Articles by Nick Kostora

Manufacturers are consistently finding new and exciting ways to develop and enhance traditional products per the desires of tech-savvy consumers in both the residential and commercial HVAC segments.

Despite all their differences, consumers share a common interest in connected home technologies.

The Amazon Echo is a voice-activated device that can answer spoken questions; play music; make to-do lists; set alarms; stream podcasts; and provide weather, traffic, and other real-time information. However, perhaps most interesting to contractors is its ability to control several smart devices using itself as a home automation hub.

The ACEEE produces its state scorecard annually. This year’s edition zeroes in on six policy areas in which states pursue energy efficiency, including utility and public benefits programs and policies, transportation policies, building energy codes, combined heat and power (CHP) policies, state government-led initiatives around energy efficiency, and appliance and equipment standards.

Contractors are constantly looking for ways to build stronger relationships with their technicians as well as train and educate their staffs. The ride-along accomplishes each of these things.

In 2008, the state of Iowa passed statewide legislation requiring all HVAC technicians to be licensed. It’s a measure other states have taken, as well, with each state having unique criteria to determine the steps necessary to acquire such a license.

Twenty-nine states currently have laws legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes with an additional eight permitting recreational use of cannabis, including the District of Columbia.

A refrigeration system with an overcharge of refrigerant is an issue that almost all technicians have come across at some point in their careers.