Aug 30, 2022
To transfer heat efficiently, air conditioning coil surfaces need to be kept clean, as dirt and debris not only inhibit air flow across the coil, but they also decrease the thermal conductivity of the surface area. Here are some important things to remember when performing summer air conditioning maintenance programs.
Jul 26, 2022
Summer is the perfect time to inspect your boiler and ensure it works properly during the winter months. Here are some fireside and waterside inspection tips!
Jul 06, 2022
New air source heat pump technology has come a long way, but there's still a lot of work to be done to increase efficiency in northern climates!
Jun 01, 2022
Troubleshooting of HVACR systems and equipment can often become a time-consuming, frustrating process. Here are some fundamental concepts that can help anyone become a more proficient troubleshooter.
May 06, 2022
In this blog, Gary explains SEER ratings, including the upcoming 2023 changes, as well as the overall impact of efficiency metrics on the HVACR industry.
Apr 06, 2022
To ensure refrigerants cause as little environmental damage as possible, manufacturers and HVAC-R technicians need to train and work together as changes develop.
Jan 06, 2021
Phenolic insulation is an alternative to galvanized sheet metal. Many HVAC professionals have turned to this option when installing or replacing duct systems. Learn about some of the pros and cons of phenolic duct systems to determine if it might be right for your project.
Dec 03, 2020
Refrigerants do an efficient job at cooling air inside an HVAC system that is then distributed throughout a home or building. But refrigerants can also do a number on the climate by releasing pollutants and contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Sep 09, 2020
Sometimes it takes a dramatic event to institute real change. In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, building ventilation systems could potentially be forever changed. Here, we attempt to predict how ventilation systems might evolve in the aftermath of the coronavirus and what those changes will mean for HVAC professionals.
Aug 05, 2020
If you have a newfound interest in Heating and Air-Conditioning, whether as a hobbyist, a DIY homeowner, or as a career-minded technician, here is some information that can help you become more familiar with basic HVAC concepts and components.
Jun 30, 2020
Just as a doctor needs diagnostic tools for the human body’s electrical and hydraulic systems, the HVAC technician requires tools to “look” inside air conditioning and refrigeration circuits. When large HVAC commercial systems are down, the technician feels the pressure to get systems back online. It takes a well-trained professional to properly repair big commercial refrigeration and air conditioning installations. Having high quality diagnostic equipment is the technician’s best friend for getting things fixed and working faster. Here are some examples of todays most advanced tools for HVAC troubleshooting.
Jun 03, 2020
Its 95 degrees on a hot, humid day. A service repairman, working on your HVAC, opens the door to your vented crawlspace. He observes ductwork dripping with water, mold on floor joist, and termite tunnels on the crawlspace walls. He services your air conditioner and recommends you call an exterminator. Why are you having all these issues in your crawlspace? Could it be that the naturally vented crawlspace doesn’t work anymore? Some people would say, it never worked. Why is this?
May 05, 2020
When we see the acronym HVAC, most only think of heating and air conditioning. But the V is for ventilation, an important role when considering the air quality in buildings. Indoor air quality is achieved through ventilating and filtering air in a space. The International Mechanical Code’s definition of ventilation is “The natural or mechanical process of supplying conditioned or unconditioned air to, or removing such air from, a space.” When we supply fresh air to spaces and remove stale air, we improve the breathing air quality for the occupants. When air is “conditioned”, it means several things that include removing or adding heat, cleaning the air, removing moisture, and replacing air.
Apr 06, 2020
In the recent past, a mechanical contractor could install very inefficient appliances and equipment with no thought to energy costs. Energy rates were cheap; therefore, mechanical codes did not address energy usage. Mechanical code emphasis was on installation integrity, clearance to combustibles, and service space requirements. The installed equipment was very heavy and overbuilt. That all changed in the late 20th century due to several economic and environmental factors. These factors created a new buzzword: energy conservation.
Mar 04, 2020
What if a refrigeration system could exist without a mechanical compressor, oil, or the typical blended refrigerant? A totally new design that required much less electricity to operate? Components of the system consist of an inert gas and large pressure vessels connected by pipes. This mechanism would be based on thermoacoustic principles that had very few moving parts. Considering the environmental issues faced today, wouldn’t it be an amazing achievement?
Feb 04, 2020
The combining of fuel, air and an ignition source creates combustion. This combustion process is utilized in furnaces and water heaters to heat air or water. Byproducts of combustion are carbon dioxide, water, occasionally carbon monoxide and other gases.
Jan 07, 2020
According to industry experts there are over 100,000 HVAC contractors currently doing business in the U.S. However, statistics show that 50% of small business startups fail within the first year and 95% fail within five years. Therefore, the 100,000 plus contractors successfully doing business have figured a thing or two out. Let’s look at some standard business practices of these HVAC companies that keep them profitable and out of the failure statistics.
Dec 02, 2019
The mini-split heating and cooling system was an idea that evolved from the basic window air conditioner. Window units are simple installations that offer room by room temperature control if enough are installed. However, window units are noisy. To minimize noise, the window unit compressor was moved to a remote location using refrigerant lines to connect to the inside fan-coil. As a result, the mini-split system was born. This product first saw mass appeal in Asian markets. Today these systems are found throughout the world and has become a big player in the domestic HVAC market.
Sep 26, 2019
When homeowners receive quotes from HVAC contractors, they typically are given two duct replacement options, sheet metal or fiberglass duct board. There is a third option, phenolic duct, that is made of plastic foam with a foil liner on the inside and exterior. It hasn’t been on the market long enough to weigh in on its merits and shortcomings and will not be included in this comparison. Homeowners usually go for the product their HVAC contractor recommends; however, all systems have their strengths and weaknesses. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of two of these materials when installed in the typical residence.
Sep 12, 2019
Georgia Air Conditioned Contractor licenses have an upcoming expiration date of 11/30/2019. Licensees must renew their license before the expiration date in order to keep it valid.
Aug 29, 2019
The Refrigeration, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning industries (HVACR) are still growing even though they have been in existence for about 150 years. Hundreds of refrigeration uses including fresh food preservation, air-conditioning, and cryogenics should propel the industry well into the next millennium. That kind of growth sounds like a man power issue doesn’t it? So, lets discuss what it takes to be a HVACR technician.
Aug 07, 2019
It’s mid-January and 15 degrees outside. A fresh snow has fallen and covered all the roads and yards in your neighborhood. Thanks to your natural gas furnace, your home is a toasty 70 degrees. This is because a properly installed gas furnace has a large temperature rise that heats your home quickly and works very well on high demand days. Could it be possible that a new gas furnace will be unavailable as a home heating appliance in the coming decades? Not only is it possible, it is probable.
Jul 02, 2019
There is an old joke among HVAC contractors. When bidding on a replacement system for a customer, step back 100 feet from the house and hold up your hand. If three fingers will block the view of the house, install a three-ton unit. If it takes four fingers to block the view, then install a four-ton unit. That meager attempt at humor does highlight an issue that has been kicked around since the beginning of the industry. Are load calculations necessary? If so, how do you properly size a heating and air conditioning system for a house or commercial building?
Jun 12, 2019
JADE Learning, a nationally trusted electrical continuing education provider, now offers online CE courses for HVACR technicians in 12 new states across the U.S. with courses approved for New Jersey coming in the Fall of 2019. JADE works with each state's board of contractors to design approved courses helping heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technicians meet continuing education requirements for license renewal.
Jun 05, 2019
Back in the rural south, around 1940, power companies would mail flyers to their customers at the beginning of summer. These flyers would give tips on how to stay cool during the hottest days ahead. Some of the tips were; grow ample shade around your residence, stay inside during the hottest part of the day, use open windows for increased air circulation, and keep wet towels available to cool your forehead and neck. Homes, in those days, were designed to facilitate air movement. Large porches and arched ceilings in hallways enhanced air currents that moved freely through the structure. These conditions were the norm for homeowners before the availability of affordable air conditioning.
Mar 21, 2019
There are quite a few challenges to hurdle over when installing or upgrading HVAC systems for historic buildings. A major dilemma arises for HVAC technicians when you are charged with the task of providing a system that meets the needs of those occupying the building while also preserving as much...
Mar 01, 2019
Commercial HVACR systems make up a large portion of a building’s energy demands and need regular maintenance to operate at peak efficiency. Even with the best care, your HVACR system can develop problems that impact air and temperature quality, increase energy consumption, or damage system components. Common concerns with commercial...
