Hi' Two common types of ventilation in spray painting!.

Hi' Two common types of ventilation in spray painting!.

Two common types of ventilation used in spray painting are:

• Local exhaust VENTILATION captures the over spray and solvent vapour as close to the source of release as possible by drawing the contaminants into a capture hood. They should be fitted with a particulate FILTRATION SYSTEM to filter over spray. Wherever possible, local exhaust VENTILATION should be used when a spray booth cannot be used. It may be necessary to use it in combination with other control measures. Information on local exhaust VENTILATION designed for hazardous areas is available in AS 1482: Electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres – protection by ventilation.

• Dilution ventilation dilutes and displaces contaminated air with fresh air which is supplied to the work area by mechanical supply fans or natural air currents through doors, windows or other openings in the building. It can be used to supplement local exhaust ventilation.

When using dilution ventilation:

• the spray painting operator should stay between the air supply inlet and the source of vapours or aerosols generated
• temporary barriers may be needed to channel the dilution ventilation through the spray zone and to restrict cross currents
• make sure the contaminated exhaust air does not re-enter the work area
• use auxiliary mixing fans to disperse the spray painting emissions towards the outlet and to enhance the rate of air dilution.

Email Contact Hammam Industries & Co. Click Here!.

(Hi) Engineering innovation: lessons from history!

(Hi) Engineering innovation: lessons from history!

The UK boasts one of the best engineering research bases in the world and there’s an expectation, rightly so, that this research should provide economic benefit. 

However, as David Payne (who came up with the erbium doped fibre amplifier – a key enabler of the World Wide Web) once said: 

‘research is turning CASH into ideas; but innovation is turning ideas into cash.’

The question is, how do we ensure the two are properly linked and that the MONEY we put in results in money ultimately going back into the UK economy?

There are many groups and individuals who are working very hard to identify the right conditions for innovation but, despite all the policy activity in this area, I believe that it is only by understanding the motivations for research, that we can devise the right incentives for innovation.

One way is to look to our rich history of engineering innovations, both successes and failures, to learn more about these motivations. 

I believe they fall into several broad categories: fashion, devotion, career and reputation.

Ionic liquids, for example, can tell us a lot about fashion in research.  These liquid state salts were ‘discovered’ in 1914, and the first patent in 1934 was followed by many others. 

Even in recent times, the number of scientific publications per year in the field has increased by 100-fold in 1996 to 2006. 

Proponents have been very optimistic that ionic liquids hold the key to future developments in a variety of sectors– from pharmaceuticals, to batteries and nuclear energy and indeed they may. 

Yet only one major company uses them for major business purposes - BASF, for acid scavenging.

The contribution of research to economic growth will be limited if the best researchers are being diverted into cul de sacs, but acknowledging fashion as a research DRIVER is a starting point towards ensuring that we benefit from the excitement and glamour of fashionable research, as well as reaping genuine societal and economic benefits.

Devotion is another motivation. 

It is what drove Sir Tim Berners-Lee to INVENT the World Wide Web and then refuse to patent it, to ensure it reached its full potential.

Similar devotion was shown by engineer and inventor James Robert Napier in the development of his coffee machine, which formed the basis of the modern ESPRESSO MACHINE. 

Napier harnessed knowledge at the frontiers of chemical and mechanical engineering all in service of a very humble, everyday objective.

Devotion is the hardest DRIVER to incentivise and it cannot be taught, but you can take action to ensure those researchers devoted to their innovation pick up the soft and hard skills that will enable them to exploit it.

Sir William Wakeham believes understanding what motivated history’s pioneering engineers is key to creating the right incentives for innovation.

As a respected chemist, celebrated inventor and president of the Royal Society, it’s safe to say Humphry Davy was a leader in his field. However, there are a couple of examples from his work that can tell us a thing or two about the DRIVERS of career and reputation in research.

Early in his career, at the end of the 18^th century, Davy spent much time investigating nitrous oxide at the Pneumatic Institute, a new medical facility.

Despite being one of the brightest minds of his time, he failed to develop its use as an analgesic, in part because at that stage career considerations took precedence over devotion.

Davy didn't see any future for himself working on his sponsor’s agenda around the health implications of gases, which it is clear he privately discounted as a fashionable diversion. 

Instead, he treated his experiments as a training ground and launching pad for his own spectacular scientific career. 

In doing so, he missed the most lucrative application of nitrous oxide and it took another 50 years for the gas’s application as an analgesic to be promoted.

Perhaps Davy’s biggest public embarrassment was when he was COMMISSIONED to find a way to stop iron and copper bolts corroding on the bottom of ships. 

Davy developed iron protectors to preserve the copper by acting as what we would describe today as ‘sacrificial anodes’, and immediately published his work.

The anodes were effective, but they also encouraged barnacles to the extent that ships became barely operational. 

Davy wasn't wrong – indeed modern specifications for cathodic protection are similar - and it would have only taken a few steps to solve this problem, but he valued his reputation too much and published far too early as a result.

These two examples show how different motivations can damage the potential for innovations, and give an idea of how we can manage or react to different DRIVERS to ensure the best outcomes.

Researchers can be driven by fashion, by curiosity, by interest in the subject matter, by career prospects or by reputation. 

By reading up on the gestation of some of the best innovations in the past, we can ease the passage of new ones today.

One way to improve the connection between research and innovation is to provide a demand pull through procurement. Prizes too can play a role to complement MARKET pull, and to alter the valuation academia puts on specific technologies and sectors. Schemes such as the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Enterprise Hub, also help match aspiring innovators (driven by devotion) with industry leaders to help them develop the skills needed to commercialise their ideas effectively.

By better understanding the factors affecting innovation, we can perhaps reverse the situation such as that once outlined by Bill Gates, where research into a cure for MALE PATTERN BALDNESS attracts more funding than research into finding a cure for malaria.

The Bill Gates...., To Be Continued..., 

Hi Top 10 HVAC! HVAC Coil Corrosion, Should You Be Concerned!

Hi Top 10 HVAC! HVAC Coil Corrosion, Should You Be Concerned!

Coil corrosion is an expensive problem in the HVAC industry, leading to coil replacement or entire system replacement. 

Corrosion results in failure, and is responsible for about 40% of equipment failures in industrial applications, according to CED Engineering.

As the authors of an article in Reliable Plant explain, coil corrosion comes in the form of either pitting or Formica deterioration. Corrosion may occur as quickly as a few weeks after an installation or it may take up to four years to present itself.

Pitting corrosion is most often caused by exposure to fluoride or chloride. Fluoride is present in municipal water supplies, while chloride is found in a variety of products including snow melt, detergents, cleaners, carpeting and fabrics. 

Pitting occurs when chloride or fluoride ions are transported to the metal via condensate. 

The ions attack the metal, forming pits that form pinholes, causing the coils to leak REFRIGERANT.

Formica corrosion is typically caused by exposure to acetic or formic acids. 

These acids are present in a host of household products including cleaning solvents, insulation, adhesives, paints, plywood and many other materials. 

This type of corrosion is not always immediately visible and sometimes presents itself as black or blue-Gray DEPOSITS.

Formica corrosion creates tunnels within the tubing that result in pinholes forming in the coils, again often leading to a refrigerant leak.

Facilities located in more corrosive environments including near salt water or in industrial sites are particularly prone to experiencing coil corrosion. 

Other environments that may contribute to a higher amount of corrosive materials being expelled include areas around pools, laundry facilities, WATER TREATMENT plants, sewers and high traffic areas.

In such highly corrosive areas, coils have been known to fail in less than one year, according to CED Engineering.

A potential cause of coil corrosion is Chinese drywall, also known as odorous wall-board. 

Chinese drywall is also hazardous to your health. According to an article in G3 Environmental & Industrial Hygiene, an environmental and industrial hygiene service company, the drywall was imported from China from 2004 to 2007 and installed in both residential and COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS. 

The drywall emits sulphur compounds, which corrode metal, including air conditioning coils.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that exposure to Chinese drywall can cause certain health problems such as irritated eyes and skin, respiratory problems and headaches. Exposure to this type of drywall can also exacerbate ASTHMA SYMPTOMS.

You can identify the drywall by looking at the back. It should contain a label with the words: 

“Made in China,” “China,” or “Knauf.” Some Chinese drywall is not marked.

In that case, metal corrosion including in plumbing, electrical, and NATURAL GAS lines, combined with a rotten egg odor may signify a Chinese drywall installation

To combat the problem of coil corrosion, coil manufacturers are applying coatings prior to production. In addition, there are companies offering after market coatings. 

In a BROCHURE, Aeris Technologies Ltd., a manufacturer of after market coil-protection coatings, explains that the consequences of coil corrosion can include reduced efficiency, unattractive surface deterioration and equipment failure.

Additionally, reduced HEAT rejection may occur, resulting in an increasing compressor temperature and lower cooling capacity, which in turn increases the power usage. 

Lower cooling capacity means the compressor doesn’t cycle as intended, which means increased power consumption.

As systems work harder they become more stressed, experience more breakdowns and have higher maintenance costs. 

A lower cooling capacity may also mean occupants aren't very comfortable, resulting in loss of business or productivity. Preventing coil corrosion is much more effective and cheaper than replacing coils or the entire system.

There are basically four types of coil coating materials: polyurethanes, epoxies, fluoropolymers and silanes, according to Reliable Plant. Choose carefully as the wrong coating, especially with after market products, can reduce heat transfer and result in more expensive operating costs. 

An after market application may affect the manufacturer’s specifications.

Thinner coatings have better heat transfer while thicker coatings restrict heat transfer. 

Hydrophobic, or how effectively water DRAINS from the coil, can affect heat transfer. Water build up may also cause mould or mildew growth. 

The advantages of the four types of coatings differ as to how they resist scratching and corrosion; their weights/thickness's; hydrophobic; and heat transfer abilities.

Polyurethane is INEXPENSIVE, flexible and thin, but it’s not as long-lasting as other coating options.

Epoxy is cheap, but it’s usually a thicker coating and can’t be applied in the field; the coils must usually be shipped to a factory for professional application. 

Fluoropolymers are highly resistant to acids and solvents, and are inexpensive, but the sprays generally adhere poorly and their effectiveness wanes quickly.

Silanes form a thin coating that affects HEAT transfer very little and they typically last longer than other coatings, but they’re more expensive and proper application is best done by a professional and usually off-site. Each coating type has varying toxicity levels. 

Technicians applying the coating should wear equipment as specified by OSHA and an appropriate breathing apparatus.

Whether coated or not, continuing maintenance of coils is the primary way to combat the effects of corrosion. 

Twice annual cleaning with an alkaline coil cleaner or pH balanced coil cleaner will clear away any accumulated DEPOSITS, keeping coils safe from corrosion but also positively impacting the efficiency of your system.

Have you experienced coil corrosion? How did you combat the problem? Or did you choose a COOLING SYSTEM with coil coating protection included? And have you been happy with the product?

Hi Top 10 HVAC! Flow Rate is Key When Choosing a Pressure Washer!!!.

Hi Top 10 HVAC! Flow Rate is Key When Choosing a Pressure Washer!!!.

As a valuable public service, we at Just Venting are proud to take this opportunity to debunk a commonly held myth – namely that the more pressure your pressure washer washes with the better it will wash. 

How’s that for a tongue twister?).

  

The fact is, according to the technical experts, that pressure will only get you so far, and that water flow rate plays a greater role in determining how well a PRESSURE WASHER performs.

Every combination of material and contaminants has a particular pressure that is required to separate the two. 

Grease on stainless steel will require a different pressure than grease on aluminium, cast iron or Teflon.

 Similarly, paint will require a different pressure to remove it from stainless steel than will ink, chewing gum or tar.

Once your PRESSURE WASHER has reached the pressure required for a given combination of material and contaminant, more pressure won’t make the job go faster. 

Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor’s exhortations to use “More Power” won’t help here, but what may key to the job going faster is the use of a pressure washer capable of a higher flow rate.

Measured in Gallons Per Minute (GPM), the flow rate is really the key to determining how long a job will take. 

So to determine what pressure washer would be best for a given application, we proudly offer this little tip: multiply the pressure at which a system operates (measured in pounds per square inch – or PSI) by the flow rate in gallons. 

The resulting number will be a guide to how one system will work compared to others.

So let’s take, for example, two different PRESSURE WASHERS — the HPW-2000-E electric pressure washer and the HPW-2600-G gas-powered unit. 

The first has a flow rate of 3.5 gallons per minute at a pressure of 2,000 PSI, giving it a rating of 7,000.  In comparison,  the 2600G has a flow rate of 2.3 gallons per minute at 2,600 PSI, giving it a rating of 5,980.

For any CLEANING JOB requiring 2,000 PSI or less, both pressure washers will do a good job getting the material clean, but the 2000E will actually get the job done faster, despite the fact that it has less power than the other system.

When you are considering what size PRESSURE WASHER to buy, keep in mind that the name 

“pressure washer” might actually be a misnomer, since it is both pressure and flow rate you need to consider."

Look at the kinds of work you need to do and how much pressure will be needed to remove the stains you want to address.

Hi Top 10 HVAC! How to Assure ‘Right-Sizing’ HVAC Systems for Efficient Operation!.

Hi Top 10 HVAC! How to Assure ‘Right-Sizing’ HVAC Systems for Efficient Operation!. 

“Right sizing” an HVAC system improves efficiency, reduces noise, offers greater cooling/heating comfort and SAVES MONEY. 

An oversized system increases installation costs, wastes energy, and costs more in overall operating costs than correctly sized systems.

If you consider the worst-case scenarios when sizing your HVAC SYSTEM, such as maximum occupancy, lighting needs and weather conditions, you’ll probably install an oversized system. And an oversized system can reduce the cooling capacity. 

That results in the compressors short cycling, which in turn affects the system’s ability to dehumidify the building effectively.

Most HVAC systems are sized to meet HEATING AND COOLING loads occurring around 1% to 2.5% of the time, but an efficient system works most effectively for the conditions occurring 97.5% to 99% of the time, according to the National Institute of Building Sciences.

Over sizing is common in commercial as well as residential applications because contractors use the rule-of-thumb sizing – a load calculation based on square footage, says Terry Townsend, president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Understanding how each system affects the others offers the best ENERGY SAVINGS. 

The whole building design concept emphasizes designing a building’s HVAC system taking into account how one system affects another. 

It uses a systems approach rather than a component-based approach, considering the overall system configuration and the low load operation strategy. 

Whole building design, coupled with a right-sized, efficiently performing HVAC system results in as much as a 30% reduction in annual energy costs.

An efficient whole building design should plan for expansion without over sizing the equipment. 

The plan should not offer so much excess that it exceeds current required capacity and accounts for future loads that may never occur. 

Instead, the plan should build in physical space for adding equipment such as pumps, boilers and cooling towers. 

Use systems that can be modified, so additional equipment can be added later to expand the system.

‘Right Sizing’ HVAC SYSTEM Considerations and Tips 

for Efficiency:

According to the National Institute of Building Services and the Building Energy Codes Resource Centre:

• Do not rely on rules-of-thumb load calculations when sizing HVAC equipment. Obtain updated equipment load data matching the usage;
• Calculate HVAC SYSTEM design loads in accordance with accepted engineering standards and use handbooks such as the ASHRAE Handbook – Fundamentals;
• Calculate an accurate load estimate, using established design data from ASHRAE.
• The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) publishes the Manual J, the standard for performing load calculations, for residential applications. For commercial facilities, the U.S. Small Business Administration recommends using the ACCA Manual N.
• Use HVAC safety factors and pick-up load allowances in ASHRAE/IES 90.1 as the maximum limit;
• Use safety factors sparingly. On the hottest or coldest day of the year, it’s unlikely the building would contain the maximum occupancy with every light and piece of machinery operating.
• Choose cooling equipment meeting/exceeding the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) or EER (energy efficiency ratio) for the capacity requirement, advises the Building Energy Codes Resource Centre. Additionally, choose cooling equipment meeting/exceeding the IPLV (integrated part-load value).
• Use computer analysis tools to simulate how the building operation affects loads to prevent over sizing. Utilize tools provided by UTILITY COMPANIES and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Energy Software Tools.

Hi Top 10 HVAC! How to Clean Your Heat Exchangers!

Hi Top 10 HVAC! How to Clean Your Heat Exchangers!

We’re continuing our series this week on cleaning HEAT EXCHANGERS. This second post discusses cleaning HEAT EXCHANGERS, including the tools/products you need to get the job done.

"Here’s more about this week’s topic – cleaning heat exchangers":

Clean heat exchangers equate to tremendous energy savings, according to the U. S. Department of Energy. 

Scale deposits from magnesium, calcium and silica (from the water supply) form a layer on heat exchangers. 

Layers of deposits insulate the exchangers and slow down heat transfer, causing the exchangers to overheat or fail, reducing energy efficiency and causing more wear and tear on the system.

The Northwest Food Processors Association identifies soot as another cause of deposit build-up. 

Fuel oil combustion deposits as well as coal or wood waste can melt onto heat transfer surfaces. 

Once these deposits have melted, they can form a glass-like insulating layer that’s difficult to remove.

The association recommends reducing fuel costs by regularly cleaning heat exchangers to prevent fouling, which is often caused by a dirty, malfunctioning burner. 

Inspect heat exchangers at least once per year and clean them when they look dirty.

Inefficient heat exchange is caused by scale and sediment build up. 

A quality heat exchanger tube cleaner can quickly eliminate the problem. 

The step-by-step “How to Clean Heat Exchangers” check list walks you through the cleaning process. 

Choose HEAT EXCHANGER cleaning tools based on the type of system you have. 

Rotary tube cleaners work best on large HEAT EXCHANGERS. 

Tube cleaning drills clear small diameter tubes.

Use a biodegradable liquid de-scaler to loosen and remove tough DEPOSITS, while keeping the environment safe.

 A portable video scope that’s built for industrial use identifies DEPOSITS, for a thorough inspection.

Using a de scaler system circulates the de scaling fluid through the unit automatically. 

The scale is gone when the pH of the solution rises or the fluid stops foaming.

Hi TOP 10 HVAC 1! Top 3 HVAC Predictions for 2014!.

Hi TOP 10 HVAC 1! Top 3 HVAC Predictions for 2014!.

An upturn in the economy, a resurgence in multi-family construction, warehouse construction and the arrival of the mini-split system, a compact design split air conditioning or HEAT PUMP, will stimulate the HVAC industry this year.

- "We talk to some experts in the field, to get their top three predictions for HVAC in 2014."

We present all 15 predictions in our info graphic.

Our first prediction; predicts that the sales of component/REPLACEMENT PARTS will remain high.

- “While equipment whole system sales are up over 2012, there are still a lot of system owners who are REPLACING PARTS and continuing to service and repair existing equipment, rather than replacing the equipment. System owners are still trying to get optimal efficiency out of their existing systems rather than just replacing them,”.

Next we foresee continuing growth in the mini-split system. Its relative low cost, ease of installation and flexibility make it an ideal solution for after market and replacement HEATING AND COOLING solutions.

- “Long used internationally, especially in Asia, the mini-split finally will gain major market acceptance in both residential and light commercial units. Major manufacturers expect jumps of 20%+ in unit volume increases vis. 2013,”.

Furthermore it is expected that the improved economy will have a positive impact on the HVAC industry.

- “The HVAC business looks to have a strong 2014,”. “The US economy is showing sustained growth in a number of areas that will affect our industry moving forward. Its expected continued momentum from 2013 4 Th quarter in and beyond next year as facilities’ maintenance personnel maintain their focus on energy consumption and healthy indoor environments.”

You can read the rest of the predictions in our downloadable info graphic & view the remaining 15 HVAC predictions for 2014.

 *Next steps:

View the info graphic complete list of the 15 HVAC predictions by industry experts for 2104, info graphic list below; 

*HVAC industry Expert (A) Predicts;

• Improved Economy Will Have a Positive Impact on HVAC Industry:

The HVAC business looks to have a strong 2014. The US economy is showing sustained growth in a number of areas that will affect our industry moving forward. We expect continued momentum from 2013 4 Th quarter in and beyond next year as facilities’ maintenance personnel maintain their focus on energy consumption and healthy indoor environments.

• Increased Focus on HVAC Upgrades, Maintenance:

Orders will be focused in and around HVAC upgrades and maintenance-related items, particularly in federal and state government buildings where it has been prioritized nationally. ENERGY COSTS related to HVAC tend to be the highest profile expense that can be addressed in a building.

• Indoor Air Quality Problems Spur HVAC Innovations:

In addition, the INDOOR AIR QUALITY problems that have recently made headlines will drive further innovation and market development within this space. 

*HVAC industry Expert (B) Predicts;

• Continuing Mini-Split System Category Growth:

The mini-split revolution continues in 2014. Its relative low cost, ease of install and flexibility make it an ideal solution for after market and replacement HEATING AND COOLING solutions. Long used internationally, especially in Asia, the mini-split finally will gain major market acceptance in both residential and light commercial units. Major manufacturers expect jumps of 20%+ in unit volume increases vis. 2013.

• Social Media Providing a Large Megaphone for Unhappy Contractors:

Anecdotal evidence of popular message boards, social networking sites and the like show major issues with very large name brand HVAC components on the market today. Contractors now have large-scale outlets to air grievances. Many of these contractors identify the move to international manufacturing (Asia, Mexico) as well as the continued stratification of brands (good, better, best approaches) as causal elements. As prices of more traditional ducted HVAC systems continue to decrease and the consumer knowledge of SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) levels increase, installers are looking for brands that can deliver consistent, reliable performance and are not afraid of moving to other brands quickly. SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS are aiding in this and manufacturers need to pay close attention.

• Continuing Trends in Energy Efficiency Will Push Product Mix and Technology Innovation:

Trends in more efficient systems will not slow down, and in fact will only accelerate. With over 50% of all electrical power used in the US for environmental control (HVAC) pressure to deliver more efficiency at a fair price is not only coming from consumers who pay the bills (households and businesses), but from power generation and grid owners. As such, more efficient, lower TCO (total cost of ownership) solutions will become more prevalent and will continue to push technology innovation. Solar co-generation, more cost-effective geothermal solutions, SPLIT SYSTEMS and higher SEER-ducted units are just a few technologies to name.

*HVAC industry Expert (C) Predicts;

• Emphasis on Workforce Education, Training for HVAC Techs:

Technician competence has become a huge issue, both for HVAC Technicians where this has been identified as a major barrier to better maintenance of HVAC and service providers in other areas. Part of this is due to the economic pressures of the last few years. Contractors are being pressured to provide more for less. One statistic that is frightening is that technicians are leaving the field through RETIREMENT and other causes slightly more rapidly than replacements are being brought in. I expect a lot of emphasis on work force education and training during 2014.

• Variable Refrigerant Flow Technology Trend Will Grow in US:

Variable REFRIGERANT Flow (VRF) – this technology which has been popular in Asia for years really started penetrating the US MARKET in 2013. We expect that trend to grow dramatically during 2014. The driving reasons are threefold: a) VRF is inherently efficient. Many of the systems have energy recovery capabilities. All have variable speed drives on fans and compressors so they only use the energy needed; b) they provide good comfort control as the small distributed terminal units allow for effective zone control; c) Initial cost can be considerably cheaper than large central systems. From an IAQ standpoint, however these can be challenging. Without additional equipment, they do not provide outside air so they cannot satisfy the demands of ASHRAE Standard 62. In addition, they typically have low efficiency filters and thus little ability to remove suspended particles and other air contamination.

• More Complex, Potentially Exciting Technology:

In the HVAC world, this consists of on board diagnostics that are capable of monitoring package unit and other operation and detecting faults and operating statistics. Can we look forward to HVAC SYSTEMS with computers embedded like in our auto mobiles? Possibly. It certainly offers a lot of possibilities and hopefully as manufacturers design these systems, they will incorporate IAQ-related capability along with those targeting the mechanical portions of the equipment.

*HVAC industry Expert (D) Predicts;

• Continued Increase in Multi-Family Construction:

Multi-family construction spending was up 46% in the first 10 months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. That’s the strongest of any segment. In 2014, spending on multi-family construction will continue to increase but not at such a spectacular rate. But still quite possibly a double-digit increase in spending because people are still leery of buying single-family homes knowing they may not be able to sell when they want to or need to. Also fewer people qualify for mortgages with tighter lending standards and gradually rising INTEREST RATES.

• Energy Efficiency May Be Hampered by Lack of Tax Breaks:

There’s still a great interest on the part of owners to hold down their ENERGY COSTS and that applies to retrofitting existing buildings as well as new structures. However, I don’t think we’re going to have federal tax incentives in place for much of the year. Some of the federal tax credits will be expiring on Dec. 31. So decisions about installing energy-efficient systems will really depend on the savings just for the energy costs rather than from any tax breaks.

• Growth in Warehouse Construction Propelled by Same-Day Delivery:

Warehouse construction spending in the first 10 months of 2013 was up 21% from the same period in 2012. In 2014, warehouse construction will increase. Warehouse construction is being propelled by the race to deliver goods on the same day whether it’s by Amazon, Wal-Mart, or Best Buy. There’s certainly a demand for very modern and well located distribution space for that goal and as we near the opening of the widened Panama Canal in 2015, people are going to want to have WAREHOUSE SPACE well positioned near the ports.

*HVAC industry Expert (E) Predicts;

• Sales of Component/REPLACEMENT PARTS Will Remain High:

While equipment whole system sales are up over 2012, there are still a lot of system owners who are REPLACING PARTS and continuing to service and repair existing equipment, rather than replacing the equipment. System owners are still trying to get optimal efficiency out of their existing systems rather than just replacing them. This will continue to be mixed – buying new equipment, repairing existing systems – because last year at this time, consumer confidence was up slightly and that bore out to better equipment sales throughout 2013. But consumer confidence is down sharply in the last couple of months and they’re still fairly pessimistic about 2014, so I believe that indicates as a group they will try to keep their systems running as long as they can.

• Continued Emphasis on Whole Building Performance:

The momentum is building for HVAC CONTRACTORS to be more concerned about the whole building performance, and at the same time, the building performance industry is trying to better understand just how much the HVAC systems are critical to that building performance. The prediction for 2014 is that we’ll see that continue on both the consumer and the service provider sides of the equation and you also see increased collaboration amongst many of the industry associations in that regard.

• Regulatory Environment Will Impact HVAC Industry:

There will be more regulatory activity, not legislative activity. Department of Energy efficiency standards are coming fast and furious in all different sectors and equipment types. There is a lot of rule making under way, proposed and final and out for comment about efficiency standards for both refrigeration and air conditioning and furnaces, and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is looking at prioritizing applications for other SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy) alternative REFRIGERANTS such as hydrocarbons or HFOs (hydrofluoric-olefin's) but also possibly de listing some of the HFC refrigerants. The EPA would lay out a time frame for that to happen, which would start really changing the landscape of equipment selection options.