Snips articles from June 2008

Snips archives from June 2008

Broadening horizons: attendees learn about climate change, fighting counterfeiting at Canadian show.
June 1, 2008... TORONTO--2008 was a good year for CMX, the biennial HVAC, plumbing, sheet metal and ventilation show at Toronto's convention center. Numbers were up 10 percent over 2006, the last time the show was held. The official attendance, including...

Learning the rules: old manual offers tips on triangulation.
June 1, 2008... So you're now finished developing the pattern for a transition that you haven't done in a really long time or perhaps you've never made it before. And only after an honest attempt of bending it up did you realize that something was out of whack...

Evolutions: duct cleaners take wide industry view at San Diego convention.
June 1, 2008... SAN DIEGO--Some might say it's time for the National Air Duct Cleaners Association to change its name. A quick look at the agenda for its March 7-10 annual meeting showed the group's members are involved in a lot more than just cleaning...

Getting their ducts in a row: study reveals contractors' preferences on systems, types.
June 1, 2008... When it comes to specifying ductwork, sheet metal contractors are more concerned with meeting code requirements, preventing leakage and overall performance than whether a product is considered "green." And when they're installing ductwork, it's...

Look out below: avoid falling into these duct-making traps.
June 1, 2008... There are many myths about how sheet metal shops can improve. Many of these are built on the faulty assumption that contractors want shop efficiency. Most don't. They want shop productivity, which is not the same as shop efficiency. It is more...

Michigan university controls humidity to preserve documents.(applications in the field)
June 1, 2008... The University of Michigan believes it has solved the debate on whether archival rooms can preserve artifacts--and save energy. The Ann Arbor, Mich., university's newly retrofitted papyrus writings storage room at the Harlan Hatcher...

Sheet Metal Workers, UTU merger on hold.(association news)(United Transportation Union )(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Members of the Sheet Metal Workers and United Transportation Union will have to wait a while longer to see if a planned merger goes through. On April 10, Akron, Ohio, federal District Judge John R. Adams extended his earlier order putting...

CO safety course receives accreditation.(association news)
June 1, 2008... The Carbon Monoxide Safety Association has received approval of its combustion analysis and fuel efficiency course from the National Oil Heat Research Alliance. The course addresses performance and maximizing efficiency, and is...

Ferris State, HVAC Excellence tackle 'green awareness'.(association news)
June 1, 2008... During the 2007 AHR Expo Jan. 29-31 in Dallas, HVAC Excellence and Ferris State University agreed to work together to address "green" educational needs. The first result of the partnership has been the Green Mechanical Awareness program....

Builder confidence unchanged in April, says NAHB.(association news)
June 1, 2008... Builder confidence in the market for new single-family homes remained unchanged for a third consecutive month in April, according to the National Association of Home Builders and the Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The index held at 20,...

Metal-Fab receives Supplier Award.(supplier news)
June 1, 2008... The American Purchasing Society awarded its Excellent Supplier Award for 2007 to Metal-Fab Inc. Rick Liebowitz, senior buyer for S.W. Anderson Sales, a wholesale distributor of commercial and industrial insulation and air handling...

American Standard hiking prices.(supplier news)
June 1, 2008... American Standard is raising prices 4 percent to 6 percent on residential HVAC equipment and extended warranties, officials announced. The increases will apply to American Standard and Ameristar brands and will go into effect June 1.

Trane raises prices.(supplier news)
June 1, 2008... Trane officials announced the company was raising prices on residential HVAC equipment and extended warranties four to 6 percent. The new prices are effective June 1.

Hypertherm overhauls distribution network.(supplier news)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Hypertherm has made several changes to its North American distribution system, including restructuring its North American territory from two divisions into three regions: the Northeastern U.S. and Canada, the Central and Southeastern U.S., and...

Centria receives green-building award.(supplier news)
June 1, 2008... Centria has been named a leader in the area of environmental building, the Green Building Alliance said. The association presented the company with the 2008 Shades of Green Leadership Award for business. The award recognizes the...

ITT purchases Kaliburn Inc.(supplier news)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... ITT Corp. has acquired Charleston, S.C.-based Kaliburn Inc. The company was purchased through its wholly owned subsidiary, Cleveland Motion Controls Inc. Kaliburn designs and manufactures plasma-arc cutting equipment and consumables in...

Thermaflex product receives Energy Star rating.(supplier news)
June 1, 2008... The Thermaflex EverClean residential flexible duct has earned an Energy Star rating. The Energy Star program, developed in 1992 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, helps identify and promote products that are energy efficient. To...

Quality Service Contractors elect new chairwoman.
June 1, 2008... Patty Frank of Milton Frank Plumbing Co. Inc. in Spring, Texas, was elected chairwoman of the Quality Service Contractors. The election took place at the QSC meeting March 4-5 in Palm Springs, Calif. Frank will serve as head of the QSC...

PHCC tells Congress to tackle rising gas prices.
June 1, 2008... Tim Williford testified on behalf of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association April 9, urging Congress to quickly help fix the constant rise in fuel costs. Williford, who serves as chairman of PHCC's Government Affairs...

NATE announces monthly contest winners.(contractor news)
June 1, 2008... North American Technician Excellence announced its second group of winners in the inaugural NATE Bowl contest, which started Feb. 1. These monthly winners are awarded prizes for a variety of accomplishments, including: the contractor with...

Unified group names Member of the Year.(contractor news)(Innovative Service Solutions)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Orlando, Fla.-based Innovative Service Solutions was named the Unified Group's Member of the Year. The award was presented during the organization's annual meeting Sept. 12-15 at the Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, S.C. Richard...

Construction networking site reaches 2,000 members.(internet news)
June 1, 2008... The membership at networking Web site www.UPworld.com recently reached 2,000. The site was developed as a professional networking community for the architecture, construction, engineering and real estate industries. [ILLUSTRATION...

Consumer checklists available at Web site.(internet news)
June 1, 2008... By logging on to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's Web site, contractors can find two new tools they can use to promote quality installation practices to customers. The ACCA's quality installation specification establishes...

Jackson Systems launches video campaign.(internet news)
June 1, 2008... HVAC manufacturer and wholesaler Jackson Systems announced Jackson Systems TV. This new video campaign can be seen at http://video.jacksonsystems.com. The videos provide zone control tips and facts geared toward the HVAC contractor, with...

QSC starts customer service training.(internet news)
June 1, 2008... The Quality Service Contractors has debuted new online training courses that will allow members and their employees to improve customer service skills without leaving their offices. By logging into the QSC Web site with a special password,...

NATE develops new Web portal.(internet news)
June 1, 2008... North American Technician Excellence has introduced "My NATE," a new, one-stop information portal housed on its main Web site, www.natex.org. "My NATE offers contractors, technicians, testing organizations and proctors a streamlined way to...

ASHRAE Web site offering free design guides.(internet news)
June 1, 2008... To encourage energy-efficient design, ASHRAE and its partnering organizations are making available the Advanced Energy Design Guide series free online. Electronic versions of the newest book in the series, Advanced Energy Design Guides for...

Instructor workshop brings educators to Virginia.(meetings & conventions)
June 1, 2008... The 2008 HVACR and Plumbing Instructor Workshop attracted more than 300. The March 5-7 event in Lansdowne, Va., was sponsored by several trade associations, including the Air Conditioning Contractors of American, the Air-Conditioning,...

NEBB educational meeting seeks speakers.(meetings & conventions)(Conference news)
June 1, 2008... The National Environmental Balancing Bureau is seeking speaking proposals for its 2008 annual meeting and educational conference Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Ariz. The NEBB annual meetings feature...

PHCC course covers Project Management.(meetings & conventions)
June 1, 2008... Twenty-six plumbing, heating and cooling business owners, project managers and estimators gathered March 12-15 to learn about the "Essentials of PHC Project Management." The program was presented by the PHCC Educational Foundation at the...

Mitsubishi distributor conference convenes in Hawaii.(meetings & conventions)
June 1, 2008... Hawaii was not only the backdrop, but also the theme for this year's Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products distributor conference. A number of Mitsubishi distributors gathered Feb. 26-29 at the Ritz-Carlton-Kapalua on Maui. "The...

ASHRAE technical program focuses on benchmarks.(meetings & conventions)
June 1, 2008... Establishing a basis for measuring performance of buildings is the focus of the technical program at ASHRAE's 2008 annual meeting, June 21-25 in Salt Lake City. "The program addresses the many aspects of current HVACR systems and ideas for...

Monica Pfarr.(AWS names director of program)(AWS Foundation Solutions Opportunity Squad)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... The American Welding Society appointed Monica Pfarr as corporate director of the AWS Foundation Solutions Opportunity Squad. She will spearhead the squad, which is made up of AWS staff individuals who will consult with local society sections,...

Dina Dwyer-Owens.(AWS names director of program)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Dina Dwyer-Owens, chairwoman and CEO of the Dwyer Group, has been promoted to first vice chairwoman of the International Franchise Association. Its membership consists of nearly 10,000 franchisees, 1,300 franchise companies and 500 suppliers....

Joseph Savia.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... Joseph Savia was chosen as the chairman of CAUSE, the Mechanical Contractors Union Seal of Excellence organization. CAUSE is managed by officers and trustees selected from member companies that belong to the Mechanical Contractors Association...

Scott Miller.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... Knauf Insulation named Scott Miller to the newly created position of director of sustainability and product affairs. Knauf representatives said this new position is part of the company's commitment to sustainability practices.

Robert Claxton.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... "Naming Scott to this position furthers our corporate sustainability and product affairs interests and provides us with a liaison to governmental and public groups. He will also collaborate with Knauf Insulation officers worldwide to assure...

Richard Berry.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... Richard Berry joins the Nomaco Insulation team as national sales manager. Berry brings 15 years of sales and management experience in the construction and insulation industries. He has traveled around the world leading sales teams and...

Shawn Dunahue.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... Shawn Dunahue also joins Nomaco as the new regional sales manager for the East Coast. Dunahue has 14 years of experience in the building products manufacturing industry with concentrations in territory sales management, representative agency...

Scott Edwards.(AWS names director of program)(Nomaco Insulation )(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... "We are pleased to have both Richard and Shawn as part of the Nomaco Insulation team," said Scott Edwards, Nomaco Insulation president. "Each of them comes to us with a vast array of experience that adds to our group and enables us to continue...

Power tool manufacturer Lenox appointed Bill Burke as group president of tools and hardware.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... Power tool manufacturer Lenox appointed Bill Burke as group president of tools and hardware. He will report to Mark Ketchum, president and chief executive officer of Newell Rubbermaid. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As president of Lenox,...

Kieran Roddy.(AWS names director of program)(Meier Supply Co.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Meier Supply Co. welcomed Kieran Roddy as outside salesman for central New York. He brings more than 20 years of HVAC industry experience to his new position. Most recently, Roddy was employed with Carrier Northeast and Johnstone Supply....

Hardy Hamann.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... The L.S. Starrett Co. appointed Hardy Hamann to the newly created position of vice president of marketing and business development. He will be based out of corporate headquarters in Athol, Mass., and have global responsibility for Starrett...

Douglas A. Starrett.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... "We are pleased to have Hardy join our management team at Starrett. Hardy brings extensive experience in the tool industry and he will play a key role in developing and expanding marketing opportunities while strengthening the Starrett brand...

James T. Ryan.(AWS names director of program)
June 1, 2008... James T. Ryan, president of W.W. Grainger Inc., will now also have the title and responsibilities of chief executive officer, effective June 1. He is succeeding Richard L. Keyser, who will remain with the company as chairman of the board. ...

The 'good' times were not so rosy.(sales & marketing)(Viewpoint essay)
June 1, 2008... As I have been traveling around the country, I continually hear, "Business is down. The market is changing. The customers are changing. It is not like it used to be. The economy is killing us." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OK. Let's compare...

When it's busy, don't let your company get sloppy.(contractor cents)
June 1, 2008... The calendar says June. In much of the country, that means it's starting to get hot. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In fact, some areas such as Atlanta, where I live, have experienced "summer" in spring. We really didn't have a spring--it...

Getting on this list can be good--or not.(mind your business)(Angie's )(Organization overview)
June 1, 2008... Angie's List is a consumer organization that collects customer satisfaction ratings on local service companies in more than 250 categories--everything from HVAC and plumbing to pet sitting and piano tuning. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Cliplight honors sales representatives.(wholesaler news)
June 1, 2008... Cliplight Manufacturing Co. presented manufacturer's representative Bill Hosner with the Diamond Sales Agency 2007-Sales Per Capita Award. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hosner is the president of Central States Marketing in St. Louis. ...

Bradford white names new staffers.(wholesaler news)
June 1, 2008... Bradford white has added Snider Inc. in Charlotte, N.C., as its new manufacturer representative for the Southeast region. Snider Inc. will represent Bradford White products in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. Bradford...

WinWholesale honors Vendor of the Year.(wholesaler news)(J.P. Lamborn Co.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2008... Distributor WinWholesale has selected J.P. Lamborn Co. as its 2007 Vendor of the Year for HVAC products. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Monte Salsman, WinWholesale chief operating officer, presented the award to the company at the 2008...

NRCA forms environmental organization.(roofing news)
June 1, 2008... The National Roofing Contractors Association has announced the established of the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing. The organization was formed to promote the development and use of environmentally responsible,...

Panels surpass 20,000 hours of salt spraying.(roofing news)
June 1, 2008... Follansbee's TCS II and TCS Satin panels have survived more than 20,000 hours of salt-spray testing. "The superior corrosion resistance of a Follansbee roof, even in the harshest coastal environments, creates what is truly a lifetime...

California.(regional news)
June 1, 2008... The Air Conditioning Contractors of America is expressing concern over a proposal to improve the state's energy efficiency. The plan was proposed by the state's largest utility companies. ACCA officials said that while are generally...

Indiana.(regional news)
June 1, 2008... After a 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck the Illinois-Indiana state line April 18th, the Indiana Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors provided consumers with after-earthquake safety tips. In a news release to the local media,...

New Mexico.(regional news)
June 1, 2008... The Air Conditioning Contractors of America hosted a town hall meeting for HVAC contractors and distributors March 26 in Albuquerque, N.M. The meeting focused on the latest news and industry efforts to work with the city to change the...

New York.(regional news)
June 1, 2008... Arista Air Conditioning Corp. will be using the WennSoft Job Cost and Service Management Series as its business software. The Long Island City, N.Y., company will use WennSoft to manage its service division. Arista, a family-owned business...

Pennsylvania.(regional news)
June 1, 2008... Comfort Supply Inc. HVAC System Specialists celebrated the grand opening of its Variable Refrigerant Flow "Living Lab" in Pittsburgh. Over 80 architects, engineers, mechanical contractors and developers from western Pennsylvania attended the...

Texas.(regional news)
June 1, 2008... State Water Heaters awarded South Texas College student Angel Espericueta an academic scholarship to continue studies in the school's HVAC and plumbing associate degree program. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The scholarship was awarded as...

Wisconsin.(regional news)
June 1, 2008... Milwaukee Area Technical College named Shannon Lippold of Johnson Controls as the recipient of the All-Trades Apprenticeship Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented annually to someone whose work exemplifies the type of...

Energy Regulations.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... Emerson Climate Technologies has published an updated version of its "Status of Energy Regulations for Commercial Refrigeration Equipment" white paper for manufacturers, contractors and users in the commercial refrigeration industry. This paper...

Instructor manual.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... GE ECM by Regal-Beloit has released its ECM Training Manual, Instructor Edition, a teaching resource that provides classroom tools for educators, trainers and presenters. The manual comes in a three-ring binder and includes the ECM textbook,...

Leak-detection brochure.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... This six-page, full-color brochure highlights the Spectroline leak detection products and diagnostic tools. The brochure includes information on a full range of cordless LED leak detection lamps and kits. Each of these kits contains an...

Adhesive information.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... National Adhesives has published a brochure containing detailed information on its high-performance adhesives for filter assembly. The "Adhesives for Filter Assembly" brochure is intended to provide information to help manufacturers produce...

Tool guide.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... Bessey Tools released a tool guide showcasing the company's tool offerings. The 29-page, full-color catalog includes information on bar clamps, specialty clamps, grip pliers, industrial magnets, snips, knives, cutters and other parts and...

Business Study.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... The National Association of Home Builders released the 2008 edition of the "Cost of Doing Business Study," a national study of builders' business practices and financial performance. Available through BuilderBooks, NAHB's book publishing...

Home system brochure.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... SpacePak introduced a new product information and application contractor brochure. The full-color, 12-page brochure provides an overview of SpacePak system's benefits and highlights system advantages including draft-free cooling and heating...

Financial training.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... The Air Conditioning Contractors of America has released a new three-disc computer video training package on basic financial management for HVAC contractors. "Finances for Contractors: Getting, Understanding and Using Your Financial Data to...

Welding guide.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... Welding Aluminum--Questions and Answers, published by the American Welding Society, includes a comprehensive listing of frequently asked questions and answers, general information and guidelines, and feature articles on welding aluminum. The...

Job cost software.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... WennSoft has released Job Cost Portal, a new product that allows project managers access to project and job information in WennSoft Job Cost. With this new release, project managers can access job and project details within Job Cost--including...

Sealant catalog.(books, software & lit)
June 1, 2008... This catalog from Hardcast details the company's line of duct sealants. The 24-page publication provides information on liquid mastic sealants, elastomeric rolled sealants and construction sealants. The catalog also highlights the company's...

Leak Detection.(new products)
June 1, 2008... The Leak Detective test kits from McGill AirFlow are designed to make it easier to measure duct system leakage and performance. Four standard sizes are available either as a kit or a wheeled cart assembly. Test kit includes orifice tubes,...

Inline galvanized angle.(new products)
June 1, 2008... Flo-Form galvanized steel angles are a new alternative for users of traditional structural angles. The manufacturer reports that the product provides higher yield strength, advanced corrosion protection and greater design flexibility. Flo-Form...

Anti-microbial brushes.(new products)
June 1, 2008... Rotobrush International now offers antimicrobial brushes for air-duct cleaning. The brushes are available in 4 to 24 inches with options for soft and stiff bristles. They are treated with an Environmental Protection Agency-registered...

Duct protection.(new products)
June 1, 2008... Venture Tape Corp. introduced Venture Tape 1512, a self-wound, low-tack protective polyethylene film designed to wrap and protect ductwork. Many building code requirements call for ductwork to be wrapped prior to being sent to the jobsite....

Nibbler.(new products)
June 1, 2008... The Nibbler N500-8 from Trumpf cuts in all four cutting directions and is able to do so in the performance class that cuts steel sheets up to 0.197 inches thick. Trumpf officials report that reverse cutting is easy to do with the N500-8. It...

Dye-njection kit.(new Products)
June 1, 2008... Two new BigEZ dye-injection kits from Spectronics Corp. have been designed to allow technicians to add the precise amount of fluorescent dye into an air-conditioning or refrigeration system. Each kit features the BEZ-50 dye-injector assembly,...

Tape measure.(new Products)
June 1, 2008... Klein Tools has added a Tape Stop Power-Return Rule to its existing line of power-return rules. The 150th anniversary, limited-edition tape measure features a self-lock blade that automatically locks the blade. The new power return rule is...

Tungsten grinder.(new products)
June 1, 2008... To provide welding operators with the accuracy and versatility needed to prepare tungsten for both orbital and hand-held TIG applications, Weldcraft is offering its Triad tungsten grinder. Triad accommodates six different tungsten electrode...

Compressors.(new products)
June 1, 2008... Emerson Climate Technologies has introduced a lineup of compressors aimed to help contractors and manufacturers provide the R-410A equip-ment needed to comply with the 2010 phase-out of ozone-depleting machines. The commercial Copeland Scroll...

Thermometer.(new products)
June 1, 2008... This new traceable humidity/thermometer simultaneously displays humidity or dew point and temperature. The humidity sensors display a full-range of humidity changes in five to 30 seconds. It records wide humidity varia-tions on a...

Vent protection.(new products)
June 1, 2008... CleanVent is a polymer cover that protects HVAC floor vents from dust, liquids and site debris during construction. The manufacturer reports that the covers save the contractor hours of ventilation system cleanup time. Available in all popular...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2008... JUNE 8-11 The Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas is the location for the 2008 Western Roofing Expo. The event is presented by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association, and will feature over 175 manufacturers or roof-related...

Wholesalers & Mfr. Reps. directory.(Directory)
June 1, 2008... The following is a paid directory of distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers representatives, listed by state. To have your company included in this list, please call Sally Fraser at 248-244-6240. We urge our readers to contact these...