Research beyond HFCs continues and CO2 is the alternative getting the most attention. At the jointly held 18th International Compressor Engineering Conference and 11th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference, at least 35 of the 225 papers had CO2 as their primary topic.
Most contractors install HVAC systems for people, so they can ask the end users about their specific requirements. It becomes more difficult when the end users can't communicate their needs. Such was the case with the animal inhabitants of a new building constructed at Rehabitat.
Every year, paper checks by the billions must be sorted, processed, and shipped. That's one of the reasons why your bank would like you to pay your bills electronically - and they're making it easy and profitable for you to do so.
The NEWS' annual Commercial Products Heating Showcase introduces the latest heating units that are available for the upcoming heating season. The intent is to help contractors assess new product offerings by putting key product information at their fingertips.
Distributor sales growth increased 11.5 percent in 2005 over 2004, according to a polling sample of 100 HARDI distributors across America. The pretax profit margins also continued a five-year climb, totaling 3 percent, a 58 percent increase from the record low in 2001. Sales per employee were up 8 percent from 2004-05, and 13 percent from 2001.
Richard Dean has been active in the HVAC industry for more than 30 years and was elected to serve as the 2006-07 chairman of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Dean is interviewed here on the challenges presented by the 13 SEER standard.
In this Heating Showcase product review, The NEWS has rounded up information - from serviceability and noise-reduction features to unit warranties and manufacturer technical support phone numbers - on some of the latest commercial heating products.
There always seems to be someone not following the rules. In some situations, it appears that the cheater wins the business game in the short term by skirting the rules. Here are several ways to help level the field against those not playing by the rules.
Water contamination in an industrial ammonia refrigeration system can lower system efficiency and increase the electrical costs required to run the system's refrigeration compressors.
An issue that's becoming more important is a change in HVAC parts availability and usage - especially with the more stringent efficiency standards of 13 SEER. The NEWS spoke with representatives from Rheem, its distributors, and dealers about their concerns over all aspects of the 13 SEER parts market.
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