eKOCOMFORT system: The future of home comfort has arrived!

CMX marks the public unveiling of a new generation of home comfort systems that combine heating, hot water and mechanical ventilation. Six Canadian manufacturing groups have been working for the past three years developing advanced integrated mechanical systems that are collectively known as eKOCOMFORT™ systems.

Projections indicate that systems combining the functions of space and water heating with mechanical ventilation will take over half the market for new HVAC systems within the next 15 years. Those attending CMX will have the opportunity to get a jump on the market by seeing the first eKOCOMFORT systems on display.

The eKOCOMFORT system is not a single product, but rather a family of products produced by various manufacturers, all recognized by the Government of Canada. The eKOCOMFORT consortium was put together by Natural Resources Canada with seed funding from the Climate Change Action Fund. Consortium members include not only the manufacturers, but trade associations, utilities and government.

Stringent standards

The consortium set stringent design, testing and performance standards, and established the eKOCOMFORT trademark to identify these cutting edge systems. The standards cover everything from energy performance to integrated control strategy to the maximum floor space the system can occupy.

Each manufacturing group has taken a different approach to meet the ambitious performance and energy targets set by the eKOCOMFORT consortium, but there are elements common to all. For example, each system incorporates electrically commutated motors (ECMs).

These motors can dramatically cut electrical consumption, even when they are running continuously. An ECM has the ability to run continuously at low speeds, providing valuable air distribution with very low noise levels. Early energy tests on eKOCOMFORT systems indicate significant overall energy savings.

All systems also incorporate heat or energy recovery ventilation. Because ventilation is integrated into the system, installers will be able to offer their customers the excellent indoor air quality typical of homes with HRVs as a standard feature.

eKOCOMFORT energy requirements also place an emphasis on increasing the energy efficiency of domestic water heating. In addition, minimum hot water output requirements ensure a plentiful supply for kitchen, bath and laundry room.

Radiant in-floor heat is also an easy option for all eKOCOMFORT systems. The increasing popularity of in-floor heat over the past few years has challenged installing contractors by demanding more complex installations.

Homeowners want the comfort and luxury of in-floor heat, but they don't want to sacrifice the even distribution of heat provided by a forced air system. The result has been complex field-installed systems that combine a forced air furnace, a boiler, an HRV and a fan coil to meet all the customers' demands for comfort. It's a design headache and expensive.

eKOCOMFORT systems integrate all these functions, allowing for an easier installation and fewer callbacks. The combination of radiant and forced air heat with continuous air circulation also mean fewer callbacks because of cool or hot zones in the house.

eKOCOMFORT systems can also be fitted with air conditioning, humidification and specialized filtration, allowing contractors to offer customers the maximum comfort possible - all in one package. One supplier and one warranty simplifies future service and maintenance.

The official launch at CMX will give contractors the opportunity to see for themselves the leading edge of home comfort in the 21st century.

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