Customers have lots to loose when they employ unlicensed HVAC contractors.

HOME OWNERS HAVE ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME FOR PROBLEMS ARISING AS A RESULT OF THEY EMPLOYING UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS TO DO HVAC REPAIRS.

Home owners should not employ unlicensed HVAC contractors to undertake paid HVAC work at their homes and businesses. Besides being a safety issued unlicensed contractors do not carry insurance and cannot honor warranties. Their work may be cheaper because they carry no responsibilities. Insurance companies will not cover defects or home incidents that resulted after work was undertaken by unlicensed contractors. It is not worth the risk to personal life, life of animals and property to have unlicensed contractors undertake HVAC work. Also unlicensed contractors are usually unstable and are unable to be reached to undertake repairs.

The Texas 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 first quarter of 2012:
Costco Wholesale Corporation                                                                                                       Houston
Anthony Pena                                                                                                                                     Houston Austin’s Affordable A/C & Heating (Marc T. Wyatt)                                                                       
 Houston
Precision Air Conditioning & Heating Services (Juan Gonzalez)                                                Houston Fernando A/C Refrigeration (Gerzoon F. Calderon)  
 Houston
Long’s A/C & Heating Service (Thomas V. Long)                                                                           Houston
Donnie Norris                                                                                                                                       Houston
Phillips Mechanical (Russell Phillips)                                                                                             Houston
Santos Air Conditioning & Heating (Santos Clemente Paiz)                                                         Houston
TanGar Enterprises (Garnett D. Dubose)                                                                                        Houston
Men on a Mission (Delmer W. Hunter)                                                                                               Houston
Renaissance Building and Design (Brian Thomas Tow)                                                              Houston

EPAn EPA certification is needed for certain home painting jobs.

EPA LAUNCHES NEW LEAD CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT

By Peter Landau, Editor, Indoor Comfort News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that renovation, repair and

painting of pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities for compensation must now be

conducted using safe practices to protect children and pregnant women from exposure to

lead-based paint.

EPA proposed the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP), which require

contractors to be trained and certified in lead-safe work practices, in 2006. In 2008, EPA

finalized the rule and set April 22, 2010 as the implementation date. To date, EPA has

certified 204 training providers who have conducted more than 6,900 courses, training an

estimated 160,000 people in the construction and remodeling industries to use lead-safe

work practices.

According to the Federal Register, the opt-out provision that currently exempts a firm

from the training and work-practice requirements of the rule where the firm obtains a

certification from the owner of a residence he or she occupies that no child under age six

or pregnant women resides in the home and the home is not a child-occupied facility is

removed effective July 6, 2010.

Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renovating six

square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects or more than twenty

square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects or window replacement or demolition

in housing, child care facilities and schools built before 1978.

 Contractors who perform renovation, repairs and painting jobs in pre-1978

housing and child-occupied facilities for compensation must, before beginning

work, provide owners, tenants and child-care facilities with a copy of EPA’s lead

hazard information pamphlet “Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard

Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools,” dated April 10,

2010, before starting work. It is available here:

www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf. The brochure is expected to

be amended sometime in July.

 Child care facilities, including preschools and kindergarten classrooms, and the

families of children under six years of age that attend those facilities; renovators

must provide a copy of this pamphlet to child care facilities and general

renovation information to families whose children attend those facilities.

Certification is a two-stage process, beginning with individual certification that requires

one member of the contracting firm take an accredited eight-hour training course, pass an

exam and be entered into an EPA Headquarters database in Washington, D.C. The

individual will get a photo identification card and a Certificate

Homes owners should be vigilant and ensure contractors are certified prior to they undertaking home painting jobs. If your home was constructed before 1978 the possibility exists that lead paint was used. Lead has been proven to be hazadorous especially to children.

Jules Williams.

Building Analyst.

Williams Air Technologies Integrated Approach to HVAC.

 About Williams Air Technologies:

Service beyond Compare.

Williams Air Technologies LLC provides an integrated approach to  Air-conditioning service to include all components of the original air-conditioning patent of Willis Carrier. We adhere to the initial air-conditioning concepts as described by Mr. Carrier 126 years ago.

Willis Havilland Carrier was born on November 26, 1876, in Angola, New York, the son of Duane Williams Carrier (1836–1908) and Elizabeth R. Havilland (1845–1888). Elizabeth R. Havilland, the daughter of David Jay Havilland and Ann Elizabeth Button, named him Willis Havilland after her uncle-in-law Willis Hoag Havilland, with whom she lived after the death of her father in 1868 and before her marriage to Duane Carrier. Willis Hoag Havilland was both the husband of her mother's half-sister Hannah Wing Havilland, and her father's 1st cousin once removed.

The first modern air conditioner. Carrier's invented not only provided comfort at home, but also allowed for the controlled conditions necessary in many environments: industrial and scientific. Inventor: Willis Haviland Carrier Criteria; First to patent. Modern prototype. Entrepreneur. Birth: November 26, 1876 in Angola, New York. Death: October 9, 1950 Nationality: American Invention: Air Conditioner Function: noun / air-con·di·tion-er Definition: An apparatus for washing air and controlling its humidity and temperature. A system that keeps air cool and dry. Used to enhance comfort as well as improve industrial processes and products. Patent: 808,897 (US) issued January 2, 1906

Williams Air Technologies provides an integrated approach to the air-conditioning process to include all major components; heating, cooling, humidity, noise and dust. We go one step further by in-cooperating energy efficiency into our service mindset.

We provide the following  services.
Air- conditioning design.
Air conditioning service.
 Data Logging of temperature, dew point, wet bulb and humidity from 1 to 5 days.
Air conditioning installation.
Condenser, coil, furnace, relay board, zone board and IAQ, Energy recovery WIFI thermostat and much more.
Air-conditioning design:  Using HVAC software,  Williams Air Technologies estimates HVAC loads, design air delivery components and sizes. Based on this information we select appropriate equipment . We then provide various brands and efficiencies to our customers for their decision as to cost and  features .
Air-conditioning Service:    We believe that a well maintained air-conditioning system will provide years of comfort and reliable operation at an affordable price. Maintenance pro-long the life of equipment, furniture and other house hold items. Maintenance also reduces operating time therefore reducing the operating cost of the equipment.
We provide maintenance programs to suite every installation at a very competitive cost.
Williams’s air technologies LLC install air-conditioning equipment from all major brands and manufacturers. These manufacturers provide attractive warranty and component support. Williams Air Technologies provides labor warranty and service and maintenance support.
We provide other support Air-conditioning Service to include duct leak testing, zoning, energy audit, humidification, de-humidification, energy recovery  and indoor air treatment.
We also install ceiling and wall insulation, radiant barrier, solar tube and solar attic ventilator and attic tents. A description of solar tube and solar ventilator can be found at the solar page of our website.
EQUIPMENT:         Williams air Technologies LLC installs all major brands of Air-conditioning Equipment and industry rated components. We install Carrier and Bryant, Goodman and Amana, Lennox, Mitsubishi and other reputable brands.

 We are cognizant of our Houston’s weather with regards to high humidity; we provide equipment with moisture control in mind. Using multi stage condensers and variable speed blower units we are able to manage indoor humidity. Lowering indoor humidity makes air feel much colder. Thermostat setting can then be increased to achieve comfort, resulting in shorter operating time and lower cost.
For homes or business shared with pets, or where allergies are a concern, we install whole house filtration systems and we treat the air with UV light. Filtration removes most air borne dust particles while UV kill viruses and eliminates harmful bio sources. We install exhaust fans in rest rooms and bathrooms for improving indoor air quality and controlling moisture.

Sola-tube provided light from the sun into areas that are dark natural light enhances the comfort of an occupied space, thus providing  a healthier environment for people, plants and animals. Natural light also reduces growth of undesirable mold and mildew.

 Solar Attic Ventilator:     Attic insulation is used to prevent heat migration from attic and crawl spaces to occupied areas. The heat enters the attic through conduction, convection and radiation. Insulation is used to retard its migration from attic to living space. The solar attic ventilator begins to operate when the solar panel is exposed to sunlight. While in operation, the fan removes air from the attic. When installed with a gabble fan, hot attic is removed from the attic .Keeping the attic cooler. This  leaves less chances  for hot air to enter the living space. Less hot air reduces air-conditioning load and electric bills.

Solar air-conditioning.     Williams Air Technologies LLC installs solar ready air-conditioners pre wired and configured by the manufacturer. These units provide electricity for operating the air-conditioner and other electrical components connected to the distribution system when sunlight is available. This renewable source of electrical energy further reduces operating cost.

Certification,  Professional Membership and Accreditation: We have  certification in Air-conditioning, Systems Design, Controls and Duct work. We are Certified by Building Performance Institute (BPI) as building analysts. We hold Membership with American Society for Refrigerating Heating and Air-conditioning Engineers; and we are accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Jules Williams.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN HVAC.

In the next five years, many HVAC technicians employed in the industry today will experience the same fate as the radio and television  repair technicians of the 70 s and 80 s. Today, every residential  repair application has experienced a downward trend in sustainability due to a shortage of skilled labor.

A new era in HVAC installation and repair started some 5 years ago and now is at full speed. The need for efficient building systems and regulated reduction in energy usage has driven the need for technological advancements in HVA

The need for real time information including what is happening at homes and also providing access to building information  has forced the introduction of controls for monitoring and controlling air-conditioners and other home appliances and utilities remotely. Today, a home owner can receive weather information from a wall thermostat; one can adjust set points, verify the condition of filters, turn HVAC systems on and off remotely. The systems are now able to verify their refrigerant charge, adjust air volumes, and maintain temperatures within a degree in every room. They can  decrease capacity at peak electrical usage times, and  provide diagnostics for more dozens of fault conditions.

For service and maintenance purposes the units operation can be started from the outside without access to the thermostat, or having to enter the home;  parameters can be obtained using onboard controls at the outdoor unit..

According to HVAC Excellence, 65.6 percent of service technicians in the HVACR industry will not be in the industry in eight years. The next generation of the industry should  now  be in the class room learning skills and approaches to match the demands of the ever-evolving market, and there is a growing sense of the need to recruit those who will serve as the technicians of the future.

Skills in Demand

Future HVACR technicians are busy learning tomorrow’s technology today. A growing desire for computer skills is apparent in the HVAC industry, just as they are in most other employment sectors.

David White, director, Advanced Robotic Technology, Brisbane, Australia, said every student with a technical aptitude has a desire to work with computers. We need schools to return to exposing kids to relevant industries where the scope for employment exists.

 

“The HVAC industry has a lot of computer-related areas including drafting, design, controls building management interfaces, manufacturing and more. We need to get  kids involved at a school level preparation for these  exciting and hands-on cereers so that they get the bug,” he said.
“There are now a lot of cool machines that take drawings and turn them into ducting and other components. We are finding that it is a real buzz for kids to actually produce something they can feel and touch from a computer drawing.”
Whole-home performance and energy-efficiency skills are also on the rise. Lincoln Technical Institute, Union, N.J., officials said their energy auditing certification course is currently attracting more attention than any other offering.
  HVACR curriculum council chair and education supervisor, Lincoln Technical Institute said “The future of the HVACR industry is based on the newer technicians’ ability to adapt and learn the industry’s latest innovations. As our industry evolves to a higher technological era, newer technicians will need to meet those advanced technologies with an open mind and sound HVACR knowledge.”
In addition to these new-world skills, Kevin Couch, HVACR instructor, R.G. Drage Career Technical Center, said young learners should not forget that the HVACR trade will continue to be based on old-fashioned, hands-on labor. Yet technological attractions will create the interest for young careers,
 
  All  of the skilled trades are facing a severe shortage; from bakers, roofers, stucco and plasterers, HVACR, electronic repair, electricians and plumbers, we all need skilled people,” he said. “Shortages specific to the HVACR sector reached that critical level a few years back. Why?  because all the vocational-tech schools shut their doors the world was going to be run by computers. Now, who can fix the furnace or air conditioners? No one, because no one wants  to do the manual work and we have not introduced our future work force to the controls being designed and installed in HVAC systems.

Recruiting the Next Generation
Industry members also stress that the combination of new and old skills needed — and the excellent career opportunities in HVACR — must be promoted in order to recruit more young people to the trade.

Steve Dodd, MEP advisor and director of service and energy, Fidelity Engineering Corp., Washington, D.C., referenced several new skills becoming relevant in the HVAC sector.
 “These skills include technology, intelligent devices, green, financial influence, stability, health effect, and more,” said Dodd. “First we need to educate guidance counselors as to these things since they start the influence process as early as middle school.”

Jeff Plant, general manager, Springfield Mechanical Services Inc., Springfield, Mo., believes HVAC work is more than just physical labor, and agreed that young students need to be aware of the many opportunities available in the industry at an earlier age
“The first thing people think of when they think of HVAC workers is the old labeling of the construction worker. Although that spot for installation and backbreaking work is never going to be replaced, there are many other avenues and opportunities that present themselves in this trade,” he said.

“If we want to attract younger people to this trade, we need to relate. Show them the wide array of opportunities that this trade offers. We as successful tradesmen need to visit the local high schools, help with  local apprenticeship programs and share our stories. 
“Today, students should  learn thermodynamics, mechanical, electrical, hydronic  principles, customer service, and sales skills,” we should return to past learning formats that served so well in preparation for the industrial age.

“We need to have technicians who can adapt to all the changes that have happened, and will happen in the those fields that hold promise for employment and enhanced quality of life.
 
Jules Williams
Building Analyst
MASHRAE.

40 EER air-conditioning efficiency achieved by Climate Master

40 EER achieved by Climate Master.

A Major achievement for air-conditioning efficiency is the announcement from Climate Master and certified by AHR that it has attained 40 EER the best efficiency in industry today.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Climate Master recently announced its Trilogy™ 40 series has exceeded 40 EER at ground-loop conditions and been certified by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

The Trilogy 40 utilizes variable-speed technology to provide a range of heating and cooling capacities, with the ability to perfectly match loads to as low as 30 percent of maximum. The Trilogy 40 Q-mode series is the outcome of five-year collaboration between Climate Master and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies program. Based on field tests and analysis by ORNL, the Trilogy 40 Q-Mode can save up to 65 percent of annual energy use and cost for space conditioning and water heating in residential applications versus new minimum 13 SEER conventional systems.
“Climate Master has a solid track record of leadership and innovation since its founding in 1957,” said Daniel Ellis, president. “We are very proud to continue that legacy with the launch of the new Trilogy 40.”
For installing and servicing contractors, the Trilogy 40 offers the technology needed to configure and diagnose the system electronically using communicating controls and sensors that monitor system operation to ensure peak performance.

 The Trilogy 40 Q-Mode represents a major breakthrough in comfort and efficiency,” said John Bailey, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Climate Master. “With variable-speed fan, pump, and compressor technology, plus four operating modes, it far exceeds the capabilities of any other HVAC unit on the market today. Plus, it can completely eliminate the use of auxiliary heat even in far Northern climates.”

Jules Williams.

Carrier Air-conditioning lunches home energy improvment program

BALTIMORE, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier introduced its new Energy Experts program, a nationwide program focused on improving home performance and reducing home energy costs for consumers, today at the Affordable Comfort Inc. (ACI) National Home Performance Conference in Baltimore, Md. Energy Experts is a comprehensive home performance and energy assessment program for Carrier® Factory Authorized Dealers. The program will help consumers be more comfortable in their homes, reduce home energy consumption, and save money on utility bills. Carrier, the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions (HVACR), is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX - News).
 Carrier Energy Experts will conduct home performance energy audits that typically analyze a variety of factors within the home, including the heating and cooling system, air flow and the home envelope (roof, windows, doors, insulation, etc.), and provide solutions to improve on the overall efficiency of the home.
 According to the Department of Energy's Buildings Energy Data Book, heating and cooling account for about 54 percent of a typical home's energy usage," said Matt Nuijens, Carrier brand manager. "Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers are already HVAC experts, so the Energy Experts program is a natural next step. Through the Energy Experts program, Carrier dealers will become knowledgeable on all areas of home energy conservation. They can conduct whole home energy audits and provide solutions to consumers that can save costs," added Nuijens.
As part of the Energy Experts program, the Carrier 360 Degree whole home energy audit includes a six-step assessment of the home, including inspection, testing, analysis, recommendations, resolution and results on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, air filtration/distribution and home envelope. Carrier Energy Experts will utilize state-of-the-art technology for the energy audit, such as thermal imaging cameras, blower door testing equipment or static pressure gauges. Following the audit, consumers are provided with steps to improve on home performance, through adjustments to home energy systems, including repair, upgrades or replacement of the heating and cooling and air filtration/distribution systems as well as the home envelope.
"For more than 100 years, people have been able to turn to the experts at Carrier," said Chris Nelson, vice president, sales and marketing, Carrier Residential and Commercial Systems. 

 "Carrier Energy Experts can provide homeowners with solutions that address the energy efficiency of the whole home, identify areas where you could be losing valuable energy, and provide a prioritized list of ways you can save on energy costs. It is another example of Carrier's commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability and customer service."

 Carrier is the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls, and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and foodservice customers. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide

Jules Williams Building Analyst (BPI)

Federal Government allocate US$5.2 million for improving building efficiency.

Federal Government allocate US$5.2 Million  for improving building energy efficiency.

WASHINGTON — As part of the Obama administration’s blueprint for an American economy built to last, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the availability of up to $5.2 million in fiscal year 2012 to develop improved building efficiency technologies, including advanced heating and cooling systems and high-efficiency insulation, windows, and roofs. The funding will advance the research, development, demonstration, and manufacture of innovative building technologies to speed the commercialization of affordable, high-performance products that will save money for American families and businesses.

The Department of Energy (DOE) reports that homes and commercial buildings consume approximately 40 percent of the energy used in the U.S., costing American consumers more than $400 billion. Nearly a third of that energy is used for HVAC operations. Advancing HVAC building technologies and improving the design and materials that make up a building’s envelope, or air seal, will significantly reduce the cost to heat and cool residential and commercial buildings, while providing a tremendous opportunity to cut carbon emissions and reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels.
DOE seeks applicants for up to $5.2 million in funding to support breakthroughs in energy-saving HVAC systems and building envelope solutions. Eligible mechanical HVAC system projects should aim to increase the efficiency of cost- effective systems and components suitable for both existing buildings and new construction. Eligible building envelope projects will focus on advancing high-performance, cost-effective, and attractive solutions to minimize energy loss in homes and commercial buildings. DOE is particularly interested in proposals for innovative technologies for use in existing buildings, especially if they can help accelerate adoption of energy-efficient building upgrades.
As part of a planned three-year initiative, Congress has appropriated $1.2 million for HVAC and building envelope projects that develop advanced manufacturing processes or equipment to help lower the life-cycle energy cost of manufactured products and improve the performance of energy-efficient building technologies. DOE plans to make additional requests totaling $10.8 million to Congress over the next two years to support these innovative building efficiency technologies.

Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. Eastern time, April 17. For more information, visit https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.

Publication date: 04/02/2012