February 1, 2009
Cover Story
Big Cats of Carolina
The National Football League's Carolina Panthers, based in Charlotte, NC, had a great 2008 season that ended much too soon. After clawing its way to a...
Features
2009 Commercial Refrigeration Contractor of the Year
Contracting Business is seeking nominations for its Third Annual Commercial Refrigeration Contractor of the Year award. The winner will be announced in...
Contractors Walk a Green Mile
In Part I of this series, we focused on some of the HVAC industry's leading manufacturers, and how they're contributing to the green movement. (See CB,...
WHY ACCA Manual S Means Superior Equipment Sizing
There are three good reasons why you should use Manual S from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA): (1) It's the nationally recognized standard;...
REFRIGERATION BASICS: Optimizing System Performance Using a TXV
The thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is a precision device designed to regulate the rate at which liquid refrigerant flows into the evaporator. This...
INSTALLATION TIP: Evaporator Pressure Regulating Valve
An evaporator pressure regulating (EPR) valve is installed in a suction line to maintain a set pressure in one or more evaporators. Mechanical EPRs are...
Service Clinic: Rediscovering the Art of Troubleshooting
With the advent of printed circuit boards and LED lights, the fine art of HVAC equipment troubleshooting is starting to go by the wayside. On many service...
Columns
The Giants Among Us
In December 2008, we began an editorial series entitled, Green Giants: Leaders in Environmental Stewardship. By way of background, this is a three-part...
Last Word: Don't Cut Too Close To The Bone
Whether perceived or real, this recession is real enough in the eyes of the consumer thanks to our 24/7 national news. It's my belief that things are...
Air-Conditioning Inspections
This year, instead of promoting "tune-ups," I suggest you promote "pre-season inspections" to all your existing non-service agreement customers. These are people you know have had trouble with their systems in the past, and with whom you've already established a positive relationship....
Earl King: Task-based Pricing or Price-based Tasking?
In our ever-changing industry some things never change. The economy softens; construction dries up; construction companies begin dabbling in service;...
FAQ: Comfort
Over the course of 2009, this space will identify opportunities within customers' homes that you may not have observed in the past. The opportunities...
News
NATE Launches www.HVACRAdvice.com; Site Will Help Consumers Find NATE-certified Technicians
North American Technician Excellence (NATE) launched its new consumer website hvacradvice.com at the AHR Expo in Chicago last month. The new site is part...
Jim Owens Dies After Decade-Long Fight Against Cancer
Jim Owens, 46, vice president of Owens Companies, Inc., Bloomington, MN, died at his home in Edina, MN on January 4, after a 10-year battle with brain...
Past ACCA Chairman, Hallmark Air Conditioning Founder Buck St. Cyr Dies at 79
Roland St. Cyr, founder of Hallmark Air Conditioning, Houston, TX and a past national chairman of Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) died...
RSES Adds Specialized Member Certification Designation
The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) has added a new classification of membership. The active specialized member (SM) designation allows...
Events
UMRA/RSES - Upper Midwest Regional Association of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society Annual Education Conference, Feb. 20-21, Winnipeg, Manitoba,...
This Month in CB History
1989: Wallace Lee, president, Lee Co., Nashville, TN, gave his views on how to successfully compete in the Design/Build market. You have to believe that...
Business Bits
AHRI Joins Green Building Consortium to Guide Department of Energy The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and nine HVAC and...
Products
Products/Showcase Awards
Daikin AC Introduces Quaternity Daikin AC (Americas) introduces the QuaternityTM described as North America's first inverter split system heat pump capable...
Smart Products - February 2009
Take your company to the next level with Contracting Business' Smart Products a section featuring the latest technical and business management tools from...
Refrigeration Service Today
Copevap Condensing Unit Offers Design Flexibility Emerson Climate Technologies has introduced its new Copeland Narrow Copevap condensing unit for high-,...
Tech Update: A Time for Cooling
Amana Amana brand 18 SEER heating and cooling systems feature high energy efficiencies, low operating sound levels, and strong warranties. Backed by a...
