Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News articles from October 2004

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News archives from October 2004

Baltimore Aircoil Co.(Price Increase)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * Baltimore Aircoil Co. (Baltimore) announced a price increase of 6 percent, effective immediately, on all North American products.

Environmental Technologies.(Price Increase)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * Environmental Technologies (Largo, Fla.) will increase prices on all products by 4 percent, effective Dec. 1.

Gem Plumbing and Heating.(Contractors)(Gem Plumbing and Heating)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * Gem Plumbing and Heating (Lincoln, R.I.) came in at No. 9 in the ranking of the 50 fastest growing companies in Rhode Island for 2004 as compiled by the Providence Business News.

Air Comfort Corp. (Broadview, Ill.) celebrated its sixth anniversary as a member of The Unified Group.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * Air Comfort Corp. (Broadview, Ill.) celebrated its sixth anniversary as a member of The Unified Group, an alliance of independently owned mechanical contractors.

Emerson.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * David N. Farr, CEO of Emerson (St. Louis), has been elected chairman of the board for the company. Farr replaces Charles F. Knight, who served as chairman since 1974 and was recently named to the honorary position of chairman emeritus.

Bradford White Corp.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * Bradford White Corp. (Ambler, Pa.) promoted two staff members at its facility in Middleville, Mich. Michael P. Reid was promoted to vice president of materials, and Harold D. Hoover was promoted to vice president of manufacturing.

Goodman Manufacturing Co.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... * Goodman Manufacturing Co. (Fairfax, Va.) has selected ServiceBench to automate its distribution channel. The company's Warranty Management Solution is expected to connect approximately 300 distributors to participating contractors.

Hurricanes wreak havoc: Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne ...(Industry News)
October 4, 2004... Will this hurricane season ever let up? Florida and Southeastern U.S. businesses and homeowners alike are sick of rain, wind, evacuations, power losses, power surges, etc. With Florida and other areas of the Southeast having been heavily...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
October 4, 2004... An incorrect photo was supplied for The News Sept. 20 Heating Showcase. The Lennox T-Class separated combustion unit heater is pictured here. For more information, contact Lennox Industries: 800-453-6669, www.lennox.com.

Take care when hiring ex-convicts.(reader Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
October 4, 2004... I had to write about your column on certification issues and ex-felons. As for hiring ex-felons, I know all about that. I am an ex-felon because of drugs. Being arrested and put in prison was the best thing that could have happened to my life....

Readying students for the real world.(reader Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
October 4, 2004... I am writing this letter in response to the Sept. 6 letter to the editor titled "All In The Same Basket." The letter was about training schools not offering proper training. I took this as a slap in the face. I am a licensed contractor and...

You get what you pay for.(reader Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
October 4, 2004... I've been on a crusade to educate customers that there is more to a successful system installation than the "box." So many customers assume that buying a system is like buying a car--a Toyota is a Toyota is a Toyota, a Trane is a Trane is a...

IIAR seeks comments for training guideline.(industry News)(Letter to the Editor)
October 4, 2004... ARLINGTON, Va. -- The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) is requesting comments on a proposed guideline for ammonia refrigeration training. The guideline includes refrigeration-specific concepts, skills, knowledge, and...

Rheem, Ruud honor top contractors.(industry News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Rheem Manufacturing Co.'s Air Conditioning Division and the Ruud Air Conditioning Division recently recognized its top 10 contractors for 2003. The Rheem Team 10 Top Contractors were recognized on their total equipment...

ASHRAE promotes energy standard.(industry News)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ATLANTA -- To ensure that commercial and high-rise residential buildings meet the Energy Policy Act, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is encouraging the use of Standard 90.1 along with...

University shows off CHP system.(Energy matters: a compendium of energy facts and information.)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Center for Environmental Engineering (CEE) of the University of Maryland demonstrated its advanced combined heat and power (CHP) system Sept. 9. The system generates both power and cooling for commercial buildings and...

ARI Opens AHR Expo-Mexico.(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... ARI Opens AHR Expo-Mexico: The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute opened this year's Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Expo-Mexico with a speech from David R. Pannier, chairman of the institute's board of directors. Pannier...

HARDI to study 'Winds of Change'.
October 4, 2004... COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) will hold its annual fall conference Oct. 16-19, 2004, in Chicago. "The Winds of Change" conference will focus on the evolving changes in the...

CSI develops MasterFormat training.
October 4, 2004... ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) released an outline for an industry-wide education program to help the commercial-institutional construction industry's transition to the 2004 edition of MasterFormat, a...

Rees scholarship seeks applicants.
October 4, 2004... ARLINGTON, Va. -- Applicants for the Clifford H. (Ted) Rees Jr. Scholarship Program have until Nov. 1, 2004, to be considered for a $2,000 stipend to help pay for their training. Two scholarships of up to $2,000 each are available to...

Air purifier.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The Bio-Wall Quattro is a residential ultraviolet (UV) air purifier that will treat the entire volume of air flowing over it in a single pass, states the company. According to the manufacturer, light commercial and residential applications now...

Product catalog.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The 2004 full line product catalog features products for HVACR, plumbing, and other industries. The catalog is divided into 11 product categories: pipe thread sealants, air admittance valves, test couplings, solvents, cements, soldering...

Thermal insulation.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The company's new R8 products include K-Flex LS[TM], Insul-Sheet[R], and FlexTherm[R] thermal insulation. These three types of insulation are available in sheets or rolls and offer an optional UV-resistant aluminum facing. The products do not...

Pipe, tank wrap.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The CrimpWrap[TM] crimped pipe and tank wrap is designed to insulate vessels and large-diameter pipes with service temperatures from 35[degrees] to 850[degrees]F (1.7[degrees] to 454[degrees]C). The product employs crimp technology that...

Heat pumps.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... Affinity[TM] 3S and 8T Series 13- and 15-SEER heat pumps have hot heat pump technology, which produces discharge temperatures warmer than the discharge temperatures of standard heat pumps, claims the company. The 8T is engineered with the...

Rental heater.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... A line of temporary heaters includes a 150-kW electric heater designed for rugged duty. The heater comes with a remote thermostat on a 25-foot lead, detachable casters, 20-inch-diameter flexible duct discharge, unit-mounted disconnect, and...

PTACs, PTHPs.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... New package terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and package terminal heat pumps (PTHPs) offer quiet operation and dependable performance, states the manufacturer. The units offer energy-efficient operation with an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of...

Boiler brochure.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... A six-page brochure highlights the thermal and combustion efficiencies of the manufacturer's new 28HE Series boilers. The literature features information on the boiler's design and construction, including the unit's extra-thick insulated metal...

Globe valves.(what's Neww)
October 4, 2004... VB-8000 Series globe valves use a patented design for the plug and seat, which eliminates unbalanced pressure forces on the plug. The company says these valves achieve high performance through their design, requiring less powerful actuation....

Rooftop management system.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The ZonexCommander communicates with up to 80 rooftop units, splits, or zone systems. It provides Internet access with every thermostat or modulating zone in the system, the company says. Return and discharge air temperatures can be viewed...

Icemaker-water dispenser.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The DCM 270BAH-OS (part of the company's Opti-Serve Series) is a hands-free cubelet icemaker and water dispenser that can produce up to 288 pounds of ice in 24 hours. The self-contained design reduces opportunities for cross contamination, says...

Boilers.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... Futera II Series boilers now have an optional stainless steel jacket. The brushed stainless steel provides corrosion resistance for indoor or outdoor installations in harsh environments such as coastal areas and processing applications...

Air terminal.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The Q air terminal is a 100-percent outside air system, having no cross contamination of air from room to room so bacteria, odors, and other contaminants won't spread throughout the building, states the manufacturer. The patented Induced Air...

Gas detector.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The new Mini Gas Sniffer is a natural gas detector. This rugged, compact, ergonomically designed unit offers simple, one-hand operation, states the company. The unit is equipped with a sensitive LED scale (0- to 640-ppm range) and beeper to...

VAV terminal.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The Model SDL single-duct variable air volume (VAV) terminal can handle airflows up to 4,100 cfm. The company says the VAV terminal is ideal for shallow or congested ceiling plenum applications because the SDL is 10 inches in height. It is...

Condensing units.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... A new line of 10-SEER residential A/C condensing units is available in 1.5- to 5-ton capacities. The units feature the company's compressor. All models come from the factory charged with R-22. The condensing units have a full-metal hail guard...

Controls.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... The company's 5000 Series configurable controls offer versatile, multifunctional digital/analog measurement and control of voltage, current, temperature, and other inputs. It incorporates a processor, power source, and multiple inputs and...

Filtration media.(what's New)
October 4, 2004... Intrepid[R] filtration media is designed for use in HVAC filters for commercial, industrial, and residential applications. The media is made of thermally bonded, continuous hydrophobic polyolefin fibers that will not shed or absorb moisture,...

The construction industry's 10-year statute of limitations.(legal Forum)
October 4, 2004... All claims have an outside time limit. That is typically called a statute of limitations. That means that if a plaintiff does not file suit within the appropriate period of time, that person loses his or her right to file. In the...

Pressure-enthalpy as a service tool.(refrigeration zone)
October 4, 2004... The pressure-enthalpy (P-H) diagram is a useful tool for refrigeration engineers and designers. It is also useful for service technicians. The P-H diagram is a graphical representation of the refrigerant as it travels through the...

Counting on wholesalers.(refrigeration zone)
October 4, 2004... The pipeline that brings refrigerants from production facilities to jobsites passes most often through wholesalers and supply houses. Most contractors are customers of both manufacturers and wholesalers. Earlier this year, I was asked to...

Inefficient compressor, bad valves.(refrigeration zone)
October 4, 2004... The problem: A piston-type reciprocating compressor had valve damage, or the valves just are not sealing for some reason. This low-temperature refrigeration system has a thermostatic expansion valve (TEV) metering device, receiver, forced-air...

New thermostats are easier to use.(Thermostats, Controls & BAS)
October 4, 2004... Heating and cooling a typical U.S. dwelling uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in the home. Typically, 44 percent of the residential utility bill goes for heating and cooling. The U.S. Department of Energy...

Cool controls, hot features.(product Snapshots)
October 4, 2004... A bumper crop of new thermostats has hit the market this year. Manufacturers who are striving to make their devices easier to use, or with closer control of a building's environment, have introduced their latest technologies to a responsive...

Aprilaire.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Aprilaire (www.aprilaire.com) introduced its residential and light commercial thermostat, the Model 8570. This thermostat is designed for all types of HVAC equipment, from single-stage heating and cooling equipment to multistage heat pumps with...

Servicing a Texas Convention Center.(Thermostats, Controls & BAS)
October 4, 2004... SAN ANTONIO--The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center here recently completed a $218 million, six-year renovation and expansion project. The project more than doubled the facility's size from 540,000 square feet to more than 1.3 million. ...

Aube Technologies.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Aube Technologies (www.aubetech.com) has several new thermostats. The nonprogrammable 2H1C heat pump controller consists of a separate control module and user console. This controller simplifies heat pump retrofit or add-on installations, the...

Aube Technologies.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Aube Technologies (www.aubetech.com) also introduced two compact electronic thermostats for central electric A/C (excluding heat pumps); gas, oil, or electric furnaces; and hydronic heating (with or without pump). Available in nonprogrammable...

Aube Technologies.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Aube Technologies (www.aubetech.com) has new TH148LE and TH148LE-P thermostats for central heating and cooling include interchangeable faceplates (in charcoal, taupe, and titanium) and are very compact, the company says. Available in...

Climate Technology Corp. (CTC).(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Climate Technology Corp. (CTC) (www.supco.com) has a new line of programmable thermostats that includes conventional multistage and heat pump models, which are all Energy Star[R]-compliant and preprogrammed to Energy Star standards. The CTC...

Emerson Climate Technology.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Emerson Climate Technology (www.white-rodgers.com) introduced the "Universal" thermostat from White-Rodgers. The new digital thermostat incorporates an exclusive design, which allows it to work as a universal model for virtually all HVAC...

Honeywell.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Honeywell (www.honeywell.com/yourhome) recently introduced FocusPro 5000, a nonprogrammable digital thermostat designed to provide ultimate ease of use for contractors and homeowners, the company says. FocusPro is easy to install in a wide...

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com/yourhome) also introduced the VisionPRO touch-screen programmable thermostat, which guides homeowners through the programming process with a user-friendly, on-screen menu and flashing touch screen, reducing the need for an owner's manual, the company says.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Honeywell (www.honeywell.com/your home) also introduced the VisionPRO touch-screen programmable thermostat, which guides homeowners through the programming process with a user-friendly, on-screen menu and flashing touch screen, reducing the...

FieldServer helps university link meters to BAS.(Thermostats, Controls & BAS)(Brief Article)
October 4, 2004... TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Field Server FS-B4010 is being utilized by the University of Arizona campus here to link energy meters, fire alarm panels, and other devices to the BACnet backbone used throughout the campus. Energy management is very high...

ICM Controls. (www.icmcontrols.com) SC2010 and SC2210 thermostats are configurable, backlit, nonprogrammable thermostats that allow the contractor flexibility during installation, the company says.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... ICM Controls (www.icmcontrols.com) SC2010 and SC2210 thermostats are configurable, backlit, nonprogrammable thermostats that allow the contractor flexibility during installation, the company says. The configuration mode allows the contractor to...

ICM Controls.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... ICM Controls (www.icmcontrols.com) SC2811 nonprogrammable thermostat is a three-heat, two-cool, multistage, field-configurable, backlit model with auto-change-over. Its configuration mode allows the contractor to select between heat pump and...

Invensys Climate Controls Americas.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Invensys Climate Controls Americas (www.about-i-series.com) has a new series of Robertshaw[R] programmable thermostat that combine humidification arid dehumidification control into one unit that is easy to program and install the company says....

Invensys Climate Controls Americas (www.about-i-series.com) series of Robertshaw programmable thermostats designed to meet the needs of light commercial building operators and the contractors who serve the light commercial market.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Invensys Climate Controls Americas (www.about-i-series.com) series of Robertshaw programmable thermostats designed to meet the needs of light commercial building operators and the contractors who serve the light commercial market. The new 9900i...

Invensys Climate Controls Americas (www.about-i-series.com) launched a new concept in thermostats: interchangeable faceplates. The Robertshaw Designer Series features easy-to-use programmable and digital models with optional faceplates that can be matched to any decor, the company says.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... Invensys Climate Controls Americas (www.about-i-series.com) launched a new concept in thermostats: interchangeable faceplates. The Robertshaw Designer Series features easy-to-use programmable and digital models with optional faceplates that can...

York.(Thermostats)
October 4, 2004... York (www.york.com) has a programmable Talking Thermostat designed to make control of home comfort easier for home-owners. The thermostat's EZ Talk feature guides homeowners audibly through every step of programming their heating-cooling...

Automated Logic.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... Automated Logic (www.automatedlogic.com) has embraced a broad range of IT and ASHRAE standards in its Web-based building control system, WebCTRL. With its native BACnet architecture and support for Modbus and LonWorks, WebCTRL is the perfect...

Ember Corp.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... Ember Corp. (www.ember.com) released the EM2420, a wireless solution that combines a chip with an embedded networking software stack, making it the foundation of a new generation of wireless applications. This 2.4-GHz/250-Kbps RF solution...

Novar Controls.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... Nover Controls (www.novarcontrols.com) released its VAV-4040 variable air volume (VAV)/ variable volume and (VVT) temperature controller. The module, which an integrated Belimo damper actuator, provides cost-effective control for a wide variety...

Reliable Controls.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... Reliable Controls (www.reliablecontrols.com) MACH-Vision LCD User Interface Controller is a fully programmable DDC controller designed to meet the needs of unitary equipment and zone control applications. It is ideally suited for single- and...

Siemens Building Technologies.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... Siemens Building Technologies (www.sbt.siemens.com) has introduced Q-Series relative humidity duct sensors, which can be used in all standard HVAC building control applications, the company says. The capacitive sensing element changes capacity...

TAC.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... TAC (www.tac-global.com) which specializes in open systems for building IT, security systems, and energy solutions, announced the availability of "TAC Xenta 913," a LonWorks-based gateway that provides a cost effective solution for integrating...

Texas Instruments.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... Texas Instruments (www.ti.com/snc) introduced DiagnosTECH, a gas furnace integrated ignition control platform that delivers advanced ignition control features with fault code retention. The control's enhanced functions and communications...

Tridium Inc.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... Tridium Inc. (www.tridium.com) a provider of software that enables integration of automation and control devices, recently announced that it is playing a key role in the oBIX technical committee recently organized under the auspices of OASIS...

York.(Controls)
October 4, 2004... York (www.york.com) introduced its Integrated Systems Network (ISN) ConneXsys controls, becoming the first HVAC manufacturer to offer a control system that provides complete BACnet connectivity from the smallest terminal unit to the largest...

Olympics system integration deserves gold.(Field Solutions)
October 4, 2004... ATHENS -- The return of the Olympic Games to its birthplace was a major challenge for Greece in many respects. With a month to go before the official opening of the Olympic Games, Athens was still one big construction site. In the final hectic...

Auburn preserves City Hall an improves comfort.(Field Solutions)
October 4, 2004... In terms of attractive city halls, Auburn, N.Y., boasts of one in the Colonial Revival style. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed in 1930, the building features a masonry exterior over a steel frame, a columned porch,...

Canadian contractor is in a hot spot.(Industry Events / HRAI)
October 4, 2004... KELOWNA, B.C., Canada -- Brian Waiters knows a good thing when he sees it. The owner of Ace Plumbing & Airtec Heating & Air Conditioning in Kelowna has positioned his business to take advantage of the commercial and residential building...

Fuel cell future looks rosy.(Industry Events / HRAI)
October 4, 2004... KELOWNA, B.C., Canada -- More than 600 members of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) of Canada converged on the resort town of Kelowna in mid-August for HRAI's 36th annual general meeting. Tire theme: "Expand Your...

Partnership works to improve IAQ.(Industry Events / HRAI)
October 4, 2004... KELOWNA, B.C., Canada -- The Healthy Indoors Partnership (IIIP) held a panel discussion at the IIRAI meeting here, aimed at informing attendees about products used to maintain healthy indoor air. The discussion also covered partnership...

The year of the thermostat.(our Insights)(Editorial)
October 4, 2004... Years from now, when future News editors look through back issues to trace trends for the magazine's kajillionth anniversary issue, they may well consider 2004 the year of the thermostat. Perhaps no one product in the HVACR market today has...

Emerson Climate Technologies.(Price Increase)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... * Emerson Climate Technologies (St. Louis) will increase prices by 3 percent to 10 percent on all Copeland and Emerson Climate Technologies Flow Controls products, effective November 2004.

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) (Chantilly, Va.) awarded the Women in Construction Scholarship to Emma Donohew, daughter of Michael Donohew, project manager of Holaday-Parks Inc.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... * The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) (Chantilly, Va.) awarded the Women in Construction Scholarship to Emma Donohew, daughter of Michael Donohew, project manager of Holaday-Parks Inc. (Bothell,...

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America Arizona Chapter (ACCA-AZ) (Pheonix) named new members to the 2005 board of directors.(Contractors)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... * The Air Conditioning Contractors of America Arizona Chapter (ACCA-AZ) (Pheonix) named new members to the 2005 board of directors. They are Louis Hobaica of Hobaica's Refrigeration, Lance Jones of LSW Engineers, and Dianne Langmade of Norman...

Bettcher Amherst Metal Stamping.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... * Bettcher Amherst Metal Stamping (Brooke Park, Ohio) promoted Phil Rimes to vice president of manufacturing.

A.O. Smith Water Products Co.(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... * Robert Grussing IV joined the A.O. Smith Water Products Co. (Ashland City, Tenn.) as vice president and chief financial officer.

Industrial Air Technology Corp. (Gaylord, Mich.) has two centrifugal fans licensed through the Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA) (Arlington Heights, Ill.).(Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... * Industrial Air Technology Corp. (Gaylord, Mich.) has two centrifugal fans licensed through the Air Movement and Control Association International (AMCA) (Arlington Heights, Ill.). The association licensed Model BIDW inclined double and single...

Brand image key at AHR Expo-Mexico.(Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating)
October 11, 2004... MONTERREY, Mexico -- The Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition-Mexico (AHR Expo-Mexico), held Sept. 22-24, was an intimate affair. It has approximately 300 exhibitors in 40,000 square feet of space at the Cintermex Convention...

Three cheers for Little Red Schoolhouse.
October 11, 2004... MORTON GROVE, Ill. -- The Little Red Schoolhouse is 50 years old this year. As part of the celebration, there was a party for many of those who have been a part of the school during the last half century. The event included founding faculty...

ISH to focus on architecture, technology.(industry News)(Brief Article)
October 11, 2004... FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany -- Integrating air conditioning and ventilation systems with modern architecture is one focus of the next ISH--International Trade Fair for Building and Energy Technology in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, March 15-19,...