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February/March 2012 Volume 36 #2
Table of Contents Features 11 Avoiding Hiring Mistakes
P.22
22 Fun Dryer Vent Cleaning Stories 25 Ten “Green” Reasons to Heat with Wood
P.25
Departments 3 Moving Forward 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Industry Watch 10 Technical Q&A 12 Chimney Sense P.29
14 The Coach’s Corner 16 Sweeps Advantage Coupon Program
Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology (ISSN# 10416692) is published 11 times annually, by the National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. Annual dues to the National Chimney Sweep Guild are $459 for Voting Member Companies and $689 for Supplier Member Companies, of which $80 goes toward a subscription to Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology. Additional annual subscriptions are available for $80 by contacting the National Chimney Sweep Guild at the office of publication (NCSG, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168). POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology National Chimney Sweep Guild 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168
21 Progressive Perks 27 Dates & Events 29 Perspective 31 Darwin Awards 31 Display Ad Index
FEBRUARY/MARCH 12 SWEEPING 1
ResourcePage
NATIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP GUILD
COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND TASK FORCES FOR 2011-2012 Bylaws Diane Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneygal@aol.com
Governance Randy Brooks (805) 646-8961 hearthhunter@aol.com
NFPA 211 Representative Randy Brooks (805) 646-8961 hearthhunter@aol.com
Convention Site Selection Diane Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneygal@aol.com
Government Affairs Phil Mitchell (603) 659-7776 sootski@aol.com
NFPA 31 Representative John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com
Discussion List Marge Padgitt (816) 461-3665 margepadgitt@comcast.net
International Relations Victor Imgarten (636) 477-9966 stlswp@accessus.net
NFPA 54 Representative Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com
Ethics Mark Stoner (615) 459-2546 ashbusters@aol.com
Long Range Planning Diane Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneygal@aol.com
Public Awareness Task Force Marge Padgitt (816) 461-3665 margepadgitt@comcast.net
Finance Mark Maynard (920) 830-1920 mark@chimneyguy.com
Membership Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 fluesbrothers@yahoo.com
Technical Advisory Council Dennis Dobbs (256) 845-9814 info@fireplaceservicescenter.com
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL To contact any member of the Technical Advisory Council, please call (317) 203-0088 and select the extension for the person who is best qualified to answer your question: Dennis Dobbs Technical Advisory Council Chair Installation or Service of Direct Vent Gas Appliances 317-203-0088 x: 1 Chris Prior Masonry Construction and Restoration and Priorfire Fireboxes 317-203-0088 x: 2 Jim Brewer Gas Venting and NFPA 54 317-203-0088 x: 3 John Pilger Oil Flue Sizing, Relining or NFPA 31 317-203-0088 x: 4
Fred Joy Installation and Venting of Pellet Stoves 317-203-0088 x: 7
President, Region 3 Jay Walker (850) 562-4692 • president@ncsg.org Vice President, At-Large Diane Pilger (631) 863-2460 • chimneygal@aol.com Treasurer, Region 5 Mark Maynard (920) 830-1920 • mark@chimneyguy.com Secretary, Region 1 Phil Mitchell (603) 659-7776 • sootski@aol.com Region 2 Bob Fleer (410) 544-7600 • bobfleer@aol.com Region 4 Marge Padgitt (816) 461-3665 • margepadgitt@comcast.net Region 6 OPEN SEAT FMI: Randy Brooks NCSG Governance Chair (805) 646-8961 • hearthhunter@aol.com At-Large Directors Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 • fluesbrothers@yahoo.com
Jay Walker Dryer Vents 317-203-0088 x: 8
Dennis Dobbs (256) 845-9814 • info@fireplaceservicecenter.com
Randy Brooks NFPA 211 and International Residential Codes 317-203-0088 x: 9
Fred Joy (785) 986-6432 • joyfredm@live.com
Randy Brooks Customer Communications 317-203-0088 x: 5 Bart Ogden Stainless Steel Lining, Video Scanning and Narrative Report Writing 317-203-0088 x: 6
Rich Martinez Dryer Vents or Masonry 317-203-0088 x: 10 Rich Rua General Sweeping or Relining 317-203-0088 x: 11
Be advised that advice given by NCSG’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) reflects best practices of the chimney sweeping industry. However, we are unable to account for any particular type of situation since regional variations in construction practices and additional environmental, physical and geographical factors necessarily vary the level of service appropriate for a particular fireplace and/or chimney. Additionally, local laws and ordinances may govern and/or supersede the information and any recommendations provided. Final determinations are the responsibility of a local professional with first-hand knowledge of the situation, and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Neither NCSG nor any member of TAC will be held liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on information provided by anyone associated with TAC. By your use of this member benefit you acknowledge acceptance of these terms.
ADVERTISING RATES for Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology may be obtained by contacting Malisa Minetree at (317) 815-4688 or SweepingAds@indy.rr.com Design by Laura Houser Design • laurahouser.com • (317) 213-7497 NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press release and articles to Melissa Heeke, Sweeping Editor at mheeke@ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or a call to action on the part of our readers. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a .jpg format. In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions to fit space limitations, keep the release and publish at a later date, or refuse to publish the release for any reason. Neither publishing, nor refusing to publish the submission should be considered a statement of NCSG’s opinion regarding the release. NCSG further reserves the right to reject at any time any advertising determined not to be in keeping with the publications’ standards. Acceptance of advertising by Sweeping magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. NCSG does not make any effort to review or substantiate claims made by advertisers. © 2012 National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168 (317) 837-1500
2 SWEEPING FEBRUARY/MARCH 12
NCSG BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011-2012
Supplier Representative Edmund Poplawski (570) 504-7107 • epoplawski@olympiachimney.com
STAFF 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168 (317) 837-1500 Fax: (317) 837-5365 Mark McSweeney, CAE Executive Director mmcsweeney@ncsg.org
Megan McMahon Office Manager mmcmahon@ncsg.org
Melissa Heeke, CAE Director of Communications & Marketing mheeke@ncsg.org
Sara Sichting Certification Coordinator (CSIA) ssichting@csia.org
Ashley Eldridge, COI, CPP Director of Education ashley@ncsg.org
Debbie Cornelius Membership Development Coordinator dcornelius@ncsg.org
Candice Bradbury Director of Finance cbradbury@ncsg.org
Donna Lee Kasmer Program Coordinator dkasmer@ncsg.org
Moving Forward
JAY WALKER NCSG PRESIDENT
L
ast month marked the passing of another year. It’s a time for new goals and resolutions for you to consider. What resolutions did you make? Did you write them down and plan for their execution? This past year, your directors have worked diligently for NCSG and the industry. We are all looking forward to our upcoming year of new ideas and strategic plans to reach our goals. Recently, I read an article from the Florida Wildlife Conservation. It was a well-written article with a message for the New Year. After reading it, I could see some similarities between the information in the national U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey and NCSG and CSIA’s recent industrywide survey concerning the chimney sweeping industry. The author of the article mentioned hanging a calendar for the New Year and flipping pages of the calendar to see photographs of nature’s beauty from wild habitats to fish and wildlife or outdoor recreation. The author went on to write, “Ask any passionate angler, hunter or outdoors person what he or she loves about nature and getting outdoors and key points come up, including the love of connecting with nature, being able to relax and spending quality time outdoors with friends and family.” 10” They went on to write about how each state agency was dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation and providing fishing and hunting opportunities to the 88 million Americans over the age of 16 who fish, hunt or enjoy other wildlife related recreation (info from the 2006 National U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Survey).
This article went on and covered education and the need of core concepts in education and outreach to provide more valuable and relevant messages to Americans of all ages and went on to mention training. • NCSG, along with CSIA, wants to provide business and technical information to each member and is continuing to
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• As I write this President’s message in early January, we have not yet heard the results of the recent NCSG
and CSIA chimney industry survey. We hope that, through the survey results, we are able to find out more about the industry’s passions and needs. NCSG wants to know about your passions in the industry and what you need to fulfill your business ambitions in the industry we all care about so much.
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outreach to the public for more awareness. • We are continuing to monitor state regulations that may pertain to our industry or impact your business. While our mission does not include directly fighting pending legislation, we do aim to provide you with the information that you need. As we move forward this year, the boards will look toward the survey results for guidance as we revisit our strategic planning documents in May. We realize that we sometimes make decisions that are not always the most popular ones, but ones we feel are the best given the information available and the situation athand. This time of year, we look at the bigger picture and realize that our actions affect us year-round. On New Year’s Day, I posted a message to the board of directors and our Executive Director from an article titled “Try These Goals for Your Nonprofit in 2012” by Kelly Otte, the executive director of the PACE Center for Girls in Jacksonville, FL. It struck me as a good reminder of the bigger picture for NCSG. Thank you for letting me share it with you. Perhaps you may be able to serve as an NCSG director very soon or you may be able to grasp on to something from this article as a business owner or volunteer for another nonprofit organization. It’s a new year. The beginning of another year with the nonprofits that work every day to make our community better. If you are a board member, please consider making a resolution to attend every meeting during 2012, to stop pretending you read the board packet in advance and actually do it. You might resolve to make a sacrificial gift to the organization at the beginning of the year. Sacrificial doesn’t mean you have to mortgage your home. It simply means that it’s substantial enough to signify your commitment. You also could consider making a resolution to handle conflict among board members with ethics and respect. Stand up for what you know is right, but do it with an open mind and with respect for everyone. As an aside, remember that your way or the highway doesn’t work on a collegial, high-functioning board. Resolve to understand the financial statements and to be keenly aware of the financial health of the organization. Ask questions when you don’t understand. Have a meeting with the treasurer or the executive director to learn how to read the reports. Resolve to never elect another board president just because they want to be one. Make sure this important leadership position is held by someone who can work with the executive director, who will represent the organization well and who will work to provide strong leadership to the board. Make a resolution to really understand, not just hoping or guessing, what a great job your executive director is doing.
4 SWEEPING FEBRUARY/MARCH 12
If you don’t know how to evaluate them, then implement an evaluation process. If you are an executive director, resolve to find new and innovative ways to work collaboratively with other organizations and to recognize the power of a collective voice by getting involved with your local coalition or association. Please resolve to stop using “the house is burning down” and “our doors are about to close” as your annual holiday appeal strategy. And thank everyone that contributes to your organization quickly and personally. If you are the staff of a nonprofit, consider resolving to understand that you cannot save or serve every person or meet every demand for your assistance. Do research and find out if your organization really is paying you worse than everyone else in town before you tell everyone they are. Use ethical communication strategies by being honest and caring with colleagues and by not gossiping or tearing people down behind their backs. If you are a member of the community who doesn’t work directly with nonprofits, resolve to support one nonprofit all year long by making a monthly contribution to them in any amount. Consider calling them and talking to them about invoicing you monthly. Resolve to donate at least four hours a week on a board or as a direct volunteer. Teach your children about the importance of service and find opportunities for them to serve, too. Resolve to understanding that nonprofits are an essential part of our community, that we are the third leg of the community’s three legged stool. Business and government cannot stand alone. Recognize nonprofits as economic drivers and employers, in addition to the service they provide and the quality of life that they improve. And for goodness sake, every single one of you, resolve to do something fabulous for yourself this year. 2011 was both difficult and rewarding. We witnessed public tragedies and triumphs with our nonprofits. We saw the extraordinary capacity this community has for giving and witnessed the exceptional determination to survive. Undoubtedly 2012 will bring its share of challenges as well, but it also will be a year of awe-inspiring creative leadership and commitment. And in large measure it will be because extraordinary people, just like you, resolved to make it happen. As always, sweeps luck to you and your family and God Bless! Jay Walker
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Editor’s Letter
MELISSA HEEKE NCSG DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
T
he season is drawing to a close and your attention may be turning to Springtime services. Be sure to spend some time considering your marketing tactics to carry you through this year’s warmer months. They’ll be here before you know it! Planning makes perfect, they say and this month is no different. A slew of educational events await you online and around the country with state and regional workshops and national events popping up nearby. Check out upcoming Dates & Events starting on page 27 and also online at www.NCSG.org. You name it, the industry has it!
Also in this month’s issue, we feature some Fun Dryer Vent stories from Aaron Zambrana of A to Z Chimney Sweep, Dryer Vent and Window Screen in California because it is time for a bit of post-season relaxation! We hope you enjoy some of his tales from the field and are able to enjoy a few of your own very soon. Until next time!
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Industry Watch New 2012 Masonry Heater Education Program for North America The Masonry Heater Association of North America will extend their HMED (Heat Mason’s Education & Development) program in 2012. The education program is designed for masons and people interested in learning how to build green bio-mass (wood fired) masonry heaters. This program will: • Provide an education program that starts with basic information and skills training. • Provide a standard curriculum that will be delivered in facilities throughout North America. • Provide opportunities to earn continued education credits for various certification programs. • Promote safe building practices for everyone interested in building masonry heaters. • Establish a training system that is specific to North America. • Demonstrate how a bio-mass masonry heater is green, efficient and healthy
MHA’s education program provides an excellent opportunity to someone to learn the basic theory and construction of a masonry heater. The next classes are scheduled for March 17 – 20, 2012 in Everett, WA (outside Seattle) and September 15 – 18, 2012 in Perth, Ontario. Other locations to be announced shortly. For more information contact the MHA office at (520) 883-0191 or execdir@mha-net.org or learn more online at www.mha-net.org.
Industry Watch Policy NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press releases to Melissa Heeke, Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology editor, via email at mheeke@ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or a call to action on the part of our readers. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a .jpg format. In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions to fit space limitations, keep the release and publish at a later date, or refuse to publish the release for any reason. Neither publishing nor refusing to publish the submission should be considered a statement of NCSG’s opinion regarding the release.
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Technical Q&A
Q
DENNIS DOBBS, NCSG TECHNICAL ADVISORY CHAIR
Why does my customer’s wood stove appear to be sending smoke signals from the chimney?
A
This phenomenon is most commonly found when using old air-tight stoves and inserts. As you walk into homes with these appliances, you may find that with a stove every joint of the stovepipe is sealed with furnace cement. Or if they are using an insert you may find that the facing and hearth is sealed with high temperature silicone. These antiques have a very large firebox and the customer can almost put a wheelbarrow full of wood into the stove. Usually the BTU rating for the appliance is too large for the room (or even the home) and the homeowner
is forced to turn the appliance all the way down. Shutting off all the combustion oxygen causes the stove to look elsewhere for combustion oxygen, which causes smoke to exit the chimney at a very slow pace and then reverse and go back down toward the stove before rising to the top of the chimney and out again. During this process, it sucks needed oxygen from the top of the flue. I’ve personally seen this and I call it “burping”. I explain this to customers as the equivalent to turning a gallon of milk upside down trying to pour it out all at one time. Air must enter in for the milk to come out making the gulping sound. In situations such as these you will usually find a large amount of third degree creosote and I recommend upgrading to a new high efficiency appliance. (Has anyone else seen this situation?) Another possible scenario may be when the fire enters the “range of flammability” it will create a small explosion. This explosion will create positive pressure that results in “back puffing”, meaning air can spill from the appliance into the room or shoot a burst of smoke up the chimney. After the explosion, air is drawn into the firebox because of the negative pressure that is created, and the cycle begins all over again. Oddly enough, the solution to this problem is to carefully open the door the stove and flush the captured combustible gases from the appliance. Follow that by opening the air inlets so the fire can burn and be prepared for it to get very hot. As mentioned earlier, this phenomenon is normally the result of a large amount of extremely dry wood loaded into a stove and being starved of air by closing the air inlets. In situations such as these you will usually find a large amount of third degree creosote and I recommend upgrading to a new high efficiency appliance.
10 SWEEPING FEBRUARY/MARCH 12
Five Practices That Help Small Businesses Avoid Hiring Mistakes The majority of small business owners go into business because they’re passionate about their field, or about making money in general. One aspect to growing a business entrepreneurs often find challenging is hiring the right staff members to suit their goals. SurePayroll, an online payroll service, recently surveyed its small-business owner customers and discovered that three out of four have made hiring mistakes on at least one occasion that have cost the company thousands of dollars. In an office of few employees and tight cash reserves, a mistake that slows down business and takes away from the bottom line can be detrimental. Having a hiring plan in place, just like you have a business plan or marketing plan, makes all the difference. If you know what you want and need before you start looking for candidates, you’ll save time and money.
3. Can the candidate pass an assessment test for skills-based positions or a drug screening for a labor role? Just because a candidate looks good on paper doesn’t mean he or she will be able to follow through with excellent work. Whether you’re hiring a copywriter who must have an excellent grasp on grammar or a Web programmer who needs to be proficient in HTML, skills testing will provide a detailed look into how a candidate is capable of performing. Additionally, if you’re in a business that uses drivers, people performing physical labor or other positions that require alert, sober employees in place to avoid serious accidents, drug tests are an absolute necessity. Experts in toxicology say that 75 percent of illegal drug users are employed, and most work for small and midsize businesses.
Michael Alter, president and CEO of SurePayroll, offers this checklist of five questions you can add to your hiring plan to help avoid some of the most prevalent hiring mistakes.
Providing skills assessments or drug testing is easy, and many companies, including SurePayroll, provide online access to these services at a very reasonable rate. Visit www.surepayroll.com for more information.
1. Is the candidate a cultural fit?
4. Can the candidate pass a background check?
Figuring out if this is a “yes” should be first and foremost, even before you dig into a candidate’s skills and experience. Especially in a small business, cultural fit is more important than many other attributes since hiring an employee who doesn’t fit can result in lower office morale.
Background checks will ensure you’re not risking your business by hiring a violent criminal, white-collar criminal or illegal alien. With nearly half of all small business job applicants submitting resumes with false information, going the extra mile to have professionals check for red flags can help keep your business out of harm’s way. As part of the service, the company performing the background check will call a candidate’s references. In addition to the references the candidate provided, ask the candidate for permission to call former employers listed on the resume. If they don’t provide permission without good reason, take that as a red flag.
If your office is a “jump-in-and-get-it-done” type of environment where employees of all levels are expected to perform menial jobs along with their main duties, you probably don’t want to hire someone from a large corporation who worked in specialty positions to take on the grunt work. Or if you run a fun, casual and creative environment where employees brainstorm business ideas while playing foosball, you may want to play a game of foosball during the interview to ensure the candidate enjoys working in that way.
2. Have at least two employees interviewed the candidate? In many small businesses, it’s the business owner or office manager who chooses the candidates. Chances are you or the manager will not be the only people working with the candidate. Besides you, at least two employees should interview the candidate and be able to answer “yes” to the question above about cultural fit.
Like skills assessments and drug testing, many companies provide affordable background screening services to small businesses.
5. Does your gut say the candidate is a good fit? And finally, do a gut check. If something doesn’t seem right about a candidate or their work history, trust that feeling. Sometimes candidates are better at telling a good story in an interview than they are at performing a job or showing up for work.
FEBRUARY/MARCH 12 SWEEPING 11
Chimney Sense
DENNIS DOBBS, NCSG TECHNICAL ADVISORY CHAIR
What Is Going On With My Customer?
I
recently had a real eye-opening experience about what sometimes goes on behind the scenes with customers. A particular customer made an appointment with my company because she had experienced a chimney fire. Upon arrival to her home, I introduced myself. She met me at the door and dramatically expressed what had taken place with the fire and the arrival of the fire department. Before we even entered the home, she asked me if she could take a picture of my van to place it on her Facebook page to document the day’s events for her friends. Not thinking much of it, we went inside to her sitting room to see her beloved fireplace. She explained to me that she had been a resident of the home for over forty years and, ever since her children had moved away, this room has become the favorite area of the house and that she and her husband frequently relish sitting by the warm fireplace. I explained to her that the chimney needed to be thoroughly swept prior to inspection and she replied back that she didn’t think it would need to be since the firemen had told her that the chimney fire had probably burned out the chimney. She then gave the go ahead for us to get started. While bringing my equipment in, she asked if I had a Facebook account. I told her that I didn’t but that my wife does. She said she would like to add my wife as a Facebook friend so we could follow the comments between her and her friends about her fireplace.
At the end of my appointment with this customer, I had swept and inspected two fireplaces and a dryer vent. As a result of these inspections I explained that one fireplace had flue tiles cracked possibly due to the chimney fire and gave her an estimate of repair. I then advised her to contact her insurance company to give them the report of my findings. She said that they loved their home and believed in fixing things correctly and she would explain everything to her husband. She said her desire was to be sitting back in that room enjoying her wood fire as soon as possible.
12 SWEEPING FEBRUARY/MARCH 12
Well, later that evening when I returned home and was going over my day with my wife, I said we should get on her Facebook account and see what comments had been made about my earlier appointment. At the start things looked pretty good, the lady gave me high praise and claimed that she had checked me out and I had all the right credentials including being a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. But there was more. Many people had commented on her posts, several saying they had never had their chimney cleaned and they thought they should have theirs checked before using them.
Then came the opinions; and believe me there were many of them. Some of my customer’s friends said that gas logs would be much cheaper than a repair and that the vent free ones were so safe and efficient and that she wouldn’t have any other problems. One person who shared these sentiments even said he was a contractor so he knew all about these things. He said that as long as you closed the damper on the fireplace you were good to go. I realized that a client can easily be overwhelmed when bombarded by the opinions of so many well-meaning friends and that the findings and advice provided from a professional can be greatly watered down. Horrified by what I was reading, I also realized that I had not conveyed some vital information during my presentation that could be very important as she was weighing her options. Gas logs are NOT an alternative to repairing a damaged chimney. This incident has opened my eyes and has caused me to relay my inspection findings to the homeowner in better more definitive ways.
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•
384 Harold L. Dow HIghway, Eliot, Maine 03903
•
(866) 439-0069
The
Coach’s Corner
BY JERRY ISENHOUR OF CHIMNEY & VENTING CONSULTANTS IN CONCORD, NC
W
e start off with the hope that 2012 has launched well, as I write this the bottom has fallen out as far as Old Man Winter, and cold weather has arrived with a vengeance. Right here in the sunny South last night we had a low of about 19ºF, and tonight looks like a 15ºF. I’m headed to meet with a client tomorrow in the Northeast and it appears I will be fully adjusted to cold weather before boarding the plane this afternoon. The new year brings us a NEW BEGINNING. For some reason a vast majority of folks look at the beginning of the New Year as the time for things to be delayed to, but along with this delay so often comes the fatal mistake, this factor we refer to as FTI, an abbreviation for FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT. The first of the year rolls in and we put our great ideas back on the shelf! Last month I wrote my message about ending the year and organizing and taking stock of the year completed. One of this concerned the Business Genie. Did you come up with wishes? Let’s face it. There is no genie. The wishes can only come from one source, your thoughts and you willingness to pursue your dreams. I feel FTI is one of the leading issues that affect company growth, company profit building, increasing of our business base and the overall improvement of our bottom lines. All too often we simply sit and think, we ponder and then we think about it some more. It is actually one of the main skills that one in a management position must develop. Looking at directions, analyzing the various paths, and deciding either “yes, it is the
right thing to do” or “no, it is not the right thing” many times can become such a chore. One of the things about an entrepreneur, a true one, is the mindset that business is one that we take measured chances in. There are no guarantees in business; there are no set directions that are laid out for us. So in order to attain our wishes, we have to take the actions, and most importantly we have to stay the course! We can consult others in the industry; but do they know our market? Or we can consult others in our market, but likely they do not understand our industry. Many times, in order to complete the decision-making process we cannot make the decision until we have bounced the idea off of others. Some simply need approval. Is that you? Look at the truly successful folks in the world, not the ones born into the business that inherited success, rather the person who made their own way in the world. They took a chance, they dedicated themselves to the attainment of the goals they set in front of themselves and, to complete the cycle, they went and took the plunge. No one is guaranteed that each and every decision we make will be the right one. A part of the decision-making process has to fall back on also researching the “what ifs”, do the balancing act and then make a decision to proceed. All too often business opportunities pass folks by; they simply cannot make the decision and cannot go out on a limb. The great leaders in business, those who possess true leadership qualities do this, they make the decision. Much as a General on the field
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of battle must make a decision. And, in a way, the world of business at times is a state of war. One will have to make the decisions where there may be casualties. But again, what is the goal? The goal is for you, as a business owner, to have a business that delivers to you, as a business owner, the goals you set out to have. Your goals, no one elses! Let me reiterate. We are talking about your goals, the reasons YOU started your business. No matter if the goal was to be a large multiple-employee or a single-person business, no matter if it was to make more money, give you more time, be independent or make your own decisions, the goal is to deliver to you what you have set out for your business to be. The true leader also spends time reflecting, reflecting upon the past courses and makes the decision to change courses when it’s the right thing to do, when a change in course needed. You may well find that a change in course is needed as we review our past and decide upon the future. Recently I talked to a high school student and asked what he was going to do when he gets out of school. The answer was “I am going to college”. My next questions when talking to young people always rotates to “What are you going to do when you finish school? What will your degree be in?” The point is that while education is great, one of the main functions of education is to develop oneself in order to have the ability to obtain the goals they set in life. And that one of the goals is to set a direction where true happiness is the main objective. I wish you luck on the implementation of your goals, your concepts, and your ideas in life. You however are the force that will take yourself there. And with that, to borrow from The Star Wars saga, MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU! About the Author: Jerry Isenhour is an industry consultant and coach who author’s a monthly article in Sweeping as a service to the industry. For more information about Jerry and how he can assist you individually in your quest for success, take a look at his web site www.chimneyandventingconsultants. com He can be contacted at jerry@ chimneyandventingconsultants.com or by phone at (704)425-0217. You can also obtain great business tips from his Facebook page Chimney & Venting Consultants
FEBRUARY/MARCH 12 SWEEPING 15
2011 – 2012 SWEEPS ADVANTAGE COUPON PROGRAM Featured Coupons of the Month Look for the 2011 – 2012 coupon offers in the “Members Only” section of the NCSG website at www.NCSG.org. Here you will find information necessary to redeem these coupon offers and others from these participating vendors: AHRENS Chimney Technique • AirJet, Division of Continental Industries • Alpha American Company BAC Sales, Inc. • Condar Company • Copperfield Chimney Supply • Duct Cleaners’ Supply • Dynacote LLC • Earthcore Industries, LLC • Enervex, Inc. (formerly Exhausto) • Firesafe Industries • Fireside Distributors, Inc. • Hearth Classics • High Stepper, LLC • HY-C Company, Inc. • Lifetime Chimney Supply• Lindemann Chimney Supply • Longleaf Lighter Company • Matters of the Hearth • Meyer Machine & Equipment • National Chimney Supply • Neuex Hearth Products • New England Chimney Supply • Olympia Chimney Supply • SaverSystems • Smoktite LLC • SNEWS - The Chimney Sweep News • U.S. Fireplace Products, Inc. • Ventech Industries, Inc. • Wakefield Brush • Whitecaps • Wohler USA, Inc. • Z-Flex.
These are just a few of the many offers available to you as a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Visit www.NCSG.org to learn more and to start saving!
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CSIA Update Publication for CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®s
www.CSIA.org
CSIA’s ASHI 2012 Experience BY STEVE PIETILA CSIA AFFILIATED TRADES CHAIR
CSIA had a booth at Inspection World,
want to be familiar with the CSIA
the American Society of Home
credential and the valuable services
Inspectors (ASHI) annual convention
of CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps.
and trade show in Phoenix, Arizona held
Many of the home inspectors I
January 4-7. I was somewhat surprised
spoke with have a reference to
by the number of inspectors that had
using CSIA Certified Chimney
come from great distances to attend.
Sweeps in their template reporting
You’d expect good representation
language whenever their clients
from the southwestern states, but
have a fireplace or woodstove. Since
there were a great many from the East
their inspection protocol (or standard)
Coast, the South and from Canada. My
for inspecting fireplaces stops at the
informal tally included inspectors from
damper, they know there is more to the
Arizona, California, Utah, Montana,
system that is best checked out by a
their local chapters. We want to
Washington, Idaho, Texas, Iowa,
trained professional. Most inspectors
make sure that when it comes to
Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New
at the show told me they typically
chimneys and fireplaces that it is a
York, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
inspect three homes a day, and since
CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep that
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia,
they have already developed a rapport
conducts this training! (CSIA Certified
Arkansas, Alabama, Indiana, Ohio,
with the home owner (or buyer) they
Chimney Sweeps can download a
Virginia, Maryland, Alaska, West Virginia,
are perceived as an expert and their
presentation for home inspectors,
Colorado, Illinois, and Michigan. From
recommendation is given weight.
and a presentation on how to present
Canada, inspectors came from Alberta,
to home inspectors, in the For Certs
Ontario, New Brunswick, British
In addition to sharing about locating a
Only area at www.CSIA.org.) I hope
Columbia and Saskatchewan.
CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep online at
that CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps
www.CSIA.org, many home inspectors
continue to get more referrals from the
Though attendance was down from
were very interested to learn that we
CSIA website and that you also get an
what it has been in years past (home
could refer them to presenters in their
opportunity to teach a seminar to this
inspectors have been hit hard by the
local areas. Since their certification
important group of influencers. If ever
downturn in the real estate market),
also requires CEUs, they need qualified
there was a trade with which to form a
this is a group of professionals we really
presenters to conduct seminars for
strategic alliance, this is it!
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Upcoming Education from the CSIA Chimney Physics Two Locations! March 22-23 Gray’s Lake, IL Sponsored by Lindeman Chimney Supply
March 23-24 Albany, New York Sponsored by the New York Chimney Sweep Guild
Call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org/Physics to learn more and to register! In this two-day course, you will gain the knowledge you need to solve tough problems. You’ll learn about stack effect, adverse pressures and how they are created, as well as indoor air quality solutions. This in-person program includes solutions for problems related to fireplaces, furnaces and hearth products of all fuels. You’ll learn how to diagnose common homeowner complaints that your competition is likely to miss. Understanding the house as a system allows you to start asking the right questions with the first homeowner call. Additional topics covered include solving air pressure problems, identifying the symptoms of indoor air pollutants, determining combustion air requirements for vented appliances and the use of diagnostic tools. Chimney Physics is designed to provide a solid answer to your most common homeowner question: Why does this perfectly good chimney not work?! 16 CEUs are awarded to CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps® attending Chimney Physics.
March 2, 2012 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review and Exam Atlanta, GA In-person intensive review sessions help candidates prepare for the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® exams. The review sessions are not a substitute for advanced study. Learn more about earning the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential. CSIA CEUs: 2 T, 2 C&S, 1 H&S, 1C&L March 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2012 Codes and Standards Quizzes CSIA (online) You can earn CSIA CEUs by taking Codes & Standards quizzes. Two quizzes are available to be challenged during a 24-hour period of your choice during the first week of each month. Learn more about the CSIA C&S Quizzes. CSIA CEUs: 2 C&S/quiz March 9, 2012 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review and Exam CSIA Technology Center In-person intensive review sessions help candidates prepare for the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® exams. The review sessions are not a substitute for advanced study. Learn more about earning the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential. CSIA CEUs: 2 T, 2 C&S, 1 H&S, 1C&L March 12-16, 2012 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review Online The online CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® review
sessions are offered each month and feature five sets of lessons and practice quizzes to be completed anytime during the seven day timeframe. Learn more about the online review sessions. March 12-16, 2012 CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review Online The online Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician review features daily reading assignments, lessons and interactive quizzes designed to help you pass the CDET exam. Learn more about the online CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician review. March 19-23, 2012 Health and Safety Week CSIA (online) Each month, you have the opportunity to register for one of the many topics in our bank of online health and safety sessions. We’ll add a new session every month to help you keep on top of your company’s regular safety meetings. Learn more about Health & Safety Week, CSIA & NFI CEUs: Vary by topic selected.
March 26-30, 2012 Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel CSIA (online) This self-paced online course features five class sessions plus when you register, you will receive two DVDs with three separate jobs to review from startto-finish along with a discussion of each job which reflects the various components and tools which are useful to the process. Learn more about this online course. CSIA CEUs: 3.5 T, 3.5 C&S, 1 H&S, 2 C&L, 1 B NFI CEUs: 4:5 T March 26-30, 2012 Chimney Physics CSIA (online) Diagnosis and resolution of chimney performance problems, solving air pressure problems, identifying the symptoms of indoor air pollutants, determining combustion air requirements for vented appliances in a self-paced online format. Learn more about Chimney Physics Online. April 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2012 Codes and Standards Quizzes CSIA (online) You can earn CSIA CEUs by taking Codes & Standards quizzes. Two quizzes are available to be challenged during a 24-hour period of your choice during the first week of each month. Learn more about the CSIA C&S Quizzes. CSIA CEUs: 2 C&S/quiz April 2-7, 2012 National Chimney Sweep Training School CSIA Technology Center Fundamentals of sweeping and inspection of chimney systems, equipment operation, health and safety considerations and step-by-step instruction in codes, clearances, standards and practices. Learn more about the National Chimney Sweep Training School. CCS CEUs: 4 T, 4 C&S, 4 C&L, 4 H&S NFI CEUs: 16 T April 9-13, 2012 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review Online The online CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® review sessions are offered each month and feature five sets of lessons and practice quizzes to be completed anytime during the seven day timeframe. Learn more about the online review sessions. April 9-13, 2012 CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review Online The online Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician review features daily reading assignments, lessons and interactive quizzes designed to help you pass the CDET exam. Learn more about the online CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician review.
March 26-30, 2012 CSIA eLearning Online The industry’s favorite seminars in a new online format allowing you to earn CEUs online. A new topic April 13, 2012 will be added each month! Learn more and see the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review and Exam sessions available. Manchester, NH (location TBD) CSIA & NFI CEUs: Vary by topic selected.
Send us your greenhorn.
in 6 days, and we’ll send you back a pro.
You can spend weeks trying to get a new employee up to speed. In the process, you’ll have used up your valuable time, your patience, and more money than you would like to admit. Instead, send your employee to the most popular, cost-effective chimney sweep training in North America: CSIA’s National Chimney Sweep Training School. In less than a week, we’ll create an employee that you’ll be proud to send on a call – and happy to count toward your bottom line.
Classes fill quickly, so register now!
2012 DATeS:
April 2–7 June 4–9 August 6 –11 September 24–29
At the 6-day hands-on Training School, your employee will learn: How to inspect and service chimney systems serving any fuel burning appliance.
How to be safe, with the latest health and safety equipment and methods.
How to work with residential heating appliances, including wood stoves, pellet stoves, inserts, factory-built fireplaces, central heaters and furnaces.
How to diagnose chimney performance problems: understanding draft and flow, diagnosing down drafts, flow reversals, inadequate flow, stack effects, updrafts, pressure effects and gauges.
How to navigate the International Residential Codes.
How to follow the NFPA 211 standards.
Class size is limited to ensure a ratio of no more than eight students per instructor. This small class size means that students have the opportunity for individual attention from the school’s experienced instructors, and ample opportunities for hands-on training. Because class size is limited, it is important to apply early to reserve your place.
Register today at www.csia.org or call us at (317) 837-5362. Take advantage of these other CSIA educational offerings that can build your business:
The online CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep review provides exam candidates with a convenient and affordable guided learning experience.
The online Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician (CDET) review provides exam candidates with a convenient and affordable guided learning experience designed to help you pass the CDET exam.
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Manchester, NH (location TBD) In-person intensive review sessions help candidates prepare for the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® exams. The review sessions are not a substitute for advanced study. Learn more about earning the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential. CSIA CEUs: 2 T, 2 C&S, 1 H&S, 1C&L April 16-20, 2012 Health and Safety Week CSIA (online) Each month, you have the opportunity to register for one of the many topics in our bank of online health and safety sessions. We’ll add a new session every month to help you keep on top of your company’s regular safety meetings. Learn more about Health & Safety Week, CSIA & NFI CEUs: Vary by topic selected. April 23-27, 2012 CSIA eLearning Online The industry’s favorite seminars in a new online format allowing you to earn CEUs online. A new topic will be added each month! Learn more and see the sessions available. CSIA & NFI CEUs: Vary by topic selected. April 23-27, 2012 Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel CSIA (online)
This self-paced online course features five class sessions plus when you register, you will receive two DVDs with three separate jobs to review from startto-finish along with a discussion of each job which reflects the various components and tools which are useful to the process. Learn more about this online course. CSIA CEUs: 3.5 T, 3.5 C&S, 1 H&S, 2 C&L, 1 B NFI CEUs: 4:5 T April 23-27, 2012 Chimney Physics CSIA (online) Diagnosis and resolution of chimney performance problems, solving air pressure problems, identifying the symptoms of indoor air pollutants, determining combustion air requirements for vented appliances in a self-paced online format. Learn more about Chimney Physics Online.
May 7-11, 2012 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review Online The online CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® review sessions are offered each month and feature five sets of lessons and practice quizzes to be completed anytime during the seven day timeframe. Learn more about the online review sessions. May 7-11, 2012 CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review Online The online Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician review features daily reading assignments, lessons and interactive quizzes designed to help you pass the CDET exam. Learn more about the online CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician review.
May 11, 2012 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review and Exam May 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2012 Scranton, PA Codes and Standards Quizzes In-person intensive review sessions help candidates CSIA (online) prepare for the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® You can earn CSIA CEUs by taking Codes & Standards exams. The review sessions are not a substitute for quizzes. Two quizzes are available to be challenged advanced study. Learn more about earning the CSIA during a 24-hour period of your choice during the first Certified Chimney Sweep credential. week of each month. Learn more about the CSIA C&S CSIA CEUs: 2 T, 2 C&S, 1 H&S, 1C&L Quizzes. CSIA CEUs: 2 C&S/quiz May 14-18, 2012 Health and Safety Week CSIA (online) Each month, you have the opportunity to register for one of the many topics in our bank of online health and safety sessions. We’ll add a new session every month to help you keep on top of your company’s regular safety meetings. Learn more about Health & Safety Week, CSIA & NFI CEUs: Vary by topic selected.
Grow with Gas
May 14-18, 2012 Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances CSIA Technology Center Service and installation, including appliance standards, combustion requirements, pipe sizing and installation, troubleshooting, carbon monoxide testing and fuel conversion. Learn more about Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances.
Grow your business by learning to service gas hearth appliances.
Turn your employees into gas appliance professionals in just a few days. Students will work with live appliances in the CSIA Technology Center lab, learning how to troubleshoot gas hearth appliances while in operation. Instructors will help them determine the proper venting system for each appliance, as well as how each appliance should be serviced. Students will also get an objective overview of a variety of gas hearth appliances.
NFI Gas Specialist Certification Exam included with registration!
Get growing with gas with Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances:
May 21-25, 2012 Chimney Physics CSIA (online) Diagnosis and resolution of chimney performance problems, solving air pressure problems, identifying the symptoms of indoor air pollutants, determining combustion air requirements for vented appliances in a self-paced online format. Learn more about Chimney Physics Online.
May 14-18, 2012 at the CSIA Technology Center near Indianapolis.
Register today at www.csia.org
See the complete 2012 CSIA Educational Events calendar online at www.CSIA.org.
Progressive Perks
BY DEBBIE CORNELIUS MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
World of Technical Knowledge Right at Your Fingertips! Did you know you have a resource of knowledge available to you as a member? The Technical Advisory Council is made up of members who have volunteered to help you while they continue to manage and work at their own businesses. With that said, it is important that you be patient and allow the TAC members ample time to return your call or email.
A list of the TAC members, their areas of expertise and contact information can be found on the Guild’s Resource Page in Sweeping each month. Or you may call (317) 203-0088 and select the extension of the person who is best qualified to answer your questions.
Dennis Dobbs Ext 1
James Brewer Ext 3
Fred Joy Ext 7
Rich Rua Ext 0
Chris Prior Ext 2
John Pilger Ext 4
Jay Walker Ext 8
Randy Brooks Ext 5
Rich Martinez Ext *
Bart Ogden Ext 6
Be sure and thank these industry experts for volunteering their time to assist you!
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Fun Dryer Vent Cleaning Stories
W
hen I was a younger man and several pounds thinner, several folks told me that with my receding hairline, I looked an awful lot like Forrest Gump! I’d even had smart aleck teenagers call out; “Run Forrest, Run!” on more than one occasion while out on a jog. And while I may not be that smart, I do know what Forrest would say if he were in my shoes and you asked him what it’s like to clean dryer vents for a living…. He might say, “Cleaning dryer vents is like a box of chocolates…. You never know what you’re gonna get!” Having cleaned dryer vents for almost fifteen years now, I can recall with a grin some VERY interesting things I’ve seen in the process. Just a little hint, ladies… You might want to check behind the washer and dryer for any “embarrassing unmentionables” before a complete stranger comes and discovers them back there. On one occasion, I fondly remember finding what I thought was a rhinestone amongst the dryer lint that I pulled out of the wall. I was cleaning the dryer vent of a younger, newly-married couple in their first home. On second glance, this little sparkly bit seemed too large to have come from someone’s clothing… So at the end of the cleaning, I asked the young wife if she had by any chance lost any jewelry in the laundry lately. With a look that told me I had just ripped a scab off a still tender wound, her eyes teared up and she told me that a few weeks ago she had forgotten her wedding ring in a jeans pocket and washed it by accident. She found the ring in the dryer, but a prong had broken and the diamond was missing! I grinned and plunked that little rock down onto her countertop and asked if it was the stone in question. Needless to say, she was overcome with emotion to see that what once was lost now was found! Another time, I was called out to a brand new neighborhood to a home less than six months old. The new owners were complaining that their clothes dryer wasn’t drying the clothes. The appliance repairman claimed that the dryer was fine, but the vent was clogged with lint. Now don’t’ get me wrong, it’s not uncommon for the clothes dryer to take too long to dry if the dryer vent is clogged with lint, but this is usually after two or more years of regular use, not
22 SWEEPING FEBRUARY/MARCH 12
BY AARON ZAMBRANA OF A TO Z CHIMNEY SWEEP, DRYER VENT, AND WINDOW SCREEN IN LINCOLN, CA
six months! Not quite knowing what to expect, I arrived for our appointment and attempted to clean out the vent. To everyone’s frustration, my vent cleaning brushes couldn’t navigate all the way through the customer’s vent, no matter which direction I came from. We ended up having to cut open the wall, and disassemble the section of vent pipe where the stoppage was located. Guess what we found? Some construction worker thought he’d be cute and stuff an empty beer can into the vent. Everyone’s a comedian! Needless to say, the builder reimbursed the homeowners for their troubles and repaired the wall. At this point in my life I have two young daughters (ages 5 and 8), and some mornings when they wake up, their hair is so messy that I’d swear rats or birds were making a nest in there. But when it comes to some clothes dryer vents, this is literally the case. It’s not uncommon to find animal nests within our customer’s dryer vents. My most memorable nest situation is awarded to a couple who went on vacation for a few weeks. Once back home , they had a mountain of dirty laundry, so they began the arduous task of washing it. When the lady of the house put her first load into the dryer, she IMMEDIATELY knew something was wrong. She heard a blood-curling scream inside her dryer, and then the dryer started making all kinds of horrible noises. After pulling out a rather large rat from her dryer and replacing the blower fan that the little pest had chewed to ribbons, the appliance repairman informed her that she had a large rat’s nest clogging her dryer vent that needed to be cleaned out by AtoZ. What a mess! And last but not least, I can’t even count how many of my customers’ dryer vents were exhausting moisture and lint into their attic or wall cavity or not venting at all due to faulty construction. Usually this is due to the fact that when the house was remodeled, re-roofed or had new siding installed, the contractor wasn’t paying attention and covered over the place where the vent was supposed to be blowing to the outside. I’ve even seen painters or stucco guys glue a side exhaust vent flap shut so the vent, in essence, has a cork stuck in it thus preventing the exhaust to escape to the outside like it’s supposed to! Yes folks, dryer vents are like a box of chocolates, and you never know what you’re gonna get! And with clothes dryer fires one of the leading causes of residential fires right now, it’s our responsibility to get the word out that our customer’s dryer vent should inspected on a regular basis and cleaned as necessary! Encourage each of your customers to consider purchasing some cheap “fire insurance” by having it cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional. Otherwise it might not be a box of chocolates, but Pandora’s box! To summarize, make sure you are giving your customers the best professional service you can by encouraging each of your customers to have their dryer vent cleaned on a regular basis. Although you may at first feel like a used car salesman mentioning it at each home, NOT mentioning it is doing your customers a disservice. Our services are saving lives and property everyday!
FEBRUARY/MARCH 12 SWEEPING 23
NewNCSG Members
NCSG REGIONS
REGION 1 NEW HAMPSHIRE Holden Demers • Demers Hearth & Fireplace LLC • Littleton
REGION 2 MARYLAND Christian B. Worsham • Seahawk Chimney Sweeps LLC • Edgewater
REGION 3
Region 3 SOUTH CAROLINA Harry K. Tanner • Charleston Chimney Services, Inc. • Bonneau
REGION 5 TEXAS Pete Pohlman • Black Velvet Chimney Service • Mansfield Gary Badger • Gary Badger Chimney Sweep • Irving
REGION 1 Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire
REGION 2 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
REGION 3 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
REGION 4 Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio
REGION 5
NCSG Charter Members Paul Bourque Huntsville, AL
John Cline, Menlo Park, CA
Don Leavitt San Diego, CA
Dale Meisinger, N. Augusta, SC
David Harris Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Eva B. Horton, Greenwich, CT
Dan Wheeler Santa Rosa, CA
24 SWEEPING FEBRUARY/MARCH 12
Alan Hisey, St. Louis, MO
Harry Richart, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin
REGION 6 Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
BY THE ALLIANCE FOR GREEN HEAT
Ten “Green” Reasons to Heat with Wood Wood heat... 1. Is a renewable energy source Renewable means you don’t run out. Renewable means you don’t deplete the earth’s resources. Wood is energy from the sun, stored by the tree as it grows. When you burn wood you are releasing this stored energy. In the dark of winter, it’s like having a bit of summer sun on your hearth. As long as it’s sustainably harvested, wood heat is renewable.
4. Heats a smaller space, not your whole house One of the biggest economic and environmental benefits of a wood or pellet stove is that you can specifically heat the part of your house you use most. The basement and bedrooms stay cool, and other parts of the house you don’t use don’t need to be constantly heated. Regardless of what you pay for energy,
2. Minimizes global warming When fuels burn, they release carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. Burning fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas is like pumping carbon dioxide from the center of the earth into the atmosphere – a one-way trip. Wood heat is a two-way trip. When wood burns, the carbon dioxide is released, only to be absorbed again by young trees. Because trees recycle carbon dioxide, woodburning just warms you, not the globe.
3. Keeps heating dollars in your community Stop writing checks every month to the energy utilities. Do you really want your heating dollars going to a faceless corporation or abroad? Buying cord wood usually keeps your money in your immediate area. Buying pellets usually keeps it within your state. Heating with wood enriches your community in countless ways. FEBRUARY/MARCH 12 SWEEPING 25
space heating with wood can clip at least 25% right off the top.
5. Is much cleaner than it used to be
Quality & Strength The Superior Features You Expect From Gelco: Embossed lid for more strength & stability.
Pre-1990 wood stoves usually emitted 30-60 grams of pollution particles per hour. Most of today’s wood stoves emit fewer than 4.5 gr/hr, and the best emit fewer than 1.5 gr/hr. Pellet and corn stoves are even cleaner, emitting under 2.5 gr/hr or 1.0gr/hr.
6. Is an affordable energy for working families Unlike solar and geothermal, wood heat is accessible for all economic classes. Hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits and rebates go to wealthier families who install solar and geothermal systems, but wood heat is a vital mainstay for millions of working families who cannot necessarily afford to install cleaner, more efficient biomass appliances. Wood heat is the everyman’s renewable.
7. Raises your energy I.Q.
Multi-Flue
Swing tabs allow for an inside/outside mount Reinforced & hemmed lid.
Cross-braced for more strength & stability.
Flick the switch, turn up the thermostat. Now, what did that cost? What impact did it have on the natural world? What sins were committed in getting that energy to you? You’re in touch when you heat with wood. And working for your heat makes you more likely to insulate. That log you placed on the fire is a tangible measure of the cost on the environment to keep your family warm. It’s the wood heat way of knowledge.
8. Creates jobs in rural areas Wood heat creates tens of thousands of jobs in forestry, transportation and retail sectors. Unlike solar and wind power, which often rely on imported technology, wood heat makes lots of jobs in our own rural areas.
9. Wood heat helps us be self-reliant Single-Flue
Deep double channel base for superior durability.
Wood heat helps us to be responsible for our own energy consumption and to be aware of its impact, rather than the NIMBY attitudes that are content to have impacts of energy felt in someone else’s community, either here or abroad. It also helps us be dependent, freeing us from reliance on other countries.
10. Allows us to save money and spend it elsewhere
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We almost forgot to mention it. Wood is the cheapest heating fuel you can use if you don’t live in a large city. For the poorest of families, large fossil fuel heating bills make it hard to put good food on the table during the winter. Saving money on heating allows us to give our kids opportunities, to invest in reducing other energy use, etc. Based on “10 Good Reasons to Heat With Wood.” Used with permission. The Alliance for Green Heat is a non-profit organization that promotes high-efficiency wood combustion as a low-carbon, sustainable, and affordable heating solution. Learn more at www. forgreenheat.org.
II
March 2, 2012 Atlanta, GA CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review and Exam For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org March 5, 6, 7 and 8, 2012 CSIA (online) Codes and Standards Quizzes For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org/quiz March 9, 2012 CSIA Technology Center CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review and Exam For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org March 12-16, 2012 Online CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org March 12-16, 2012 Online CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org March 19-23, 2012 CSIA (onlne) Health and Safety Week For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org/ safetyweek March 26-30, 2012 Online CSIA eLearning For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
Dates & Events March 26-30, 2012 CSIA (online) Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org March 26-30, 2012 CSIA (online) Chimney Physics For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org April 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2012 CSIA (online) Codes and Standards Quizzes For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA. org/quiz April 2-7, 2012 CSIA Technology Center National Chimney Sweep Training School For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA. org/NCSTS April 9-13, 2012 Online CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org April 9-13, 2012 Online CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
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April 13, 2012 Manchester, New Hampshire CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review and Exam For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
May 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2012 CSIA (online) Codes and Standards Quizzes For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org/ quiz
April 16-20, 2012 CSIA (online) Health and Safety Week For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org/ safetyweek
May 7-11, 2012 Online CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
April 23-27, 2012 CSIA (online) Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
May 7-11, 2012 Online CSIA Dryer Exhaust Technician Review For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
April 23-27, 2012 CSIA (online) Chimney Physics For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
May 11, 2012 Scranton, PA CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review and Exam For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
April 23-27, 2012 Online CSIA eLearning For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org
May 14-18, 2012 CSIA (online) Heath and Safety Week For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org/ safetyweek
April 27-28, 2012 The Chesford Grange Hotel- Kenilworth, Warwickshire NACS Annual Trade Show & Gala Dinner For more information, please email nacs@chimneyworks.co.uk or visit www.nacs.org.uk
Please send notice of your events for NCSG Dates & Events listings at mmcmahon@ncsg.org for inclusion here, in weekly posts to the discussion list and online at www.NCSG.org/dates. The event must be considered educational or informative for the industry (sales events and open houses will not be listed).
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BY MARK MCSWEENEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Perspective
Take It Personally
I
“We are not here in this world to compete with one another; we are here in this world to complement one another.” -John Maxwell
n my line of work I come across a variety of personalities. Admittedly I “click” more with some than others, but as someone somewhere once said, “It takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round.”
Over the past 25 years, my personality has certainly blended a bit with my wife’s though we’re hardly identical. But those differences compliment me and add value to me and our relationship. It’s a good thing she feels the same way...I don’t know who else could tolerate my quirks! It’s the same way in business. All of us bring our own personality into the jobs we do, and appreciating the differences among us, from our customers to our competition, ultimately makes us stronger and more effective. In a blog post to the internet site DeanHunt.com, blogger John Morgan noted that one of the biggest mistakes businesses make is not understanding that people want to do business with people. I couldn’t agree more. If there’s no personality in your business then it’s hard for customers and potential customers to connect and care about what you do. From the perspective of the average consumer, similar products and services are interchangeable. The blog referenced an example that I could relate to (and I suspect many of you can as well). I have a personal preference for Diet Coke over Diet Pepsi.
But if I go somewhere and order a Diet Coke and am told they serve Pepsi products, I’ll order a Diet Pepsi (or actually in that case a Diet Mt. Dew if they have it) and not think twice about it. Yes I have a preference, but there’s no relationship there so my product loyalty actually only runs as deep as the product’s availability. It’s easy to jump ship to a competitor when there’s no real connection. Putting personality into your business gives existing and prospective customers something to connect to. That connection is ultimately every bit as important as credentials or experience. Once people feel connected to you, it’s hard to break that... unless you completely mess up. Mastering the art and science of personality goes a long way toward helping to understand others. It can help you hire the right person. It can help you communicate more effectively to increase business. I’ve attended a number of personality related business seminars over the years and while approaches may vary, the underlying message is pretty consistent. When you learn to identify your own personality type as well as recognize the personality type of others you greatly increase your odds for success. When we understand why people think and act the way they do FEBRUARY/MARCH 12 SWEEPING 29
differences become more tolerable, we improve the ability to communicate effectively and minimize the potential for conflict.
then you can give your company the best part of you. Find others to help your business in areas you aren’t prepared to fulfill.”
My ENFP personality (one of sixteen types from the MeyersBriggs Type Indicator) means I operate from a strong sense of values and tend to focus externally where I absorb information and act largely on intuition. I like to initiate change and originate projects and then pass the details on to someone else to finalize. I like to be surrounded by imaginative and enthusiastic people, and prefer high-energy environments with variety and challenge (which explains why convention is among my favorite parts of my job). So while I may not always understand the perspective of someone who thrives on order and logic, tends to think in black-and-white terms and lives in the details, I appreciate that having those types of people around me makes any project we are working on one hundred times better. I can’t remember where I heard this , and it is not an exact quote, but without the dreamers in the clouds pulling the doers to their feet, the doers would never know their true potential. Without the doers, with their feet planted firmly on the ground, pulling the dreamers back to earth, the dreamers would drift away and never see the light of another day.
Each personality type can succeed in the business environment if you, the leader in your business, stay true to your character. Knowing firmly what your strong traits are will serve as a compass for your business. If you are building a team, this kind of insight can help you move mountains. If you are content as a solo business owner, understanding that you may need outside help to balance your business personality can have a profound impact on your success.
In his article, “The 9 Personality Types of Entrepreneurs” Darrell Zahorsky wrote “Your business personality type is the traits and characteristics of your personality that blend with the needs of the business. If you better understand your business personality,
I think true leaders, while perhaps not always popular, understand their own personalities and ultimately know the important questions they need to ask themselves every day. “What gets me up in the morning?” in other words, what am I doing every day and why am I doing it? Hopefully for most of us the answer is to have another opportunity to do work that has real meaning and improves the quality of life for others. Whether it’s for your family, your friends, your associates, your customers, or maybe even a random stranger your unique personality and drive has the potential to spark real change. “How can I help?” I think we as a human race are innately motivated to work for goals greater than ourselves. Leaders achieve through the efforts of others, so as leaders it is imperative that we create conditions for others to succeed.
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“Where can I influence?” influence is not about being the boss or being in charge. Particularly when times are challenging and resources are dwindling, it’s about knowing your personality and using its strengths where most needed to exert influence and encourage a positive outcome. In an article written right after Joe Paterno’s death last month, Yahoo Sports columnist Dan Wetzel wrote “Truly great leaders are measured by the lives they reached, the people they motivated and the legacy of their lesson that can extend for years to come, like ripples from a skipped stone across an endless lake.” We all have something to contribute to help complete each personal and business relationship we are in. Here’s to waking up tomorrow to discover the next opportunity to do just that. Until next time, I wish you every success!
Darwin Awards Have you snapped a photo of a peculiar chimney in your area that made you shake your head in disbelief? Send it to Melissa Heeke at mheeke@ncsg.org for publication in Sweeping. Or, mail it to NCSG, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168.
Customer complained that stove was smoking! - Submitted by Joe Sauter of Your Chimney Sweep, Inc. in Indianapolis, IN.
Display Ad Index Page #
Advertiser
Phone
Email or Website Address
10
Ahrens Chimney Technique
800-582-1392
ahrenschimney@qwestoffice.net
27
Communications Network
800-875-8118
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14
ENERVEX Inc.
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21
Firesafe Industries, Inc.
800-545-6607
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26
Gelco, Lyemance, Lock-Top
800-334-2154
www.GLLchimneyproducts.com
6 ICP
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Lifetime Chimney Supply LLC
877-234-7473
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7
Lindemann Chimney Company
800-722-7230
www.lindemannchimney.com
9
National Chimney Supply
800-897-8481
www.nationalchimneysupply.com
5
Olympia Chimney Supply
800-569-1425
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15
Sand Hill Wholesale
800-258-5496
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8
SaverSystems, Inc
800-860-6327
www.chimneysaver.com
30
Specialty Supply Company
800-331-9234
www.specialtysupplyco.com
13
Ventech Industries
866-439-0069
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3 Whitecaps
800-335-2534
www.whitecaps.com
32 Wohler
978-750-9876
www.wohlerusa.com
317-837-5362
www.csia.org
17-20
Chimney Safety Institute of America
FEBRUARY/MARCH 12 SWEEPING 31
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National Chimney Sweep Guild 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168
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