hvactoday.comMARCH 2022 HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAY TM If You Don’t Measure, You’re Just Guessing! ™ 2022 Residential Market Forecast • Contractor Spotlight on James A. Wheat & Sons • History and Misconceptions of Draft Converters/Draft Hoods ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:2 MARCH 2022HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAYCOVER STORY: Residential Market Forecast Economic predictions are for a slowdown in growth. That’s not necessarily bad. It is still growth says ITR Economist, Jackie Greene. DEPARTMENTS MARCH 2022 3HVACTODAY.COM Today’s Word .........................................................................................4 High-Performance Products .............................................................5 Contractor Spotlight: James A. Wheat & Sons ..........................6 NCI Update .........................................................................................16 HVAC Smart Mart ...............................................................................17 One More Thing ................................................................................18 Ad Index ................................................................................................19 MARCH 2022 VOLUME 6 NUMBER 3 HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAY TM 10 TECHNICAL: History and Misconceptions About Draft Diverters and Draft Hoods These system components are often misapplied because many in our industry don’t understand why they were created. NCI’s Jim Davis explains. 134 MARCH 2022HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAY they will need training on how to reduce risks associated with them. Also in the safety category is how contractors transport refrigerants to job sites. Gone are the days of storing refrigerant tanks horizontally on service and installation vehicles. Because A2Ls are lightly flammable, they must be stored and transported upright. This means costs for retrofitting vehicles to handle tanks prop- erly. Furthermore, the Department of Transpor- tation may require signage on trucks indicating there is flammable compressed gas on board. SYSTEM PERFORMANCE Then there is the high-performance HVAC as- pect of how A2L refrigerants will be affected by system airflow, static pressure, and more. We may need to look at potential changes in how we test and measure not only the refriger- ant lines themselves, but all the other factors that impact proper refrigerant charging. We need to better understand how equipment charged with A2Ls impacts overall system perfor- mance (including ductwork). One more thought: will A2L refrigerants re- quire different test instruments? As NCI’s David Holt says, “With HVAC components becoming more specialized, having the proper tool at hand for a given service has never been more critical.” Be sure to stay on top of what is happening re- garding the HFC phasedown and the move to A2Ls. If you have customers with older equip- ment running on high GWP refrigerants, such as R-410A, you may want to educate them on up- coming refrigerant options. Being proactive with your business and your customers today can help set you apart from the competition. This is the season for change. And as Seeger wrote, it’s time to “Turn! Turn! Turn!” F or those who remember the iconic hit song from 1959 by Pete Seeger -- Turn! Turn! Turn! – you may not know that the lyrics date back 2,000 some years! In fact, they are biblical: from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. The gist of the song was to attribute seasons to several series of opposing actions: “A time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap….” Some say Seeger saw the words as call- ing out for a transition from one thing to another. In the HVAC universe, we are in several transi- tional “seasons” of our own. One of them is the phasedown of HFC refrig- erants and replacing them with “lightly flam- mable” A2L refrigerants. We are at the ear- ly stages of this transition, but there are already some concerns — specifically for contractors. Since May 2021, the U.S. Environmental Pro- tection Agency (EPA) has approved the use of A2L refrigerants in residential and light commer- cial air conditioning applications. These chemi- cals have been in use in window units and PTACs since 2015 and chillers since 2012. It’s only a matter of time before the A2L re- frigerants will replace their HFC cousins in the broader residential HVAC marketplace. With the EPA goal of reducing HFC consumption by 85% over the next 15 years, it’s more important than ever to pay attention to the potential changes fac- ing the HVAC marketplace. SAFETY FIRST Yes, A2Ls are somewhat flammable. But ac- cording to the EPA and other industry sources, A2L refrigerants don’t ignite easily. They have a slow or lower flame speed and low heat of com- bustion. Still, contractors and others in the HVAC supply chain will most likely need to wear protec- tive gear when handling these refrigerants, and To Everything, There is a Season ... TODAY’S WORD By Mike Weil Mike Weil is editor- in-chief and director of communications and publications at National Comfort Institute, Inc. Contact him at ncilink. com/ContactMe.MARCH 2022 5HVACTODAY.COM up to 250°F and down to -40°F. Other available readings include wet bulb, en- thalpy, dew point, and percent of relative humidity. Each probe has a color-coded switch for supply or return readings, so you see the right temperature from the correct location. To minimize testing time and increase measurement accuracy, you can con- nect multiple wireless psychrometers at one time with Fieldpiece’s Job Link app. Your smartphone simultaneous- ly measures from the psychrometers so you can see live equipment Δt (tempera- ture change) and duct system tempera- ture loss in one place. You can also quickly measure deliv- ered Btus into problematic rooms during diagnostics or on a sales call. First, place one probe into the room’s supply register and one in the return grille to measure system Δt . Next, measure deliv- ered supply airflow into the room with an air bal- ancing hood. Once you have these values, you can plug them into the appropriate Btu formula. If you’re looking for ways to speed up temperature testing, measure live duct temperature loss, or quickly estimate delivered room Btus, the JL3RH is for you. For more information or to buy this instrument from the NCI Store, go to ncilink.com/FieldpieceJL3RH. – David Richardson, NCI Director of Curriculum Development Wireless Psychrometer Accurate temperature measurements are a challenging obstacle high-perfor- mance contractors face in the field. If you’ve ever measured temperatures at the air handling equipment and then sprinted to the supply registers and re- turn grilles to gather their temperatures, you know what I’m talking about. The Fieldpiece JL3RH wireless psychrome- ter solves this and other challenges. This psychrometer includes a nine- inch flexible probe and sliding magnet- ic mount. These features simplify attach- ing and positioning the probe assuring accurate readings. It also prevents the frustrating problem of your thermom- eter falling out of ducts and grilles. The probe measures dry bulb temperatures HIGH-PERFORMANCE PRODUCT Written by HVAC Professionals for HVAC Professionals6 MARCH 2022HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAY CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT By Michael Weil James A. Wheat & Sons: Laser-Focused on Comfort on providing customer comfort in the residential service and remodeling marketplace. To do that requires a plan, a process, and a laser focus on training, which re- mains the foundation on which James A. Wheat and Sons operates. In that effort, the company, which current- ly employs close to 46 people, became members of National Comfort Insti- tute (NCI) in August of 2004 and be- gan its journey toward high-perfor- mance HVAC contracting. According to Jeff Wheat, he first at- tended an NCI air balancing certifi- cation class in the late 1990s/early 2000s. He says his mother and broth- er took NCI classes before that. When he returned to the shop, he wanted to change how they did ductwork – from subbing it out to doing it themselves. TRAINING IS AN INVESTMENT “Our approach to training is the same today as it was in 2018,” Jeff Wheat says. “From my perspective, if I don’t train my people, who will? Frankly, I consider spending time and money on training an investment in our team so they can go out and do the work correctly. “I would much rather get a young guy in, train him how to do things the correct way, and let him grow. I cer- tainly understand that many contrac- tors worry about spending so much money and time on training, and then the tech leaves. “That is annoying,” Wheat contin- ues. “But at least I know that tech will be doing things correctly someplace else. That’s the way my mentality has always been, and it’s never going to change.” He adds that hiring technicians from other HVAC contracting firms who’ve been in the industry for 15 to 20 years is challenging because they often know nothing about static pres- sure, airflow, or even ductwork. Wheat says, “Those are the first things they should be checking on ev- ery home visit.” Sure, training goes beyond home performance for this company. Wheat believes strongly in staying up to date on anything technical, especially when manufacturers come out with chang- es that include variable speed and all the communicating features of that F orty-five years ago, in Gaith- ersburg, MD, The James A. Wheat & Sons HVAC con- tracting firm was born. That year, Jimmy Carter had just become the 39th president of the U.S., rock- and-roll icon Elvis Presley died, and Nasa launched its first space shuttle – Enterprise – into orbit (to name just a few). Then, in 2018, High-Perfor- mance HVAC Today magazine profiled this family-owned compa- ny. Since then, a lot has changed, and some things remain the same. Back then, the company cleared a total of around $5 million in rev- enue. In 2021 their combined reve- nue was $6.5 million (53% of which is from the HVAC side of the company). Their focus, since day one, has been minutes or so, and then you need to pull a vacuum. Then you put a micron gauge on it. “I find that interesting. Our team has been doing this, but to be honest, the International Code wants contrac- tors to hold that pressure test for an hour. We hold a maximum pressure test for 20 minutes, and then we turn the vacuum pump on.” Wheat adds that he thinks there is a chance that the new refrigerants may require different airflows than what is standard now. He says, “Any way you look at it, the change to A2L refrigerants isn’t going to be fun for a lot of people. “Also, once we change over to the new refrigerants, we’ll have to change how we carry the tanks on our trucks. These will fall under Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements currently in place for carrying flam- mable gases in vehicles.” Whatever changes come down the pike, Jeff Wheat knows he will need to get his field service and instal- lation teams trained on the prop- er handling and transport of A2L refrigerants, and he is prepared for that. SYSTEM RENOVATIONS AND AIR UPGRADES Since 2004 James A. Wheat and Sons has been training and selling us- ing the High-Performance HVAC con- tracting approach. Like many contrac- tors on the Performance PATH, there is usually some resistance in the equipment. It’s all part of pro- viding customers with the best bang for the buck when it comes to comfort. “We install Carrier and Dai- kin equipment,” Wheat ex- plains. “However, I not only send my guys to classes provid- ed by those two manufacturers, but I also send them to courses from Trane, Rheem, and others. If there is a company training on their equipment in our area, I’m send- ing my guys to it. That way, we can work on anything we see in the field and know what’s going on.” NEW REFRIGERANTS With the current phasedown of HFC refrigerants and the move in the United States toward “lightly flam- mable” A2L refrigerants, Jeff Wheat says he is trying to stay on top of all the changes. However, he feels there still isn’t enough information on them. “What I have read is that manu- facturers are changing the standard of their testing in the factory. They are looking at a new approach to rat- ing equipment using SEER 1, SEER 2 Rating. From my point of view, this is good – I’ve always felt the old SEER rating system has been inaccurate. “On the other hand, from the aspect of A2L flammable refrigerants, the in- ternational code now says you need to pressure test refrigerant lines for 20 MARCH 2022 7HVACTODAY.COM The James A Wheat & Sons manage- ment team includes (left to right): Darlene Clark , Office Manager; Scott Eslick , Installation Manager; Michael Wheat , President; Jeff Wheat , Vice President; Ernesto Calva , Installation Field Manager; Benjamin Abbott, Service Manager.customer,” Wheat says. “In our area, adding and fixing returns that are too small and addressing filter issues are key. Then we look at sealing ducts.” The company invested in an Aero- seal ® (aeroseal.com) machine after 2018 to expedite duct sealing. Accord- ing to Jeff Wheat, they sub out insula- tion work to a partner company that also does home energy audits. “In the end, we find that we close on more duct renovation and air upgrade sales today, though that depends on me,” he says. “If I slack off on talking about duct renovations and air up- grades with my guys, then things go into a lull. But if I’m up on it and con- stantly remind them about it, then we get more jobs doing this work.” A CONTINUOUS PROCESS Wheat says the culture at the com- pany is strongly focused on high-per- formance HVAC contracting. How- ever, in his words, “it’s not like we are there yet. It is a changing and evolving process that always requires someone to lead it. “For me, what makes things we’re doing successful is when our field team understands it and believes in it. It’s always a matter of train- ing them and keeping them up to 8 MARCH 2022 HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC TODAY CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT date on everything. I spend a lot of time teaching technicians about what we’re doing, why we do it, and how to do it. Sometimes they just don’t get it. Then I send them to NCI training, and finally, the light bulb goes off for them.” He adds that the other challenging part is getting the customer on board. “We can prove what is happening with a customer’s system using the high-performance approach. Cus- tomers will only do what they want to do. As a technician and a contrac- tor, you must understand this fact. Our objective is to provide them with options. Give them choices based on their needs, wants, and budgets. “This is our laser focus. We provide customers with the best comfort ser- vice options through testing, measur- ing, and diagnosis. “It’s not our job to tell customers what to do. It’s our job to give them the options and let them choose,” Wheat concludes. It is for these and so many more reasons that High-Performance HVAC Today magazine chose to focus our spotlight on James A. Wheat and Sons. Congratulations to the entire team. field – either from customers who just don’t get it or from competitive com- panies that badmouth the approach. Jeff Wheat says that may have been the case in the early years for them, but today, not so much. “We find our competitors don’t know about high-performance HVAC,” he says. “For instance, there’s a large company in my market that receives a lot of accolades for their sales. It makes me laugh because they don’t deal with airflow or duct renovation. They refuse to bother with it. “Meanwhile, we’ve been called into several of their customers’ homes to fix comfort complaints. We often find a new furnace and air conditioning system. I’ll ask the customer what the installing contractor says about the issue, and often, the customer says that the contractor tells them to call someone else! That is usually us!” Wheat adds, that High-Perfor- mance HVAC is really at the core of what they do. “We like to do all the testing and measuring and then offer customers choices to get the biggest bang for their dollar. Those choices include how we can best help them right now: the best, fastest, easiest way.” He explains that there are a lot of basement and attic systems in the Gaithersburg area. Basement systems pose challenges for duct renovations because they are difficult to access and install balancing dampers with- out tearing into walls and ceilings. On the other hand, attic systems are easier because he says his team can change balancing dampers or in- stall them if needed. “Every house is different, and we always need to do what’s best for the Michael and Jeff Wheat are the second gen- eration owners of James A. Wheat and Sons, Gaithersburg, MD. Mike Weil is the director of communications for National Comfort Institute and the editor-in-chief of High- Performance HVAC Today magazine. Con- tact him at ncilink.com/ ContactMe with comments or suggestions for future content.MARCH 2022 9HVACTODAY.COMNext >