Commercial Boilers: Essential Tips for a Long and Happy Life
Today, the National Boiler Codes specify that all commercial boilers must be checked by a licensed boiler contractor at least once each year. That’s a good start, but the truth is that as the market has pushed the need for higher efficiency equipment — such as condensing, fully-modulating systems — boilers and burners may require two or more maintenance checks each year. Here are some insights to help you on the commercial boiler maintenance call. ...
Benefits of Maintaining Solar Hot Water Heating Systems
A major benefit of purchasing a solar hot water heating system is that it's believed to be worry and maintenance free. That's a popular belief, but can we really "set it and forget it?" ...
Running Service – Step Twelve: Concluding the Service Call
The is the final installment of a year-long primer designed to teach you what to do when running service calls, and how to maximize each call in an honest and professional manner. Charlie says, "I'll tell you everything I do; from the moment the call is dispatched, to the greeting at the front door, to closing, down to what I do to prevent 'buyer’s remorse.'"...
Keep the Heat Flowing: A Furnace Tune-up Flowchart
It has been a hot summer for much of the country, but believe it or not, heating season is approaching. That means it's time for furnace tune-ups, to keep your customers' systems working their best throughout the coming colder months ...
Maintenance Agreement Magic
Wouldn't it be great to have supernatural powers over the natural forces that affect your business? I've often wished for a magic wand so I could change something about myself, my staff, my vendors, my competitors, my market, my customers or even the weather. What I wouldn’t give for that "magic pill" that would cause co-workers to accept necessary improvements when change is necessary. ...
ESCOs: Risks & Rewards
What exactly is an ESCO? The answer you’ll get depends on whom you ask. Even the name itself can stand for Energy Service Contractor or Energy Service Contract (ESCO). So, yes, an ESCO could provide a customer with an ESCO. Let’s just say that ESCOs represent a dynamic and constantly evolving business model. ...
NATE Certification: A Sign of Integrity
At HVAC Comfortech 2009, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) recognized five "Top Techs" from across the country. This month, Contracting Business is pleased to introduce you to Bob Millen, lead service technician, Adams Electric, Pratt, KS....
Running Service Step 10: Getting the Signature
Charlie Greer is in the midst of a year-long primer designed to teach you what to do when running service calls, and how to maximize each call in an honest and professional manner. "I'll tell you everything I do; from the moment the call is dispatched, to the greeting at the front door, to closing and handling objections, down to what I do to prevent 'buyer’s remorse,'" Charlie says. Here's installment number 10....
Rooftop Equipment Checklist
Improperly heated or cooled buildings can cause a host of problems, including a loss of employee productivity and computer malfunctions. Mechanical failure of commercial HVAC systems can result in thousands of dollars in damages. These incidents, and the majority of service calls can be prevented through proper maintenance. Typically, packaged units are located on building rooftops, making it difficult to see or hear small changes which indicate the need for a service call. (Out of sight out of mind.) Properly maintained equipment can also lower the overall annual operating/repair costs. The following maintenance procedures will keep your commercial HVAC equipment in proper operating condition....
Ice Machine Preventive Maintenance
Know the proper steps to performing a general PM check on a commercial ice machine....
Running Service Step Nine: Closing on Service Calls
Editor’s Note: Charlie Greer is in the midst of a year-long primer designed to teach you what to do when running service calls, and how to maximize each call in an honest and professional manner. Here is installment number 9....
Use Manufacturer’s Equipment Information
While equipment manufacturer’s installation instructions contain essential “how to” information, engineering data contains “how much” information. Let’s take a look at what essential information is contained in this paperwork and how it can make life easier if we take time to use these installation and testing tools....
A Service Toast to the Lowly Ice Machine
Ice machines can occasionally get less respect than they deserve when it comes to service. Granted, they're usually not the biggest or most expensive pieces of equipment in a building, but proper maintenance is important to prevent downtime, increase efficiency, and reduce your customer's cost of ownership. ...
Airside Vs. Refrigerant Performance Measurement
When it comes to performance measurement and air conditioning systems, most master technicians gravitate to one of two measurement techniques, the airside or the refrigerant side. ...
Hard Facts about Soft Skills
Technicians need to understand that they’re basically guests in customers’ homes, and act accordingly. You must respect the individuals’ property and time, be gracious and empathetic, always tell the truth, and never cut corners. ...
Renewed Service Focus Helps Brothers Air & Heat Prosper
After a rough fall of 2008 — during which time the company had to layoff 13 of its 70 employees, Brothers Air and Heat, Charlotte, NC, is expanding. To accommodate company growth, Brothers owners Roger and Donald Costner have broken ground on a 9,000 sq. ft. addition to its corporate office. ...
Running Service Step Seven: The Setup
Charlie Greer is in the midst of a year-long primer designed to teach you what to do when running service calls, and how to maximize each call in an honest and professional manner. Here is installment number 7....
Establish Value to Boost Service Agreement Sales
Your customers need to understand the value of service agreements. When they see how the plan and its benefits will save them time, money, and hassle, your number of service agreements will grow. ...
'Behind the Scenes' Service Essentials
Commercial HVAC service goes beyond the nuts and bolts of a mechanical repair. Your business structure has a direct impact on how you serve customers in the field....
Getting There for Less: Small Vehicles, Big Benefits
If you want to save big on your fleet bills, consider going small. For the past three years, we at Benson’s Heating & Air Conditioning have been taking a new approach with our service vehicle fleet. We’re getting away from heavy, utility-body vehicles and buying more light trucks and other vehicles with small, fuel-efficient engines....
Low Pricing: There’s No Virtue in Bankruptcy
Too many contractors set their service pricing by accident. For this reason one contractor out of five closes every year when the economy’s strong, let alone when it’s weak. Service pricing should be set at a level where you can pay your bills, pay yourself, pay your employees, provide training, invest in the growth of your company, and leave a little left over....
What Every Cunsumer Really Wants to Know
“Nothing happens ‘till somebody sells something.” That’s a common phrase that rings through sheet metal shops across the country, but in recent years our industry has learned that sales don’t happen until we have “taught the customer something.”...
Report Writing Essentials
It is becoming more clear that the old idea of installing high efficiency equipment and simply sealing up duct work does not deliver the energy efficiency we’ve been promising our customers. Effective contractors test and diagnose the live performance of the system and prescribe surgical repairs. These custom repairs enable the system to deliver the efficiency the equipment promises. Let’s take a look at what should be included in a good diagnostic report and repair recommendation....
SERVICE TIP
To maintain efficiency, regular preventative maintenance is required. A cleaning and maintenance label is usually included in a conspicuous place on the...
Meet the NATE Top Techs
At HVAC Comfortech 2009, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) recognized five Top Techs from across the country. ...
