As technology continues to advance, more and more industry mobile applications are becoming available for smartphones and tablets. These mobile apps can be valuable tools for HVACR customers, contractors, distributors, and manufacturers.

Here at The NEWS, we will be spotlighting several of these mobile apps each month. If you have an app you would like included in the App Zone, please complete our online submission form. If you have any questions, please email jenanesi@achrnews.com.

HVAC Pro

Company: RD Holder

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Updated: January 2014

Cost: $12.99

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/HVACPro

Description: The RD Holder HVAC Pro mobile app is designed to help HVAC technicians service a/c systems. The app uses a four-step procedure that checks volts and amps, evaporator superheat, condensing subcooling, and the temperature difference of coils. No one method can be used by itself to charge or troubleshoot an air conditioning system; rather, they must be used together to ensure efficiency and capacity.

Quote: “This app walks you through troubleshooting of an a/c system. I use it every day.” — iTunes review by Bth39

SlideShark

Company: Brainshark Inc.

Platform(s): Apple mobile devices

Updated: December 2013

Cost: Free

Available for download: iTunes, and http://bit.ly/AppSlideShark

Description: SlideShark is the No. 1 app for showing PowerPoint from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch the way it was meant to be seen — with animations, fonts, colors, graphics, videos, and hyperlinks intact. The app can be used by HVAC contractors and technicians to present information to customers during in-home sales calls. From a computer or your iOS mobile device, simply upload a PowerPoint file to your secure online account. The slides are then automatically converted to a mobile-optimized format. Then simply use the SlideShark app to download and show your presentation on your mobile device or through a projector, or broadcast it over the Web. You can also share an online version of your presentation for others to view on-demand, anytime from any device, and then track the viewing results.

Quote: “Works well but strips out music and some animations. If you do not have a Mac and use only PPS, then it is a good choice to use. I have switched to Keynote because of the iCloud connection between my Mac and iPad Air, making it easy to share and show presentations with no loss of information or effects. I convert my older PPS presentations to Keynote now.” — iTunes review by ValkyrieRider

Evergreen Energy Calculator

Company: Genteq Motors

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Updated: May 2012

Cost: Free

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/EvergreenApp

Description: Heating and cooling your home is typically the largest use of energy in your home. You can use this tool to compare the annual energy use and cost of a wide range of heating and cooling systems. You can also learn how quickly a new system will pay for itself in lower energy costs.

Quote: “Perfect for what it does — calculating energy savings of fan selection.” — Google Play review

HVAC Buddy Load Calc

Company: Powertrade Services LLC

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Updated: August 2013

Cost: $39.99

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/HVACBuddyApp

Description: Improve accuracy when sizing equipment, demonstrate professionalism on the job, and add substance to your proposals with the HVAC Buddy Load Calc app. The user can enter all the construction characteristics relating to heat gains and losses for the purposes of calculating the total building loads for heating and cooling. This app simplifies the process of collecting and recording information for presentation in a meaningful context.

Quote: “Awesome app. I have used many load calc programs through the years and this is tops. Easy to use once you learn the program. Great job!!” — Google Play review

Viega Catalog App

Company: Viega LLC

Platform(s): Apple and Android mobile devices

Released: December 2013

Cost: Free

Available for download: iTunes, Google Play, and http://bit.ly/ViegaApp

Description: Viega LLC’s new catalog smartphone application brings 3,000 Viega products to users’ mobile devices. This streamlined app puts the complete Viega LLC product catalog in the palm of your hand. Find the Viega fitting, valve, tubing, piping, or accessory that you’re looking for easily. The app even includes an integrated notepad feature that allows you to make product lists that can be emailed to colleagues or customers.

Quote: “With frequent updates, the Viega catalog app puts Viega innovations and product details at our customers’ fingertips, whether they’re at the office or on the job. Having the app when specifying or quoting a project makes our customers’ processes more efficient and lives a little easier.” — Adina Barnes, director of market intelligence, Viega

Marley Mobile

Company: SPX Cooling Technologies Inc.

Platform(s): Apple mobile devices

Released: December 2013

Cost: Free

Available for download: iTunes and http://bit.ly/MarleyMobile

Description: Marley’s many resources are now available anytime, anywhere at the customer’s convenience. The app offers the ability to select an application-appropriate tower, calculate system water usage, contact a Marley sales representative, and much more. Features in the mobile app include Tower Finder, a select list of tower options is generated based on specific user criteria; Update™ Lite, a mobile lite version of Marley’s sizing and selection tool allows for tower selections to be made on the go; Water Usage, where operating conditions can be entered to quickly calculate a variety of key data including total water usage; Why Marley, which quickly finds product-specific information; Videos, which provide access to the latest Marley videos for education and troubleshooting; and My Marley Rep, which lets the user quickly reach a local Marley sales representative with rapid, one-touch connect.

Quote: “Our goal is to put key tools in the hands of our customers and sales representatives. Whether they are at the office or in the field, our MarleyMobile app will give them access to Marley’s many valuable resources.” — Doug Bougher, director, HVAC and refrigeration sales, SPX Cooling Technologies Inc.

Publication date: 1/27/2014

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