Nine HVAC industry leaders are gathering together just five minutes from the Chicago O’Hare Airport for one purpose: to educate AEC BuildTech Conference & Expo attendees.
Sponsored by Mestek Machinery, the HVACR/Mechanical Systems learning track begins on Tuesday, April 30 with “Design-Build VRF, Energy Modeling, and BIM – It’s Easier Than You Think!” and ends on Thursday, May 2, with a discussion on how “Autonomous Buildings Will Reshape the Marketplace.”
In between these two sessions are seven others that offer technical and business insight on specific topics in the HVAC industry.
Many courses qualify for continuing education credits (CEUs) from The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), The American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Institute of Constructors (AIC), Building Owners and Managers Institute International® (BOMI), The American Institute of Architects (AIA), and professional development hours (PDH).
The sessions will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, along with keynote presentations, networking events, and a trade show exhibit. On-site registration is available for one-, two-, and three-day passes. Choosing an all-access conference pass for any day opens access to the HVACR/Mechanical Systems learning track.
PM TO STOP OUTBREAKS
Ray Field, director of Goodway Liquid Solutions, Stamford, Connecticut, is presenting a one-hour session, “Managing Legionella and Dangerous Outbreaks with Preventative Maintenance.” During his presentation, Field has visuals to show the difference between a properly maintained cooling tower fill and ones that have been ignored.
“I’ll explain how proper maintenance not only reduces the risk of a Legionella outbreak in cooling tower systems, but leads to better indoor air quality, lower operational costs, and longer industrial equipment life,” he said. “I will also explain how the proper use of equipment and chemicals can be used to mitigate Legionella risk.”
According to Field, the importance of this session stems from the fact that cooling towers are a breeding ground for Legionnaire’s disease, both inside and out.
“With the increase in Legionella outbreaks in the past several years, the HVAC industry has placed greater attention on the maintenance of building water systems, even establishing the minimum legionellosis risk management requirements through the ASHRAE Standard 188-2015,” said Field. “Facility operators and managers are responsible to ensure the health of their HVAC system, typically by facilities hiring HVAC contractors to handle the tasks of comprehensive cooling tower cleaning and disinfection for outer tower structural members as well as treating the bulk water.”
This session qualifies for an AIA learning unit in health, safety, and welfare.
CONTROLS MARKET GAP
Spanning the gap between programmable thermostats and building automation systems, there is a bevy of controls that can be applied to help customers save energy. Matt Huffman, senior program manager, Resource Innovations, Chicago, is addressing this gap in his session, “Filling the HVAC Controls Gap between a Yugo and a Lambo.” Qualifying for a BOMI continuing professional development (CPD) credit and an IACET CEU, this 90-minute session will highlight first-hand experience from 2018 project case studies, as well as strategies for contractors to use in their businesses.
“There is a new frontier of building controls that is now available for just about any HVAC contractor,” said Huffman. “This represents a new source of revenue for HVAC contractors working in existing buildings and new construction.”
He explained that customers enjoy having more comfortable and energy-efficient buildings because of the controls installed, and that HVAC contractors are their primary connection to these savings.
“You need to talk to your good clients about how you can improve their building controls before your competitors do,” Huffman said. “Utility incentives may help pay for a substantial portion of the first cost of a project based on energy savings.
“I’ll share some details about programs in different parts of the country doing just that,” he added.
VRF ADOPTION 101
One of Paul Chaves’ favorite parts about his session, “Getting Started with VRF: Best Practices and Common Misconceptions,” is dispelling myths about how VRF systems work. He is the training manager for Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US LLC (METUS), and his one-hour session is approved for an AIA learning unit elective, BOMI CPD, and an IACET CEU.
“I also enjoy helping HVAC contractors, who might be uneasy or uncertain, to see that they can succeed with VRF systems with some additional training,” said Chaves. “HVAC contractors who understand refrigeration, thermodynamics, electricity, and the basic science they use when working with other HVAC systems can learn to correctly design, apply, and maintain VRF systems.”
According to Chaves, this session provides a clear introduction to VRF-specific concepts, including essential components, sizing guidelines, wiring, and basic best practices for application, installation, and maintenance.
“I want attendees to walk away from the presentation with a better understanding of VRF systems, the VRF opportunity, and the resources available to help professionals work with VRF systems profitably and with minimal callbacks,” he said.
AEC BuildTech HVACR/Mechanical Systems Track Schedule
Here is a quick look at the three-day schedule for the HVACR/Mechanical Systems track, sponsored by Mestek Machinery, and the continuing education credits available.
12:30 - 1:30 p.m
Design-Build VRF, Energy Modeling, and BIM – It’s Easier Than You Think!
Reid Goyert
VRF sales engineer, Midwest region
Fujitsu General America Inc.
1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
Creating a WOW Experience in the Field
Stephen Dale
director of training
Power Selling Pros
3 - 4 p.m
Assembly Line Manufacturing for Construction Using BIM — Why, When, and How?
Bimal Patwari
President and CEO
Pinnacle Infotech Inc.
AIA LU/Elective, BOMI CPD, PDH, AIC CPD, IACET CEU
8 - 9 a.m.
Electronic Controls for Commercial Refrigeration Made Simple
Stan Osborne
senior training consultant
Heatcraft World Wide Refrigeration
BOMI CPD, IACET CEU
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Managing Legionella and Dangerous Outbreaks with Preventative Maintenance
Ray Field, director of liquid solutions,
Goodway Technologies
AIA LU/HSW, IACET CEU
3:30 – 5 p.m.
Filling the HVAC Controls Gap between a Yugo and a Lambo
Matt Huffman
senior program manager
Resource Innovations
IACET CEU, BOMI CPD
8 – 9 a.m.
Getting Started with VRF: Best Practices and Common Misconceptions
Paul Chaves
manager, technical training
METUS
AIA LU/Elective, BOMI CPD, IACET CEU
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Streamline the Duct Design Assembly Workflow with Manifolding
Mike Bailey
vice president, sales and product development
Mestek Machinery
IACET CEU
3:30 – 4 p.m.
Autonomous Buildings Will Reshape the Marketplace
Troy Harvey
CEO
PassiveLogic
AIA LU/Elective, IACET CEU
For more information on the conference and the HVACR/Mechanical Systems Track, visit www.aecbuildtech.com.
Publication date: 4/29/2019
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