Standard 90.1-2001 is not an easy read. Energy efficiency is not a simple topic. Thankfully, however, the 90.1 User’s Manual cuts to the heart of compliance for commercial buildings, spelling out simple solutions, what is required, and what isn’t.
Our survey question: If you or a technician find mold in a customer’s HVAC system, should you tell them, and have them sign paperwork stating that you told them? Or, should you just address system problems (such as moisture removal) without mentioning mold?
ATLANTA, GA — The reliability of CO detectors and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ (ASHRAE’s) proposed residential ventilation standard will be discussed in a special session
When a design-build contractor tells a potential customer that he needs a new air unit/evaporator, does the customer know what it is about the facility that requires specific designs? If he does know, the contractor has a better chance of installing the best system, not just the lowest cost system. Jeff Rothermal of Evapco, Taneytown, MD, spoke on “Air Unit Design and Application” at the recent Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) conference. His objective was to pass along facts that can be passed along to customers, who can then make informed decisions.
In today’s economy, customers are more aware of the importance of getting the most out of their energy dollars. Efficient operation of evaporative condensers can help. In general, this means reducing the discharge pressure. Banks Tomas, a project engineer for Uni-Temp Refrigeration, Norcross, GA, addressed evap condenser efficiency in his session paper, “Operating A More Energy-Efficient Refrigeration System,” presented at the recent conference of the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA).
Mike Silverstein, assistant product manager, Evaporative Condensers, with Baltimore Aircoil (BAC), Baltimore, MD, was giving a talk on “Evaporative Condensers: Maintenance and Efficiency” at the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA) conference. The seminar about “that lovely equipment on the roof” was moving right along until Silverstein reached chemical water treatment and white rust. That’s when questions from the audience indicated that the entire session could have been on white rust and nothing else.
They’re both unwanted, and they both affect the HVAC industry to some degree. We’re talking about environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and mold, the two bad boys in IAQ.
Say you open up a customer’s duct plenum and find mold, or something that looks like mold. Do you make the customer sign a statement that their house has mold, and that you, the HVAC contractor, told them? Or, do you tell the customer they may have a moisture problem, sidestepping the mold question for the time being? Does this leave you liable for mold litigation? These were the questions facing contractors who attended the “Managing Your Mold Liability” conference.
There’s an old saying that traveling is an important part of a well-rounded education. Besides culture, travel offers pretty good business lessons too. Take the case of Bonnie Kern-Koskela, the recently appointed chairman of Southfield, MI-based Mertik Maxitrol.