Category: Uncategorized

Honeywell’s Detailed Guide to Retrofitting R-22 AC Units

With the phase out of R-22 by 2020 driving up pricing, contractors are looking for more options to retrofit R-22 air conditioning (AC) units without having to change the oil. “Generally speaking, you can see system improvements after a retrofit as a result of recommissioning the equipment,” said Ron Vogl, global technical marketing and services manager for Honeywell Refrigerants.

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Stay on Top of Changes and Enhance Productivity, Too!

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area! This section of our website features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

Plus, see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

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MCERF Receives Contribution from West Chester Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

West Chester Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (Aston, PA), with its recent $2,500 contribution to MCERF, has now contributed a total $30,000 to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF). Mark Rogers, COO of West Chester Mechanical says, “It is our job to find the next generation of leaders for our companies, our association and our industry. We need to find and train our own replacements.  MCERF is playing a vital role in that process.”

For more information on MCERF, contact Dennis Langley (dlangley@mcaa.org).

10 Things You Need to Know About Commercial HVAC Regulations

Emerson conducted a survey in 2015 of more than 450 HVAC professionals and found that only 11 percent are aware of upcoming commercial HVAC regulations and many don’t understand how those regulations will impact their business. Here are 10 things you need to know about the changes affecting the commercial air conditioning (AC) market.

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Stay on Top of Changes and Enhance Productivity, Too!

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area! This section of our website features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

Plus, see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Appion Inc. Offers Tips on Removing Restrictions for Fast Refrigerant Recovery

While refrigerant recovery is accepted as a fact of life for today’s air conditioning and refrigeration (AC/R) technicians, it remains one of the most time-consuming steps in servicing an AC/R system. This can make it tempting for a technician on a tight schedule to skip the recovery process. However, with the proper understanding of equipment and methods, refrigerant recovery can be faster and easier than venting. Just like tires can affect a car’s performance, the hoses, fittings, manifold, and recovery cylinder all play a role in how quickly and efficiently the recovery process is completed.

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Want More Tips to Enhance Productivity?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area! This section of our website features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

Plus, see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

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With KEY2ACT Software, Customers See What MacDonald-Miller Sees

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions partnered with KEY2ACT to create See, software that allows contractors to use smart glasses on job sites to capture photos and videos of their work. The new technology helped MacDonald-Miller speed up customer payment and dramatically cut down the time spent explaining work that was done to customers disputing charges. It also increases customer engagement, building trust and leading to new work.

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Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

L.J. Kruse Company Increases Profits and Reduces Errors with MobiliForms

By transitioning from paper forms to iPads using MobiliForms from iBusiness Technologies, L.J. Kruse Company saved time, increasing its billable hours. “We have dramatically reduced the time spent transporting and handling paperwork as well as eliminated mistakes,” said Nathan Kruse, vice president, L.J. Kruse Co. “MobiliForms has already paid for itself in time savings and eliminating errors.”

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Interested in More Profit-Building Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Everyone Benefits When You Hire a Student at the GreatFutures Forum

MCAA members who hire a student for an internship or a full-time position at MCAA’s GreatFutures Forum (September 28-30, Indianapolis, IN) will not only qualify for a $1,000 grant from the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF), but will also receive a $500 gift card. And, the student hired will receive a $500 gift card as well.

Even better, the Foundation has waived the two-grants per company limit for this event. Members may apply for as many grants as students hired.

We’re making it easy for you to find the right student(s) to fit your company’s needs. A Career Fair—the centerpiece of the Forum—will help you and the students match up their interest in our industry, energy, curiosity, technology savvy and problem-solving skills with your need for interns and/or full-time employees. You’ll get to know some of the brightest students from the best schools in the U.S. and Canada who are majoring in mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, construction management and other disciplines related to our industry.

Your company will have a booth where you can display its information and application forms and meet and greet over 100 future industry professionals. We’re also making available an interview area for the length of the conference where you can discuss future plans and opportunities with promising candidates.

The Career Fair is just the beginning of this exciting conference. Educational sessions—including the announcement of the 2017-2018 MCAA Student Chapter Competition—roundtable discussions, an evening at the NCAA Hall of Champions and the always challenging and fun annual mini competition will give you the chance to get to learn more about your company’s future employees.

More conference details will be coming soon, but for now mark your calendar and plan to be in Indianapolis for the best recruiting opportunity anywhere.

Questions? Contact Harlee Gallo.

T.H. Eifert Closes Over $400,000 in PM/Projects in First 12 Months with BuildingAdvice

Just one year after investing in the BuildingAdvice Energy Services Delivery platform, T.H. Eifert Mechanical Contractors has generated in excess of $400,000 in new preventive maintenance (PM) contracts and pull-through sales, providing a sizable, early return on investment. The energy assessment and tracking tools from BuildingAdvice help T.H. Eifert make a solid case for installing and maintaining energy-efficient products.

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Searching for Other Cost-Saving Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

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With History of Success, John E. Green Selects Aquatherm PP-R Piping for School Expansion

John E. Green Co. of Highland, MI, cut labor and installation time by using Aquatherm’s polypropylene-random (PP-R) pipe systems for a 2013 project at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (U of D Jesuit). The project went so well that when U of D Jesuit and John E. Green teams reconvened in 2014 to plan the school’s new science building, no other piping options were considered.

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Looking for Innovative Ways to Meet Your Clients’ Needs?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

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CNA Provides Tips for Mitigating Material Handling Risks on Construction Sites

Manual material handling is the largest single cause of lost workday injuries in construction. One out of every four work injuries happens because someone lifted, carried, pushed, or pulled something the wrong way or lifted beyond his or her capacity. Workers should be trained on proper and safe material handling techniques either manually or by using mechanical means. The use of correct handling techniques is one of the ways to help reduce injuries.

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Want More Tips and Ideas?

You’ll find tips and ideas on ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity in the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website.

This area also features Smart Solutions Case Studies which spotlight mechanical contractors who found their win-win. In partnership with members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council, these contractors found innovative ways to meet their clients’ needs by improving productivity, cutting costs and saving time on the job.

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Parker Hannifin’s ZoomLock Braze-Free Fittings Allow Davis Mechanical to Fix Refrigerant Line Leak Fast

To repair a refrigerant leak in the computer room of an office tower tenant, Davis Mechanical Service, Inc. turned to Parker Hannifin Corporation’s ZoomLock™ Braze-Free Fittings, avoiding the need to use a torch or get a burn permit. As a result, Davis Mechanical completed the whole repair in less than an hour and with minimal disruption to the client.

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Curious About Other “Smart Solutions”?

Check out the latest Smart Solutions Case Studies which spotlight mechanical contractors who found their win-win. In partnership with members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council, these contractors found innovative ways to meet their clients’ needs by improving productivity, cutting costs and saving time on the job.

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

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Apartment Complex Boosts Energy Efficiency by 20 Percent with Daikin Chillers

Owners of a Washington, DC, apartment complex undergoing renovation selected Daikin products for their reliability and energy-saving potential. The choice not only improved comfort and energy efficiency in the buildings but also netted a $62,000 rebate from the local electric utility, enhancing the owners’ return on investment.

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Interested in Other “Smart Solutions”?

Check out the latest Smart Solutions Case Studies which spotlight mechanical contractors who found their win-win. In partnership with members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council, these contractors found innovative ways to meet their clients’ needs by improving productivity, cutting costs and saving time on the job.

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Ken Marino Makes Personal Contribution to MCERF

Kenneth (“Ken”) R. Marino, Secretary/Treasurer of Wayne Crouse, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has personally contributed an additional $2,500 to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF), which brings his personal total to $13,500.  Ken was a two-term member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, serving from 2011 through the 2017 MCAA convention.

Marino says he’s proudest of the shift the Foundation made to promote and fund activities that directly create and support student chapters, fund internships, and help show faculty how to teach mechanical-related curriculum.  “I am proud of my service with the MCERF Board of Trustees, and I am even prouder of how hard I know we strive to improve our industry’s ability to create and hire great young talent.”

MCERF President Mark Rogers extended his heart-felt thanks to Ken for both his past service to the Foundation and for his willingness to back up his convictions with financial support.

To learn more about MCERF or to make a contribution, contact Dennis Langley.

Western Mechanical Cuts Days Off Complex Restoration with Victaulic Project Management

Victaulic’s project management, coordination, and new 3D scanning technology allowed Western Mechanical Contractors, Inc. to cut days off the schedule for a historic building renovation, cutting labor costs and keeping the project on time and within budget. The 100-year-old Detroit News Building in downtown Detroit, MI, posed several challenges to restoration—including one tenant who remained in the building throughout the project.

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Interested in Other “Smart Solutions”?

Check out the very latest Smart Solutions which spotlights mechanical contractors who found their win-win. By partnering with members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council, these companies found innovative ways to meet their contractor clients’ needs by improving productivity, cutting costs and saving time on the job.

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

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Smooth Sailing for Seattle’s Floating Bridge Thanks to Anvil Products

For Seattle’s new State Route 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, Diamond B Constructors, Inc. knew they could count on Anvil International for flexible couplings and fittings for the Schedule 40 pipe of the bridge’s wastewater removal system. In addition, because Anvil’s products used on this project were manufactured in its U.S. plants, they satisfied the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration for American-made construction supplies.

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Interested in Other “Smart Solutions”?

Check out the very latest Smart Solutions which spotlights mechanical contractors who found their win-win. By partnering with members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council, these companies found innovative ways to meet their contractor clients’ needs by improving productivity, cutting costs and saving time on the job.

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Hired a Summer Intern? Apply for a Grant!

If your company has hired a well-qualified college student for the summer, then apply for a Student Internship Grant from the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF). The grants are $1,000 each and your company may apply for up to two until the end of this year. The grant will help cover the intern’s salary and expenses.

You already understand the benefits of hiring a bright young person to help out with project management, office systems, scheduling, estimating and other tasks that help him or her to learn more about the mechanical contracting business. The student gains valuable on-the-job experience and your company benefits from a new perspective, technical savvy, endless energy, an eagerness to learn and an extra pair of hands. There are only winners when you hire an intern, and the grant gives your company an extra bonus.

Applying for the grant is easy. Complete the form and just send it in. The check will arrive in about a week.

So…what are you waiting for? Apply today!

MCA of Indiana Contributes to MCERF

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Indiana, Indianapolis, IN, has contributed an additional $5,000 to MCERF, raising their total contribution to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) to $110,000.  John Rayburn, Executive Vice President of the association, says that everyone at the MCA of Indiana supports MCERF’s educational and research efforts, especially its efforts to recruit and retain great young people for the mechanical contracting industry.

President of MCERF, Mark Rogers, thanked the leadership and members of the MCA of Indiana for their support of the Foundation.  He added that, “The MCA of Indiana is in some ways a model for others in that they make it a priority to support the Foundation.  I personally appreciate that spirit.”

For more information on MCERF, contact Dennis Langley (dlangley@mcaa.org).

2017 Student Internship Grants Available Through MCERF!

The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) is again making available Student Internship Grants to all MCAA members who hire college students majoring in a discipline related to mechanical contracting.  The grants are for $1,000, and MCAA members are eligible to apply for up to two grants during 2017.

MCERF funds the grants to encourage MCAA members to draw student interns into our industry.  Everyone wins!  The student gains valuable knowledge from the skills and experience of the contractor and his/her team which enhances the student’s resume and may positively affect his/her future career plans.  The contractor gains from the student’s new perspective and savvy technology expertise and the grant helps cover the intern’s salary.

So when you hire a student intern this year, apply for a grant. It’s quick, easy and you’ll enjoy the benefits for years to come.

apply for a grant

MCAA-Focused Technology Report Released

MCAA sponsored the 2016 Construction Technology Report, produced by MCAA’s technology partner, JBKnowledge. The report provided an in-depth look at practices in the industry regarding technology spending, software selection, hardware use and IT staffing.

As part of our sponsorship, MCAA has now published a new MCAA-Focused report that segments out responses given by MCAA members and compares them to the rest of the construction industry. With this new report, MCAA members can not only see how their companies compare to other MCAA members, but how our membership compares to the industry at large.

This new resource is free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Download the report

Of special interest is that one of the key findings from the report focuses on how MCAA members approach BIM on projects. When asked who takes the lead on BIM, more than half of the members responded that they run them.  The report states:

Given the higher level of BIM maturity, it is not surprising to see MCAA members taking the lead – it’s often easier for specialty trades to ramp up on BIM, specific to their projects, than a General Contractor working to understand BIM from all perspectives of a project.”

Leading the BIM process in construction takes a combination of experience with the software and having the personnel to manage the software. The new MCAA-Focused Report looks at which software MCAA members use and who they employ in their BIM departments. MCAA has also published reports specifically on BIM software as well as coordination software that links BIM to the Field.

This latest report also goes beyond virtual design and construction. It provides analysis on other aspects of technology, including software and apps that focus on plan management, safety, accounting, takeoff and scheduling.

To keep up to date on the latest in technology, visit MCAA’s Technology Initiative website and follow @mcaageek.

Hired an Intern? Get a Grant!

If you’ve hired a college student as an intern or a co-op, apply for a $1,000 Student Internship Grant from the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF). Hire another intern and apply for another grant. You can apply for up to two grants through the end of this year.

Student interns or co-ops can greatly benefit your business. They will be eager to put their knowledge and skills to work on an actual project.  They have a fresh perspective on projects and problems, technology capabilities and a desire to learn more about our industry. With the added bonus of the grant, this initiative is a win-win.

If you would like to hire a student intern or a co-op for this spring and summer but haven’t found the right candidate, try MCAAGreatFutures.org.  Almost 240 well-qualified students from colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada–all members of MCAA student chapters–have posted their resumes and are eager to talk with you about internships or full-time employment opportunities.  Check it out today!