April 3 2023 Issue

Leveraging Your Workforce in Recruitment and Retention Strategies

Creativity, incentives help bolster recruiting, retention

March 30, 2023

It isn’t just about closing the hole in your business where you lose people. It’s about empowering all employees and engaging them in operating the business.

The Upsell: Why Indoor Air Quality Products Are About the Customer, Not the Company

There’s a thin line between profits and principles

Scott Merritt

March 26, 2023

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Upsells don’t have to be avoided to feel as though you’re being honest with customers.

Contractors Predict Growth in Service/Repair this Year

Slight dip in equipment sales could be offset by greater demand for service

March 27, 2023

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HVAC contractors have been busier than ever these last two years, and they are hoping that momentum will continue. But inflation and interest rates remain high, and it’s harder than ever to find skilled labor in order to keep up with demand, so 2023 may be more of a challenge.

Mergers and Acquisitions: Two Bankers Say HVAC M&A Market Still Robust, One Buyer Sees Bigger Slowdown

Mergers and acquisitions activity is slightly off its recent peak of two years ago, according to two investment bankers involved in such deals

Matt Jachman

March 21, 2023

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While M&A activity has slowed, there is still a lot of opportunity in the market.

FYI: News Briefs in HVAC - April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023

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For your information news briefs from a wide variety of categories within the HVAC industry. Price increases, mergers and acquisitions, award winners, and more are highlighted here each week.

ACCA, the Workforce, and the Inflation Reduction Act

Workforce issues remain the association’s top priority

Hannah Belloli

March 27, 2023

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The ACHR NEWS chats with ACCA’s president and CEO, Barton James, and director of member communications and committee liaison, Melissa Broadus, about what’s on the association’s radar.

Design Practices for Building and Modifying Duct Systems

HVAC ductwork: Set it and forget it, right?

Matt Jachman

March 28, 2023

One Comment

Calculated, deliberate ductwork design and construction are major factors in how effectively and efficiently a forced-air HVAC system works.

HVAC Contractors Need to Concentrate on the Fundamentals

It’s time to lock in on the smaller items that, a lot of times, make all the difference

Kyle Gargaro

March 31, 2023

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It is time for contractors to take a good look at their businesses and get back to the fundamentals.

Protecting an HVAC Business Against Embezzlement

Four basic best practices can help stop embezzlers before they steal

Hannah Belloli

January 31, 2023

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HVAC business owners can implement simple steps to protect their businesses from potential embezzlement, and should keep in mind that sometimes the embezzler is the person least expected.

Diagnosing a Heat Pump Defrost Sensor

Matthew Akins

February 19, 2023

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A split system heat pump's defrost sensor is used to detect ice buildup on the heat pump's outdoor coil. The exact way in which a defrost sensor works can vary.

Introducing the ‘Greatest-Ever Investment in HVAC’

Opportunities abound in new regulations, incentives, HVAC executive tells AHR crowd

Matt Jachman

March 9, 2023

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Chris Forth, vice president of codes, standards and environmental affairs at Johnson Controls Inc., told a group of AHR attendees the industry can increase equipment installations with the help of the tax incentives and consumer rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

What Does SEER Mean to Homeowners?

It may be tricky explaining the transition from SEER to SEER2 to homeowners

Nicholas Orth

March 25, 2023

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Consumers may know heating and cooling units are a major contributor to their overall utility bills and that their equipment’s efficiency matters, but terms like 14 SEER don’t translate to anything relatable.

HVACR OEMs Report Strong Q4 Results

Every surveyed manufacturer noted they’re well-positioned for the coming months

Matt Jachman

April 4, 2023

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Six of seven major HVACR manufacturers reported year-over-year revenue increases for the fourth quarter of 2022.

Solving the Technician Shortage Problem

Finding skilled refrigeration techs is difficult, so NASRC is tackling the issue

Joanna R. Turpin

March 30, 2023

2 Comments

There are advantages and disadvantages to being a refrigeration technician. The industry needs to work together to reduce the disadvantages and expand the opportunities, so that people want to make a career in refrigeration service and installation.

Technician Spotlight: Mike Landenwitsch

Landenwitsch has been with current company for more than 40 years

Hannah Belloli

March 28, 2023

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Even after over 40 years with Bachman’s, Mike Landenwitsch still goes above and beyond for the company.

ABB to expand Robotics factory in US

March 20, 2023

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$20 million investment aims to increase production at ABB’s existing Auburn Hills, Michigan, facility.

HARDI and EGIA Announce Partnership

March 16, 2023

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The agreement between HARDI and EGIA is designed to strengthen two-step HVACR growth.

San Francisco Latest City to Ban Gas Furnaces

March 21, 2023

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Bay Area Air Quality Management District votes to phase out NOx-emitting natural gas furnaces and water heaters.

Distribution Trends Seeks Top 30 Distributors, Up & Comers

March 22, 2023

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Distribution Trends' Top 30 and Up & Comers contests are designed to highlight HVACR distribution’s most successful and fastest rising companies.

New 'Nominal Installed Airflow' Better Represents the Real-World Performance of Kitchen Range Hoods

Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) release data on duct termination fitting (DTF) performance.

Austin Keating

March 15, 2023

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The project consisted of sourcing, testing, and analyzing results for 36 unique DTFs to establish accurate DTF loss coefficients for determining the NIA.

KWK Architects Designs Reinforced Rooms at Residence Halls to Protect Students from Tornadoes, Severe Weather

KWK Architects has designed reinforced rooms for several universities within the country’s Tornado Alley where twisters are more common.

March 16, 2023

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In areas of the country where dangerous tornadoes and severe weather occur more frequently, more universities are incorporating reinforced rooms, or storm shelters, in their residence hall designs.

Duro Dyne adds Large Selection of Fire Dampers, Insulated Access Doors and More

Slideshow: The NSI-owned company made their new offerings a centerpiece of their booth at the 2023 AHR Expo

Austin Keating

March 27, 2023

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Duro Dyne marked their entrance into the fire damper market with a wide selection of fire, smoke and opposed blade dampers earlier this year – neatly packing the new products in one display on the 2023 AHR Expo floor.

Sheet Metal in the 1980s: How the U.S. Improved Slide-On, then Rolled-on Four-Bolt Connectors

Rolled-On and Slide-On four-bolt connector systems have basically eliminated all other transverse connection systems world-wide.

David Daw

March 3, 2022

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In my opinion, the ‘80s saw the most significant development in HVAC duct fabrication of any during the past half-century. Here's why.

Doug Smith of Dynamic Systems Inc. Named MCAA Innovator of the Year

Smith is recognized by his peers for his leadership in research, process integration from virtual design to fabrication, and his ability to be a resource to colleagues.

March 17, 2023

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The MCAA Innovative Technology Committee recognized Doug Smith from Dynamic Systems, Inc. as the 2023 Innovator of the Year at the annual MEP Innovation Conference hosted by MCAA, NECA and SMACNA.

SPIDA Golf Tournament, Service Award Honors Bill Bradford Jr.

Nominations are open until March 31 for individuals in SPIDA-member companies who exemplify values ranging from a hard work ethic to steadfastness and mentorship.

Austin Keating

March 7, 2023

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Spiral Duct Manufacturer’s Association (SPIDA) honors Sheet Metal Industry Icon Bill Bradford’s legacy with an annual award recognizing employees throughout the industry who embody his ethics.

Badger Meter: Electromagnetic Flow Meter

February 24, 2023

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The M2000 meter is a full-bore inline electromagnetic meter to complete the BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) Certification Program, assuring seamless integration with building management systems.

Greenheck: Small-Diameter Overhead Fan

February 24, 2023

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The AMPLIFY DM-3 is a small-diameter architectural overhead fan that boosts occupant comfort. Featuring curved polymer airfoils designed to maximize airflow, improve efficiency, and optimize coverage area, the DM-3 is available in a 5-foot diameter with airflow up to 7,113 cfm and cooling effect up to 7° F/4° C.

RectorSeal: Heat Absorption Putty

February 21, 2023

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Cool Braze, is reusable heat absorption putty for the HVAC/R, plumbing, and welding markets and blocks soldering, brazing, and welding heat conduction and sparks from damaging nearby soldered fitting joints, piping, and valves.