According to ComStar International Inc., an HFC refrigerant that it markets as RS-45 and has been developed for possible use by OEMs instead of R-410A, has been “approved and given the designation of R-434A with an A-1 safety classification” by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
“There’s a 500-pound gorilla in the attic and
he’s eating everybody’s lunch.” That gorilla, said Pat Chesney, is HVAC
leakage. Chesney is field and inspection manager for Tradewinds Appropriate
Technologies LLC, an independent, third-party inspection and consulting firm
for HVAC and residential energy analysis.
Pitfalls of installation, service, and
troubleshooting can be prevented or addressed with the use of smart
products, said Jim Kitchen, senior product manager for controls at Heatcraft
Refrigeration Products LLC. It’s true in the unitary market, and it’s true in
the commercial refrigeration market too. In the latter, problems such as too
many defrosts is an issue “that’s been going on for years.”
A commercial-industrial contractor like Hurst Mechanical
needs to stay on top of trends. In Michigan, for example, manufacturing is not the best place to focus attention. That market isn’t completely stagnant, but health care and related
industries are more likely to bear fruit. Smart systems and diagnostics are necessary in order
for the contractor to keep up with trends in any industry.
Every year The NEWS introduces the latest heating equipment available for the upcoming winter season. The goal is to help contractors prepare for this busy period by doing the research that will help them distinguish between brands. Like last year, the Heating Showcase is split into two parts, commercial and residential. The commercial information is published here.
Companies looking to “go green” want products that help them lower energy costs, reduce operating and maintenance costs, increase productivity, and decrease the amount of pollution generated. HVAC systems can affect each of these areas, which is why they’re usually considered first when building owners and managers look into making facilities greener. Boilers, in particular, can help facility managers achieve their green goals.
The popularity of wine continues to grow as is evident by the wide varieties, the greater availability, and the increasing number of arguments over what constitutes a really fine wine. Refrigeration plays an important role. In fact, refrigeration is vital not only in storage, but on the front end in the winemaking process, and once a bottle is uncorked.
The view of an almost empty hall quickly puts the sheer volume of air and ventilation requirements into perspective. How does a facility this size face the difficult task of being a good environmental citizen? Is this a manageable feat and where do you begin?
Contrary to what some people may believe, the best employees are not of the homegrown variety, at least that’s the general feeling of the 75 respondents to The NEWS’ recent online survey which asked contractors, “Where do you look for new hires and what do you look for in new hires?”
Have you been pleased with the results of the training your company has been paying for? Has it been as successful as you hoped? If not, consider these four reasons HVAC industry training often fails and how you may actually play a role.
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