Reggie Hucks, Author at JADE Learning

Preparing for the Wisconsin Electrical Journeyman Exam

To help you prepare for the Wisconsin Journeyman Electrician Exam, we’ve gathered some information on what you can expect on the exam — plus some tips to help you pass.

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How to Prepare for the Washington Electrical Exam

Before you become a journey-level or master electrician in Washington, you must pass an exam. Here’s what you can expect on the exam and some tips to help you pass.

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How Electricians Can Make Money Installing EV Charging Stations

Tap into the growing demand for electric vehicle charging stations to increase your income and reach new customers as a licensed electrician.

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2023 NEC Section 210.8(B): GFCI Protection, Other Than Dwelling Units

These are some updated code changes and exceptions in section 210.8(B), which covers GFCI rules for personnel, other than dwelling units.

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The De-Centralized Central Station

This blog discusses the sustainability of central alarm stations hiring remote workers and the pros and cons that come with remote vs. in-person work.

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New Refrigerants Are Coming

News outlets run stories on climate change, global warming, and greenhouse gases daily. Cars are becoming electrified, cities are moving away from fossil fuels, and power plants are phasing out coal. Refrigerants are not left out of this climate conversation, and even though a major change was made in the last twenty years, […]

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How COVID-19 Has Impacted the HVAC Industry

The HVAC industry felt the same impact of COVID-19 that many manufacturers in our national economy have experienced. Shortages in copper, aluminum, plastics, and microchips make it difficult for manufacturers to keep up with demand. Add in the pressure from a robust residential housing market and you get the perfect storm for limited supplies. So, what is the solution when it’s hot and the parts aren’t available? Or you want to move to that new townhouse, but it can’t be completed due to supply problems. More importantly, what […]

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HVAC Career Options

Career opportunities in HVAC and refrigeration are more diverse than many other trade-oriented professions. It is rarely impacted by bumps in the economy and as a result, many lucrative HVAC jobs exist that make rewarding careers. Beginning at the most entry-level position and working our way up, we discuss some of the HVAC career options in our blog.

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Residential HVAC Diagnostic Tools

Recently there has been a lot of news from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) about smart HVAC diagnostic tools. The DOE and several partners are collaborating to implement a program called The Residential HVAC Smart Diagnostic Tools Campaign. The goal is to promote tools that monitor equipment and give a technician immediate information regarding a system’s performance. Here are a couple of diagnostic tools that […]

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Five More Important Changes in the 2021 International Mechanical Code

In this article, we will discuss changes that will impact application, installation, and energy efficiency of mechanical equipment and appliances. Let’s look at five additional changes in the 2021 IMC Code that are significantly different from the past version.
Condensate Discharge

Whenever condensate drains or lines are connected directly to a plumbing system, serious health hazards can occur. For instance, sewer gas could permeate from the drains and fill the entire space of a structure. To alleviate sewer gas build-up and other health-related issues, the IMC has adopted new language regarding the use of condensate lines. In the new language, except where discharging to grade, condensate lines can be located only in floor sinks, floor drains, trench drains, mop sinks, hub drains, standpipes, utility sinks, or laundry sinks. Direct connections to the sewer system are no longer permitted.

Mechanical Ventilation in Apartments

Improved language regarding ventilation in apartments (R2 dwellings) can be found in Chapter 4, Ventilation. These dwelling units are required to meet the appropriate air leakage requirements in the International Energy Conservation Code, resulting in minimal air infiltration. Therefore, all dwelling units, such as apartments, must be mechanically ventilated. Openable windows and doors, which typically count as natural ventilation, cannot be the sole source of changing air in the dwelling.

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Five More Important Changes in the 2021 International Mechanical Code

Mechanical Ventilation in Apartments

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Pressure Testing Refrigerant Lines

In large commercial occupancies such as grocery stores, refrigeration is a necessary part of the business model. Coolers, refrigerators, and freezers line several isles containing produce, frozen food, meat, and dairy products. Connecting these indoor components to compressor and condenser units requires several hundred feet of refrigerant lines. These lines are typically field-installed copper pipe with many brazed joints. Pressure testing connections before beginning equipment startup is essential. The cost of refrigerant, malfunctioning equipment, environmental hazards, and the safety of occupants are good reasons to ensure leakproof refrigeration systems. Additionally, most mechanical codes and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require pressure tests for new piping installations.

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Medium Pressure Gas Piping Systems

When properly installed, fuel gas is a safe energy source for cooking, heating, clothes drying, and exterior lighting. It is available to serve residential and commercial buildings in the form of natural and liquified petroleum gas. Although these two fuel gases have different characteristics and work under slightly different manifold pressures, appliances can be converted to use either type. Adequately sizing the gas delivery piping is mandatory for safe operation. The piping cannot leak and must provide enough fuel for combustion to each appliance burner.

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Venting Systems for Mid-Efficiency Furnaces

A vent is defined as a pipe or conduit that contains a passageway for conveying combustion products and air to the atmosphere. Products of combustion contain carbon dioxide, water, and sometimes carbon monoxide. Therefore, it is important to safely vent a gas furnace.

Modern gas furnaces are available with efficiencies that range from 80% to 98% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratio. Furnaces that are 90 to 98% AFUE are considered very efficient and utilize a category 4 vent system. This means that the flue gases operate under a positive vent stack pressure with a low vent gas temperature, causing the gases to condense before discharging from the vent. Venting materials used for category 4 furnaces are those recognized by the furnace’s installation instructions such as stainless steel, PVC, and ABS. Furnaces one tier lower in efficiency use more traditional venting methods than the 90+% units. Even though these systems are associated with conventional chimneys and vents, special attention must be given to their installation.

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Duct Leakage Tests

The International Code Commission (ICC) mandated HVAC duct leakage testing for the first time in the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Since the first leakage test requirement was rolled out, extensive testing procedures and equipment have remained in the Code. Obviously, the scope of the IECC is to conserve energy. Leaking conditioned air to unconditioned spaces is wasteful and unnecessary. There are many duct sealing systems available that will fill most of the small openings around duct fittings. To seal ducts and conduct a leakage test, a HVAC contractor, engineer, or HERS rater use these specialized tools and metho

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Preparing for the Wisconsin Electrical Journeyman Exam

Most Recent

How to Prepare for the Washington Electrical Exam

How Electricians Can Make Money Installing EV Charging Stations

2023 NEC Section 210.8(B): GFCI Protection, Other Than Dwelling Units

The De-Centralized Central Station

Recently in

New Refrigerants Are Coming

How COVID-19 Has Impacted the HVAC Industry

HVAC Career Options

Residential HVAC Diagnostic Tools

Five More Important Changes in the 2021 International Mechanical Code

Five More Important Changes in the 2021 International Mechanical Code

Pressure Testing Refrigerant Lines

Medium Pressure Gas Piping Systems

Venting Systems for Mid-Efficiency Furnaces

Duct Leakage Tests

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