October 1, 2011
Cover Story
2011 Design/Build Awards Intro
Innovation and commitment to quality were two ways commercial HVAC contractors earned new business in 2011. Each of our 2011 Contracting Business.com Design/Build award winners is an example of what can be done when you focus on the work at hand, rather than fret about the work you didn’t win, and when you employ the latest technology to the customers’ advantage. ...
New Era for a Health Care Landmark
Design/Build Award winner Southland Industries provides Design/Build mechanical, plumbing and medical gas services for Walter Reed National Military Medical Center...
Green Giant of Efficiency
Sota Construction Services’ corporate offices, located in Ross Township, PA, is a newly constructed 7,500 sq. ft. office building that exemplifies the most sustainable, state-of-the-art building technologies available....
Design Build Saves the Day
An unexpected fire caused construction to start early. The Lee Company jumped to action, made the necessary changes and had the facility up and running the next day, with no disruptions to daily activities at Alliance Health Center throughout the entire project....
Taking Efficiency To School
A high school HVAC system wasn't making the grade. CCG Energy Solutions stepped in and dramatically improved the efficiency of the system, as well as the comfort of the students and teachers....
Articles
Troubleshooting Heat Pumps
One of the keys to successful troubleshooting of a heat pump is having a firm grasp of the basics of heat pump operation and its controls. Know what to expect next in the sequence of operations. Heat pumps have some controls that’re unique such as reversing valves and defrost controls to name a couple. Take time to become familiar with these differences and how they operate and vary between manufacturers....
Warming Up to Portable/Spot Heating
Localized heating applications can be found in many customer settings, from retail sites to industrial spaces....
Installation Tip
Q: What is the purpose of the CPR?...
Build Your Radiant, Geothermal Capabilities
Radiant heating and cooling provided by geothermal systems are exceptionally efficient, and customers who invest in geothermal systems deserve to derive the maximum efficiency from them. This means ensuring that their systems’ geothermal loops are properly balanced and maintained....
Columns
Climate Change Revisited, Again
There's no doubt about it: over the past 30 years, a lot has been written about climate change. As a result, laws have been created, movements started, protests initiated — all with the idea of saving our planet from the detritus of commerce and prosperity. ...
How to Recruit a Great Appointment Seller
The best contractors are the best recruiters. Since recruiting is such an essential component of running a successful service company, you should learn all you can about recruiting. ...
Strategic and Business Planning: Close, But No Cigar
Without knowing why the company exists or what the ownership model is, determining goals is next to impossible. ...
Sales Training for Success
Involuntary terminations of service sales personnel are far too common and far too expensive. A failing salesperson usually (and unfortunately) hangs around for close to a year before the relationship is severed. The employer not only loses the salary paid, but also employment taxes, car allowances, administrative costs, training costs, and other incidentals....
Comfort FAQ
Q: How can I do a better job of supporting and guiding my customers’ buying decisions?...
Implementation: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Let's first take a look at some of the traits of unsuccessful implementers, then the successful ones....
News
Danfoss Participates in New York City Energy Briefing
Danfoss, in conjunction with the Alliance to Save Energy, co-sponsored a briefing and reception in New York City: "Energy Efficiency: The Path to NYC's Residential Transformation." ...
WaterFurnace Achieves ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation
WaterFurnace Renewable Energy announces that the WaterFurnace Engineering Laboratory has received ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation... ...
Rinnai Curriculum Wins NATE Recognition
NATE now offers credit for Rinnai's Level 2 and Level 3 installation and service training materials for tankless water heater, hydronic furnace, condensing boiler and direct vent wall furnace products....
MovinCool Posts Videos on CM25
“Hidden Secret” videos feature the CM25 ceiling-mount air conditioner....
Trane Vice President Participates in Michigan EnergyConference
Jason Bingham, vice president of central territory for Trane North America, recently served on a panel discussing the opportunities for achieving energy efficiency in the U.S. The event was held at the inaugural University of Michigan Energy Conference on Sept. 23, 2011. ...
AHRI Transitions Certified Logo
As of January 1, 2012, all certification programs formerly under AHRI’s certification umbrella will be brought under one certification program and logo – AHRI Certified®. Until January 1, 2014, the I=B=R mark can be displayed simultaneously with the AHRI Certfied mark....
NATE Elects New Officers and Members to Board of Trustees
Don Frendberg, Chairman of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), is NATE's new chairman of the board. Mitchell Cropp, 2008 Contracting Business.com Residential Contractor of the Year, is a new vice chairman. ...
Refrigeration Briefs
Six additional educational sessions highlight the educational program during the 74th RSES Annual Conference and HVACR Technology Expo that will be held in conjunction with the 22nd RSES Annual Mid-Southeast Regional Association Educational Conference on Nov. 2-5, 2011 at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Va. ...
