HVAC News, October 2019

Johnson Controls’ recently expanded Rooftop Center of Excellence in Norman, Okla., reflects the company’s optimism about the future and growing prominence of RTUs. “Investing in the future of rooftop unit innovation in design and manufacturing is an investment in our customers,” said Steve Maddox, Vice President of Engineering, Commercial Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls.  Includes two-story testing lab The Rooftop Center of Excellence includes a two-story, 52-foo...

There is a huge skills gap in the HVAC trade, reflected by hundreds of thousands of unfilled trade jobs in the United States. With Baby Boomers retiring every day, skilled jobs such as HVAC technicians face a shortage of qualified applicants. Many HVAC companies are asking themselves: “In the face of a growing skills gap, how does my field service company grow?” One answer is in technology that makes existing field technicians more productive and provides needed expertise to every j...

ARBS 2020, Australia’s only HVAC+R and building services exhibition, is surpassing all previous size records in Melbourne and is on track to equal exhibitor attendance for Sydney in 2018. Due to the massive response from exhibitors the allocated exhibition floor area, has been extended with a new acquisition of 1500m2 of extra space, seeing the exhibition floor space tally a whopping 18,000m2, a new record for Melbourne. This unprecedented demand for space has come from many long-term exh...

The organization of MCE – Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, the biennial exhibition dedicated to residential and industrial installations, HVAC&R and renewable energy scheduled for 17 - 20 March 2020 at Fiera Milano, is now moving into top gear. MCE 2020 is continuing on an upward trend for growth both from Italy and abroad compared to the same period of the previous edition. Innovation, combined heat and power integration, and technology are the cornerstones of an evolution HVAC&R ind...

The one-day summit runs on 26th November 2019 and brings together HVAC R industry leaders from across the region to discover the latest technologies, develop innovative strategies, and network with like-minded peers. HVAC R Expo, the Middle East’s pioneer platform for connecting the HVAC R industry, returns to Dubai World Trade Centre for a second edition from 25th – 28th November 2019 featuring the all new HVAC R Pioneers’ Summit. Reflecting Growth Opportunities 90% remains...

The 2020 AHR Expo announced its full schedule of sessions for the 2020 Education Program, including more than 200 free seminars, new product and technology presentations, professional certifications and continuing education courses. Each year, the Education Program discusses some of HVACR’s biggest opportunities and challenges through a series of comprehensive, informative and industry-focused sessions hosted by leaders from every sector of the industry. This year, the AHR Expo will add a...

The term of Amit Ahuja, 2019-2020 president of Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc., is underway, following the organization’s 2019 Annual Meeting October 2-6 in Maui, Hawaii. AMCA truly is a global association, Ahuja, who is managing director of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates-based Maico Gulf LLC, said, adding that the focus of his presidency will be achieving greater cooperation and cohesiveness among the regions AMCA represents. Advising Global Governme...

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is holding two back-to-back fall meetings, bringing together hundreds of contracting professionals for industry-lead educational programs and networking events from November 5-8 at the Crown Plaza in Dayton, Ohio. ACCA Next Level (November 5-6) addresses the challenges and opportunities facing emerging talent in the contracting industry. ACCA’s popular Service Managers Forum (November 7-8) features educational programs that help contracto...

If the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is ratified in the United States, the HVAC industry could benefit for years to come. Overall, the amendment could provide an additional 33,000 jobs and $12.5 billion in annual economic output. Those numbers are from a study by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy. It’s one quantifiable estimate of the economic impact of the Kigali Amendment, which promises to...

Words have meaning, and understanding the specific meaning of key words promotes more effective communication in an industry such as HVAC or refrigeration. What, exactly, is refrigeration? What is a cold chain? basic terminology used in HVAC&R industry ASHRAE and the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) have been working to establish new definitions for five keywords in the refrigeration field. In addition to refrigeration and cold chain, the organizations have also agreed on de...

A key deadline for phasing out hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) from residential air conditioning systems is less than a year away. Jan. 1, 2020, is the deadline after which there will be no U.S. production or import of HCFC-142b and HCFC-22 (also called R-22). The deadline is part of an incremental phazeout of HCFC consumption and production based on the U.S. commitment in the 1997 Montreal Protocol aimed at protecting stratospheric ozone. Section 605 of the Clean Air Act establishes phazeout...

There is an enormous labor shortage in the skilled trades, and women have stepped up to assume many positions beyond office work alone. Throughout the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) industry, women are proving to be excellent technicians, service managers, sales people, marketers and more. Networking, mentoring, and education The increasing role of women in the HVACR industry is reflected in the rapid growth of Women in HVACR, a non-profit organization dedicat...

A growing group of HVAC contractors have been discovering the advantages of Advanced RTU (Rooftop Unit) Controls, especially as they relate to energy savings. These controls can be installed and programmed by a contractor’s own technicians (without the need for a temperature controls subcontractor). Advanced RTU Controls are a new selling opportunity for commercial customers with rooftop units, says Matt Huffman, Senior Program Manager for Resource Innovations. And customers that have inst...

Advanced, connected technologies will drive the evolution of smart buildings and improve operation of various systems including HVAC. Johnson Controls’ 2018 Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) survey examines the current and planned investments and key drivers to improve energy efficiency and building systems integration in facilities. Systems integration was identified in the survey as one of the top technologies expected to have the biggest impact on the implementation in smart buildings...

The commercial trucking industry faces a shortage of drivers that could impact the ability of the HVACR market to move its products through the interstate supply chain. To help fill the need, a bill introduced in Congress would allow commercial drivers who are under 21 to travel across state lines. Safety-Training Standards The DRIVE-Safe Act, sponsored by Congressman Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) and Senator Toddy Young (R-IN), would offer high school graduates training for interstate commercial...

The primary goal of HVAC systems is to ensure the comfort of people in a building, but often “comfort” isn’t at the center of conversations with customers. HVAC solutions provider Emerson advocates more emphasis on comfort in the HVAC marketplace. Discomfort due to access heating or cooling 70% survey respondents say their performance at school or work has been affected by heating or cooling discomfort A consumer survey by Emerson shows that issues such as humidity, zoning,...

Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International Inc. presents its Distinguished Service Award to three individuals—Rad Ganesh, PhD, PE, director, product applications, Twin City Fan Companies Ltd., Tim Mathson, principal engineer, AMCA, and Bob Valbracht, PE, vice president of engineering, Loren Cook Co. —during its 2019 Annual Meeting Oct. 5 in Maui, Hawaii. Fan-System Regulatory Compliance Rad Ganesh, PhD, PE, has over 32 years of experience in the air-movement industry...

ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) has released its schedule of instructor-led training in Europe, including its HVAC Design Level I and Level II courses. "The greatest challenge facing engineering firms and building owners is maintaining a workforce that understands the fundamentals of HVAC design and that is current with the application of new technologies,” said Stephen Comstock, ASHRAE’s manager of business development EMEA. practical design knowledge ASHRAE’s HVAC design co...

One of the first sign-ups for HVAC & Refrigeration LIVE 2020 is Pole Star Products. A main supplier of electric motors, fans and blowers to the heating, ventilating, refrigeration, air conditioning and vending machine markets, 2020 marks the company’s third outing with the show. Managing director Tony Cowood said: ”We will be exhibiting at the HVACR show for a third time – in the previous years we’ve had great feedback from existing customers and feel the face-to-fac...

Next year sees the launch of the UK’s only commercial and industrial event for the HVACR industry in the form of HVAC & Refrigeration LIVE, taking place from 20-22 April 2020. An unprecedented worldwide challenge which scientists have deemed “the biggest global health threat of the 21st century”, climate change is without doubt the most pressing issue of the time – and this sector has the power to turn things around. Providing A Platform For New Innovations Therefo...

Frank R. Cuaderno of Mars Air Systems was re-elected and Armin Hauer, Dipl.-Ing., of ebm-papst Inc. and Edmond Rizk, PE, of Ontario Specialty Architectural (OSA) Products were elected to the board of directors of Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA) International during the organization’s 2019 Annual Meeting in Maui, Hawaii. Cuaderno, who is vice president of engineering for Gardena, Calif.-based Mars Air Systems, maker of air curtains, has nearly 25 years of industry experience. H...

Larson Electronics, a Texas-based company with over 40 years of experience spearheading the industrial lighting and equipment sectors, announces the release of an explosion proof portable ventilation exhaust fan for improving air flow in combustible, confined and hazardous spaces. This exhaust-only fan is waterproof and compatible with 120V AC. This unit features non-sparking, non-metallic blades that actively prevent sparks from occurring. The EPF-VFP-12-120V-NFK-15C-16.3-EPP explosion proof v...

Worcester Bosch is delighted to announce that it has become the first boiler brand to have been awarded the Which? Best Buy endorsement ten times since 2009, enhancing its reputation for reliability and satisfaction following exceptional feedback from both homeowners and engineers once again. Scores based on engineer recommendation, ease of servicing, fixing a common fault, availability of parts and spares and build quality have seen Worcester Bosch perform exceptionally to achieve Which? Best...

ASHRAE has expanded its regionally customized training in the Middle East and North Africa. Organized from ASHRAE’s Global Training Center in Dubai, nine courses have been scheduled in four cities for the remainder of 2019. “The fast growing and challenging climates in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, require continuous high-quality training,” said Ayah Said, Manager of ASHRAE’s Global Training Center. “The regularly scheduled courses provided by the Global...

ASHRAE has announced the recipients of 33 Society scholarships, totaling $166,000, for the 2019-2020 academic year. “We are proud of the hard work and incredible determination of our 2019-20 scholarship recipients as they strive to achieve their academic goals,” said Samir Traboulsi, chair of the ASHRAE scholarship trustees." “One of the objectives of the ASHRAE Scholarship Program is to inspire the next generation of engineering professionals to work towards solving some of t...

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America has announced new workforce development resources to help ACCA members recruit, educate, and retain industry professionals and fill the employment gap impacting heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) contractors. Pledge to America’s Workers ACCA’s updated resources coincide with the one-year anniversary of the Pledge to America’s Workers. On July 25, 2019, President Trump invited ACCA to participate in the...

The 2019 ASHRAE Student Design Competition and Applied Engineering Challenge winners have been announced. The competition recognizes outstanding student design projects, encourages undergraduate students to apply their knowledge of practical design of energy-efficient HVAC systems and promote teamwork. Forty two teams competed and 26 were judged at Society level. This year’s Design Competition focused on a new small hospital in Budapest, Hungary. The project involved building a new four-s...

Chillventa, the international exhibition for refrigeration technology, will show the flag with the “Chillventa Pavilion” at Climate World in Moscow between 10 and 13 March 2020. In doing so it will meet the wishes of many exhibiting companies to become active in Russia once again. NürnbergMesse offers an attractive full package with minimum outlay for companies of all sizes that wish to exhibit. Even smaller firms can draw plenty of attention in this way. Survey results show th...

ASHRAE Learning Institute (ALI) has opened registration for its 2019 Fall Online Instructor-led Course Series. Courses will begin September 10 and conclude on November 13, with 12 three-hour courses and new one-hour courses scheduled. “ASHRAE Learning Institute fall online courses provide professional development through in-depth information that is timely, practical and targeted,” said Darryl K. Boyce, 2019-20 ASHRAE President. “These courses provide engineers in consulting p...

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) announces that pioneering home improvement financing company, Dividend Finance of San Francisco, California has joined ACCA’s corporate sponsor program. ACCA’s corporate sponsor program enables HVACR industry suppliers and manufacturers to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to ACCA members and the contracting industry through year-round support of the association's activities. The corporate membership program also provides manu...