HVAC Tips - Updates - Information

Sweep Dreams are Made of This

Welcome to the first of a two-part series covering the subject of key refrigeration circuit practices. In this post, I will be discussing the importance of properly using nitrogen when brazing refrigerant lines. The process is called “sweeping” and this is not a new process. What has changed over the years is that POE oil has become the predominate refrigerant oil used throughout the world. One characteristic of POE oil is that it’s an excellent detergent and will literally clean the inside of tubing within the refrigerant circuit. This will become problematic when short cuts are taken during installation.

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Daikin Launches Updated SkyAir Single Zone System Products

Daikin has recently announced the launch of their updated SkyAir single-zone system products. It consists of new RZR cooling-only models and RZQ heat pump outdoor models (where the 18k, 24k, 30k and 36k heat pumps provide 100% heating capacity at -4°F), new FAQ, FCQ and FTQ indoor units along with the addition of 4-ton systems for FTQ, FCQ and FBQ.

Daikin SkyAir is a 2-wire light commercial and residential family of cooling only and heat pump single-zone systems, consisting of a variety of ducted and non-ducted indoor units, ranging from 1.5-4 tons with lineset lengths up to 230’ while backed with a standard 10-year parts limited warranty.

Details About the New FTQ Multi-Purpose Air Handler

This new air handler provides a traditional ducted solution with the benefits of an inverter, variable-speed compressor in a side-discharge outdoor unit.

The FTQ is capable of upflow, downflow, horizontal left and horizontal right installation configurations and is designed for ZERO clearance on three sides and only 24” clearance on the front for service. It also has a smaller footprint compared with previous models, with a depth of 21”, width of 17.5-21” and a height of 45-53.4”. The smaller size provides easier attic and mechanical closet installations. It also comes standard with a factory installed disconnect switch and efficiencies of up to 16.0 SEER, 12.5 EER and 10.4HSPF (heat pump only).

For further SkyAir information, please click here or contact your local ECMD branch or associated ECMD sales rep.

What Is Field Service Management Software?

If you work in a home-services industry — and especially if you manage a team of professionals who make house calls — there’s a good chance you’ve heard about field service management software. But exactly what does this term refer to, and is field service management software applicable in your specific line of work?

To help you gain a clearer understanding of what field service management software is and how your business might use it, here’s an overview of everything you need to know about this revolutionary way to streamline your workflow.

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Tech Tip: Much Ado About Refrigerant

The topic of refrigerant has been an ongoing saga since we first announced the phase-out of HCFC R-22 in 2010. There have been numerous rumors circulating throughout the years about what would happen to refrigerant and when it would happen. We have lived through a roller coaster of prices with not only R-22, but with R-410A as well. However, it is important to keep in mind that the value of anything in the world is only what you can find someone willing to pay for it. So, here we are in 2019, and I am not sure we have any better grasp on where we are headed than we did nearly ten years ago.

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Tech Tip: Defrosting During The Cold & Understanding The Defrost Cycle

In the depth of winter, the weather outside is frightful and the heat pump is “chugging” away to keep the inside delightful. Without our trusty defrost cycle in these conditions our heat pump would quickly begin to look like Frosty the Snowman…minus the jolly part. There’s nothing jolly about a broken heat pump.

The defrost cycle is what allows for our heat pumps to continue efficient heating operation in cold weather. However, the actual operation of the defrost cycle is often not understood as well as desired. This leads to improper settings as well as misdiagnosis. Let’s dig into the basic concept of a heat pump operating in heat and the defrost cycle that protects it.
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Bertrand Plumbing and Heating is rapidly increasing its sales and saving a ton of time on drafting proposals with OnCall Air.

Martin Bertrand started his Plumbing and Heating Company 13 years ago in Ontario, Canada, and has expanded his business to include 32 employees. He has been using OnCall Air since March of 2018 with great success.

Before using OnCall Air, Martin and his team used to write all proposals by hand, giving his customers only “the option we thought was best for the client.”

But even writing a one option proposal took him a lot of time! As he describes, “I’d have to leave my customer’s place, go back to the office, write up the proposal which would take me another thirty minutes and then I would send the email.” And he was not done! Then he would have to call the customer back and try to explain his paper proposal over the phone.

Then he decided to try OnCall Air and its awesome features…

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Jan 17 2019 Website Updates

January 17, 2019 Website Updates

This week we have made a number of enhancements to our website to improve usability and functionality.

Details for Website Updates

Save Multiple Delivery Addresses

Enhancement: Customers can now add, and save for future use, multiple delivery addresses either in the online account’s Address Book or during the checkout process.

Download Price Lists

Enhancement: Customers can now download product pricing to a PDF or CSV file. For example, the CSV file could then be used to upload product pricing to a customer’s own system (e.g., Quickbooks) providing an easy way to update pricing when needed.

Print Bids to a PDF File

Enhancement: A Bid can now be printed directly to a PDF file from a customer’s online account by clicking the new Print Bid to PDF button when viewing a bid online.

Introducing: Vive Comfort

LIVE COMFORTABLY

With a tablet-style design and intuitive functionality, Vive™ products respond to every phase of life with corresponding comfort and style. Our cutting edge temperature management is wireless capable, easy to program and user-friendly, and it communicates with almost any HVAC system. Advanced technology and the large, blue LED display offer timeless appeal with contemporary flair. Experience the exclusive controls that bring maximum performance, efficiency and comfort into the home or commercial setting.

KEEP THE SAME WALL, UPGRADE EVERYTHING ELSE

Unlike competitive products that leave ghostly reminders of past installations, Vive™ controls fit the existing vacancies left by old thermostats and are easy to install. The lineup includes industry-leading features like:

Easy-To-Read LED Display

Large backlit screens cast a modern blue display with stunning readability to make adjusting the temperature super simple.

5-year Warranty Coverage

To ensure peace of mind and enhance comfort, Vive™ thermostats come backed with the best warranty in the industry.

Multiple Installation Options

Putting in a Vive™ thermostat couldn’t be easier. You get to pick whatever works best from a full lineup of tethered and wireless options.

Residential and Commercial Flexibility

Whether home or office comfort is needed, Vive™ thermostats can control the space with perfect results.

Clean Comfort: A Whole Home Solution Designed To Treat The Air In Your Entire Home

Easily installed in new or existing heating and cooling systems, Clean Comfort^® whole-home solutions work invisibly, silently and automatically to treat the air in your entire home.