Contractors across the nation are finding that although the HVAC industry has experienced change in the recent economic crisis, its need for skilled labor and certified technicians has not been completely abated by the influx of displaced workers from the economic downturn. Other trade industries have noticed this problem, too.
Some of the most common problems and solutions for smooth compressor operation can be found in training materials and on-the-job experience. There is also another method for educating HVAC contractors and service technicians — getting answers straight from the manufacturers.
Local municipalities may not require residents to install HVAC equipment that exceeds federally preempted standards. That is the message Judge Martha Vazquez, of the Federal District Court for the District of New Mexico, shared in her Jan. 25 ruling in AHRI v. City of Albuquerque.
Because the tax credit on high-efficiency equipment expired, many believe that homeowners will now revert to standard efficiency. Before we throw the high-efficiency equipment out with the bath water, let’s take a close look at how the tax credits affected sales and how they can be replaced in 2012.
Some people say that the compressor is the key component, or heart, of an air conditioning system. And like the human heart, the compressor must be kept in tip-top condition to run the system efficiently.
Manufacturers continue to make advances in compressors, especially when it comes to efficiency and ease of maintenance. This roundup highlights some of the latest offerings to hit the market, as well as those that will be available later this year.
Homeowners are being very careful about making investments in home energy savings. According to a recent survey, they are demanding significant energy cost savings to justify any investments of time and money required to install highly efficient HVAC systems, and they have grown more skeptical about promises of a quick payback.
UTC Climate, Controls & Security recently signed an agreement with Watsco Inc. (Coconut Grove, Fla.) to form a joint venture named Carrier Enterprise Canada to distribute Carrier, Bryant, and Payne HVAC products and supplies in Canada.
Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) announced North American HVACR average distributor sales were up 6.2 percent in January 2012.
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) announced it will host its 2012 annual conference in San Antonio from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, and its 2013 event in Philadelphia.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Panasonic Home & Environment Co. the 2012 Energy Star® Sustained Excellence award in recognition of its continued leadership in manufacturing innovative and energy-efficient ventilation fans.
RESNET appoints board president; ACCA presents distinguished service award; HVAC Excellence names four as certified master HVACR educators; American Builders and Contractors receives grant from Turner Foundation.
ClimaCool appoints central regional sales manager; Mitsubishi appoints senior product marketing managers; A.O. Smith and Bradford-White approve InnoFlue® system; Laird joins BACnet International board; Lennox appoints chairman and lead director; Oasis International welcomes manufacturer’s representatives; Hartzell expands manufacturing facility; Maxitrol names vice president of sales; ICM Controls names quality manager and chief engineer; Luvata ElectroFin to provide corrosion-proofing for second Florida facility; CavitroniX announces manufacturer’s representatives.
The TapeMaster™ HVAC-TAPE2 is a 2-inch aluminum foil tape dispenser. It is engineered to remove the paper release liner from foil tapes with ease. The tape dispenser conveniently rolls the waste paper onto a take-up reel for easy disposal, eliminating little pieces of scrap from the jobsite, the company said.
The CO2 recorder TR-76Ui three-channel data logger simultaneously measures and records CO2 concentration, temperature, and humidity. The unit has a CO2 range up to 5,000 ppm and a capacity to store up to 8,000 data sets. The supplied software enables the user to download the data recorded.
The domestic hot-water indirect storage tank lines WST and SST offer plumbing and HVAC professionals simplified installation and superior durability, which ensures fewer callbacks while providing end users years of reliable operation, the company said.
Minimizing wear on HVAC equipment and maximizing system uptime is the VLT® HVAC Basic drive. It is a robust variable-speed drive solution that delivers highly reliable HVAC performance for basic fan and pump operations, the company said.
With a working pressure of 175 psi, the Viridian line of wet-rotor pumps with an ECM motor offers an 80 percent decrease in energy consumption compared to a standard commercial pump of the same size, says the company.
The Emerson Blue™ Wireless Easy Install™ thermostat system is ideal for residential applications where pulling any wire would be difficult or cost prohibitive, said the company. The thermostat system is compatible with most conventional and heat pump systems that are single- or multi-stage.
