Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News articles from February 2007

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News archives from February 2007

David McKenney, CEO of McKenney's Inc. (Atlanta), received the American Society.(Contractors)
February 5, 2007... * David McKenney, CEO of McKenney's Inc. (Atlanta), received the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers-ALCO Medal for distinguished service.

Aire Serv[R].(Contractors)
February 5, 2007... * Aire Serv[R] (Waco, Texas) was named to Entrepreneur magazine's 2007 "Franchise 500" list.

Daikin AC.(Manufacturers)
February 5, 2007... * Daikin AC (Americas) Inc. (Carrollton, Texas) named Tom Pivovar as North American field service manager. He will be responsible for the field service operations of all residential and commercial HVAC systems for the United States and Canada.

EZ Trap Inc.(Manufacturers)
February 5, 2007... * EZ Trap Inc. (New Brunswick, N.J.) appointed Louis Laroche as national sales manager.

Richards-Zeta.(Manufacturers)
February 5, 2007... * Richards-Zeta (Santa Barbara, Calif.) released its complete online training video tutorials covering the entire RZ-I and RZ-II training courses.

Lux Products Corp.(Manufacturers)
February 5, 2007... * Lux Products Corp. (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) hired James Keefer as its Western sales manager.

Gustave A. Larson Co.(Distributors)
February 5, 2007... * Gustave A. Larson Co. (Pewaukee, Wis.) named Scott Larson as its president and COO, directing all corporate departments. Andrew Larson will remain CEO.

Distributor Corp. of New England (Malden, Mass.) will distribute and support Hydronika's (Shelbyville, Ky.) product.(Distributors)
February 5, 2007... * Distributor Corp. of New England (Malden, Mass.) will distribute and support Hydronika's (Shelbyville, Ky.) product line in eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire.

Commercial market turns green.(FOCUS: NEW CONSTRUCTION MARKET)
February 5, 2007... According to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris totals approximately 136 million tons per year, accounting for nearly 60 percent of total nonindustrial waste generation in the...

Contractors slowly embrace R-410A.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: trends)(Lennox Industries Inc.)
February 5, 2007... As the availability of systems running on HFC-410A refrigerant becomes more the norm, manufacturers and wholesalers are encouraging contractors to opt for such equipment when discussing comfort cooling with their customers. Some...

HARDI forms Hydronics and Radiant Heat Council.(newsline)(Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) board of directors voted unanimously to create a new Hydronics and Radiant Heat Council. According to HARDI, this new council will be...

ASHRAE hosts satellite broadcast.(newsline)(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)
February 5, 2007... ATLANTA -- The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) will present specific solutions to the everyday challenges of achieving indoor environmental quality within real-world budget constraints, in an...

EWC sells off division of humidifiers.(newsline)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- EWC Controls, the manufacturer of Ultra-Zone Forced Air Zone Controls, sold its AutoFlo division of Whole House Humidifiers, excluding Steam Humidifiers, to RPS Products, Hampshire, Ill. The AutoFlo line of flow-through and...

Canada's new clean air act.(REGIONAL REPORT--CANADA)
February 5, 2007... Canada's New Clean Air Act: The Canadian government has proposed more stringent energy performance standards for some HVACR units.

Buckeye ventures acquires Barnett heating and air.(REGIONAL REPORT--WEST)
February 5, 2007... Buckeye Ventures Acquires Barnett Heating and Air: Consolidating is out, and creating or joining a national HVAC brand is in. Buckeye plans to spread its brand with the acquisition of a Modesto, Calif., contractor.

Intellidyne expands efforts.(newsline)
February 5, 2007... GLEN COVE, N.Y. -- Intellidyne LLC is expanding north of the border to open Intellidyne Canada Ltd. John Poirier, who will serve as general manager, will head the new entity. "With our renewed commitment to the Canadian market, we will...

Course focuses on profits.(newsline)
February 5, 2007... FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Twenty business owners, project managers, estimators, and superintendents spent four days at the PHCC Educational Foundation's January offering of the "Essentials of PHC Project Management Course," a training program...

ADA honors CEO at Gala Awards.(newsline)
February 5, 2007... NEW YORK -- The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognized John Barth, chairman and CEO of Johnson Controls Inc., as the Corporate Honoree of Diversity at its 2006 Live the Good Life Gala. Barth was chosen for both his personal and...

SMACNA predicts 2007 trends.(newsline)(Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... CHANTILLY, Va. -- According to a representative survey of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) Chapters nationwide, current trends indicate a positive outlook for man-hours in 2007. A few pockets of...

Conservation is Second Nature for Store.(field solutions)
February 5, 2007... Supermarket chain Ukrop's and refrigeration equipment manufacturer Hill Phoenix have taken another step in getting more secondary loop technology into food stores. A new 55,000-square-foot store in Williamsburg, Va., is the first Ukrop's...

Field service management service.(what's new)
February 5, 2007... Wireless solutions for businesses with field service operations can be activated directly from a variety of wireless handheld units for quick and easy deployment. The suite of three field service automation solutions was developed by Corrigo...

Document search software module.(what's new)
February 5, 2007... In the Document Imaging module of the Forefront(tm) Construction Suite, a user can find documents instantly using a Google-like search capability. Users can locate individual documents in their entire Forefront file system by entering any word...

Boilers and water heaters.(what's new)
February 5, 2007... Several enhancements have been made to the Power-Fin(r) boiler and water heater line. Now standard on the 1500, 1700, and 2000 Models (Btu inputs of 1.5 million to 2 million), the new internal cascading sequencer eliminates the cost and setup...

Monitoring, alarm notification system.(what's new)
February 5, 2007... The 1800 remote monitoring and alarm notification system is designed to protect HVAC systems by monitoring critical environmental conditions--power, timers, temperature, alarms, etc.--and issuing alerts when threatening conditions exist. When...

A/c failure indicator module.(what's new)
February 5, 2007... The Inverter Phase Check, an electronic indicator, can help contractors troubleshoot when an inverter-controlled a/c unit fails. The unit can pinpoint whether the compressor or inverter is faulty. When are disconnected from the compressor and...

Distance-measuring tool.(what's new)
February 5, 2007... The Disto A8 is a handheld laser distance-measuring tool with a built-in digital viewfinder and tilt sensor. The viewfinder provides three zoom levels and nine brightness settings, making it easy to aim at faraway objects. The integrated tilt...

Near-zero is goal of some home builders.(FOCUS: NEW CONSTRUCTION MARKET)
February 5, 2007... Have you ever heard of a home with an electricity meter that sometimes runs backwards? That's just one of the intriguing features of a near-zero energy home. Other interesting features usually include high-performance building envelopes,...

Riding out the downturn in new housing.(FOCUS: NEW CONSTRUCTION MARKET)
February 5, 2007... In a speech given last November, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke noted, "The slowing pace of residential construction is likely to be a drag on economic growth into next year." Supporting Bernanke's comments are statistics from the...

Performing a clean-up after a burnout: the first step is to recover the refrigerant from the system. It may be possible to reuse it if it can be cleaned up adequately. However, this may be not be possible or may be very difficult to do in the field.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: ice breaker)
February 5, 2007... When the motor of a hermetic compressor burns out, it is possible for contaminants to form in the compressor, depending on the severity of the motor burn. It is also possible for these contaminants to be pumped out into the system. If this...

In search of the actual capacity of compressors.(REFRIGERATION ZONE: the professor)
February 5, 2007... My Jan. 8 column covered refrigerant gas density coming into a compressor's cylinder from the suction line and how it is affected by temperature. That column also covered how refrigerant density affected compressor capacity and refrigerant mass...

The devil in the details.(service & maintenance)
February 5, 2007... It's the little details in a project that can be easily overlooked, yet getting those details right can be as important as the rest of the job. In the HVAC industry, it can be something as simple as using the correct wire connectors for the...

The 'good' C[O.sub.2] and 'bad' C[O.sub.2].(opinions: VIEWS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITORIAL STAFF AND GUEST COLUMNISTS)
February 5, 2007... Throughout this past football season, we Chicago Bears fans have wondered whether 'good' Rex or 'bad' Rex would show up for each game. We were referring to quarterback Rex Grossman, who one week would throw pinpoint passes, run the offense...

The little things count in a service business.(opinions: VIEWS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITORIAL STAFF AND GUEST COLUMNISTS)(Guest editorial)
February 5, 2007... Now that many of you are committed to getting more involved in the service and service-replacement business, I believe it is time to review some of the seemingly minor but important changes you need to put in place to ensure that you do, in...

NIBCO Inc.(Manufacturers)
February 12, 2007... NIBCO Inc. (Elkhart, Ind.) promoted Jeff Shreiner to vice president of wholesale sales. It also opened a new 80,000-square-foot facility in Franklin, Ohio.

PCB Piezotronics Inc.(Manufacturers)
February 12, 2007... PCB Piezotronics Inc. (Depew, N.Y.) appointed Graham Turgoose as managing director of PCB Piezotronics Ltd. (Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England).

Gastite.(Manufacturers)
February 12, 2007... Gastite, a division of Titeflex Corp. (Springfield, Mass.) hired Craig Barry as its new director of marketing. He will oversee advertising, product launches, sales promotions, product packaging, and public relations.

FHP Manufacturing Co. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was acquired by Bosch.(Manufacturers)
February 12, 2007... FHP Manufacturing Co. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) was acquired by Bosch (Stuttgart, Germany).

Inficon Inc.(Manufacturers)
February 12, 2007... Inficon Inc. (Syracuse, N.Y.) released a new catalog highlighting its complete line of service tools for the HVACR service professional.

International Barrier Technology Inc. (Watkins, Minn.) negotiated a supply agreement.(Manufacturers)
February 12, 2007... International Barrier Technology Inc. (Watkins, Minn.) negotiated a supply agreement with Protective Chemistries Inc. (Minneapolis).

Industrial Controls Distributors LLC.(Distributors)
February 12, 2007... Industrial Controls Distributors LLC (Wanamassa, N.J.) opened a new regional office in Atlanta.

Universal Supply Group (Hawthorne, N.J.) joined the Controls Group North America.(Distributors)
February 12, 2007... Universal Supply Group (Hawthorne, N.J.) joined the Controls Group North America (CGNA) network.

DENSO Corp.(Financial Reports)
February 12, 2007... DENSO Corp.'s (Tokyo) third-quarter net sales, ending Dec. 31, 2006, totaled $7.8 billion, a 14.7 percent increase from the previous year.

A stolen identity will cost you.
February 12, 2007... If an HVAC contractor fails to encrypt a customer's credit card number or if that same information is stored in an unsecured file cabinet or room, what could happen if that "secure" information is stolen and used to defraud a customer? The...

Buying on eBay can be a chilling adventure.(industry news)
February 12, 2007... Story 1: The plug-in, two-door, reach-in cooler the convenience store owner ordered had arrived and was promptly put to use. The only problem was it never got cold. A local contractor was called. The first problem he discovered was the suction...

Correction.(Correction notice)
February 12, 2007... In the Jan. 15 issue, the Website for Newport Electronics should have been www.newportus.com. The NEWS regrets this error.

To sell or not to sell? The debate continues.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
February 12, 2007... [Editor's note: The following two letters are in response to John R. Hall's editorial "Why Service Techs Shouldn't Sell" and Mike Murphy's editorial "Why Service Techs Should Sell," both in the Dec. 11 issue.] As if Techs Don't Have Enough...

Only in dreamland are customers NATE-concerned.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
February 12, 2007... [Editor's note: This letter is in response to Mike Murphy's editorial "NATE Is on the Move," Dec. 18.] The whole theory behind NATE certification is great. However, when it comes to the real world, it really does not matter to customers....

Is it the drive, the motor, or the load?(EXTRA EDITION)
February 12, 2007... Is It the Drive, the Motor, or the Load?: In troubleshooting situations involving a motor, more than half the battle is simply isolating the problem. So when problems arise, how can you tell if it is the drive, the motor, or the load? This...

How to run a condensate zone off a steam boiler.(EXTRA EDITION)
February 12, 2007... How to Run a Condensate Zone Off a Steam Boiler: For those who install steam systems, this article presents some nagging questions and helpful answers.

American Standard plans changes.(newsline)
February 12, 2007... PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- After completing a strategic review of the company, American Standard Companies Inc.'s board of directors unanimously approved a plan to separate its three businesses this year. "The board has concluded that separating...

Olympia Tools launches with new owner.(newsline)
February 12, 2007... INDUSTRY, Calif. -- Olympia Tools International Inc. (Olympia Tools) was launched after it acquired the intellectual property related to the Olympia Tools(r) brand in June of last year. The new owner, a supplier in the global hand tool...

Wolseley adds more bolt ons.(newsline)
February 12, 2007... READING, England -- Wolseley plc has acquired four new businesses in the United States, Britain, and the Netherlands. The company purchased Cal-Steam Supply Inc., Hayward, Calif.; Guntersville Fabrication & Sprinkler Co. Inc. Guntersville, Ala;...

Programs increase safety.(newsline)
February 12, 2007... NORWALK, Conn. -- EMCOR Group Inc. announced a 15.4 percent reduction in recordable accidents in 2006, helping the company to achieve a 36.5 percent reduction in recordable accidents since 2003. According to the company, this has been...

Council policy supports green.(newsline)
February 12, 2007... WASHINGTON -- The International Code Council's (ICC's) board of directors issued a policy position on green building and sustainable communities, emphasizing its commitment to social responsibility and the expansion of public safety boundaries....

Taco sponsors stadium tour.(newsline)
February 12, 2007... EAST PETERSBURG, Pa. -- Taco Inc., the Oil Heat Cares directors, and the National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers (NAOHSM) are teaming up to present a radiant heating seminar at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass. The event will...

Smart ventilation system.(what's new)
February 12, 2007... The SmartSense[R] intelligent ventilation system improves air quality throughout the home, automatically and efficiently. This ventilation technology has combined SmartSense and Ultra Silent[TM] ventilation fans to create an integrated...

Automatic and manual air vents.(what's new)
February 12, 2007... A complete line new manual and automatic air vents, designed to remove troublesome air in a variety of hydronic systems, is available. The air vents come in 1/8-, 1/2-, and 3/4-inch connections. The 107A is a rugged high-capacity air vent that...

Mold remediation, prevention treatment.(what's new)
February 12, 2007... The mold remediation and prevention treatment, nzMold[TM], was developed specifically to improve the management of mold and bacteria biological contamination problems in residential, commercial, and industrial properties. It is a specially...

Two-stage heat pump.(what's new)
February 12, 2007... When combined with a Tempstar[R] brand variable-speed fan coil or furnace, the Tempstar SmartComfort[TM] TXT+ two-stage split-system heat pump allows the contractor to create the ultimate system for comfort and performance, said the...

Temperature, humidity chart recorder.(what's new)
February 12, 2007... The TH800 temperature and humidity chart recorders are ideal for troubleshooting retail operations' hot spots and other problematic variations in temperature and humidity conditions, according to the manufacturer. It has a user-selectable...

Tool caddy.(what's new)
February 12, 2007... The Hook N Ladder tool caddy can be attached to a ladder to hold tools. According to the manufacturer, it can turn the user's ladder into a safe work station and put needed tools for the job at the user's fingertips. The P-230-D is the main...

Radiant heat floor kit.(what's new)
February 12, 2007... A prepackaged floor-warming bath kit contains everything needed for installing a radiant heat system in a small bathroom or kitchen, says the manufacturer. The kit includes a floor warming mat (two sizes are available); a seven-day programmable...

Contractors need a process to recruit: a key message from a Masters of the Game II session is to continually recruit.(conference update)
February 12, 2007... The title of their session was "Recruiting,Interviewing, Hiring & Compensating Technicians." It may as well have been, "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Techs, but Were Afraid to Ask (or Do)." To say the least, Drew Cameron,...

The iPod as a business model: what does the iPod have to do with business? Just about everything.(business management)
February 12, 2007... "The Internet changes everything it touches. It touches almost everything," said writer John Ellis several years ago. Such an audacious statement is an even more accurate description of the Apple iPod. Within the blink of an eye, it has become...

New controls create super energy-efficient German building design.(FOCUS: EMERGING TRENDS--SMART HVAC)
February 12, 2007... As the United States moves toward increasingly higher-efficiency buildings, some cities are reaching that goal in Europe. The city of Aachen, Germany, calls itself "the ecological city of the future," and with good reason. It boasts one of...

The smart new face of indoor air quality: electronics take control of IAQ.(FOCUS: EMERGING TRENDS--SMART HVAC)
February 12, 2007... Smart technology has become more affordable, and residential IAQ systems have profited from it. The first improvements were due to more dynamic control of the entire system and the resulting advances in humidity control. (That aspect also has...

Pressure sensors get smarter: EMI protection keeps readings accurate.(FOCUS: EMERGING TRENDS--SMART HVAC)
February 12, 2007... New sealed pressure sensors that shield against most electromagnetic interference (EMI) and provide more reliable readings may help improve HVAC system efficiency, service, and maintenance. According to Sensata Technologies, the new 2CH...

Student experiences the summer of HVAC.(training & education)
February 12, 2007... This past summer's work experience with Shannon's Inc. really opened my eyes to the construction industry. Having never worked in the field before, I wondered what I would encounter being out there, in the thick of it all. My father always told...

Forecasting is tricky business.(opinions: VIEWS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITORIAL STAFF AND GUEST COLUMNISTS)(Editorial)
February 12, 2007... It is the time of year for reviewing all the forecasts from 2006 and making early adjustments to the 2007 plan. If you're at all like me, most of you hope that no one will recall the silly projections you made last year at this time. Funny...

There's gold in them thar' magnetic stripes.(opinions: VIEWS AND INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITOIAL STAFF AND GUEST COLUMNISTS)
February 12, 2007... Do you ever wonder what treasures lie inside the magnetic stripes on the back of credit cards? The temptation to learn more about these hidden treasures is what has opened a cottage industry for would-be credit card thieves. They are ready to...

2007 AHR Expo: big show in the 'Big D'.(FOCUS: AHR EXPO POST-SHOW ISSUE: ZONING)
February 19, 2007... DALLAS -- The last day of the 77th Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) is always the one that finds a number of sincerely interested people searching the aisles for "the next new thing" or that "competitive advantage"...

ARI's new president stands ready for challenge.
February 19, 2007... ARLINGTON, Va. -- A changing of the guard has occurred at the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI). Stephen Yurek, former COO and general counsel for ARI, was named president of the association and Mark Menzer, formerly senior...

Correction.(Correction notice)
February 19, 2007... On page 14 of the Jan. 29 issue, a photo was misidentified. It should have stated student Brad Bartz was working with an acetylene B tank. The NEWS regrets this error.

China and ARI sign intellectual property rights understanding.(newsline)
February 19, 2007... ARLINGTON, Va. -- A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, was signed between the major United States and Chinese air conditioning and refrigeration industry organizations during the 2007...

Danfoss discusses acquisition mode.(newsline)(Danfoss Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning, North America)
February 19, 2007... DALLAS -- "Through organic growth and recent acquisitions, Danfoss is really investing in the North American market in order to be better positioned serve the growing needs of our customers," commented John Galyen, president of Danfoss...

Airflow testing and certification.(EXTRA EDITION)
February 19, 2007... Airflow Testing and Certification: Here are methods for performing differential pressure measurement between two rooms or areas; airflow measurement for spray booths, and other measurements.

Survey shows contractors still struggle to find techs.(EXTRA EDITION)
February 19, 2007... Survey Shows Contractors Still Struggle to Find Techs: A recent online poll on The NEWS Website indicates that many HVAC contractors around the country are still finding it difficult to fill their ranks with the service technicians they need.

Green Mechanical Council formed.(newsline)
February 19, 2007... NEENAH, Wis. -- Mechanical system industry manufacturers, labor unions, contractor organizations, educators, students, consultants, individual contractors and many others have joined together to form the Green Mechanical Council (GreenMech)....

Best contractors to work for.(newsline)
February 19, 2007... BEST CONTRACTORS TO WORK FOR: The winners of The NEWS' 2006 Best Contractor to Work for contest traveled to the AHR Expo to participate in an educational session about how to find and retain employees. Above, Greg McAfee, owner of McAfee...

Emerson Climate Technologies.(Manufacturers)
February 19, 2007... Emerson Climate Technologies' (St. Louis) Copeland Scroll Digital[TM] compressor received the 2007 AHR Expo Product of the Year Award.

Cliplight Mfg. (Toronto) awarded Southland Marketing Inc.(Manufacturers)
February 19, 2007... Cliplight Mfg. (Toronto) awarded Southland Marketing Inc. (Conyers, Ga.) its platinum 2006 Sales Agency of the Year award.

Ductsox[R].(Manufacturers)
February 19, 2007... Ductsox[R] (Dubuque, Iowa) named Michigan Air Products (Troy, Mich.) as its Manufacturer's Representative of the Year.

Klenk Tools, a division of Everhard Products, (Canton, Ohio) purchased Innovative Tools Inc.(Manufacturers)
February 19, 2007... Klenk Tools, a division of Everhard Products, (Canton, Ohio) purchased Innovative Tools Inc. (Hood River, Ore.).

Desert Aire Corp.(Manufacturers)
February 19, 2007... Desert Aire Corp. (Milwaukee) reported the moving of its manufacturing facility to Germantown, Wis., at the 2007 AHR Expo.