2023 Dealer Design Awards: Testing and Monitoring Products

LIVE DRAFT MEASUREMENTS: The CAT85K2 Combustion Analyzer HC measures O2, CO, CO2, and draft pressure and offers live draft measurements to help technicians troubleshoot while running a combustion analysis. (Courtesy of Fieldpiece Instruments Inc.)

Fieldpiece Instruments’ CAT-85K2 Combustion Analyzer HC is the Gold winner this year in the Testing & Monitoring Products category.

The CAT85K2 Combustion Analyzer HC, or CAT85 for short, measures O2, CO, CO2, and draft pressure and offers live draft measurements to help technicians troubleshoot while running a combustion analysis.

The CAT85 has an easy-to-read, 5.5-inch touchscreen; can generate live trend reports with O2, CO, and CO2 readings for advanced diagnoses; and connects to Fieldpiece’s Job Link System App for viewing trends, draft pressures, and customer details, according to the company. Connection to a wireless printer is also available for jobs that require printouts for documentation, the company said.

“Since analyzers are expensive, and it helps to have one that helps make the job easier, faster, and better,” said Tinggui Hong, senior engineer at Fieldpiece. “That is the intent of the design features and the user interface.”

According to Hong, the CAT85 also includes features such as:

Zac DesJardins, owner of Quality Comfort Inc., an HVAC contracting company in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, said the CAT85 offers a user-friendly experience.

“I personally use the CAT85K2 when performing heating maintenance or when I suspect combustion issues on any gas-fired equipment,” he said “Testing with a combustion analyzer is the only way to truly know how the equipment is performing.”

DesJardins said the HydroCycle pump is the CAT85’s most useful feature.

“This feature automatically pumps out any water in the probe, creating a hassle-free experience, and maintains a clean unit,” he said.

The CAT85, which was released in August of last year, comes with a four-year sensor warranty, and sensors can be swapped out in the field, if needed, for maximum service time, said Hong.

Hong said that many years of research went into developing the CAT85. During that time, the company met with focus groups; went on ride-alongs with contractors; held several rounds of beta testing; and completed benchmarking, market analysis, and life cycle testing, he said.

Fieldpiece plans to create an international version of the CAT85, plus develop a next-generation model that will detect nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.

LEAK-FREE: Resideo’s L Series combines the Resideo Braukmann L5 Wi-Fi Water Leak Shutoff Valve with multiple L1 Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detectors to create a whole-home leak defense system. (Courtesy of Resideo)

The Resideo L Series smart water leak defense system, which can respond to leaks with an automatic shutoff for the prevention of water damage, is the Silver winner in the Testing & Monitoring Products category.

The system, by Resideo Technologies Inc., combines the Resideo Braukmann L5 Wi-Fi Water Leak Shutoff Valve with multiple L1 Wi-Fi Water Leak and Freeze Detectors to create a whole-home leak defense system, the company said. The L Series hit the market in March of this year.

“This solution can help consumers avoid catastrophic damage to the home — and helps save water and money as a result,” said Sam Raymakers, a senior product manager at Resideo. “Water damage is one of the most common and costly home insurance claims — and most can be prevented. Water leaks usually won’t be noticed until the damage is already done.”

According to Raymakers, the shutoff valve connects to a home’s main water supply and can turn off the water if a leak is detected either by a sensor cable or a paired L1 sensor. The valve includes an actuator, a lead-free ball valve, a power supply adapter with a 10-foot cord, and a 5-foot leak detection cable. The unit features both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

In addition to shutting off the water in the event of a leak, the system tracks temperature and humidity and can send alerts to homeowners when an issue is detected, Raymakers said.

“This compact, smart device sends mobile push and email notifications for leaks, freezing temperatures, and humidity spikes, helping your customers avoid potential damage and costly repairs,” he said.

About two years of research and planning went into the development of the L Series, Raymakers said. The company used online surveys and several rounds of in-home research with professional installers in different regions of the U.S. in gathering information for product development, he said.

Raymakers said Resideo plans to continue introducing solutions for preventing leak damage by adding products to the L (for Leak) Series and to educate the public about efficient ways to stop water damage.

It’s estimated, Raymakers said, that in 2021 Resideo products prevented 2.4 million gallons of water leaks and $2.6 million in insurance claims.

Matt Jachman is the legislation editor at the ACHR NEWS. He has 30-plus years of experience in community journalism and a bachelor’s degree in English from Wayne State University in Detroit.