HVAC Residential Market

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In a world of ordinary mortals, more than 1,000 dedicated tradespeople descended upon Las Vegas from all over the globe to obtain the intellect, indomitable will, and super hero prowess necessary to grant them near invincibility in the HVACR, plumbing, and electrical trades.

In this age of information, homeowners are more educated than ever before. How could they not be when the answers to their questions are a simple Google search away?

If you’re reading this article right now, then it’s safe to assume you’ve heard of George “Butch” Welsch. Aside from being a regular contributor to The NEWS, Welsch is president of St. Louis-based Welsch Heating & Cooling Co., and the man…well, he’s a legend. Welsch was recognized at the 2017 Service World Expo as the first of this year’s three inaugural Legends of HVACR Award winners.

Why on earth am I writing about winter in October? Trust me, I have no desire to see the white stuff go flying by, hear the whistling wails of winter storm winds, or see the ever-present gray skies. But, as they say in my favorite television series, “Game of Thrones (GOT),” “Winter is coming.” And the HVAC Industry needs to get ready.

The UL 489 B1NQ miniature circuit breaker is a direct replacement for the common miniature circuit board (MCB) when paired with the optional surface mount. This recyclable, quick-connect breaker is available in three curves (B, C, and D), ranges from 0.5-63 A and is compliant with UL/CSA/IEC standards for branch circuit protection in commercial and residential applications.

Converting residential air conditioning equipment that uses R-22 to a replacement refrigerant is seen by many contractors and homeowners as a good way to extend the life of the system while removing R-22 from the picture. There are a number of replacement refrigerants to choose from, but with any replacement, it’s important to remember that the refrigerant is only half of the equation.

Sales of cooling equipment increased this summer, according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), whose combined June and July 2017 reports showed that U.S. shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps were up about 5.7 percent compared to units shipped during the same time frame in 2016.

Rick Haller, CEO of Lititz, Pennsylvania-based Haller Enterprises Inc., jokes that he got his start in the HVAC industry at the ripe age of 16 because the labor laws were different than they are nowadays. In 1981, at age 23, he had left that company and started his own business, operating out of his garage.

While residents and business owners in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida struggle to rebuild their lives following the path of destruction left by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, local HVAC contractors and manufacturers have an opportunity to step in and do what they do best — provide comfort.