Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

News Magazine January 2022

Arkansas’ First and Only HVACRNewsMagazine

• Capital murder • Murder in the first degree • Manslaughter • Negligent homicide • Kidnapping • False imprisonment in the first degree • Permanent detention or restraint • Robbery • Aggravated robbery • Battery in the first degree • Aggravated assault • Introduction of controlled substance into to the body of another • Terroristic threatening in the first degree • Rape • Sexual indecency with a child • Sexual extortion • Sexual assault in the first degree, second degree, third degree and fourth degree • Incest • + 15 more

36 Different Convictions May Disqualify from Holding a License page 24

The Murky Ethics of Sales page 6

Flame Sensing

The Basics page 30

Part IV Cold Air (Return) Demand page 36

EACC’s Robert Jackson Joins Instructor’s Council Page 21

Anti- Gas(ers) Have Gone Crazy

Cooking with Gas will kill us all

Clocking a Gas Meter page 39

Page 6

Banana Pudding Page 40

Kim made it

It ’ s Got to be Good

ByArkansans

For Arkansans

Table of Contents

Chapter Meeting Schedule

PG 4

Feature Stories Anti-gas Gone Crazy

PG 6

Editorial & Opinion Looking to 2022

pg 10

State, national, chapter news He ’ ll Pay It Off When He ’ s Over 100 Big Career Day at Springdale High School EACC ’ s Robert Jackson Joins Instructor ’ s Council

PG 16

pg 19

PG 21

36 Different Convictions May Disqualify from Holding a HVACR License

PG 24

Education News Training Programs

PG 27

Rebate Programs & Incentives

PG 28

PG 30 pg 30 PG 33 pg 36 PG 36

Tech News

Flame Sensing — The Basics (Bryan Orr, HVAC School)

Part Four: Cold Air (Return) Demand (Tom Turner — Air Evangelist)

Unique Arkansas Featuring Arkansas Culture

PG 40

Kim Middleton of Hot Springs : Bana Pudding

Successful New Years Are Built

chapter meetings

Central Chapter 4 th Tuesday 6:00 Meal : 6:30 Program Location: Larry’s Pizza

February 22 March 22 April 26

12911 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72202 501-224-8804

January 4 February 1 March 1

Fort Smith Chapter 1 st Tuesday

5:30 Meal : 6:00 Program Location : Golden Corral 1801 South Waldon Road Fort Smith 479-484-1040

April 5 May 3

Hot Springs Chapter 2 nd Tuesday 6:00 Meal : 6:30 Program Location: Smokin’ in Style BBQ 2278 Albert Pike Hot Springs 501-767-9797

February 8 March 8 April 12

North Central Chapter 4 th Thursday 6:00 Meal : 6:30 Program

February 24 March 24 April 28

Location : Rotates North Ark & NAECI Harrison

chapter meetings

North East Chapter 3 rd Tuesday

February 15 March 15 April 19

6:00 Meal : 6:30 Program Location : Golden Corral 2405 East Highland Jonesboro 870/ 351-3212

North West Chapter 2 nd Thursday

February 10 March 10 April 14

6:00 Meal : 6:30 Program Location: Golden Corral 2605 Pleasant Crossing Drive Rogers 479/986-9201 South Central/ Camden 1 st Thursday 6:00 Meal : 6:30 Program Location: Rotates

February 3 March 3 April 7

Camden / El Dorado

South West / Texarkana 3 rd Thursday

February 17 March 17 April 21 Call for meeting Location

6:00 Meal : 6:30 Program Location: Rotates between restaurants. Call for a meeting location. 501/487-8655

News Magazine January 2022

FEATURE STORY

tah, West Virginia, and Wyoming will prevent local decision-making over the fuels used to power homes and other buildings. 4 As you can see from the way they phrased the information, they are supporters of restricting and eliminating the use of natural gas in favor of all electric buildings. By the way, their information provides links to legislation in the listed states if you are interested in following them. According to the Washington Post, “ Even in the states where the anti- natural gas movement is strongest, municipal efforts have run into obstacles. ” “ In November 2019, the California Restaurant Association sued the town of Berkeley to strike down the change in building code. The association in its lawsuit said that “many of these restaurants rely on g as for cooking particular types of food, whether it be flame-seared meats, charred vegetables, or the use of intense heat from a flame under a wok.” 5 While clear in their reporting as to their preference for electricity, the Washington Post went on to say, “… natural gas is cheaper than electricity in most parts of the United States, at least for now. ” “ Forty-seven percent of U.S. homes rely on natural gas for heat while 36 percent rely on electricity, according to the EIA. ” 5 Another perspective is presented by The Hill dated February 2021. “ While proposing the elimination of natural gas may seem environmentally sound, it will likely lead to an increase in carbon emissions in most jurisdictions

Anti gas gone crazy Fifty four California cities/counties have adopted building codes to reduce their reliance on natural gas, according to a July 22, 2021 Sierra Club article by Mat Gough. 1 Most of the ordinances apply to new construction / commercial but many include or are moving toward residential. While some allow gas for cooking, others phase out all gas appliances in new construction. In Washington state, “ Governor Inslee and Democratic allies in the Legislature laid out a package of measures whose end goal is to require all-electric appliances for space and water heating. The statewide phase out of natural gas energy would apply to all new construction beginning in 2034. ” 2 December 16 th , the New York Times reported, “ New York City moved to ban gas hookups in new buildings, joining cities in blue states like California, Massachusetts and Washington that want to shift homes away from burning natural gas because it releases carbon dioxide, which causes global warming. ” 3 There is resistance in many primarily “ red ” states. NRDC reported, “ The fossil fuel industry backed bills proposed thus far in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Flori da, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ke ntucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missou ri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, U

News Magazine January 2022

FEATURE STORY

and — counterintuitively — it will increase in natural gas consumption. ” “ Heating homes with natural gas is straightforward and efficient. The gas is piped into the house and then burned in a furnace with efficiency exceeding 90 percent in modern models. This means that 90 percent of the energy contained in the natural gas ends as useful heat for the home’s residents. However, that use — as all fossil fuels — produces carbon dioxide emissions. An electric heater can be just as efficient and produces no emissions. But what about the electricity used to run it? When natural gas is being burned in a power plant, only about 45 percent of the energy contained in it will be converted into electricity. As that electricity is transported and distributed, additional 6 to 10 percent is lost; and the amount of electrical energy delivered to a house is typically just one-third of the energy contained in the natural gas fuel. Consequently, the overall efficiency of a gas heater is almost three times as high than that of its all-electric counterpart. ” 6 Hill author, Ognjen Miljani ć , is a professor of chemistry at the University of Houston . He states, “ A broader lesson … is that politicization of energy leads to bad decisions — both on the political left and right. ” “ Energy issues are always complex and the two-party U.S. political landscape tends to treat most choices as binary. They are not — and nowhere is that clearer than in the case of natural gas. It is a carbon- emitting fossil fuel, on one hand. On

the other hand, it is cheap, much cleaner than coal and produced domestically. It has evolved into the transitional fuel of our time, allowing the U.S. to quickly ditch coal while giving renewables time to expand to the scale needed to power the entire electricity-hungry country. Once those renewables have reached that scale, banning natural gas in residential construction starts making environmental sense. Until then, these proposals are ultimately increasing our carbon footprint. ” 6 From this author ’ s perspective, I was birthed into the HVAC industry as a geothermal geek. Believed in it then and still do; however, I do not understand the move to ban or significantly limit the use of natural gas. It is an efficient, reliable source of Btus. It is also safe when we treat it correctly which the gas companies champion. We have gone too far in our group think at best and mob mentality at worst. Surely, Arkansas will continue to give Arkansans the choice of gas or electric for heating and cooking. My goodness, it just makes sense. References: 1 https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/ 2021/07/californias-cities-lead-way- gas-free-future 2 https://www.opb.org/article/2021/1 2/15/natural-gas-furnaces-water- heaters-in-crosshairs-of-some- northwest-policymakers/ 3 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/ 16/climate/gas-stoves-climate- change.html

News Magazine January 2022

FEATURE STORY

4 https://www.nrdc.org/experts/alejan dra-mejia/gas-interests-threaten- local-authority-6-states 5 https://www.washingtonpost.com/cli mate- environment/2021/02/23/climate- change-natural-gas/ 6 https://thehill.com/opinion/energy- environment/546181-banning- natural-gas-in-homes-will-increase- the-consumption-of

An authoritative report from busvlogger on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBwaQX15DZk

A spoon predicts lots of heavy damp snow to shovel

A spoon predicts lots of heavy damp snow to shovel

A spoon predicts lots of heavy damp snow to shovel

A fork predicts light powdery snow

No knifes predicting sharp cold weather

http://www.edssupply.com/arkansas

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

warm, cool, and refrigerated. It is a combination of needs and desires. You can’t have a food supply without refrigeration, you can’t have medical services without air conditioning and specialty medical equipment cooling, you can’t have copy machines working without the proper temperature and humidity, you can’t have … OK, enough — you get the point and now the world does as well. I recently heard a northern reporter say that we southerners will have to get accustomed to less air conditioning at which point a southerner replied , “ Perhaps, and you northerners need to get accustomed to less heat. ” Ha! It is all a matter of perspective as to what is important and what another needs to adjust. Bottom line, I don’t see thermostats being adjusted dramatically.

Well, it has been a year. I thought 2020 was a strange anomaly in American history but 2021 was perhaps even more so. The pandemic is still with us, politicians are bent on keeping us in lockdowns, inflation hit a 39 year high, crime is up all around America--yet life goes on. It may not be the life we wanted for our families but life goes on. I will not spend the rest of this article bemoaning our strange and regretful situation medically, financially, or politically. It did seem necessary to acknowledge it but it is not our purpose to swim in this pool of negativism.

Back to “T hings are looking good in Arkans as.” Let’s look at a few statistics .

Declining Arkansas Unemployment Rate

The point we want to spent time visiting is that the Arkansas HVACR has done quite well during the last couple of years. When many occupations were being locked down, the HVACR industry was designated as essential. We have always said that we don’t have to

ARKANAS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

10

8.5 7.8

7.1 6.5

5.9 5.6 5.3

4.9 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.2

4 3.7

3.4

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we are back to historic lows of April & May 2019. They also project the labor force to be at 56.9% or 1,354,102. That is down from April 2019. Now let’s become Polly Anna and see the glass ½ full. We have 25,469 fewer Arkansans in the labor force. These are people that will

worry about outsourcing our career. Somebody has to design, install, and service HVACR comfort and refrigeration systems. It is not like what we do is optional. This pandemic and the amazing growth of many companies has proven that when others are having problems, people and businesses still want to be

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

have to come back unless the feds pass the BBB bill which looks somewhat unlikely at present. So how can that be good. Well, Someone is going to hire those folks and we, the HVACR industry, have a shot at a fair share. To hire our portion, we have to recruit, recruit, recruit--like booths at homes shows, county fairs, high school career days. Some of our ad money has to be spent advertising the industry and your unique position. The Association chapters can work together to get the message to those potential recruits. We have to develop training and compensation plans similar to apprenticeship even if we don’t subscribe to DOL as yet. After all, we are competing with compensation plans that blow your mind. One contractor told me that a Colonel Sanders in his town was paying $20 per hour. Now that is extreme; however, $12 to $15 is becoming quite the norm for entry level fast food. We can’t be at that level and expect to hire the best of those interested in working with their hands and their minds. Our recruitment requires benefits and a plan for advancement--again, similar to what apprenticeship offers. It isn’t rocket science. If we want career minded folks we have to offer a career path, not just an easy job to get hired into. The following is a sample of a Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Chart. It has been around for generations but it is time we took a fresh look at it. We need to see how our industry and our companies fit into the pyramid of growth and personal satisfaction.

What do we want and what it takes to keep us satisfied in our lives and our careers.

Level One

Physiological needs is what it takes to put us in the house, drive the car, buy the food, and clothing that will keep us happy. It is basic and varies from person to person. One person may be happy with Ramen noodles while another needs foie gras and pate’. This is where the “pay scale” comes in. How long can you keep a person at starting level and them stay with you? How fast and how high will you have to go to keep a 20 year technician. I have seen the pay scale take off like a rocket in the last year but physiological needs are only the foundation of life’s satisfaction pyramid. Safety needs include health insurance, sick leave, disability, even retirement. Once the individual’s level one physiological needs are met, they start thinking about level two, safety and security needs. So money hires and if your not careful, the employer may think that is all that matters; however, the employee needs more. They need good pay but they also need security. Level Two

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

Level Three

yourself or allow your employees to miss out on what they though was sooo cool. They are an installer but want to be a tech--put them on that path with training and opportunity. They want to do commercial--let them be the person that puts you in that business. Again, put them on that path with training and opportunity. Whatever their passion, help them achieve it. OK! Everyone could have chosen a different career or path in life; but, when one looks back on theirs they should have a sense of satisfaction. They may drive by jobs they did and feel good about the quality of work that was done. They may see their past company truck and feel a bit of a ting or pull in that direction. Their mind is flooded with old stories, good stories. They are happy with their family. They have an income that supports them without a significant adjustment in lifestyle. They make themselves available to encourage or mentor, perhaps even teach a class at the local HVAC training program. They may regret some of their actions or decisions but never their life. They are self actualized. “It Has Been Good!” So, in Arkansas we have an opportunity to recruit those coming into the workplace with a career that can provide all five of Maslow’s level of needs. My question is, “Does your company provide all five levels?” If so, you’ll attract the brightest and the most loyal. You’ll find support and commitment that will make you and your compa ny successful. You’ll find employees that will serve your customers in the same way you would want to be served. This is a perfect example of what you do when you swap the tool belt for the manager’s chair. You start focusing on making your employees successful who

Belongingness and love needs. Sounds kind of mushy but it is more. It says that one needs to be part of something. Yes, they need traditional family but they also need family at work — friendships that last forever. Stories to tell of jobs gone right and wrong. Relationship that may go outside the workplace to fishing, hunting, golfing, etc. We spend more time working than any other part of our life, even sleep for most people. We need to feel that we belong at that place and are appreciated. Esteem needs and a sense of accomplishment. Something that will make them proud of what they do. Something that will make them work hard to create and protect those relationships and reputation created in level four. Many men say they don’t want a pat on the back but in reality they do. A recognition of a job well done and a reward that recognizes the accomplishment. NATE, RSES, ACCA, Arkansas HVACR Association, and other levels of accomplishment are important to a career minded individual. It says they are professional, superior, and have significant worth to the employer, themselves, and the customer. It makes them and their family feel good. Every employee should have an “I Love Me Wall” at home where they display their certificates and awards. Employers should look for opportunities to sincerely recognize employees. Level Four

Level Five

Self-Actualization. To me, this is best described by an individual who enters retirement, looks back on their life and says, “It has been good.” Don’t wait for

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

then make you successful. It isn’t really a different commitment to your company. It just recognizes that you can’t do it all so do all you can to recruit, train, and your reward your employees while serving your customers. Here’s a suggestion, realize what a great opportunity you can offer a person coming into this trade. Set a goal to provide a career, not just a job. Recruit career minded individuals. Then, take the Hierarchy of Needs and see what you can do to meet those needs for your people. When you have a full pyramid, you’ll be on your way to a more successful business and life than you ever dreamed. You’ll get your share of those folks coming back into the work place. Good work building your company’s pyramid and, by the way, congratulations on your new hires. Use this sample as a brain-start to create a plan to help you and your employees begin with physical needs but achieve self-actualization. What is your company doing to make sure everyone succeeds?

Quotes to Think By

Quotes to Live By Employers have to understand that if they want to attract and keep good people, they’ve got to treat those people as whole people who have lives outside work. Robert Reich If your are lucky enough to be someone’s employer, then you have a moral obligation to make sure people do look forward to coming to work in the morning. John Macey, Whole Foods CEO You don’t build a business. You build people and then people build the business Unknown Customers will never love a company until the employees love it first. Simon Sinek Train people well enough so they can leave. Treat them well enough so they don’t want to. Richard Branson Employee loyalty begins with employer loyalty. Your employees should know that if they do the job they were hired to do with a reasonable amount of competence and efficiency, you will support them. Harvey Mackay I have always believed that the way you treat your employees is the way they will treat your customers, and that people flourish when they are praised. Richard Branson

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While the electronic thermostat could be operated from the homeowner ’ s phone, he wasn ’ t sure how to adjust it from the house. Channel 5 reported that on a 90+ degree day it was 79 in the house and the homeowner did not know how to make it cooler. After Channel 5 got involved, the contractor adjusted the purchase price of the equipment to $13,000 and cancelled the service agreement. They still needed to release the homeowner from the lien on the home which was part of the service agreement. There are some details in the article that make a contractor have questions; however, it does raise issues of ethics in our increasingly sales dominated residential marketing environment. To read the whole article, click on the following link: https://www.newschannel5.com/news /newschannel-5-investigates/elderly- man-winds-up-with-19-000-hvac- system-that-he-wont-pay-off-until-hes- nearly-100-years-old

He’ll pay it off when he’s over 100.

Jennifer Kraus, Channel 5 News in Tennessee reported that an elderly man purchased from his long time and trusted HVAC contractor a HVAC system for $19,000 which would take him to an age of over 100 to pay it off. Their 1,500 square foot home of almost 50 years was comfortable according to the homeowner; however, it appears that the technician discovered the air conditioner was “ low on gas. ” Since the unit was about 10 years old, the tech recommended that the unit be replaced with the their most expensive unit. The sale included:

• High efficiency air conditioner • Furnace • Air cleaner • Electronic thermostat

The payment was $275 for 117 months.

Additionally, the sale included $13,000 for their highest level service plan. It appears that the contractor includes the service plan in the sale price. That brought the total sale to $32,275.

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14% increase in the number of inquiries year-over-year

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Friendliness of employees

Communication with customers Skill and knowledge of the project

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Get everything in writing including brand names and warranties

How quickly the project is completed

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Source: IABBB Research, Jan - May 2020

Find Trusted HVAC Businesses at BBB.org

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Big Career Day at Springdale High NWTI and Local HVACR Contractors & Distributors Reach Out The whole industry knows we need help and in an effort to attract career minded high school students, Northwest Technical Institute partnered with local contractors and distributors to reach out to Springdale students. With over 4,500 high school students in the district, there is certainly a deep pool of possible recruits for the HVACR industry. This effort takes time and coordination but the HVACR industry has a great story to tell. According to the Department of Labor Statistics, about 38,500 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year nationwide over the next decade. The median annual wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $50,590 in May 2020. Of course, this is not entry level pay and to start one ’ s career at a better level, prospects should consider an educational program at a local two

Springdale Students Offer a Camera Pose

year college program like the one at NWTI. “ Because HVACR systems have become increasingly complex, employers generally prefer applicants with postsecondary education or those who have completed an apprenticeship. ”

The NewsMagazine compliments all those involved that made this outreach to Springdale students possible. If we are to fill our employment needs we have to take our story to the marketplace. Folks from NWTI and the Northwest chapter ’ s own David Stephenson and Stephen Zisner

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committed to HVACR education and fully supports Mr. Jackson’s program. instruction also includes Kevin Brown who serves with Robert teaching HVAC Program

EACC’s Robert Jackson Joins Instructor’s Council

but whose primary responsibility is in the Appliance program. Together, they share their years of field experience with the students to balance their education with both practical hands-on experience and theory. The Association, with funding from Office of Skills Development, gifted the program over $3,300 in diagnostic equipment. The use of the equipment will help students learn commissioning and validating the capacity and efficiency of equipment in real time. If you are interested in a career in the HVACR industry or need help, contact Robert Jackson at 870-633-4480.

Robert Jackson, lead HVACR instrutor at East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City became the 11 th member of the Arkansas HVACR Association Instructor’s Council. The Council is a voluntary collaboration of the instructors to exchange ideas and to improve HVACR education in the state. Robert Has been with EACC for 7 years and has an effective program, training students to enter their HVACR career with a foundation leading to success. In the final term of the EACC program, students — • Pass the EPA 608 • Recover refrigerant • Charge a system including line set variables • Layout and install a duct system • Measure static pressure • Install thermostats • ETC. From Forrest City to Memphis and throughout the Crowley’s Ridge area of east Arkansas, contractors recruit EACC students. According to Dr. Robert Summers, VP of Vocational, Occupational, & Technical Education, EACC is

Instructors Robert Jackson & Kevin Brown

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What if they come in higher and you are already satisfied with your present company? Don’t change. The Association would never ask you to do anything that is against your best interest; however, if their quote is less and you get a 10% discount, “ WHY WOULD YOU NOT CHANGE ?” Your changing to EMC helps the entire industry because of the financial help EMC gives the Association. How is that true? Let me be very presumptuous and say that the Arkansas HVACR Association offers benefits to its members that are unavailable elsewhere at an affordable price. 1. The Association works tirelessly on legislative and regulation issues. 2. The Association has saved the industry thousands of dollars that most will never know about. It is usually behind the scenes. Just one example. Those that attended the Manual J classes this fall were part of a $22,250 cumulative savings. 3. The Association offers training and informative sessions in each of the eight chapters during their five meetings. Three especially important examples are a. “So Called” Drop In Refrigerants b. Mechanical Ventilation c. DOT licensing surprise requirements Again, these were made possible in part by EMC Insurance. So, I am not embarrassed to ask you to give EMC a shot at your business. What have you got to lose? (479) 424-4918 or (501) 581-1176

Why you owe it to yourself and the industry

OK! It is obvious that the Arkansas HVACR Association promotes EMC insurance. Truth is, there is something in it for us. EMC pays the Association an advertising/marketing fee that is important to the finances of the Association. BUT THAT ISN’T THE ONLY REASON! First, EMC came recommended by several HVACR companies in the Ft. Smith chapter. Why? Here are three reasons: 1. EMC is very competitive 2. EMC offers Association members a 10% discount in addition to their competitive rates 3. EMC has a record of quick and fair claims service. Second, the fee paid by EMC to the Association allows us to keep our membership dues low, only $200 per year. Most other Associations begin at $400 and go to over a thousand. Third, we sincerely believe that every HVACR contractor in Arkansas owes it to themselves to get a quote prior to their next renewal. Notice, I did not say buy from EMC. They still have to compete for your business with pricing and service. It costs noting to get a quote and the benefits can be substantial.

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36 Different Convictions May Disqualify from Holding a License

The HVACR License Board heard testimony from an Arkansas registrant whose licensed employer passed away and the registrant wanted to continue in the trade. His history in the industry is exemplary but he was prohibited from automatically being permitted to take the licensing test. In 2016 & 2017, he was sentenced to community correction for violations of Arkansas code 5-64-20 and 5-64-422, drug related offences. He completed drug rehab and is presently on parole. Arkansas Code 17-3-102 prevents a person from automatically being able to sit for a licensing test. The board is required to hear a request and make a decision to deny or allow the individual to test. After extensive presentation and questioning, the applicant was allowed to sit for the exam but the Board wanted further assurances before a license would be granted. This is a result of newly passed Arkansas laws designed to help a previously incarcerated person merge back into society. This was the first time the HVACR Board heard this sort of request. The Board was very careful to make a precedent that was fair, defensible, and protective to consumers. Organizations have considered the

HVACR industry as being an excellent option for those in this situation. While the HVACR industry might be a good place for a previously incarcerated person to get a job, the law also prohibits persons convicted of at least 36 crimes from being licensed without a hearing. Those include: • Capital murder • Murder in the first degree • Manslaughter • Negligent homicide • Kidnapping • False imprisonment in the first degree • Permanent detention or restraint • Robbery • Aggravated robbery • Battery in the first degree • Aggravated assault • Introduction of controlled substance into to the body of another • Terroristic threatening in the first degree • Rape • Sexual indecency with a child • Sexual extortion • Sexual assault in the first degree, second degree, third degree and fourth degree • Incest • Offenses against the family

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expired more than 5 years ago. The latest of the three applies. 2. The Board may consider violent or sexual convictions without regard to a timeline. Persons wanting to enter the HVACR industry having committed crimes that may preclude them from testing may still apply for a waiver. The Board ’ s decision could consider evidence based on: • The age of at which the offense was committed • The circumstances surrounding the offense • The length of time since the offense was committed • Subsequent work history since the offense was committed • Employment references since the offense was committed • Character references since the offense was committed • Relevance of the offense to the occupation license • Other evidence demonstrating that the licensure of the applicant does not pose a threat to the health or safety of the public. The legislature is concerned about rehabilitating and bringing felons into the mainstream but the Board is tasked with protecting consumers who trust the installers and techs with their belongings and family. It is not an easy tight rope to walk.

• Endangering the welfare of an incompetent person in the first degree • Permitting the abuse of a minor • Engaging children in sexually explicit conduct • Computer child pornography • Computer exploitation of a child in the first degree • Felony adult abuse • Theft of property • Theft by receiving • Arson • Burglary • Felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act • Promotion of prostitution in the first degree • Stalking • Criminal attempt, criminal complicity criminal solicitation or criminal conspiracy … There are exemptions that prohibit the Licensing Board from denying license or license renewal. These are time lined July 24, 2019. Basically, a person licensed or in pursuit of a license via an education program prior to July 24, 2019 is not automatically disqualified from renewing or sitting for a license. There are two conditions that limit or provide guidance to the Board. 1. If the individual was not convicted of a sexual or violent crime, the Board cannot consider past crimes that are more than 5 years past the conviction or incarceration or parole that may have

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NWTI Business & Industry 709 Old Missouri Rd., Springdale, Arkansas 72764 Michael Dewberry: mdewberry@nwti.edu 479-751-8824 SAU Tech 6415 Spellman Rd, East Camden, AR 71701 Eddie Horton : ehorton@sautech.edu 870-574-4500 Southeast Arkansas College 1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 John Pyland : jpyland@seark.edu 870-543-5900 UACC Hope / Texarkana 2500 South Main, Hope 71802 Leo Rateliff : leo.rateliff@uacch.edu 870-722-8507 UACC Morrilton 1537 University Blvd., Morrilton, AR 72110 Carroll Chism: chismc@uaccm.edu 3000 West Scenic Drive, NLR 72206 Robert Dixon : rdixon@uaptc.edu 501-812-2200 UA Monticello / Crossett 1326 Hwy 52W, Crossett, AR 71635 William Campbell : campbellw@uamont.edu 870-460-2010 (501) 977-2053 UA Pulaski Tech If you are a college or technical institute and want to be included in the list of HVACR education providers, contact the NewsMagazine 501-487-8655 news@arhvacr.org We’ll make sure you are in the next issue. Also, if we need to correct your information, please let us know. Add Your Name

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Arkansas North Eastern College 4213 Main Street, Blytheville 72315 Rick Sones : rsones@smail.anc.edu 870-763-6222 Arkansas Tech University, Ozark 1700 Helberg Lane, Ozark, AR 72949 Kenneth Beeler : kbeeler@atu.edu 479-508-3333 ASU Mountain Home 4034 Hwy 63 W, Mountain Home 72653 Eric Smith : esmith@asumh.edu 870-508-6221 ASU Newport 33500 US 63, Marked Tree 72365 Mark Constant : mark_constant@asun.edu 870-358-8627 ASU Searcy 1800 East Moore Avenue, Searcy Brad Cooper: bjcooper@asub.edu 501-207-6221 East Arkansas Community College Newcastle Road, Forrest City, AR 72335 Robert Jackson : 870-633-5411 National Park College 101 College Drive, Hot Springs, 71913 Kelli Albrecht : 501-760-4349 501-760-4222 North Arkansas Community College 1515 Pioneer Drive, Harrison, AR 72601 Jeff Smith : jsmith@northark.edu 870-391-3382 Northwest Arkansas Community College One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 71712 Michael Dewberry : mdewberry@nwacc.edu 870-391-3382

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HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

Tech News

(DC) will be present as a path is made between the rod and the ions in the flame. This small DC current signals the board that flame exists and all is well with the world. If it does not sense this microamp ( μ A) DC current within a few seconds, it will shut off the gas valve and try again. The board outputs this potential (voltage) on the flame sensing terminal right at the beginning of the sequence to confirm that the path is “open” with no flame. This step ensures against false positives (sensing flame/current when there should be none), and once it goes from 0 current to the rated microamp ( μ A) current, the board “ knows ” that flame is present. These flame sensing rods are “dumb” devices. They do not generate potential (volts) or current (amps); their predecessor, the thermocouple (seen in standing pilot systems), does generate a potential itself, which is often the source of the confusion. A flame sensing rod is a piece of metal with a ceramic insulator that keeps it from grounding out. That is all. However, because it is conducting in the millionths of an amp (microamp), a lot can go wrong with it that a normal electrical component wouldn't have any issue with. Tolerances are tight, so small factors make a big difference.

Flame Sensing— The Basics Bryan Orr

Proving flame is an important part of the gas firing sequence. Without proof of flame, you risk dumping unspent gas into the heat exchanger, resulting in an explosion. There are many ways to “prove flame,” but we are focusing on the flame sensing rod (flame rectification) method here. Here are the facts: Flame sensing rods, also known as flame rectifier rods or flame rectification rods, are commonplace in modern hot surface and ISI (intermittent spark ignition) gas-fired appliances. Flame sensing rods stick out into the flame and connect back to the furnace board. Once the board sends a call to the gas valve to open, it monitors the current flow on the flame sensing rod. It generates a potential (voltage) at the flame sensing terminal; this terminal is connected to the sensor with a conductor. When no flame is present, there will be potential at the rod and no current. When a flame is present, a small microamp ( μ A) direct current

Flame sensors fail when:

1. They short out due to a cracked insulator.

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

Tech News

2. They fail open because they are broken. 3. They don't conduct because they are not properly placed in the flame. 4. They become coated in silica (glass) or carbon. Before I go any further, I want to address a common question. Do flame sensors have a special coating that can be rubbed off with improper cleaning? Well, if we are talking about a thermocouple or a thermopile, then yes, absolutely, but we aren't discussing standing pilot systems here. I have seen many flame-sensing rods, and I have done a good deal of research; I have found no evidence that typical flame-sensing rods have a special coating on them that can be rubbed off. Now, if you have real, quantifiable proof from a manufacturer that says otherwise, PLEASE provide it to me so I can retract this statement. I think it's more likely that issues techs see from cleaning are due to cleaning with sand cloth (Emory cloth) and leaving behind grit that can lead to a coating and poor conductance once heated. I chalk the other part up to confusing a thermocouple with a flame rod and bit to superstition.

Here are the steps to test a flame sensor:

1. Ensure the furnace is properly grounded. You can do this by powering down the heater and taking an ohm reading between neutral and the burner assembly. You should read a few ohms of resistance max; the lower the ohm reading, the better grounded it is. 2. Make sure your polarity is correct: incoming hot connected to hot, neutral to neutral. 3. Ensure that the rod is positioned so that it will be covered in flame. 4. Get a meter that reads in the microamp scale with a 0.10 resolution minimum. Use a good QUALITY meter for this, and make sure your leads are in the correct locations. 5. Connect your leads in SERIES. Disconnect the lead from the rod, connect one lead to the rod, and connect the other to the terminal to the board WITH THE CONNECTOR UNHOOKED FROM THE ROD. 6. When the flame lights, you should read between 0.5 and 10 microamps ( μ A), depending on the furnace. Readings between 2 and 6 are common.

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

Tech News

If you do not have a proper microamp ( μ A) reading, you can confirm the following:

Once you have established all of the above and are still not getting the required microamps, your only remaining option is to replace the board. Word of warning: Test your tools regularly. If you trust your meter and aren't 100% sure your meter is working and set up properly, you may end up with a misdiagnosis. Test and calibrate your tools regularly. Do every possible test before replacing a board. Many techs advocate just replacing a flame sensor if they suspect it isn't conducting well. I am cool with that so long as: 1. You wouldn't charge the customer for it if there were nothing wrong with it. 2. Your company is OK eating the cost of unneeded rods. Or, you just install a new one long enough to test. That is all fine and good if you have extra flame rods in your truck. Many techs do not have that luxury. Finally… If flame rods are getting dirty/coated often, you will want to find out why. There is something in the environment or the combustion that is causing it. Many techs notice that furnaces bringing their combustion air from laundry rooms or basements with cleaners nearby often get dirtier quicker.

• The flame rod is not open — ohm from the tip to the terminal on the rod. If the rod is open, it is failed. • Check the insulator and make sure it isn't cracked or grounded • Check for proper burner grounding and incoming power polarity (as mentioned) • Clean the rod. Now, this is a controversial one. I suggest using very fine steel wool or an abrasive pad (magic erasers often work). Remove and clean the rod and ensure you wipe it clean of any particles left over from cleaning. Handle it very gently. Once complete, perform an ohm test from tip to terminal again to ensure that you haven't damaged anything during cleaning. If you want to be really crazy, use some electrical contact cleaner on it after cleaning to help remove any residue — just nowhere near the flame, unless you don't want eyebrows.

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

Tech News

In summary, flame rods should be:

Sad & Funnies

1. In the flame 2. Clean 3. Not open 4. Not shorted

Now is the part where the furnace techs from all over the world tear me apart. — Bryan

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HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

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Part Four of Five-

Example: Nominal 3-ton flows 1200 cfm. 1200 cfm / 2 = 600 square inches of gross grille area. This gross grill area is valid for a standard stamped face grille. In certain circumstances where returns are space constrained, you may want to use a commercial type grille. AK factor can be almost double on the commercial grille allowing more air flow in a smaller space. Be aware, smaller spaces increase speed. We will tackle velocity next, but we must take note that anytime we exceed 400 FPM we generate too much noise at the return. Some companies use commercial returns as a standard offering to reduce static pressure and noise.

Cold Air (Return) Demand Tom Turner, Air Evangelist

In part one, we discussed the issue of air flow through the furnace or air handler and in part two we discussed the evaporator and proper selection for capacity. The third article pointed out the importance of the distribution system. This discussion includes a most difficult subject. Cold air (heating dominate climates) or return air (everywhere else) intake for the HVAC system. There are four obstacles to providing air access to the blower compartment via the chassis. Overall intake area- There must be adequate area for incoming air to the blower. This area must take account of added restrictions the grille applied, may bring to the equation. This is where understanding the characteristics of individual grilles is important. When measuring static pressure from inside the blower compartment to outside the return air including the filter values must be at .15 IWC or less. Grille area as related to free area or AK factor- Primarily understanding the AK factor gives us an idea of the free area the grille provides. In part one we discussed the chassis requirements for air. The formula for calculating the area needed, is a simple one. Half of the cfm required, equals the square inches of gross grill area.

Filter quality and area for slower air flow and greater filter efficiency- This topic is one of great consternation. With all the retrofit opportunities available, preexisting systems can pose the problem of uncovering the fact HVAC in often overlooked when the home is

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

Tech News

built. Outside of those roadblocks, is the fact today’s systems move air more efficiently than older systems. Today’s variable speed blowers insure air flow. Older fans simply slipped in the airstream when air met resistance. Two objects must be addressed on every system as the requirements are never the same. CFM or volume of air is the object we generally understand. Velocity or speed at each point the system, not so much. Quantity (CFM) will remain constant only if the velocity is designed in at each juncture. Even more important than air speed through the return grille, is velocity through the filter. The general standard for efficient filter flow is 300 FPM. This limit requires significant increases in surface area beyond what the bottom of the furnace provides. If necessary, please review part one of this series by clicking on the link below. https://user-czmy2oa.cld.bz/arkansas- hvacr-newsmagazine-may-2021/52/ Many, if not most one-inch fiber glass filters require velocities as low as 200 FPM. If you follow one-inch filters to their logical end, you’d find 10 square feet of filters necessary on a five-ton nominal system. We seldom pay attention these values and wonder why evaporators become restricted in short order. In other words, one-inch filters have no place in today’s HVAC market. Even highly regarded media filters often advertise 2000 CFM air handling capacities with a handicapped static pressure of .5 IWC or more. It is up to the contractor to understand these statistics are for reference and our design criteria from the field is critical. Systems of over 3-ton capacity, always require more than

one media filter. Efficient air flow in some cases will require multiple filters on smaller systems. These facts are not facts of just economy. They are facts of operation and laws of physics. If you want the correct air flow and filtering you must design for each application.

Path from terminal device to return area- From every terminal device, there must be an unimpeded route back to the air handler. We sometimes forget the largest damper in the HVAC system, are closed doors. No air flow out of the room, equals no air flow into the room. When sizing returns, jumper ducts or returns to the plenum we must remember the supplies are fan driven and returns are static driven. Generally, any room that requires a supply should have a 10” return at a minimum. 8” supply requires a 12” and a 1 0” supply requires a 14” static return. These sizes insure flows back to the

HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

Tech News

return or cold air intake. This is also time to remember the duct calculator. using .04 for return duct sizing as a minimum.

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As a concluding point, doing the right thing is the only way to manage an HVAC install. Anytime we shortchange the operation of a system, we shortchange the customer. Comfort, economy, and equipment longevity are all compromised.

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