After nearly 45 years in the industry, Roger is looking forward to spending more time traveling and vacationing in – you guessed it – Florida. (I think it’s an unwritten rule that if you live in Massachusetts, you must retire to Florida. It might be a Blue Law). So, now Advance Air will boldly go where many small businesses have gone before…to The Next Generation. Namely, me and my brother Chris.

You’ll have to excuse the blatant and unimaginative Star Trek: The Next Generation references here. As I was writing this, I couldn’t keep the images out of my head.  Much to my chagrin as a child, Dad was a huge Star Trek fan and I guess it stuck. It would also be prudent to note here that my brother is not aware that I’ve represented him as Captain Picard. The lesson here is – beware of she who controls the social media.

A little bit about the next generation owners of Advance Air…

Chris joined Advance Air 18 years ago as an apprentice and has since filled nearly every job description available. He is one of the most well-rounded field technicians and he has also served as Foreman, Service Manager and Estimator. Currently his main jobs include estimating and managing the direction of our Building Automation Dept.

I joined Advance Air in 2002 after a former long-time employee was arrested for embezzling company funds, leaving the company in financial difficulty. It was a difficult time, but also an inspiring one. The company really pulled together to overcome the challenges of the theft and became a stronger company as a result. Over the last ten years my role has been to modernize the company with new technologies, implementing systems to increase overall operational efficiency, improve the accuracy of our estimating, and provide better customer service. I am also currently pursuing HVAC licenses so that Advance Air can apply for women-owned business certification through SOMWBA within the next few years.

Both Chris and I are excited and honored to have the opportunity to carry on what our father created. We look forward to continually improving the standards of integrity, quality and excellent service that our customers and employees have come to expect from Advance Air. And we promise never to actually wear those Star Trek: The Next Generation uniforms during the work day. Really. No one needs to see that.

Today, several (and I’m not telling how many) years later, I have been given another incredible opportunity – to own and run the great company my Dad built, alongside my brother Chris.

As you may have heard before, Advance Air was started in the dining room of my childhood home, with one man and one van. My Mom answered the phones and handled the billing, all while readying us kids for school and trying to referee our shouting matches. Early customers probably heard my brother, sister and I hurling such taunts and insults as “booger-breath” and the classic “I know you are but what am I?” while trying to place their service calls. Though my sister decided to become a flight attendant and leave the family business, my brother and I can still be heard throwing taunts around the office. Neener, neener, neener is still a great favorite of ours.

Over the last ten years, I have had the great pleasure (and let’s face it, sometimes great pain) of learning the HVAC-R business. One of the greatest privileges has been getting to know the team that my father put together over the years, from the technicians to the management team and office staff, they are collectively and individually some of the best folks I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. It is a group of excellent character, impressive skill and genuine caring. With the help of my brother and this great team, I hope to carry on the traditions of quality and integrity that have defined Advance Air for these past 26 years.

So as I look forward to Father’s Day this weekend, it is with the knowledge that though I can never fully repay the gifts that my Dad has given me, my wish is to lead my life and the company in such a way as to make him proud.  Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

Left to right: Chris Lamy, Roger Lamy & Karen Lamy DeSousa

Building Automation Systems (BAS) can be used to program and control everything from HVAC, lighting, security, process equipment and more. The system can be accessed from your on-site computer or by logging in remotely with a secure internet connection. Since your BAS system is responsible for so much, you must be very careful in selecting and setting it up.

Here are some tips so that you don’t end up wanting to divorce your BAS system:

A BAS System is Like a Wife – Neglect it and it will Take Half Your Money and Leave you in the Cold.

1. Have Clear Expectations Going In. The first step is to identify what your needs are. What kinds of equipment do you want to control? HVAC, lighting, security? Do you want to measure energy usage? How detailed do the reports need to be? Do you want your system to send you alerts when there are changes in unit operations? Next, determine what your needs will be. When making a big investment like this, you want to make sure your system can grow with you. Once you know what you want, you can start looking for the right partner.
2. Pick the right partner. There are a lot fish in the sea. Or in this case, many BAS systems and many contractors that install them. Not all of them are the right fit for you. Research what manufacturers and systems will fit your needs now and in the future. Get recommendations from building owners/managers with similar needs. Better yet, work with a contractor that you trust to help you make the right decision for you. It’ll be like Match.com for your BAS system.
3. Commit to Working on the Relationship. A BAS system is not a set-it-and-forget-it system. The conditions that existed on the day you originally installed your system will likely change and/or the settings you thought you wanted may not really be what you really need. You can find this out by spending a little time with your system and sharing your thoughts and feelings:
4. Pay attention. Monitoring your system will give you enormous amounts of information about your building, equipment and energy usage. You will be able see trends that can save you big money on energy and emergency repairs. If you don’t have time, many contractors offer this service as part of a preventive maintenance program, or as a value-added service. (Note: This works great with your BAS system, but I wouldn’t recommend trying it with your wife.)
5. Provide feedback. Keep your system up-to-date on changes in your building’s operation (tenant or usage change), change of occupied schedules, etc. It’s a garbage-in/garbage-out situation. Your BAS will do what you tell it to. Make sure you say what you mean!
6. Keep the Relationship Fresh. Though a BAS system can easily last 10-20 years, it will need regular software updates to keep it running correctly. We recommend quarterly software updates, but not less once per year. Think of it as an anniversary gift for your BAS system.

Your BAS wants you to spend time with it, share things, and buy it nice things every once in a while. Treat it right and it will give you back more than you put in.

Pain at the pump and no end in sight. What's a contractor to do? Click photo to read article.

Our business requires multiple technicians to drive from place to place in some of the most inefficient vehicles available – boxy, heavy-duty vans loaded up with heavy parts, equipment, refrigerant, etc. On their best day, without a heavy load, they’re getting 11 miles to the gallon. Kind of sad, right? So, what is there to do about it?

I was recently interviewed by The NEWS, a weekly news magazine for HVAC contractors, regarding this very issue. Several contractors participated and there were some clever ideas that are worth a read, but the fact of the matter is there is no easy answer. No quick fix. But hey, at least I got my picture in a magazine.

Check out The News article, Contractors Confront Rising Gas Prices (picture on page 10).

From The HVAC Factor: Reducing Water Consumption. Changes to cooling tower operation and maintenance are one way to conserve this resource, written by Neil Maldeis and originally published in the April 2012 issue of Today’s Facility Manager.

“Heating and air conditioning systems are traditionally designed as “closed” systems that consume little or no water in normal operations. In large commercial HVAC installations that are properly operated and maintained, water for cooling towers accounts for almost all of the HVAC system’s water consumption.

Cooling towers need to make up water that is lost in three ways: by evaporation; from intentional bleed off (required to remove suspended and dissolved solids left behind when pure water evaporates); and from drift, water that escapes the system in the form of mist or droplets carried by the airflow.

Strategies for improving cooling tower performance and reducing water consumption include:

• Use existing building automation system technology to control tower operations, including automatically shutting the tower down when possible without impacting occupant comfort.
• Monitor water levels in the cooling tower reservoir to prevent overflow. Check fill valve settings and operation, and replace old float style fill valves with more efficient parts. Install an overflow alarm to alert the operator in case of sump overflow.
• Install drift eliminators to redirect airflow and reduce water loss.
• Recognize that evaporation rate is directly tied to cooling load, with evaporation loss of about three gallons per minute per 100 tons of cooling. Finding ways to reduce cooling load will reduce both energy and water consumption.
  

  Use These Tips to Conserve Water While You Keep Cool This Summer

• Use turbidity sensors, chemical monitors, automatic bleed systems, side stream filtration, and other methods to maintain ideal water quality levels in towers. Consider alternative make-up water sources such as wastewater from industrial processes.
• Evaluate potential of hybrid cooling towers, dry coolers, heat sinks, and other less water intensive methods to replace or supplement current cooling towers as part of a broader upgrade.
• Engage an energy engineer, energy services company, or other third-party advisor to conduct a critical system audit that includes the cooling tower and other HVAC system elements.”

For full article, click here.

If you’re a Facility Manager or Building Owner, Today’s Facility Manager is a great resource for information. Whatever method of interaction you choose – tweet, blog, newsletter – they are chock full of pertinent info relating to what you do and see every day. And no, I am not being compensated for my suggestion. I just really like their stuff!

Cleaning an air conditioning condenser is not rocket science, but there are a number of different ways to get in trouble and cause damage to yourself or your condenser. If you must be a do-it-yourselfer, do yourself a favor and read the Operations and Maintenance Manual for your unit before you start. If you can’t find the hard copy, most manufacturers have downloadable copies of their manuals online, listed by the model number of the unit which is located on the nameplate of your condenser. After you’ve read the manual for your unit, check out these tips.

Here are some tips on how to avoid regretting your decision to be a do-it-yourself HVAC tech:

1. Read the manual. I know, I said this already, but it’s really that important. Reading the instructions is not a sign of weakness. Take the time to do it right and you could save yourself a lot of money and headaches.

2. Never, never, never use a power washer on your condenser.  Put down the power washer and step away from your condenser! Power washers are great for a lot of tasks, but cleaning your AC condenser is not one of them. A power washer can bend and damage coil fins and restrict air flow to the point of inoperability. See photo below.

3.  Avoid coil cleaners when possible. Coil cleaners can be harsh on you and your coils. Many coils can be cleaned with nothing but a coil brush, shop vac and a garden hose. If coils do not get sufficiently clean with water and brushing, then try a commercial coil cleaner. The best way to know if your coils are clean and your unit is operating at peak efficiency is to test the temperatures and pressures of the refrigeration circuit with a proper set of gauges.  We recommend a professional HVAC technician for testing unit operations.

4. Know your coils. Some coils are one piece, some are two pieces laid back-to-back. The two piece coil needs to be separated in order to get them clean or you’ll just clog up the middle of the coil worse than if you didn’t clean at all. In addition, some coils are coated, some not. If they’re coated, you need to know what type of coating and what cleaners are acceptable to use on that particular coating. The wrong cleaner can damage the coating or even the coil itself. You’ll find this information in – you guessed it – the O&M manual.

5. Read the Directions. If you need to use a coil cleaner, read the directions to make sure that you protect yourself (gloves, eye protection, etc.) and your coils (is it safe for your type of coil?) appropriately. Also make sure you are using a CONDENSER coil cleaner. A split unit has both a condenser coil and an evaporator coil. The cleaners are NOT interchangeable. Using the wrong one can damage your coils.

6. Safety First. Use safety glasses to avoid getting debris, cleaner, etc. in your eyes. You only have one set of eyes. Protect them! Also use gloves to protect your hands when cleaning the coils. Coils can have sharp edges. Wouldn’t want to mess up your manicure, would ya?

Although I preceded this article with the statement that coil cleaning is not rocket science, I would also like to point out how many times in this article that I said some version of, “If you do this wrong, it could damage you or your coils.” For this reason, I would always recommend using a professional HVAC technicians, and not just because I am an HVAC contractor. There are a lot of ways to go wrong with HVAC units. They are complex and a lot more delicate than they look. When you look at it as protecting your investment, it just makes sense to find an HVAC professional that you can trust, and use them. If you don’ t already have one, call us at Advance Air. We’ll take great care of you and your coils.

Advance Air is a proud sponsor of amateur dirt bike racer Jesse Lamy, son of Chris Lamy (technician and part owner of Advance Air). With an already stellar performance record after only three years on the amateur racing circuit, 13 year old

Jesse Lamy proudly displaying his 2011 NEMX Championship Plaque.

Jesse Lamy dominated his Division in the New England Motor Cross last fall, taking first place in the NEMX 250 C Division. Advance Air’s sponsorship will help with bike repairs, safety equipment, race fees and more.

Motor cross is one of the most physically demanding sports, requiring high levels of strength and fitness as well as demanding excellent concentration and mental focus. Jesse is supported in his pursuit of a professional racing career by his father, Chris Lamy and his mother Jodie Lamy who travel all over New England to attend his races, filling the roles of dirt bike mechanic, promoter and coach nearly every weekend.

We expect great things from Jesse in the coming year as he enters a new, more challenging 250 B division in the New England Sports Committee (NESC). In this new division, he will be racing alongside professional racers and seasoned amateurs, some twice his age. For more information or to sponsor Jesse, send an email to info@advanceair.net.

Best of luck to Jesse for a safe and winning season!

Jesse Lamy sporting the Advance Air logo in his first race of 2012.

 

Controlling a motor without a VFD is like flooring the gas pedal on your car and using the brakes to regulate speed.

In an effort to make motors more efficient and reduce wear and tear, the Variable Speed Drive (VSD) or Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) was introduced to allow motors to run at varying speeds. With these drives, your motors can start up more slowly and build up to max speeds, if needed, or run at lower, more efficient speeds.

The VSD and VFD drives function like a brain for the motor. They tell the motors exactly how fast and how long to run to maintain desired temperatures, airflow, etc. At lower speeds, your motor is still able to provide you with ideal comfort but at much less cost. To put a number on it, motors running at full speed use nearly 8 times more energy than a motor running at half speed.

In addition to saving energy and reducing wear and tear on your equipment, the drives can also alert you about malfunctions or needed maintenance, minimizing equipment downtime. In some cases repairs can be done even before anyone notices a problem.

VFD and VSD drives can be used on equipment such as fans, hot water pumps, compressors, etc. They can be paired with high efficiency motors for a double whammy of efficiency. Plus VFD/VSDs qualify for huge rebates from utility companies, making it even more cost-effective to invest now.

To find out how VFD/VSDs can work for you, see energy savings calculations, etc., please call us or visit our website at http://www.advanceair.net/variable-speed-drives.htm.

Quality plays a major role in pricing, and for good reason.

1. For Installations, research and development costs and higher quality raw materials increase the price of HVAC equipment. Because of those higher costs, the equipment will be more energy efficient, last longer and be more reliable than cheaper equipment.
2. Labor costs vary by skill level. Hiring, retaining and continually training employees is expensive. But the alternative is cheaper, less skilled, less educated labor installing your expensive HVAC equipment. The highest efficiency equipment, if installed improperly, will be less efficient than standard efficiency equipment.
3. Good, honest business practices have a lower profit margin than shady ones. Cutting corners and playing games with change-orders after the fact gets upfront prices down, but costs more in the long run. And you don’t get what you thought you were paying for.

In order to make sure that you get the right unit, installed correctly, by a company that stands behind its work and provides quality service, you have to consider more than just price. First, establish a quality threshold for both the materials and the contractor. If you stay within the major HVAC unit manufacturers, you should be OK quality-wise. Make a note of the efficiency of the units on proposals to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.  Check contractors for proper licenses and insurance, and request references. Only after you’ve established that the equipment is comparable and the contractors reputable, can you safely let price be your guide.

Advance Air is not the cheapest contractor in town – and we’re not ashamed to admit it. We have value that the cheapest contractor doesn’t have.

We hire and continually train high caliber employees. We price your project honestly upfront and follow through on our commitments. We stand behind our installations and make sure our customers are fully satisfied. Anything less wouldn’t be acceptable to us or our customers. Even with this high level of service, we are priced lower than our similarly skilled competition because of the way we manage our business and our comparatively low overhead costs.

Modular systems available. Add up to four indoor units to heat and/or cool multiple rooms.

The traditional alternatives to central air conditioning – window or through-the-wall units – will get the job done, but they can be loud, unattractive and inefficient. See a detailed comparison chart on our website.

Through-the-wall units, or PTAC (Portable Terminal Air Conditioning) Units, are installed by cutting into an exterior wall and placing the unit inside a special sleeve to hold it in place.

Window units, as the name implies, are placed into a partially-opened window.

Window and through-the-wall units have potential security issues – a unit could be removed for access into a building through the unit opening.

Both are also noisier because they have the condenser motor and fan inside your room. In ductless split units, the noisy condenser is outside.

Ductless splits have some of the highest rated efficiencies available. And because the air doesn’t have to travel through ducts – usually located in 100 degree attic spaces – there are none of the usual energy losses associated with ductwork (a typical system loses 30-50% efficiency in the duct system). All of the cooling/heating goes right where you want it. Ductless systems can also provide heat as well as air conditioning, if needed.

For more information, or to find out if ductless split air conditioning systems are right for your business, call Advance Air at 508-763-3738 or send an email to info@advanceair.net.