Marketing & Selling Energy Services
The first article in this series explained why mechanical service contractors are the ideal service providers to offer energy savings to their customers....
SERVICE TIP
Q: I have a new HMI sight glass that is showing a wet condition, right out of the box. Can I use this in my system and will it give the proper moisture...
AirTight Mechanical Establishes Links with Danfoss, PDU Cables
AirTight Mechanical, Inc., a commercial HVAC contractor based in Charlotte, NC, has been granted partner status by Danfoss and PDU Cables. ...
Key Elements of an Energy Services Offering
This is the second article in a three-part series on energy services for commercial HVAC contractors. In the first article (See CB, Nov. 2009, p.38; or...
Shifting Utility Programs
The winds of change are finally beginning to blow in the world of government and utility energy savings programs. After over 30 years of the same old, same old, it appears that very soon more of our installations will require verification of performance by a third party. In the halls of state energy leadership groups the phrase “enough is enough” is echoing. We’re in for a change and we’re not yet sure what is on the horizon or how it may impact our businesses. ...
30 Things Every Technician Should Know – Part 2
1. Moonlighting is not only theft of customers, revenue, equipment and vehicle wear and tear, and the illegal use of the company’s license, it is a disservice to the customer. Sooner or later a moonlit job will go bad or an accident will occur, leaving the customer high and dry, unprotected by insurance or the financial resources of a company that can make the customer whole....
How To Measure Residential Hydronic Heating System Btu
If you’ve followed these articles over the years, you’ve read about measuring and calculating the performance of forced air heating and cooling systems. Due to many recent requests from Hotmail readers, it seems like this is the right time to discuss the other heat transfer fluid…water. Since winter is on its way, let’s take a look at how to measure the Btu delivery of a residential hot water heating system. ...
30 Things Every Technician Should Know, Part 1
1. Payroll is the starting cost of a technician to a company. Other direct costs include everything from payroll taxes, uniforms, trucks, vehicle insurance, and worker’s comp to benefits. When all is said and done, the non-payroll costs of employing a technician range from as little as 30% to as much as 100% of payroll....
Refrigeration Service Today
Nitrogen Purge Kit Performs Many Key Functions The Nitrogen Purge Kit from TurboTorch, St. Louis, MO, is described as the ideal kit for HVAC and refrigeration...
Refrigerant Leak Detection
All pressurized HVACR systems can eventually leak refrigerant. Therefore, it's the responsibility of the HVACR technician to monitor systems regularly...
Staying in Touch
Make this a very early New Year's resolution: to explore remote monitoring for use with HVACR systems. Quick and easy off-site access to system performance...
How to Catch Fall IAQ Opportunities
The fall season lacks the extreme temperatures that keep HVAC services in high demand. We’re required to focus on new ways to generate business. Let’s take a look at several points that we can use in our marketing and daily conversations with our customers to benefit both of us. ...
CO Puts Contractors in a Tight Spot
One of the biggest threats to the HVAC contractor is one that is seldom given the attention that it deserves -- carbon monoxide. Unlike other challenges faced by contractors and their technicians, inattention to possible CO problems can lead to illness and death for their customers and put contractors and technicians at risk. ...
When It’s Time to Replace a Duct
Less than 60% of U.S. HVAC contractors think that their customer’s comfort problems can be solved by simply changing equipment. When the new equipment is up and running, and the same comfort problem still lingers, it may be time to replace a duct or two. Let’s take a look at the steps involved in this simple maneuver....
Heat Pump Mysteries
I smelled fall in the air yesterday morning for the first time. The cold is on its way. Let’s take a few minutes and consider heat pump capacity and take a look at how heat pumps will act on those colder mornings this winter. Did you know in some parts of the country, there are days when a three-ton heat pump will deliver less than 12,000 BTU?...
Golden Opportunity
If you've been in the HVAC industry very long, you know that there have been many changes since the 1980s. And while success or failure has never been...
The Fall, 2009 Classes are Set for Charlie Greer's 4-Day Sales Survival Schools!
• Are you worried about the economic climate? • Are you or your employees having trouble getting your prospects to make a buying decision? • Do you want to have a higher average dollar amount per sale? • Do you want to sell more service agreements and high-end products? • Are you having difficulty overcoming the "price objection?" ...
Customer newsletters – Just how critical are they?
Here is the truth: After your service department, newsletters can become your the No. 1 source of sales leads. They will outstrip direct mail campaigns. They will annihilate yellow page advertising. They will beat radio advertising too. The ROI on newsletters can be absolutely outstanding. Not to mention their value as a brand building vehicle and an excellent mechanism for retaining your existing customers. But it’s also true that a lot of newsletters can’t, and never will, deliver business for contractors. ...
Staying Positive in a Negative World, part 12
46. Forgive Yourself. We all screw up from time to time. Unfortunately, we can’t go back in time and unscrew up. We can’t change the mistake. All you can do is learn from it. You should learn from your mistakes. As George Santayana said, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” ...
Verification Is Imminent
After over 30 years of government and utility HVAC energy savings programs, the winds of change are finally beginning to blow. In appears that very soon more of our installations will require verification of performance by a third party. In the halls of state energy leadership groups the phrase “enough is enough” is echoing. We’re in for a change, boys and girls and we’re not yet sure what’s on the horizon and how it may impact our businesses....
Questions About SEER
A question I hear often is how much more efficient is 18 SEER efficiency rated equipment compared to 14 SEER equipment? The answer shocks most contractors. Let’s take a look at efficiency beyond the SEER rating....
Trusted Sidekicks: Good Vendors are Easy to Find
BOSS Facility Services doesn't self-perform; we serve our clients by enlisting the help of numerous vendors across the country. It can be a challenge...
Leaping Tall Buildings
Be a commercial HVAC hero. Expand on your ability to manage multiple locations with super service on a moment's notice. Speed, communication, and resourcefulness will help you save the day....
Commercial Boiler Tuning for the 21st Century
What might your customers' expectations be of a commercial boiler servicing? With fuel cost on the rise again, it may be to improve or ensure the boiler's...
SERVICE TIP: Superheat Q&A
Q: What is superheat? Superheat refers to the number of degrees a vapor is above its saturation temperature (boiling point) at a particular pressure....
