Providing smart HVAC for growth
AGronomic IQ creates all-in-one grow room HVAC solutions systems that provide precise temperature and humidity control while being extremely energy efficient.
Servicing the commercial cannabis grower industry, the Ottawa-based manufacturer, which also operates from a 150,000-square-foot facility in Montreal, has been a flagbearer for energy efficiency from the get-go. When supply chain constraints forced Agronomic IQ to seek alternative suppliers for its ventilation systems motors, the company placed energy efficiency at the top of its requirement list. It also looked for a supplier that could deliver a readily applicable solution that, ideally, would incur no additional changes to the system’s design.
Helping grow ops reduce energy waste
AGronomic IQ needed a quick turnaround on delivering HVAC units to customers expanding their cannabis growing facilities. When post-pandemic supply chain challenges hit its foreign drive supplier, the company pivoted to find an energy-efficient, no-change solution. ABB answered the call with Baldor-Reliance EC Titanium integrated motor-drives, delivering high energy and cost efficiency, reliability and support.
ABB’s energy-efficient motor solution for HVAC solutions
The EC Titanium integrated motor-drive checked all the boxes. First, the motor is outfitted with a variable speed drive allowing it to operate at different speeds, according to use — accelerating in peak demand, slowing down for the night. This feature prevents unnecessary energy loss, which translates into reduced consumption and less wear and tear. Although cost savings is a substantial benefit to the end-user, this feature is paramount to growers who hope to be part of the solution to reduce energy waste for the HVAC solutions.
A growing number of manufacturers understand the long-term advantage of investing in energy-efficient products; not only to reduce their carbon footprint, but also because it translates into long-term profitability. In a world where energy overconsumption directly impacts our planet’s survival, conscientious manufacturers like AGronomic IQ understand that customers prefer greener solutions, which will likely become the norm. Attuned to this tendency, ABB solidified its commitment to a cleaner, less wasteful world when it launched the Energy Efficiency Movement in 2021, which invites stakeholders to innovate and act for a more energy efficient, regenerative, adaptive world.
Product availability, supplier proximity and reliable support
Further to sourcing a greener product, AGronomic IQ needed assurance that its motor supplier could deliver a suitable solution without incurring any change to its customers’ system designs.
“We wanted a trouble-free, no-change, solution, and we needed it fast to fulfill a sizeable urgent order,” explains Geoff Brown, VP Technical Applications & Innovation for AGronomic IQ, who initially purchased two 7.5 HP frame sizes of EC Titanium Units with a commitment to acquire 250 additional units within the year. “Communications with ABB were very transparent and very open. They worked with us to find applicable quality solutions,”
ABB’s proximity to its manufacturing facilities proved essential in reducing the wait time to source the products. As supply chain challenges remain common in these post-pandemic times, the ability to cut delivery delays and provide solutions as a single supplier presented enviable assets. Proximity also facilitated support, considered the most significant benefit to AGronomic IQ and its customers. Again, Brown reaffirms his choice: “ABB’s support has been outstanding. I have nothing bad to say about it. We are not going back to our old supplier.”
