When a design-build contractor tells a potential customer that he needs a new air unit/evaporator, does the customer know what it is about the facility that requires specific designs? If he does know, the contractor has a better chance of installing the best system, not just the lowest cost system. Jeff Rothermal of Evapco, Taneytown, MD, spoke on “Air Unit Design and Application” at the recent Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) conference. His objective was to pass along facts that can be passed along to customers, who can then make informed decisions.
In today’s economy, customers are more aware of the importance of getting the most out of their energy dollars. Efficient operation of evaporative condensers can help. In general, this means reducing the discharge pressure. Banks Tomas, a project engineer for Uni-Temp Refrigeration, Norcross, GA, addressed evap condenser efficiency in his session paper, “Operating A More Energy-Efficient Refrigeration System,” presented at the recent conference of the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA).
The theme of Excellence Alliance Inc.’s (EAI’s) Annual Excellence Leaders Meeting was “What the Times Demand,” and members received a lot of information on strengthening business practices and relationships to take back to their employees and customers.
Ferris State University leads the way in educational milestones for the HVACR industry. It is one of only two post-secondary institutions in the country to offer a bachelor’s degree in HVACR engineering technology. But now, Ferris is taking its degree program and venturing into new territory that will set it apart from other educational institutions. Set for the winter semester, the university will launch its online bachelor of science degree program in HVACR engineering technology.
Mike Silverstein, assistant product manager, Evaporative Condensers, with Baltimore Aircoil (BAC), Baltimore, MD, was giving a talk on “Evaporative Condensers: Maintenance and Efficiency” at the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) conference. The seminar about “that lovely equipment on the roof” was moving right along until Silverstein reached chemical water treatment and white rust. That’s when questions from the audience indicated that the entire session could have been on white rust and nothing else.
At the Mechanical Service Contractors of America’s (MSCA’s) 2002 Education Conference, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about a problem that seems to affect the majority of HVACR contractors. Robert Wendover, executive director of the Center for Generational Studies, presented a seminar called “Recruitment and Retention in the New Millennium.”
The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) gave its members an update on current training and certification initiatives at the organization’s 17th annual Education Conference.
The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) gathered once again for its annual Education Conference. This is the 17th year for the conference, which provides members with hands-on workshops, business seminars, an industry trade show, and lots of networking opportunities.
A very successful businessman recently detailed why he had pulled out of a business opportunity. “They just never proposed any economics that were compelling,” he wrote. “To be a good business, you need to have the customer relationship, rather than being an anonymous subcontractor.” This seems to be the greatest challenge for the mechanical contractor involved in new construction — not remaining anonymous.
It seems as though no good can occur on the job when conflict rears its ugly head, but maybe conflict can work to your advantage. That’s the message of Nancy Bandy, the managing director of Trainsitions Consulting Group, an organization that works to help companies use training initiatives to meet challenges in the work environment. Bandy presented “The Art of Conflict Resolution” at the Mechanical Service Contractors of America’s (MSCA’s) Annual Education Conference.