El Boqueron, a Tex-Mex cuisine restaurant, had a leaking reach-in cooler evaporator coil. So the restaurant owner was faced with an $800 replacement including installation, as leaks in evaporator coils are sometimes not cost-effective to fix. But AB Chelini Air Conditioning & Heating Co. offered a less costly option.
When the Food Marketing Institute surveyed members of the food retail industry concerning top issues for 2009-2010, four of the top 15 issues were those that could be addressed by improvements in mechanical refrigeration systems, including energy costs and environmental concerns.
The supermarket industry has been undergoing a gradual shift in thinking regarding the preferred method for controlling evaporator discharge temperature. While mechanical evaporator pressure regulators continue to have a strong following, more attention is being given to electric suction line pressure regulator valves.
When Matthews, N.C.-based Harris Teeter Inc. opened a new store in Charlotte, it marked the first installation of Hill Phoenix Second Nature compact chiller units in North America. The technology is a sustainable refrigeration system that reduces system refrigerant by 97 percent over a standard direct expansion (DX) system.
“Now is the Time” is the theme of the Mechanical Service Contractors Association’s (MSCA’s) 24th Annual Education Conference, taking place Oct. 18-21 in Bonita Springs, Fla. The theme begs the question: Time for what? Now is the time to learn. That is, it’s time to learn methods to build your business.
Too hot or too cold at the office? A recent study examines the whys and wherefores behind the complaints. The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has released “Temperature Wars: Savings vs. Comfort,” a study that looks at the most common thermal complaints made by workers and the ways facility professionals respond.
Contractors have been investigating the federal tax credit program in order to provide every advantage to customers looking for HVAC energy-savings solutions. As with any incentive, rebate, or marketing program, some find a wealth of opportunity, while others find ways to make their own opportunities.
Consumers are showing more and more interest in ground-source heat pump (GSHP) systems, due in part to consumer efficiency research and the availability of federal and local efficiency rebates. However, their first cost can still deter consumers’ best intentions.
When a supplier has been in business for 57 years, they have figured out how to keep their fingers on several pulses - not just the HVAC industry, but also those involving the economy and politics. With a variety of input, Habegger Corp. has been growing its influence in the geothermal market, helping to guide contractors into this high-end field.
Heat pumps have come a long way. They do have an old reputation of being less reliable than standard cooling-only systems, partly due to the complexity of the unit, which provides both heating and cooling. This complexity at one time led to errors in installation and service. Today’s high-end systems, however, have features that help contractors install equipment with ensured reliability.
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