BROAN Universal Make-up Air Damper Provides Exclusive Solution for IRC Code

Broan-NuTone®, America's largest manufacturer of residential ventilation products, today introduced the industry-exclusive BROAN® Universal
Make-up Air Damper, which works with all BROAN and BEST® range hoods whether they are new or existing installations. Broan-NuTone is the first manufacturer in the industry to offer a universal solution to meet the International Residential Code (IRC) provision regarding make-up air.

The 2009 IRC provision M1503.4 mandates that all range hoods capable of exhausting in excess of 400 CFM must be equipped with an interlock that can operate a make-up air damper. Without this convenient turn-key option for meeting the IRC code, builders, contractors, remodelers and HVAC technicians would have the arduous task of identifying components that can be interconnected safely to operate the damper and hood.

Broan Universal Make-up Air Damper“Because today’s homes are built so tightly, it’s essential that fresh air be let back into the home,” says Brian Wellnitz, marketing manager, kitchen ventilation, BROAN. “Broan-NuTone is the only manufacturer that makes an automatic damper especially designed to provide synchronized make-up air for the range hood – the make-up air damper automatically opens up when the exhaust fan is turned ON.”

Every time an exhaust fan removes air from a home, a sufficient volume of air must enter to prevent negative pressure in the home. Make-up air is the air that replaces air that has been exhausted from a home by ventilation fans and range hoods. Insufficient make-up air in a home can also limit the operation of a range hood, preventing proper capture and exhaust of harmful cooking smoke, moisture and odors.

With the BROAN Universal Make-up Air Damper (pictured above, right), homeowners can maintain the energy-efficiency of their homes while also ensuring that fresh air enters the home when needed. When the range hood or fan is turned ON, the damper opens and lets fresh air into the home. When turned OFF, the damper closes tightly and prevents unwanted air from entering the home during heating and cooling cycles.

By equalizing air intake and exhaust, the damper helps establish the ideal balance in air pressure levels for complete and effective ventilation. This synchronized operation also saves energy by operating only when necessary.

“With our previous Automatic Make-up Air Damper, BROAN was the first in the industry to create a packaged solution that provided homeowners a convenient way to meet IRC provisions and improve IAQ,” adds Wellnitz. “Now, with the BROAN Universal Make-up Air Damper, we’ve taken that one step further by offering a simple solution that will work with any of our range hoods whether in new or existing installations, saving our customers time and money.”

The motorized BROAN Universal Make-up Air Damper fits both 6-inch and 8-inch duct sizes, and it can be easily installed to interlock with new range hoods or retrofit to work with existing range hoods.

Mechanical Ventilation Is Now Requirement of Certain Residential Building Codes

With the new requirement in the 2012 International Residential Code (IRC) stating that builders must install mechanical ventilation in all homes, it is more important than ever that builders understand what ventilation solutions are available, according to Mike Moore, PE, LEED AP, Research Associate, Newport Partners, LLC, Davidsonville, Md.

Moore was a panelist in the “Clearing the Air: Smart Ventilation for Today’s Tighter Homes” seminar presented during the recent 2012 International Builders’ Show (IBS) Green Building & Sustainability track in Orlando, Fla. The seminar addressed the importance of home ventilation and its integral role in green and sustainable building practices, and offered a primer on helping builders navigate through the many new building codes, standards and regulations.

“In the past, mechanical ventilation was optional in homes, but the new 2012 IRC code now requires mechanical ventilation,” said Moore. He explained that several states are already early adopters of the new IRC code – Maryland, District of Columbia and Illinois – and many other jurisdictions have this new requirement under review. “By the summer, we’ll begin to see this new code adopted by many more jurisdictions, and builders will be looking for assistance from manufacturers to help them select the appropriate mechanical solutions,” Moore added.

The panel was moderated by Karen Collins, APR, marketing communications manager, Broan-NuTone, LLC, Hartford, Wis. Other panel members included Brian Wellnitz, marketing manager, kitchen ventilation, Broan-NuTone and Patrick Nielsen, marketing manager, ventilation fans, Broan-NuTone.

In addition to the new 2012 IRC code, the panelists addressed the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), ASHRAE 62.2 and CALGreen, offering tips on how best to communicate the importance of ventilation and energy-efficient building practices to homeowners. The panelists also shared some principles of air movement and how energy-efficient ventilation products, especially those that are ENERGY STAR® qualified, save homeowners money.

Looks Can Be Deceiving – Humidity Sensing Recessed Fan/Lights Look Like Attractive Recessed Lights, Function as High-Performing Fans

Homeowners are always on the lookout for smart technology that makes their lives easier and saves them money. The ENERGY STAR® qualified Humidity Sensing Recessed Fan/Lights from BROAN® and NuTone® do just that while still offering the best quality in residential ventilation.

The fan may look like a simple recessed light, but inside is a quiet, concealed fan with a humidity sensor that automatically turns ON when moisture is detected. The Humidity Sensing Recessed Fan/Light (pictured below, right) features exclusive SensAire® technology to help ensure moisture is effectively exhausted at the source by automatically ridding the room of excess humidity.

“Great for use anywhere in the home where excess moisture may be a concern, this Recessed Fan/Light is the most effective and inconspicuous way to control excess humidity and moisture, even in the most frequently used bathrooms,” says Patrick Nielsen, marketing manager, ventilation fans, Broan-NuTone®. “The fan turns ON when it senses a quick jump in humidity and turns OFF automatically, helping to cut down on wasteful energy costs. And because it looks like a recessed light, the fans can blend in anywhere in the home.”

According to the EPA, the key to mold control is moisture control. By installing a humidity sensing fan in the home, one can help protect bathrooms from mold and mildew caused by excess humidity. If there is a rapid rise in humidity within the room, the Humidity Sensing Recessed Broan Humidity Sensing Recessed Fan SensAireFan/Light automatically turns ON to exhaust excess moisture and turns OFF after the job is done – ideal for those who frequently forget to turn the fan ON or OFF, or for those who leave the house before properly venting the damaging, excess humidity.

Additional unique features of the BROAN and NuTone Recessed Fan/Lights with SensAire technology include the following:

•High-efficiency centrifugal fan delivering 70 CFM at 1.5 Sones – creating less than half the noise volume of a traditional house fan, making it perfect for rooms where noise must be kept to a minimum
•Auto shut-OFF, adjustable from 5 to 60 minutes, with optional manual operation
•Adjustable humidity sensitivity level
•6-inch white trim matched to designs of major recessed light manufacturers
•Energy-efficient lighting – one 14-watt, fluorescent bulb included
•UL Listed for use over tub or shower
•6 7/8-inch-high housing fits 2x8 construction
•4” round duct connector

In addition to the Recessed Fan/Light, more than 50 BROAN and NuTone ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fans are designed, engineered, manufactured and customer supported in the U.S.A.

LoProfile Fans from BROAN and NuTone Offer Energy-efficient Solutions for Tight Spaces

Broan-NuTone®, the leader in residential ventilation for ENERGY STAR® qualified products, has introduced its latest ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation solutions, the BROAN® and NuTone® LoProfile Fans.

Designed for retrofit applications and multi-family new construction, the LoProfile Fan can be easily installed between 2x4 wall studs. The LoProfile Fan includes a 4-inch oval duct connector and a transition for 4-inch oval to 3-inch round ducts. The fan operates at a powerful 80 CFM and at a very quiet 1.1 Sones.

“The LoProfile Fan fits in more tight places, making it a great retrofit solution,” says Patrick Nielsen, marketing manager, ventilation fans, Broan-NuTone. “This quiet, energy-efficient fan will be especially popular among remodelers and multi-family builders and developers.”

The LoProfile Fan is HVI certified to move at least 50 CFM of air at 0.25” of static pressure, thus exceeding the ASHRAE 62.2 minimum intermittent local ventilation requirement for bathrooms. ASHRAE 62.2 is a requirement of most green building certifications frequently sought by multi-family developers.

Additional features of the LoProfile Fan include the following:

· Motor engineered for continuous operation

· UL listed for use over bathtubs or showers with GFCI circuit

· Fits 2x4-inch construction, either ceiling or wall

The LoProfile Fan joins Broan-NuTone’s already impressive offering of more than 75 ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fans.

BROAN and NuTone Decorative Fan/Lights Pair Superior Performance with Style

Broan-NuTone® is providing the perfect solution for those who want superior ventilation without compromising style. Perfect for designers looking for a chic bathroom ventilation solution without the typical plastic fan grille, the full line of BROAN and NuTone Decorative Fan/Lights eliminate moisture and spice up the look of any bathroom, powder room, kitchen, laundry room or hallway.

"As a result of our continued commitment to give designers what they demand, BROAN and NuTone Decorative Fan/Light designs keep up with the latest styling trends while providing top-of-the-line performance,” says Patrick Nielsen, marketing manager, ventilation fans, Broan-NuTone. “With these models, designers are sure to find a stylish ventilation and lighting solution to fit seamlessly into both traditional and contemporary bathrooms or anywhere in the home where ventilation is needed.”

According to the EPA, the key to mold control is moisture control. By installing a ventilation fan in the home, homeowners can help protect their investments from mold and mildew and improve indoor air quality. Broan-NuTone makes this easier by providing options that allow for moisture control but don’t compromise the décor of a room. The decorative fan/lights are offered in several models that feature classic and contemporary designs and come in a variety of popular finishes, including brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, chrome and white.

NuTone 773BNNT Decorative Series Brushed Nickel and White Alabaster Glass Finish 80 CFM, 2.0 So, Brushed Nickel

For those who desire an energy-efficient option, BROAN and NuTone offer models that are ENERGY STAR® qualified (including the NuTone 773BNNT, pictured right). Featuring quiet operation, these decorative fan/lights are a great option for those who want a compact, affordable and attractive ventilation fan.

New Broan and NuTone ULTRA Ventilation Fans Feature ULTRA Sense Humidity- or Motion-Sensing Technology

Continuing in the tradition of best-in-class ventilation products, Broan-NuTone® has expanded its revolutionary line of Broan® and NuTone® ULTRA™ Fans and Fan/Lights with the addition of 16 models with ULTRA Sense™ technology. The new ULTRA Fans and Fan/Lights provide humidity- or motion-sensing capabilities while featuring the fastest, easiest, most universal installation to save contractors time and help meet stringent green building and ventilation codes. Available in single- and multi-speed models (motion-sensing capability featured in multi-speed models only), ULTRA Fans and Fan/Lights with ULTRA Sense operate at less than 0.3 Sones — the lowest sound rating possible — while operating or adjusting fan speed based on changes in humidity or motion.

“ULTRA Ventilation Fans and Fan/Lights with ULTRA Sense technology combine the features of the original ULTRA Series — easy installation, quiet operation and energy efficiency — with new, convenient humidity- or motion-sensing capability,” says Patrick Nielsen, marketing manager, ventilation fans, Broan-NuTone. “ULTRA Fans and Fan/Lights help contractors save time on installation and meet green building requirements. They also provide long-lasting benefits to users, such as extremely quiet operation, unbelievable performance and, now, the ability to detect humidity or motion and either turn a single-speed fan ON or adjust the CFM level of a multi-speed fan.”

Major benefits of the new ULTRA Fans and Fan/Lights include the following:

•ULTRA Sense™ H Humidity Sensing Technology: ULTRA Sense H (Fan/Light, pictured below right) detects a rapid rise in humidity to turn single-speed fans ON and multi-speed fans from LOW to HIGH. This means that they will react to shower humidity much faster than other fans and wall controls that wait for a relative humidity set point to be reached. Users can enjoy a humidity-free, comfortable environment much more quickly when taking a bath or shower. After a user-adjustable time delay, ULTRA Sense turns the fan OFF for single-speed fans and reduces the speed to the LOW continuous setting for multi-speed fans. ULTRA Sense offers an easily accessible humidity sensitivity adjustment to ensure a healthy, comfortable environment based on the user’s climate.
•ULTRA Sense™ M Motion Sensing Technology (multi-speed only): ULTRA Sense M is equipped with a sensor that turns multi-speed fans to HIGH when someone walks into the room and reduces fan speed to LOW after a user-adjustable time delay.

Lighting Solutions made easy by Westinghouse

Whether you are looking for fashion-forward designs or dependable, quality products, Westinghouse has the lighting solution for you. Beautifully displayed on the pages of this Lighting Supplement are the newest additions to our product lines. With luminaires and ceiling fans, as well as, replacement fan accessories, decorative pull chains and glass, Westinghouse products are perfect embellishments for your home.

From basic to decorative styles that range from traditional to contemporary finishes, our newest line of luminaires provides an array of interior and exterior lighting options. Next, explore Westinghouse new ceiling fans, which include some extensions to our more popular fan families and provide the essence of today’s lifestyle trends. Tie it all together with new fan accessories that can be used on both existing and new ceiling fans.