ASHRAE Recognizes Outstanding HVAC&R Industry AchievementsLAS VEGAS –

Thirty-six people were recognized by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE) for their contributions to the Society and the building industry at the Society’s 2011 Winter Conference held here Jan. 29-Feb. 2.
Russell M. Keeler, P.E., LEED, principal of Chason Energy, Evergreen, Colorado, was elevated to the grade of Fellow ASHRAE in recognition of his 40 years of design and consulting excellence in the HVAC field.
Fellow ASHRAE is a membership grade recognizes distinction in the arts and sciences of environmental technology and is earned through achievement as a researcher, designer, educator or engineering executive. The Society elevated 13 members to the grade of Fellow ASHRAE.
Of the 13 members so honored, only 4 were Americans.
There are currently about 500 Fellow Members of ASHRAE out of a membership of more than 52,000. This is truly a prestigious distinction, with less than 1/10 of 1% of ASHRAE members holding the Fellow grade.

Condensation in the attic

It is not uncommon for HVAC equipment to be located in an attic. Generally, that attic is not a conditioned space, so humidity levels may be high. If high humidity is present, there is a great danger of having condensation from the A/C equipment. This can lead to insulation damage, collapse of ceiling drywall below, and mold.

To avoid these problems, it is important to maintain a vapor seal between the cold surfaces and the attic air. Do this by installing a vapor barrier on the outside of the duct and equipment insulation.

Blue Water in the Desert

Why would someone's domestic water turn blue, be toxic and slippery?

I was called in to find out what was causing these problems, which made the homeowners use only bottled water in their brand new home.

After considerable investigation, including talking to several chemistry professors, I found that the cause of the problem was a combination of high pH water and bronze pipe fittings. A phenomenon called "zincification" causes the zinc in the metal compound to go into solution in the presence of his pH water. Some of the copper also goes into solution, and combines with OH molecules, forming copper hydroxide, witch is toxic, slippery, and blue. QED

Watch out for PEX pipe with brass or bronze fittings if the water has a high pH.