Over the years, I’ve had many discussions with engineers about the accuracy of technicians who do HVAC system field testing. It is clear this subject is on the minds of many industry leaders. In fact, as many groups look to the future, decisions are being made based on their opinions that field personnel can test …
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The quest for greater energy efficiency has been promoted by the government using utility company programs for more than a quarter of a century. This movement has made consumers aware that higher efficiency equipment is the right thing to use. Manufacturers have responded with higher efficiency equipment and contractors have consistently been able to increase …
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Economizers are  in the spotlight as a prime opportunity for energy savings in the commercial HVAC marketplace. It’s said, with little argument from those in the field, that nearly 80% of air-side economizers are non-functional. So if that’s true, opportunity is calling any mechanical contractor willing to step up and take this bull by the …
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Consider this: The “Operating System” (programs like Microsoft’s Windows) is the most powerful program in your computer. Without a powerful operating system, your device is just a collection of parts that do nothing but sit there. The first business computer on my desk was an Epson QX-10 that featured the “CP/M” operating system. It was …
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How do I know what my team is really doing when most of the time they’re not under my direct supervision? What can I do to make sure my team delivers on my expectations consistently? These are two very common questions we regularly hear from our business coaching clients. So when things don’t go well …
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With the end of the heating season there’s a tendency to forget the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). As you transition to the cooling season, be sure to keep your awareness for CO high even though it’s likely to be the last thing on your mind. Let’s look at five summer CO issues you should …
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Measure TESP in HVAC Two-Piece Air Handlers

What makes modular or two-piece different from their single-piece cousins when it comes to measuring total external static pressure (TESP)? In this article we’ll examine the differences and discuss how to measure TESP correctly. “As-Shipped” The “As-Shipped” idea is helpful when measuring the TESP of two-piece air handlers. So, what do you find when you …
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Visual Clues to HVAC Comfort Defects

Many homeowners across the U.S. live in uncomfortable conditions. Sadly, most are convinced it’s normal. As an HVAC contractor, there are some common steps you can take to deal with their discomfort, and make conditions much more bearable. If you know what to look for, you can easily see the signs. Let’s look at the …
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When it comes to ethics, I love to tell this story. I once called a plumbing service company to investigate a leak in our shower above the kitchen. They quoted me $195.00 for the work. Two hours later I had five holes in my kitchen ceiling, a messy bathroom, and no conclusive source of the …
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Changes are coming. If our President-Elect remains true to his campaign promises, bolstered by a business-friendly congress, we could see a very positive environment in 2017 for small businesses — i.e.  HVAC contractors. Of course, we should take campaign promises with a grain of salt, as we know politicians will usually say anything to win …
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