Enrollment at the UA Local 447 Apprenticeship program in Sacramento, Calif., has grown over the years, due in part to the reputation of one of its instructors, Pat Myers. Myers loves to teach. Even though he has been teaching the trade for 22 years and has been a part of the industry for 32 years, it is still a thrill for the soft-spoken instructor
Solar technology is hardly new, but the ways in which it is being applied to carry smaller portions of the load is new. Lennox Industries, for example, recently unveiled SunSource™, an integrated, solar-assisted residential heating-cooling system. It will be available to the public in 2009.
Teaching was one of those things Richard Hoke thought he’d just dabble in. “I just thought I’d do it for a few years …” began the maintenance superintendent for the city of Elgin, Ill., before his voice trailed off. Eighteen years later, Hoke is still dabbling. And, enjoying the ride. By day he may be employed by the city, but evenings Hoke is teaching at Elgin Community College.
The technologies that we tend to think of as being new, or nontraditional, probably aren’t all that new. What is new is that these are today’s go-to technologies - things that we already have in hand to deal with the relatively new challenges facing, well, the world.
There aren’t many truly new technologies these days; most build upon existing technologies to a greater or lesser degree. The Maisotsenko Cycle (M-Cycle) allows for production of cold, power, drinking water, and many other applications, based on an efficient heat recovery process utilizing atmospheric air.
There isn’t much Floyd “Butch” Azbell will not attempt in the classroom, especially if it means helping one of his high school students understand class material or possibly pursue a career in the HVACR industry. It’s one of many reasons why Azbell is The NEWS’ 2008 Best Instructor of the Year.
The phaseout of R-22 is now looming over the industry. Some industry sources have indicated that the adoption rate of R-410A has been slower than they hoped; however, many contractors are bucking that trend and moving their companies to primarily selling equipment with the new refrigerant.
Many contractors still have lingering concerns about the phaseout of R-22 and the adoption of R-410A. That’s why The NEWS asked experts from ICP, Arkema, Emerson, and ICOR to address some of the most common concerns about R-410A and the phaseout of R-22.
The
“bigs” rolled into a seaside resort town in Western Michigan to talk about
changes in Michigan’s residential and commercial codes. Phil Forner, former ACCA national
chairman, and John Sedine, current national ACCA secretary, are both members of the Michigan
Chapter of ACCA (MIACCA).
The energy crisis has turned a lot of eyes to solar power as
a source of sustainable and renewable energy. That statement was made 40 years
ago and is being made again today. But this time, people are paying attention.
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