Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News articles from June 2005

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News archives from June 2005

Commonwealth Air Conditioning & Heating Co. (Boston) has been named an MSCA Star Contractor.(Contractors)(Mechanical Service Contractors of America )(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Commonwealth Air Conditioning & Heating Co. (Boston) has been named an MSCA Star Contractor by the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA).

Innovative Service Solutions (Orlando, Fla.), R&S Mechanical (Cayce, S.C.), and Straus Systems (Stafford, Texas) have joined.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Innovative Service Solutions (Orlando, Fla.), R&S Mechanical (Cayce, S.C.), and Straus Systems (Stafford, Texas) have joined The Unified Group.

Emerson Climate Technologies.(Manufacturers)(promoted Steve Santy to vice president of sales and marketing)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Emerson Climate Technologies (St. Louis) promoted Steve Santy to vice president of sales and marketing for its Computer Process Controls division.

Semco Duct & Acoustical Products.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Semco Duct & Acoustical Products (Columbia, Mo.) opened a manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Va.

Jackson Systems.(Manufacturers)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Jackson Systems (Indianapolis) hired Dustin Peddycord as field operations manager; Ryan Feyerabend as sales engineer; Sabrina Capps as office manager; and Mike Shoulders as warehouse manager.

StrionAir.(Manufacturers)(Appointed Dennis Kloster as vice president of national sales)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... StrionAir (Louisville, Colo.) hired Dennis Kloster as vice president of national sales.

Frost & Sullivan awarded Honeywell (Minneapolis) the 2005 Building Technologies Product of the Year award.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Frost & Sullivan awarded Honeywell (Minneapolis) the 2005 Building Technologies Product of the Year award for its VisionPRO[TM] 8000 programmable thermostat.

Burnham Hydronics' training managers Glenn Stanton and Ron Beck will host training seminars on boiler installation, application, and troubleshooting techniques customized for the trainees' needs.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Burnham Hydronics' training managers Glenn Stanton and Ron Beck will host training seminars on boiler installation, application, and troubleshooting techniques customized for the trainees' needs. For more information or to schedule training,...

Associations differ on commercial building load calculations.(Industry News)(load calculation standards)
June 6, 2005... What do turf wars, battle lines, and tug of war have in common? They are all being mentioned by people involved in the creation of two rival commercial HVAC load calculation standards, one from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)...

UA STAR certification: raising the bar.(service technicians program)(Leaders at the United Association)
June 6, 2005... Physicians, lawyers, and many other professionals have testing standards to measure their skill levels and show the world they excel in their chosen field. Leaders at the United Association (UA), a multi-craft union representing service and...

Infrared thermometers.(EXTRA EDITION)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Infrared (IR) thermometers make it safe to take surface temperature measurements of items like rotating, hard-to-reach, or dangerously hot targets. For more on their application, read the Service & Maintenance article "Noncontact Temperature...

Sell the sizzle, not the steak.(reader MAIL)(Letter to the Editor)
June 6, 2005... I received The News yesterday, read Mark Skaer's column ["Industry Can Learn A Lot From The NCAA," May 2], and agree with him. I take Skaer's fundamental point to be that we do not enjoy, nor do we promote, appreciation for what we, as an...

Condemned compressors: no defect found.(reader MAIL)(Letter to the Editor)
June 6, 2005... The articles in the April 4 issue regarding condemned compressors were very good and accurate. So what else is new? In 1959, when I started as resident engineer for Metals & Controls at Tecumseh Products, the second week there I had...

Emerson launches distance learning program.(industry NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... ST. LOUIS -- Emerson Climate Technologies announced the launch of the first module of its distance learning training program. Offered by the company's Educational Services division, Refrigeration Basics is an interactive CD that allows...

Lochinvar supports the March of Dimes.(industry NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Lochinvar Supports The March Of Dimes: Lochinvar Corp. participated for the seventh year as a sponsor for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica at the Wilson County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tenn. As a...

Proposed standard available for comment.(industry NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Standards Task Team of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Educational Institute has approved the release of a new standard for comment. "Manual N (Revised)--Load Calculation for Non-Residential Buildings,...

Danfoss Turbocor supports EPA 'Responsible Use'.(Environmental Protection Agency)(ClimateTech 2005)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Joe Orosz, president of Danfoss Turbocor Compressors Inc. provided opening comments at the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) 2005 ClimateTech 2005 event held May 4 in Washington. "The U.S. EPA's...

NAIMA gives annual report on worker protection.(North American Insulation Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) has successfully completed its sixth year of a comprehensive, voluntary work practice program developed in conjunction with the United States Occupational Safety...

Emcor awarded health projects.(industry NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... NORWALK, Conn. -- Emcor Group Inc. has been awarded contracts for a number of major health care projects across the Unites States, Canada, and United Kingdom. The total value of the projects exceeds $150 million. "The health care sector...

Goodman chosen as Best Buy.(Goodman Manufacturing Co)(Goodman CLQ 14 SEER air conditioner)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
June 6, 2005... HOUSTON -- The Goodman CLQ 14 SEER air conditioner was selected by Consumers Digest as a Best Buy for the central air conditioning segment in the publication's June 2005 issue. The product was recognized as an economy selection, denoting...

Commissioning guideline helps achieve sustainable design.(industry NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... ATLANTA -- According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), commissioning can help ensure that the sustainable development principles contained in building rating systems, such as Leadership...

Commercial boiler.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... The Pinnacle[R] PI-399 gas-fired commercial boiler is equipped with the P125 control board. Supply and return temperatures, flame signal, fan speed (firing rate) and other information can be viewed from an LED digital display module. Switching...

Duct liner.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... The natural fiber duct liner now is available in blue. The duct liner is designed for use in sheet metal ducts to absorb unwanted noise, to reduce heat loss or gain, and to provide low air resistance. The airstream surface of the duct liner is...

Software development kit.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... The company's Pipe-Flo Professional program can be used to design and simulate the operation of fluid piping systems. The new Pipe-Flo software development kit (SDK) provides you control over all aspects of the Pipe-Flo Professional program. By...

Product selection program.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... Building Control Workbench[TM] version 2.0 is available on the Web. This program is designed to save consulting engineers and other design professionals time by helping them find the company's systems, products, and application data for their...

Oil separators.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... Conventional and centrifugal oil separators are available in sealed and serviceable styles. These oil separators can be 99 percent efficient at removing oil from refrigerant gas, the manufacturer states. It can be used with various refrigerants...

Heater tubing, coil casing.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... New titanium tubing protects heating units from highly erosive and corrosive environments. The company developed a new proprietary process for manufacturing surface-enhanced titanium tubing. The tubing can be used to produce coaxial coils for...

Distance measuring device.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... The PD 32 laser range meter provides fast, accurate measurements with the touch of a button, the company says. To use, aim the laser at the target and press the measuring button. The meter shows the distance, from 2 inches to 660 feet, with a...

Motorized blower.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... The TCC motorized blower is ideally suited for industrial, commercial, and OEM air moving applications that require low noise and high efficiency, the manufacturer states. It combines a computer-designed, flange-mounted scroll housing with a...

Rooftop unit.(what's NEW)
June 6, 2005... Features of the enhanced S-Class[TM] rooftop unit include 35-, 45-, and 50-ton capacities; gas/electric or cooling-only models; and efficiency levels up to 10.5 SEER and 12.6 IPLV. The company says the optional spring isolation reduces noise by...

Oui, French is next.(Refrigeration Service Engineers Society of Canada meeting details)
June 6, 2005... SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick -- Getting more HVACR material translated into Spanish is the focus of much attention in the United States. But in Canada, the priority is to translate material into French. The Refrigeration Service Engineers...

The art of compromise: is it good for business?(the PANEL)(Panel Discussion)
June 6, 2005... A recent letter from a News reader has prompted a discussion by our contractor consultants on the "art of compromise"--when to use it and when not to use it. Drake L. Bradbury is the service manager for a co-op heating and cooling...

The salt air nemesis and solutions.(design methods of Coils & Condensing Units)
June 6, 2005... Environmental factors, such as airborne vapors from chemical plants and paper mills, cause substantial damage to HVAC coils each year. In coastal areas, however, the main cause of finned coil damage comes from Mother Nature. Naturally...

AllStyle: www.allstyle.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... Max coils offer maximum SEER, maximum Btu, with minimum height by using patented M-coil technology, or M-Tech, said the manufacturer. MAX coils with M-Tech provide more cooling in a shorter height by allowing more cooling coil in a smaller...

Bois D'Arc Int'l Trade: www.boisdarccoils.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... The company supplies HVAC coils for the replacement market. Owned by Amos Snow III, this facility in Longview, Texas, manufactures replacement coils in all modern fin patterns. Amos Snow has 30-plus years as an operating engineer and is able to...

BRR Technologies: www.brrtechnologies.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... The features of the Gizmology[R] Blast Chiller include a coil design that allows the blast cell to be used as a holding cooler as well. Air is drawn over the hot product, then cooled immediately after passing over the product. The product heat...

Coil Company: www.coilcompany.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... This company builds coils for any application. For example, it provides cooling or heating coils using water, steam, refrigerant, or any other medium. The company builds coils for replacement of existing coils or for new jobs, as well. The...

Colmac Coil Mfg.: www.colmaccoil.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... Colmac Coil Manufacturing is ARI-certified for 5/8-inch and 1-inch O.D. steam heating coils. Standard and heavy-duty steam coils are built to withstand a variety of pressures. They are pitched in the case with one- or two-row deep...

Modular condenser coils promote efficiency.(focus: Coils & Condensing Units)
June 6, 2005... Technicians know that condenser coils come in all sorts of configurations--some more challenging to deal with than others. But no matter the design, manufacturers have a goal to create the most energy-efficient and effective way to create...

Fedders: www.fedders.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... Fedders has announced the introduction of a line of 13 SEER PC Packaged Air Conditioners and PH13 Packaged Heat Pumps. The company described the units as durable, compact, and self-contained for manufactured housing, residential, and light...

Heatcraft: www.heatcraft.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... Heatcraft's desaturation coil is two coils in one. It is a combination cooling/reheating coil in one common case that will both dehumidify the air and reheat that same air to the desired leaving air temperature and humidity level in comfort...

Electronic controllers help defrost woes.(focus: Coils & Condensing Units)
June 6, 2005... While almost everyone in our industry is interested in the subject of temperature, supermarkets are required by law to understand the importance of temperature. They have a mandate to safely store, prepare, display, and serve foods. A salad bar...

Master-bilt: www.master-bilt.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... The company's MRS series modular multi-compressor refrigeration system is designed to save energy and reduce in-store heat and noise. The company said that by remoting all refrigeration systems in an establishment--including those in reach-ins,...

MultiTherm: www.multitherm.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... MultiTherm makes HVAC coils for steam, steam distributing, DX, chilled/hot water, or tube bundles. The company offers five- and 10-day expedited shipping schedules and can replace other manufacturers' coils. Also provided are heavy-duty designs...

Texas Furnace: www.texasfurnace.com.(product SNAPSHOTS)
June 6, 2005... The company produces the Meridan and TFC brands of gas furnaces, condensing units, coils, air handlers, and ductless mini-splits. Condensing units are available in 10 and 12 SEER, with 13 SEER models available before the end of 2005. The units...

Leo's HVAC tip: power factor.(heating ventilation and airconditioning)(Brief Article)
June 6, 2005... Power Factor--Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power. Real Power--Real power is the actual power being used in a circuit. Apparent Power--Apparent power is the power calculated for that circuit based upon measuring...

A close look at an energy star provider.(Energy Star[R] program)
June 6, 2005... The Environmental Protection Agency introduced the Energy Star[R] program in 1992 as a way to identify energy-efficient and environmentally acceptable products. Large unitary manufacturers used the program first in the HVACR industry. The...

Minimizing technician stress.(refrigeration zone)
June 6, 2005... Servicing refrigeration equipment can be very stressful at times. Properly handling a stressful situation can help a technician defuse a problem before it gets out of control. If not handled properly, a stressful situation can potentially cause...

The basic refrigeration system.(refrigeration zone)(compressors and Condenser )(Column)
June 6, 2005... This is another in a series of columns addressing advanced basics in the understanding of the refrigeration cycle. In this column and the next (on July 4), we look at components. This column will deal with the compressor, discharge line,...

Don't race past good, better, best selling.(seasonal energy efficiency standards)
June 6, 2005... A much-ballyhooed subject, the impact of 13 SEER energy efficiency standards may have some of you asking, 'So what?' You've seen a lot of ink given to the subject, and you're going to see a lot more on the pages of this and other...

Berg Inc.(contracting)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Berg Inc. (Shreveport, La.) has been selected to receive $330,151 in Incumbent Worker Training Funds through the Louisiana Works/Department of Labor.

Trane (Piscataway, N.J.) announced it will offer Klein Tools in nearly 180 Trane Parts Centers.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Trane (Piscataway, N.J.) announced it will offer Klein Tools in nearly 180 Trane Parts Centers in North America.

Controlled Energy Corp.(Manufacturers)(Appointment of Kent Nichols )(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Controlled Energy Corp. (Waitsfield, Vt.) hired Kent Nichols as national wholesale director.

Slant/Fin.(Manufacturers)(Appointment of Bob Flanagan )(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Slant/Fin (Greenvale, N.Y.) appointed Bob Flanagan national sales manager.

General Filters Inc.(Manufacturers)(Appointment of John Redner )(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... General Filters Inc. (Novi, Mich.) appointed John Redner as president.

ClimateMaster Inc.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... ClimateMaster Inc. (Oklahoma City) has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification.

Spectronics Corp.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Spectronics Corp. (Westbury, N.Y.) is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

ECR International.(Manufacturers)(Appointment of Bob Shea)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... ECR International (Utica, N.Y.) hired Bob Shea as regional sales manager for New York City Metro territory.

Airpor Mobile Air Conditioning.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Airpor Mobile Air Conditioning (Mesquite, Texas) announced the purchase of Superior Manufacturing Corp.

The Berks Career and Technology Center.(Schools)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... The Berks Career and Technology Center (Leesport, Pa.) was granted accreditation by HVAC Excellence.

Easy Street Inc.(Software)(Appointment of Ray Ruecker)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Easy Street Inc. (Lenexa, Kan.) announced the addition of a New Business Development Division to be headed by Ray Ruecker.

Vocational schools: striving to provide quality workers.(Editorial)
June 13, 2005... Editor's Note: When asked about their top concerns, contractors have consistently reported that a lack of qualified skilled laborers is the primary issue. In a series of articles titled "Workforce of the Future," The News will focus on specific...

Carrier buying CommAir.(industry NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... FARMINGTON, Conn. -- Carrier Corp. is acquiring the operating assets of CommAir Mechanical Services. The companies did not disclose the terms of the deal ABM Industries Inc. announced it had signed a definitive agreement for the sale of its...

Option makes switching to digital easier.(DRSA-1100)(digital refrigeration analyzer)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... DUNCAN, British Columbia -- DigiCool's DRSA-1100 is now easier to access, thanks to a leasing program allowing Canadian customers to finance the purchase of the time-saving analyzer. Offered by Lease Link Canada, the program allows service...

Shipments down in April, but even year to date.(industry NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... ARLINGTON, Va. -- Combined United States factory shipments of 678,833 central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps for April were down 11 percent compared to shipments from April 2004, according to the AirConditioning and Refrigeration...

SMACNA volunteers donate fans.
June 13, 2005... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Representatives from The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, Arizona Chapter (SMACNA Arizona) donated 100 box fans to the Area Agency on Aging. These fans will be distributed...

Farwell announces retirement from Rheem.(industry NEWS)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... NEW YORK -- Stewart Farwell has announced his retirement as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Rheem Manufacturing Co., effective June 30. He will be succeeded by Scott Martin. Farwell, who has spent nearly 30 years...

Watsco Inc.(Financial Reports)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Watsco Inc. (Coconut Grove, Fla.) reported earnings per share increased 32 percent to a record 33 cents on net income of $9.1 million in the first quarter.

Goodman Global Holdings Inc.(Financial Reports)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Goodman Global Holdings Inc. (Houston) announced first-quarter sales of $296.3 million, a 10.5 percent increase over the same period in 2004.

AirTime 500.(Associations)
June 13, 2005... AirTime 500 is holding the first of three Legends Profit Days on June 24-25 in Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.airtime500.com.

The National Association of Home Builders.(Associations)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) executive board posthumously inducted William Tangye into the National Housing Hall of Fame.

Quality Service Contractor.(Associations)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Quality Service Contractor (QSC) will hold its Power Meeting XXIII in St. Louis July 28-30. For more information, visit www.qsc-phcc.org.

The Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) presented the 2005 CMS Award for educational achievement to Nick Reggi.(Associations)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... The Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) presented the 2005 CMS Award for educational achievement to Nick Reggi of Humber Institute of Technology and Advance Learning.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).(Associations)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) named Mohammad Hosni, Birol Kilkis, Evans Lizardos, Christopher Muller, Will Stoecker, and Mitchell Swann as distinguished lecturers.

Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association (PHCC).(Associations)(appointed Merry Beth Hall as apprenticeship and technical director)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... Merry Beth Hall has joined the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors--National Association (PHCC) as apprenticeship and technical director.

NAIMA Canada joins partnership.(North American Insulation Manufacturers Association)(Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership)(Brief Article)
June 13, 2005... OTTAWA -- NAIMA Canada announced it has been approved for membership in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP). The goal of the partnership is to expand the global market for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and...

Curing the Summertime Blues.(Money Talks)
June 13, 2005... Summer is nearly here. It's time for the mercury to rise and for the callboards of most contractors to start filling up. Business owners love this time of year. Most HVAC companies are busier than ever, but the problem starts when that increase...

Wire rope hanging systems.(what's NEW)
June 13, 2005... The Clutcher[TM] and EZ-Lock[TM] wire rope hanging systems conform to new International Code Council (ICC) seismic guidelines. The hanging systems are designed for suspending items for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and nonmechanical applications....

Mini-splits.(what's NEW)
June 13, 2005... The new residential ductless mini-split air conditioners offer flexible installation, quiet operation, and high energy efficiency, the company says. Using a connecting pipe, the outdoor unit can be placed up to 82 feet away from the indoor...

Building software suite.(what's NEW)
June 13, 2005... A suite of building software, which includes Revit[R] Building 8 and Building Systems 2006, has been updated. Revit Building 8 is a building information modeling (BIM) system that allows engineers, designers, and architects to work on buildings...

Equipment box.(what's NEW)
June 13, 2005... The equipment lockbox safeguards equipment from theft with its steel construction and double padlock hasp. Safety features include a compression spring lid, which prevents the top from slamming shut, and a hold-open arm, which keeps the wind...

Residential package units.(what's NEW)
June 13, 2005... New residential gas/electric package units feature heat exchangers made with 409 stainless steel. Other features of the units include copper tube-aluminum coils, externally mounted gauge ports, a galvanized steel cabinet with weather-resistant...

Motor troubleshooting device.(what's NEW)
June 13, 2005... The one-button TecMate Pro is a troubleshooting device for field testing the company's variable-speed motor in HVAC applications. The tester is designed to help service technicians correctly diagnose the ECM motor. The motor operates in one of...

Ice dispenser.(what's NEW)
June 13, 2005... The S-Series SPA hotel ice dispenser has a patented rocking chute dispensing system, which reduces in-flight ice and ice spillage with quick on-off activation. A polyethylene bin liner with polyurethane insulation helps maintain temperatures...