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Exploring HVAC Innovation: Highlights from AHR Expo 2024 in Chicago

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tradeshow air monitor

Last week, our team had the incredible opportunity to exhibit alongside ONICON Incorporated  at the 2024 AHR Expo, held in the vibrant city of Chicago. As a leading manufacturer of airflow measurement products, we were ready to showcase our latest innovations and connect with industry professionals from around the globe.

The AHR Expo is renowned as the world’s largest HVACR event, and this year’s was no exception. Our booth was a hub of activity, where we proudly displayed our state-of-the-art HVAC airflow measurement solutions and demonstrated them in action. One of our spotlights in the booth centered around the unveiling of the highly anticipated Fan IV, set to launch later this year.

air monitor presence at ahr expo tradeshow

“After engaging with industry professionals at AHR and witnessing the heightened enthusiasm and interest in our products, I am genuinely optimistic about the prospects for 2024.” Says Kenji Nulman, Air Monitor HVAC Product Manager. “The increased engagement and excitement signal a promising year ahead. With innovative products and a dedicated team, I anticipate 2024 to be our best year yet, marked by growth, collaboration, and success in the ever-evolving landscape of airflow monitoring solutions.

Rep Appreciation

The annual expo always provides us the perfect backdrop to network with a vast majority of our sales representatives and this year was no exception. We hosted a dynamic and impactful sales meeting on Monday morning where we were able to review the 2023 year and unveil exciting product roadmaps for the upcoming year.

In the spirit of acknowledging the vital role our representatives play in our success, we organized an unforgettable Rep Appreciation Dinner that took place on Tuesday. Held at River Roast, the atmosphere was filled with an air of celebration providing the ideal setting to express our heartfelt thanks to the individuals who amplify our brand across diverse territories.

Thank You for Your Support

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who visited our booth, attended our presentations, and contributed to the success of our AHR Expo experience. Your enthusiasm and curiosity motivate us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in HVAC technology.

In case you missed us at the Expo this year, we invite you to explore our website for detailed information about our airflow measurement products.

This is the first of many upcoming events that we will be participating in this year including:

IDEA Campus Energy
NFMT: National Facilities Managmement and Technology Conference & Expo
CxEnergy

Be sure to stay connected for more updates.

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Air Monitor’s Exceptional Products Set to Shine at the 2024 AHR Expo

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The countdown has begun, and the excitement is palpable as we gear up for the highly anticipated 2024 AHR Expo taking place January 22-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. We will be alongside ONICON Incorporated showcasing our HVAC flow, energy, and airflow measurement solutions in Booth #S6334.

The AHR Expo is not just an exhibition — it’s a convergence of expertise, innovation, and collaboration, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of it all. As the world’s largest HVACR event, it draws together a diverse group of industry professionals from across the globe. The expo offers an array of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a collaborative space, bringing together attendees to share ideas—all within a single venue. We can’t wait to meet with our sales reps, customers, and movers and shakers in the HVACR industry at the show.

“Sharing our newest innovations with attendees is always a delight, especially when we can showcase our products in action on the show floor.” – Mike Rivers, Director of Sales and Marketing

Registration is free through January 20th and once you have registered, be sure to visit our Map Your Show page to see what we will be featuring and to make sure you don’t miss out on visiting our booth while you’re there. Our booth will be staffed with dedicated HVAC flow and energy experts throughout the event, ready to assist with any questions regarding applications or products.

We look forward to seeing you in Chicago and If you missed us last year in Atlanta, be sure to check out our AHR 2023 Recap Video!

Air Monitor & ONICON Host 2023 Engineering Conference & Showcase

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We’re excited to share our recent experience hosting this year’s Engineering Conference and Showcase alongside ONICON, which took place October 20 on the stunning backdrop of Clearwater Beach, Florida. 

Our guests included representatives and their esteemed clients who traveled from all corners of the country to participate in this exclusive event centered around HVAC Flow and Energy Measurement.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome reception Thursday evening at the beautiful Wyndham Grand, offering our attendees a chance to unwind after a day of travel and get to meet with the team.

Guests at an education station during a factory tour of ONICON and Air Monitor

Friday morning was dedicated to an insightful educational session, and then the group was bussed over to the factory for the standout highlight of the event, a multi-faceted factory tour that left our guests truly immersed in the world of engineering innovation. 

A New Dynamic Experience

Different from past events, the tour this year was a dynamic experience that featured four distinct stations, each offering hands-on activities and a glimpse into the cutting edge developments within ONICON and Air Monitor. The stations included:

Guests at an education station during a factory tour of ONICON and Air Monitor

New Product Development. At this station our guests had the privilege of learning about our engineering process and philosophy, interacting with prototypes and emerging products, seeing a Revit demonstration, and gaining a firsthand look at the exciting advancements ONICON and Air Monitor are bringing to the field.

Airflow Technologies. Here, the group was introduced to the multiple technologies that Air Monitor offers for HVAC airflow measurement and when to utilize each technology. They also saw a demonstration of each technology in action and a tour of the facility where some of our airflow products are made.

Hydronic and Energy Technologies. Here, participants had the chance to see ONICON’s multiple technologies for water, steam, gas, and energy measurement in action on our demo loop. They also got to experiment with various flow and energy meters, learning how these products contribute to the efficiency and performance of heating and cooling systems.

Factory Tour. The heart of ONICON factory was another station where our guests embarked on a guided tour through our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. 

They witnessed our products in various stages of production and calibration, as well as observing real-time wet-calibrations, providing an authentic look at the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each and every one of our devices.

“Our factory is a testament to our commitment to HVAC innovation, and changing the event format to include more time at the factory with interactive stations was a huge success.Our guests didn’t just see progress, they touched it, felt it, and interacted with the future of HVAC technology.” 

– Emilie Brun, HVAC Marketing Manager

Putting Faces To The Familiar Names

At the end of an educational day, the group gathered for a lovely networking dinner which provided the attendees more time to meet and greet with their reps, ONICON & Air Monitor team members, and other guests while extending their conversations from the conference. 

Saturday morning brought a memorable fishing outing for our guests, followed by a delightful fish fry where they could savor the fruits of their labor.

One of the greatest things about this event is the chance for our guests to get to meet the faces behind the emails, phone calls, and products. Throughout the event, our guests had multiple opportunities to network with our Air Monitor and ONICON Family and see the ONICON Difference in action. We have no doubt that the event will leave a lasting impression on our guests.

Group of guests at a dinner.

Be Sure To Join Us Next Time

The annual ONICON and Air Monitor Engineering Conference plays a pivotal role in enriching the knowledge and perspectives of all our attendees. If you’re interested in joining this event in the future, stay in touch with your Local Representative and be on the lookout for the 2024 conference dates to be announced soon.

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Air Monitor Introduces the VELTRON III Pressure and Airflow Transmitter

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Air Monitor Corporation is proud to unveil its latest innovation, the VELTRON III Pressure & Airflow Transmitter, a pivotal addition to the HVAC industry. Designed for cutting-edge building airflow distribution systems, fan inlet airflow measurement, and room pressurization, the VELTRON III is set to redefine the standards of reliability and accuracy in airflow measurement.

The VELTRON III is a multifunctional, dual-channel transmitter specifically engineered for HVAC airflow measurement applications. Its versatility shines through as it seamlessly integrates with differential or static pressure measurement devices, including probes, stations, piezo rings, and traverse-style fan inlet probes.

VELTRON III Features

  • ±3% of the reading when combined with AMC sensors
  • Stacked transducers for higher accuracy over a wider turndown
  • Dual channel configuration to measure two separate applications with one transmitter
  • Field characterization for better performance in limited straight run
  • Air density and relative humidity adjustment
  • BACnet and MODBUS Communication

The Technology Behind the VELTRON III

The VELTRON III stands out with its ±3% of reading accuracy when combined with Air Monitor probes, outperforming traditional percentage-of-full-scale measurements. Its Dual-Channel capability minimizes the need for multiple transmitters, enabling use in split systems by combining or subtracting two flow rates or monitoring two independent flow streams.

Boasting a tailor-made array of precision transducers, the VELTRON III sets a new benchmark for turndown and accuracy, addressing the demands of modern high-performance buildings. What truly sets it apart is its revolutionary transducer design, eliminating the need for periodic re-zeroing — a common inconvenience with traditional differential pressure-based technologies.

Every VELTRON III comes individually calibrated, with all settings and outputs meticulously preconfigured for the intended application. Its outputs include native BACnet or MODBUS, along with up to four programmable analog outputs catering to airflow, temperature, velocity, differential pressure, or ambient pressure.

The advanced technology behind the VELTRON III extends its flow range, maximizing the turndown ratio for specific applications and ensuring optimal performance. It also features Air Density Compensation, Field Characterization Capability, and Relative Humidity Adjustment for precise airflow measurements.

BAS/BMS Interface options are robust, offering up to four programmable analog outputs and one RS485 interface for native BACnet or MODBUS protocols. Additionally, the VELTRON III offers multiple enclosure options, catering to various installation locations with diverse environmental protection requirements.

“The VELTRON III Pressure & Airflow Transmitter embodies Air Monitor’s commitment to innovation and precision,” said Kenji Nulman, Product Manager at Air Monitor Corporation. “It revolutionizes the way we measure airflow and pressurization in high-performance buildings, opening doors to new possibilities for building professionals.”

Learn More about the VELTRON III

Visit the VELTRON III product page for more information. For pricing & availability, contact your local representative or use the button below to request a quote.

Request a Quote!
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Why Accurate Outdoor Air Flow Measurement Can Be Difficult

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HVAC systems use limited amounts of outside air to refresh the air inside commercial high-performance buildings. Accurately measuring the amount of outdoor air being pumped into a building is critical for many reasons, including:

  • Maintaining the proper pressurization throughout the building
  • Avoiding excess costs due to waste of conditioned air 
  • Preventing overuse of fans which increases maintenance and replacement cost
  • Preventing ingress of humidity, dust, debris, and pollutants that can degrade the IAQ
  • Meeting environmental regulations for energy efficiency & LEED certification
  • ASHRAE Standards such as 62.1 for ventilation rates and 90.1 for high performance DOAS units.
accurate outdoor hvac airflow measurement is essential for high-performance buildings

However, accurate outdoor HVAC airflow measurement can be difficult due to weather and local climate conditions, as well as the design of the air inlets. 

Climate and Weather Conditions

Outside air pumped into an HVAC system from the rooftop of a building can vary widely in temperature, moisture level, and particulate load. On top of that, the speed and direction of the wind and the barometric pressure can fluctuate from one hour to the next. All these factors can affect the accuracy of an outdoor air flow measurement system.

Duct Design Difficulties

Accurate measurement is made more difficult by the design of some outdoor air inlets, which usually have limited straight runs available to condition the airflow prior to measurement. Some systems require a certain number of upstream straight runs of the duct to reduce flow turbulence before taking measurements.

In addition to the lack of straight duct runs, HVAC inlets are often retrofitted with an economizer inlet to help meet the building’s energy efficiency goals. The addition of an economizer means that the inlet is oversized for maintaining indoor air quality. The result is very low flow velocities at the inlet most of the time, which directly affects measurement accuracy and reliability.

Rooftop packaged units are a worst-case example, as the minimum outside air and the 100% outside air economizer functions are forced into a single inlet. To make matters worse, some manufacturers combine several unit sizes into a single box/frame/control damper/hood size.

Outdoor Airflow Measurement Technologies 

The three most often used technologies for measuring outside air are thermal dispersion, Pitot array, and pressure difference across a known resistance. In this post, we will briefly look at each technology to determine the best fit for measuring outdoor air flow.

Thermal dispersion 

To get accurate air flow measurements, thermal dispersion systems typically require 2 to 8 diameters of straight duct runs both upstream and downstream – something that’s rarely available in outside air intake duct configurations. Also, thermal sensors do not tolerate any form of moisture in the air and they perform poorly in dynamic and turbulent airflow conditions, making them a poor choice for accurate outdoor hvac airflow measurement.

Pitot array technology

In this type of air flow measurement system, dynamic pressure and static pressure are measured at many points throughout the duct, and the results are averaged. The velocity of airflow is proportional to the difference in pressure, so a differential pressure (DP) transmitter is used to convert the difference into an average airflow velocity. The transmitter then converts average velocity into average airflow volume using the cross-sectional area of the duct. 

The performance and price level of airflow measurement systems that use the Pitot measurement principle can vary widely. These systems have two types of components: Pitot probes and the DP transmitter. System accuracy depends on the number of Pitot tubes required, the quality of the transmitter, and to some degree, the local air quality. Air inlets with limited straight runs available to condition the airflow require large numbers of Pitot tubes to achieve accurate flow measurements, which could make them cost-prohibitive. 

Pressure difference across a known resistance

Yet a third technology uses small differences in static field pressures created by air moving through a fixed inlet to accurately measure airflow without the need for straight ducts to condition flow. The concept is based on measuring static pressure fields that develop when air flows through any screen or louver with a known velocity vs. pressure drop curve without a significant change in the pressure drop. 

These static pressure measurements used in concert with temperature, barometric pressure measurements, and inlet size can be used to calculate the flow rate at any atmospheric condition. This type of system is nearly impervious to dust and moisture, has a high tolerance for dynamic variations in air flow velocity and direction, and requires zero straight runs of duct. 

An Accurate Solution for Airflow Measurement in Outside Air Applications 

Air Monitor’s OAM II Outdoor Airflow Measurement System uses static pressure field measurements to provide accurate airflow monitoring in this challenging application. The system consists of the OAM II Transmitter with a built-in barometric pressure sensor, one or more uni-sensors or OAM II airflow measuring stations, and one or two temperature sensors. The system has been designed to measure the actual airflow rate to within ±5% by measuring differential pressure across a fixed inlet, such as a louver, screen, or layer of expanded metal.

Precision in outside airflow measurement is essential to ensure that ASHRAE ventilation standards are met, energy consumption calculations are accurate, and proper indoor air quality is maintained for occupant health and safety. The OAM II System allows you to fine-tune the amount of outside air flow to maintain pressurization, meet energy efficiency goals, and keep operating costs low. 

Click below to learn more.

OAM II Outdoor Airflow Measurement Systems

Air Monitor to Exhibit at Upcoming IDEA Annual Conference

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We are looking forward to exhibiting alongside ONICON Incorporated at IDEA 2023, the International District Energy Association’s Annual Conference and Trade Show taking place this June with the theme of “Empowering the Next Generation.” As a leading provider of innovative airflow measurement solutions, we’re excited to showcase our products and services to decision-makers, engineers, and other industry professionals.

At our booth, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about our product offerings, including our OAM II Outdoor Airflow Measurement System, the ideal solution for tough outside airflow applications. Our team of experts will be available throughout the show to answer your questions and help you explore how our offerings can be tailored to meet your specific needs. But IDEA2023 is not just about us. It’s also about empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators in the district energy industry. We’re committed to supporting the growth and development of the industry by investing in education and training programs, and by providing opportunities for young professionals to gain experience and expertise.

We believe that empowering the next generation is critical to the success and sustainability of the district energy industry. That’s why we’re looking forward to engaging in meaningful conversations and collaborations with other industry leaders to drive innovation, progress, and positive change. So, if you’re attending IDEA2023, be sure to visit us at booth 152. We’re confident that our innovative solutions and commitment to empowering the next generation will make a positive impact on your operations and on the future of the industry. See you there!