A Brief History of Air Conditioning

Inventors who came before Willis Haviland Carrier tinkered with cooling machines. But it was Carrier's creation that launched the modern idea of air conditioning. To mark the 110th anniversary of his invention, we look back at the long story of a/c.

By Amanda Green  July 16, 2012 3:00 PM

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/electrical-plumbing/a-brief-history-of-air-conditioning-10720229

1758 All liquid evaporation has a cooling effect. Benjamin "I invented everything" Franklin and Cambridge University professor John Hadley discover that evaporation of alcohol and other volatile liquids, which evaporate faster than water, can cool down an object enough to freeze water. 

Craigslist Classifieds and the Contractor

Online Forum Offering At-Your-Own-Risk Employment, Distribution Opportunities

By Angela D. Harris

http://www.achrnews.com/articles/126891-craigslist-classifieds-and-the-contractor

From refrigerant to technician tools to rooftop units, HVAC equipment is onCraigslist. Described as local classifieds and forums that are community moderated and largely free, Craigslist has more than 50 billion page views per month and counts more than 60 million users each month in the U.S. alone.

There is a lot of stigma that goes along with Craigslist, and although its usage for job postings, lead generation, and equipment sales seem to be growing, the online forum’s benefits, dangers, and impact on the HVACR industry is largely undefined. To help shine a light on Craigslist, The NEWS reached out to a number of contractors and distributors to determine, “What role does Craigslist have in the HVACR industry?”

You’d Be Crazy Not To?

Selling Thermostats that Save
Customers Energy and Money

Originally published: 04.01.14 by Bill Fortner

http://www.hvacrbusiness.com/sell-energy-and-money-saving-thermostats.html

When you think of industries offering the latest technology, computer software, social media, and cell phone companies may come to mind first. But when I reflect back on my 27 years in the residential HVACR industry, I realize we too keep up with the times. 

One way we keep up with innovations is through thermostats in customers’ homes. Over time we have seen the transition from mercury and bi-metal thermostats to digital, programmable, and now Wi-Fi thermostats with onboard alerts. There are several hurdles that must be overcome in order to fully convert these new developments in thermostats and controls into HVACR sales. To be successful selling thermostats and controls, you must educate your employees about the new technologies, and convince your technicians to not just sell but also fully embrace them. Every time your technicians enter a home they have the opportunity to discuss the merits of new thermostats with customers. If they don’t, you miss out on potential add-on sales. 

What Are the New Technologies? 

Allergy Season and Indoor Air Quality

Posted by Brittany Yeager on May 15, 2014 @ 01:00 PM

After this past winter, I’m sure we’re all glad that the snow has melted and spring has finally found its way here; but warmer weather comes with its own set of problems. Within days of being able to see the grass again, allergy sufferers were reminded of what they were missing for the past four months.

Snow melts and the pollen count rises. It’s the same vicious cycle every year. However, HVAC contractors don’t have to suffer with the rest of the world. Allergy season is actually a great season to sell HVAC systems.

When the outside world fills up with pollen and spores, people with allergies retreat indoors; but they’re not as safe from suffering as they think. Dust mites, animal dander, and even cockroaches can attack allergies in the home. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says that eight out of ten people in the United States are exposed to house dust mites, and six out of ten are exposed to pet dander. Then there are the homeowners who still want to try to get the fresh air from outside and will throw open their windows and doors to try to bring it inside, not bothering with window filters. Of course, bringing in that new spring air will also bring outside pollutants in with it. You don’t need to be a math genius to figure out that that adds up to a lot of people putting up with allergies.

Now here’s the kicker: controlling the air quality in your home can reduce your seasonal symptoms. Putting in a new HVAC system or having an old one maintained can decrease the misery. According to Web M.D., many pollutants (like pollen and particulate matter) are water-soluble; and since air conditioners are made to remove water from the air, they remove the pollutants as well. Removing the pollutants means a more enjoyable time in your own home. And if that’s not enough to seal the deal on a new system, good indoor air quality can also reduce negative health effects, lower the costs associated with illness, and can improve quality of life (Indoor Air Quality.com).

Think of yourself as Superman: when the evil Allergens come to invade homes, you can stop them in their tracks just by growing your business.

http://www.arzelzoning.com/blog/allergy-season?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_content=5306309&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

Get More Time for Your Work and More Work from Your Team

Originally published: 05.01.14 by David M. Dye

Asking the right questions can get your team to find their own answers
If you ever struggle with feeling like you’re doing your team’s thinking for them, or don’t have time to do your own work, then your team needs help with problem-solving. As a leader, you’re in a unique position to help them in specific ways no one else can.

Compressor Failures

Part 2
By Glenn Minch

If a refrigeration or air conditioning system fails or is not performing according to design the focus is almost always directed to the compressor.  After all,  the compressor makes the most noise so our attention naturally goes to the component of the system doing the work.  In all reality the “boss” of the whole system is the evaporator.  The “work” we need to do is remove heat from a refrigerated space.  The evaporator needs to perform at its design capacity to achieve our goal.  A poor performing evaporator not only affects the room or product temperature but also has an effect on the life of the compressor.  That being said, we must make sure that the evaporator is set up to optimize efficiency and performance.  Listed below are a few evaporator issues that have an effect on compressor life.

• Coil cleanliness……..May cause liquid flooding back to a “vapor” compressor.
• Improper air flow…..Same result as above.
• Too much evaporator superheat……….High return gas temperature causing overheating on a suction cooled compressor.
• Not enough superheat……….Liquid flood back to  a “vapor” compressor.

  

There are times when an evaporator may experience changing performance due to increased or reduced loads.  At that point we need to look at system protection components like suction accumulators, etc.

Is HVAC a good career choice?

Posted on April 9, 2014By Ryan Hill

It can be difficult deciding on a career to embark upon. Whether it’s your first or a result of a switch.
There aren’t many industries or sectors that you can genuinely say are growing and offer a wide variety of employment options. The HVAC industry is one of the few. A career in the HVAC industry can be rewarding, well paid and offers real prospects. Take a look at our top 10 reasons why a career in HVAC could be ideal for you.

Fantastic Career Stability

Thanks to continuous development, often driven by environmental considerations, a career in the HVAC industry is always changing. An example of this is the R 22 and HFC phase out. Energy efficiency and the savings it can create are also a driver in HVAC industry development. There will always be old systems that need replacing and therefore work to be done.

Year Round Work

The HVAC industry is also one that doesn’t suffer too severely from seasonality. Although there are quieter periods during milder weather months there is still demand for equipment servicing and repair. Whether it is hot or cold people will need new systems fitted or old systems serviced to ensure they can deal with weather extremes. It seems these weather extremes will only increase thanks to global warming making commercial HVAC jobs even more appealing.

The Pay

The HVAC industry pay scale can be very appealing. It is a challenging industry, you have to excel in what you do, if you do you can reach a substantial pay packet. By choosing a speciality you can improve that further.

Skill Specialisation

There are 60 different skill areas in the HVAC industry. This gives a HVAC technician the option to pick and choose what appeals to them. Specialising in a number of areas will also improve a technician’s employability and earning potential.

Low Recession Impact

Although no industry is truly recession proof HVAC is very recession resistant. Just like people will always need to get their haircut, HVAC systems will always need to be serviced. If HVAC systems fail on commercial buildings or in schools the buildings often have to shut. Most of the time this is not an option meaning a technician will have to be called out.

Challenging and Rewarding Work

A career in the HVAC industry is ideal for people who enjoy challenging work. Emergency call outs are common and often require engineers to call on their intuition and think on their feet. An engineer’s skills can also be called upon for equipment design or improvement. It’s not always easy but it is certainly rewarding.

Job Opportunities

Thanks to the constant development of the industry HVAC companies are constantly looking for young and talented individuals to join their ranks. With systems relying more and more on computerisation young, computer savvy technicians have a real advantage over older engineers. By staying ahead of the game you can really excel.

Hands on Approach

Sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen doesn’t appeal to some. The HVAC industry is a perfect example of a place where you can find yourself hands on, varying employment. Whether you are being called out to an install in the country or service in the city no two days are ever the same.

Industry Growth

Climate change and the increase of a global middle class are just two reasons that the HVAC industry is continuously seeing growth. With demand for HVAC equipment showing no signs of abating you can be sure you won’t be short of work.

Employment in Varying Sectors

Another fantastic thing about working in HVAC is the varying business sectors and industries in which you can find work. Residential, end user, industrial and commercial sectors all require HVAC equipment and therefore HVAC engineers. Specialising in one sector such as commercial HVAC jobs can be advantageous just as spreading your bets amongst sectors can be.
We hope it’s now clear that a career in the HVAC industry can be rewarding, stimulating and lucrative. In other words, HVAC is a good career choice. If you are skilled and work hard the earning potential is fantastic and job satisfaction can be high.
All Seasons Hire are always interested in hearing from talented HVAC engineers who are looking to join a dynamic and growing team. If you are interested in working for us please send a CV info@allseasonshire.com to or call us on 0800 082 8001.
Written by Ryan Hill

http://www.allseasonshire.eu/blog/hvac-good-career-choice/