Contents Editor Sarah Black Publisher Jodi Araujo, CEM
POSTMASTER: 1120 Route 73, Suite 200, Mount Laurel, NJ, 08054; Phone: 855-GO-NADCA; Fax: 856-439-0525; E-mail: info@nadca.com; Website: www.nadca.com DucTales Magazine is published six times annually. NADCA annual dues include a paid s ubscription to DucTales. Yearly subscriptions to DucTales are available for $50. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) prints DucTales Magazine to provide its members and the HVAC system cleaning industry with a forum for the discussion of topics of interest. To that end, NADCA tries to include within DucTales a wide range of ideas and opinions. The ideas and opinions expressed by the authors who write articles for DucTales, however, are solely the views of the person expressing them, and do not necessarily represent the views, positions or policies of NADCA, its members, or its officers, directors or staff. NADCA is not responsible for claims made in advertisements. NADCA does not endorse any particular manufacturer or supplier of equipment, chemicals or related products, nor any particular model of equipment.
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In Every Issue
Industry News
3
President’s Message
8
5
Executive Director’s Message
25
Committee Assignments
34
Industry Calendar
32
New NADCA Members and ASCSs
Aeroseal Acquires Comfort Institute
Your Business
NADCA News
9
Maximize Your Coating Productivity (and Profits)
13
On Guard: New Partnership Protects the NADCA Logo
12
Moving from Residential to Commercial Air Duct Cleaning
14
Members Outside the Lines
17
Member Spotlight: Mechanical Services
19
Associate Member Spotlight: DrySafer
22
Public Relations Update
23
Committee Spotlight
28
Member Benefit: SunBelt Rentals
29
NADCA Hall of Fame Call for Nominations
30
Fall Tech 2014 2
President’s Message NADCA Officers
I
Warning: This letter contains satire and humor — not real news!
President Bill Benito, ASCS (’15) Connecticut Steam Cleaning Inc. P.O. Box 354 440 John Fitch Boulevard South Windsor, CT 06074 (860) 289-5100 FAX: (860) 528-5556 BillBenito@aol.com
Secretary Mike White, ASCS (’17) Clean Air Systems of LA, Inc. P.O. Box 6210 225 Mount Zion Road Shreveport, LA 71136 (318) 869-0344 FAX: (318) 869-0346 mike.white@ cleanairsystemsiaq.com
By Bill Benito, NADCA President
1st Vice President Michael Vinick, ASCS (’17) Duct & Vent Cleaning of America Inc. 311 Page Boulevard Springfield, MA 01104 (413) 734-8368 FAX: (413) 733-1997 mvinick@ductandvent.com
Treasurer Richard Lantz, ASCS (’15) Interior Maintenance Company 45 Scottdale Road Landsdowne, PA 19050 (757) 754-1453 richard@imc.cc
was asked to write a letter of recommendation for an employee who left my company a year ago. I didn’t remember exactly the reasons for his departure but did remember I was glad he was gone. I started thinking of how I could write the truth about him without being sued. You know the drill: lousy, lazy, PIA employee who thought he was smarter than the bag of McDonalds he carried in every morning and consumed while on the clock! But if I said that, there would be an intent to sue letter on my desk the next day and he would be
saying “super-size that order” with the settlement money. Even though he was totally incompetent, I hemmed, hawed and waffled about writing a favorable letter just to be sure he got employment and didn’t get back on my unemployment obligations. Well I’m proud to say that I came up with a way to convey unfavorable information about someone without having to worry about being sued. There are two ways to read the letter and no one can say which way is correct.
Dear Sir, I understand that Mr. Doe is interested in the possibility of employment with your firm. John has asked me to write a letter of recommendation, and I have cheerfully consented. I am pleased to say the John is a former employee of ours. Once John put his mind to his work, nothing could stop him. He would never think twice about a difficult problem and he always seemed to find a way out of it. Most of the people that worked with John thought he took a lot of enjoyment out of work. In fact I recently heard several of his former partners say that they would love to see a portrait of him hanging in the shop. I honestly feel that you will be very lucky to get him to work for you. All in all, I urge you to waste no time in making him an offer of employment. Sincerely, 3
2nd Vice President Rick MacDonald, ASCS (’15) Armstrong Heating & Power Vac Inc. 720 East Industrial Park Drive, #9 Manchester, NH 03109 (603) 627-7016 FAX: (603) 627-7070 rmac@ahpv.com
NADCA Directors Dan Stradford, ASCS (‘15) Action Duct Cleaning 787 W. Woodbury Suite 2 Altadena, CA 91001 dstradford@aol.com
Kevin Uilkie, ASCS (‘17) K.M. Facility Services, LLC 5631 N. 52nd Avenue Glendale, AZ 85301 (623) 930-5490 kevin@kmfacserv.com
Jimmy Meyer, ASCS (‘16) Meyer Machine & Equipment 351 Main Street Antioch, IL (847) 395-2970 jimbob@meyermachine.com
Mark Zarzeczny, ASCS (‘17) Schoen Duct Cleaning 704 Cooper Street Edgewater Park, NJ 08010 (609) 835-9500
Carlos Gonzales-Boothby, ASCS (‘16) Indoor Environmental Consultants PO Box 191648 San Juan, Puerto Rico 009191648 (787) 568-8880 carlos@iec-pr.com
mark@ schoenairductcleaninginc.com
Immediate Past President Matt Mongiello, ASCS Interior Maintenance Company 45 Scottdale Road Lansdowne, PA 19050 (610) 626-1300 matt@imc.cc
NADCA Headquarters 1120 Route 73, Suite 200 Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Toll Free: 855-GO-NADCA Phone: (856) 380-6810 Fax: (856) 439-0525 www.nadca.com
NADCA Staff Jodi Araujo, CEM Executive Director Kristy Cohen Assistant Executive Director Shay McClain Associate Meeting Manager
Elizabeth Cooke Membership & Certification Coordinator Robin Geary Senior Meeting Manager Karen Spiro Industry Relations Manager
President’s Message
If you read the recommendation you might think that John Doe was a great employee, but in reality it says that he was a non-performer who his fellow employees wanted to kill, and hiring him would be a disaster. Once my partner, Hank, and I got going on intentionally ambiguous statements we had more laughs than an employer is supposed to have. If you had an employee who didn’t perform to the minimum standards and you were glad to see go, you can use any of the following in the letter of reference: •
•
•
You can’t say that an employee is lazy, but you can say, “in my opinion, you will be very fortunate to get this person to work for you,” “he could not have done a better job for us if he had tried,” or my favorite “no job is too difficult for him!” You can’t say that an employee smoked too much and seemed to always be on break, but you can say, “when the work load got busy, Sally always seemed to light up.” If he had the work ethics of a sloth, you could always say, “because of his work ethic we gave him sweeping responsibilities,” or “he thinks little of hard work.”
D U C TA L E S
•
For an employee who has a drinking problem: “John has been employed with us for the last two years. He has a flair for writing clear job reports. The number of reports he can produce in a day, while staggering, does not accurately reflect his ability, since he often finds it necessary to go through several drafts before he completes them. In any case, he always seems to be loaded with work to do.”
In 2001 I found out that my office manager had embezzled almost $150,000 from my company and possibly from two former employers. She was sentenced to 10 years, three years in jail and probation for seven years. If she were to ask for a reference today, I would send a letter of reference something like this: Dear Sir, I would like to write a fine letter of reference for Ms. Jane Doe. Jane worked for us what seemed like forever. While she was our employee, she was given several citations. As far as her integrity is concerned, I will simply point out that she has a long and notable record. You will probably see that she has held quite a few jobs over the past years and that her work record is intermittent. I am sure Ms. Doe will
SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
be the first one to tell you that many of the other places where she spent her time were too confining, and that she wanted to break out of them. I would have to say that her true ability is deceiving. Jane is definitely a woman to watch. Most of the people who know her say that she will definitely forge a name for herself. If I were you, I would not think twice about giving her a position entailing financial responsibility. For the job that she did, we now find ourselves deeply indebted. I have no doubt she will score well in your firm. Sincerely yours, So the next time someone calls for a reference on someone you’ve dismissed, I hope your call goes something like this: Caller: Good morning, this is Sam Smith from Acme Duct Cleaning. I would like to ask you some questions about John Doe, your former employee. You: “Sure Sam, as we say in personnel, ‘fire away!’” 4
Executive Director’s Message
By Jodi Araujo, CEM; Executive Director Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, “Make me feel important.” Never forget this message when working with people. — Mary Kay Ash
T
he world today can sometimes appear to be gray and scary, from the emerging ISIS crisis and President Obama’s tan suit (note the satire here, please), to the loss of two of the icons of our generation, Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Understanding disease, whether it be mental, in the tragic case of Mr. Williams, or physical as in those afflicted with the terrible disease of ALS, is so intrinsic to the development of treatment and with hope and generosity, a cure. In the wake of Williams’ death, mental health experts say it’s a prime opportunity to shine a light on this misunderstood and stigmatized disease. Social media shares have increased tenfold and the media is talking about depression, whether calling Williams a coward for his actions (ignorance) or educating the public about the signs and symptoms of this often debilitating disease – at least they are talking about it and in doing so, likely saving thousands of lives! Sometimes, through suffering comes wisdom. Despite the turmoil across the world, this summer has been filled with so many milestones and wonderful stories that just make me feel good. Donations as a result of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge have exceeded all expectations. Through Friday, August 29, the Association has received over $100 million, with donations ranging 5
NADCA President, Bill Benito, recently tied the knot with his bride, Donna.
from under $1 to $200,000. There’s nothing gray and scary about that! Visit NADCA’s Facebook page to see one of our very own members call out our staff, Liz Cooke and Kristy Cohen! Stay tuned for their challenge video too!
There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt. — Erma Bombeck NADCA’s very own President tied the knot with his beautiful bride, Donna. Our Treasurer completed D U C TA L E S
yet another trek across the country from Chesapeake, Virginia to Sturgis, South Dakota (and back!), on his Harley! Associate Board Member Jimmy Meyer welcomed son Parker James to the family and many of us are lucky enough to still have our children safely home while others have delivered theirs to the college of their choice. It’s human nature. We want to be acknowledged for the good we do. People naturally seek approval and reward. Perhaps we have the roles reversed and perhaps we should work for the sake of doing good work and not for reward. That has always been my belief and if you are smart enough and lucky enough to find employees with a similar approach to SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
Executive Director’s Message
Training and Education
Made Easy! Custom training is now available to NADCA members! Instead of flying your entire staff somewhere to receive training, NADCA will bring the training to YOU!
Interested? Call NADCA Headquarters at (855) GO-NADCA to learn more.
NADCA Treasurer Richard Lantz (left) visits with NADCA Secretary Mike White on stop in Louisiana during his cross-country ride from Virginia to Sturgis, South Dakota.
their world, you will build a successful company with fulfilled and happy workers. How do you find these individuals? It starts with YOU! Put your company culture first and everything else will fall into place. Have you defined your core values? What does your company stand for? What is your unique value proposition? How will you differentiate yourself – or not – maintain and grow your customer base? Once you have that figured out, hire people who “fit” your value proposition and share your core values. Engage them, ask for help, empower them to problem solve for you. According to a Gallup Management Journal study, engaged employees are shown to be more profitable, create stronger customer
relationships and stay longer with their company. Plus, the process fuels itself as engaged employees are more likely to contribute to future innovation. Don’t be afraid to invest in your employees because that return on investment will manifest itself in customer retention and long term revenue. Speaking of retention, NADCA’s membership renewal rate is holding steady at more than 90 percent! If you had not paid your dues (plus a late fee of $75) before Oct. 1, your membership was terminated. We are, of course, happy to welcome you back at any time. Contact Liz Cooke, membership coordinator, at membership@nadca.com for assistance. 6
Industry News
Aeroseal Acquires Comfort Institute Creates HQ for HVAC and Home Performance Training and Support
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joined forces. No doubt, greater contractor success and remarkable customer satisfaction is on the horizon!”
eroseal LLC, the owner and licensee of aeroseal duct sealing technology, has acquired Comfort Institute (CI), a leading provider of home performance equipment and training for the HVAC industry. The acquisition combines the two organizations’ expertise to immediately create the HVAC industry’s most complete and authoritative outlet for home performance training and ongoing professional support. Comfort Institute LLC will continue to provide the current CI service offerings while adding additional services, all now as a wholly owned business unit of Aeroseal LLC. “This is a strong move for both companies and it’s a stronger move for the industry as a whole,” says EPA’s National Manager, Energy Star HVAC Verified Installation Program, Chandler von Schrader. “Home performance needs competent contractors who understand total systems and how to remediate them. This includes the distribution systems, and Aeroseal really fills that void. This is a good move across the board.” The merger combines complimentary resources and strengthen the offerings that both organizations provide the HVAC industry. It enhances Aeroseal dealers’ sales D U C TA L E S
and duct renovation capabilities, and provides an avenue to success in the broader home performance market. Backed by Aeroseal, CI will have greater resources to invest in member services. CI members benefit from significantly increased regional training opportunities, enhanced business process systems, greater networking opportunities and easier access to product innovations. “I can attribute a large part of our success in home performance to the combination of our Aeroseal dealership with our CI Membership,” says Steve Schmidt, President of Frederick Air Inc., in Frederick, Maryland, and National board member of ACCA. “I could not be more excited for the industry that these two organizations have officially
SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
“Aeroseal duct sealing technology has dramatically changed the way our industry thinks about home comfort, IAQ and energy savings, while Comfort Institute was the first to train and equip HVAC professionals to succeed in the growing home performance contracting sector,” says Aeroseal CEO & President Amit Gupta. “Through this merger, we now have the added expertise and resources to provide the HVAC community an entirely new level of service and support.” Under the acquisition, several key Comfort Institute personnel remain in their current positions. Brendan Reid and Ken Summers will continue to lead CI. CI’s main facility, warehouse and offices will be relocated to Centerville, Ohio. “Duct sealing is almost always the highest priority improvement a home performance contractor recommends,” says Reid. “We are excited to now be part of the Aeroseal team. It’s a natural fit and enables us to be the best home performance resource for the HVAC industry.” 8
Your Business
Maximize Your Coating Productivity
M
aximizing your coating productivity (and profits) starts way before you get to the job site to apply the coating. It will take good planning and estimating, the right coating and equipment and efficient execution to maximize your productivity and profits. Let’s take a closer look at these areas:
Planning and Estimating Always try to do a job walk. This will let you see the project firsthand and help you determine how accessible the ductwork is, which will help you determine your production rate (for cleaning and coating) and ultimately your quote/bid for the project. A job walk also allows you to identify challenges and think of solutions before the crew arrives to do the work. Last, this helps you put together a good, efficient work plan. 9
The Right Coating and Equipment If the coating is specified on the project, you don’t have a choice. However, if the project doesn’t specify a coating, you can choose or recommend a coating. Coatings have different viscosities, dry times and odors, all of which can affect your productivity. Learn to understand these differences so you can choose the best coating for your project. To apply the coating, the airless sprayer must be properly sized so it can push the coating through the liquid line and hand-held spray gun (normally used for spraying air handlers and large ductwork), as well as the liquid line and the cart or robotic system (used to spray ductwork). Using a cart or robotic system with your airless sprayer will require more horsepower and gpm D U C TA L E S
(and profits)
capability than when you use just the hand-held spray gun. Use the right spray tips for the various sizes of ductwork. For ductwork less than 20 inches high use 360-degree spray tips, while spinning spray tips work well on ductwork up to 36 inches high. You would generally crawl and hand spray in ductwork larger than 36 inches high. It’s a good idea to have an extra spray tip on the job as a backup.
Efficient Execution Clean Make sure the surface you are coating has been cleaned first. This may sound obvious, but unfortunately some contractors cut corners and don’t clean the surface first. You can coat a dirty surface and it may hold SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
Your Business
up for a while, but eventually the coated dirt will separate from the duct, the coating will fail and will need to be redone. Every coating manufacturer stresses the need for a clean surface prior to coating. Many recommend a primer in cases where the surface can’t be clean as well as it should be. The primer bonds with the imperfect surface and the coating then bonds with the primer. Also be sure to protect desks, cabinets and other items from any overspray or drips.
Prepare Next, thoroughly mix and strain the coating before applying. This will eliminate, or at least drastically reduce, the chance of the spray tips getting clogged on the project. Having to stop a coating project to clean out spray tips and screens reduces your productivity and profits.
Good planning,
the right coating and equipment
and efficient execution will result in
maximum productivity and profits
Test Spray a trial section of ductwork first. This gives you the opportunity to determine if your airless sprayer works well with your cart spray system and coating, determine what retrieval/spraying rate gives you’re the level of coating you want on the project and collaborate with the building owner/representative about what is adequate coating thickness before you coat the whole project. You don’t want disagreements after you are all done coating.
Spray Position the spray cart system at the far end of the duct and spray as you pull it back toward yourself. When you get a foot or so from the access opening, stop and disconnect the cart from the liquid line and connect the hand-held spray gun to the liquid line to do the fine, controlled spraying around the access opening. D U C TA L E S
Inspect Inspect your work to see if anything was accidentally missed or needs a more coating. Insulated surfaces on a project may not necessarily be in the same condition throughout the HVAC system, so after spraying there can be variations in coating appearance. Mention this to your customer before starting the project to help manage expectations.
Clean Again The final step in any spraying project is cleaning the airless spray equipment and any cart/robotic spray system used. Run warm, soapy water through the spraying components until they’re clean. Disassemble the spray tips to make sure the tips and screens are clean.
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It’s the little things that you do or don’t do that will determine your success when applying coating in HVAC systems/ductwork. Good planning, the right coating and equipment and efficient execution will result in maximum productivity and profits.
If you have questions or want more information about coating HVAC systems, see VacSystem’s Blueprint for Success: Introduction to Coating HVAC Systems Guide, or contact Peter Haugen at 855.VAC.SYSTEMS or 952.808.1619.
10
Your Business
Moving from Residential to Commercial Air Duct Cleaning In an effort to grow their businesses, many residential air duct cleaning contractors look to commercial air duct cleaning projects. This is a natural progression as residential contractors first add light commercial projects (one-story office strips, etc.) and then add multi-story commercial projects (office buildings, schools, hospitals, etc.).
will range from $300 to $700, depending on the services provided, while commercial project revenues will range from $1,000 to $1,000,000 or more with an average of $4,000 to $5,000. •
There are differences, however, that the residential contractor needs to be aware of so they can be prepared as they move into doing commercial air duct cleaning projects. These differences include: •
•
•
Work time: Residential projects are typically done during the daytime while the majority of commercial projects are done during second shift. (4 pm to midnight). HVAC systems: Residential HVAC systems are relatively simple to understand and are modest in size while commercial HVAC systems are larger and more complex. You’ll deal with many more components, like inline heat coils, VAV boxes, fire dampers, turning vanes, internal insulation, ductboards and more. Average revenues: Residential project revenues
D U C TA L E S
•
•
Payment terms: Residential projects are great for cash flow because you typically get paid at the end of the project, while payment on commercial projects can be 30, 60, 90 days or more. A good line of operating credit with the bank is needed to meet payroll and other expenses while you wait for payment. Project cleaning specifications: Residential projects typically don’t have a cleaning specification; the contractor must simply satisfy the homeowner. However, most commercial projects have a cleaning specification. This cleaning specification tells the contractor what requirements have to be met (experience, certification, insurance, bonding capability, cleanliness verification, etc.) and what HVAC system(s) have to be cleaned. Certification: None is required for residential projects, though certification can be a good marketing tool to separate you
SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
from your competition. More commercial project specifications are requiring the contractor to be a member of National Air Duct Cleaners association (NADCA) and have at least one Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) to even bid on the project. In these cases, certification is vital for success. •
Equipment: Commercial HVAC systems are larger and more complex. They require additional and larger equipment so the contractor can be productive and profitable. Labor is the single biggest cost in commercial air duct cleaning, so maximizing productivity and cleaning quality is very important.
•
Marketing: In the residential marketplace the contractor is marketing to the homeowner while in the commercial marketplace the contractor is marketing to a wide variety of audiences: mechanical contractors, fire/water/mold restoration contractors and engineers/architects.
Commercial air duct cleaning is a great business opportunity for residential contractors. To be successful however, good planning and preparation are necessary. 12
NADCA News
New Partnership Protects the NADCA Logo While there are many reasons indoor air quality professionals join NADCA, one of the top reasons is its commitment to supporting legitimate businesses. The field has more than its share of scammers, offering “blow and go” services to consumers for impossibly low prices. These companies often falsely claim to be NADCA members, displaying the NADCA logo on their websites. The unfortunate side effect is confused consumers who can’t tell the good from the bad. “Fraudulent claims of membership and use of the NADCA logo by scammers hurts the credibility of the industry, the association and our members,” says Jodi Araujo, CAE, executive director of NADCA. In an effort to better protect its brand and consumers from scammers, NADCA has partnered with Yoshki, a technology company that works to validate a user’s website and control who has access to posting the NADCA logo on a website.
An Unending Battle This partnership with Yoshki is one of many steps NADCA has taken to fight illegitimate companies claiming 13
to be NADCA members. “NADCA continually extends great effort in protecting the NADCA brand on behalf of its members,” says Araujo. “We budget tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees each year to pursue these trademark violators, and ultimately, after the expense, we are able to affect little change and barely dent the large population of illegitimate companies.” Araujo also notes that collecting against legal judgments is difficult, time consuming and costly. The best solution is a proactive approach to stopping the illegal use of the NADCA logo.
How it Works Yoshki technology has specialized brand protection features that allow consumers to validate the membership of a NADCA member displaying the NADCA logo on their website. Members that have been verified by NADCA receive a snippet of HTML code that can be added to their site, which displays a specialized NADCA logo powered by Yoshki. According to Yoshki, “anyone browsing your website can now click the NADCA logo and receive instant D U C TA L E S
confirmation of your membership with NADCA.” Yoshki tracks which websites are using the logo, and those fraudulently displaying the logo will not be verified. “This software gives NADCA members an opportunity to both set themselves apart from non-members, and also protect the NADCA logo from use by non-members,” says Araujo. “This is just another way that NADCA is working to support members and protect their investment in the association.”
Get Started! NADCA supplies Yoshki with a verified member listing. Contact Yoshki’s support desk at nadca@yoshki.com or visit them at yoshki.freshdesk.com to get the verified logo today!
SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
NADCA News
Members Outside the Lines A Harrowing Hike
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Landing. “The last half-mile has a chain to hold onto while you’re hiking along the narrow trail,” says Stradford. Only five official fatalities have been reported along the trail to Angel’s Landing, but the path is still considered incredibly dangerous. “I got halfway along that chain and thought, I have too many people counting on me. Why risk my life?” says Stradford.
ADCA member Dan Stradford has been hiking since he was a kid. In addition to regular hikes in a national forest near his home in California, Stradford and his wife have hiked in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and he’s been to Utah six times on hiking expeditions. Among his favorite experiences is hiking through slot canyons in Utah. “Slot canyons are these beautiful rock formations carved out of sandstone by creeks and streams over millions of years,” says Stradford. “You walk between these walls that are hundreds of feet high and anywhere from 2 to 20 feet apart. You might be climbing over boulders, walking through streams or swimming across water.” The fun, he says, is in the challenge. “There’s something really cool about challenging yourself, maneuvering and getting through the challenge. I enjoy the thrill of overcoming self-doubt and the thought that you can’t do something.” His latest trip to Utah brought him to Angel’s Landing, a nearly 1,500-foot D U C TA L E S
While a repeat trek to Angel’s Landing may not be on Stradford’s short list, a hike along the 2,200mile Appalachian Trail might be. “I have a nephew who wants to do the Appalachian Trail with me,” he says.
tall rock formation in Zion National Park. The 2.4-mile trail was cut in 1926, and peaks at 5,790 feet above sea level. Stradford hiked with a friend, though ultimately didn’t go all the way to the peak of Angel’s
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But, there are always slot canyons that need traversing. “Slot canyons are my favorite,” says Stradford. “You never know what you’re going to see at the next turn.” And, they’re ripe with opportunities to challenge yourself. “You might get into one of those situations where you can’t see a way through. It helps to remember that thousands have gone before you. You know that it can be done.” 14
NADCA News
Member Spotlight Mechanical Services, Inc. How did Mechanical Services get its start? The company started off as a partnership with Munson and Associates, a mechanical construction company. MSI did all the start-up and warranty work. We evolved from a pure service company to a fullservice mechanical contractor, and purchased Munson and Associates in 1987.
Who are your customers? MSI provides services for hospitals, data centers, manufacturing facilities, bio-medical facilities and class A office buildings. We offer services beyond air duct cleaning and HVAC maintenance to include environmental solutions and sustainable design. MSI concentrates on the total cost of ownership for our clients and self-perform design work, sheet metal, piping, insulation, controls and test and balance. We are also certified as Building System Commissioning and Retro Commissioning Professionals by the National Environmental Balancing Bureau.
Why is offering customers lowest total ownership cost solutions important? Total cost of ownership includes the original installation cost as well as the cost to operate and maintain that equipment for its life cycle. Energy, maintenance and repair service costs are all part of the total cost of ownership. We evaluate that cost for customers, and provide them with 17
solutions that will best meet their needs and their budget in the long run.
With hundreds of employees, what is MSI’s staffing philosophy? One of our strategic goals is to be the employer of choice. We attract and retain the best and brightest in the industry by offering competitive wages and benefits and longterm career opportunities. We are committed to safety and training for all of our employees, and are proud of who we are and the work we perform.
Why is MSI a NADCA member? NADCA is the leader in the environmental industry. We felt it was important to be certified and trained in the standards that dictate the integrity of our industry. D U C TA L E S
Are there any challenges facing MSI or its industry? Obtaining qualified personal at the level that MSI requires is almost impossible. We are committed to training and developing our own people. MSI is heavily involved with the apprenticeship training programs for Local Union 803 in Orlando and Local 123 in Tampa. The president of our company is on the Board of Directors for the Apprenticeship Trust Fund, and many of our employees are instructors at the school.
After 40 years of success, what’s next for MSI? The business is dynamic. It is constantly changing and evolving with new technologies and new process and procedures. MSI has always been on the cutting edge of new technologies. We look forward to the next challenge.
SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
NADCA News
Associate Member Spotlight DrySafer
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fter 25 years running an appliance repair company in New Jersey, Tom Asciolla noticed a trend. “People had been calling about dryers shutting off, overheating, not drying clothes properly,” says Asciolla. But the problem was much more than an inconvenience for customers. “Those problems were all warning signs of a potentially bigger issue,” he says. The danger: Dryer vent fires, caused by an accumulation of lint, compromising the dryer’s performance and making it work harder and run hotter to make up for the resistance caused by the clog. Customers had been calling because of the compromised performance of their dryers, completely unaware of the potential hazards of what was really causing the problem. “I figured there has to be a way we can create something so that we can know when the dryer is overheating before we see the risk,” says Asciolla. And, just like that, the DrySafer alarm was born.
DrySafer Airflow Sensor
Installed on back of dryer
DrySafer Alarm
DrySafer Alarm Wall Mount
An Ideal Device After years of research and testing, the first DrySafer alarm was introduced in 2007. The alarm is designed to sound a series of beeps as a warning when it detects compromised airflow or when its heat sensor detects excessive heat that may be a symptom of a clog in the dryer vent. Asciolla admits that the first model wasn’t ideal. “It was a straight attachment model that was expensive, took up too much room behind the dryer and didn’t fit on 19
D U C TA L E S
SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
NADCA News
all dryers,” he says. Today’s model is much more compact, affordable and easier to install. “The DrySafer has a 90-degree elbow that slides onto the back of the dryer and prevents kinking of the flexible hose,” says Asciolla. This design feature also saves space, taking up just 5 inches of space behind the dryer. The unit runs of a 9-volt battery that lasts up to two years–a valuable feature for both consumers and installers, as there is no need for an additional power outlet. While the market has seen similar devices, Asciolla says that the DrySafer alarm has one important advantage when it comes to excessive venting. “Say there’s a building with 35, 40, even 50 feet of venting. We all know that’s inefficient,” he says. “DrySafer is still effective at giving an early warning, D U C TA L E S
even with excessive venting. People don’t want to rip their walls and ceilings down to find and fix a major issue, so DrySafer is one of the best preventive measures they can take.”
Working with NADCA Members Only authorized installers, major retailers and distributors can purchase directly from DrySafer. Only authorized installers can purchase and install the unit. That’s where NADCA members come in. “If a homeowner shows up on the DrySafer site looking for where to get a DrySafer alarm, they’ll be directed to list of authorized installers in their area that they can contact,” says Asciolla. This direct referral business is a benefit for NADCA members, who can purchase the units at a discounted rate and have the opportunity to generate revenue on the install and on any related service calls. Asciolla recommends companies put their contact
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information on the alarm unit so that homeowners know who to call when the alarm sounds. Asciolla says that DrySafer is also an ideal add-on for companies with multiple trucks. “There’s no training involved, so they can just give it to their guys and go,” he says.
Become an Authorized Installer If you’d like to become an authorized DrySafer alarm installer, contact Steve Zanotti, DrySafer National Sales Manager, at steve@drysafer.com or 201.359.0115. 20
NADCA News
NADCA in the News N ADCA connected board member Mark Zarzeczny, ASCS, with a writer from Men’s Health magazine for an article about the many cliché scenes (like crawling through an air duct as an escape route) shown in movies and on television, and whether or not the events that take place would or could happen in real life. The outcome was an interesting, humorous and informative blurb that credited Zarzeczny.
Men’s Health circulation: 1,901,100
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NADCA News
Committee Spotlight NADCA Working for You
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ADCA committee members have been working hard to provide members with tools they can use to be successful and get the most out of their NADCA membership.
Standards NADCA Standard for Measuring Residential Dryer Exhaust Duct Performance (DEDP) NADCA is pleased to announce the re-release of the NADCA Standard for Measuring Residential Dryer Exhaust Duct Performance (DEDP). Under the leadership of DEDP Subcommittee members Richard Lantz, Cliff Budnick and Tom Yacobellis and the NADCA Standards Committee, this latest NADCA standard provides members with another valuable service to offer their residential customers.
What is the purpose of the DEDP Standard? The DEDP Standard is designed to test the performance of a dryer exhaust duct system and to provide a quantifiable testing method for performance validation. This allows a technician to provide the consumer with information about their dryer exhaust duct performance, including alerting the consumer of any conditions that may be impacting their dryer venting performance. The DEDP Standard is a tool NADCA members can use to offer customers valid information to improve performance and help them stand apart from their competitors. 23
Download your free copy of the DEDP Standard today at www.nadca.com.
How can this Standard be applied?
The DEDP Standard is NOT a dryer vent cleaning standard.
This standard can be applied to residential dryer exhaust systems that have been visually inspected and confirmed to be clean, including new residential construction installations.
The DEDP Standard is for verification of how the dryer exhaust duct system performs. The Chimney Safety Institute of America has the Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® (CDET) program which includes a comprehensive exam and CDET training manual on how to clean a dryer vent. For more information, please visit www.csia.org.
What if the Dryer Exhaust Duct Performance Test shows performance below minimum requirements? If the DEDP test is performed and the results are below minimum requirements, the Standard offers a series of common issues/conditions that may be affecting the dryer exhaust duct’s performance that can be communicated to the consumer to determine if they wish to contract for additional services to take place to resolve these issues.
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Will NADCA offer training on how to use the Standard and implement the Test Procedure? NADCA held a DEDP Standard training session at the 2014 Fall Technical Conference and will also have educational webinars in place for NADCA members to learn about the Standard and how to properly SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
NADCA News
conduct the DEDP test. NADCA also intends to provide educational support material for consumers so the testing procedure is not only easy to understand, but valued on the job.
The DEDP Standard is a living document. The Standard is a living document that is subject to change as more information regarding the dryer exhaust duct service industry becomes available and advancements are made in technology and practice. It will be reviewed, evaluated, and validated through application in the field and thereafter revised and improved as deemed necessary. NADCA members are encouraged to submit the Form to Request Formal Interpretations in the back of the Standard document if they would like clarification or to submit comments to the committee.
The live webinars will provide instruction in those languages along with translated resource materials that can be used for self-study. Additionally, the ASCS certification exam is also offered in Spanish and French and is available for purchase at www.nadcatesting.com. Recordings of the live webinar training course will be made available for purchase on-demand at a later date. Specific training dates will be available on the NADCA website at
https://nadca.com/en/resources/ training/trainingschedule.
ASCS to the ACR Standard Training Course – Spanish Webinar November 2014
ASCS to the ACR Standard Training Course – French Webinar December 2014
Education ASCS to the ACR Standard Training Course – Multiple Language Offerings NADCA’s Education Committee has been working on translation of key training materials and courses to meet the needs of bi-lingual and international technicians. The ASCS to the ACR Standard Training Course is an excellent resource for those preparing for the Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) Certification Exam and will be offered this fall in both Spanish and French as live webinars.
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NADCA News
NADCA Committee Assignments Annual Meeting Committee Co-Chairs:
Matt Mongiello Michael Vinick
Tommy Gwaltney Peter Haugen Jimmy Meyer MJ Palazzolo Anthony Paterno Keith Reynolds Terri Reynolds Meg Walker Cindy White
By-Laws Policies Procedures Committee Chair:
Dan Stradford Richard Lantz Ronald Nichols
Certification Committee Chair:
Dan Stradford Bill Benito Tom Fehr Brad Kuhlmann Richard Lantz Greg Long Rick MacDonald Mike McDavid Vito Moscato Todd St. Ores Tom Yacobellis
Sub-committee: CVI Job Analysis
Chair:
Bill Benito
Education & Safety Committee Co-Chairs:
Mike White Rick MacDonald
Bill Benito Ron Gray Tommy Gwaltney Richard Lantz Kehau Mendes Dominic Menta Mark Morris Ronald Nichols Tim O’Connor Robert Rizen Dan Stradford Bill Tyrell Tom Wengert
Sub-committee: Training Programs
Chair:
Richard Lantz
Sub-committee: White Paper Task Force Chair:
Dan Stradford
Sub-committee: Safety Program Review and Update
Chair:
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Dan Stradford
Sub-committee: Fall Technical Conference Committee
Co-Chair: Co-Chair:
Rick MacDonald Jimmy Meyer
Perry Bagley Mike Dexter Tommy Gwaltney Matt Kelly Richard Lantz Bill LaPann Mike McDavid Kehau Mendes Jimmy Meyer Vito Moscato Robert Rizen Bob Rousseau Bill Tyrell Mike White
Richard Lantz Kelly Dexter George Grozan Ronald Nichols Michael O’Rourke Dan Stradford
Finance Committee Chair:
Michael Vinick Bill Benito Richard Lantz John Line Al Sutton April Yungen
International Affairs Committee Chair:
Matt Mongiello Julio Cesar Arencibia Nicolas Charland Nelson Costanza Javier Dominguez Carlos Gonzalez-Boothby Richard Lantz Peter Haugen Hugo Hernandez Rosa Lopez Rick MacDonald Travis Tassey
United States
Northwest - Vito Moscato, Bill Tyrell Southwest - Matt Kelly, Kehau Mendes Northeast - Rick MacDonald Southeast - Tommy Gwaltney, Perry Bagley
Canada
Region 9 - Gary Lapstra Region 9.5 Quebec - Nicolas Charland
Oceania-Australia Italy
Region 12 - Chair: Giorgio Ziragachi, Past President of AIISA; Andrea Casa, President of AIISA
Co-Chairs:
Richard Lantz Mark Zarzeczny
Dave Adams Jim Castellano Chad Cowan Peter Haugen Clayton Ivany Jimmy Meyer Scott Moritz MJ Palazzolo James Shelley Larry Stabb Travis Tassey Chris Wilson Stephan Worall
Chair:
Mike White Bill Benito
Sub-committee: Energy Research Study Task Force Sub-committee: EPA Website Update Task Force Richard Lantz
China
Region 15 - Robert Nicholson
Central & South America Relations
Chair:
Carlos Gonzalez-Boothby Richard Lantz
Membership Committee Co-chairs:
Kevin Uilkie Michael Vinick
Nelson Constanza James Cooke Tim Fico Peter Haugen Jeff Johnson Andrew McLaughlin Jimmy Meyer Matt Mongiello MJ Palazzolo Mark Zarzaczny
Leadership Development Committee Chair:
Bill Benito
Richard Lantz Rick MacDonald
Standards Committee
Sub-committee: Editorial Committee Chair:
Richard Lantz
Region 11 - Travis Tassey
Industry & Public Relations Committee
Chair:
Chair:
Regional Coordinators
Ethics Committee Chair:
Sub-committee: Social Media
Chair:
Bill Benito Richard Lantz
D U C TA L E S
Bill Lundquist Bill Benito Brad Kuhlmann Richard Lantz Greg Long Rick MacDonald Byron Ware
SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2014
n pe O st ! n 1 io r at be tr m is g ove Re N
Return this form to NADCA Headquarters by December 1, 2014 NADCA • 1120 Route 73, Suite 200 • Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Fax: 856-439-0525 • Email to jodi@nadca.com
NADCA News
Fall Tech 2014
T
hank you to everyone who attended this year’s Fall Technical Conference in September. The conference was designed to help indoor air quality companies become the best they can be by offering training and certification for all levels of HVAC inspection, maintenance and restoration technicians. The conference covered not only HVAC system cleaning, but also the broader HVAC restoration market, including the all-new Dryer Exhaust Duct Performance Standard, as well as new services that can help add value for clients and profits to a company’s bottom line. Stay tuned for a full recap in the next issue of DucTales!
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NADCA News
New Members 2858-2666 Québec Inc. Cantley, QC Canada
CMCA SRL Caraffa Di Catanzaro Italy
Angelo’s Cleaning Phoenixville, PA
Como Energia Group Srl Pieve Emanuele Italy
Artigiana Romana Impianti Di Tiberti Palmiro Roma Italy CLEAR VENT Riviera Beach, FL
DEP SRL Roma Italy
G.M.I. Insulation, Inc. Myerstown, PA Memorable Air Care, LLC Millstone Township, NJ NCI Oakley, CA PFE SPA Milano Italy
Entasys SRL GELA, CL Italy
Steamatic Geelong Grovedale, VIC Australia Weber Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning Eugene, OR ServiceTrade Durham, NC
Sogeser Technology Srl Napoli Italy
New ASCSs Giuseppe Alu PFE Spa Milano Italy Peter H. Carkhuff Nelbud Services Group, Inc. Egg Harbor City, NJ Teodor Dan Dodici DEP SRL Roma Italy Karl Hoshor Action Duct Cleaning Co. Villa Park, CA Armando Alessandro Marzocchi Sogeser Technology Srl Napoli Italy
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Jeffrey Miranda Memorable Air Care, LLC Millstone Township, NJ Cesar Morales Bob’s Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Woodinville, WA
Flavio Ratto Entasys Srl Gela, CL Italy Spencer Rhodes Mediclean Williamson, GA
Joe Nehi NCI Oakley, CA
Giovanni Scotellaro Saltrio, VA Italy
Andrew Nielson DuctMedic Air Duct Cleaning Lincoln, NE
Geoff Stone Pure Air Control Services DBA Building Remediation Sciences Clearwater, FL
Stephen Pagnotti Angelo’s Cleaning Phoenixville, PA
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Chiara Tiberti Artigiana Romana Impianti Di Tiberti Palmiro Roma Italy Mark Tissiera CLEAR VENT Riviera Beach, FL Ilario Vecchio CMCA Srl Caraffa Di Catanzaro Italy Charles Weber Weber Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning Eugene, OR Robert Wingeier Duct Fabricators Inc. Cleveland, OH
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NADCA News
Industry Calendar NADCA Events NADCA 26th Annual Meeting & Exposition April 27-29, 2015 Marco Island, FL
Related Industry Events 2015 AHR Expo January 26-28, 2015 Chicago, IL
IAQA 18th Annual Meeting & Indoor Environment & Energy Expo March 16-18, 2015 Grapevine, TX
IKECA Annual Meeting April 22-25, 2015 Ft. Lauderdale, FL
RIA’s 2015 International Restoration Convention & Industry Expo May 6-8, 2015 The Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, NV
Be Featured in DucTales! DucTales is seeking submissions from members and industry experts for publication in future issues of the magazine. Articles may be about: •
An experience in the field
•
How you’ve grown your business
•
Tips for other business owners
•
Practical tips, tricks and guides for other indoor air quality professionals
•
Technology reviews
•
Training opportunities
•
… and more!
For submission guidelines, deadlines and other information, please contact Sarah Black, DucTales Editor, at sblack@ahint.com.
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