ASHRAE Journal - April 2022 - 7

INDUSTRY NEWS
ties into developments in data storage, data analytics
and in the convergence of building management
functions-all possible in the cloud. The needs for
operational efficiency include predictive maintenance
and parts management on the maintenance side and
cold chain efficiencies, comprehensive building data
management and dashboards, user feedback and
awareness on the facility management end. Beyond the
product offering, digitalization reshapes and streamlines
business transactions with improvements on supply
chains, the sales cycle and customer experience,
e.g., e-commerce.
Publicly traded HVAC&R companies report their
digital progress to their investors. Original equipment
manufacturers most likely stand to benefit, as
they would expand their offering along with the IT
industry, such as Big Tech and systems integrators.
Utilities will also be interested in using that big data
as part of their overall grid planning and increasingly
Industry Roundup
Importance of Ventilation, Air Filtration
Stressed in National COVID-19 Plan
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. government has released the
National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, which lays out
the road map to help fi ght COVID-19 in the future.
It includes a focus on improving ventilation and air
fi ltration. The U.S. government will provide a Clean
Air in Buildings Checklist that all buildings can use to
improve indoor ventilation and air fi ltration and will
encourage uptake of ventilation improvements. The
Administration will provide technical assistance that
encourages schools, public buildings as well as state,
local and Tribal governments to make ventilation
improvements and upgrades using American Rescue
Plan funds. Download the plan: https://tinyurl.
com/2p8e9m3s Source: The White House
Solution Addresses Furnace Emissions
OAK RIDGE, TENN.-Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers
have developed a novel solution to reduce
the environmental impact of natural gas-condensing
furnaces commonly used in U.S. homes. The team
built a prototype furnace that incorporates monotheir
Distributed Energy Resources management. The
nature of contracting for installers could also profoundly
change.
Digitalization is not a new concept. The HVAC&R industry
is a follower and not a leader, unlike some other
industries where new revenue streams and business
or models-pay-per-hour and as a service-are more
prevalent. Perhaps one of the earliest developments in
advanced artificial intelligence features will be in training,
with the lack of skilled labor a serious limitation,
not only short-term.
The adoption of IoT devices in the HVAC&R industry is
still largely nascent but is set to grow, being pushed by a
number of factors, including COVID-19 mitigation, the
transition to net zero, and the opportunities IoT devices
offer to building owners and operators to run their
buildings more cost-effectively while being able to meet
occupant needs.
lithic acidic gas reduction (AGR) as the catalyst to
minimize acidic gases and condensate acidity, and
oxidize carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and methane.
" AGR functions like a catalytic converter in a
car, passing the exhaust over metals to reduce acidic
gases and other pollutant emissions that contribute
to global climate change, " said ORNL's Zhiming Gao,
Member ASHRAE. " This technology could be applied
to commercial rooftop units, thermally driven heat
pumps, gas-fi red water heaters and boilers. " Source:
ORNL
Study Identifies Low-Carbon Heating
Tech Innovation Opportunities
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND-Recent research indicates a great
potential exists for innovation to bring down the
high costs associated with low-carbon heating technologies.
As part of their Heat in Buildings Strategy,
the Scottish government commissioned research
that found low-carbon heating technologies with
the potential for technical innovation were airsource
heat pumps, district heat networks, thermal
energy storage and the use of waste heat from
industry. Download the report: https://tinyurl.com/
yeyrtvuj Source: Specifi cation Online
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ASHRAE Journal - April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASHRAE Journal - April 2022
