2017 Summer Outlook

According to reports from AccuWeather, this summer is sure to leave Americans sizzling as most regions are expected to endure above-average temperatures.

Spring has sprung, and summer is on its way. While catching some rays and spending time at the beach is enjoyable for many, most still turn to their air conditioning systems for comfort during the hottest months of the year.

According to reports from AccuWeather, this summer is sure to leave Americans sizzling as most regions are expected to endure above-average temperatures.

Source: 2017 Summer Outlook

Optimizing Centrifugal Chiller Systems

Finding the holy grail of centrifugal chiller optimization for all operating conditions is hard, if not impossible. This article will talk about the requirements of most chiller systems and means of control for condenser optimization.

Source: Optimizing Centrifugal Chiller Systems

50 ways to remove excess work from your sheet metal shop

Lean manufacturing brings added value to customers and reduces the wasting of resources. There are many wastes in how HVAC construction contractors work.

Source: 50 ways to remove excess work from your sheet metal shop

NATE Certifiably Celebrates 20 Years

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is trending in the industry right now, and it has been well before “trending” was even a thing. It serves as a sense of reliability to homeowners, a symbol of professionalism to employers, a mark of confidence to manufacturers, and a source of pride to technicians. So, no matter what your role in the industry is, there are countless reasons to #celebratewithNATE.

Source: NATE Certifiably Celebrates 20 Years

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY!!!

Is R-410A Here to Stay?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not given any indication that it will target R-410A in residential applications, and under the Trump administration, the agency may perhaps be less aggressive than it was under the Obama administration and, therefore, less likely to push for additional refrigerant phasedowns.

Source: Is R-410A Here to Stay?

Pre-insulated phenolic ductwork makes its way into the HVAC industry

In Elgin, Illinois, communications equipment company Motorola Solutions was planning an update to a 300,000-square-foot building that would be used for corporate training and manufacturing. While the building was relatively new, Motorola invested $18 million in upgrades to bring the facility’s components to “state-of-the-art” status — one of which was its HVAC system.

The original HVAC ductwork was fabricated with galvanized sheet metal and wrapped with insulation, but when Arlington Heights, Illinois-based sheet metal fabrication contractor Sheet Metal Werks was hired to make and supply the new ductwork, Sheet Metal Werks President Kevin Ryan suggested a product that steps away from industry tradition: pre-insulated phenolic ductwork.

Source: Pre-insulated phenolic ductwork makes its way into the HVAC industry

Challenges In Aging Health Care Infrastructure

Changing laws, advanced technologies, and an aging population are just a few factors driving the cost consciousness of the healthcare industry today. Too often, operational dollars and funding for capital improvements represent the types of investments that do not move the needle quickly enough to affect the bottom line. This limits the design and construction of healthcare facilities to meet short-term needs with little planning toward the future. Further, disruptions within healthcare, and in any critical operation facility, are detrimental and often equate to disruption in revenue.

Source: Challenges In Aging Health Care Infrastructure

Innovation Nation: AHR Expo Award-Winning Products

Each year, the AHR Expo honors HVACR manufacturers with its Innovation Awards. The awards — which cover 10 categories from building automation to heating and cooling, on to green building and more — are chosen by a panel of ASHRAE judges.

Out of the ten categories, one overall winner is chosen as the most innovative of the year. During this year’s event in Las Vegas, the judges chose Taco in the plumbing category as the overall winner for its SmartPlug Smart Hot Water Recirculation Control. So what makes this product so innovative? And what is the future of innovation in the HVAC industry?

Source: Innovation Nation: AHR Expo Award-Winning Products

Ductless HVAC in High Demand

As contractors become better versed on the benefits of ductless technology, they play a key role in educating homeowners as to why duct-free technology may be a better solution in terms of efficiency and design flexibility.

Source: Ductless HVAC in High Demand