Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News articles from August 2006

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News archives from August 2006

CES Group Inc.(Price Increase)
August 7, 2006... CES Group Inc. (Chaska, Minn.) increased prices up to 5 percent on all air conditioning products under the Cleanpak[TM], Governair[R], Huntair[R], Mammoth[R], Temtrol[R], Venmar CES[TM], Ventrol[R], Webco[TM], and Eaton-Williams brands,...

Baltimore Aircoil Co.(Manufacturers)
August 7, 2006... Baltimore Aircoil Co. (Baltimore) hired William Dietrich as director of sales, commercial and industrial markets-Americas.

Ultraviolet Devices Inc.(Manufacturers)
August 7, 2006... Ultraviolet Devices Inc. (Valencia, Calif.) hired Tony Wisniewski as vice president of sales and marketing.

Peter Paul Electronics Co. Inc.(Manufacturers)
August 7, 2006... Peter Paul Electronics Co. Inc. (New Britain, Conn.) received the Small Business Administration award for Small Business Exporter of the Year.

Taco Inc.(Manufacturers)
August 7, 2006... Taco Inc. (Cranston, R.I.) hired William Leuschen as its central commercial regional manager.

Wilspec Technologies Inc.(Suppliers)
August 7, 2006... Wilspec Technologies Inc. (Oklahoma City) was named to the Metro 50 list, honoring the top 50 privately owned businesses in Oklahoma City.

The Association for Services Management International (ASMI).(Associations)
August 7, 2006... The Association for Services Management International (ASMI) named Michael Olmstead, director of global services, Eclipse Inc., to the Chicago chapter's board of directors.

The Northeastern Illinois Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (NISMACNA).(Associations)
August 7, 2006... The Northeastern Illinois Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (NISMACNA) named Tony Adolfs as its executive director.

How high will SEER go? 23 now, but future likely holds more.(industry news)
August 7, 2006... Half a year after 13 SEER became the minimum for new air conditioning systems, equipment offering nearly twice that efficiency rating is on the market. Several manufacturers say their sales of higher-than-minimum efficiency units, generally in...

Corrections.(Correction notice)
August 7, 2006... In the Product Snapshots section of the July 10 edition of The NEWS, the Temp-Air THP-1400 capacity should have been listed at 60,750 to 1,400,000 Btuh. The NEWS regrets this error. The RIDS -- Remedial In-Room Decontamination System by...

New ASHRAE certification program pursuit begins.(newsline)(The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... ATLANTA -- A market research survey conducted last year by The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), showed a strong interest by members in providing certification. More than 80 percent of members...

Expansion brings new jobs.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... BLACKVILLE, S.C. -- According to Allied Air Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of Lennox International Inc., hundreds of jobs are coming to the Midlands as a result of the company setting up shop in Lexington County, S.C. Allied held a...

Improvements made to marketing brochure.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... NORMAN, Okla. -- Johnson Controls recently made improvements to its York[R] Build-A-Brochure[TM] program. The company updated the list of products that are included in the program by adding information and imagery that depicts the complete line...

Achieving safety commitment.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... NORWALK, Conn. -- EMCOR Group Inc. has recorded a 46 percent reduction in its total recordable incident rate (TRIR) since 2002. This has been achieved during a period when labor hours increased but recordable injuries decreased by 28 percent....

Franchise owners recognized.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... WACO, Texas -- Aire Serv, a franchising company that provides HVAC and repair services, honored its outstanding franchisees during the company's 2006 annual conference in Phoenix. Connie and Tim Funke, Aire Serv of the Heartland franchise...

Trade show is successful.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... VALLEY VIEW, Ohio -- Refrigeration Sales Corp.'s (RSC) Trade Show reported a 30 percent increase in the number of attendees over 2005. The show theme was centered on racing and included a Quaker Steak and Lube lunch buffet. Also at the show was...

HVAC system rental location.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Trane opened an additional HVAC system rental stocking location in Birmingham to service customers' temporary needs throughout Alabama as well as portions of Georgia, Tennessee, and the Gulf Coast. This includes the Atlanta,...

All in the family.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... Craig Lewis, of REC Industries, the 2006 Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors (APHCC) Texas president, talks with his daughter Meredith and Barry Maines of Maines Heating and Cooling. Meredith was a scholarship recipient at...

Wave Day.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... Nexstar[R] declared July 17 as International Wave Day. Corporate employees and other member companies across North America joined in greeting and waving to motorists as they passed by. With a banner they touted the message, "Good Morning White...

Breaking ground.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... Heat Controller Inc. broke ground on a $1.8 million plant expansion. The 50,000 square foot expansion will be built adjacent to the company's existing headquarters facility. Construction is expected to be completed this fall. Pictured from left...

Plumbers win at SkillsUSA.(newsline)
August 7, 2006... KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Six winners of the residential plumbing contest of the SkillsUSA Championships in plumbing have been announced. The plumbing contest was organized and co-sponsored by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National...

John R. Lindahl Sr.(OBITUARIES)
August 7, 2006... ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. -- Water heater industry pioneer John R. Lindahl St., cofounder of State Industries, passed away July 5, 2006. He was 84. "John was a pioneer and an icon in the water heater industry," said Ajita Rajendra, president,...

Klaus P. Mueller.(KMC Controls)(Obituary)(Brief article)
August 7, 2006... NEW PARIS, Ind. -- Klaus P. Mueller, a manufacturing pioneer for KMC Controls, passed away July 9, 2006, following a brief illness. He was 78. Born in Doebeln, Germany, Mueller immigrated to Goshen, Ind., in 1957 with his wife and family....

Air conditioning capacity control.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The APR control provides full-capacity modulation for direct-expansion a/c systems of all sizes. Responding to changing conditions, the unit controls temperature and humidity to maximize comfort and eliminate excessive compressor cycling. The...

HVACR vocabulary book.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... HVAC/R Terminology: A Quick Reference Guide, second edition, is a 450-page HVACR technical reference guide that incorporates all the HVACR technical terms used in the industry today. It deals with electricity, controls, the refrigeration cycle,...

Light commercial condensing boilers.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The condensing boilers in the Modulex line have modulating capabilities from 6:1 to 23:1, depending on the unit. Available in six sizes, the light commercial boilers have unmatched turndown to maximize seasonal efficiency and bring an...

Psychrometric analysis software.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... Psychrometric 5.0 is an HVAC psychrometric analysis software. The software allows for complete psychrometric and process analysis, all graphically displayed. Process modeling includes air mixing, cooling coil, evaporative cooling, desiccant...

Portable air conditioner.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The PER-12000A portable air conditioner is designed specifically for use in server and computer rooms. It can function as an air conditioner-dehumidifier or dehumidifier. Also it can circulate air. The air conditioner is a three-speed unit with...

Tool bags.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The Tool Tote[TM] line has been expanded with the addition of two new multipocket tote bags--a 17-pocket Tool Tote with a shoulder strap (Cat. No. 58890) and a seven-pocket Tool Tote (Cat. No. 58886). Constructed of rugged, 600 x 300 denier...

Product catalog.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The 2006 HVACR and Test Instrument Catalog, edition 22, volume 1 is available. Some of the products that can be found in the catalog are: ac hard starts, relays, capacitators, contactors, timers, time delays, motors, duct boosters, fan blades,...

Wet rotor circulator pumps.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... Two new pumps--UPS26-99 and UPS43-44--have been added to the SuperBrute wet rotor circulator pump line. The three-pump SuperBrute team now replaces 37 competitive circulators, according to the manufacturer. The pumps' three-speed motor, which...

Anti-Sweat Module.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The Anti-Sweat Module (ASM-115) for glass door walk-ins alleviates condensation buildup on glass doors and frames. The module runs heaters when the door surface temperature is lower than the dew point. An exterior-mounted doorframe sensor...

Portable air conditioners.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... Designed to function in critical office environments, the MovinCool Office Pro Series of portable air conditioning units--OfficePro 10, OfficePro 12, OfficePro 18, OfficePro 24, OfficePro 36, and OfficePro 60--either has a hermetic rotary or...

Work light.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The Cliplight 24, a cordless, rechargeable battery-powered LED task light can be used for service/repair work in areas with limited access to electric power. The 9 by 2 1/4-inch, 9-ounce task light features an ergonomic grip, wrist strap,...

Flow meter/Btu computer.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The System-30 Btu Meter is an inline flow meter/integral BTU computer combination that provides highly accurate thermal energy measurement in chilled water, hot water, and condenser water systems. It is specifically designed for smaller systems...

Water-to-water heat pumps.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... Water-to-water heat pumps improve the energy utilization of HVAC systems by reclaiming heat that would otherwise be discarded. By applying a heat pump to extract heat from a low-temperature source and increasing its temperature to a useful...

VFD bypass assembly.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The Slimline[TM] variable-frequency drive (VFD) bypass assembly is the smallest "true" electrical bypass assembly available in the HVAC industry today, claims the manufacturer. The VFD bypass assembly allows full-speed motor operation with the...

Gas-fired boiler.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The Series PSCII gas-fired, direct vent, sealed combustion boiler for residential applications is Energy Star[R] compliant and has an AFUE of up to 86 percent. Available for either natural or LP gas, the boiler comes fully packaged and ready to...

MERV 15 filter.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The HemiPleat[TM] HE (High Efficiency) has a MERV 15 efficiency rating. It offers up to twice the service life and half the pressure drop of standard dust collector cartridge filters, claims the manufacturer. Available in filter sizes to fit...

Air exchangers.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The Constructo 1.0 is an addition to the AVS line of air exchangers. Ideal for new residential construction or renovation projects where space is limited, it is configured with factory-built horizontal or vertical ports. It can be upgraded from...

DDC controls.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The company upgraded its entire direct gas-fired product line to a new generation of DDC controls. Control schemes include discharge temperature control, room temperature control, room temperature control with intelligent room sensors, and...

Lineset protector.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The Line-Saver[R] lineset protector covers and keeps the lineset safe from being kinked, bent, pierced, or in other ways damaged, which can save the time and money it takes to honor the homeowner's warranty and/or to take care of the repair...

Solar heat absorption systems.(what's new)
August 7, 2006... The SolarSheat line of products are solar heat absorption systems that trap and then transfer the sun's heat into homes, offices, and commercial buildings. SolarSheats are modular panel-like systems comprised of one or more 'sheets' that can be...

Design guide: making homes cool and efficient.(industry news)
August 7, 2006... Though tools and methods are available for the design of energy-efficient HVAC systems, they are not often used when it comes to production homes. That's partly because builders of production homes are unaware that these tools exist. In...

Suggestions, materials for duct leaks.(service & maintenance)
August 7, 2006... Sealing ducts is now recognized as being very important. In fact California, always a bell-weather state, is now requiring duct testing and sealing on most change-outs and new construction. Building and energy codes are popping up all over that...

School market fights the energy battle: servicers may find themselves pulled in several directions.(FOCUS: SCHOOL MARKET)
August 7, 2006... If you wanted to think of a market segment that contains nearly every complication possible for a mechanical service provider to contend with, it would probably be the school market, particularly K-12. Operating budgets are tight; heat loads...

Ups and downs of Jackson County Schools: two days after finishing a project, buildings are destroyed.(FOCUS: SCHOOL MARKET)
August 7, 2006... HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- George Curry Sr., president and founder of Hub Mechanical Contractors Inc., has known his fair share of ups and downs. He founded his HVAC, sheet metal, and piping company in 1978, earning a solid reputation for its...

School looks ahead to future growth: IAQ and sustainability are features of the school.(FOCUS SCHOOL MARKET)(Steril-Aire Inc.'s UVC lamps used by Iolani School)(indoor air quality)
August 7, 2006... HONOLULU -- Iolani School may be one of the finest K-12 schools in the United States, and it's located on some prime real estate too: Oahu, Hawaii. From its academic program to its mechanical and IAQ systems, the independent school continues to...

Distributors examine future practices.(distributor corner)
August 7, 2006... I can't tell you what the distribution business will look like in 2020, but I am beginning to get a clearer view of what it will look like in 2010. Now before I go any further, be warned: Many distributors I have worked with over time have been...

Conference talk spans the HVACR gamut.(REFRIGERATION ZONE)
August 7, 2006... Technical talks ranging from "Airflow Made Easy" to "Using the Psychometric Chart" will be part of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) Annual Conference, Oct. 3-7 at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta. This is the second year in a...

Potential relay ratings and specifications.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: the professor)(Column)
August 7, 2006... My July 3 column covered the theory and operation of potential relays. This article covers potential relay ratings and specifications along with systematic troubleshooting. Here is an example of a potential relay rating specification. The...

Determining a system's Btu capacity.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: ice breaker)
August 7, 2006... Many field-assembled refrigeration systems require the installing contractor or sales engineer to select the system components. This involves choosing the correct condensing unit (compressor), unit cooler (evaporator), metering device,...

Seeing the big picture in supermarkets.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: conference preview: FMI ENERGY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES CONFERENCE)
August 7, 2006... Engineers and service technicians often find themselves tightly focused on the mechanical refrigeration and air conditioning equipment they are responsible for. They want to make sure it's well designed and operating as efficiently as possible....

Recent developments in refrigerants.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: industry news: MID-SUMMER REFRIGERANT REPORT)
August 7, 2006... Refrigerants are vital to a contractor, especially during the summer with its increasing air conditioning needs and taxing demands on refrigeration equipment. So, what's happening in the refrigerant sector is important. Here then is a summary...

Engineers get an earful on load calculations.(meeting update)
August 7, 2006... QUEBEC CITY -- The great divide between HVAC contractors and engineers is probably at its widest point where residential load calculations are concerned. Contractors don't see a practical way to do what is called a "vigorous" (i.e.,...

Perception is everything.(business management)(marketing trends)(Wendy's International Inc.)
August 7, 2006... The other day I saw a Wendy's commercial advertising its 99 cent chicken sandwich and wondered why it is advertising that price point. After all, in our part of the country, you have to spend $2.89 a gallon for gas to get to a Wendy's. So, the...

Firm provides solutions for humidity problem.(field solutions)(Des Champs Technologies dehumidifiers)(Illinois Capital Development Board)
August 7, 2006... Maintaining the ideal level of humidity is important in most homes and businesses, but it is critical in a large archive that contains, among other important papers, a collection of Abraham Lincoln's handwritten documents. The Norton Building...

Making the sale to your only customer.(business management)
August 7, 2006... Running out of customers is worse than running out of gas. You can always get gas even if the price is high. Finding a consistent flow of customers, however, is a far more daunting and often frustrating task. Every sector of the economy is...

Insights from mechanical inspectors: the NEWS takes a ride with two Michigan inspectors.(industry news)
August 7, 2006... WYOMING and FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.--The life of a mechanical inspector can be rewarding and challenging, depending on the work they inspect and the contractors they interact with. While the task of inspecting can be pretty cut-and-dry and even...

Is your company deserving to be one of the fabulous five?(opinions: VIEWS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITORIAL STAFF AND GUEST COLUMNISTS)
August 7, 2006... Who are the Fabulous Five for 2006? You determine that. For the past seven years, The NEWS has been honoring the best contractors in the business. Not just any contractors, mind you, but the best contractors to work for. In 1999, we wanted to...

HVACR conferences turn up the heat.(opinions: VIEWS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITORIAL STAFF AND COLUMNISTS)(International Compressor Engineering Conference)(International Refrigeration Conference)(heating, ventilation and air conditioning refrigeration)(Editorial)
August 7, 2006... What would you do if you had 500 air conditioning experts in a building where the a/c was a bit on the fritz and temperatures outside were in the 90s? Would you give them all wrenches and have them have a go at it? Or would you just offer basic...

Online training in the works: DTC offer wholesalers program to contractors.(training & education)
August 14, 2006... Over the past three years, many HVACR manufacturers have entered into the online training and educational markets. Because product offerings are technologically evolving at an ever-increasing rate, this requires an ever-increasing level of...

Census Bureau report: construction market spikes.(industry news)
August 14, 2006... "Construction spending rebounded in June after a tiny drop in May and a small increase in April," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Simonson was commenting on an Aug. 1 report from the...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 14, 2006... In the Newsline section of the July 31 issue of The NEWS, the tax deductions discussed in the "Energy Standard Key to Deduction" article are related to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and not the Building Energy Efficiency Standards Program set...

Automated logic establishes Chicago branch office.(newsline)
August 14, 2006... KENNESAW, Ga. -- After acquiring two of Comfort System USA's independent dealers earlier this year, Automated Logic Corp. (ALC) recently acquired the business of Control Solutions Inc.--Chicago (CSIC), an ALC dealer serving the greater Chicago...

'Best Contractor to Work for' entries now being accepted.(newsline)
August 14, 2006... The NEWS is looking for the best contractors to work for. We want to recognize contractors who encourage a safe, secure, and fulfilling work environment and who truly care about their employees. Any HVACR contractor in the United States or...

Siemens teams with Controls Group.(newsline)
August 14, 2006... BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. -- Siemens Building Technologies Inc. has joined the Controls Group North America (CGNA), Los Angeles, a consortium of HVACR wholesale controls distributors. Siemens will include their complete line of HVAC valves and...

Introducing the NEWS' redesigned Website.(www.achrnews.com)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... The NEWS has introduced a newly redesigned Website featuring a fresh new look and more user-friendly navigation. A new Quick Links bar across the top of our home page provides quick and easy access to some of our most popular features,...

Heat Transfer Products Inc.(Manufacturers)
August 14, 2006... Heat Transfer Products Inc. (East Freetown, Mass.) named David Martin president.

ABB Automation Products, Low Voltage Drives.(Manufacturers)
August 14, 2006... ABB Automation Products, Low Voltage Drives (New Berlin, Wis.) named Michael Mikolajczak as product line manager.

L'Isolante K-Flex and Nomaco K-Flex (Youngsville, N.C.) received the ISO 2006 Award for Technological Innovation of Insulation Products.(Manufacturers)
August 14, 2006... L'Isolante K-Flex and Nomaco K-Flex (Youngsville, N.C.) received the ISO 2006 Award for Technological Innovation of Insulation Products for the K-Flex CLAD systems.

Whirlpool Corp.(Manufacturers)
August 14, 2006... Whirlpool Corp. (Benton Harbor, Mich.) relaunched its insideadvantage. corn Website.

Daikin AC (Americas) Inc.(Manufacturers)
August 14, 2006... Daikin AC (Americas) Inc. (Carrollton, Texas) named Gary Nettinger director of national service and training.

Sanyo HVAC.(Manufacturers)
August 14, 2006... Sanyo HVAC (Chatsworth, Calif.) extended its five-year warranty to six years on high-efficiency models featuring Cooleron[TM] (R-410A).

Munters AB.(Manufacturers)
August 14, 2006... Munters AB (San Antonio) is adding 65,000 square feet to its commercial dehumidification manufacturing facility in Selma, Texas.

The Heat Technology Division of Flex Tek.(Manufacturers)
August 14, 2006... The Heat Technology Division of Flex Tek (London) promoted Dave Oehlers as vice president of sales.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) awarded Glenn Hourahan, vice president of research and technology for Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).(Associations)
August 14, 2006... The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) awarded Glenn Hourahan, vice president of research and technology for Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), its Exceptional Service Award, and...

Wolseley plc (London) purchased Nordic Building Products Distributor (Denmark).(Distributor)
August 14, 2006... Wolseley plc (London) purchased Nordic Building Products Distributor (Denmark) for $2.48 billion.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.(Technology Development)
August 14, 2006... The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers' (Mountain View, Calif.) 802.3 working group has formed the Higher Speed Study Group to evaluate next generation Ethernet technology requirements.

Heating up the neighborhood.(newsline)
August 14, 2006... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: HEATING UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD: At the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers (NAOHSM) annual awards banquet held at the 2006 NAOHSM Annual Convention, Hartford, Conn., the Garden State Chapter...

Richards-Zeta extends service.(newsline)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- In light of the new intelligent buildings opportunities and projects that are rapidly developing in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region as part of the Cisco Connected Real Estate (CCRE) drive, Nour Technologies Inc....

New training program offered.(newsline)
August 14, 2006... CHANTILLY, Va. -- The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractor's National Association's (SMACNA's) new residential course is designed to turn out a competent HVAC service technician in approximately a year and a half. The course itself...

Davis Rawal.(OBITUARY)
August 14, 2006... WATERBURY, Conn. -- Davis Rawal, founder of Rawal Devices Inc., passed away July 21. He was 85. The company manufactures and distributes a refrigeration control that was invented and patented by Rawal. "His development of the APR Control has...

Spirax acquires UltraPure.(newsline)
August 14, 2006... BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. -- Spirax Sarco Inc., (SSI) acquired a majority interest in UltraPure Group Limited Inc. Headquartered in North Port, Fla., the company manufactures pure steam generators and water stills for the big-pharmaceutical industry....