HIGH PERFORMANCEHVAC TODAY TMIf You Don’t Measure, You’re Just Guessing!™hvactoday.comJANUARY 2018If You Don’t Measure, You’re Just GuessingThree Ways to Solve Return Duct ObstaclesYou CAN Sell High Performance HVAC SystemsStranded Commercial HVAC Performance PotentialALSO IN THIS ISSUE:AHR EXPOSITION ISSUE:JANUARY 2018 3HVACTODAY.COMHIGH PERFORMANCEHVAC TODAY TMJANUARY 2018 VOLUME 2, NUMBER 1TECHNICAL:Stranded Performance PotentialMost commercial and residential customers have little idea of how performance impacts comfort and operating cost.TECHNICAL:Measure, Don’t Just GuessBy measuring, you’ll have the data needed to improve HVAC system performance and prove it to customers. TECHNICAL:Solve Return Duct ObstaclesContractor Vince DiFilippo provide three tips that can help you help your clients stay comfortable and energy efficient.SALES:You CAN Sell High PerformanceEric Johnson shares how he sells over $2 million of residential Performance-Based Contracting™ work each year.20181410 DEPARTMENTSOnline Content ......................................................................................4Editor’s Page: Today’s Word .............................................................7High Performance News ....................................................................8High Performace Products ................................................................9Photo of the Year Winner ................................................................23Member Update ...............................................................................24Ad Index ................................................................................................25Publisher’s Page: One More Thing .............................................264 JANUARY 2018HIGH PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAYONLINE CONTENTMonthly DownloadThis Tech Tip helps you un-derstand when, where, and how to use a field correction factor when measuring airflow. It is for those using the 801 ro-tating vane anemometer. This one-pager is very handy for technicians who encounter building supply registers that are inaccessible to a balancing hood. This download is a checklist for measuring airflow and calculating the correction factor.Go to ncilink.com/md0118, or use your phone with the QR Code below.By registering for free on NCI’s website, access this download and many more.Online UniversityFeatured this month is the Estimating R-Value and Cal-culating Heat Loss or Gain module. This course is designed to help you learn the best methods for estimating insulation R-Value, then calculating either the heat gain or loss through an external wall. You will learn about the three R-Values tests and the associ-ated calculations for each of them. In addition, we will demon-strate how to plot R-Value on the R-Value Estimation Chart.This course is part of National Comfort Institute’s Advanced Technical Training Series that includes 12 multi-part modules.Learn more about this course in particular and the Online University in general by following this link: ncilink.com/ou0118JANUARY 2018 5HVACTODAY.COMBLOG POSTSHVAC EQUIPMENT DISASTERS YOU CAN LEARN FROMDo you ever run into an equipment replacement job you’d rather not think about? Of course you have. In this blog post, David Richardson examines two common disasters and provides some tried and true insights on how to avoid them. Read it here: ncilink.com/Disasters.TIPS ON HOW TO UPSIZE A RESIDENTIAL DUCT SYSTEMWhen replacing HVAC equipment, better service companies offer duct upsize and system performance upgrades as an op-tion to their customers. These upgrades allow the duct system to perform closer to the level of efficiency claimed by the equip-ment manufacturer. Rob Falke explains why you should consider up-sizing a duct system and shares some thoughts on how to explain to customers how it benefits them. Read it here: ncilink.com/Upsize.Cloud-Based Tools NCILINK.COM/CMAXX2The world is hurdling down the track towards doing every-thing in the Internet Cloud. ComfortMaxx 4.0 is a cloud-based tool that makes it easy for HVAC technicians to re-cord their performance-based measurements and use them to create consumer-friend-ly reports that can help sell air upgrades and duct renovations.It speeds up and simplifies the testing process and helps to hold the technician accountable for the work they do.ComfortMaxx is available in three levels: Air, Pulse, and Verify. Learn more about it and how it can help your business at ncilink.com/CMaxx2. Or aim your phone at this QR Code.For the HVAC Industry this is great news.In addition, the Dodge report predicts:• Single family housing will rise 9% in dollars, corresponding to a 7% increase in units to 850,000 (Dodge basis). • Multifamily housing will retreat 8% in dollars and 11% in units to 425,000 (Dodge basis).• Commercial building will increase 2%, following a 3% gain in 2017.• Institutional building will advance 3%, maintaining its upward track after 2017’s 14% jump. All of this is to say that 2018 has the makings for a great year by HVAC standards, especially for those in the Performance-based contracting segment. Now why do I say that? Simple - Performance-Based Contractors have a real leg up because they provide customers -- commercial and residential -- real solutions based on measurement and proof. In other words, the systems they deliver, whether new installations or retrofit/renovations, perform as promised. Customers are willing to pay a premium for that.According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, consumer spending has increased 3.3% in the second quarter of 2017, two thirds of which is on services including housing and healthcare. Today’s consumer spending trends point to re-searching more (thank you Internet) and buying the best for the dollars they spend. With that in mind, 2018 looks to be a solid year for your business. Now is the time to get inside your customers’ homes and do what you do best: improve their comfort, save them energy dollars, and keep them safe.Now if that isn’t fun, then I have no idea what fun is. Happy 2018 everyone! As I write this column, the U.S. is on the verge of a historic overhaul of its tax system that, according to some Repub-licans, will unleash GDP growth of 3 to 4% each quarter. This is based on the proposed cut-ting of corporate tax rates to 21% which, in theory, will spur investment in new technology, products, and ultimately growth. I hope they are right. Naysayers trumpet doom and gloom because they believe the tax cuts will add trillions of dollars to the national debt. I hope they are wrong. The fact is, if this passes, HVAC contracting firms stand to get some much needed relief from their tax burden. That certainly could be a great start to 2018.Also on a positive note, our friends at Dodge Data and Analytics (https://www.construction.com/) recently released a report that called for 2018 to be a solid year for the over-all construction industry. The report predicts that total U.S. construction starts for 2018 will climb 3% to $765 billion.Robert Murray, chief economist for Dodge Data & Analytics writes that 2018 “will likely see gains for residential building, up 4%; and nonresidential building, up 2%.”His predictions are based partially on an over-all increase in jobs in the U.S. In fact, a report issued on December 8, 2017 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the American economy added 228,000 jobs in November 2017, 10 percent of which were added in the con-struction industry.Happy New Year to the HVAC IndustryGet Ready for the Fun!Mike Weil is editor-in-chief and director of Communications and Publications at National Comfort Institute, Inc.NOW IS THE TIME TO GET INSIDE CUSTOMERS’ HOMES AND DO WHAT YOU DO BEST: IMPROVE THEIR COMFORT, SAVE THEM ENERGY DOLLARS, AND KEEP THEM SAFE.TODAY’S WORDBy Mike WeilJANUARY 2018 7HVACTODAY.COM8 JANUARY 2018HIGH PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAYFor the Performance-Based Contract-ing™ part of the HVAC Industry, National Comfort Institute, Inc. (NCI) and it’s sub-sidiary, National Balancing Council (NBC) will be exhibiting. The organization is once again an endorsing sponsor of AHR Expo and can be found in Booth 7478.It’s more than just products! Spokes-people for AHR Expo claim that this year’s event is the largest ever educational program in the show’s history. The program features more than 120 sessions includ-ing free best practices and industry trends seminars from leading HVACR organiza-tions, professional certification opportuni-ties, and continuing education programs from the ASHRAE Learning Institute.NCI/NBC is presenting four FREE sessions as part of the Expo’s program:• Easily Quantify HVAC System Efficiency Loss Caused by Poor Instal-lation – Monday, January 22nd at 11 AM in Room S102BC.• Solve Hidden Maintenance Issues Using Testing and Balancing – Monday, January 22nd at 1:00 PM in Room S102A.• From Estimate to Occupancy; Crit-ical Documentation for Every Test and Balance Project – Monday, January 22nd at 3:00 PM in Room S102A. • Why Residential Air Balance is being Required by Code – Tuesday, January 23rd at 1:00 PM in Room S102BC.These FREE sessions require no preregistration. For more detail, go to ncilink.com/AHRClassesTo learn more about the 2018 AHR Exposition, visit their website at https://ahrexpo.com.The AHR Expo is one of the HVAC Industry’s oldest and largest events. This year the show will be held in Chicago, at McCormick Place from January 22-24th. Since 1930, the Show has provided a forum for the entire HVACR industry. This includes original equipment manufac-turers; engineers; contractors; distribu-tors; commercial, industrial and institu-tional facility operators; and educators. They come together to discover the latest products, learn about new technologies, and develop mutually beneficial business relationships. The expo event is co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI. It draws upwards of 65,000 attendees and 2,000 exhibitors. With over 22% of those attendees being contractors, chances are if you haven’t attended, you probably know someone who has.Because there are so many exhibi-tors, there will be a tremendous num-ber of products on display, making this event one of the best places to dis-cover the latest equipment, sys-tems, and tech-nologies across every facet of the industry. You will have the opportunity to see live demos and experience prod-ucts hands-on to understand and com-pare the different solutions available. Contractors who attend often will get special pricing opportunities only avail-able at the Show.HIGH PERFORMANCE NEWS2018 AHR Expo Blows Into Chicago this MonthJANUARY 2018 9HVACTODAY.COMHIGH PERFORMANCE PRODUCTSHYDRONIC DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE MANOMETERDwyer’s Series 490A Hydronic Differ-ential Pressure Manometers are avail-able in several basic ranges and can tol-erate most liquid media compatible with 316LSS. A new feature added is field-ad-justable damping, allowing users to choose the level of display averaging rate that corresponds to the fluctuation level common in many applications. The hydronic meter kit includes: two 6-ft. high-pressure rated tubing with shut off valves, high pressure 3-way valve, 8-ft. poly tubing for purges, hard travel case, 1/16” x 1 1/2”, 1/8” x 3” and 1/8” x 1-1/2” pairs of pressure probes, 90° Flare to 1/4” NPT fittings, PTFE Tape, and magnetic protective rubber boot. NIST Calibration Certificate comes standard.For more information or to order, go to ncilink.com/1217Dwyer or call 800-633-7058.ROTATING VANE ANEMOMETERThe Alnor® RVA801 is a light weight, ro-bust, and simple-to-use rotating vane an-emometer that provides accurate and reliable readings every time. The RVA801 measures air veloc-ity, air volume, and tempera-ture using simple button op-eration. It displays readings in metric or imperial mode. It fea-tures an attached swivel head that rotates so the display al-ways faces the operator. The RVA801 has a reversible 4-in. (100 mm) head that allows readings at the supply and extract grilles. It cal-culates volumetric flow rate, provides automatic averaging of air velocity, and re-quires no density correction factors.For more information or to order, go to ncilink.com/1217Alnor or call 800-633-7058.Upcoming NCI Training & Event ScheduleCommercial Air Balancing Certification ProgramJan. 23-25: Houston, TXJan. 23-25: Los Alamitos, CA*March 13-15: Kansas City, KSIntroduction to Hydronic Testing, Adjusting, & BalancingJan. 30-31: Los Alamitos, CA*Feb. 13-14: Cleveland, OH Combustion Performance & Carbon Monoxide Safety Certification ProgramJan. 9-11: Cleveland, OHFeb. 6-8: Austin, TXFeb. 13-15: Atlanta, GAFeb. 13-15: St. Louis, MOFeb. 27-March 1: Richmond, VAFeb. 27-March 1: Philadelphia, PAMarch 6-8: Salt Lake City, UTMarch 7: Austin, TX (Post-Conference Recertification)Commercial System Performance Certification ProgramFeb. 20-21: Los Alamitos, CA*March 13th-14: Tulare, CA*Optimize Economizer Performance with CertificationFeb. 22: Los Alamitos, CA March 15: Tulare, CADuct System Optimization & Air Balancing Certification ProgramJan. 16-18: Los Alamitos, CA*Jan. 30- Feb. 1: Lansing, MIFeb. 6-8: Tampa, FLFeb. 6-8: Las Vegas, NVFeb. 20-22: San Antonio, TXFeb. 20-22: New Orleans, LAMarch 13-15: Boston, MAMarch 13-15: Des Moines, IANational Balancing Council Commercial Balancing with CertificationMarch 19-23: Cleveland, OHResidential HVAC System Performance & Air Balancing Certification ProgramJan. 23-25: Phoenix, AZJan. 23-25: Jacksonville, FLJan. 30- Feb. 1: Nashville, TNFeb. 6-8: Louisville, KYFeb. 6-8: Los Alamitos, CA*Feb. 27- March 1: Cincinnati, OH *Subsidized NCI training offered by Southern California Edison.Next >