Emerson Climate Technologies Adds EK Filter Drier To UltraTech™ Home Series

Filter provides measurably superior filtration of contaminants compared to other filter driers on the market; Ideal for use with systems using R-410A

ANAHEIM, January 26, 2004 – Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson (NYSE: EMR), today announced that the Emerson Climate Technologies EK Filter Drier has been added to the UltraTech™ Home Series. The best-in-class HVAC series features the industry’s most advanced, energy efficient heating and cooling technology available for residential systems.

The EK Filter Drier, ideal for systems using higher pressure, environmentally friendly refrigerants such as R-410A, delivers more reliable, longer-lasting protection that helps maintain the system and keep it running at peak efficiency and performance. The EK filter drier provides measurably superior filtration of contaminants, drying harmful moisture from refrigerant and removing harmful acids.

The difference is the EK Filter Drier’s unique, specially formulated, compacted bead desiccant blend, which protects polyol ester (POE) oils, and filtration methods. These oils, which are used with newer HFC refrigerants and can hold up to 20 times more moisture than ordinary mineral oils, quickly absorb moisture that may damage system components due to corrosion. When enough water is present the oils break down into alcohol and organic acids. The EK Filter Drier works to trap and remove water molecules, as well as neutralize any acids that do form. POE oils are also extremely good solvents, commonly stripping debris from the sealed refrigeration system, such as the copper oxide that results from brazing. Additional filtration protection therefore is critical with new refrigerants.

“It’s the EK Filter Drier’s patented pre-filter and final filter construction, which allows it to capture the smallest particles, that sets it apart from other filter driers,” said Dave Kirk, general manager of Emerson Climate Technologies Flow Controls. “The majority of filter driers in the market simply use a molded desiccant core. The desiccants are glued together and used as a filter. This technique simply does not have the capability to capture a large quantity of solid particles or collect the smallest particles that might get through the core.”

The EK Filter Drier is buffered by two layers of fiberglass filters. The initial, 40-micron layer removes most solid contaminants and sludge, while the second, 20-micron final filter removes any remaining contaminants from the system. This double-layer protection ensures that the system will stays cleaner, longer, with a minimal pressure drop in the filter drier.

“As one of the most versatile and effective filter driers on the market, the EK Filter Drier is a natural addition to the UltraTech Home Series,” said John Schneider, manager of the UltraTech Home Series. “It is a prime example of Emerson Climate Technologies’ commitment to delivering products that not only meet or exceed today’s performance requirements, but also provide environmentally sound solutions for the future.”

The Copeland Corporation, part of Emerson Climate Technologies, recommends the use of no more than 25 percent activated alumina in the desiccant blend for new refrigerants. This is because the company uses proprietary break-in lubricant additives for the initial startup of compressors and activated alumina can strip out these additives. The EK Filter Drier is one of the few filter driers that meets these recommendations.

Emerson Climate Technologies’ Ultra Tech Home Series features the latest technology from Emerson and several first-to-market designs, that can reduce energy usage, improve comfort and raise system performance to new levels. Along with the EK Filter Drier, the Series includes such innovative technologies as Copeland Scroll UltraTech™, UltraTech Thermostat and Comfort Alert™ Diagnostics.

About Emerson

St. Louis-based Emerson is a global leader in providing customers with innovative technologies and solutions in five business segments:  industrial automation; process control; heating, ventilating and air conditioning; electronics and telecommunications; and appliance and tools. Sales in fiscal 2003 were $14 billion.

About Emerson Climate Technologies

Emerson Climate Technologies™, a business of Emerson, is the world’s leading provider of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions for residential, industrial and commercial applications. The group combines best-in-class technology with proven engineering, design, distribution, educational and monitoring services to provide customized, integrated climate control solutions for customers worldwide. Emerson Climate Technologies’ innovative solutions, which include industry-leading brands such as Copeland Scroll™ and White-Rodgers®, improve human comfort, safeguard food and protect the environment.

Flow Controls

Flow Controls (formerly Alco Controls), part of Emerson Climate Technologies, is the leading provider of precision electronic and electromechanical controls for air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Founded in 1925 as Alco Valve Company, Flow Controls continues to pioneer the control of refrigerant flow with innovative designs like the thermostatic expansion valve (first patented in 1924 by the future Alco Valve Company), moisture indicators and filter driers. The company’s Hermetic Moisture Indicator (HMI) is the most sensitive moisture indicator in the HVAC/R industry. Flow Controls is headquartered in St. Louis.