ACHR NEWS

An Ohio man is serving time in federal prison for violating the Clean Air Act after police witnessed him cutting the refrigerant line on an air conditioning unit and releasing HCFC-22 into the atmosphere.

Man Gets Prison Time for Venting R-22

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Clean Air Act

August 11, 2014

Martin C. Eldridge III now faces 31 months in federal prison for releasing the refrigerant, which is currently being phased out of production in the U.S. due to its threat to the earth’s ozone layer.

The 40-year-old Wulf Recreation Center in Evergreen, Colorado, received a $540,000 renovation, which guarantees a 32 percent energy improvement.

Residents, Occupants Benefit from Reduction in Humidity Levels

Contractors Can Help Satisfy Patrons, Personal Belongings

Matt Bishop

August 11, 2014

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For better or worse, humidity levels impact a structure’s indoor comfort. Here are a few examples of how contractor-initiated humidity reduction has impacted unique applications.

Heather Lawrence, technician, Air Serv of Omaha in Nebraska, was honored with Air Servâ??s Service Professional of the Year Award in her first year of employment.

Female Tech Flourishes at Air Serv of Omaha

Lawrence Excels in Customer Service, Training HVAC Technicians

Matt Bishop

August 11, 2014

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In her five years at Air Serv of Omaha, Lawrence has risen to become the company’s lead technician and training coordinator.

Going paperless has helped AFGO Mechanical Services Inc. greatly improve its cash flow because billing is immediate. It also has resulted in better customer service.

Tech-savvy HVAC Contractors Ditch the Paper

New-age System Affords Contractors Greater Professionalism, Business Opportunities

Matt Bishop

August 11, 2014

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For some, the paperless decision has led to an increase in professionalism, a grander customer perception, and further opportunity to “stack” up the profits.

The Bitzer booth at the IIAR expo features the latest equipment

Exhibitors Guide to Refrigeration Directions

‘Heavy Equipment’ Show Has Range of Products

Peter Powell

August 11, 2014

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Here, manufacturers of large machinery bring some of their latest developments, along with the range of products and services on display every year.

Guests gather at the â??Welcome Partyâ?? to ASHRAEâ??s 2014 Annual Conference in Seattle. Nearly 1,700 people attended the event. (Feature photos courtesy of ASHRAE)

ASHRAE Showcases New Strategic Plan at 2014 Annual Conference

Indoor Environment Quality Global Alliance Brings ASHRAE, IAQA, Others Together

Nick Kostora

August 11, 2014

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Nearly 1,700 people attended ASHRAE’s 2014 Annual Conference, where ASHRAE touted the introduction of a new strategic plan, creation of a new IAQ alliance, and the announcement of a milestone related to its research program.

Gina McCarthy, administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discussed the new clean power plan laid out by the EPA. (Feature photos by Herman Farrer Photography.)

Clearing the Air with Energy Efficiency

EPA Administrator Lays Out New Clean Power Plan at Annual Forum

Greg Mazurkiewicz

August 11, 2014

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Energy efficiency and renewable energy are key components of the EPA's Clean Power Plan, which aims to cut carbon pollution from power plants.

A sampling of HVAC contractors donâ??t believe their peers take mold seriously enough. According to Larry Pearson, many a/c contractors are â??winging it.â??

Are Contractors Taking Mold Seriously Enough?

Survey Says: No

Matt Bishop

August 11, 2014

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Even though mold remediation could potentially open a new revenue stream for HVAC contractors, some believe their peers don’t take mold nearly seriously enough.

Procedures for proper refrigerant recovery and recycling are undertaken by a 2014 SkillsUSA National Championship contestant under the watchful eye of judge Warren Lupson.

SkillsUSA Contest Awards HVACR Students

National Leadership and Skills Conference Prepares the Professionals of Tomorrow

Peter Powell

August 11, 2014

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Under the eye of scoring judges, contestants brazed, executed air conditioning troubleshooting techniques, demonstrated refrigerant recovery and recycling skills, performed refrigeration maintenance, evaluated airflow, serviced a gas furnace, and were tested on geothermal equipment.

Matt Risinger, owner of Risinger Homes in Austin, Texas, works on a Ultra-Aire XT105 dehumidifier. As buildings get tighter, the need for dehumidification is going to rise, said Nikki Krueger of Ultra-Aire.

The Role of Efficiency in Humidification

Manufacturers Accept the Humidification/Dehumidification Efficiency Challenge

Matt Bishop

August 11, 2014

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As buildings and homes get tighter, the need for dehumidification is only going to increase.

HVAC Manufacturers: Aug. 11, 2014

August 11, 2014

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Klein Tools Inc. names vice president of manufacturing; NexRev Inc. celebrated its 20th anniversary; more HVAC manufacturer news briefs.

HVAC Software: Aug. 11, 2014

August 11, 2014

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EcoFactor receives a U.S. patent for home energy management services; McCormick Systems receives honor; more HVAC software news briefs.

HVAC Contractor Service: Aug. 11, 2014

August 11, 2014

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Dewberry hires senior project manager in Denver; more HVAC contractor services news briefs.

HVAC Organizations: Aug. 11, 2014

August 11, 2014

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MCAA to hold Green Building Webinar; ACCA's Building Performance Forum opens for registration; more HVAC organization news briefs.

HVAC Commercial Contractors: Aug. 11, 2014

August 11, 2014

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Bardi Mechanical opens new office in Savannah, Georgia; Frank Millard Co. celebrates anniversary; more HVAC commercial contractor news briefs.

HVAC Residential Contractors: Aug. 11, 2014

August 11, 2014

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Amistee Air Duct Cleaning & Insulation acquires Ducts R Us; Sonoran Air is acquired; more HVAC residential contractor news briefs.

IFC Introduces Online Training Course

Program Provides Third-party Inspectors with High Training, Competency

August 11, 2014

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The IFC created the program in response to what it recognizes as a lack of in-depth programming.

Project Files: Meeting Modular Data Center Demand

August 11, 2014

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To meet the increasing demand on its data center applications, Vodacom required a solution that would allow it to quickly roll out additional facilities without the time, high cost, logistical barriers associated with new builds, or constraints of retrofitting facilities in existing buildings.

Obituary: Maurice Jacobson

August 11, 2014

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Long-time HVAC industry veteran Maurice “Maury” Jacobson died June 30. He was 93.

EPA Cautions Against Using Propane-based Refrigerants

FBI Joins EPA in Issuing Warnings About Unapproved Refrigerants

August 11, 2014

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The EPA says a number of unapproved refrigerants with “22a” or “R-22a” in the name contain highly flammable hydrocarbons such as propane.

July CCI Reaches 76

A CCI of 50 or Higher Reflects Anticipated HVAC Industry Growth

August 11, 2014

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Weighted and averaged into one number, a CCI of 50 or above reflects anticipated growth.

Trane Receives Manufacturing Leadership Award

Honor Recognizes Advancements in Tech Support Video Collaboration

August 11, 2014

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Frost & Sullivan presented Trane, an Ingersoll Rand brand, with the prestigious Manufacturing Leadership Award in recognition of its work with Seattle-based ResolutionTube.

ABCO Opens N.J. Branch

Facility Will Serve HVACR Professionals in Monmouth, Atlantic Counties

August 11, 2014

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The new location is positioned to better serve HVAC and refrigeration professionals from Monmouth County to Atlantic County with extensive inventory and delivery capabilities, along with engineering and sales support.

Emerson Develops HVAC Innovation Center

Facility Expected to be Completed by End of 2015

August 11, 2014

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The center will foster an ambitious, collaborative approach to conducting innovation, research, and training to create new technologies that address HVACR industry challenges.

Palmer-Wahl: Digital Thermometer

August 11, 2014

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The Wahl DST500-FM Digital RTD thermometer is a wide-range, high-accuracy thermometer designed for hazardous locations where accurate and reliable temperature monitoring is critical.

NJK Precision, a division of Von Weise LLC: Air Flow Monitoring Station

August 11, 2014

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Built to order, the structure’s engineered hole pattern can maintain its measuring accuracy, even with 50 percent hole blockage.

Uponor, Inc.: Brass CPVC Fittings

August 11, 2014

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Uponor North America is launching six new ProPEX Lead-free (LF) Brass CPVC Adapter Fittings for transitioning from CPVC to PEX in commercial plumbing and hydronic distribution piping systems.

Buyers Products: Spray Lubricant

August 11, 2014

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The new SprayLube 990 penetrates and loosens rust and corrosion on metal-to-metal parts.

Fuji Electric Corp. of America: Programmable Operator Interface

August 11, 2014

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The Monitouch V9 Series includes three lineups — the V9 Lite, V9 Standard, and the V9 Advanced, designed as a migration path for V8 Series customers while also offering step-up features for more advanced applications.

Aprilaire: Easy-Install Air Cleaner

August 11, 2014

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The Model 1610 Easy Install™ Air Cleaner, designed with a fully assembled transition, allows technicians and installers to easily and quickly fit the unit into most existing upflow applications in under an hour, according to the company.

Honeywell Intl. Inc.: Energy Meter

August 11, 2014

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Honeywell has announced Din-Mon energy meters — communicating submeters that easily integrate with the Building Automation Systems and help building owners and managers monitor, measure, and reduce energy costs.

UEi Test Instruments: Digital Psychrometer

August 11, 2014

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The DTH35 Digital Psychrometer with Enthalpy allows technicians to measure temperature and relative humidity, and calculates wet bulb, dew point, and enthalpy values.

Did you know that high GWP refrigerants will be phased down in the U.S.? This webinar will focus on one of the leading HFC alternatives, R-454B (Opteon™ XL41), which is replacing R-410A in HVAC applications.

This contractor-installed BAS solution offers the functionality of a fully customized BAS to give contractors an edge in satisfying building owners’ needs for performance and ease-of-use. Register to learn more about how leading with BAS solutions can help future-proof your projects and grow your bottom line