Is it really possible to implement Ken Blanchard’s Gung Ho! techniques? And if so, how difficult is it? Those are some of the questions that were answered by employees (or coworkers, as they like to be called) of Secco Inc.

If you ever feel like throwing in the towel at your company, with your employees, or in a personal relationship, you need to come and listen to Ken Blanchard, Ph.D.

Members of Contractors 2000 (C2000) swarmed into Tempe, AZ, in late March to not only enjoy the 90-degree temperatures, but also to attend the group’s Super Meeting XXI. The meeting this year was all about how to manage people, and just about every session reflected that topic.

Thinking about your own imminent demise (read: death) is never a subject we like to dwell on. However, if you own a business, it’s necessary to start thinking about it while you’re still sound in mind and body. That would be today for those who have not yet made the necessary provisions.

Two products are being introduced to provide users with increased motor performance, as well as greater flexibility and functionality. Rockwell Automation has released its Allen-Bradley smart motor controllers, the SMC-3™ and SMC-Delta™.

According to some studies, the addition of vfd’s to an existing system can result in a reduction in energy consumption of 30% to 60%. For this reason, vfd’s are becoming quite popular. Since the technology has become much more stable over the last few years and costs are coming down, it’s a good time to look at vfd’s.

Most of the time it’s not a question of whether or not to replace a motor. By the time a contractor is called to the scene, the motor has already failed or is in its death throes. Replacement is usually a viable solution, because repairing a motor can be fairly expensive.

The main reason why most condenser coils are coated is that they’re located in a harsh environment. These environments can be natural (saltwater) or manufactured (chemicals), but in either case, a coating will lead to increased unit longevity, maintained performance, and efficiency.

Bob Forty knows all about condensing coils. As president of Energy Services Air Conditioning and Heating Co., and a 30-year self-proclaimed student of the hvac industry, Forty has seen a lot of trends come and go. One of the trends he’s not happy about at all is condensing coils that are made from aluminum (aluminum tube/aluminum fin).

Ductless systems have been popular in Europe and much of Asia for many years, and they’re gaining popularity in the U.S. However, there are still some who believe ductless systems can be used for cooling-only applications. Or, they should only be used in retrofit situations where it’s not possible to install ductwork. But the world of ductless is being shaken up.