The frosty weather in Chicago did not keep visitors away from the 2003 Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition. The AHR Expo, sponsored by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, had record attendance and exhibitors, according to the International Exposition Co., which produced and managed the HVACR showcase.

At the show, A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co. released two energy-friendly brushless DC motors to replace current C-Frame models of evaporator motors and condenser motors in frost free refrigerators.

Uponor Wirsbo featured its Pro Series control package for radiant floor heating and snow and ice melting applications.

Grundfos Pumps Corp. introduced its 3-Speed Super Brute Circulator and VersaFlo[R] Circulator Pumps, both reducing power consumption and noise. Clint Andrews, segment business specialist-HVAC for Grundfos, said the Super Brute can replace more than a dozen competitive models.

Brass Craft showed off its stainless steel gas connectors, featuring ProCoat[TM], a polymer coating that protects against corrosion. The connectors are leak-tested and design certified for indoor and outdoor use.

Quietside Corp., North American distributors for Samsung air conditioning products, displayed a wall-hung combination boiler and domestic hot water heater marketed under the Quietside brand. Only three models cover a range of capacities.

Carrier Corp. introduced its 39M Aero and Racan line of central station air handling units. Both have AK Coatings' AgION antimicrobial-coating, which suppresses bacteria, mold and fungi. Lindab Inc. also released its SPIROsafe ductwork with the AgION product.

Broan-NuTone showed its GuardianPlus[R] Air Systems ventilation models, which provide a constant source of fresh, filtered air to flow through the home. Ventilation exhausts harmful pollutants that are not eliminated by filtration to the outside and also controls excess humidity.

Gastite, a division of Titeflex, advertised that its Gastite[R] flexible gas piping replaces black iron pipe for natural gas and propane in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Constructed of corrugated stainless steel with a polyethylene jacket, it is flexible enough to bend around corners.

Hydrotherm showed its high velocity KC-1M boiler, which offers a compact footprint, quiet operation and easy-to-use controls.

Danfoss introduced its Solar Hermetic Compressor that can be connected to a photovoltaic panel and includes a programming option that will adapt the compressor for the voltage range of different solar power modules.

Star Pipe Products promoted its grooved piping components for HVAC applications. The company offers grooved couplings and fittings, butterfly valves, check valves, suction diffusers, combination valves and strainers.

NORDYNE designed a new encasing, called Steel Guard[TM], for its Philco, Kelvinator and Gibson split air conditioners and heat pumps. The protective covering is available in 13, 12 and 10 SEER units and meets the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development requirements.

Weil-McLain unveiled its new Ultra Boiler, which is available in the Ultra 155 and Ultra 230 and meets all Department of Energy requirements.

Using a series of continuous loop monitor presentations, Taco Inc. unveiled its LoadMatch[TM] single pipe hydronic system for both heating and cooling system applications. According to Taco, its new hydronics system eliminates most balancing and control valves and replaces them with LoadMatch circulators. The company also introduced a complementary system design software program called the Hydronic Systems Solution, which allows engineers to design hydronic systems in a Windows[R]-based platform.

Bradford White displayed its Aero Series oil-fired water heaters, a new addition to its current family of Aero products.

Fujitsu released its ductless mini-split heating and cooling systems lineup called Halcyon. The lineup consists of 19 models in styles such as a wall mount, cassette, universal and ceiling suspended.

Takagi introduced its Flash T-K2 tankless water heater that delivers 240 gallons of hot water per hour.

Lochinvar Corp. unveiled its Copper-Fin II[R] commercial gas water heater/boiler. The unit includes a gasketless heat exchanger and duel ignition system, which the company said will lower energy costs and deliver consistent water temperatures.

Goulds Pumps/ITT Industries introduced its SumpThing corrosion resistant sump pump made from heavy-duty cast iron and high performance thermoplastics.

Ridge Tool Co. unveiled its Ridgid RapidGrip pipe wrench with a thumb release trigger that aids in its application and removal.

ICM Corporation released its SC 3801, the newest addition to its SimpleComfort[R] Thermostat product line. The SC 3801's configuration mode allows the thermostat to be configurable for many different applications, including heat pump, heat/cool, programmable, non-programmable, single-stage or two-stage. The Simpleset seven day programming allows the user to program each day individually or copy it for the entire week.

IPEX displayed its WarmRite Floor radiant heating system with pre-assembled control panels.

The AS-B Bronze Air Scoops Series introduced by Watts Regulator Co. was designed for efficient separation of air from water in hydronic heating systems. Manufactured completely out of bronze, the Air Scoops Series have tappings for the installation of an expansion tank, air vent and for boiler fill piping.

Vanguard Piping Systems featured its MANABLOC modular manifold plumbing system which can be put together with its Vanex[R] PEX flexible piping.

Other companies unveiled verification programs, such as Intertek's ETL SEMKO program. ETL SEMKO, a division of Intertek, developed a verification program for portable or spot air conditioning unit manufacturers to validate manufacturers' claim ratings for cooling capacity, power input and cooling efficiency.

NIBCO released a CD that features information on its valves, including low pressure valves and engineering data, and literature on Chemtrol products such as thermoplastic pipe and fittings.

Also, the Dow Chemical Co. released an installation video for its Trymer[R] polyisocyanurate pipe insulation, Styrofoam[R] extruded polystyrene and Saran[R] Vapor Retarder Film and Tape, featuring guidelines for using these products in both hot and cold applications.