HVAC Blog

When I was a kid, my grandfather took me on ice fishing trips up north in the Adirondacks. First thing we'd do at his cabin was load up the wood stove and get the fire going. Within a half hour the cabin would be so warm we could strip down to our T-shirts and jeans. That kind of heating efficiency is very difficult to mimic in modern times.

One old idea being considered is the use of the Gasifying or Gasification Wood Boiler. What are the benefits of a gasifying wood boiler system over that of traditional systems? These "gas by-product" heating systems burn cleanly, efficiently and are powered by a renewable resource. Their downturn? They're expensive. Also, somebody's going to have to be watching the store 24/7. Will wood be taken seriously as a power generator for gasifying boilers and furnaces over that of the more traditional gas and oil? While the wood boiler is said to be the perfect alternative for large commercial green houses, egg packing plants, paper companies and more, can commercial operations seriously rely on having a constant source of dried wood (or wood products like chips) at their disposal? Or perhaps the idea of utilizing a renewable energy resource like wood is an idea whose times came and went with the stone age?
NOTE: Click on this link to view a very cool video of a commercial gasifying wood burning boiler in action: http://www.alternateheatingsystems.com/woodboilers.htm

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from HVAC, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to HVAC today.

Today, many HVAC contractors and design engineers face a new technological revolution. This one revolves around BIM or Building Information Modeling. This virtual, 3D computer modeling system can revolutionize the way engineers design and build. Sensitive building analysis can be performed in an office rather than spending countless hours in the field. As an HVAC professional, have you introduced BIM to your operation? Is BIM standardization the future for mechanical engineers and contractors? Or are you finding yourself further behind the eight-ball as you wait to use its design and estimating advantages?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from HVAC, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to HVAC today.

My buddy supervises a couple large apartment towers in Boston, MA. With the never ending price increases in natural gas and oil, he's been faced with some hard decisions. Should he continue with traditional gas and oil fired boilers or switch to a new type of heating and cooling system? One energy system considered is a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) setup. CHP is heat, air-conditioning, electricity and hot water that originates from a single source. The systems can be powered either by gas/oil or bio fuels. Environmentally friendly, and trendy in Europe and Asia, these co-generation systems are gaining popularity in North American commercial and industrial applications. Since an apartment tower is essentially a commercial building, CHP might be the heating and cooling future. But being a relatively new technology, how efficient are these CHP systems? Are they the energy and money saving Holy Grail we've been searching for? Or are they just a quick fix to a broader energy problem?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from HVAC, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to HVAC today.

Siemens and other HVAC companies surveyed HVAC designers and contractors for their reaction to the current energy crunch. They asked what HVAC companies did to make their operations run more efficiently. One General Contracting shop in upstate New York says: we burn through the energy by keeping the lights on all day, along with the computers, fax machines, copiers, etc. We run the AC in the afternoons during the cool months when the sun shines through the glass walls. If you're like me, you're too busy doing business to tend your personal energy issues. In the HVAC business, shouldn't we practice what we preach?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from HVAC, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to HVAC today.

Natural gas prices are going through the roof. We have had it good for many years, using and misusing fuels supplies at will for countless decades. The demand for Green Building Methods is also on the rise. We can look for ways to reduce consumption, and we can search for an alternative and ecologically sound source of power for the future. Has your business studied the option of boilers and heating systems powered by alternative fuels like biogas?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from HVAC, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to HVAC today.