Fuel Oil News articles from May 2004

Fuel Oil News archives from May 2004

R.W. Beckett expands online training/testing.(Dateline)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... R.W. Beckett Corporation has announced the expansion of its online oilheat technical training/testing program, which allows techs to earn credits toward NORA and/or NATE certification. Training and exam modules currently available on the...

BHHC of Delaware Valley wins three ADDY awards.(Dateline)(Better Home Heat Council)
May 1, 2004... In March, the Better Home Heat Council of Delaware Valleys fall 2003 ad campaign "Lies" took "Best of Show, Philadelphia" at the Philadelphia ADDY awards. The campaign was also awarded a gold ADDY in the "Radio-Regional/National Campaign" and...

NAOHSM adds diagnostics to burner-skills competition.(Dateline)
May 1, 2004... Oilheat service technicians are advised to brush up on their diagnostic skills before attending this year's NAOHSM Convention and Trade Show. During the 2004 skills challenge, to be held May 13-14 in Hartford, Conn., a new contest, the...

Unico, Vatterott College team up for training series.(Dateline)(Vatterott College Sunset Hills campus)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Unico, Inc., recently announced its commitment to provide training sessions to HVAC professionals at Vatterott College Sunset Hills campus in St. Louis, home of the manufacturer's headquarters. The two-day training sessions are held every...

Calendar of events.(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... May 11-12 Petroleum Marketers Association of America Washington Conference and Day on the Hill. Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, D.C. Info: (703) 351-8000 or www.pmaa.org. May 11-13 Oil Heat Institute of Eastern New York...

Kingston Oil donates to Boys & Girls Club.(Dateline)(Kingston Oil Supply Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... In March, Kingston Oil, headquartered in Kingston, Mass., donated $10,000 to help the Boys & Girls Club of Plymouth create its new "America's Hometown" Boys & Girls Clubhouse at 9 Resnik Rd. in Plymouth, Mass. Children from Plymouth and...

OHCNH helps spearhead Salvation Army coat drive.(Dateline)(Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire and its membership, Cleary Cleaners and WMUR-TV, more than 5,000 winter coats were donated to the Salvation Army through the Coats for Kids program. In its second year,...

Lochinvar honors top 2003 sales performance.(Dateline)(Lochinvar Corp., 2003 Salesman of the Year)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Lochinvar Corporation has named Tim Russell as its 2003 Salesman of the Year. Lochinvar's Salesman of the Year award is presented to the top performing salesperson based on percent increase in sales from the previous year, mix of products sold...

Oil heat cares.(Editor's Note)(Editorial)
May 1, 2004... Maybe it's because my fourth-grade daughter, Cara, is learning about long division and averages, but I've recently found myself kicking around numbers in my head. So how about a quick quiz? OK, what's 34+31+30+36+37 divided by 5? Go ahead...

API, NFPA sign joint alliance for worker safety with OSHA.(News And Trends)(American Petroleum Institute, National Fire Protection Association, Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
May 1, 2004... In March, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration signed a joint alliance with two organizations to promote safe and healthful working conditions for workers in the petroleum and petrochemical industry. The alliance unites the...

Firedragon Enterprises sets troubleshooting seminar.(News And Trends)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... George Lanthier, owner of Firedragon Enterprises and award winning author and industry trainer, has scheduled "Advanced Common Sense Troubleshooting," a one-day seminar to be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, as The Sphinx...

Cook retires after 29 years at Bradford White Corp.(News And Trends)(Chuck H. Cook)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Bradford White recently announced the retirement of Chuck H. Cook. Cook has been employed with Bradford White since 1975. During his 29 years of employment with Bradford White, Cook held the positions of regional sales manager and assistant to...

Legislation introduced requiring double-walled USTS.(News And Trends)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... In March, United States House Pep. John D. Dingell, D-Mich., introduced legislation that would require all new underground storage tanks to have secondary containment to help prevent groundwater contamination. Dingell said the legislation, H.R....

Metabo unveils three-year warranty for entire tool line.(News And Trends)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... In April, Metabo announced the most comprehensive warranty ever offered on its full line of portable power tools. Metabo's new XXL Three-Year Warranty covers the company's complete range of power tools and extends the company's one-year...

ConocoPhillips, TSI address looming sulfur surplus.(News And Trends)
May 1, 2004... ConocoPhillips, the largest refiner in the United States and fifth largest refiner in the world, has teamed up with member companies of The Sulphur Institute to help develop new markets for the world's increasing production and supply of...

Kenworth fleet electronic catalog now Web-based.(News And Trends)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... For Kenworth fleet customers handling repairs, Kenworth now offers its Electronic Parts Catalog through the local Kenworth dealer Web site. Fleet ECAT provides extensive parts information, plus key drawings and illustrations to assist with...

OPW Fuel Management enhances AST inventory.(News And Trends)(Aboveground Storage Tank )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... OPW Fuel Management Systems' new Aboveground Storage Tank Inventory Management System uses proven magnetostrictive technology that accurately measures liquid product level changes to a resolution of .010 inches. The flexible AST probe is...

Maximum Performance Group unveils verification software.(News And Trends)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Maximum Performance Group has launched its first module of the Maximum Performance Software solution, Measurement and Verification. This offering from MPG will provide clients, specifiers and equipment manufacturers with analysis of project and...

SpillGuard expands network with reseller agreements.(News And Trends)(SpillGuard Technologies, Arm-Tex Corporation, Becker and Associates, Paul Herman Associates, Allesco)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... SpillGuard Technologies has signed strategic reseller agreements with five leading petrochemical industry resellers. Allesco of Houston, Arm-Tex Corporation of Waco, Texas, Becker and Associates of Lombard, III., Frontline Technologies of...

Grundfos Pumps partners with Quality Service Contractors.(News And Trends)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Grundfos Pumps Corporation has become an industry partner of Quality Service Contractors. QSC is an international association that serves plumbing, heating and cooling contractors, offering members state-of-the-art technical and business...

Industry buoyant as off-season begins.(The Insider)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Judging from the sights and sounds of last month's Atlantic Region Energy Expo, the industry is facing the off-season with a zest that has been missing in recent years. Despite the fact that degree days were off nationally by some 6 percent to...

Increased worldwide demand keeping crude prices up.(The Insider)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... That's the bottom line of the Energy Department's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the agency's quarterly crystal balling of energy prices and trends. DOE says U.S. oil demand is up 300,000 barrels per day from a year ago, while increased...

DOE increases low-income assistance.(The Insider)(Department of Energy)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Department of Energy said its Weatherization Assistance Program will reach 126,000 low-income families this year, an increase of 3,000 over 2003 and up 20 percent since 2002. The DOE says low-income families spend 14 percent of their total...

NORA extension still stuck in iffy energy bill.(The Insider)(National Oilheat Research Alliance )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... A rider that would "re-up" the National Oilheat Research Alliance is still included in the controversial, and twice-postponed, energy policy reform bill. An omnibus bill, it will be recalled, died on the Senate floor in the final days of the...

Top management workshop date and site set.(The Insider)
May 1, 2004... It will be the week of June 21 at the Annapolis (Md.) Sheraton for NORA's second Oilheat Management Workshop. Based on a concept that extends back into oilheat annals, the first NORA workshop last fall, in Connecticut, was so successful that a...

Lining it up: Connecticut company finds its niche relining old or damaged heating-system chimneys.(Venting Technologies)(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... Venting Technologies is a chimney service company with the prime focus of relining oil-fired, gas-fired and solid fuel appliances. The restoration of antique and vintage chimneys is also a service offered by Venting Technologies. Rob...

Opposites attract: fuel oil, gas industry veterans combine to train the energy technician of the future.
May 1, 2004... In the highly competitive environment of oil vs. gas, an interesting marriage has taken place and, no, it didn't happen at City Hall. George Lanthier of Firedragon Enterprises recently conducted a seminar for oil-heat technicians titled...

How low can you go? Installing an LWCO can have many benefits.(low-water cut-off)
May 1, 2004... No, I'm not talking about doing the limbo rock, but I bet I got that tune going through your head now, eh? Trust me, my days of doing the limbo rock are over. I do have something really important that I want to get going through your head,...

A sense of frustration: use and effectiveness of carbon monoxide monitors are still sorely lacking.
May 1, 2004... Have you ever wondered wily oil-fired equipment does not get all of the same negative comments about being a problem source of carbon monoxide as does the gas-fired equipment industry? It certainly is not because they do not produce carbon...

Rotary-vane pumps.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Lots of things are service tools, including screwdrivers and power drills, combustion analyzers, air eliminators, chemical cleaners, and service trucks and accessories. Here is a sampling of some of the newest products available. Liquid...

Truck fender mirrors.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... As a result of a recent tragic accident that Idled two school boys who were caught under the wheels of a large dump truck, the New York State Legislature is discussing a requirement that all trucks be equipped with fender mirrors. It is...

Kenworth enhances T300 medium-duty.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... The Kenworth T300 model has been enhanced with a sloping hood for increased visibility and standard DayLite doors with peeper window and mirror system. The 2005 T300 is also now available with optional corner windows that aid in backing up and...

PVC drain pans.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Pacor, Inc., is offering new vacuum-molded PVC drain pans to meet indoor environmental quality standards for HVAC equipment. These guidelines require materials to offer positive draining, elimination of rust and corrosion, easy cleaning and a...

Cummins ISL engines.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Offering the best power-to-weight ratio in the industry, the Cummins enhanced ISL engine is now available on Kenworth W900S and T800 short-hood models. Kenworth is offering the 8.9-liter, high-performance engine in ratings of 310 to 350...

Heavy-duty cleaning towel.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Simple Green has added new Heavy-Duty Towels to its line of environmentally safer, non-toxic cleaning products. The pre-moistened, non-toxic Heavy-Duty Towels are quick, easy and effective. With Dual-Sided Action, the towel can be used to scrub...

New drive axles.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Kenworth has begun offering Dana Spicer 170 and 190 single- and tandem-drive axles and available wheel differential locks on all of its Class 8 models. The tandem-axle series covers ratings of 40,000 to 52,000 pounds GAWR and the single-axle...

Spirotherm air eliminators.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Spirotherm manufactures air eliminators for separation and venting of air in light commercial and residential installations. A patented coalescing medium scrubs out 100 percent of the flee air, 100 percent of the entrained air and up to 99.6...

Metabo choice cuts slicer-plus wheels.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Metabo Corp. now offers aluminum oxide Type 1 Slicer-Plus high-performance wheels that provide increased cutting speed and minimal burr when cutting heavier gauge metals. Available in 4-1/2- and 6-inch versions, the Slicer-Plus is a .045-inch...

Tool Tote tool belt.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Klein Tools has introduced the Tool Tote with Shoulder Strap as an alternative to a tool belt. Constructed of rugged, double-layered 600x300 denier polyester to resist wear and tear, the oval-shaped tool bucket measures 15.5 inches by 7.5...

Cordless drill/driver.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Metabo is offering a 15.6-volt cordless drill/driver that provides up to 20 percent more power, as well as 8 percent higher torque than the previous modal. The new BSP15.6 Plus is suited for drilling, tapping and driving screws in a wide...

Rapi-Drive screwdrivers.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Klein Tools has added two Rapi-Drive screwdrivers with square-recess tips to its line of professional hand tools. Available with a No. 1 or No. 2 square-recess tip, the crank-action handle of the Rapi-Driv tool spins screws fast with just a...

Seesnake Plus camera.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Ridge Tool Company has introduced all improved camera design for use with its RIDGID/Kollmann video inspection system. The SeeSnake Plus features improved durability, better maneuverability and is easier to locate inside drain and sewer lines....

Kwik-Charger Manifold.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Imperial has introduced the Kwik-Charger Service Manifold featuring a patented built-in control valve hat charges refrigerant systems up to eight times faster than conventional manifolds. The manifold features non-flutter gauges with...

Ridgid torque wrench.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2004... Ridge Tool Company is offering a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench designed specifically for underground pipe installations that use no-hub couplings. The RIDGID Model No. 904 eliminates guesswork and assures propel coupling tightness for strong,...

Retractable utility knife.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Klein Tools has introduced a Klein-Kurve retractable utility knife designed with a 10-blade storage compartment inside the handle. The knife measures 7 inches in length and comes with a plastic holster with belt clip to safely and conveniently...

Navitrack line locator.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Ridge Tool Company has unveiled a new transmitter for its NaviTrack line locator. The transmitter makes line tracing even easier with features that include push-button operation, a lightweight design and rugged construction. The transmitter's...

Cable-tie tool.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Panduit Corp. has introduced the new GTH ergonomic installation tool for standard to heavy cable ties. The GTH tool controls tension and cutoff to the cable tie during installation. This tool is lightweight and comfortable to use. It exceeds...

Redesigned RollaBench.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Torqer, Inc. has redesigned, improved and expanded its line of mobile maintenance and repair shops called the RollaBench. It is equipped with the Torqer Industrial Truk wheel system, which provides a push or pulling effort of less than 8 pounds...

Indoor/outdoor duct sealant.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Hardcast has introduced a new indoor/outdoor duct sealant: Foil-Grip 1402 181BFX. This UL 181-listed duct sealant on a roll offers HVAC contractors a means of sealing ducts for both the interior and exterior of any Foil-Grip is a...

Hercules introduces Clean 'n Friendly cement.(Tools & service equipment roundup: our annual review of products to help the service technician)
May 1, 2004... Hercules Chemical Company's new patented Clean 'n Friendly high-heat furnace cement is setting safety and environmental standards for the entire industry. Clean 'n Friendly is the only furnace cement on the market with a patented formula that...

Oil tank installs, Part II: knowing the standards can save installers a lot of trouble.(NFPA31-8.8)
May 1, 2004... All right, so we pick up where we left off piping up a typical one-tank install and look at finishing the installation. At the end of the last article many of you figured we were done, but more is yet to come. The reason is because...

A rare victory for taxpayers.(Tax)(Editorial)
May 1, 2004... Let's set the stage with a true story for a must-do tax-saving strategy. Joe (from North Carolina) had just gone to the big business in the sky. His wife had preceded him two years earlier. Joe's son, Sam, called me looking for some post death...

Feed the skeptics.(Service)(fuel quality)(Editorial)
May 1, 2004... Last time we got together we were discussing fuel quality. Well, I guess I touched a nerve because it was hard to keep enough paper in my fax machine, or sift through all the e-mail, with all the responses I got. Well, I guess I am not the only...