#Carrier Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)
To maintain good indoor air quality, it’s
important to exchange the air in a home on a regular basis. Watch this video on
fresh air ventilation options.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Furnace Estimate - What To Expect From Your Heating Contractor
When considering putting in a new
furnace, a homeowner should be ready to ask & answer questions with the
HVAC Professional. This video will talk about some of the questions the HVAC
Professional will ask and what factors they are looking at to make a proper
proposal and estimate.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Engineering News
By Dave Jones
Well, here we go with the second issue of our brand new idea: a regular monthly newsletter. Woo Hoo! I hope you took a few minutes to read about electric wall heaters last month. We will probably stir-up a hornet’s nest of discussion with this month’s subject: Flex Duct. If any of you have ever attended one of my code seminars, you've heard me say: “Flex duct is evil. It’s necessary, but it’s evil.”
There’s a reason flex duct comes in boxes of 25’. But, we still see jobs where some jake-leg contractor has strung two or three boxes of flex together. Those folks just can’t take the hint. When I see that kind of nonsense, it’s usually because I got a call to come troubleshoot a ‘bad project’. And, that ‘bad project’ has caused someone to complain that their spaces are too hot, too cold, energy bills are really high, or some other easily avoided problem.
Getting the air from the furnace (or
rooftop unit) to the occupied rooms is the reason we have ductwork. We size the duct work to allow the proper
amount of air flow from the equipment to the room. When we size the duct, and pick the fans, we
allow for the Pressure Drop of the air flowing through the ductwork. That is to say the amount of “Friction”
that the air will experience as it travels down the duct.
Twists and turns, rough surfaces,
squishes and mashed ducts all create air friction in the ductwork. More friction means more pressure drop. More pressure drop means it’s harder for the
air to get from the equipment to the rooms.
The amount of air that can get to a room is inversely related to the duct air pressure drop. In
other words, the more friction in the
duct, the less air to the room.
Now, we all use flex duct in order to
make ceiling diffusers easy to install, or to soak-up some vibration or
expansion / contraction. That’s the
intent of flex duct. But, when people
use flex duct instead of rigid
sheetmetal duct, there are always problems.
Why is that? Because it’s not
smooth inside! The wire helix, the
convolutions and the ‘lack of stretch’ all make it rough. The
roughness causes air friction. And that, my friends, reduces air flow.
Keep in mind that the friction
(pressure drop) of the air through flex duct is at least FOUR TIMES what it is
through a smooth metal duct. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating
and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.) is the authority in HVAC design; in 2004,
they published a study on airflow through flexible duct. The authors (Abushakra
et al) found real world pressure drops
to be four to ten times manufacturers’ published values.
At issue is the degree of “compression”
of the duct: They found the only way to replicate the manufacturers’ data was
to pull the ends of test specimens farther apart than is realistically possible
in the field (the specimens were “fully extended”); when real
world configurations were tested (we say there was some degree of
“compression”), resistance multiplied.
Summer
is coming, and with it, the inevitable "insufficient cooling" calls. That's right insufficient cooling, not to be confused with "no
cooling" calls. These calls almost always sound the same; "most of
the rooms are fine, but the (fill in the blank) rooms just don't seem to cool
down.
The
technician checks the obvious first; filter clean? Check. Coil clean? Check...
Registers open? Check. Then they leave after telling the customer- "give
it a couple hours, the temperature should pull down by then".
Most
of the time, the customer calls back the next day with the same complaint. What
the technician missed was the biggest stealer of air flow: the duct work, or more specifically, the
flex-duct. Before you get your undies- in-a-bundle, I'm not bashing flex-duct,
I'm bashing the way it restricts air flow when it’s not sized correctly, and
when it’s not installed properly.
Flex
duct is great, when it’s installed correctly. Installed wrong, it's a nightmare. You're
thinking, "how can you install flex-duct wrong?" It’s easier than you
realize. First and foremost, the flex-duct needs to be stretched out so the
internal spirals are not "accordion". The more stretched-out the flex duct is, the
smoother it will be inside.
Second,
direction changes and 90-degree bends need to be smooth and supported
so the duct doesn't kink at
the bend.
Third,
the duct should be inspected during maintenance for crushing; no, the duct will
not crush itself, but you wouldn't believe what home owners and other tradesmen
do to the stuff when it’s in their way. So, that's about it; keep it straight,
tight, kink and crush free, and you'll be in good shape.
For more on flex duct, please visit:
- ACCA
manual D
- http://www.flexibleduct.org/images/ADC~IR5E.pdf
- http://askweldin.com/Flex.html
- http://hpac.com/ventilation-iaq/predicting-performance-flexible-duct-1210
- http://www.ibsadvisorsllc.com/_library/lbnl-49012_Compression_Effects_on_Pressure_Loss_in_Flexible_HVAC_Ducts.pdf
- https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/no-kinks-or-sharp-bends-flex-duct-installation
Thursday, February 6, 2014
HVAC Software Tools Make A Difference
Contractors Choose Packages that Improve Business Operations
Successful contracting firms typically want to make the best use of their time and resources,which is why most rely heavily on robust software packages to keep their businesses running smoothly. To make sure they invest in the right software, owners and/or managers often dedicate copious amounts of time to researching which packages make the most sense for their businesses.This can be a daunting task, as there is a wide variety of software packages available for contracting firms, and most vendors are constantly improving their offerings.
But with an economy that is still weak in many parts of the country, making the time to choose the right software package is an important step toward improving the bottom line.
Wrightsoft to the Rescue
PBCI-Allen Mechanical and Electrical, State College, Pa., is a case in point, as it is growing at a time when the Pennsylvania economy is still struggling. Fewer projects have led to tougher competition, and the transient nature of this college community means the firm usually only has one chance to make a good impression.
“Everyone’s always on the move, and we’re constantly demonstrating our capabilities to new customers,” said Dave Bloom, comfort specialist, PBCI-Allen. “As a result, we get good at showing the customer the value of doing business with us very quickly. A competitive, accurate bid, delivered quickly, does wonders.”
To create that bid quickly and accurately, the eight residential installers at PBCI-Allen have come to rely on Wrightsoft’s Right Mobile Consultant (RMC), a versatile, cloud-based tool that automates a repeatable sales process. Designed to work with many devices, including desktop computers, laptops, and tablets, techs can quickly complete an Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J calculation on site. Generating proposals and determining return on investment (ROI) with the software is simple, said Bloom, once the load calculation is complete.
“It’s a user-friendly tool that makes me look good in front of our customers,” said Bloom. “It has standardized our sales process and given us a professional feel that would be tough and expensive to duplicate otherwise. It shows the homeowner that we take their business and their comfort seriously. Our profitability has also improved as a result of the [software’s] accuracy.”
Thornton and Grooms (T&G) Heating and Air, Farmington Hills, Mich., is another company that has come to rely on Wrightsoft to help boost its bottom line. Located just outside the economically challenged city of Detroit, Dave Knight, sales and marketing manager, T&G, has found that investing in Wrightsoft’s Right-Suite Universal in the office and Right J Mobile in the field has improved the accuracy and speed of his technicians while giving them a more compelling way to engage and interact with customers.
“Investing in heat load sizing software has strengthened the work that our field techs and estimators are doing in the field,” said Knight.
“And with better software, we’ve been able to tighten our estimates while giving our techs a range of options, each with a price that reflects choices made by the homeowners.”
Right-Suite Universal offers integrated residential and commercial software consisting of 20 modules, all of which are automatically updated. Users select capabilities that meet their needs, from ACCA’s Manual J, Manual D, and Manual S, to ASHRAE’s Radiant Time Series, as well as geothermal loop design, operating costs, proposals, and bills of material.
“When we’re using the Manual J load calc software in the field, we know we’re making sound recommendations,” added Knight.“There’s no guesswork. With the software, it’s clear to customers there’s value in the extra work we do prior to the installation. It gives us a competitive edge.”
Show and Tell
HVAC Showroom is a unique software product designed to help educate consumers about different residential HVAC products. Developer Opportunity Interactive has accomplished this by combining interactive animations with engaging media components to create an informational experience that educates homeowners about the many features and benefits of HVAC equipment and accessories.
Edward McFarlane, general manager, Haller Enterprises, Lititz, Pa., likes the software, because, “It’s not us just telling the customer what they get, it allows them to see and hear it, too. It’s like a virtual showroom. Being able to demonstrate product benefits with animations and video has made it a lot easier for homeowners to choose higher efficiency and quieter equipment.
We’ve also found it much easier to communicate effectively to homeowners the importance of having programmable thermostats, air cleaners, and other accessories.Our closing ratios with all of these products have risen remarkably.”
Introduced in 2008, HVAC Showroom contains product animations that show how a wide variety of HVAC equipment works, how it sounds, and how much it will cost to operate. For example, the heat pump animation shows how both standard and multi-stage units work, and various tools can help calculate the average hours a year a heat pump runs while comparing operating costs across different fuel types. There’s also a Balance Point calculation tool that allows entry of specific heat pump models to see a projected balance point for the home. Other equipment detailed in the software includes air conditioners, filters, gas furnaces, hybrid systems, and geothermal systems.
One popular feature of the software allows continuous replay of showroom animations for use in the home or at trade shows. This feature works well for sales presentations, noted the company, because it provides the homeowner with audio and visual interaction.The company also offers an interactive Web version of the HVAC Showroom with animations that can be used on any website.
Dusty Davis, sales manager, Trinity Air, Peachtree City, Ga., noted that since using HVAC Showroom, his sales have risen to a whole new level. “I am closing more highend, high-profit jobs than ever. One of my customers wrote us a letter stating, ‘Dusty used his showroom software to help me understand how I would benefit from replacing my system. It was extremely educational and had me sold right away.’”
Elite Choice
One of the very first companies to offer software designed for HVAC contractors was Elite Software, which rolled out ACCA Manual J load calculation software, called RHVAC, in 1984. Updated regularly ever since, this Windowsbased program now performs HVAC load calculations in accordance with the eighth edition of ACCA’s Manual J. Simple fill-inthe- blank forms make data entry easy, while all load factors are automatically looked up and applied.
RHVAC also includes a complete ACCA Manual D calculation for the sizing of ductwork, as well as Manual S equipment selection reports and simple sales proposals.Many add-ons are also available, including a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing system, bill of materials, and a graphic proposal maker. New enhancements to RHVAC include a sloped ceiling area calculator, which determines the area of a room’s sloped ceiling with entry of just a few dimensions; an ACCA design review form, which saves time if local authorities require this information; and hourly room net gain, which helps assign rooms to specific zones based on peak loads.
Danny Gough, principal, Energy Solutions Inc., Lewisville, N.C., can’t even remember when he started using RHVAC, but he does know that the first time he bought it, it came on 3 ½-inch floppy disks. “Simply put, Elite works. Our company does Energy Star labeling of new homes and code compliance consulting for builders and homeowners, and RHVAC allows me to export the data to the Home Energy Rating software and the energy code compliance software, which saves tons of time. I simply create an export file and then open the companion rating or code compliance software, import, and voila, the inputs are already there.”
Like Gough, Paul Wieboldt, owner, Tradewinds Appropriate Technologies LLC, Waco, Texas, has been using RHVAC for a long time; not only in his own HVAC business, but also for third-party load calculations for other contractors. “We adopted the early DOS version of RHVAC 20 years ago, so we could actually determine a load rather than trying to apply the dubious 500-square-feetper- ton rule of thumb.”
Initially, Wieboldt ran load calculations on every sales call as part of his free estimate, but he soon found that while this resulted in useful data, it did not usually end with a sale. Then, one day his son decided to ask customers to pay a small fee for the load calculation, and that ended up being a very successful approach.
“We learned that this small investment turned out to be the unspoken down payment for the rest of the job. If they paid us to run the RHVAC Manual J8 calculations, 90 percent went on to sign the contract for the system installation,” said Wieboldt. “We also found that charging to right size the system sorted out who our real customers were — those who did not want to make that small investment in doing it the right way were never our clients anyway.”
Another benefit, said Wieboldt, was that it allowed him to have a full-time employee performing Manual J loads, which turned this activity from being an expense to being a profit center. Finally, it established the scope of work for all subsequent bidders. “Since we established the correct design and the homeowners owned it, other contractors had to bid apples to apples, which some refused to do.RHVAC allowed us to offer our design services, give our customers the right answer to their load sizing questions, and get paid for it.”
Streamlined Design
In 2000, dESCO introduced its Windows-based service management software, ESC, which replaced its legacy solution that was first brought to market in 1980. With roots as an HVAC company, dESCO designed ESC to be a complete solution for contractors to manage customers, work, and finances. From service call and technician scheduling, to service contract management and inventory tracking, ESC streamlines the entire workflow through one comprehensive solution, thus improving productivity and increasing profitability.
Sam DeAngelis, CEO, Colorado Climate Maintenance Inc., Englewood, Colo., started using ESC in 2003, when he was looking for software to help manage his service technicians’ schedules, but he found an added benefit: “Being able to have a single point software that allows us to completely manage and track our customers is huge.It allows us to easily access history, equipment information, and agreements while we’re on the phone with a customer, so we have all the history available to us at our fingertips.I think that impresses our customers, because they feel like they’re the most important person to us, even though we may not have talked to them in six months.”
Some of ESC’s main features include customer account management; scheduling and dispatching; service agreement management; quoting and invoicing; sales and marketing management; flat-rate pricing; equipment tracking; inventory; purchasing; and seamless integration with QuickBooks, Safe, and ESC accounting software. DeAngelis is also a fan of ESC Mobile, which transfers all relevant information, including customer history, equipment, tasks, etc., seamlessly to technicians’ mobile devices. “This improves our performance and sets us apart from most of our competition because we’re not floundering when we get to the job site.”
It has been such a time-saving tool that DeAngelis estimated the dispatcher now has 90-120 minutes more each day to do other tasks because technicians rarely call in anymore. “On top of that, it has increased our efficiency and our accuracy. Our guys know where they’re going, and they have a detailed list of the tasks ahead. This has resulted in greater accuracy, which has caused our callbacks to drop off significantly.”
Finding the right software package can be a challenge, but it can make a huge impact on a contractor’s bottom line.
Contributing Editor, Joanna Turpin, of The NEWS, contributed to this article.
John Vastyan is president of Common Ground, a public relations and communications firm. Contact him at cground@ptd.net. For more information, visit www.seekcg.com.
Choices To Make Life Easier
Besides those listed in this article, there are other solutions available that HVAC contractors may want to consider, including the following:
Airxchange’s AIRX Estimator for the Environment is a free online estimation tool that quickly calculates the positive environmental impact and potential energy savings when commercial buildings utilize energy recovery ventilation (ERV) technology.
This tool helps building owners, energy engineers, and facility managers quickly quantify the CO2 reduction by energy source for specific buildings by inputting three pieces of information: city location, number of occupied building hours, and cfm of outdoor air. For users not aware of a building’s cfm of outdoor air, the AIRX Estimator provides a cfm estimator based on ASHRAE standards.
Corrigo offers WorkTrack for companies in the HVAC industry. This Web-based work order and service management application provides a complete solution for tasks like invoicing, time card management, and payroll, as well as full reporting capabilities for work orders and services agreements.
WorkTrack includes wireless dispatch and full mobile integration with iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices, making it easy to dispatch personnel to areas where work needs to be done, while providing a platform where users can monitor multiple projects happening simultaneously in the field. This results in more efficient dispatching and more responsive service to customers.
Dexter + Chaney, developer of Spectrum® Construction Software, offers a complete service management solution for contractors that includes work order management and service dispatch. This new service management software operates seamlessly with Spectrum Construction Software and works completely in the cloud, requiring no software download or specific hardware devices. With this new application, managers, dispatchers, and technicians can connect to the full set of service management features wherever they are, using any device with a Web browser.
Smart Service is scheduling and dispatching software that was created with the HVAC service and repair industry in mind. Smart Service works with QuickBooks to completely eliminate double data entry between scheduling and bookkeeping software.
It also has an intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling screen, which allows a business to schedule or reschedule jobs quickly and effortlessly.Smart Service also offers a mobile work order management application called iFleet, which empowers mobile technicians with accurate time tracking, job-to-job directions, work schedule, and customer contact information.
Successful contracting firms typically want to make the best use of their time and resources,which is why most rely heavily on robust software packages to keep their businesses running smoothly. To make sure they invest in the right software, owners and/or managers often dedicate copious amounts of time to researching which packages make the most sense for their businesses.This can be a daunting task, as there is a wide variety of software packages available for contracting firms, and most vendors are constantly improving their offerings.
But with an economy that is still weak in many parts of the country, making the time to choose the right software package is an important step toward improving the bottom line.
Wrightsoft to the Rescue
PBCI-Allen Mechanical and Electrical, State College, Pa., is a case in point, as it is growing at a time when the Pennsylvania economy is still struggling. Fewer projects have led to tougher competition, and the transient nature of this college community means the firm usually only has one chance to make a good impression.
“Everyone’s always on the move, and we’re constantly demonstrating our capabilities to new customers,” said Dave Bloom, comfort specialist, PBCI-Allen. “As a result, we get good at showing the customer the value of doing business with us very quickly. A competitive, accurate bid, delivered quickly, does wonders.”
To create that bid quickly and accurately, the eight residential installers at PBCI-Allen have come to rely on Wrightsoft’s Right Mobile Consultant (RMC), a versatile, cloud-based tool that automates a repeatable sales process. Designed to work with many devices, including desktop computers, laptops, and tablets, techs can quickly complete an Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J calculation on site. Generating proposals and determining return on investment (ROI) with the software is simple, said Bloom, once the load calculation is complete.
“It’s a user-friendly tool that makes me look good in front of our customers,” said Bloom. “It has standardized our sales process and given us a professional feel that would be tough and expensive to duplicate otherwise. It shows the homeowner that we take their business and their comfort seriously. Our profitability has also improved as a result of the [software’s] accuracy.”
Thornton and Grooms (T&G) Heating and Air, Farmington Hills, Mich., is another company that has come to rely on Wrightsoft to help boost its bottom line. Located just outside the economically challenged city of Detroit, Dave Knight, sales and marketing manager, T&G, has found that investing in Wrightsoft’s Right-Suite Universal in the office and Right J Mobile in the field has improved the accuracy and speed of his technicians while giving them a more compelling way to engage and interact with customers.
“Investing in heat load sizing software has strengthened the work that our field techs and estimators are doing in the field,” said Knight.
“And with better software, we’ve been able to tighten our estimates while giving our techs a range of options, each with a price that reflects choices made by the homeowners.”
Right-Suite Universal offers integrated residential and commercial software consisting of 20 modules, all of which are automatically updated. Users select capabilities that meet their needs, from ACCA’s Manual J, Manual D, and Manual S, to ASHRAE’s Radiant Time Series, as well as geothermal loop design, operating costs, proposals, and bills of material.
“When we’re using the Manual J load calc software in the field, we know we’re making sound recommendations,” added Knight.“There’s no guesswork. With the software, it’s clear to customers there’s value in the extra work we do prior to the installation. It gives us a competitive edge.”
Show and Tell
HVAC Showroom is a unique software product designed to help educate consumers about different residential HVAC products. Developer Opportunity Interactive has accomplished this by combining interactive animations with engaging media components to create an informational experience that educates homeowners about the many features and benefits of HVAC equipment and accessories.
Edward McFarlane, general manager, Haller Enterprises, Lititz, Pa., likes the software, because, “It’s not us just telling the customer what they get, it allows them to see and hear it, too. It’s like a virtual showroom. Being able to demonstrate product benefits with animations and video has made it a lot easier for homeowners to choose higher efficiency and quieter equipment.
We’ve also found it much easier to communicate effectively to homeowners the importance of having programmable thermostats, air cleaners, and other accessories.Our closing ratios with all of these products have risen remarkably.”
Introduced in 2008, HVAC Showroom contains product animations that show how a wide variety of HVAC equipment works, how it sounds, and how much it will cost to operate. For example, the heat pump animation shows how both standard and multi-stage units work, and various tools can help calculate the average hours a year a heat pump runs while comparing operating costs across different fuel types. There’s also a Balance Point calculation tool that allows entry of specific heat pump models to see a projected balance point for the home. Other equipment detailed in the software includes air conditioners, filters, gas furnaces, hybrid systems, and geothermal systems.
One popular feature of the software allows continuous replay of showroom animations for use in the home or at trade shows. This feature works well for sales presentations, noted the company, because it provides the homeowner with audio and visual interaction.The company also offers an interactive Web version of the HVAC Showroom with animations that can be used on any website.
Dusty Davis, sales manager, Trinity Air, Peachtree City, Ga., noted that since using HVAC Showroom, his sales have risen to a whole new level. “I am closing more highend, high-profit jobs than ever. One of my customers wrote us a letter stating, ‘Dusty used his showroom software to help me understand how I would benefit from replacing my system. It was extremely educational and had me sold right away.’”
Elite Choice
One of the very first companies to offer software designed for HVAC contractors was Elite Software, which rolled out ACCA Manual J load calculation software, called RHVAC, in 1984. Updated regularly ever since, this Windowsbased program now performs HVAC load calculations in accordance with the eighth edition of ACCA’s Manual J. Simple fill-inthe- blank forms make data entry easy, while all load factors are automatically looked up and applied.
RHVAC also includes a complete ACCA Manual D calculation for the sizing of ductwork, as well as Manual S equipment selection reports and simple sales proposals.Many add-ons are also available, including a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing system, bill of materials, and a graphic proposal maker. New enhancements to RHVAC include a sloped ceiling area calculator, which determines the area of a room’s sloped ceiling with entry of just a few dimensions; an ACCA design review form, which saves time if local authorities require this information; and hourly room net gain, which helps assign rooms to specific zones based on peak loads.
Danny Gough, principal, Energy Solutions Inc., Lewisville, N.C., can’t even remember when he started using RHVAC, but he does know that the first time he bought it, it came on 3 ½-inch floppy disks. “Simply put, Elite works. Our company does Energy Star labeling of new homes and code compliance consulting for builders and homeowners, and RHVAC allows me to export the data to the Home Energy Rating software and the energy code compliance software, which saves tons of time. I simply create an export file and then open the companion rating or code compliance software, import, and voila, the inputs are already there.”
Like Gough, Paul Wieboldt, owner, Tradewinds Appropriate Technologies LLC, Waco, Texas, has been using RHVAC for a long time; not only in his own HVAC business, but also for third-party load calculations for other contractors. “We adopted the early DOS version of RHVAC 20 years ago, so we could actually determine a load rather than trying to apply the dubious 500-square-feetper- ton rule of thumb.”
Initially, Wieboldt ran load calculations on every sales call as part of his free estimate, but he soon found that while this resulted in useful data, it did not usually end with a sale. Then, one day his son decided to ask customers to pay a small fee for the load calculation, and that ended up being a very successful approach.
“We learned that this small investment turned out to be the unspoken down payment for the rest of the job. If they paid us to run the RHVAC Manual J8 calculations, 90 percent went on to sign the contract for the system installation,” said Wieboldt. “We also found that charging to right size the system sorted out who our real customers were — those who did not want to make that small investment in doing it the right way were never our clients anyway.”
Another benefit, said Wieboldt, was that it allowed him to have a full-time employee performing Manual J loads, which turned this activity from being an expense to being a profit center. Finally, it established the scope of work for all subsequent bidders. “Since we established the correct design and the homeowners owned it, other contractors had to bid apples to apples, which some refused to do.RHVAC allowed us to offer our design services, give our customers the right answer to their load sizing questions, and get paid for it.”
Streamlined Design
In 2000, dESCO introduced its Windows-based service management software, ESC, which replaced its legacy solution that was first brought to market in 1980. With roots as an HVAC company, dESCO designed ESC to be a complete solution for contractors to manage customers, work, and finances. From service call and technician scheduling, to service contract management and inventory tracking, ESC streamlines the entire workflow through one comprehensive solution, thus improving productivity and increasing profitability.
Sam DeAngelis, CEO, Colorado Climate Maintenance Inc., Englewood, Colo., started using ESC in 2003, when he was looking for software to help manage his service technicians’ schedules, but he found an added benefit: “Being able to have a single point software that allows us to completely manage and track our customers is huge.It allows us to easily access history, equipment information, and agreements while we’re on the phone with a customer, so we have all the history available to us at our fingertips.I think that impresses our customers, because they feel like they’re the most important person to us, even though we may not have talked to them in six months.”
Some of ESC’s main features include customer account management; scheduling and dispatching; service agreement management; quoting and invoicing; sales and marketing management; flat-rate pricing; equipment tracking; inventory; purchasing; and seamless integration with QuickBooks, Safe, and ESC accounting software. DeAngelis is also a fan of ESC Mobile, which transfers all relevant information, including customer history, equipment, tasks, etc., seamlessly to technicians’ mobile devices. “This improves our performance and sets us apart from most of our competition because we’re not floundering when we get to the job site.”
It has been such a time-saving tool that DeAngelis estimated the dispatcher now has 90-120 minutes more each day to do other tasks because technicians rarely call in anymore. “On top of that, it has increased our efficiency and our accuracy. Our guys know where they’re going, and they have a detailed list of the tasks ahead. This has resulted in greater accuracy, which has caused our callbacks to drop off significantly.”
Finding the right software package can be a challenge, but it can make a huge impact on a contractor’s bottom line.
Contributing Editor, Joanna Turpin, of The NEWS, contributed to this article.
John Vastyan is president of Common Ground, a public relations and communications firm. Contact him at cground@ptd.net. For more information, visit www.seekcg.com.
Choices To Make Life Easier
Besides those listed in this article, there are other solutions available that HVAC contractors may want to consider, including the following:
Airxchange’s AIRX Estimator for the Environment is a free online estimation tool that quickly calculates the positive environmental impact and potential energy savings when commercial buildings utilize energy recovery ventilation (ERV) technology.
This tool helps building owners, energy engineers, and facility managers quickly quantify the CO2 reduction by energy source for specific buildings by inputting three pieces of information: city location, number of occupied building hours, and cfm of outdoor air. For users not aware of a building’s cfm of outdoor air, the AIRX Estimator provides a cfm estimator based on ASHRAE standards.
Corrigo offers WorkTrack for companies in the HVAC industry. This Web-based work order and service management application provides a complete solution for tasks like invoicing, time card management, and payroll, as well as full reporting capabilities for work orders and services agreements.
WorkTrack includes wireless dispatch and full mobile integration with iOS, Android, and BlackBerry devices, making it easy to dispatch personnel to areas where work needs to be done, while providing a platform where users can monitor multiple projects happening simultaneously in the field. This results in more efficient dispatching and more responsive service to customers.
Dexter + Chaney, developer of Spectrum® Construction Software, offers a complete service management solution for contractors that includes work order management and service dispatch. This new service management software operates seamlessly with Spectrum Construction Software and works completely in the cloud, requiring no software download or specific hardware devices. With this new application, managers, dispatchers, and technicians can connect to the full set of service management features wherever they are, using any device with a Web browser.
Smart Service is scheduling and dispatching software that was created with the HVAC service and repair industry in mind. Smart Service works with QuickBooks to completely eliminate double data entry between scheduling and bookkeeping software.
It also has an intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling screen, which allows a business to schedule or reschedule jobs quickly and effortlessly.Smart Service also offers a mobile work order management application called iFleet, which empowers mobile technicians with accurate time tracking, job-to-job directions, work schedule, and customer contact information.
http://digital.bnpmedia.com/display_article.php?id=1592725&id_issue=189879
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
What Does HVAC Mean To You?
HVAC. By definition, the acronym stands for heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning. But,those four letters mean a lot
more to the industry. HVAC represents a livelihood. It symbolizes
success. It exemplifies passion, customer service, a challenge, a job,
and so much more.
So, what does HVAC mean to you? While it may seem like a simple question at first glance, the answers we received were multifaceted.
“To me, HVAC means Healthy Veins and Arteries Circulating in our clients’ homes.”
D. Brian Baker
President, Custom Vac Ltd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
“HVAC is the greatest occupation ever. I haven’t been going to work every day for the last 30 years, I’ve had a fun time providing a healthy, safe, comfortable, and efficient living environment for J.R. Bolton clients. HVAC is getting better with every passing year. I can’t wait for my 40th year.”
Jeff Bolton
President
J. R. Bolton Services Inc.
Sugar Hill, Ga.
“To me this is much more than a question; it is a prod into my most inner being. The industry of HVAC, which I feel so privileged to be a part of, is much more than a job or career: It is, in fact, my way of life. Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning, cool …. Rings hollow for me.
“As a very young second-generation service technician, I learned from my father how important customer service is/was. Customer service is what provided for my family and what provided a long and prosperous career for my dad, who served this industry until he passed in 1994.
“The ability to serve others is what my life’s mission is all about. It just so happens most of these people are hot, cold, or have an abundance of heat that they need to get out of the data center.
“The unique part of my ability and desire to serve is the interaction with the young people who are just starting their careers within the HVAC community. AirTight works really hard to find and recruit highquality people who have a good heart and a natural desire to serve others. We have been very fortunate over the years to find these types of people, nurture them, and help them get into a position in life where they feel comfortable in serving those in need.
“AirTight is a person-centric company. Person being described as customer, colleague, friend, family member, coworker, or even someone we just met who has no idea of what AirTight is really all about. We train hard, educate often, and serve with a humble mindset.”
Greg Crumpton
President
AirTight Mechanical
Charlotte, N.C.
“HVAC is the key to changing people’s lives. Keeping my clients comfortable, providing a great place to work for team members, and growing relationships through comfort.”
Jamie DiDomenico
President
N&M Cool Today,
Plumbing Today, and Energy Today Sarasota, Fla.
“The HVAC industry has allowed me the opportunity to have a positive influence in people’s lives, which provides a great deal of personal satisfaction. I am a firm believer that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ I also have always believed that God gives us blessings to see what we are going to do with them. I know that may not be politically correct today, with so many people intent in removing all references of God from our society; however, I have no other explanation for the level of professional achievement I’ve achieved, only with a high school education. I view my family and personal success as a blessing, none of which I feel I deserve.
“A byproduct of working hard and doing a good job has been the significant financial security the HVAC industry has provided my family and I. We’ve been blessed with the opportunity to provide financial assistance to employees, family members, and many others.
“I am blessed to have a job that I have never thought of as a job, but as a blessing. Although there are many demands from owning a business for more than 37 years, I have never thought of the business as a burden or that I have had to sacrifice anything.
“My wife Debi and I have always put our kids first. I was home for dinner almost every night and she was a full-time homemaker. I never talked business at home or complained about the business. Our two kids were never expected to work at the shop, as our desire for them was to find what they love and to pursue it. Both of our kids and our son-inlaw had careers and decided to join the business after we had received a purchase offer.”
Russ Donnici
President
Mechanical Air Service
San Jose, Calif.
“Donning the spirit of Christmas, we dwell on thoughts of giving. The HVACR-plumbing industry can be the bearer of a gift of perpetuity to the consumer, a gift that is more than a one-time event. HVAC means more than the work in the trenches. It encompasses multifaceted opportunities to serve our customers.
“Taking a managerial approach, we in the HVACR and plumbing industries can engage our serving philosophy and broaden our services.What better way than the members of this industry to showcase their valuable management services and other services the industry has to offer than through a gift of a management program crafted to guide them in their management efforts.”
Jerry Grendahl
President
Grendahl Mechanical Inc.
Edina, Minn.
“When I think of HVAC, I think of the recognition of HVAC as one of the great inventions of the 20th century. It makes me thankful that I work in an industry that makes a difference in peoples’ lives every day. We matter.”
Roger Grochmal
Chairman and CEO
AtlasCare
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
“H is for hope, which burns eternal in all our hearts. V is for volunteering, giving life to the hope in our hearts. A is for action, because if we didn’t take action, our volunteering and hope would be for nothing. C is for community — for the friends, family, and neighbors we help by taking action through volunteering to bring them hope.”
Ellis Guiles,
Vice president
TAG Home Performance Syracuse, N.Y.
“It allows us to solve a problem.As a third-generation worker, it offered me a connection to my father and grandfather, which is very important to me. And, as you solve problems, relationships develop and you go from being someone who is a price to a professional, which makes price secondary.”
Rich Imfield
Owner
IC Refrigeration Inc.
Ceres, Calif.
“HVAC has many meanings to a lot of people. I wish to make an observation that some business owners may also have related to the holiday seasons.
“Our small company ranges between 16-25 staff members. We have two holiday events that we all share together. Christmas and the Fourth of July. We use these events to share quality time with the teams and their families/friends.The Christmas event allows us to meet at a local rented facility, such as a bowling alley, complete with a sports bar and video games. It’s amazing to see everyone having a good time together with their families … and it lends itself to many candid videos and camera shots.
“The evening for this event is a catered meal at a setting away from the first half where we share gifts and interesting slide show photos of family members at work during their time away. Fathers/mothers and kids see their dad or mom at work and they appreciate the recognition their family member receives. It is a fun time as we have usually some comments typewritten on many pictures so people can familiarize themselves with what they are looking at.
“The Fourth of July holiday is spent at Cedar Point, here in Ohio, which is the No. 1 rated roller coaster theme park in the world.Families again enjoy the time with their families, and get to experience great weather. And, how many kids hate roller coasters?
“So, HVAC does not mean so much to us here at Pro, except that we are a special breed of mechanical people who have fun at what we do for a living. We need to show our families that “specialness,” if you will, and enjoy that process also.”
Joseph Kokinda
President and CEO
Professional HVACR Services Inc.
Avon, Ohio
“To me, it means a way of life, a way to provide for my family, a way to put my daughter through college, a way to get to retirement, and a way to help people along the way. What can be better than going through life helping people solve their problems while they solve one for you and your employees, by providing jobs for all of us?
Brian McDonald
General manager
Outer Banks Heating & Cooling
Kill Devil Hills, N.C.
“HVAC means many things to me during the holiday season.First of all, it means working on furnaces and air conditioning systems in the same day. The winter weather in San Antonio is so unpredictable. One day, it may 45°F, and the next, it may be 80°. Or, it could be 65° and our clients open their windows. Our technicians must put on two different hats during the day. It could be 45° in the morning and 80° in the afternoon, so he might change a gas valve on a furnace in the morning and then add refrigerant to a unit in the afternoon. It is crazy!”
Michael Rosenberg
President
Rosenberg Indoor Comfort
San Antonio
“To me, it means a great industry that provides a better life for my customers through comfort; a better life for our employees and my family through a sustainable, secure, successful career.”
Paul Sammataro
Samm’s Heating and Air Conditioning
Plano, Texas.
“HVAC is a term in the construction industry that is not as understandable as some might think and is quite broad, especially with the technological advancements in the new systems. As a mechanical contractor, the meaning is quite deep and involves a large variety of airmoving and handling systems that provides comfort, cleanliness, and hygiene with IAQ.
“I believe that HVAC is becoming much more recognized and important in the eyes of the consumer.It has become essential and is critical for our society. And, as an experienced business providing these services, I’m glad to see HVAC getting the respect it deserves.
“One of our new slogans is, ‘Our Passion Equals Your Comfort.’ We are passionate about the quality and expertise of our work every day and we feel our services are invaluable.”
Matthew W. Smith
President
Smith Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
Stockton, Calif.
“HVAC is solving customers’ problems. We never go to a house with a system that’s working properly because a proper system will have low, unnoticeable energy bills; be quiet; will not be heard both inside and out; and is comfortable.
Ideally, once my system is installed and working, they should never need to notice it. There are a lot of ‘HACs’ out there — people who install only heating and air conditioning, but we install systems for your home and integrate them into the home as a system instead of an individual component.”
Travis Smith
Owner
Sky Heating & Air Conditioning
Portland, Ore.
“HVAC is a unique industry that I found myself in after college. I didn’t choose it; it chose me. I was desperate for an engineering job after graduation, and one of the few opportunities I found was nearby at a Trane manufacturing facility.Getting the job at Trane set the course for my professional career and much of my life in general. I received excellent training and made some great friends at Trane. I eventually left the corporate world and got into design/build contracting, which has been better than I could have ever imagined.
“HVAC gives me a way to make a difference in my community every day and often in ways I wouldn’t expect. I am very thankful for this industry, the people I’ve gotten to know along the way, and the folks I’m privileged to work with. HVAC has been very good to me.”
Rick Tullis
President
Capstone Mechanical
Waco, Texas
So, what does HVAC mean to you? While it may seem like a simple question at first glance, the answers we received were multifaceted.
“To me, HVAC means Healthy Veins and Arteries Circulating in our clients’ homes.”
D. Brian Baker
President, Custom Vac Ltd.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
“HVAC is the greatest occupation ever. I haven’t been going to work every day for the last 30 years, I’ve had a fun time providing a healthy, safe, comfortable, and efficient living environment for J.R. Bolton clients. HVAC is getting better with every passing year. I can’t wait for my 40th year.”
Jeff Bolton
President
J. R. Bolton Services Inc.
Sugar Hill, Ga.
“To me this is much more than a question; it is a prod into my most inner being. The industry of HVAC, which I feel so privileged to be a part of, is much more than a job or career: It is, in fact, my way of life. Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning, cool …. Rings hollow for me.
“As a very young second-generation service technician, I learned from my father how important customer service is/was. Customer service is what provided for my family and what provided a long and prosperous career for my dad, who served this industry until he passed in 1994.
“The ability to serve others is what my life’s mission is all about. It just so happens most of these people are hot, cold, or have an abundance of heat that they need to get out of the data center.
“The unique part of my ability and desire to serve is the interaction with the young people who are just starting their careers within the HVAC community. AirTight works really hard to find and recruit highquality people who have a good heart and a natural desire to serve others. We have been very fortunate over the years to find these types of people, nurture them, and help them get into a position in life where they feel comfortable in serving those in need.
“AirTight is a person-centric company. Person being described as customer, colleague, friend, family member, coworker, or even someone we just met who has no idea of what AirTight is really all about. We train hard, educate often, and serve with a humble mindset.”
Greg Crumpton
President
AirTight Mechanical
Charlotte, N.C.
“HVAC is the key to changing people’s lives. Keeping my clients comfortable, providing a great place to work for team members, and growing relationships through comfort.”
Jamie DiDomenico
President
N&M Cool Today,
Plumbing Today, and Energy Today Sarasota, Fla.
“The HVAC industry has allowed me the opportunity to have a positive influence in people’s lives, which provides a great deal of personal satisfaction. I am a firm believer that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ I also have always believed that God gives us blessings to see what we are going to do with them. I know that may not be politically correct today, with so many people intent in removing all references of God from our society; however, I have no other explanation for the level of professional achievement I’ve achieved, only with a high school education. I view my family and personal success as a blessing, none of which I feel I deserve.
“A byproduct of working hard and doing a good job has been the significant financial security the HVAC industry has provided my family and I. We’ve been blessed with the opportunity to provide financial assistance to employees, family members, and many others.
“I am blessed to have a job that I have never thought of as a job, but as a blessing. Although there are many demands from owning a business for more than 37 years, I have never thought of the business as a burden or that I have had to sacrifice anything.
“My wife Debi and I have always put our kids first. I was home for dinner almost every night and she was a full-time homemaker. I never talked business at home or complained about the business. Our two kids were never expected to work at the shop, as our desire for them was to find what they love and to pursue it. Both of our kids and our son-inlaw had careers and decided to join the business after we had received a purchase offer.”
Russ Donnici
President
Mechanical Air Service
San Jose, Calif.
“Donning the spirit of Christmas, we dwell on thoughts of giving. The HVACR-plumbing industry can be the bearer of a gift of perpetuity to the consumer, a gift that is more than a one-time event. HVAC means more than the work in the trenches. It encompasses multifaceted opportunities to serve our customers.
“Taking a managerial approach, we in the HVACR and plumbing industries can engage our serving philosophy and broaden our services.What better way than the members of this industry to showcase their valuable management services and other services the industry has to offer than through a gift of a management program crafted to guide them in their management efforts.”
Jerry Grendahl
President
Grendahl Mechanical Inc.
Edina, Minn.
“When I think of HVAC, I think of the recognition of HVAC as one of the great inventions of the 20th century. It makes me thankful that I work in an industry that makes a difference in peoples’ lives every day. We matter.”
Roger Grochmal
Chairman and CEO
AtlasCare
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
“H is for hope, which burns eternal in all our hearts. V is for volunteering, giving life to the hope in our hearts. A is for action, because if we didn’t take action, our volunteering and hope would be for nothing. C is for community — for the friends, family, and neighbors we help by taking action through volunteering to bring them hope.”
Ellis Guiles,
Vice president
TAG Home Performance Syracuse, N.Y.
“It allows us to solve a problem.As a third-generation worker, it offered me a connection to my father and grandfather, which is very important to me. And, as you solve problems, relationships develop and you go from being someone who is a price to a professional, which makes price secondary.”
Rich Imfield
Owner
IC Refrigeration Inc.
Ceres, Calif.
“HVAC has many meanings to a lot of people. I wish to make an observation that some business owners may also have related to the holiday seasons.
“Our small company ranges between 16-25 staff members. We have two holiday events that we all share together. Christmas and the Fourth of July. We use these events to share quality time with the teams and their families/friends.The Christmas event allows us to meet at a local rented facility, such as a bowling alley, complete with a sports bar and video games. It’s amazing to see everyone having a good time together with their families … and it lends itself to many candid videos and camera shots.
“The evening for this event is a catered meal at a setting away from the first half where we share gifts and interesting slide show photos of family members at work during their time away. Fathers/mothers and kids see their dad or mom at work and they appreciate the recognition their family member receives. It is a fun time as we have usually some comments typewritten on many pictures so people can familiarize themselves with what they are looking at.
“The Fourth of July holiday is spent at Cedar Point, here in Ohio, which is the No. 1 rated roller coaster theme park in the world.Families again enjoy the time with their families, and get to experience great weather. And, how many kids hate roller coasters?
“So, HVAC does not mean so much to us here at Pro, except that we are a special breed of mechanical people who have fun at what we do for a living. We need to show our families that “specialness,” if you will, and enjoy that process also.”
Joseph Kokinda
President and CEO
Professional HVACR Services Inc.
Avon, Ohio
“To me, it means a way of life, a way to provide for my family, a way to put my daughter through college, a way to get to retirement, and a way to help people along the way. What can be better than going through life helping people solve their problems while they solve one for you and your employees, by providing jobs for all of us?
Brian McDonald
General manager
Outer Banks Heating & Cooling
Kill Devil Hills, N.C.
“HVAC means many things to me during the holiday season.First of all, it means working on furnaces and air conditioning systems in the same day. The winter weather in San Antonio is so unpredictable. One day, it may 45°F, and the next, it may be 80°. Or, it could be 65° and our clients open their windows. Our technicians must put on two different hats during the day. It could be 45° in the morning and 80° in the afternoon, so he might change a gas valve on a furnace in the morning and then add refrigerant to a unit in the afternoon. It is crazy!”
Michael Rosenberg
President
Rosenberg Indoor Comfort
San Antonio
“To me, it means a great industry that provides a better life for my customers through comfort; a better life for our employees and my family through a sustainable, secure, successful career.”
Paul Sammataro
Samm’s Heating and Air Conditioning
Plano, Texas.
“HVAC is a term in the construction industry that is not as understandable as some might think and is quite broad, especially with the technological advancements in the new systems. As a mechanical contractor, the meaning is quite deep and involves a large variety of airmoving and handling systems that provides comfort, cleanliness, and hygiene with IAQ.
“I believe that HVAC is becoming much more recognized and important in the eyes of the consumer.It has become essential and is critical for our society. And, as an experienced business providing these services, I’m glad to see HVAC getting the respect it deserves.
“One of our new slogans is, ‘Our Passion Equals Your Comfort.’ We are passionate about the quality and expertise of our work every day and we feel our services are invaluable.”
Matthew W. Smith
President
Smith Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
Stockton, Calif.
“HVAC is solving customers’ problems. We never go to a house with a system that’s working properly because a proper system will have low, unnoticeable energy bills; be quiet; will not be heard both inside and out; and is comfortable.
Ideally, once my system is installed and working, they should never need to notice it. There are a lot of ‘HACs’ out there — people who install only heating and air conditioning, but we install systems for your home and integrate them into the home as a system instead of an individual component.”
Travis Smith
Owner
Sky Heating & Air Conditioning
Portland, Ore.
“HVAC is a unique industry that I found myself in after college. I didn’t choose it; it chose me. I was desperate for an engineering job after graduation, and one of the few opportunities I found was nearby at a Trane manufacturing facility.Getting the job at Trane set the course for my professional career and much of my life in general. I received excellent training and made some great friends at Trane. I eventually left the corporate world and got into design/build contracting, which has been better than I could have ever imagined.
“HVAC gives me a way to make a difference in my community every day and often in ways I wouldn’t expect. I am very thankful for this industry, the people I’ve gotten to know along the way, and the folks I’m privileged to work with. HVAC has been very good to me.”
Rick Tullis
President
Capstone Mechanical
Waco, Texas
http://digital.bnpmedia.com/display_article.php?id=1592870&id_issue=189879
Monday, January 27, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
#Carrier #Greenspeed Heating Hours Calculator
Overview
The Greenspeed Heating Hours Calculator is a sales tool to help graphically show the heating benefits and cost savings potential of the Greenspeed Heat Pump system for different unit size selections. One page shows the heating and cooling bin hours of the selected location, the other screen shows the heating capacity, balance point, and operating hour differences between a standard heat pump and a Greenspeed heat pump.
Using the Greenspeed Heating Hours Calculator:
The user first selects the state, nearest city, and heating design temperature from drop‐down menus. This displays a graph of the bin hours for the selected city. The bin hour graph helps to show that there are typically more heating hours than cooling hours in most cities, and helps tell the story of the importance of heating efficiency compared to cooling efficiency.
The user then clicks on the Heating Capacities button above the bin hours graph and inputs the heating and cooling loads for the particular structure.
This screen allows the user to select a heat pump size for both the Greenspeed and standard heat pump, and compare the amount of hours the Greenspeed can satisfy the load without the need for auxiliary heat. When up‐sizing the Greenspeed unit per factory recommendations, it becomes clear that the Greenspeed system can delivers much more heating performance than a standard system, while not being over‐sized for cooling.
The user can then create a color print out of both graphs by clicking on the Create PDF button. This tool will aid the sales person by graphically showing the heating benefits of the Greenspeed system over a standard
heat pump in the customer’s particular weather zone. By showing how the Greenspeed system satisfies the heating load with less dependence on auxiliary heat, the sales person can more effectively build the efficiency and cost savings story for the Greenspeed heat pump.
http://www.tools.carrier.com/greenspeed/
Overview
The Greenspeed Heating Hours Calculator is a sales tool to help graphically show the heating benefits and cost savings potential of the Greenspeed Heat Pump system for different unit size selections. One page shows the heating and cooling bin hours of the selected location, the other screen shows the heating capacity, balance point, and operating hour differences between a standard heat pump and a Greenspeed heat pump.
Using the Greenspeed Heating Hours Calculator:
The user first selects the state, nearest city, and heating design temperature from drop‐down menus. This displays a graph of the bin hours for the selected city. The bin hour graph helps to show that there are typically more heating hours than cooling hours in most cities, and helps tell the story of the importance of heating efficiency compared to cooling efficiency.
The user then clicks on the Heating Capacities button above the bin hours graph and inputs the heating and cooling loads for the particular structure.
This screen allows the user to select a heat pump size for both the Greenspeed and standard heat pump, and compare the amount of hours the Greenspeed can satisfy the load without the need for auxiliary heat. When up‐sizing the Greenspeed unit per factory recommendations, it becomes clear that the Greenspeed system can delivers much more heating performance than a standard system, while not being over‐sized for cooling.
The user can then create a color print out of both graphs by clicking on the Create PDF button. This tool will aid the sales person by graphically showing the heating benefits of the Greenspeed system over a standard
heat pump in the customer’s particular weather zone. By showing how the Greenspeed system satisfies the heating load with less dependence on auxiliary heat, the sales person can more effectively build the efficiency and cost savings story for the Greenspeed heat pump.
http://www.tools.carrier.com/greenspeed/
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