Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, today announced the debut of Pressure Independent Balancing and Control Valves (PIBCVs) in North America for improved valve functionality and temperature control in buildings. The automatic balancing valves help create a more stabilized building environment by controlling the pressure and flow of HVAC systems under all occupancy variations and seasonal weather, which improves occupant comfort. Schneider Electric now offers a complete range of PIBCVs to fit a wide variety of applications in building environments and reduce energy consumption by 15 to 20 percent.

Traditional control valves often allow for a higher capacity flow rate than is needed. This discrepancy can lead to overflow and abrupt temperature fluctuations in a building’s HVAC system, resulting in increased occupant complaints and wasted energy costs for building owners and facility managers. PIBCVs provide a stable hydronic flow independent of changes in system pressure in heating and cooling circuits, creating a more manageable system for facility managers as well as occupants.

The benefits of PIBCVs over traditional control valves include:

• Improved hydronic control;
• Improved system balancing;
• Reduced installation time;
• Less commissioning time;
• Reduced energy consumption; and
• Simplified product selection and installation.

Facility managers using PIBCVs can achieve both simplified operations and high system performance. Additionally, when PIBCVs are fitted with an actuator, they replace the manual balancing and motorized control valves with a single valve, thus reducing installation costs. Building owners experience cost savings through reduced installation costs and energy savings, while occupants enjoy stable temperature settings.

“Control valve sizing is often described as an art form, and finding the perfect valve involves understanding the hydronics of the project and recognizing the importance of perfect control flow,” said Mark Sarna, director of Valve and Actuator Engineering and Offer Management, Schneider Electric. “Our complete product line of PIBCVs gives our customers a variety of choices to meet their individual needs. With this new offering, we are better able to help our customers improve the function of their HVAC systems, increase temperature control and create energy efficient facilities.”

For more information, visit www.schneider-electric.us.