Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024

News Magazine November 2024

Arkansas’ First and Only HVACR NewsMagazine

Disclaimer : Health & Safety Rule……………….p 15 Editorial………………..… p 6 Uninformed Passion Can Lead to Regret When anti oil & gas win…

Getting Techical Everything Else is Secondary……………………………………..…..Tom Turner p 24 It’s All Relative Humidity……….…………………………….………….Bryan Orr p 30 What’s With All This A2L Stuff……………….…………………………………………. p 36 Final Rule Emissions Reduction &Reclamation Program……………...EPA p 37 Kirk’s Corner…………………………………………………………………………..……………p 20

Daikin Press Release……………………………………………………..…………………….p 12 ESCO Free Digital T/P Chart…………………………………………………..…………….p 13

CE 23-10 Mechanical Code: History & Updates Free to Members $30 for Others 2 Code Credit Hours Get Your Online Code CE from Arkansans

By Arkansans

For Arkansans

Table of Contents

14

Continuing Education Events Chapter Meetings with Code CE Online Mechanical Code History & Updates 23-21 CEU

PG 4 pg 5

Editorial Uninformed Passion Can Lead You To Regret

pg 6

FEATURE STORY

Disclaimer: Health and Safety Rule

pg 15

Hearings & Outcomes Hearings and their Outcomes---November hearings to appear in January Issue

State, national, chapter news Daikin Press Release

PG 12 pg 13 pg 17 pg 18 pg 20 PG 21 PG 22

Esco Free Digital T/P Chart

Ductwork Release Of Liability Form HVAC System Release of Liability Form

Kirk’s Corner

Mr. Cool’s Furnace Warranty

OSHA Reveals Top Injuries for HVAC

Education News Training Programs

PG 11

Tech News Everything Else is Secondary (Tom Turner – The Air Evangelist)

PG 24 PG 30 PG 34 PG 37

It’s All Relative Humidity (Bryan Orr - HVAC School)

What’s Up With All This A2L Stuff?

Final Rule Emissions Reductions and Reclamation Program

Final Thoughts Gratitude More Than a Word : Ten Years

pg 44

http://www.edssupply.com/arkansas

March

Links Available in January

Links Available in January

• Central : March 20, Whole Hog, Cantrell, Little Rock: 6:00 • Fort Smith : March 4, Golden Corral, Fort Smith : 5:30 • Hot Springs : March11, National Park, Hot Springs : 6:00 • North Central : March 18 : ASU Mountain Home : 6:00 • Northeast : March 27 : Ron’s Catfish, Jonesboro : 6:00 • Northwest : March March 13 : Golden Corral, Fayetteville : 6:00 • South Central : March 6, Ouachita Electric Cooperative, Camden : 6:00 • Southwest : March 25 : Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative : 6:00

is no pressure. Just wanted to give you the opportunity to enjoy member pricing. Say Next. You are now ready to register for the class When registering, your license status is required. A, B, C, D, E, or Does Not Apply. If you enter a license class, you will also be asked to give your license number. Please enter all seven digits including a leading “0” if you have one. Very important. We need this so we can get you CE credit for your license renewal. After you have paid if you are not a member, you are ready to select the course. It is free to members. Should it charge you, your membership may have lapsed. You can go back to the existing member information and renew. If that is not correct, please pay the $30 and call the Association. We’ll get you refunded. We heartedly recommend that you spend time watching the “How to Take the Class”. It will make taking this and future classes much easier. One last note, when you have completed the class and passed the final assessment, you can download your certificate. Even better, that certificate remains as part of your profile forever. Loose your certificate and need a copy for license renewal? Just go back to your profile and download a replacement. No need to wait on someone to return your call and send it to you. This new system puts you in charge. Click Here to Learn More Online Classes From Those Who Know You Best

CE 23-21

Mechanical Code History and Updates

Yes, it is back. With a new Learning Management System with extra benefits, the Association’s first online course i s back up for you. It is a 2 hour course in Code and a convenient way to up date yourself and meet the License renewal for two hours of CE code instruction. The price is great: Member of the Association-----$0.00 (free) Non-member-------------------------$30.00 You still need two hours of technical or additional code instruction. The great thing about this is you can get technical from your distributor at one of their product classes. Learn what you sell, install, and service and come away with two hours of technical CE. What a deal. How to get started — 1. Go to the website arhvacr.org 2. Select Continuing Education and Training in the menu 3. Select Association Online Classes 4. Scroll down to the class Online Mechanical Code History & Updates 23-21 CEU 5. Select “Click Here to Visit Our Website 6. If you are a new user, just enter your email 7. Click Register 8. Enter and Confirm your Password 9. Click “Create Profile” If you are not a member, you have an opportunity to join so you can enjoy membership pricing. Click on Member Type and select your relationship to the industry or Say, “ No, Thank You ” . There

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024

Uninformed Passion

Some are religiously committed to the concept of climate change and I don’t want to criticize anyone’s articles of faith; but I did a little research and this is what I found about Arkansas climate in agriculture.arkanas.gov. (3) The highest statewide summer average. Highest Summer Average Year Temp (F) 1954 96.9 1934 96.2 1936 95.7 1943 & 2011 94.8 Lowest Winter Average Year Temp (F) 1918 24.2 1978 24.6 1905 24.9 1977 25 1899 25.5 Seems that some our hottest weather was a few decades ago; however, the following chart shows that average temps are “arising”.

Can Lead To Regret

When one is only sightly informed and strongly passionate about any topic, the exuberance and passion can lead to depressive regret. Greta Thunberg, a 16 year old climate activist sailed from Plymoth, UK to New York City in a 60 foot racing yacht to raise awareness of the dangers of climate change. Ya gotta’ say that was passion and commitment to a cause. In 2019 young leaders from 140 countries traveled to New York to share solutions to climate change. I imagine that most of them traveled to New York in a plane not knowing or caring that air travel accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions but with greater affect due to the altitude at which the emissions occur. (1) I always wonder where these “utz” get the money to travel like that. “There is no doubt that the world is getting to be a warmer place. Since 1880 average global temperatures have increased by about 1.7°F. Global temperature is projected to warm 2.7°F by 2050 and 3.5° to 7.2° degrees by 2100.” (2) If true, that is a bunch.

The National Climate Assessment and other studies indicate trends in the climate through the end of this century. (3)

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024

gasoline and diesel, paint, perfume, shaving cream, and air fresheners, frequently depend on oil and natural gas. Without oil and natural gas, our way of life is not just interrupted it is overwhelmingly disrupted. Even if, yes, even if, we could change from gasoline to electricity for our cars and freight transportation and even if we could get our electricity from solar and wind, what will we do for the other 6,000 products we presently get from derivatives of oil and natural gas. What will the “utz” do when the air planes no longer fly to get them to their conferences. Look, I fully believe that nothing is without limits. Not oil, not gas, not water. Our grandchildren’s future depends on our commitment to them today. I can’t spend all my money and leave them anything nor can I consume all the oil, natural gas, and water and them have any. Perhaps there will be substitutes. I certainly hope so. However, it is a good thing to begin finding those substitutes today so we can leave them a future that is prosperous rather than sitting around talking about those great rallies some once attended. Our fossil fuel economy cannot be abandoned overnight, in a decade, or in the foreseeable future. There has to be a transition to whatever is the future. I believe in America and I believe in Capitalism. It brought about the industrial revolution and the digital revolution. It will bring us the next revolution of economic prosperity as well. Hurray America. Hurray Entrepreneurs.

• Since 1970, average annual temperatures have increased approximately 4.5°F. In the southeastern U.S., temperatures are expected to increase another 5 to 10°F at inland locations. • The number of days with maximum temperatures exceeding 90°F is expected to increase. That number is expected to increase to up to 150 days. Heat indices are also on the rise. • Precipitation is expected to increase slightly, but it will be offset by higher evapotranspiration rates. • There are expected to be fewer below freezing days, and a longer growing season. • There are expected to be a greater frequency of both intense rainfall (flooding) events and more prolonged heat waves and drought episodes. Now, I don’t know what to believe and am unlikely to become an evangelist for either side of the global warming debate. There is one thing that I know. We have to be judicious about the way we move forward. Our cartoon shows a person who, in his youth, participated in rallies to stop the drilling and use of oil and gas. It looks like he won; yet, did he realize the unintended consequences of eliminating fossil fuels / oil and natural gas. When normal conveniences and foods are reduced and perhaps eliminated, I think lots of folks will have some regrets for their early exuberance. Live Science says that over 6,000 everyday products are derived from petroleum (4). From toothpaste to chocolate coatings, to packaging to

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024

• Domestic electric demand is expected to increase by 38% by 2035. • AI, artificial intelligence, could consume at least 85.4 terawatt hours annually. We haven’t even talked about the time it takes to charge a passenger car not to mention the time that will be required to charge an 18 wheeler. Point is this, every generation faces its own challenges. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the New York Annual Report of the Board of Health stated that 500 tons of manure was collected every day. (7) Some estimates are 2 to 3 times that amount with 40,000 gallons of urine.

This change to a “futurist future” will require changing to EVs, electric vehicles. After all, fossil fuels and combustion engines are big polluters and that is an obvious place where we can transition. Here are some interesting facts assimilated by Consumer Reports. (5) Their study was based on making a complete swap by 2050. I will use their report because they did the heavy research. • The Federal Highway Administration estimates that Americans drove 2.9 trillion miles in light duty cars and trucks in 2019. • They project that will increase by 17% to 3.4 trillion miles in 2049. Please note that this does not include larger pickups or freight vehicles. • The average passenger electric vehicle gets about 3.1 miles per kilowatt hour. • Using these numbers, we will need an extra 950 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year in 2050. That is a 22% increase. • Since driving is expected to increase, the demand jumps to an increase of 1.1 trillion kilowatt hours or a 26% increase in electric generation. Very interesting information but their conclusion fantasizes that the grid can absolutely meet the increased demand of changing to electric vehicles. Well, let’s say they are right, which they are not. What about the electrification of homes and businesses and doing away with gas heat. According to CNBC (6) ,

The automobile solved that problem; however, I am certain that many decried the automobile. It was loud, smelly, and spit fumes that were difficult to breathe they were already complaining about the mounds and mounds of horse manure.

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024

They complained that the automobile would put poor livery stables and blacksmiths out of business. Well, I think mechanics and car dealers have taken those jobs as well as the many more that are required to produce the products that make a car—regardless of its method of propulsion. We will find a way to “save our planet”. In time, cars deposed the horse drawn wagon but it wasn’t overnight; but, the streets are cleaner. Workhorses were in use in New York to some degree until the 40s. In fact, they were an integral part of the army in WWI. Transition implies movement but not necessarily spastic change. It is amazing how ubiquitous cell phones are today; but remember, in the late 80s very few people had a cell phone and it was not convenient. Today children and many under privileged families have cell phones. Even though it has taken 30 years, that is an example of an overnight transition. We don’t have to abandon fossil fuel vehicles and appliances and methods of producing electricity by tomorrow. Nor do we need to stick our head in the sand as though if we don’t talk about it the problem will go away. I resent some folks telling we southerners that we may need to get accustomed to reducing air conditioning because the planet cannot continue if we are comfortable. It is air conditioning that has made the south the economic powerhouse that it is today. We do need to endorse higher efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps.

Families cannot afford the projected increases in utilities. Of course, the government is driving the price of high efficiency through the roof by the changing of standards and introduction of A2L refrigerants. They are trying to help make the change with rebates and tax deductions but even so the prices are astronomical. Our industry is called on to change our ways and products to protect the environment. That is fine as long as it is still affordable for the consumer and at a pace the market can afford. My conclusion is this. Working together we can maintain and increase American prosperity and protect the environment. We don’t need to be so passionate about our perceptions of climate change that we totally abandon fossil fuels. We don’t have to turn off street lights or have the power reduced during peak demand nor do we need to fail to protect the environment. With either of those, No One Wins. (1) Hannah Ritchie (2024) - “What share of global CO₂ emissions come from aviation?” Published online at OurWorldinData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/global - aviation - emissions' [Online Resource] 2) https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/climatechange/science#:~:text=Since%2018 80%2C%20average%20global%20temperatures,7.2%20degrees%20Fahr enheit)%20by%202100. (3) https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/wp content/uploads/2020/05/Climate_of_Arkansas_maybe_from_2014.pdf (4) https://www.livescience.com/planet - earth/10 - surprising -things-that are- made - from petroleum#:~:text=Oil%2C%20the%20ubiquitous%20fossil%20fuel,more %20than%206%2C000%20everyday%20products. (5) https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/research/blog -can-the- grid handle - evs yes/#:~:text=Since%20the%20FHWA%20expects%20driving,compared% 20to%20current%20electricity%20demand. (6) https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/01/why -the- ev - boom - could - put -a major -strain-on- our - power - grid.html

(7) https://www.nyhistory.org/community/horse - manure

5% Energy Resource Conservation Loans

A Touchstone Energy® Partner

• No down payment • Low 5% interest • Up to 84 months to pay • Write one check for your payment and electric bill

• No early payment penalty • Low hassle loan application Call Southwest Arkansas Electric Member Service Department 800-782-2743

SUMMARY OF ERC LOAN PROGRAM Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative Energy Resource Conservation (ERC) Loan Program provides low cost financing for high efficiency heat pumps and other energy conservation improvements needed to make your home energy efficient. With approved credit and completion of the home survey, SWAECC will loan up to $5,000 per member per residential structure at 5% interest for up to 84 months. These loans are to finance energy conservation measures including heat pumps (including water source), caulking, weather stripping, insulation, storm or thermal doors and windows, etc. Loans for more than $5,000 will need Board of Director approval. Loans which do not include a heat pump will be limited to $3,000. To qualify, all conservation measures must save enough energy within 10 years to pay for the improvements. Payback estimates are determined by the Cooperative's Home Survey. Because loan funds are limited, loans will be made on a first come, first served basis. QUALIFICATIONS To qualify for the loan the member must have a good credit history with Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative and a good national credit rating. A three-member loan committee will check the member's credit before approving the loan. Loans will only be made for existing homes or buildings. The program is not for homes under construction. Also, property must be owned by the member. The cooling capacity of the heat pump should not exceed 125% of the calculated design load. The heat pump must also meet minimum efficiency ratings to qualify. The SEER rating must be 14.0 or above and the HSPF must be 8.0 or higher. All duct work, including all supply and return air duct work, must be installed with a minimum of 2" duct insulation or rigid fiberglass board and must be sized properly for noise reduction and air flow. HOME SURVEY Before a loan can be made, a home energy survey must be completed. This is a questionnaire concerning the existing and proposed energy efficiency of the property . CONTACT YOUR DEALER We advise but do not require you to contact more than one qualified dealer or contractor for cost estimates to install a heat pump and making other improvements such as storm windows or insulation if they are advised. To qualify for the ERC Loan, the unit must be installed by a member of the Arkansas HVACR Association. SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR ERC LOAN Complete and return the credit application, and the credit check authorization form in this brochure. Your application will be submitted to our loan committee for consideration, and we will notify you in writing of their decision. Once your credit is approved, we will need a copy of the deed to your property for proof of ownership and a legal description. The cooperative will file a lien on the proper-ty to secure the loan. A one-time fee of $30 will be charged to cover the cost of placing and releasing the property lien PROCESSING LOAN DOCUMENTS Upon completion of the work, a serviceman will inspect it. When the invoice is received and the inspection is complete, we will make an appointment for you to come to our Texarkana office to sign the loan papers and have them notarized. All checks will be two-party checks made out to both you and the contractor or contractors. NOTE : Cost of equipment and installation are to be negotiated between you and your contractor. You will be responsible for getting the invoices to us for processing and making payment to your contractor. A two-party check will be written to both you and the dealer . Sign the check only after work is completed.

S tate, National, Chapter News Education News

Training Programs

Northwest Technical Institute 709 Old Missouri Rd, Springdale, Arkansas 2764 Galin Cronin : info@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 Danny Gumm : dgumm@seark.edu 870-543-5976 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 Pulaski Tech College 3000 West Scenic Drive, NLR 72206 Matthew Lemaster : mlemaster@uaptc.edu 501-812-2795 UA Monticello / Crossett Add Your Name 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. 1326 Hwy 52W, Crossett, AR 71635 Brad White : bwhite@uamont.edu 870-415-9795

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 No program at present 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@asun.edu 501-207-6221 East Arkansas Community College Newcastle Road, Forrest City, AR 72335 Robert Jackson : rjackson@eacc.edu 870-633-5411 National Park College 101 College Drive, Hot Springs, 71913 Ashton Copaus : ashton.copaus@np.edu 501-760-4394 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 A. J. Hart : ahart7@nwacc.edu 479-986-4000

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024

State National Chapter News

• and Characteristics: Detailed insights into various refrigerants. • The Refrigeration Cycle: Core concepts and applications. • Working with Refrigerant Blends: Techniques and considerations. • Proper Installation and Service Guidelines: Standards for effective practices. • Flammable Refrigerant Considerations: Safety measures and protocols. • Associated Codes and Standards: Compliance with EPA SNAP Program, ASHRAE Standards 15 and 34, UL 60335-2-40, NFPA 55, and Safe Refrigerant Transition Task Force (SRTTF) guidelines. How to Enroll This immersive learning course is available through the HVAC Learning Campus. 1. Go to HVAC Learning Campus 2. Click “Sign In” in the upper right corner 3. Click “Create Account” or enter username and password if you already have an account 4. From the drop-down menu next to your name in the upper right corner, select “My Trainings” 5. Search for “ESCO Institute Low GWP (A2L) Refrigerants” This course is made available by a partnership between Daikin and Esco Institute. It is a great beginning point in your A2L education. The Arkansas HVACR Association appreciates being able to provide this information and link to the course. It is free. Refrigerant Properties

DAIKIN Press Release Daikin Comfort Technologies North America, Inc. (Daikin), a global leader in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) manufacturing, is proud to announce a groundbreaking initiative aimed at educating the HVAC industry on the transition to Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) Refrigerants and the advanced equipment designed to utilize them. As the HVAC industry continues to evolve, traditional refrigerants and the equipment that operate with it are being phased down/out in favor of alternatives known as Low GWP refrigerants. These new refrigerants, many of which are classified by ASHRAE as A2L, along with the HVAC equipment utilizing the new Low-GWP refrigerants, do not currently require specialized training for safe handling and transportation, but it is recommended for technicians and others who will be working with these new A2L refrigerants to become comfortable with the changes. To support HVAC professionals in navigating these changes, Daikin has teamed up with the ESCO Institute to offer the "Low-GWP Refrigerant Safety: Flammable and Mildly Flammable (A2L) Refrigerants" course. This immersive learning course makes it simple to learn about the essential knowledge and skills needed to safely work with these refrigerants through interactive exercises. Key Topics Covered: • Refrigerant Safety: Fundamental principles and best practices. • Introduction to Low GWP Refrigerants: Understanding the environmental and regulatory landscape.

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024 State National Chapter News ESCO

Free Digital T/P Chart ESCO is providing a free digital T/P Chart which includes the two most popular A2L refrigerants, R-454B and R-32. You are probably familiar with ESCO and ESCO Institute. They are a leading provider of EPA 608 training and certification. They have now become the leader in college accreditation. There are Arkansas four colleges that have been or are in the process of being accredited by HVAC Excellence: Arkansas State University in Searcy, Arkansas Technical University at Ozark, North Arkansas College in Harrison, and University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock. ESCO also has a plethora of courses and publications available https://hvacr.elearn.network/col lections?collection id= OK, back on subject. The link to the free digital T/P Chart is https://hvacr.elearn.network/products /digital_downloads/new-digital download Peruse their offerings and you’ll find something that interests you. Some are for a fee and others are free. So much information is available these days. We’re very fortunate to have easy access to great companies that make their information, classes, and apps available.

Mfgs, Distributors, Colleges— Got a class you want to promote? Let us know. We’ll get the word out. We’re all about education

News Magazine November 2024

FEATURE STORY

Disclaimer?? Health & Safety Rule In a previous issue we sent you a possible disclaimer to use when the homeowner couldn’t or wouldn’t allow you to fix the duct when doing a change out. Notice, I said “possible” disclaimer. That means a disclaimer may be as valuable as the paper it is written on and maybe not that. I did not write it and, not being a lawyer, it wouldn’t do you much good anyway. I do have a word to the wise. Remember that health and safety rule. We have rules and regs that want us to install a perfectly matched system that meets performance and efficiency specifications. Well, those standards are lab established and without a proper duct system attached to your perfectly matched equipment, “It Ain’t Gonna Meet Mfg Specifications.” So, what are we to do? Thus, the offered disclaimer. We included it again on the next page. It is not designed as a “get out of jail card” as in monopoly. It is simply a way of making the homeowners admit that you gave them important information and that their choice is an integral part of the final performance of the system. We can’t blame the homeowner. They only have so much money and systems are so expensive that a system and a duct job could easily run $20,000. They need air and heat, so what are you to do. You can’t just walk away and tell them they are too poor to have heat and air. We have

to be transparent. “The system the homeowner can afford and that you can install will not perform to full factory specifications.” It might be good to inform them of the possibility up front and then run the numbers on the system as installed. They bought a 16 but it is only working like a 14 because the return air is too small and the duct leaks like a sieve. Who knows--they might decide to sell their first born to bring it up to capacity. (Just a joke. It only seems like that at today’s prices.) Point is, when we install equipment, the first, second, and last priority is health and safety. We cannot compromise on an installation if it is not 100% safe. I seriously doubt any disclaimer will be honored if you knowingly install equipment that creates a safety hazard; but, you would not do that anyway. No need to say more.

News Magazine November 2024

FEATURE STORY

As we transition to A2L refrigerants, there is confusion about what a “system is”. Ya’ can’t install a 410a system beginning 2026. That is an extension of the original 2025 EPA cutoff for 410a; but, you can replace components for 410a systems till there are no more components. So, is an evaporator a component and is a condenser a component? If we install them on different days, are we installing components or systems. I can only say, thank goodness we have till 2026 to worry about that. You are finding yourself in a never-ending pickle. Because the house is a system and HVAC equipment is the source of comfort and the most likely thing to break, we begin and remain as the primary source to design and maintain that comfort. We have to know more about more stuff than ever before and it is a challenge. Equipment specifications, building materials, changing refrigerants, safety protocols, codes, and ever increasing consumer demands make your job more complex than it was even 10 years ago. How do we survive? We slowdown, train and learn, educate while we sell, install with professionalism, and service with empathy for the customer’s needs and time. We are an integral part of a homeowner’s peace of mind and happiness and full disclosure avoids misunderstandings and exaggerated expectations. That is why, I like the disclaimer form. It may not protect you from everything but it will certainly help you and the homeowner get on the same page. To repeat, health and safety remain

the primary focus of any installation. It is your responsibility to be sure that the children wake up cozy and cuddly this winter.

March 2025 Chapter Continuing Education Schedule

Date

Location

Time 5:30

March 4

Fort Smith Chapter Golden Corral 1801 S. Waldron Ave Fort Smith

March 6

South Central Chapter Ouachita Electric Co-op 700 Bradley Ferry Road Camden

6:00

March 11

Hot Springs Chapter National Park College 101 College Drive Hot Springs Northwest Chapter Golden Corral 4507 College Ave Fayetteville

6:00

March 13

6:00

March 18

North Central Chapter ASU Mountain Home 1600 S College Street, Trout Room Mountain Home

6:00

March 20

Central Chapter Whole Hog Little Rock 2516 Cantrell Road Little Rock

6:00

March 25

Southwest / Texarkana Chapter Southwest Arkansas Electric Co-op 2904 E. 9 th Street Texarkana, AR

6:00

March 27

Northeast Chapter Ron’s Catfish 3213 Dan Avenue Jonesboro

6:00

May Your Thanks Be In Your Giving

(Your company logo here)

Ductwork Release of Liability Form Homeowner’s Full Name: ___________________________________________ Homeowner's Address: _____________________________________________ City: __________________________ State: _________ ZIP: ____________ Phone Number: ___________________ Email: _________________________ I, the undersigned homeowner, hereby acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions of this Ductwork Release of Liability Form for (your company name here: 1. Nature of Release of Liability: (Your company name here) has advised me that the existing ductwork is original and/or of undetermined age, and may be either inadequate in size, condition, or layout, which is required for the new heating and cooling system to perform to its maximum design efficiency. I have also been advised by (Your company name here) that in addition to less than maximum performance, other unwanted conditions may develop including, but not limited to, condensation, mildew, rusted ductwork, property damage, and any other consequences related to the existing ductwork size or condition. I have declined the recommended replacement, alteration, or repair of the existing ductwork and have agreed to proceed with the installation of the new heating and cooling system. 2. Release and Waiver: I hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless (Your company name here), its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, liabilities, costs, expenses, or damages of any kind, whether known or unknown, that may arise out of continuing to use the existing ductwork with the new heating and cooling system. 3. Exclusions: This waiver does NOT exclude or exempt (Your company name here) responsibility for all life safety issues, required by code, to be corrected or included in the scope of work performed , including combustion air, fresh air, and exhaust venting.

Homeowner’s signature: ______________________________

Date: _____________________

(Your company address, license number, phone number, email, etc. here)

This is not a legal document but can be used as a rough draft example.

(Your company logo here)

New HVAC System Release of Liability Form Building Contractor Full Name: ___________________________________________ Builder’s Legal Business Name___________________________________________ Builder’s Contractor License number ______________________________________ Builder’s Business's Address: ____________________________________________ City: __________________________ State: _________ ZIP: ____________ Phone Number: ___________________ Email: _____________________________ Project address: ______________________________________________________

I, the undersigned responsible agent of the builder, remodeler, or contractor, hereby acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions of this HVAC System Release of Liability Form for (your company name here): 1. Nature of Release of Liability: (Your company name here) has advised me that the new heating and cooling system/s that will be installed in the new construction residential single or multi family home, remodel project, or commercial building is not ready to be commissioned into service and shall not be turned on until the final trim out and commissioning of the HVAC system by (Your company name here). I have been so advised that I, the undersigned, or any agent thereof, or any subcontractor working on the project, who starts up the HVAC system during the construction phase , may cause serious damage to the HVAC equipment including the duct system. That damage may include, but not be limited to , ingesting drywall dust, paint, debris, or other construction material that can cause damage to the blower motor, electronic controls, heat exchanger, electric heating elements, evaporator coil, ductwork, filters, and condensate drain system. This damage shall also include any damage to the structure of the building resulting from running the system and SHALL IMEADIATLY VOID ALL LABOR AND FACTORY WARRANTIES whether written or implied. 2. Release and Waiver: I hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless (Your company name here) the equipment manufacturer, and the distributer of the equipment, and that all officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates of same, be held harmless from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, liabilities, costs, expenses, or damages of any kind , whether known or unknown, that may arise out of starting up the new heating and cooling system before official commissioning by (Your company name here).

Building Contractor signature: ______________________________

Date: _____________________

(Your company info here)

This is not a legal document but can be used as a rough draft example.

Now is a great time for customers to earn rebates on high-efficiency natural gas furnaces and water heaters! These energy-efficient systems are not just practical, they’re also fantastic choices that can truly elevate your customers’ home comfort and savings. equipment with rebates from Summit Utilities! Increase your sales of high-efficiency natural gas

Receive $100 for every qualifying rebate you submit!

Residential and small business rebates: • Up to $800 for qualifying heating systems • Up to $700 for qualifying tankless water heaters • Up to $1,700 for combination furnace plus tankless water heater Learn more at SummitUtilities.com/Rebates

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Kirk’s Corner Rebate Opportunities As we edge towards the close of another calendar year, it's an opportunity to reflect, review, and refresh our strategies in the HVAC world. While we're all hustling to meet our annual goals, there's one crucial area that we, as HVAC professionals, can help our customers save energy. Did you know about the fantastic opportunity that is currently on the table? Yep, it's all about promoting energy-efficient products and letting customers know about the attractive rebates they can access. Homeowners today are keen to lower their energy consumption, slash their utility bills, and enhance the comfort of their homes. This is where a high efficiency, 95% natural gas furnace can be a game-changer. Not only can it help achieve these objectives, but it also opens doors for homeowners to access Summit Utilities’ rebates and substantial federal tax credits. Let's talk about tankless water heaters—these devices are gaining love for their on-demand hot water supply, and better yet, their efficient operation. Recommend and install these units, and you can help get your customers on the road to more energy efficiency, plus those customers might qualify for Summit Utilities’ rebates and potentially significant federal tax credits. Now, you may be wondering, why consider Federal Tax Credits? Here’s

Why: bundled with Summit Utilities’ rebates, these rebates can offer a persuasive financial incentive for eligible energy-efficient equipment. High efficiency natural gas furnaces and tankless water heaters are just a few technologies that qualify for these credits, offering homeowners a two-fold benefit - immediate savings and long term advantages. Summit Utilities isn't just about providing services; we're about creating solutions that easily blend comfort, cost-effectiveness, and energy savings. By promoting our rebate offerings and the federal tax credits, you could help our customers make informed decisions about selecting energy-efficient options, thus helping enhance their homes and potentially cutting down energy costs. Interested in exploring these opportunities further? Or perhaps you're looking to weave energy-efficient solutions into your services seamlessly? Let’s grab the chance to elevate our services, place our businesses at the forefront of the energy-efficient home solutions industry, and together, create homes that offer unparalleled comfort

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and align with the latest advancements in energy efficiency technology. The heating season is here, and with natural gas, your customers can count on the affordability of natural gas at low prices. Be sure you are taking advantage of our rebate offers to up sell to customers. As a reminder, be sure and submit your customers’ rebates before the end of the year. For more details on the Federal Tax Credits and Summit Utilities Rebates, check out the links below. Don’t let your customers miss out on rebates like $800 for a 95% natural gas furnace or $700 for a condensing tankless water heater. For information about federal tax credits, visit Making Our Homes More Efficient: Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers | Department of Energy For Information about Summit Utilities rebates, visit SummitUtilities.com/Rebates. *Please note: For more information about the tax credit, please consult a tax professional Mr. Cool’s Furnace Warranty Limitations Thought you might like to see a few points in Mr. Cool’s warranty. 1. All installation must be in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, codes, and ordinances. 2. Products purchased over the internet or through other electronic means must

be installed by a qualified installer and the installation must adhere to the Quality Installation protocols of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and these products must be registered with the manufacturer within 60 days of installation for the warranty to be in place. 4. This warranty does not cover damage or defect resulting from: c. Operation with system components (indoor unit, outdoor unit and refrigerant control devices) which are not an AHRI match or meet the specifications recommended by MRCOOL. e. Use of contaminated or refrigerant not compatible with the unit. For the purposes of space, I left out some of the warranty conditions which are normal and not relevant to the point here. The point is that homeowners should be very careful about purchasing HVACR equipment online. They may do a great installation job. They may not and Arkansas gives every homeowner the right to kill themselves with a faulty installation. One thing is for sure, only a trained HVAC installer knows the importance of measuring gas pressure on a furnace. Only a trained installer knows the importance of venting and combustion air. A furnace is not a present for Dad to break on Christmas Eve because he did not need to read the instructions. Quality installation has always been more important than brand name or price. So be careful and warn your customers of the inherent dangers of a DIY furnace or AC installation. Mr. Cool knows and has limited their liability.

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024 State National Chapter News OSHA Reveals Top Injuries for HVAC

Top 10 injuries for HVAC contractors— 1. sprains 2. strains 3. tears 4. fractures 5. cuts

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC workers suffer from one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. Exposure to hazards like electrical shock, burns, and ergonomic injuries are part of the job. Everyone in the HVACR industry knows the hazards but we are a trade of strong willed, independent, strong in our back and too late strong in our brains to prevent injuries to ourselves. Lifting with our legs and not our backs doesn’t even make sense to most of us. Just bend over and pick it up. Don’t be a wennie! Then at age ??? maybe 40, 50, or certainly by 60, our back tells us that using our legs would have been a much smarter thing to do. Replacing a compressor without proper lifting equipment is a way to make that back problem start at 30 instead of 40. Walking the ceiling joists is required but speed and carelessness can put you in a fall to the floor or straddling a 2x. One good friend, climbing a pull-down attic ladder, spent several weeks in a hospital when it collapsed. As we move into A2L and flammable refrigerants, we have to be informed, aware, and committed to safety. One good story. A friend who has been in refrigeration for many years, now working on a flammable system, forgot. Just did what he always did. Lit the torch to separate copper from the evaporator. Can you say, probably had to change his pants. He is fine and probably will never make that mistake again. “All is well that ends well”. Only thing??? They don’t always end well.

6. lacerations 7. punctures 8. amputations 9. heat 10. chemical burns.

Just google OSHA safety accidents in HVAC. It is just a glimpse into the number of accidents in our industry. Another thing we have to take seriously is working in confined spaces. We’ve talked about new rules that will affect us even in residential. Access to and keeping tabs on guys working in crawl spaces will change the way we run service. Prices will have to go up to pay for the extra help that will be required. We should have been more careful for years; but now, we have to take health and safety seriously, not just for the homeowner but for our workers. We may have never been quite as dumb as the guys in this picture, but we all have taken risks. Gonna’ have to do a better job of taking care of ourselves.

You may have never done it but Did you think about it?

Association Membership Benefit

NeediNg a Break from Summer

CheCk out

MemberDeals

Sign in as a Member and Scope it Out

Go to arhvacr.org Sign in with your Member ID (email) (Not a member? Join today) Go to Membership in the Menu Bar Click on Member Home Select MemberDeals Could save you a buck or two for local or big money for a vacation

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024 Tech News

Everything Else is Secondary Popularly, HVAC sizing is done by square footage. Size of the home divided by a number. 500, 600, 700 etc. When you factor in changeouts, most jobs seldom see a real load calculation done. If a real load calc is done, you click on a box that describes Envelope Leakage as Average in the middle, and Leaky, or Semi Leaky on one side and Semi Tight and Tight on the other side. Again, most of the time we look at the construction era and guess. Pier and Beam- Leaky. Slab on grade with a foam / air barrier as tight. Everything else is in the middle somewhere. Let us take a moment to see how guessing at air tightness affects our work. Yes, municipalities require load calculations and seldom are they reviewed. Calculations are collected and filed so if a consumer has a complaint the municipality is covered. The contractor is responsible for the information in the load calculation.

training contractors in air side performance. What are the tools we are talking about? To answer the tool question, we need to address a long-standing issue. Ever since homes have been conditioned to battle the environment, there has been a rift between the home building sector and HVAC industry. Each industry needs the other, but, when things go wrong, finger pointing becomes the plague. The HVAC industry expects the housing industry to listen to needs, and the housing sector expects everything to be pretty with no space infringements. Never mind that codes early on required a percentage of floor space set aside for mechanical equipment installation. As a result, the HVAC industry leaves it up to the construction industry to build correctly and thinks building science is for just the construction guys. HVAC guys will handle the air side of things. All too often there are failures on both sides. There is progress being made on both sides of the aisle. The HVAC community is broadening awareness, while builders like Matt Risinger of the “Build Show” has been paying more attention to the HVAC portion of the construction industry than some HVAC contractors. If you are talking about HVAC airside performance, you are talking thermometers, hygrometers, flow hoods, hot wire anemometers, manometers, and ammeters. When you talk about building science , we investigate blower doors along with most all the air side tools. We will look at the most common air flow device first. We will discover how this air flow measurement should be secondary.

“You are guessing if you are not testing” is a phrase popularized by a leading company,

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Hopefully everyone in the HVAC industry has put their hand on a flow hood at one time or another. The tool is used to validate room by room air flow generally. Without utilizing the flow hood, it is impossible to guess air flow

(7% in some jurisdictions) leakage is commonly acceptable, much better performance (5%) is possible on homes less than 2000 square feet. Most crews test to meet passing criteria, and this is wrong. If 10% duct leakage is a target to pass inspection, they cease sealing once we hit 10%. If your company employs proper sealing techniques and follows the process from one end of the

delivery. The flow hood was invented about 1979 or when Cabbage Patch Dolls were the rage, but strangely no one takes credit for the invention as it was initially considered unreliable. Probably due to resistance from our own industry. We hate slowing down

distribution to the other, the duct blower will be a tool that confirms the job is done correctly.

installations just to get them right. The flow hood of today has vastly improved since its initial adoption and is now utilizing better hardware and software technology. Yes, there are alternatives to flow hoods available but in the real-world flow hoods work well with minimal training. Due to code requirements that are associated with minimal duct leakage, more folks are familiar with the duct blower. A simple description follows. A small fan is set up to the return side of the distribution system by way of a 10” flexible duct. Two small tubes (probes) are utilized to capture pressure differentials. One tube is placed on the supply side of the duct distribution system and the other runs to a port on the fan itself. With all registers sealed, the fan is turned on and a negative pressure of 25 paschal is exerted on the duct to measure pressure differentials of the probes. The provided manometer has software that computes the differentials and formulates actual duct leakage. While 10%

We have witnessed companies that never employ the duct blower until the inspection is done by a third party. With several hundred jobs performed, the ratio of underperforming duct leakage is less than three percent testing failure rate. The best practice remains to seal to the best of your ability and be surprised by how low you can go once you break out the duct blower. Fewer HVAC techs or installers have ever put their hand on a blower door. The door is a

more complicated set up than using a duct blower, although similar technology is shared between the tools. The blower door originated in Sweden in 1977 as a blower window. The blower window was brought to the US in 1979 by

HVACR NewsMagazine November 2024 Tech News

Ake Blomsterberg of Princeton University fame. Ake converted the blower window to fit an exterior door. As a note, G. T. Tamura (way ahead of his time) used a blower window in Ottawa Canada in 1967 and 1968 to test houses. In 1977, a team at the National Research Council of Canada's Division of Building Research (NRC/DBR) in Saskatchewan advanced the concept to a blower door. Thank you, Mr. Tamura. At time of inception, all the calculations were made on a spreadsheet filling in the data given by a set of 3 large analog Magnehelic. Today’s technology gives most of the calculations via a DG 1000 (Minneapolis Blower Door) manometer. Retrotec offers the DM32X manometer with their blower door set up.

The readings are compared, and the building leakage is calculated. If you don’t take your time setting up the door, you will get bogus information. Once you understand the principles of operation, most operators can tell if the initial information is valid, or where the setup has failed. Most of the folks that run blower doors today were involved with the industry in 2008 or later. Most learned by way of grant funding for that era of incentives delivered by the Federal Government to the HVAC industry. Granted, we are just under two decades ago, but what was learned from the first round of implementation was groundbreaking. As monies are distributed with the next round of grants, the information provided by use of the blower door should give more information to the quality of construction today as compared with older data. So, what’s the point of all this testing discussion? The first tool we looked at was the flow hood. The flow hood validates the correct air flowing into each room. We get required air flow from our duct design generated by the load calculation. The second tool was the duct blower that validates duct is not leaking . This test ensures we are not losing or gaining loads with an efficient duct system.

The blower door is set up in a door that leads

outside the envelope. This may include a door leading to the garage. Just as the duct blower measures the differential pressures, the blower door does the same. One probe is placed outdoors out of the way of fan influence created by the door itself, and the other end is attached to Channel A on the manometer. The other probe is attached to the fan input or Channel B and then to the port on the fan itself.