-design conditions where typical fixed-speed chillers experience performance issues. The YORK® YZ has the potential to reduce annual electricity consumption by an average of 35 percent.It is optimized around R-1233zd—a next generation, low- pressure refrigerant—and is a unique combination of ad-vanced technologies, including a variable-speed magnetic bearing compressor, high-speed hermetic induction motor, falling film evaporator, adaptive capacity control logic, and cloud-based analytics.For more information, visit ncilink.com/YorkYZELECTRONICALLY COMMUTATED MOTORGenteq® Ensite® motor is an electronically commutated motor specifically designed for furnace application. Ensite enables customers to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fan Energy Rating (FER) regulatory require-ments taking effect in July of 2019. The Genteq® Ensite® motor is a cost-efficient solution to achieving compliance without compromising on premi-um features such as advanced Blak Box™ and Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities that support Internet of AHR Exposition Commercial HVAC Products12 JANUARY 2019HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAYHIGH-PERFORMANCE PRODUCTSDwyer Hydronic Application Software that contains valve charts for numerous manufacturers.Users can select valves for measurement from a predeter-mined list or through manual input of CV values. The handheld device monitors the flow of up to three valves at a time, allowing a single operator to monitor and balance a hydronic system in less time compared to traditional methods.For more information, visit ncilink.com/490W.COMMERCIAL ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATORThe Energy Wall Universal ERV (U-ERV) is an energy recovery ventilator that is three times smaller and lighter than current technologies available on the market. It weighs only 90 pounds, allowing for easy installation of the fully-functional, indepen-dent system. A small footprint allows the modules to be hand-carried and assembled onsite, where they operate with a single duct con-nection and point-of-power and control. This provides extreme redundancy for mission-critical facilities. This ERV is highly configurable and can be used with optional DX or chilled water coils supporting limitless applications. It is also compliant with UL 900 fire/smoke standards and operates in all six orientations.Things (IoT) and preventive maintenance.For more information, visit ncilink.com/Ensite.INDOOR AIR QUALITY SMART TOOLKnown for tools built by technicians for use by technicians, CPS Products’ IAQ SmartAir™ is a smart tool used for identify-ing, diagnosing, and solving IAQ issues. This tool is designed to more accurately diagnose indoor air quality issues, improve sales, and enhance overall IAQ profes-sional expertise. Its design walks professionals through the measuring process and provides a compiled list of IAQ issues and potential solutions based on collected and analyzed data. The IAQ SmartAir™ connects to the internet via WiFi for remote monitoring and evaluation, and allows professionals to create on-site customer reports and job quotations.For more information, visit ncilink.com/SmartAir.WIRELESS HYDRONIC BALANCING KITThe Dwyer Wireless Hydronic Balancing Kit, Series 490W, is a manometer designed to provide accurate and easy operation for HVAC professionals. The kit measures the pressure drop across HVAC balancing valves by using wireless sensors, a handheld device, and Blue-tooth® communication. Being wireless means there are no hoses to carry, snag on equipment, or needing to be drained. The 490W includes the JANUARY 2019 13HVACTODAY.COMdesigned to offer durability under the most extreme conditions of heat and weather. It works using power from a user’s devices, eliminating the need for wires or external batteries. Each tag provides direct access to customer support, along with all vital information specific to each product. It is connected to the eLink cloud-based service system where users can store and access order in-formation, product specifications, instruction sheets, suggest-ed replacement parts, CAD files, technical support, catalogs, local sales representative information, and more.For more information, visit ncilink.com/elink.Powered by the Energy Filter® integrated core, the U-ERV achieves 74% sensible, 64% latent, and 70% total energy trans-fer according to AHRI 1060 standard. The Energy Wall U-ERV systems range from 600 to 6,000 CFM and are equipped with modulating ECM+ fans and economizer bypass and control.Energy Wall’s high efficiency heat and moisture transfer mem-brane is at the heart of its ERV system. Constructed of ceramic fiber-based material that withstands harsh conditions over time without degradation.The membrane composition has inherent anti-microbial characteristics making it highly effective at deactivating air-borne contaminants. The counter-flow heat exchanger design contributes to overall system efficiency.For more information, visit ncilink.com/U-ERV.CLOUD-BASED MOBILE PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE BASETaco Tags featuring eLink™ is a cloud-based support pro-gram that provides users with a web-based, factory-maintained knowledge base on their mobile device via NFC technology. The Taco Tag is an IC chip and antenna wrapped in silicone 14 JANUARY 2019HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAYHIGH-PERFORMANCE PRODUCTSAir Quality Procedure (IAQP). It removes the following indoor air contaminents: carbon dioxide, volatile organ-ic compounds (VOCs), and aldehydes. It also removes contaminents brought in from outside.For more information, download the spec sheet at ncilink.com/HLR1000.DANFOSS COMMERCIAL COMPRESSORSDanfoss has added new 8.5-ton and 11-ton variable-speed compressors with intermediate discharge valves to its VZH range. The new compressors create effi-ciency opportunities for chiller/rooftop units and data center air conditioners.They feature intermediate discharge valves (IDVs), which prevent over-com-pression losses that compromise effi-ciency in under part-load conditions. This results in significant im-provement in integrated ef-ficiency scores. Efficiency is fur-ther improved with state-of-the-art per-manent magnet motors that help reduce power consumption under all operating conditions.Currently, VZH compressors are ap-proved for use with R-410A refrigerants.For more information, visit ncilink.com/VZH.COMMERCIAL HVAC LOAD REDUCTION MODULEenVerid Systems announced that its HLR 1000E-M has re-ceived the AHR Expo Innovation Award in the Green Building category. These HLR modules reduce up-front HVAC equipment costs, improve energy efficiency, and provide better in-door air quality in commercial buildings. It does this by cleaning a building’s indoor air at a nanoscopic molecular level, enabling the building to use far less outside air ventilation while im-proving indoor air quality.The HLR 1000E-M is fully compli-ant with ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Indoor JANUARY 2019 15HVACTODAY.COMCONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHTBy Mike WeilSmall Steps on the Path to PerformanceNear the headwaters of the West Branch of the Susque-hanna River lies the Penn-sylvanian Borough of North-ern Cambria – a one-time logging com-munity that became a major mining area with the discovery of bituminous coal in the 1890s. It is here, in the late 1940s-early 1950s that Andrew Brletrick ’s grand-father started a Plumbing/HVAC company. His grandparents, Andrew and Mary Kupetz, started the business with very little capital. In fact, Kupetz didn’t even have enough money to buy a truck, so he used an old funeral hearse, that he fixed up, as the company vehicle. For 40 years Kupetz ran the busi-ness, serving customers, raising a family, and working hard to keep up with the changes happening in the U.S. during those years. Back then new construction was king. Eventually the Kupetz children grew up and chose not to enter the business. Instead they sought other careers and began starting families of their own. His daughter married and eventual-ly, her son Andrew Brletrick, began working with his grandfather while he was in high school.Brletrick headed off to college, earned his degree in biology from In-diana University of Pennsylvania, but later thought better of that and came back to work for his grandfather.“I decided that biology wasn’t my thing. There weren’t any real jobs in the area for a biologist unless I went into teaching, and I didn’t think that teaching was my thing either,” Brlet-rick says.“By the time I graduated, my grand-father was in his early 70s and he was ready to retire. I hated to see all his hard work go to waste, so in 1990, I bought him out and found myself in the HVAC business for real.”SOME STATISTICSIn 1990, George W. Bush was pres-ident of the U.S., the Hubble tele-scope was launched into orbit, Nelson Mandela was freed from his 27-year imprisonment in South Africa, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and the Cold War fi-nally came to an end.In Northern Cambria, Andrew Brletrick took his newly acquired company and began formulating plans for the future. He changed their focus away from new construction be-cause making money in that business was difficult. He worked hard to be-come a service and replacement com-pany and 25 years later the company remains so focused. In 2018, Kupetz Plumbing and Heating achieved $350,000 in gross sales.“We are a small company,” Brletrick says, “but we are driven to be the best in the HVAC service business in our area.”The Kupetz Crew (From left to right): Dustin Kuzar, Nate Martin, Ken Thomas, and Andrew Brletrick.16 JANUARY 2019HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAYand is working on getting the others to class as well. “One thing I know for sure – much of the combustion train-ing available in the industry isn’t very good. The classes taught by NCI’s Jim Davis are among the very best.”Brletrick himself has attended NCI’s commercial and residential air balanc-ing classes, system redesign, and is cer-tified in CO Safety and Combustion.A DIFFERENT APPROACHThe Northern Cambria marketplace is a small one, but according to Brlet-rick, his company is busy all the time. Because of its small size, Kupetz must run fast and hard to keep up with all the work, which Brletrick says comes in from word-of-mouth recommenda-tions by his customers. “We have a solid reputation here and have to run on all cylinders quite a bit. We are so busy, I don’t actually go after air upgrades like I should. My approach to performance-based con-tracting is to make sure that every sys-tem we come into contact with is oper-ating to factory specifications.”training,” he explains.When he does the training, Brletrick says he likes to go over issues encountered in the field – things like duct systems not performing properly. “We’ll go over the static pressure measurements and air rise measurements, voltage, and other readings that I took, and then diagnose the system together. I like to see whether or not they come to the same conclusions I did, and then talk about why. I think that works bet-ter in a lot of cases than being lectured to or reading a book. Hands-on is al-ways the best training,” he says.“I also like to send the guys out for training when I can. We found the very best technical training we receive is from National Comfort Institute (NCI). It is from NCI that I learned the power of measuring statics and diag-nosing systems. It is also where I be-came certified in Combustion Safety and CO.”Brletrick says that he also has a tech certified in combustion through NCI Besides himself, Kupetz’s employs three field co-workers and a part-time office manager to help with all the paperwork and bookkeeping. The compa-ny fields four vehicles – one service truck, one four-wheel-er service truck for the hard-to-reach areas in mostly rural Northern Cambria (as well as for use when the tough winter snows fly), a transit truck, and a standard pickup for delivering product and hauling.Today the company operates mostly in the residential marketplace (90%) but does keep a foothold in commer-cial (10%) as well. Brletrick says there is a small percentage of the residential business that is new construction, but his company remains focused on ser-vice and replacement.“Much of our work is in the hydron-ics arena,” he says. “So, we work with hot water and boiler equipment (Brad-ford White and Buderus) for heat, and many non-ducted mini-split systems (Mitsubishi). We also sell and install American Standard heat pumps, Wa-terfurnace geothermal systems, and for those cases when gas-fired forced air is the answer, we use ThermoPride HVAC equipment.”KEYING IN ON TRAININGTo attain his goal of being the best HVAC service contracting firm in his marketplace, Brletrick keys in on training for himself and his team. “We do a lot of different things, from going through manufactur-er-based programs to training through our local wholesale distrib-utors. Plus, I hold hands-on training with my guys weekly. I don’t like a week to go by without some kind of Andrew BrletrickKupetz technician Nate Martin conducts combustion testing on a residential boiler.CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHTJANUARY 2019 17HVACTODAY.COMeven more training and education.Which means renewing not only his own NCI certifications, but getting his other technicians to classes as well. “The first step is to understand and always practice HVAC funda-mentals,” he explains. “Especial-ly since so much of the training out there is like drinking from a firehose – too much information delivered too quickly can be overwhelming. Understanding the fundamentals first makes all the difference in ad-vanced training.“In the end, no matter where you start out,” he concludes, “it’s import-ant to keep trying to learn something new every day. It doesn’t matter if it is by reading, going to a seminar, or job shadowing somebody. “Just try to make every job a little bit better once you get your foot in the door. Education is huge. I firmly be-lieve that. I don’t think we do enough of it in the industry.”Congratulations to Kupetz Plumb-ing and Heating, Northern Cambi-ra, PA, for being High-Performance HVAC Today’s January 2019 Contrac-tor Spotlight recipient. not understand airflow or what An-drew Brletrick and his team are talking about.“Nobody else in our market talks about airflow,” he says. We need to find a way to make things understand-able for the homeowners.”Brletrick doesn’t use the Comfort-Maxx™ software – mostly because he and his team are well-versed using other platforms. They use their soft-ware to show what system imbalanc-es look like—including lack of returns, wrong-sized ductwork, and airflow is-sues. They own and use airflow hoods and, though right now Brletrick doesn’t have homeowners take the reading with him (something he hopes to incor-porate), he shares real numbers to help customers visualize the issues.LOOKING TO THE FUTUREAndrew Brletrick says he looks to continuing his journey down the path to performance. He says he knows he must find the time to con-tinue his training and that of his team. He knows that High-Perfor-mance Contracting is the way of the future. And, he says that requires The key is that the Kupetz field team static pressure tests every sys-tem onto which they install equip-ment. If something doesn’t check out right, they find out why and offer the customer choices.Their test instruments of choice in-clude Dwyer manometers to test draft; Testo wireless thermometers to mea-sure subcooling, superheat, and air rises; and Bacharach analyzers.“In all the years we’ve been in opera-tion,” Brletrick says, “I have yet to run into static pressure test holes in any of the HVAC systems that we didn’t in-stall. In terms of selling air upgrades, our approach is different from what NCI teaches. Simply stated, I only go after upgrades when called in to solve a problem. “For example, when a customer has a no-heat problem and we find that the three-year-old limit switch is fried, I try to discover why. By measuring the system airflow and temperature rise, I find that the limit is fried because the Delta T is off the charts. That means we need to increase airflow, maybe cut down the nozzle size, or something else, and then have a discussion with the customer – providing him or her with options. “Many times, during that discussion phase, I get that look from customers. That blank deer in the headlights look. Like, ‘why hasn’t anybody talked to me about this before.’“That opens the door for us to talk about true performance and what we do to help them achieve it. So, that is the way that I approach the air upgrades. And it leads to more work for us.”The biggest challenge the techni-cians at Kuptez Plumbing and Heat-ing encounter is that customers do Senior Tech Dustin Kuzar performs a static pressure test on a geothermal unit.Next >