DAVIDSON, N.C., Sept. 12, 2022 – Trane – by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator – announced innovations that expand its electrified heating and cooling portfolio and upgrade two well-known series of rooftop units to improve energy efficiency, building connectivity and control.
Trane introduced the new Thermafit™ Air-to-Water Modular Heat Pump Model AXM that offers flexible, all-electric heating and cooling; updates to its Voyager® 3 and IntelliPak® 2 Rooftop Units to meet the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2023 minimum efficiency standards; and Trane’s first Air Rotation Unit to improve indoor comfort and air quality in warehouses and large facilities.
“The path to decarbonization is unique for every building, depending on its design, occupancy, and geography,” said Dave Molin, Vice President of Trane Product Management, Equipment, Controls, and Digital. “Trane’s integrated product portfolio offers owners the newest technology that meets up-to-date energy-efficiency standards for rooftop systems, heat pumps, controls, and air rotation units. When used together as turn-key solutions, these innovations create comfortable indoor environments that maximize energy efficiency and are affordable and easy to install.”
Modular Heat Pump Design Brings Efficiency, Scalable Operation, and True Redundancy
The Trane Thermafit Air-to-Water Modular Heat Pump Model AXM is a fully electric modular unit that owners can scale to match a building’s heating or cooling load. The Model AXM moves heat rather than generating heat; thus, it can be three times more efficient than other forms of electric heating. The Thermafit modular product line includes the Model AXM and eight product families that bring buildings into the future of sustainable comfort.
By combining individually controlled AXM modules to create a single, larger heat pump, operators can right-size heating and cooling performance to meet a wide range of applications. In addition, the modular design is ideal for tight spaces or where the footprint is limited, like the roof of a tall building or a freight elevator and offers true redundancy to help operators minimize downtime.
Each module includes dual refrigerant circuits with lab-verified vapor injection compressors for more reliable heating. These compressors facilitate greater lift and higher leaving hot water temperatures down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit outdoor ambient temperature.
The Trane Model AXM also has the following features:
- Each module is capable of 30 tons of cooling and 390 thousand BTU per hour (MBh) of heating and is expandable to generate up to 300 tons of cooling.
- Dual refrigerant circuits on each heat pump provide precise temperature control.
- Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) variable speed fans and motor assemblies on each unit run quietly and reduce energy use.
- Controls with open standard protocols that seamlessly integrate with Tracer® SC+ and third-party Building Automation Systems (BAS).
Trane’s free Modular Air-to-Water Heat Pumps Applications Guide, available now for download, provides best practices on integrating modular heat pumps into reliable, high-performing air-to-water heating and cooling systems.
Updated Voyager 3 Rooftop Provide Increased Efficiency and Connected Controls
Trane has refreshed its line of Voyager 3 rooftop units with a host of system upgrades. In standard and high-efficiency configurations, the large commercial Voyager 3 unitary system now meets the DOE 2023 minimum efficiency standards. Voyager 3 systems are available in cooling only, electric heat, or gas heat configurations ranging from 27.5 to 50 tons. Voyager 3 systems provide part-load energy efficiency ratings up to 15.8 Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio (IEER).
The new Voyager 3:
- Has a gas heat design with 81% steady state efficiency.
- Meets ASHRAE® 90.1-2019 standards.
- Performs at high elevations up to 10,000 feet.
- Includes eStage® compressor technology standard across all capacities and versions, improving efficiencies, and reducing utility costs.
To drive maximum ease and performance, Trane is equipping all Voyager 3 units with Symbio® 700, a unit controller that optimizes performance and simplifies installation via the Symbio® Service and Installation App, available for free in app stores. The Symbio controller uses open, standard protocols and works with virtually any BAS without gateways or special hardware. It provides secure remote access for offsite monitoring and diagnostics via TraneConnect™.
Taller Buildings Benefit from IntelliPak 2 Efficiency Improvements
Trane IntelliPak 2 rooftop 90-150 ton units have been improved for better efficiency and are equipped with a broad range of optional energy saving, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and control features. It includes a gas heat design with 81% steady state efficiency and increased part-load efficiency ratings up to 19.3 IEER to meet DOE 2023 minimum efficiency standards.
The IntelliPak 2 is an ideal choice for mid-sized commercial buildings up to seven stories. It has solid double wall construction with foam-injected R8 insulation throughout the air section for increased cabinet rigidity to help control higher amounts of static pressure of up to 7.5 inches. In addition, it is designed with two-piece construction to accommodate challenging locations, vertical or horizontal airflow options, and blank sections for field customization and increased flexibility.
The Symbio 800 unit controller now comes standard on IntelliPak 2 units. The controller integrates with all common, standard building protocols and allows facility managers to monitor energy usage easily, service their HVAC system, and harness building connectivity for remote monitoring.
Air Rotation Units Bring Sustainability Benefits to Growing Construction Market
As an additional turn-key solution to its air handling portfolio and an alternative to rooftop units, Trane is introducing Air Rotation Units (ARUs) that circulate hot and cold air for larger spaces such as warehouses and distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities. When combined with traditional chillers and heating technology, ARUs circulate the indoor air two to three times per hour to create air temperature consistency and help to improve indoor air quality. ARUs can generate up to 30% to 70% energy cost savings in a 15,000-square-foot facility.
ARUs are best for single-zone spaces of at least 10,000 square feet with a ceiling height of 25 feet or greater. One unit can cover up to 150,000 square feet of floor space. Because they can be installed indoors or outdoors without ductwork, ARUs are a convenient and cost-effective enhancement to current systems.
Trane ARUs offer:
- Owners a decarbonization opportunity as a 100% electric option when used with a heat pump.
- Two to three air changes per hour.
- Thermal control within 2 degrees Fahrenheit temperature difference per 12 feet of height.
- Easy and portable ductless installation that is fully customizable with units up to 75 feet tall.