Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

News Magazine May 2026

Arkansas’ First and Only HVACR NewsMagazine

Business is Good

Pictures Send pictures of wall of shame jobs you fixed. Also pictures of jobs you are proud of. We’ll use them in the fall issues of the NewsMagazine Send to tomhunt@arhvacr.org

Articles Editorial: Online License Renewal : Been a Year — How’d it Go (pg. 4) State, National, Chapter News ESCO Message from Manufacturers (pg. 6) Kirk’s Corner (pg. 12) Kirk Pierce Pricing for Profit Class & Take Aways (pg. 16) Manufactures Sued for Price Fixing (pg. 18) Manual J Classes : 5 classes and 39 students (pg 9) Education: Arkansas HVACR College Programs (pg.20) NewsMagazine Past Issues (pg. 21) Lunch & Learn Past Issues (pg. 22) Business: KPI, Key Performance Indicators Ruth King (pg. 23) Tech News: Charging in the Rain Orr HVAC School (24) Clean the Condensate Craig Migliatto (pg. 26) Understanding the Psych Chart Bryan Orr (pg. 32) Heating Outcomes (pg. 37) Unique Arkansas is Back Cherry Dump Cake by Nana (pg. 38)

Kirk Pierson Pg. 12

Bryan Orr Charging in Rain Pg. 24 Craig Migliacco Condensate Clean Out Pg 26

Ruth King KPI Key: Performance Indicators Pg. 23

pg. 13

Tom Hunt Editorial How’d I t Go Pg. 4

It’s About Health and Safety

Pg 19

By Arkansans

For Arkansans

News Magazine May2026

Table of Contents

18

State, national, chapter news ESCO Message from Manufacturers Manual J Classes : 5 classes and 38 students Editorial Electronic License Renewal : Been a Year : How’d it Go

pg 4

PG 6

PG 9

PG 12

Kirk’s Corner

PG 16

Pricing for Profit Class and Take Aways Manufacturers Sued for Pricing Fixing AC : It ’ s About Health and Safety

PG 18

PG 19

Education News Training Programs

PG 20

PG 21

NewsMagazine Past Issues Lunch & Learn Past Issues

pg 30 PG 33 pg 36 PG 22 PG 23

Business News

KPI: Key Performance Indicators

(Ruth King)

Tech News

PG 24

Checking Charges in the Rain : Branaman with HVAC School 10 Methods to Clean Condensate (Craig Migliacco) Understanding the Psych Chart (Bryan Orr – HVAC School)

PG 26

PG 32

Hearing Outcomes Dwayne Johnson Unique Arkansas Cherry Dump Cake by Nana

PG 37

PG 30

I’ve Done it This Way for 20 Years: That’s the Problem (Bryan Orr - HVAC School) PG

PG 38

PG 30

pg 30 PG 33 pg 36 pg 30 PG 33 pg 36

News Magazine 2026

Arkansas’ First and Only HVACR NewsMagazine

Going Someplace in 2026 Check out MemberDeals

It’s a service for Association members to reduce travel and entertainment costs. Check it out on the website at arhvacr.org Log in and scroll down to Member Advantages. At the bottom, click on the MemberDeals icon. Lots of potential savings are available and it only costs you your membership. What a deal — What a deal. You might save some money and maybe not. Won’t know till you check it out. Let us know your experience so we can improve or share.

arhvacr.org sign in Member Deals

Exclusive Members Only Check it out!

Membership Has Its Advantages

News Magazine May 2026

April 2025 or thereabouts, the Department of Labor and Licensing began the process of converting the HVACR industry to electronic licensing renewals. In an industry that was satisfied with paper, it has been a tough change. So, if we are the industry that was happy with the status quo, why was there a change? Suffice it to say, we are living in a changing world that you and I may not be so happy with. Doesn’t matter, it will change and we will adapt or we will be left out — not just behind. There may be more but I can think of a couple of reasons that electronic renewal became necessary. 1. The time and labor involved for the department became untenable. The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing Code Enforcement division is understaffed and it would have been impossible for them to handle the growing volume of paperwork. Their staff already has to jump between programs to handle the demand — even after electronic renewal. So how many departments does that small staff of 3 or 4 have to administer? Let’s see, HVACR, Electrical, Boiler, Elevator, and It is an unreasonable expectation that they handle very well but growth is overwhelming.

2. Printing and postage have gone out the roof. The last time I estimated the cost of a bulk mailing, it was about $1.50. That did not include the extra cost of contracting with a mailing firm. Today, postage is even higher and so is labor. We have about 19,000 licensees plus registrants in our industry. Even at a buck and a half, it would cost over $30,000 to print and mail the licenses. May not seem like much when we pay $150 to $200 for a license, but that money also has to pay for inspectors, etc. One reason that we are short on inspectors is that our income will not support the full complement of inspectors we had 20 years ago. In the May 2025 issue of the NewsMagazine, I did not mince my words. There was a problem in the change over to electronic license renewal and I called it a screw-up. Hurt some feelings so I toned down the rhetoric and republished the May issue. Did not change the fact that we still had problems with information and education. Well, we have lived through the first year and we’ll see how it works out during the second electronic renewal. We have been through it once and will not be as intimidated as we were during the first one.

News Magazine May 2026

Here is what I know. The staff at the HVACR licensing program have been amazingly helpful. I can’t believe the level of patience and kindness they have shown our industry. This year I have received several calls each week about electronic licensing. Of course, it is always someone that is having trouble. They have no reason to call me if things went well so I know that I have spent a year hearing from unhappy, frustrated, disenchanted, and disgruntled licensees. I give them the adll.hvacr@arkansas.gov email address and encourage them to hang in there. I know that the department will “eventually” get with them. Some call back, still frustrated. Again, “Hang in there. Don’t let this frustration distract you from your primary goal of running your business. They will get you renewed. They’ll also be very nice and helpful.” Usually, I don’t hear back; however, when I do, they confirm that our staff was very polite, kind, and helpful. It is always a good experience. How do you account for the ability of a staff to take scores of calls each day — each one with the same need, and probably, the need to vent just a little. Yet, the staff has spent a year of serving with a remarkable attitude. Now, our department says that HVACR folks also have a good attitude — for the most part. And I am very proud of being HVACR. It has been a tough year but we have made it through. I expect we’ll have another year of needing help but not to the degree of this past year. After all, we haven’t thought about this since the last time and

it will be bit of like waking up in an “almost new world.”

During the round of October 2025 Chapter continuing education meetings, we took a quick survey and created a word cloud. A word cloud groups and enlarges responses based on the number of times each word was submitted. The results are very illustrative. Each person there was asked to enter four words that explained how they felt about electronic licensing. Encouraged them to be honest. A word before the process was complete and one after. Whatever they felt. We wanted the results to be a transparent view of the transition. Two of the word clouds follow:

Notice that the opinion of the process was mixed. I think most had negative words before and during the renewal and positive comments when they spoke to the staff. It is what they said when they saw the word cloud and asked for more comments. It was this way in all eight meetings. That is amazingly positive and my hat is off to your staff at ADLL. To wrap it up, if you don’t have paperwork from the Department and need to renew, go to this link and follow instructions. https://apps.lnpweb.com/authenticate/ existing-account-login

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

State National Chapter News

strongly resonated with educators, trainers, and industry stakeholders. The response was overwhelmingly positive. More importantly, it sparked a discussion for continued collaboration about how manufacturers can better collaborate with HVACR educational programs. An Industry Evolving Faster Than Education One message stood above the rest. The industry is evolving faster than many education programs can keep pace with. Modern HVACR systems now include inverter driven technology, advanced digital controls, connected diagnostics, and new refrigerants with evolving safety requirements. As a result, many students graduate without sufficient exposure to the equipment they will encounter in the field on day one. This creates immediate and measurable skill and safety gaps. Fundamentals Still Matter but They Are Not Enough Despite rapid technological change, manufacturers emphasized that fundamentals remain essential. A strong understanding of airflow, refrigeration, and electrical systems are still the foundation of success. However, short term, accelerated programs, or on-the-job training cannot replace the depth and structure of comprehensive education. At the same time, high performance heat pumps, inverter driven systems are no longer emerging technologies, they are the standard students need to know on day one.

ESCO : Message from HVACR Manufacturers

John Amos Bosch Home Comfort USA , Paul Chaves Mitsubishi Electric Trane US , Fadi Al Nemry LG HVAC Solutions USA , Jeff Bledsoe Daikin Comfort , Doug Smiley Lennox , Jose De La Portilla Rheem Manufacturing , David Rames Midea America , John Davison Fujitsu General America, Inc. Leading manufacturers representing a majority of HVACR brands took the stage together at the HVAC Excellence National HVACR Education Conference to deliver a clear, unified message: the future of HVACR depends on stronger alignments between manufacturers and education. Organizations representing dozens of brands set aside competition to address a shared challenge, preparing the next generation of technicians.

A First of Its Kind Industry Conversation

As several panelists noted, while these companies have operated in the same space for decades, this was the first time they had come together in such an open and collaborative forum. The result was a candid and impactful discussion that

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

State National Chapter News

Should a person first see a R-290 Monobloc Heat Pump be in a customer’s home, or the classroom?

partnerships between education and industry. Manufacturers have made their position clear. They are ready to provide support, explain why equipment was designed a specific way, and an open forum for understanding how to interact with high performance equipment; however, partnership is not a one-sided request for resources…It is a mutual investment. If we are to prepare students for the technologies of today, and the innovations of tomorrow, then we must meet that commitment with equal resolve. For it is only when education and industry move forward together that we truly serve the future of our workforce. As systems become more complex, manufacturer led training is no longer optional. It is essential for both educators and technicians. "It’s not about making an immediate sale it’s about building a pipeline of qualified technicians in the marketplace. As the number one HVAC manufacturer in the world, we view this as part of our commitment to the industry. We are also extremely proud to be able to provide resources and assistance to those who want and need it." Jeff Bledsoe, Daikin Comfort Technologies “It is important to recognize that the individuals in attendance are not part of the problem, they are the solution. When manufacturers, educators, and trainers come together, they are not just collaborating; they are making a direct investment in the future of the HVACR Quotes from Pannelist

Where New Technicians Are Struggling

Manufacturers consistently see gaps in new technicians, particularly in diagnostic and troubleshooting ability, electrical fundamentals, system design and application, refrigerant safety, and digital controls literacy. These deficiencies often appear immediately when graduates enter the workforce, reinforcing the need for stronger alignment between education and real world applications. Defining the Roles of Education and Industry A clear distinction emerged during the discussion. Schools are responsible for providing foundational knowledge, and manufacturers are responsible for providing the intricacies of their particular equipment. Ask not what your industry can give to your program, but what your program is willing to invest to prepare the next generation of technicians. One of the clearest lessons from the Manufacturer Educational Summit was this: progress demands understanding on both sides. Too often, educators seek equipment, yet hesitate when the path forward includes the very training that brings that equipment to life. At the heart of the discussion was a shared commitment, a recognition that the future of HVACR depends on stronger A Call for Stronger Partnerships

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

State National Chapter News

industry. Through this partnership, the next generation of technicians is better trained, better prepared, and equipped to meet the evolving demands of the field.” John Davison, General Inc. "Honored to be a part of this panel. As I said on stage, we may be competitors on the field, but can unite for the common

cause of promoting HVAC, the trades in general, and the importance of training the right people on the right products. Happy to continue this overall mission whenever you need me." David Rames, Midea

Arkansas Colleges growing the industry through HVACR Education Arkansas Northeastern College Arkansas Tech University, Ozark 2501 South Division, Blytheville 1700 Helberg Lane, Ozark Jody Woodard, Instructor Kenneth Beeler, Instructor 870-762-1020 479-508-3333

ASU Newport / Marked Tree 3350 US 62, Marked Tree Mark Constant, Instructor

ASU Searcy

1800 East Moore Avenue, Searcy

Brad Cooper, Instructor

870-358-8627

501-207-6221

National Park College

Northwest Arkansas Community College

101 College Drive, Hot Springs

One College Drive, Bentonville

Apprenticeship Program

Aaron White 479-936-5107

501-760-4393

Northwest Technical Institute 709 Old Missouri Road, Springdale

Southern Arkansas University Tech 6415 Spellman Road, East Camden

Galin Cronin, Instructor

Roland Walters 870-574-4500

479-751-8824

Southeast Arkansas College 1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff

UA Batesville

2005 White Drive, Batesville Scott Phillips, Administrator

Danny Gum, Instructor

870-543-5976

870-612-2081

UA East Arkansas Community College 1700 Newcastle Road, Forrest City

UA Hope

2500 South Main, Hope Leo Rateliff, Instructor

Cornelius Tucker, Instructor

870-633-4480

870-722-8507

UA Monticello / Crossett

UA Monticello

1321 State Hwy 52 West, Crossett

1537 University Blvd, Morrilton

Brad White, Instructor

Carroll Chism, Instructor

870-415-9795

UA North Arkansas College

UA Pulaski Technical College

1320 North Spring Road, Harrison

3000 West Scenic Drive, North Little Rock

Jeff Smith, Instructor

Matthew LeMaster, Instructor

870-391-3382

501-487-8655

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

State National Chapter News

immediately shows the new load. Makes It easy to help your homeowner compare the value of insulation, window, construction, etc. Even though much time was not spent on Manual D duct design, it was valuable to see how easily the duct can be manually drawn. The result gives you the layout which will impress any inspector and help your installers know what you want. Other features like Energy Analysis and Cost Comparison were not covered but videos are available if a company wants to take that move. Just go to YouTube. There are scores of videos on every subject; some by Wrightsoft folks and many by others. While these many features are robust, they do come with a price. Beginning April 1, Wrightsoft raised their annual subscription to $900 and they don ’ t provide one and done ownership as in the past. Everything is a subscription which is the way everything is going and this price seems to be competitive. Fortunately, students in this class got the old $500 price since there was an unavoidable lap between the class announcement, price increase, and the class schedule. Also, Wrightsoft now comes with two seats. You can put it on two computers which is a huge help. Back in the days when the price was $300, it could only be used on one computer and did not include all the extra features of todays offering. Finally and importantly, the class provided 8 hours of approved continuing education, CEU 26-10. Classes were held in Blytheville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Maumelle, and Springdale. Depending on demand, they may be offered again in 2027 or perhaps 2028.

Manual J 38 Attend 5 Classes From April 2 to April 24, thirty-eight persons attended the five Arkansas HVACR Association sponsored Manual J classes. The classes used Wrightsoft RSU Residential which includes the following modules: • ACCA Manual J & S Loads • ACCA Manual D Ducts • Radiant Panel Loops • Energy Analysis & Cost Comparison • High-Velocity Ducts • Geothermal • Duct Balancing & Commissioning In a two-day class, the focus was limited to Manual J with a very short time spent on Manual D. The program has come a long way in the 30+ years we have been using it. Originally it was a spreadsheet that made the math easy but one still had to look up all the construction characteristics like the old days of paper and a Manual J book. Now, a Microsoft user draws the floor plan using load shape and duct shape drawing tools. Takes a few minutes to acclimate but then is very easy. Construction characteristics are a quick look up via a point and click with the results displayed in a graphic cut-away. One cool feature is the ability to change the orientation with one click. Even if the drawing and load is complete, one click changes all orientations and accompanying load changes. The Load Meter is a chart showing the load as a whole, by zone, and by component. Want to change the wall construction, do it and the Load Meter

http://www.edssupply.com/arkansas

ARHVACR NewsMagazine May2026

S tate, National, Chapter News State national Chapter News

Kirk’s Corner Increase Your Sales with Summit Utilities’ Rebate Program In today’s competitive HVAC market, contractors are looking for ways to close deals, increase margins, and stand out from the competition. Summit Utilities supports those goals with enhanced natural gas rebate offerings, including NEW incentives for 97% AFUE furnaces . These rebates aren’t just savings for customers —they’re a great sales tool that helps contractors upgrade equipment, offer more value, and boost their bottom line. Upgrade from Standard to High Efficiency One of the biggest opportunities for contractors is moving customers from standard 80% furnaces to higher efficiency systems. Summit Utilities makes that transition easier by offering tiered rebates that increase every step up in efficiency.

• Forced- Air Furnace (≥97% AFUE): $1,000 customer rebate ( NEW highlight tier ) • Condensing Boiler (≥95% AFUE): $1,500 customer rebate • ENERGY STAR Certified Thermostat: $60 customer rebate • Trade Ally Incentive: $100 per furnace in stall This tiered structure allows contractors to: • Show the incremental cost vs. rebate benefit • Help customers compare heating systems and long-term value Notice What’s New: 97% Efficiency = Maximum Opportunity • Start with a baseline option

97% AFUE Furnaces

The highest efficiency tier also offers the highest customer rebate:

$1,000 customer rebate

•

Heating System Rebates

$100 contractor incentive

•

• Forced-Air Furnace (90 – 94.9% AFUE): $400 customer rebate • Forced- Air Furnace (≥95% AFUE): $800 customer rebate

ARHVACR NewsMagazine May2026

S tate, National, Chapter News State national Chapter News

2) Clear Selling Options for Your Customers With clear rebate tiers, it’s easier to move customers up: • 80% → 90% (entry efficiency upgrade)

This is the sweet spot for:

Premium replacements

•

• Energy-conscious homeowners

• Customers planning to stay in their home long-term

How to Sell the Upgrade

• 90% → 95% (mid -tier sweet spot)

Instead of replacing an 80% AFUE furnace with another standard unit, contractors can frame higher-efficiency upgrades like this: • “For a little more upfront cost, you get a larger rebate and the model can help lower your energy bills each month for quick payback.” top-tier efficiency plus the highest rebate available.” This approach turns a basic replacement into a value-driven decision, not just a price comparison. Why Contractors Should Lead with Rebates • “At 97%, you’re getting

• 95% → 97% (premium upgrade)

Each step increases:

System value

•

Contractor margin

•

Customer satisfaction

•

Don’t Forget About Our Affordable Housing Rebate Offerings Summit Utilities also offers enhanced rebates for income- or age-qualified customers , helping contractors reach more households: • 90 – 94.9% AFUE: $500 customer rebate

≥95% AFUE:

$1,000 customer

•

rebate

1) It Gives You a Sales Advantage

≥97% AFUE:

$1,200 customer

Rebates help shift the conversation from: “ What ’ s the cheapest option? ” to “What’s the smartest long- term investment?”

•

rebate ( NEW highlight tier )

• ≥95% AFUE Condensing Boiler: $1,500

You can:

ENERGY

STAR

Certified

•

Thermostat: $100

Reduce sticker shock

•

• Trade Ally Incentive: $100 per furnace install

Justify upgrades

•

Help close jobs faster

•

ARHVACR NewsMagazine May2026

S tate, National, Chapter News State national Chapter News

Stack Your Earnings with Trade Ally Incentives Remember, every qualifying furnace install includes:

Affordable Housing Qualifications:

Customer must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

Homeowner

• $100 per install for contractors

• Be 65 years of age or older (applicant or spouse) • Qualify for LIHEAP energy assistance • Qualify based on household income (see chart below) Tenant or Property Management Company • Tenant qualifies for Section 8 housing • Tenant or tenants’ spouse is 65 years of age or older • Tenant qualifies for LIHEAP energy assistance • Tenant qualifies based on household income (see chart below)

Over time, these incentives can become a significant revenue stream that directly helps your business growth.

Equipment Requirements

To qualify:

• Equipment must be listed on AHRI or ENERGY STAR .

See ahridirectory.org or energystar.gov/products

• Efficiency ratings must meet program requirements • Must be installed in eligible natural gas applications (Note: Electric-to-gas conversions are not eligible) The Bottom Line: Upgrade the System, Upgrade Your Business

With households with more than six

Summit Utilities’ rebate program is

people, an additional $13,306 per household member must be added to the minimum household annual income of $106,483. For example, a household of seven people must have a household income of no more than $119,789. The Affordable Housing offering opens the door to:

designed to help contractors:

• Sell higher-efficiency equipment

Increase average job margins

•

• Earn additional incentives for installations • Deliver better solutions and more comfort to customers

• More high-efficiency sales closed

Grow your bottom line

•

Larger project opportunities

•

By leveraging the full rebate tier structure — from 90% all the way to 97%

Bigger bottom line impact

•

ARHVACR NewsMagazine May2026

S tate, National, Chapter News State national Chapter News

AFUE furnaces — you create a clear path for customers to say “yes” to better equipment and more savings. Note: Both replacement and new construction applications are eligible, as well as residential and commercial customers. For more information, visit SummitUtilities.com/Rebates or contact Kirk Pierce directly by phone, 501-412-9610, or email, tpierce@summitutilities.com.

What Are You Doing This Summer Take pictures and send them to us. We ’ ll make your vacation memorable and everyone jealous

Arkansas Boast Great Mountain Biking Trails

For more information go Arkansas Tourism Mountain Biking & Gravel Riding | Arkansas.com

International Mountain Biking Association Trails

Mountain Biking Trails in State Parks

Monument Trails

For more information go to Arkansas Tourism Mountain Biking & Gravel Riding | Arkansas.com

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

State National Chapter News

Ruth King Pricing for Profit Class takes home lots to think about April 16 was a class to think about. Ruth King spoke about Pricing for Profit and followed up with several forms and calculators. Class began with the question, “What Makes Money?” The answer— Billable Hours. Sales, Accounting, Management, and Training all play an integral part; however, you charge based on Billable Hours. Yes, you could say equipment but that is only finalized with Billable Hours for the install. Service is about Billable Hours. Billable Hours are what you charge the customer for work performed with accompanying and ancillary items. You may charge for travel but even that is a billable hour. You may charge for equipment used or refrigerant reclamation; but, that only happens as a result of Billable Hours. Equipment, tools, and supplies sitting in the warehouse aren’t chargeable until they are connected to Billable Hours. Why is this important? You need to know what your Billable Hours are costing you so you will know what you need to charge. Most new contractors determine their price by how much their previous employer was charging. Whatever that amount was, they lower it and enter the life of their new business knowing they are going to get rich — at least compared to what they were making as a tech; however, Billable Hours are only

Profitable Hours if you know how much they cost you and then price to meet your profit expectations. Of course, you can charge what you want but competition will be the governor on your speed. It is a balance between what the market will allow, what you want to make, and your costs. Costs include employee pay and benefits, office and warehouse, equipment and tools, fuel and uniforms, vehicles and insurance, taxes and permits--just to mention some of the most obvious. You must know these costs and enter them into your Billable Hours cost. Remember that you never charge based only on the hours spent at the customer’s home. There was travel / windshield time and picking up parts, etc. that must be considered. If you and your employees spend 80% of their time at the customer’s home, you are doing pretty good. That alone means that you must charge 25%

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

State National Chapter News

more than the time you were there. For example, if you are there for 4 hours, you must have factored in 5 hours just to recover the windshield / travel time. That doesn’t even consider the time spent doing paperwork; i.e., writing the ticket and explaining the ticket to the office. Oh, and don’t forget, you had to load the truck, empty the truck, and, and, and. Notice I said you must factor in for the windshield / travel time. The homeowner will evaluate you by the time you actually spent at their home. That means your pricing must include the burden of costs not visible to the homeowner. Just to make the math easy, let’s say you want to charge $100 and hour. You must charge $125 per hour to cover this real but hidden cost and that is if you spend 80% of your time at the home. The Math: $100 ÷ 0.80 = $125. The burden must also include the many other factors we mentioned. So, what are you to do? 1 st Get with your accountant. Determine your total costs of operating your business. (This assumes you have an accountant that provides you with a P&L and Balance Sheet. In order for them to do that, you must provide them with complete records of all your financial dealings, income and expenses. No more receipts in the shoe box or stuffed in your drawer.) 2 nd Determine how many hours you billed your customers. 3 rd Consider getting an advisor like Ruth King that will help you understand the accounting records and help you consider your options and plan for the future. This advisor should be someone that has

experience with the HVACR industry and understands service businesses. Find another HVACR contractor, perhaps in another city, that will share their experiences. A mentor will become a trusted friend and important part of your success. One thing this writer is sure of, Ruth King can make a positive impact on your business and your life. Running a business is not like being a tech. A tech works hard, goes home, and can forget the day. A business owner works hard, goes home late, and can never really get the responsibilities out of his or her mind. Makes you wonder why anyone would want to own a business. Well, some of us had an itch and just had to scratch it. Some make a good living and some make a lot of money; but, it is never a 40 hour a week job. The responsibility of serving your customers and your employees is always present AND it is worth it. However, you need a “Ruth King” in your businesses life. Following good financial advice will put you on a path to success. Of course, there are no guarantees; however, it will certainly tilt the odds in your favor. Financial success is about serving your customers, your employees, your family, and your community. It is about having the ability to help folks that really need some help. You can’t do much for others if you ar en’t financially successful yourself. Twelve folks attended the Ruth King, Pricing for Profit seminar. We trust they have information that will prove helpful. Next time, we look forward to even more. If you want to know more about Ruth King, you can contact her at 770-729 0258 or rking@ontheribbon.com 4 th

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

State National Chapter News

announcement provided information and opportunity for competitors to raise their prices as well. It does not appear that the steel and metal price increases as justifications were included in the filings. You can read the full text of the Contracting Business articles in the following links. HVAC Manufacturers Hit with Three Additional Price Fixing Lawsuits | Contracting Business Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Price Fixing by Major HVAC Manufacturers Since 2020 | Contracting Business

AAON, Bosch, Carrier Daikin, Lennox, Trane Rheem, and Watsco Accused of Price Fixing Recent articles in Contracting Business by Nicole Krawcke revealed recent lawsuits against AAON, Bosch, Carrier, Daikin, Rheem, Trane, and Watsco for alleged price fixing. These companies control 90% of the North American market for HVAC equipment. The complaint alleges that manufacturers used COVID-19, new SEER2 standards, and the HFC phasedown as justifications for price increases. Also included in the complaint are AHRI and ACHR News. Manufacturers conspired through coordinated announcements and information sharing. • Price increases outpaced inflation • HVAC equipment prices rose by over 53% since January 2020. There are four lawsuits all filed in the Eastern District of Michigan even though the plaintiffs include companies in North Dakota, Florida, and New York. One of the cases has applied for class action status. Obviously, this has the attention of the accused and the industry. Defendants have denied the allegations. One interesting accusation is that the defendants announced their upcoming price increases in the ACHR News. This The allegations include: •

• You are in a meeting and another dealer asks, “What do you charge for a 3 ton system? • You call up a friend in the business and say, “Man , everything is getting so high. How much are you going up on your labor rate? • You ask to see a competitor ’ s service contract schedule. What is included and how much do they charge.

These may be illegal

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

State National Chapter News

Signs of Heat Stress

It’s About

Health and Safety

According to the CDC--- Extreme heat can cause people to suffer from heat-related illness, and even death. People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to properly cool themselves. Older adults, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk for heat related illness and death. More than 700 people die from extreme heat every year in the United States. Hot days can affect anyone. If you are pregnant, a child or teen with asthma, or have a heart condition or other chronic health conditions, heat can make your health worse.

Other signs can include headache, tiredness, weakness, and nausea

News Magazine

S tate, National, Chapter News Education News

UACC Batesville 2005 White Drive, Batesville, AR 72501 Zach Harber : zach.harber@uaccb.edu 870 — 612-2081 UA East Arkansas Community College Newcastle Road, Forrest City, AR 72335 Cornelius Tucker : ctucker@uaeacc.edu 870-633-4480 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 (501) 977-2053 UA North Arkansas Community College 1515 Pioneer Drive, Harrison, AR 72601 Jeff Smith : jsmith@northark.edu 870-391-3382 UA Pulaski Tech 3000 West Scenic Drive, NLR 72206 Matthew Lemaster : mlemaster@uaptc.edu 501-812-2200 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

Training Programs

Arkansas North Eastern College 2501 S. Division, Blytheville 72315 Jody Woodard : jwoodard@smail.anc.edu 870-762-1020 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 No program at present ASU Newport / Marked Tree 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@asun.edu 501-207-6221 National Park College 101 College Drive, Hot Springs, 71913 Hannah Lammens : hannah.lammens@np.edu 501-760-4393 Northwest Arkansas Community College One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 71712 Aaron White: awhite31@nwacc.edu 479-936-5107 Northwest Technical Institute 709 Old Missouri Rd, Springdale, Arkansas 2764 Galin Cronin : gcronin@nwti.edu 479-751-8824 SAU Tech 6415 Spellman Rd, East Camden, AR 71701 Roland Walters : cwalters@sautech.edu 870-574-4500 Southeast Arkansas College 1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 John Pyland : jpyland@seark.edu 870-543-5900

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

EDUCATION NEWS

Published •

Keeping the Arkansas HVACR industry informed of regulatory and legislative issues, code and technical training, and an eye into the beautiful state we call home.

January March

• • • •

May

September November

NewsMagazine

September 2025

November 2025

March 2026

January 2026

May 2025

March 2025

January 2025

November 2024

For Past Issues https://www.arhvacr.org/newsmagazine

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

education News

Dedicated to serving the Arkansas HVACR industry with updates in code, legislation, regulation, technical tips, equipment and products of interest.

2 nd

Zoom In live

M O N T H L Y

M

and follow up on

O

N

YouTube.

D

A

YouTube

Y

Links furnished each session

April 2026

February 2026

March 2026

A yellow and white flyer with a burger and text

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

January 2026

December 2025

For Past Articles https://www.arhvacr.org/lunch-learn

HVACR NewsMagazine March 2026

Business & Marketing Tips

When you calculate this number, you really see what you are taking home. You're not looking at sales. You're not looking at gross profit. You're including all of your business expenses, including overhead, to see the true bottom line. You're not fooling yourself with gross profit per man day or any other calculation based on gross profit. This is the most important KPI to track. If it is in line, your company’s other KPI’s will be in line too.

Article furnished by Ruth King Profit & Wealth Guru 770-729-0258 rking@ontheribbon.com

KPI??? Key Performance Indicator

Contractors talk about different metrics for their business – service ticket revenue, closing percentages, gross margins, etc. Many miss the most important Key Performance Indicator (KPI) to track: Net Profit Per Billable hour. Why: If this KPI is in line with what you want it to be, the others will be too. Remember: The way we generate revenue is through a billable hour, not the hours paid to a field employee. No billable hour, no service revenue. No billable hour, no projects or replacement revenue. No billable hour, no maintenance revenue. Calculating your net profit per billable hour:

OSHA Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments

Net profit per billable hour = net operating profit total billable hours

170 º attic

Many times it's a "slap in the face" when you calculate this number for the first time. We calculated it in a recent class and the highest net profit per hour was $3.60. The lowest was less than $1. At least they were positive. (A negative net profit per hour means that you are paying your customers to provide products and services to them).

Older, Fat, Men don’t handle heat so good. Be careful this summer Drink 1 qt of water / hour

Study Shows

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

Tech News

of crazy weather that you probably aren't going to keep out of an open suction line. That isn't to say you don't start a compressor just because it looks like it “might rain.” However, I would suggest being prepared with caps or plugs to seal it up quickly if it does start to pour. If it is actively raining, I would also advise against connecting gauges or opening the panels and testing electrical components unless you have a good umbrella or shelter in place. Electrical testing can damage the components as well as be unsafe, and connecting in the rain can lead to moisture contamination.

Setting & Checking Charges in the Rain

Wet Condenser Coil

I live in Central Florida, and while it can get pretty hot in the summer, we also tend to get afternoon thunderstorms that come and go in a flash. I have been connecting gauges, checking charges, and even pulling vacuums in the rain (even under umbrellas or cardboard boxes) for most of my career. Only recently did I stop to think if that was a good idea. I am going to go ahead and make the blanket statement that opening the system or connecting gauges while it is actively raining is just a bad idea. It's not because you are “made of sugar,” as the old -timers and my grandpa might claim. It's actually because even a drop of water in the system can do a lot of damage in the age of POE oil. If you have a good shelter or a large umbrella, you might be OK. In Florida, however, we get these bursts Moisture in the System

You will not be able to test or set a charge with any level of accuracy when the condenser coil is wet. The system pressures will be low, and the subcooling will be high due to the evaporative effect and the superior heat transfer of water over air. (If you want to learn about identifying your proper subcooling temperature, check out this article.)

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

Tech News

If you simply want to confirm that the unit is functional, you can take an evaporator delta T and measure the liquid line and suction line temps at the evaporator to approximate proper operation. You will not be able to “set the charge” until the condenser coil has been allowed to dry completely. The liquid line will generally be around the outdoor temperature. It may even be a bit lower, depending on the SEER of the unit and how wet the coil is. (Wetter/higher SEER = cooler liquid line.) The suction line will be approximately the return temp minus 40°F (4.44°C) + the desired superheat +/- 5°F (2.75°K). It will tend to be on the lower side of the evaporator temperature scale because of the lower liquid pressure. measurements and not just walking away from a system without doing appropriate testing. However, if it's raining, you're just not going to get good readings. You also risk doing more harm than good to the system by taking those readings. Sometimes, taking fewer readings can be the best call. When it's raining, I would rather have my techs note the delta T, indoor liquid line temp, and suction line temp with a note about “raining” than risk an issue by connecting in the rain. In cases where we have to set a charge, we will need to return and set the charge once the weather is dry. In cases where we did a simple drain cleaning, replaced a blower wheel, replaced a thermostat, or replaced a capacitor, those indoor readings will suffice. Are they conclusive? NO! Would I rather contaminate a system? Nope. Should we return to every My Opinion If you read our articles, you know that we are huge advocates of taking accurate

system the next day to check the charge with gauges just because it was drizzling? I say no to this as well. You may say (as many do) that connecting while raining has never caused issues for you before. To that, I would say: how do you know? It's not like systems spontaneously combust when moisture enters them. The result is long-term damage that could never be traced back to the initial cause. It was also less of an issue when mineral oil was the prevalent oil in use. You can read more about refrigerant oil and why it matters HERE. Am I saying that you can never check a charge even in a light sprinkle? No. Just use common sense. Don't be a robot that ALWAYS connects gauges, especially when it'll likely do more harm than good.

— Bryan

This article was furnished by Brian Orr and HVAC School For Techs by Techs. We appreciate them sharing their excellent articles and encourage our readers to subscribe to their site at https://hvacrschool.com/start/

Still

All Wet

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

Tech News

Craig Migliatto Craig is the owner of AC Service Tech LLC and the Author of the “Refrigerant Charging and Service Procedures for Air Conditioning”. Craig is a licensed Teacher of HVACR, Sheet Metal, and Building Maintenance in the State of New Jersey of the USA. He is also an HVACR Contracting Business owner of 17 years and holds an NJ HVACR Master License. Craig creates educational HVACR articles and videos which are posted at https://www.acservicetech.com & https://www.youtube.com/acservicetechchannel

10 Methods to Clean Condensate Drains/Traps on Air Conditioners • In this article, we go over 10 methods to clean out condensate drain lines and traps on air conditioning systems! The condensate drain line is responsible for removing the water that is extracted from the indoor air (humidity) during air conditioning mode. Over time, the drain trap and/or line can become clogged with dirt, dust, bio-growth, and other debris. When this happens, the water may back up into the system, overflowing out of the primary drain pan and causing damage to the system and/or building. Let's discuss the fastest methods for clearing these lines/traps. To prepare for cleaning, the system's power must first be switched off so that air is not being pushed or pulled through the drain line/trap. Also, if you have access to

Method #1: Using a Shop Vac to Evacuate The Drain Line at the Outside Location Simply connect the wet/dry vacuum hose to the end of the drain line outside and turn on the vacuum. The suction will help remove any blockages or debris in the line. To better clean out the lines, add water at the indoor unit primary pan or the line's service access location while doing this!

the trap, remember to fill it back up with water when you are done and cap off any service access openings when complete.

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

Tech News

Method #2: Blowing out the Condensate Line with 30 PSI of Compressed Air using an Extended Tip. To get a better seal inside the tubing, wrap the end of the extended tip with electrical tape. Then, place the tip down into the trap and apply the compressed air to blow out the debris. Make sure to not apply excessive pressure because this could cause a pipe joint to separate and leak. When finished, fill the trap back up with water and replace the cap.

Method #3: Clear the Trap Using a Brush Remove the caps on both ends of the condensate trap. Pull the brush through the trap to break up clogs and extract debris. When finished, fill the trap back up with water and replace the caps.

Method 4 follows on next page

Want to Increase Your Knowledge and Skills

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

Tech News

Method #4: Clearing The Drain Line at a Horizontal Tee With A Shop Vacuum When there is a horizontal access tee, use a 1/2" CPVC 90° fitting with a section of CPVC pipe attached to a 3/4" PVC bushing, to access the inner pipe. The 3/4" bushing typically fits into the shop vac's hose end. This assembly can be used to blow or suck out debris inside the horizontal section of pipe. Remember to fill the trap with water and replace any service caps when complete.

Method #5: Vacuum the Trap Using a Shop Vac Hose with a Section of CPVC Pipe Attached to the End. Simply connect the 3/4" to 1/2" pipe to the end of the shop vac and insert it into the condensate trap. Remember, attaching electrical tape to increase the diameter of the 1/2" CPVC pipe will allow it to seal better when inserted into the trap. Turn on the shop vac. Remember to fill the trap with water and replace the service caps when complete.

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

Tech News

Method #7: Blowing Out a Condensate Trap With Clear Vinyl Tubing Only

Method #6: Blow Out the Condensate Trap Using the Shop Vacuum A shop vac can be used to blow out the trap instead of sucking out the debris. In this scenario, move the vacuum hose end to the outlet of the shop vac instead of at the inlet. Then insert the 1/2" CPVC pipe into the trap and turn on the vacuum. Remember to fill the trap with water and replace the service caps when complete

In the absence of an accessible electrical outlet or pressurization device, you can use a clear vinyl tube with electrical tape on the end inserted into the trap. At the exposed open end of the clear vinyl tube, apply force through the tubing with a large breath.

Training is Cheaper than Water Damaged Ceilings.

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

Tech News

Method #8: Applying 30 PSI of Nitrogen Through a Cone End to Blow Out The Condensate Trap. A nitrogen tank can act as an alternative to compressed air. Attach a hose and air gun to the nitrogen regulator and set the secondary regulator to 30 PSI. Apply the air gun end to the open section of pipe and allow the nitrogen to blow out the clog. When finished, fill the trap back up with water and replace the cap.

Method #9: Applying 30 PSI of Nitrogen Through an Extension Tube to Blow Out the Condensate Trap. Attach a hose and air gun to the nitrogen regulator and set the secondary regulator to 30 PSI. Add the extension tube with electrical tape on the end to the air gun. Put the extension tube down into the trap and allow the nitrogen to blow out the clog. When finished, fill the trap back up with water and replace the cap.

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2026

Tech News

Method #10: Using Pressurized Air Through a Flexible Extension Hose To get to hard to reach places, a small flexible extension hose can be added to the air gun. Fish the flexible hose end (poly tube end) into the open section of the condensate drain line. Cover the remainder of the opening and then apply the air/nitrogen pressure through the drain line. This method can be used when there is no service access cap or when the only access is the primary drain pan outlet.

Can you say Houston, we have a problem Uh Oh Gross

A Quick Note: Method #1 is a preferred method because not only is the clog removed, but the entire drain line can be flushed by adding water into the indoor service access cap or drain pan. Always add water back into the trap when complete! This stops any air from being pulled or pushed through the drain line and allows water accumulating in the primary pan to drain out properly.

To See These Tips in Action CLICK HERE