At www.achrnews.com, The NEWS’ Extra Edition page is home to hundreds of online-exclusive service and maintenance, technical, and business management articles. Here are some of the best.
SERVICING GAS APPLIANCES - PART 1
This article is part one of a three-part series on inspecting and servicing gas appliances. When each inspection is performed in its entirety, it will assure the equipment is operating correctly and safely. Doing a proper inspection takes time and practice, but the benefits to your company and customers will be paid back tenfold in increased comfort, lower utility bills, and more. This part covers infiltration air and the ventilation air test, equipment efficiency, venting, and the three-part testing procedure for checking a heat exchanger.
BTU BUDDY 31: A HEAT PUMP BLOWING COLD AIR
The dispatcher contacted Bob and explained a new customer has called and complained that his home’s heat pump is blowing cold air and is not heating the house very well. It’s the first cold weather of the season. Bob believes he knows what the problem is and is thinking it over as he drives to the job. He thinks that the heat pump’s electric heat is not coming on during the defrost cycle. Bob then arrives at the job with a plan only to find that he has drawn the wrong conclusion.
US COAST GUARD DEMONSTRATES SUCCESSFUL FUEL CELL
The U.S. Coast Guard Research & Development Center wanted to demonstrate that fuel cells are capable of providing power to operational units during power outages caused by adverse weather conditions, such as ice storms or blizzards. The center chose to install a FuelCell Energy Model DFC 300 250-kW natural gas fuel cell at Air Station Cape Cod, one of the largest U.S. Coast Guard air stations on the East Coast. In addition to electric power, the fuel cell provides heat for domestic hot water and has the potential to provide space heating.
WAKE UP CALL FOR THE NEW BUSINESS OWNER
Unfortunately, the plumbing-heating-cooling (p-h-c) industry is cyclical in many areas, and, when a downturn arrives, many companies tighten their belts by cutting labor. A newly unemployed technician remembers how much his last employer was charging per hour and “knows” he can charge less and still be making money hand over fist. So that technician, with a pickup truck, tools, and excellent skills decides it’s time to start working for himself. But, now what? What happens during the next 12 months is critical to the long-term success of the business.
Publication date: 11/21/2016
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