Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Energy management using chill water

RESIDENTIAL CHILL WATER AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS ARE VERY ENERGY EFFICIENT:
A chilled-water applied system uses chilled water to transport heat energy between the air side, chillers and the outdoors. These systems are more commonly found in large HVAC installations, given their efficiency advantages.
The components of the chiller (evaporator, compressor, an air- or water-cooled condenser, and expansion device) are often manufactured, assembled, and tested as a complete package within the factory. These packaged systems can reduce field labor, speed installation and improve reliability.
Alternatively, the components of the refrigeration loop may be selected separately. While chilled water systems are rarely installed as separate components, some air cooled chillers offer the flexibility of separating the components for installation in different locations. This allows the system design engineer to position the components where they best serve the space, acoustic, and maintenance requirements of the building owner.
Another benefit of a chilled-water applied system is refrigerant containment. Having the refrigeration equipment installed in a central location minimizes the potential for refrigerant leaks, simplifies refrigerant handling practices, and typically makes it easier to contain a leak if one does occur.
Factors affecting the decision to select Direct Expansion V Chilled Water Applied systems include:
  1. Installed Cost
  2. Energy consumption
  3. Space requirements
  4. Freeze prevention
  5. Precision
  6. Building height, size, shape
  7. System cooling and heating capacity
  8. Centralized maintenance
  9. Stability of control
  10. Individual tenant billing
Williams Air Technologies LLC offers a comprehensive design and energy analysis to help you consider all factors in selecting the correct type of system for your project.
Visit our website at www.williamsairtechnologies.com.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Dont employ unlicense home repair contractors

Nothing good can come from employing an unlicence contractor.
Posted on 2013-01-25 08:31:21

Unlicensed Air Conditioning Cease and Desist Orders Issued in Third Quarter 2012 in Houston Area AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Enforcement Division carries out “stings” across the state to catch unlicensed businesses offering to perform air conditioning services. It is against the law to perform air conditioning (A/C) service or maintenance without a license.
The following individuals were caught in TDLR “stings” during the third quarter of 2012.

  • One Call Home Handyman (Kyle Pentecost) - Houston
  • Line of Refrigeration (Marcelino Martinez) - Houston
  • A/C WingMan (David L.  Burt) - Houston
  • Jose Millan - Houston
  • Tim’s Air Conditioning and Handyman Service (Timothy O.  Sims) - Houston
  • Allkraft Contracting (George Gardner) - Missouri City
  • Matthew Kingrea - West Columbia   
Business owners need to understand that employing unlicense contractors to perform paid work ids a very bad idea. These contractors are unlicense for serious reasons amoung these would be. No insurance, no proof of technical ability. no back ground check and no manufacturers or other warranty. In teh event of major damage involving fire, accidents and death insurance companies will not cover defects.

Go to the link below and check companies and contractors.  
Visit the TDLR web site to view licensed air conditioning contractors in your area. You may also search for past violations in which a final order was issued against companies/contractors: www.license.state.tx.us.

Jules Williams
Consumer Affairs publicist
www.williamsairtechnologies.com

The woes about Home Warranty Coverage.

For the past ten years, home warranty service companies have been the No. 1 "worst graded" category by various customer rating agencies. In 2010, 54 percent of the reviews on these types of businesses received a F grade. Members misunderstanding or disagreeing with what their warranties cover and the quality of repair work are cited in the majority of complaints. Remember most of these companies have seen the homes or equipment they are covering, yet their culture is to pay for the least repair cost.
Understand the fine print
In order to minimize misunderstandings, experts stress the importance of reviewing and understanding a service contract before purchasing a home warranty. I continue to call on political representatives to outlaw small prints in contracts. No one can argur that the most important details in a contract today are hidden in fine prints. My feeling is only small prints lead to exposing a majority of consumers to deception by corporate America.
"Like anything else, make sure you shop around," says Tim Meenan, executive director of the Service Contract Industry Council, a national trade association that supports home warranties and advocates the regulation of the industry. "Read what's covered and the exclusions. If you read those two sections, you'll have a good idea if it's a policy you want to buy." Well Tim why dont you give customers something to read. The majority of customers using home warranty are average workers, struggling through multiple jobs to feed their families.
A home warranty service contract isn't an insurance policy that protects you from loss, but is meant instead to provide service, repair or replacement on a home's appliances and major systems, such as heating and electric. Typically, contracts are good for one year. "It is supposed to give people peace of mind  "Lots of folks can finance a service contract but cannot finance a new $4,000 HVAC unit."
The average cost of a basic coverage plan ranges from $350 to $500 a year, with the cost of an enhanced plan adding $100 to $300. Prices reflect not only coverage, but also a company's loss history, which is determined by how often an item breaks down and the cost to repair it. Some home warranty companies offer additional coverage for certain items, such as a well pump or pool, for an extra fee. Regardless of the type of plan, homeowners typically pay an additional service fee ranging from $50 to $75 for each repair job. This fee is charged for every service trip 30 days apart.

 It has been alleged that  NHSCA asked its members to refrain from participating in the story, but Arthur Chartrand, counsel for the NHSCA, repudiated that assertion, writing in an e-mail, "Our communique to all NHSCA members ... actually suggests that members reply, but stated, 'All members are free to make their own judgment call in regard to your inquiries.'"
Differing opinions
Twenty-four percent of Angie's List members responding to a recent online poll say they have a home warranty - and many echoed Shelton's sentiments, arguing they're a waste of money. Member Patrick McGranahan of Winters, Calif., says even though his new home purchase came with a warranty from American Home Shield, he found the policy to be underrated.
"I did the math, and I figure you're paying all this money for the warranty and then you pay $50 to $75 for every service call - it really doesn't add up," he says. "Plus, the people they sent to do the work were late and unprofessional. I got real put off."
Nearly two-thirds of members who took our poll say their home warranty came with the purchase of a house. "It's something I recommend on every transaction," says highly rated real estate agent Beth Smith Shuey of Keller Williams Realty in Charlotte, N.C. "But I warn my clients that not everything is going to be covered." Nonetheless, Smith Shuey says 95 percent of her clients who buy a home close on the deal with a warranty included. What most home owners are not told is that Most of the equipment in the home are covered by warranty of some type. HVAC systems are covered with manufacturers warranty ranging from 5 to 20 years and recently major components have life time warranty. Most home owners paying $5 to $15,000 for air-conditioning installation should not be paying for air-conditioning service for at least 5 years conclusing a new installation. Most contractore provide 1 year labor. Warranty for the best part comes from the manufacturer of equipment and is transfereable. Real estate companies who truly care for after sale service should provide information of benifit to their clients to include very attractive manufacturer and after sale warranties available from many license contractors.
The real estate connection
While home warranty companies often market their services to realty companies, neither individual agents nor brokers are permitted to receive referral fees for promoting one warranty company over the other. "In the past, warranty companies would offer real estate agents a fee from $40 to $75 that was typically paid after closing for each contract written," says highly rated Realtor Jason Bowman of RE/MAX International Inc., in Mason, Ohio.
In June 2010, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a ruling that home warranty companies could not pay real estate professionals for referrals. "I actually feel this is a great thing for our industry and consumers alike because Realtors can offer their customers better advice on warranty program decisions when the financial motive is out of the picture," Bowman says.
Like many Realtors, he relies on his past experiences when suggesting a home warranty company. "If there's a customer service issue relating to a particular warranty company, I won't offer their service," Bowman says. "On the other hand, I'll report positive feedback from past clients to new buyers."
Even with the new rule in place, some agents don't endorse them. "I think home warranty contracts are a good concept, but mislead buyers into thinking that they offer a guarantee on the house," says highly rated Realtor Jen Geisinger of Maple Grove, Minn. "I also think the fine print can be prohibitive to the needs of many situations that buyers are likely to encounter."
Warranty companies speak out
Not every warranty company offers coverage to homeowners nationwide, but the industry is regulated in all 50 states under consumer protection laws. Also, they're required to be licensed or registered by the department of insurance in 32 states, according to the SCIC. North Carolina regulates service contracts under the Attorney General, while Texas regulates them through the state's Real Estate Commission.
Gwen Gallagher, president of Old Republic Home Protection, says her company strives to provide comprehensive coverage, but inevitably some claims will be turned down and could result in unhappy customers. The most common reasons they deny service is because the item, such as a broken window, wasn't covered under contract, or the service, such as replacing missing parts or components, was excluded..
Home warranty companies pay the lowest cost to contractors for their services. For these contractors to break even they have to look for additional defects not covered by the warranty company. The covered items themselves are subject to the judgment of the Warranty Company representatives who is responsible for authorising the cost for the repair. These companies take a long time to pay contractors and attempt to pay in the minimum amounts possible.

Home owners can save time and money by dealing with license contractors with good reviews. Most airconditioning equipment are covered by 5 years labor and 5 years parts warranty. There are manufacturers warranty 10 years parts and labor. Amana offers 10 years standard components and life time major component warranty. Working with a service contract from a licence contractor, customers can be expected to pay about $250.. yearly for two service visits and no cost labor. Many contractors provide services that reduce operating costs and save customers money. With a maintenance contract you pay no deductible and covered repair is not considered.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Building Certification matters

Customers should use building Certified professionals when retrofits and upgrades are being considered.

More than 20 years ago a group of building tradesmen and weatherization program professionals had a vision for independent, third party verification of worker skills in the weatherization industry. The Building Performance Institute was born from this vision, and, together with scores of pioneering true believers volunteering hundreds of hours of their time, BPI has developed the standards and credentials that set the bar for quality in home performance contracting.

In 1993 BPI was founded to create the industry's first ever Building Performance Field Manual, as a project under New York's NYSTAR program. Within two years BPI had established a "test house" in Glen Falls, New York, to test candidates' skills and training in a real life setting. In 1996 BPI officially incorporated and issued its first certifications for Weatherization Assistance Program auditors and installation personnel. Ever since, BPI has played a pivotal role in the advancement of the weatherization and home performance industry, setting the standards not only for the diagnosis and installation of energy efficiency measures, but for the health and safety protocols critical to house-as-a-system retrofit work.

BPI's 20th anniversary this year is an extraordinary milestone. Today, BPI certified professionals hold over 42,000 active certifications working in all 50 states, U.S. territories and seven foreign countries. Nearly 600 BPI accredited contracting companies perform work according to BPI's third party Quality Assurance Program. And more than 150 energy efficiency programs nationwide specify BPI credentials to ensure quality.

These achievements are possible due to the heroic efforts of so many impassioned contractors, trainers, program managers and others, whose dedication and perseverance has made it possible to accomplish what could only have been described as a dream in the early 90s.

I am certified as a Building Alalyst with BPI and this certification has enhanced my career.

www.williamsairtechnologies.com

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

2012 / 2013 tax credit extended

Consumer Tax Credit Extended
 We know home performance can be a tough sell. But thanks to Congress' last-minute deal to avert the "fiscal cliff," a $500 tax credit for your customers will make it just a bit easier for you to make your own deal. Take a moment to educate your customers on the importance of these upgrades, and the limited time in which they have to redeem the tax credit. This is an opportunity for you to grow your relationship with your customers, and for your customers to save money on improvements that will make their homes safer and more comfortable places to live. 

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 passed by Congress on January 3, 2013, provides extensions of energy tax credit provisions that benefit homeowners seeking energy-efficiency improvements. Under section 25C, homeowners can claim a $500 maximum tax credit to cover material costs of energy-efficient upgrades to existing homes for all taxable years. The credit is only redeemable if the upgrades are in place by the end of 2013. 

If a taxpayer has claimed $500 or more of this tax credit in any year prior to 2013, they may not claim any additional credit. For those that remain eligible, the tax credit can be applied to any of the following upgrades:
Insulation - Additional insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC (& supplements) specifications.
Windows - 10% of material cost, up to $200 for replacement windows and skylights, and exterior doors that meet EnergyStar requirements.
Windows must be equal to or below a 0.30 U factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30. Storm windows that meet the IECC in combination with their paired external window are eligible (taking into account the applicable climate zone). Storm doors paired with U-factor rated wood doors are eligible provided they do not exceed the default U-factor requirement for the combination. See the 2009 IECC for details.
Window Films -The product must meet the requirements of a "qualifying insulation system" and be manufacturer certified.
Home Sealing - Sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce infiltration and heat loss in a manner consistent with the 2009 IECC.
Electric Heat Pump - Must yield an energy factor of at least 2.0 in the standard Department of Energy test procedure,
Natural Gas & Propane Furnaces - Credit of up to $150 for furnaces that meet an Annual Fuel Use Efficiency (AFUE) 95 or higher. Oil furnaces and gas, oil and propane boilers must meet an AFUE of 90 or better.
Central air Conditioning Units and Air-Source Heat Pumps - Credit of up to $300 for units that meet the highest tier standards set by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) as of February 17, 2009, which in most cases requires a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 16.
Natural Gas, Propane, or Oil Water Heaters - Must have an energy factor of at least 0.82 or thermal efficiency of at least 90 percent.
Biomass Fuel Property - A stove that burns biomass fuel to heat a dwelling unit located in the United States and used as a principal residence by the taxpayer; or to heat water for said dwelling unit, and must have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75 percent.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Chill water verses Conventional DX air-conditioning.


Chill water Cooling verses Direct Expansion (conventional AC)
1/4/2013
A chilled-water applied system uses chilled water to transport heat energy between the air side, chillers and the outdoors. These systems are more commonly found in large HVAC installations, given their efficiency advantages.
The components of the chiller (evaporator, compressor, an air- or water-cooled condenser, and expansion device) are often manufactured, assembled, and tested as a complete package within the factory. These packaged systems can reduce field labor, speed installation and improve reliability.
Alternatively, the components of the refrigeration loop may be selected separately. While chilled water systems are rarely installed as separate components, some air cooled chillers offer the flexibility of separating the components for installation in different locations. This allows the system design engineer to position the components where they best serve the space, acoustic, and maintenance requirements of the building owner.
Another benefit of a chilled-water applied system is refrigerant containment. Having the refrigeration equipment installed in a central location minimizes the potential for refrigerant leaks, simplifies refrigerant handling practices, and typically makes it easier to contain a leak if one does occur.
Factors affecting the decision to select Direct Expansion V Chilled Water Applied systems include:
  1. Installed Cost
  2. Energy consumption
  3. Space requirements
  4. Freeze prevention
  5. Precision
  6. Building height, size, shape
  7. System cooling and heating capacity
  8. Centralized maintenance
  9. Stability of control
  10. Individual tenant billing
Williams Air Technologies LLC offers a comprehensive design and energy analysis to help you consider all factors in selecting the correct type of system for your project.
Visit our website at www.williamsairtechnologies.com.