Columnists: Eatherton
The Jetsons go green
Over the years, I have chronicled all of the unique projects I have had the opportunity to work on. From smallest to largest, I have seen and done them all. I’ve never actually had the opportunity to work on any properties that were on the designated list of Historic Places. Until recently that is. ...
Reducing commercial building's energy consumption by 90% — Pt. 3
commercial buildings under 200,000-sq.ft. consume 75% of the energy consumed by these types of buildings. ...
Students reduce building's energy consumption by 90% — Pt. 2
In last month’s article, I promised that we would look at the major items contributing to the energy consumption reduction of The Learning Source building located in Lakewood, Colo. ...
Reducing commercial buildings' energy consumption by 90%
Recently, I was approached by a key member of this group with the intent of bringing us all together as a consulting team to tackle the task of addressing the energy consumption and conservation needs of light commercial buildings (less than 100,000-sq.ft)....
Diagnosing appliances for proper combustion — Part 6
In last months article, we ended by telling you we would look at the tales of the tape from combustion analyzer readings to analyze the analysis, and make a determination as to corrective actions. Thanks to an alert reader, it was brought to my attention that I neglected to mention the critical need for fuel pressure settings, and vent stack draft readings. ...
Properly commissioning gas fired high efficiency equipment — Pt. 5
This month I want to address the natural gas fired, forced draft appliance, most of which have a finned tube heat exchanger of one design or another. ...
Properly commissioning high-efficiency equipment — Part 4
I realize that the title of the article is relating to the newer gas fired high-efficiency equipment, but the reality of the matter is that there are more atmospheric appliances out there than there are high-efficiency appliances, and a person needs to understand the basics of combustion before they can move into the high-efficiency arena....
Properly commissioning high-efficiency equipment — Part 3
In last months article, we ended by telling you we would look at the tales of the tape from combustion analyzer readings to analyze the analysis, and make a determination as to corrective actions. I realize that the title of the article is relating to the newer gas fired high-efficiency equipment, but the reality of the matter is that there are more atmospheric appliances out there than there are high-efficiency appliances, and a person needs to understand the basics of combustion before they can move into the high-efficiency arena. ...
Combustion efficiency health — Part 2
Many appliance manufacturers and re-badgers are under the impression that natural gas energy content is fairly consistent in the field, and they will do a test firing at the factory with 1,050 BTUs per cubic foot of natural gas. ...
Determining combustion efficiency health
Are you properly commissioning your new gas fired high-efficiency equipment? If you are not, you just might be voiding any warranty on the consumers' equipment......
Colo. carbon monoxide law affects contractors
"The Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act" has requirements that affect pretty much everyone in Colorado as it pertains to the use and placement of carbon monoxide detectors....
Tools, methods to increase speed, efficiency — Part 3
Editor's note: This is the third and final in a series of articles addressing means manners, methods and tools that will increase employee speed and efficiency in the field....
Tools, methods to increase speed, efficiency — Pt. 2
Editor’s note: This is the second installment in a series of articles addressing means manners, methods and tools that will increase employee speed and efficiency in the field....
Tools, methods to increase speed and efficiency
This is the initial installment of a multiple part article addressing means manners, methods and tools that will increase employee speed and efficiency in the field....
The largest heat source in the world — Part 3
This is the final installment of a multiple part article chronicling the true geothermal district heating system at the Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort, Detroit, Ore....
The largest heat source in the world — Part 2
This is the second installment of a multiple part article chronicling the true geothermal district heating system at the Breitenbush Hot Springs Resort, Detroit, Ore....
The largest heat source in the world
A few years ago, I wrote an article that spoke about some of the true geothermal heating systems that I'd had the opportunity to look at and work with over the years. By true geothermal, I am referencing the direct use of the earth's molten core to generate steam and or super-heated hot water, as opposed to the refrigerant based systems that take advantage of the lower-grade earth heat. ...
A time for renewal at the RPA — Part 4
This is Part 4 of a four part interview conducted by Mark Eatherton with the new executive director of the RPA, Ted Lowe....
A time for renewal at the RPA — Part 3
Editor's Note: This is Part 3 of a four part interview conducted by Mark Eatherton with the new executive director of the RPA, Ted Lowe....
A time for renewal at RPA — Part 2
Editor’s Note: This is the continuation of last month’s article, an interview with the new executive director of the RPA, Ted Lowe....
Spring … a time for renewal at RPA
I attended what is known as the annual rite of spring for hydronic heating contractors ¯ the Radiant Panel Association’s Annual Conference. ...
The world of thermal imaging - Part 3
This is the last in a series of articles on the budding technology of infrared cameras. At present, there are no less than a dozen different manufacturers of infrared camera technology. Each and every one of them offers a unique feature....
The colorful world of thermal imaging — Part 2
At the end of last month’s article, we were discussing the potential application of this technology for locating leaks below grade. That is but one of the possible applications in the HVAC field. The most obvious application is looking for energy leaks (heating or cooling) in the buildings shell and core. Again, differential in temperature is critical before attempting to look for energy leaks....
The color of heat — Part 1
Since its inception, FLIR has made huge leaps and bounds as it pertains to its potential application in the industrial and mechanical fields. Energy in general, has different “ranges” in the spectral field. They now have infrared detectors that can actually “see” gas vapors escaping into the atmosphere, making visual inspection of large mechanical complexes a virtual snap. ...
Major advances in heat pump technology — Part 2
In last month’s column, we discussed some rough basic sizing and cost information. It should be noted that drilling costs fluctuate all over the board, and in some cases where the going gets tough, it may cost upwards of three to four times the cost that I projected last month....
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