In order to cope with the increasing difficulties in finding and the rising costs of energy resources, many consumers have chosen, in recent years, to install heat pump air conditioners in their homes both to cool and heat the rooms not only in periods of extreme heat or cold but also in the intermediate months. For this reason, air conditioners, always considered a seasonal product, have become a “continuous” product in recent years that has contributed significantly to an exponential growth in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector.
Manufacturers of air conditioning accessories such as Soleco, an Italian company that has been active in the field of vibration isolation for 50 years, confirm this trend. According to the data analyzed on sales in recent years, it is clear that sales of products used in combination with this type of machinery have increased even in periods when there was previously a decline, mainly from September to January. To attenuate and isolate the vibrations generated by the external units of heat pumps and other air conditioning models, Soleco has created ANTI-VIBRATION FOOT KITS that also guarantee greater stability and lifespan of the units themselves. The types of products dedicated to this sector are mainly divided into two categories: anti-vibration feet with internal spring and anti-vibration feet in thermoplastic elastomer. While in the spring version the kit includes two different pairs of feet with different colors, to be able to adapt to the different weight of the two sides of the external unit, the elastomer model has an elastic element of a single color, with controlled deflection capable of dealing with the weight imbalance without deforming.
These series have been on the market for years, sold both in Italy and abroad and are covered by patent. Soleco has always focused on research and development in order to design and produce anti-vibration systems that are easy to use and that give the best performance at the best price. With a consolidated technical background, Soleco has always mainly addressed machine manufacturers and these foot kits represent the transposition into the domestic sector of the experience gained in the industry on larger capacity units after having analyzed the needs of installers who use the products in the field. The anti-vibration foot kits, divided by color depending on the load of the machine to be isolated, are supplied in convenient blisters complete with screws and assembly instructions and guarantee maximum practicality and speed in operations as well as being an extremely simple product to propose by the dealer since the only variable for choosing the model is the weight of the machine on which they will be installed. The material they are made of is a thermoplastic elastomer which, unlike the natural rubber that most rubber-metal feet on the market are made of, often not specifically created for use in air conditioning, allows the anti-vibration mount to resist extreme temperatures of up to -55°C and +135°C and to last over time even in the presence of oils and salt spray.
The design itself is studied to guarantee maximum isolation from mechanical vibrations. To be ever closer to those who daily have to carry out professional installations, Soleco products have been available for years at some of the largest retailers both in Italy and abroad. Retailers identify Soleco as a highly valuable partner thanks to the technical consultancy that the company’s R&D department provides them to meet the most complex requests of installers. Opportunities to introduce Soleco anti-vibration products to customers are open days at retailers or trade fairs. Soleco, after the stop due to the pandemic, took part in many trade fair events, including Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, held last July at the Milan exhibition center, Refrigera in October 2021 in Bologna and last autumn it participated for the first time in the German Chillventa fair in Nuremberg. We hear more and more often about volatile markets, where it is not possible to predict long-term results. Soleco, with its entrepreneurial imprint typical of Italian companies, challenges these critical issues every day by bringing innovative products to the market that can satisfy the demands of an increasingly changing clientele.