> Circulator Sizing: Science, but Simple

It's a fairly simple, innocuous little question. Seemingly innocent, but like any good Indiana Jones movie, with danger lurking dangerously at every dangerous corner: "How do I know which circulator to use?" In the world of straightforward questions with straightforward answers, this one's a lollipop. There's no opinion, no debate, no discussion. Just the answer: "Determine the flow rate, and then the head loss, and look at the chart." "But I don’t want to do all that. Isn’t there some sort of rule of thumb?" "Yeah, there’s a rule of thumb: Find the flow rate, then the head loss, then look at the chart." "No, you don't get it. I want to know how to size a circulator without doing all that work. Just something simple..." "Well, this is as simple as it gets: Flow rate, head loss, chart. Okay?" "Well, what about...MORE

Posted by John Barba(Taco, Inc.), Aug 18 2008 09:58:48, 0 replies

> Geothermal Bandwagon Filling Up

To say that lots of folks are jumping on the geothermal heating/cooling bandwagon is something of an understatement, which means that business opportunities for qualified HVAC contractors are multiplying. It seems like a lot of schools in particular across the U.S. are turning to the economies of geothermal energy to meet their heating/cooling needs in this time of tight budgets. For instance, in Tennessee, when the Rockvale Middle School opens for the new school year, the $22 million, 160,000-sq.-ft. facility will be warmed and cooled by geothermal energy, the Murfreesboro Post reported. Rutherford County schools started using geothermal HVAC systems about three years ago. Two elementary schools and another middle school already have systems in place. Each school's system costs between $750,000 and $1 million, the Post reports, but pays...MORE

Posted by FloPro News Watch(FLOPROTEAM), Aug 08 2008 08:04:17, 0 replies

> Pump sizing

I was wondering why more contractors don't use 2 smaller circ in series or parellel rather than 1 larger pump. It usually works out less expensive and most service trucks will carry a smaller pump and not a larger one..I'm thinking like 2 007's verses 1 0011. Thanks Bob ...MORE

Posted by Robert Holohan(Top Notch Plumbing and Heating Inc.), Aug 05 2008 20:46:09, 1 reply (view)

> Hey DUDES - MAD DOG here

Looking foward to participating here. Just got Back from Germany. First time on this site - great job Johnny W & John B. ...MORE

Posted by Matt "Mad Dog" Sweeney(TRiple Crown P & H), Aug 05 2008 19:45:34, 1 reply (view)

> Could Interest in Geothermal Energy be Hotter?

It's doubtful. All across the U.S. - and around the world from the Caribbean to Australia, the Philippines and Europe - new public and private geothermal heating and cooling projects are cropping up every week. Here's just a small sampling: Animas, N. M. - Construction of a 10-megawatt geothermal power plant here is expected to begin before the end of the year, the Silver City Sun reported. Six months after that, the plant could be up and running. All the power it generates will be sold in the Phoenix, Ariz., area. Elgin, Ill. - Sherman Hospital in this Chicago suburb will use a $4.5 million geothermal heating and cooling system in a new 255-bed facility when it opens late next year, according to the Chicago Tribune. Workers...MORE

Posted by FloPro News Watch(FLOPROTEAM), Jul 28 2008 14:58:16, 0 replies

> The Barba Files: What Do They Mean by "value added"?

We're a value-added company! How often do you hear this drivel? And just what does it mean? "Value added" is nothing more than a code for "we’re not the lowest price." More often than not, when anyone says they're "value-added," they are more than likely on the higher end, if not the highest end, of the price spectrum. Is this a bad thing? Well, it is if there's no additional value to doing business with that particular outfit. They're simply more expensive than the alternatives, and there's no discernable or relevant reason. It's also an indication that whoever's running that business is irretrievably stupid. True added value, however, is at the heart of successful, profitable selling. When one considers the "selling points" to deliver to a prospective customer,...MORE

Posted by John Barba(Taco, Inc.), Jun 09 2008 14:33:08, 0 replies

> The Barba Files: How to Make the Most of Training

Wrapping up the first session of the 2008 Taco Factory Training Program a couple of weeks ago got me thinking about the value contractors get from most HVAC training programs. I firmly believe most people don't get much out of a typical HVAC training seminar. Now, that's a rather odd belief for a guy who puts on HVAC training seminars for a living, but I think it's true. There are two reasons for this. The first is that many seminars are poorly-disguised sales pitches for various products, and most contractors and technicians are really, really good at seeing one coming. Industry seminars tend to be product-focused, rather than application-focused and problem-solving focused, so that whatever usable information there is gets lost amid the "ain't-this-product-grand-and-way-better-than-the-other-guy's-stuff" rhetoric. The audience tunes out and a precious hour, afternoon or...MORE

Posted by John Barba(Taco, Inc.), May 12 2008 14:33:08, 2 replies (view)

> "Compleat" Boiler Room training

My name is Jason Quinn. I am interested in any feedback regarding the "Compleat" boiler training session that took place earlier this month from anyone that attended. I am considering attending in June. Thanks in advance for any input. ...MORE

Posted by Jason Quinn(The Plumbing Company), Mar 22 2008 12:48:27, 3 replies (view)

> The Barba files: Sales Tips for Contractors, Part IV Selling on price 2

People sell on price for one of two reasons: They have nothing else to sell, or they don't know how to sell. That's basically it. Let's look at the first reason. There are instances when there truly is no extra value being offered beyond ownership of a specific item. The online company that only sells pipe, valves and fittings, but has no service to go with it, needs to sell on price. They can't offer special delivery, special terms, service, training or technical assistance because, well, they don't have any to offer. A couple of guys with a warehouse, a computer and a FEDEX account can move product. Today they'll sell pipe, tomorrow they'll sell office supplies. It doesn't matter to them; it's just a product to ship and a bill to collect. These outfits generally...MORE

Posted by John Barba(Taco, Inc.), Feb 01 2008 11:22:31, 1 reply (view)

> NPSHR for 1400 series circulators

What is the NPSHR for a 14000-50 circulator? I cannot find this information in the specs on the web site. I need a high head and flow circulator for a 1 1/2'' pipe. I have a small NPSHA (about 4-5 psi). I am also considering the 1600 series. Which are more reliable for hydronic heating, the 1600 series or the 1400 series? Thanks, ...MORE

Posted by Luc Landry(Pavillon des Fils de Marie inc.), Jan 09 2008 14:24:30, 0 replies