Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News articles from August 2007

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News archives from August 2007

Johnson Controls (York, Pa.) announced a price increase ranging from 2-5 percent on York large commercial products.(Price Increase)
August 6, 2007... Johnson Controls (York, Pa.) announced a price increase ranging from 2-5 percent on York large commercial products including chillers, air-handling units, packaged rooftop units, and terminal products, effective immediately.

American Residential Services LLC.(Contractors)
August 6, 2007... American Residential Services LLC (Memphis, Tenn.) acquired Will Fix It (San Antonio, Texas).

Weil-McLain.(Manufacturers)
August 6, 2007... Weil-McLain (Michigan City, Ind.) named John Way as president.

Green Mechanical Council's.(Manufacturers)
August 6, 2007... Carrier Corps (Farmington, Conn.) Mary Milmoe was appointed to the Green Mechanical Council's board of directors.

HVAC Exellence.(Education)
August 6, 2007... HVAC Exellence (Mt. Prospect, III.) accredited the Western Center for Technical Studies' (Limerick, Pa.) HVACR program.

WennSoft.(Software)
August 6, 2007... WennSoft (New Berlin, Wis.) was named to the Microsoft Dynamics[TM] Inner Circle for top-level customer satisfaction for the fifth time in seven years.

Green Mechanical Council.(Organizations)
August 6, 2007... The Green Mechanical Council (GreenMech) appointed Michael Senter, CEO of ABCO Refrigeration Supply Corp. (Long Island City, N.Y.), as its director.

Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International's.(Organizations)
August 6, 2007... The Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International's (HARDI's) new and expanded Profit Report is available.

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association.(Organizations)
August 6, 2007... The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) is now offering online registration for its annual convention.

MCAA, UA form Green Partnership.
August 6, 2007... ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the United Association of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinkler-fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) have partnered to focus on several joint...

The facts on the R-22 phaseout.(2010 HCFC-22 )
August 6, 2007... As the 2010 deadline for the use of R-22 in new equipment comes ever closer, efforts are on the increase to put the topic on a need-to-know basis for contractors and technicians who work with the refrigerant. As part of that, the U.S....

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 6, 2007... In the July 16 article "These Products Do More Than Fan the Air," it should have read that Kathie Perry, director of marketing at Fantech, said the fans are manufactured using a new automated production process that results in the first truly...

Is SEER driving HSPF down for heat pumps?(letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 6, 2007... I enjoyed the "SEER Ratings Challenged" article and Mike Murphy's editorial "Efficiency Gaining Ground, Again" in the July 23 issue. These were of specific interest because of my involvement in the marketing of heat pumps in colder climates for...

Project files.(the news)
August 6, 2007... PROJECT FILES: SUBDIVISION COMPANY: Collier's Heating & Cooling, Ossian, Ind. INSTALLATION: WaterFurnace Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems COMPLETION: Phase One--End of 2008 "This project will be a valuable demonstration...

Goodman reviews potential business strategies.(newsline)
August 6, 2007... HOUSTON -- Goodman Global Inc. announced that it is in the process of reviewing potential strategies to enhance shareholder value. The company has engaged Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. to assist its management and...

American standard companies continue sale.(newsline)
August 6, 2007... PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- American Standard Companies Inc. signed a definitive agreement to sell the company's worldwide Bath and Kitchen products business to funds advised by Bain Capital Partners LLC, a private investment firm, for $1.755 billion...

Lennox International starts Mexico plant.(newsline)
August 6, 2007... DALLAS -- Lennox International Inc. plans to open a new manufacturing operation in Saltillo, Mexico, under the name LII United Products. The manufacturing lines responsible for Lennox-brand Merit Series air conditioners and heat pumps, as well...

Bryant Rally heats up.(newsline)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BRYANT RALLY HEATS UP: The 2007 Bryant Indy 500 Dealer Rally, where more than 500 dealers gathered for the 91st running of the Indianapolis 500, showcased Bryant and the company's sponsored Andretti Green...

Rheem purchases land in Mexico.(newsline)
August 6, 2007... FORT SMITH, Ark. -- The Heating & Cooling Division of Rheem Manufacturing Co. purchased a 37-acre commercial development site in Nuevo Laredo, in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. The Rheem Heating & Cooling and Water Heating Divisions currently...

Units awarded Best Buy.(newsline)
August 6, 2007... DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Consumer's Digest awarded multiple HVAC products its Best Buy Award. According to the publication, a Best Buy is defined as a product that offers the most value for a given amount of money. It is not judged based on being the...

UVC light fixture.(what's new)(UV Resources)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The double-ended fixture, high-output UVC fixture (DEF-HO) is designed for HVAC systems. The easy-to-install air-handling unit-style UVC fixture irradiates surfaces infected by mold; bacteria; or other organic debris...

Software and DVD training set.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A two-disc DVD/Windows software training set is available for the Luxaire Acclimate[TM] modulating gas furnace. The set is the first in the ProficienTech Series of media-based technical training. With an emphasis...

Zone thermostats.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Ultra-Zone[TM] Internet-enabled WebStat IZT-100 and IZT-250 are Web-enabled zone thermostats. They provide the ability to configure settings through a graphical interface either locally or from any remote...

Cooling tower.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The PT2 induced-draft counterflow cooling tower covers the range of 100 to 2,000 nominal tons. The cooling tower has been designed with features that make the unit maintenance-friendly, overcoming the access issues...

Hose clamps.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Micro Series worm gear hose clamps are manufactured with 300 series stainless steel housings and bands. They come with 5/16-inch-wide bands. Zinc-plated (Series 90037) and stainless steel (90038) worms are...

Customized A/C unit.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... The DX-30-Ton is a customized air conditioning unit that delivers temporary humidity control and cooling using refrigerant technology. The unit integrates a packaged refrigeration/ electric heat system to efficiently remove large amounts of...

Rack-mounted monitoring device.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... The vEM-14 is a compact, network-enabled device that combines environmental monitoring with power management to deliver a comprehensive view of conditions within a rack or small data center. The device is equipped with four sensor inputs, a...

Ventilation software.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... Software package 62.1-2007 Comply makes calculating and documenting compliance with ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007 quicker and easier. According to the company, the software suite can significantly reduce ventilation air requirements by improving...

Flat-screen thermostats.(what's new)(Bryant Heating and Cooling)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Preferred[TM] flat-screen thermostats, offered in programmable and nonprogrammable models, offer two-wire installation for temperature, humidity, and Hybrid Heat[TM] control. The programmable model offers an Xpansion...

Damper regulators.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Dyn-A-Spec line of specially designed damper regulators has been crafted to minimize leakage. The manufacturer uses a heavy-duty die-cast core, a positive locking feature, and incremental adjustments to provide...

Residential registers.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] UltrAire[TM] Series residential registers have an easy-to-adjust control lever to regulate airflow. Model UAC (designed for ceiling mounting) has curved blades, while Model UAS (sidewall mounting) has straight...

Portable vacuum collection system.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The improved Super Collector E2-vfd, a portable vacuum collection system, is a powerful, compact collector. According to the manufacturer, it sets new performance (suction) and productivity standards, making it a...

Air-cooled ice machine.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The S-Series 1470C air-cooled remote ice machine meets Tier 3 energy-efficiency specifications of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). According to the manufacturer, with the QuietQube[R] technology, the ice...

Condensate evaporator pans.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Eight commercial refrigeration condensate evaporator pans, for use in applications where no drain is available, have been added to the company's product offerings. The pans have high-limit safety, float switch...

Air purifying system.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The UV-16R has been retooled to create two new air purifiers: 120- and 24-V models. The new UV-16/24 low-voltage model comes with a 40-vac transformer for safer installation. The UV-16/24 and UV-16/120 models each...

Digital tools catalog.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 72-page Fluke Tools Catalog is available in a digital format at www. testtools.fluke.dgtlpub.com. Users can flip pages with a click of the mouse, zoom in or out of content, search by keyword, click on products...

Wireless room temperature sensor.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Apogee[R] Wireless room sensors incorporate reliable, redundant mesh networking technology, ensuring that sensors are immune to signal interruption. According to the manufacturer, this is the first wireless...

BACnet port device.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The X-Port-2[TM] converter is a convenient BACnet[R] communication device that provides an extra EIA-232 port to any MACH-Series controller. The new version supports BACnet protocol, connection, and MSet...

Rooftop units.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The T-Class[TM] line of rooftop units has been expanded to include the 2- and 2.5-ton units. They are available in TG gas/electric, TC electric/electric, and TH heat pump units. Electric heat is available in a 7.5-kW...

Gas venting systems.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Two special gas venting systems, Model SW single-wall vents and Model CV concentric vents, are available through a partnership between the company and its sister company Heat-fab, a division of Selkirk. The units are...

Crescent cuber ice machine.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... The Serenity Series crescent cuber ice machine KMS-1230MLH uses a remote condenser and compressor stationed outside the kitchen and away from customer usage. The unit (30 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 28 inches high) can be installed on top...

Calculation, sizing software service.(what's new)
August 6, 2007... The Carmel Data Input Service is offered to the company's new and existing licensees. The company's trained personnel input the building and/or engineering data required for any of a client's HVAC projects into one of the company's HVAC load...

Proper gas vent design: consider the vent and connector material types and sizes.(service & maintenance)
August 6, 2007... The design of gas vent pipes and connectors for furnaces, water heaters, boilers, and other fossil-fuel appliances is a serious matter. Carbon monoxide poisoning, collapsing chimneys, fire hazards, corrosion of vents, draft inducers, heat...

Special report: green building.(industry news)
August 6, 2007... The surge in discussions about green buildings of recent months has captured the imaginations of many associated with energy-related products or services. The mechanical contracting business is at the forefront of change as building owners are...

Ductless splits replace four-pipe design: is this value engineering or what?(FOCUS: SCHOOL MARKET)
August 6, 2007... LOS ANGELES -- Too many times, "value engineering" is used as an excuse to cut corners and actually reduce the value of an HVAC project. That was not the case at the Kappa Kappa Gamma House at the University of Southern California (USC), where...

School's HVAC system mixes maintainability with efficiency.(FOCUS: SCHOOL MARKET)
August 6, 2007... VINELAND, N.J. -- How do you make sure that sophisticated new HVAC system, installed in a cutting edge new school, is well maintained? One way is to install it indoors, outside of the classroom. The other way is to cut down on the amount of...

School district upgrades HVAC facilities.(FOCUS: SCHOOL MARKET)
August 6, 2007... DALLAS -- The Nueces Canyon Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) in Barksdale, Texas, completed more than $1 million in facility upgrades to improve building operations and comfort, while enabling the district to better control...

Aging school buildings face new challenges.(FOCUS: SCHOOL MARKET)
August 6, 2007... In order to understand the future of the school market, you have to look at and understand the past while staying on top of new technologies and codes. About 45 percent of the nation's schools were built between 1950 and 1969 and about one half...

ASHRAE stresses green priorities.(meeting update)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers )
August 6, 2007... LONG BEACH, Calif. -- A move toward sustainability was highlighted at the annual meeting of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Approximately 1,600 members attended the meeting, which...

Get the most out of variable-speed pumps: the secret is in the control valves.
August 6, 2007... LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Pumps are responsible for a significant part of the world's electrical energy consumption, but their impact can be by using variable-speed pump control, especially in hydronic systems, according to speakers at the annual...

Five hints to complete the HVAC sale.(money talks)
August 6, 2007... Becoming a successful HVAC salesperson can be an intricate juggling act. There are so many items to keep in mind, and it can be quite stressful at times --especially when the seasonal peaks keep you hopping. But imagine if your business...

Prejudge and you could lose the sale.(at the table)
August 6, 2007... Times have certainly changed and appearances can definitely be deceiving. Today's fortysomething woman may be an empty nester or the mother of teenagers. Then again, those two little toddlers running around her may be her children, not her...

EnVisioneering emphasizes energy.(REFRIGERATION zone)
August 6, 2007... LONG BEACH, Calif.--Some 25 experts from the HVACR industry addressed growing concerns about the U.S. energy situation at the fifth Danfoss EnVisioneering[SM] Symposium, "Making Dollars and Sense of Energy Efficiency: A Focus on Conservation."...

Total system superheat.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: ice breaker)
August 6, 2007... Servicing and maintaining refrigeration equipment often requires technicians to measure the pressures and temperatures, and calculate the condition of the refrigerant at several different locations throughout a system. One aspect that is...

Superheated discharge temperatures.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: the professor)
August 6, 2007... The compressor's discharge temperature can tell the service technician what is going on inside a refrigeration or air conditioning system. The compressor's discharge temperature is a reflection of the hottest part of a refrigeration system, and...

Purdue event planning underway.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: show report)
August 6, 2007... WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Planning is already underway for the every-other-year conferences at Purdue University dealing with compressor engineering and refrigeration/ air conditioning. The International Compressor Engineering Conference and the...

New training available.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: show report)(ESCO Institute )(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... With more manufacturers building R-410A systems, the need for training and certification continues to grow. To assist educators and trainers in teaching R-410A safety, installation, and service, the ESCO Institute has released two new teaching...

The value of mechanical code knowledge.(training & education)
August 6, 2007... BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- Having a broad knowledge of mechanical codes and the nuances of the code system is a key ingredient to proper system design. It is certainly a way to head off future problems when questions arise about a building's HVAC...

Solving IAQ issues.(training & education)
August 6, 2007... BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- Any discussion involving the hottest topics in HVAC today inevitably includes IAQ. One company sent a representative out to talk about IAQ issues with an audience of educators at the recent Air-conditioning & Refrigeration...

RSES set for 70th conference.(conference update)(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society)
August 6, 2007... The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society will hold its 70th Annual Conference Sept. 11-15 in San Antonio, Texas. It is open to both RSES members and nonmembers. Among conference highlights will be several educational sessions scheduled...

Charging a system.(COMMENT)(Viewpoint essay)
August 6, 2007... I would like to make a couple of comments regarding two past Hotline questions and answers. One question writer reported having problems charging a system when the gauge on the suction line went into the retard section of the gauge. One...

Engineer designs single room a/c system: hydronic 'double-duty' system lowers utility bills at Grand Hotel.(inventor series)
August 6, 2007... MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. -- Picture the look on the face of a business owner when an HVAC contractor tells him that the more he uses his air conditioner, the lower his electric bill will be. Besides astonishment, the business owner may be calling...

Connecting with your wingmen: walking the flight line makes for a better leader.(business management)(Personal account)
August 6, 2007... It is extremely rare for the squadron commander to meet you at your jet after a training mission, so when I saw Lt. Col. Dodson approaching my jet with a stern look on his face, I knew something was up. "Waldo, we need to talk," he said as...

Dentist saves Ford: turn customers into cheerleaders.(business management)(Ford Motor Co.)(Viewpoint essay)
August 6, 2007... I want to talk about business. I am not sure about your business, but many have had some opportunities this last year. Some customers have changed management teams; they may have moved people with whom you had a relationship. The business...

Learning from the iPhone phenomenon.(business management)
August 6, 2007... "If you're not a reviewer, chances are you won't even bother to look at the manual," wrote Time reviewer Lev Grossman. That's nothing less than a stunning comment about any cell phone, particularly one that brings you phone, camera, Internet,...

Answer to safety violations revealed.(business management)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
August 6, 2007... Remember the picture with the 17 OSHA violations that ran in the June 18 edition of The NEWS? The article was titled "Exploring the Financial Ramifications of Safety." We asked readers if they could identify all 17 violations (listed...

Doing even more to save energy.(conference update)
August 6, 2007... Call it a church revival or preaching to the choir, but when Joel Gilbert of Apogee Interactive gives the keynote talk at the upcoming Food Marketing Institute Energy & Technical Services Conference, he will be telling those who think they have...

Service vs. maintenance agreements.(OPINIONS: VIEWS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITORIAL STAFF AND GUEST COLUMNISTS)(Column)
August 6, 2007... NOTE: In answer to a question posed by The NEWS' editor-in-chief, Mike Murphy, guest columnist John Lombardi provides his viewpoint on planned service. We have to distinguish between maintenance agreements and service agreements....

The SkillsUSA factor.(OPINIONS: VIEWS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITORIAL STAFF AND GUEST COLUMNISTS)
August 6, 2007... At my age the mind starts to play tricks; I can't really remember how long I have been attending the annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference that takes place each summer in Kansas City, Mo. I think it's been at least 10 years...

Green Valley cooling and heating.(Contractors)
August 20, 2007... Green Valley Cooling and Heating (Green Valley, Ariz.) received the annual Business Ethics Award from the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona.

Daikin AC.(Manufacturers)
August 20, 2007... Daikin AC (Americas) Inc. (Carrollton, Texas) promoted Chad Fink to branch sales manager for its Southern region.

Lennox International Inc.(Manufacturers)
August 20, 2007... Lennox International Inc. (Dallas) appointed Michael Blatz as its vice president of operations.

Schneider Electric (Dallas) and TAC (Carrollton, Texas).(Manufacturers)
August 20, 2007... Schneider Electric (Dallas) and TAC (Carrollton, Texas), its building automation unit, joined the Clinton Climate Initiative.

LSB Industries Inc.(Financial Reports)
August 20, 2007... LSB Industries Inc.'s (Oklahoma City) second quarter net sales increased 18 percent to $156.8 million from $132.4 million in the second quarter 2006.

Dexter + Chaney.(Software)
August 20, 2007... Dexter + Chaney's (Seattle) Forefront[TM] Construction Suite has been renamed Spectrum[TM] Construction Software.

RCI Foundation.(Organizations)
August 20, 2007... The RCI Foundation (Raleigh, N.C.) is calling for papers concerning sustainable building envelope design. The 250-word abstract deadline is Nov. 1.

American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).(Organizations)
August 20, 2007... The American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) released its "Air-Conditioning Systems Design Manual, Second Edition."

Nexstar Inc.(Organizations)
August 20, 2007... Nexstar Inc. (White Bear Lake, Minn.) is presenting its Money Masters[R] seminar Sept. 14-15 in Denver.

U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC's).(Organizations)
August 20, 2007... The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC's) annual Greenbuild conference and exhibition is Nov. 7-9 in Chicago.

Industry numbers start growing.(industry news)(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute)(Market overview)
August 20, 2007... The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) reported a 3 percent increase in combined central air conditioner and air-source heat pump shipments for the month of June, as compared to the same month last year. Totaling 947,268, the...

Mold in new home sends owners packing: contractor visits moldy home with The NEWS.(industry news)
August 20, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW HUDSON, Mich. -- Cheryl and Barry Mills didn't have too much time to enjoy their new home. They didn't have time to welcome their grandchildren to the new two-story home on a small pond in this rural community 40...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 20, 2007... In the August 13 article "Contractors Ride the Waves at Waterparks," the city in which Fredericksen Engineering is located was misidentified. The correct name is Mequon, Wis.

Consequences of affording to repair vs. replace.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 20, 2007... The last line in Mike Murphy's recent editorial, "Efficiency Gaining Ground Again," [July 23] said, "Because the customer always has a choice to repair or replace." This is the most important issue that lawmakers and federal agencies looking...

Working together, not separately.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
August 20, 2007... [Editor's note: This letter is in response to the article 'Johnson Controls Partners With Schools," May 7.] Don't get me wrong, we need all the manufacturers and contractors and suppliers helping with our trade schools to raise the bar and...