Furnace & Air Connection

Hvac Schools

If you are mechanically inclined and looking for a new career, perhaps HVAC School is something you should look into. HVAC Schools teach skills and technology for installation and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems. Students learn to troubleshoot the electronic and mechanical components of HVAC units.

HVAC Schools offer numerous options to earn diplomas, certificates, and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Diploma and certificate programs can be completed in a year or 18 months; AAS degree programs can be completed in two years and involve more in-depth study of management and business applications.

Training will include commercial heating, refrigeration and air conditioning, wiring techniques, service call procedures, and troubleshooting training programs and courses. Graduates of HVAC Schools are prepared for positions working with heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems as entry-level technicians, mechanics, and service sales persons.

Some HVAC Schools offer two-year Associate of Applied Science degree programs in service management. Students in AAS service management degree program will concentrate on business operations - accounting, business law, salesmanship, and management - and aspects of customer service. AAS service management graduates are prepared for positions as repair technicians, apprentice mechanics, supervisors, and managers at the entry-level.

HVAC technicians may work in various types of businesses and manufacturing, for private contractors, or in institutional buildings. There is a steady demand for skilled HVAC technicians. Even though the work can be strenuous at times, the rewards can be worth it, with most technicians bringing home respectible salaries.

If you are interested in the field of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, apply to a HVAC School or Online HVAC School today! You’ll find all sorts of educational options on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

Notice to Publishers: Please feel free to use this article in your Ezine or on your Website; however, ALL links must remain intact and active.

Michael Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Visit our Traditional School Directory and find HVAC Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.

Cutting Heating Costs

Proper furnace care and smart purchases can help you reduce the high costs of heating your home. That’s good news considering that energy bills-which are already historically high-are expected to continue to climb. In fact, a recent article in USA Today reported that homeowners on average will see a 25.7 percent increase in heating costs compared to a year ago.

To reduce heating costs, experts say that the energy efficiency of your furnace is extremely important. According to Jim Miller of Amana brand furnaces, "Homeowners don’t have much control over the price of natural gas, but they can take steps to minimize the impact of home heating costs." He offers these tips:

1. Have Your Furnace Checked. "If you haven’t already done so this year, have a licensed HVAC contractor inspect your furnace now," Miller emphasized. "He can perform a safety inspection and clean your furnace so that it runs as efficiently as possible."

2. When Buying a New Furnace, Choose High-Efficiency. A furnace’s efficiency is indicated by its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency percentage, or "AFUE," a measurement developed by the U.S. Department of Energy. The higher a furnace’s AFUE, the more efficient it is. "Furnaces older than 15 years operate at efficiencies of approximately 60% AFUE. This means that for every dollar spent on heating costs, only 60 cents actually helps warm your home, while the remaining 40 cents is wasted.

"If you were to replace that 60% AFUE furnace with a high-efficiency unit, such as the Amana brand AMV9 96% AFUE Variable-Speed Furnace, you would get 96 cents worth of warmth for every dollar you spend toward heating your home," said Miller.

He added that furnaces with a variable-speed blower are even more efficient because the blowers typically require up to 75 percent less electricity than a standard motor. In addition, a furnace’s blower also works with the home’s cooling system, meaning consumers experience increased efficiency year-round.

3. Investigate Tax Credits for High-Efficiency Furnace Purchases. Thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), homeowners who purchase furnaces with an AFUE of 95% or higher in 2006 and 2007 may qualify for a tax credit of $150. And if that furnace uses a variable-speed blower, they may qualify for an additional $50 tax credit.

By: Trevor Russell

For more information and tips on minimizing your utility bill, visit www.amana-hac.com or call (888) 292-6262. Some energy-efficient furnaces can cut heating costs-and provide a tax deduction.

Seven Vital Facts About Your Car’s Air Conditioning System

Air conditioning, which was once a great luxury, is now a common feature on most motor vehicles. While the servicing of modern car air conditioning systems is best left to professionals, you can get the most enjoyment from your ac system if you know a bit about how it works and what malfunctions you should be on the lookout for.

1. Odd smells coming from the air conditioning may be caused by bacterial buildups

As your car becomes older, or when the air conditioning system is used infrequently, bacteria, micro-organisms, mold and fungi may start growing, just behind the dash panel on the evaporator causing some very unpleasant odors. Some even claim this can result in headaches and flu like symptom sometimes referred to as ’sick car syndrome.’

This problem can be solved by using an anti-bacterial treatment that destroys the bacteria growth and leaves your car smelling fresh again.

2. If you car does not feel cold enough, then you may need to recharge your system

If you feel that your car doesn’t feel as cold as your friend’s car, then your system may need servicing. The air conditioning system in your vehicle is not usually covered by most manufacturers servicing schedules and the refrigerant gas that is used to operate the system depletes over time. On average most vehicles lose up to 15% per annum. This leakage can be caused when then system is not used during the winter months. Thus allowing the small ‘O’ ring seals to dry out resulting in a gradual deterioration in system performance. If this continues, eventually the system will not be able to operate at all.

Most problems of this type can be put right fairly easily by a leak check of your system followed by a complete refill of your air conditioning refrigerant, this is sometimes referred to as a re-gas.

3. Running your air conditioning year round will help maintain the system

If you run the air conditioning in the winter it will help to keep the system well lubricated and leak tight. This is because the refrigerant actually carries the oil that lubricates the system and most importantly the compressor. It also keeps the seals and hoses moist, thus preventing them from drying out and cracking which can lead to leaks.

4. Strange noises coming from the air conditioning should be attended to immediately

If your air-con system suddenly starts making noises you have not heard before it is very advisable to have a qualified vehicle air conditioning specialist to have a look at it.
Some noises could be early symptoms of a compressor failure (the compressor is the air conditioning pump).The compressor is usually the most expensive part on the system ranging from approximately 230 to 600+ and if the bearings in your compressor break down or if the compressor seizes up it also means that other components can become contaminated with metal particles A flush of the system would then be needed as well as replacement of the compressor, the receiver/drier and the expansion valve - quite a hefty bill!

5. Don’t worry about a pool of water forming under your car after using the A/C

If you see a puddle of water on the ground, usually under the passenger area don’t be alarmed. This is a normal feature of the system as it is only water dripping from the air conditioning evaporator. The evaporator has a drain tube fitted to allow the condensation from the evaporator to drain away from the vehicle.

6. Excessive moisture inside the car can be fixed easily

Sometimes the drain tube from the evaporator may become blocked or detached allowing the condensation to build up inside your evaporator. If this occurs water will just build up inside your car to a point where there are damp carpets or misting / high humidity type problems. These problems can be solved with low-cost servicing.

7. Have your air conditioning serviced regularly, even if there are no visible problems

Just as the other systems of your car need servicing on a regular basis, the same is true for the air conditioning system. The compressor needs oil, or else it will seize up. The filter collects debris and moisture. If the filter becomes blocked, then the performance of the system will deteriorate and it can even quit working entirely (probably when you need it most!)

Normally the refrigerant gas in a car air conditioning system has to be recharged completely within four years from the manufacture date and thereafter every two to three years.

An annual servicing of your car’s air conditioning system will guard against malfunctions in the compressor and other vital parts of the system. Regular maintenance will save you money in the long run and guarantee you comfort in the hottest months.

Steve Magill is the managing director of LVV Services Ltd. www.lvvservices.com . Located in South Wales, LVV Services specializes in Smart Repair of autos, including dent removal, car diagnostics, paint repair, alloy wheel repair and air conditioning services.

Your Personality Type May Influence The Area Of The Hvac Industry Best Suited For You

Every person has different combinations of skills which enables them to use their talents in different ways. What determines a personality type includes things like how they like to interact with people or how they process problems to find a solution to those problems. Whether you are extroverted or maybe a bit more reserved, there are job opportunities in HVAC for every personality type.

Some people just like to work with their hands. Training will prepare them on how to maintain HVAC units through all of the stages of an HVAC unit’s lifetime. Some people enjoy interacting with other people, so they might be more interested in the sales and marketing aspects of the HVAC industry. Each part of the industry allows people to do what they enjoy best, and come together to provide people with the basic necessities of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Some of the areas working with HVAC systems:

Designing new models and features
Building the systems
Maintenance on HVAC units
Sales and marketing

Designing an HVAC system

Like for any other company or merchandise, there are people who draft ideas for new products and materials so that they can be used more efficiently and more cost effectively than older models. This is why there is a new model of the same standard cars every year. HVAC systems are continuously being redesigned and upgraded by designers who use computer-aided designs (CADs) and the knowledge they acquired during technical school to create new and revised blueprints for HVAC systems. These designers work with research and development teams to improve the equipment that is used in homes and businesses across the country. In addition to the design and research teams, there are also inspectors who review these proposed designs to make sure that they comply with the regulations required for safe and efficient machinery.

Building the HVAC system

After a design is drafted and tested, the systems and any products that are used in conjunction with them are built by engineers. While engineers are trained to maintain systems also, their interests and skill sets lie in the construction of the materials into a usable piece of machinery. Some people may not be as interested in building the units, but may just be more interested in maintaining them, which is a position more suited for technicians.

Maintaining the system

Technicians travel to businesses or homes to repair or perform routine maintenance on HVAC systems. Some technicians work specifically on pipe-fitting, which involves maintaining the industrial systems of piping that carry chemicals, steam, and gases out of the HVACR unit which enables the unit to heat or cool a space. Technicians tend to enjoy the variation of traveling to different places during a work day, but there is still little interaction with people. Those who especially enjoy meeting new people may be more suited for the sales and marketing aspect of the HVAC industry.

Selling the system

Some people may decide that they are not really interested in the hands on approach to working with HVAC systems, though they still see the value in the process and the industry. Some of these extroverted types join the sales and marketing team. They understand the highlights in the variety of systems and are able to market them to potential buyers, such as homeowners and business managers. Some people may like that idea, but want to have more control over how the HVAC business is run. Some become contractors or business owners, so they can handle their own marketing techniques and carry on business to their specifications.

Whether you enjoy completing a task or selling a product to a buyer, the HVAC industry has a wide variety of specialties and areas for you to get involved in after vocational school. With the skills you acquire during your time in school, you can go anywhere or do many different jobs in the HVAC industry.

The Refrigeration School, Inc, offers classes in Phoenix, Arizona, and prepares students for a career in a variety of jobs available in the HVAC industry. Whether you are outgoing and would enjoy sales or you are on the quiet side and prefer to maintain an HVAC unit, The Refrigeration School, Inc. can equip you with the foundational training needed for a successful HVAC career with any personality type.

Metal Casting Torches And Furnace Torches Described

Oxy-fuel cutting and oxy-fuel welding can be described as the processes of using oxygen and fuel gases to either cut or weld metals. There are some striking differences between these two processes. In the first process, a cutting torch is made use of for heating ferrous metal to a temperature of around 980 degree Celsius. An oxygen stream is being trained on a hot metal that combines with iron chemically which later flows from the kerfs, or cut in the form of slag of iron oxide. In the second process, a ‘welding torch’ is made use of for welding metals.

Torches that burn the inside fuel with air (atmosphere) cannot be termed as oxy-fuel torches. They stand out owing to the use of single tank. This is because oxy-fuel cutting/welding requires oxygen, fuel, and two tanks. It’s not possible to melt some of the metals with single-tank torches. Hence, these torches can be used for brazing and soldering, but not for welding. A metal-cutting torch is better known as hot blue spanner, blue wrench, hot wrench, smoke wrench, and gas-axe.

Types of Torches: The torch can be defined as the part held and manipulated by the welder to get the weld made. It possesses a valve and connection for oxygen and the same things for fuel gas, a handle to obtain the grip, an integrating chamber (angularly set) where there occurs a mixing of oxygen and fuel gas, with a tip where formation of flame takes place. The fuel gases used along with oxygen include propylene, propane, hydrogen gas, MAPP gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and the most widely used is acetylene.

Injector Torch: It can be defined as an archetypal oxy-fuel torch, also known as an equal-pressure torch. It carries out the mixing of mere two gases. The injector torch operates in such a way that high pressure oxygen comes out of the tiny nozzle present in the torch head, and the fuel gas gets dragged towards it via the venturi effect.

Rose-bud Torch: The use of this torch is to carry out the heating of metals for straightening, bending, etc. It is generally used where a huge area requires heating. It produces a rose-bud shaped flame at the end, hence the name. This torch can carry out the function of heating small areas like rusted bolts and nuts as well. However, here, filler rod won’t be used with torch.

Cutting Torch: The head of the cutting torch is used for cutting metal. Its identification details are as follows: The inside of the torch consists of a combination of oxygen and acetylene. It helps in producing flame of a high temperature. It consists of 3 pipes going to a nozzle at 90 degree. It also contains an oxygen-blast trigger which blasts away the material during its cutting by the way of providing oxygen.

Welding Torch: The welding torch consists of either 1 or 2 pipes running towards the nozzle without oxygen-blast trigger. As the name suggests, it performs the function of welding.

Go to Metal Casting Zone to get your free ebook on Metal Casting at Metal Casting. Metal Casting Zone also has Sand Casting Information, Spin Casting Information and a Metal Casting Blog with daily news on Metal Casting.