Not All Knowledge Comes from College
Do you really need to go to college? If your heart's not in it, you can't find a field of study that excites you, and your college degree doesn't help your job prospects, the answer may be no. But what…
HVAC
Why Is Air Conditioner Capacity Measured in Tons?
A few years ago, a student of mine told a funny story in a home energy rater class. He was an HVAC contractor and said he was installing a new air conditioner for an elderly woman. As he was explaining…
A Standout Example of Duct Design…Or Lack Thereof
Every once in a while I come across someone's workmanship that leaves me in awe. I see it and realize that I am looking at something unique, a piece of work (in all senses of that phrase) so bold that…
A Good Window Is Still a Poor Wall
Windows. The bane of the building scientist's existence. As we try to control the flow of moisture, air, and heat, a lot of our problems occur at windows. If the flashing's not done properly, they leak water. If they're not…
The Lesson of the Raining, Dripping, Crying Duct Boots
I've seen it over and over: The central air conditioner's ceiling vents raining down onto the floor. The insulation liner on the duct in the crawl space holding a gallon or two of water. The office that has spots appearing…
Sex Advice, Diet Tips, Decorating Ideas, & HVAC Design
Spice up your relationship with these seven sexy suggestions! Give your skin the youthful glow of radiant good health! Master that new mixer with these garden fresh recipes! Calculate the number of BTUs per hour that your home needs for…
A Strange Silence on Dry-Ship R-22 Air Conditioners
Dry-ship R-22 air conditioners and heat pumps - A term that was new to me 10 days ago. It's a pretty big story but even the New York Times doesn't know about it yet. They just published an article about…
Don’t Be a Baby! It’s Time for Your HVAC System to Grow Up!
Babies cry. Babies are messy. Babies are inefficient. Just look at that face. Yeah, he's a cute little guy with that big smile, but it looks to me like there's been a problem with the food distribution system. Is your…
The Science Behind the Phase-Out of R-22 Air Conditioner Refrigerant
This is going to be a short article, mainly just providing a quick summary and some links to the ozone depletion work of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In the article I wrote last week about dry-ship…
HVAC Secret: An Air Conditioner Loophole the Size of the Ozone Hole
Have you heard the term 'dry-ship R-22 unit' yet? No? Well, let me tell you a dirty little secret of the EPA and the HVAC industry. It involves the environment, the costs that homeowners pay to buy and maintain air…