Students will pursue careers in the HVAC & Energy Industry Fourteen students have recently graduated from the PPATEC HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 13, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements Read more
HVAC
Students will pursue careers in the HVAC & Energy Industry
Fourteen students have recently graduated from the PPATEC HVAC & Energy Professional Program. On September 13, the PPATEC (Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center) held a graduation ceremony for the students. The event featured spouses, parents, grandparents, and employers present to celebrate the student’s achievements as well as acknowledging their exciting new career choice.
The September 2024 HVAC & Energy Professional Program graduates included Anthony Morales (Pottsville, Schuylkill County), Christopher Falbo (Shippensburg, Cumberland County), Devon Spadt (Palmerton, Carbon County), Dominic Cruz (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Dywan Blanding (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Jaionne Miller (Lemoyne, Cumberland County), Josh Shore (Dover, York County), Juan Harris (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Man Singh Magar (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Marquan Whiting (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Michael Mooney (New Oxford, Adams County), Pupsa Kafle (Harrisburg, Dauphin County), Tate Petrides (Aspers, Adams County), Walker Martin (East Earl, Lancaster County). Six of the fourteen graduates were $3,000 recipients of the Robert V. Boltz Scholarship Foundation.
The following students will be entering the workforce immediately upon graduation:
- Anthony Morales (accepted a position with Rick’s Refrigeration & Heating, Inc. prior to graduation)
- Devon Spadt (enrolled as an employee of RF Ohl while attending the program)
- Dominic Cruz (accepted a position with Home Climates prior to graduation)
- Dywan Blanding (accepted a position with HL Bowman prior to graduation)
- Juan Harris (accepted a position with Suburban Propane prior to graduation)
- Michael Mooney (accepted a position with Suburban Propane prior to graduation)
- Tate Petrides (accepted a position with Zimmerman Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning prior to graduation)
- Walker Martin (accepted a position with Kauffman Gas prior to graduation)
PPATEC, an arm of the PA Petroleum Association (PPA), offers leading hands-on technical training solutions for the HVAC and energy industry. The PPA is a not-for-profit trade association representing 450+ energy stakeholders. PPATEC is a postsecondary entry-level career training institution licensed by the State Board of Private Licensing Schools and is approved by the VA to accept GI Bill® benefits.
In 2022, PPATEC launched its HVAC & Energy Professional Program, a 10-week, hands-on curriculum tailored to provide the skills needed to secure a job in the HVAC and energy industry. Since then, graduates of the program have routinely enjoyed multiple employment offers, often graduating on a Friday and going into a new career the following Monday.
According to Ted Harris, PPATEC’s Executive Vice President, there is a state-wide shortage of more than 2,000 HVAC and energy technicians — jobs with an average annual salary well above $50,000. PPATEC created its entry-level training program to help PPA members fill that pressing need. “We’re glad to play a role in preparing these — and other — young men and women for family sustaining careers in an in-demand field,” says Harris.
Candidates have multiple opportunities for financial support. Veterans can use GI Bill® benefits to defray the cost of the program. PPATEC also routinely offers scholarships to candidates. In addition, PPA members have an opportunity to sponsor a candidate entering the program. To learn more about PPATEC’s program, visit https://ppatec.com/.
https://vimeo.com/1011041888 Welcome back to our weekly update. Today is Friday, September 20 2024 and here’s what’s happening in the plumbing, mechanical and HVAC world. In this edition, we talk ServiceTitan Elite Trades Championship Series, what’s happening in Washington DC these days, and NEXSTAR Network’s Super Meeting Read more
Welcome back to our weekly update. Today is Friday, September 20 2024 and here’s what’s happening in the plumbing, mechanical and HVAC world. In this edition, we talk ServiceTitan Elite Trades Championship Series, what’s happening in Washington DC these days, and NEXSTAR Network’s Super Meeting.
The Refrigerant Detection System Calculator is built into the Ducted Systems Solutions app, allowing contractors to easily and quickly determine if residential or commercial HVAC projects require a Refrigerant Detection System The Ducted Systems Solutions app is a centralized resource to find equipment information, including step-by-step installation guides and videos for commercial rooftop units and Read more
- The Refrigerant Detection System Calculator is built into the Ducted Systems Solutions app, allowing contractors to easily and quickly determine if residential or commercial HVAC projects require a Refrigerant Detection System
- The Ducted Systems Solutions app is a centralized resource to find equipment information, including step-by-step installation guides and videos for commercial rooftop units and residential HVAC equipment
Johnson Controls Residential & Light Commercial has announced the launch of its Refrigerant Detection System (RDS) Calculator within the Ducted Systems Solutions (DS Solutions) mobile app. A first for the residential and light commercial HVAC industry, this innovative calculator is designed to help users determine the need for refrigerant detection systems based on specific conditions such as space dimensions and the amount of refrigerant being used.
This calculator is part of Johnson Controls’ broader initiative to transition to more environmentally sustainable refrigerants, like R-454B, which has a lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to traditional refrigerants. The calculator is also designed to assist contractors and distributors with simple step-by-step installation instructions if they determine a RDS is needed.
“The transition to low-GWP refrigerants has been complex, as building codes that reference safety standards vary from state-to-state,” said Chris Forth, vice president of regulatory, codes and environmental affairs, Johnson Controls. “Our goal is to make the transition as seamless and confusion-free as possible for contractors and distributors so they can focus less on calculations and conversions, and more on providing efficient, safe and compliant installations. Our user-friendly calculator gives straightforward recommendations in just a few, simple steps.”
Available within the company’s DS Solutions App and product selection tools, the patent-pending RDS Calculator prompts users to answer a few questions about the job, such as refrigerant volume, supply air discharge height, total area being conditioned and potential zone impact. Once submitted, the calculator provides an immediate report summary and indicates if an RDS is recommended to ensure the application is compliant with current standards (UL/CSA-60335-2-40, 1). The report will also flag additional mitigation details, including whether additional exhaust air is required in the conditioned space, and provides a rationale report so contractors can easily act on the results.
A year of research went into the development of the RDS Calculator, including close collaboration with safety agencies to confirm compliance with current standards. The calculator is being launched alongside the shipment of the company’s newly updated A2L portfolio of residential and light commercial ducted HVAC products.
To comply with safety standards and ensure customer safety, new R-454B equipment can be equipped with a factory-installed refrigerant detection system engineered to detect refrigerant concentrations as determined by the safety standards and building code requirements. If a leak is detected, the RDS activates an alarm sequence and automatically shuts down equipment compressors, de-energizes attached ignition sources and activates airflow circulation to prevent the refrigerant from reaching its lower flammability limit.
Launched in 2022, the no-cost DS Solutions App provides contractors with instant access to commercial and residential equipment information such as installation guides, parts list, start-up sheets, warranty information and training videos to help streamline installation, troubleshooting and maintenance processes. This digital resource was designed to help enhance contractor efficiency by reducing the need for physical manuals and paper assets that can be time-consuming to navigate and sort through while on the job site.
The DS Solutions App is available for Android and iOS and can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/ds-solutions-app.
Taco has announced the launch of its innovative Manager Development Program (MDP), a transformative global initiative designed to cultivate leadership and foster professional growth. Developed in partnership with DDI and DiSC, the program reflects Taco’s dedication to investing in the development and success of its people. “At Taco, our employees are at the heart of Read more
Taco has announced the launch of its innovative Manager Development Program (MDP), a transformative global initiative designed to cultivate leadership and foster professional growth. Developed in partnership with DDI and DiSC, the program reflects Taco’s dedication to investing in the development and success of its people.
“At Taco, our employees are at the heart of everything we do,” said Cheryl Merchant, CEO of Taco Family of Companies. “By nurturing our team’s talents and equipping them with essential tools, we not only unlock their full potential but also drive our collective success and growth as a global organization.”
The MDP is designed to meet the unique needs of managers while aligning with Taco’s strategic vision. With a focus on clarity and effective communication, the program ensures that content is accessible and actionable, thereby enhancing overall interactions and interpersonal skills.
“Taco is committed to advancing global employee development through cutting-edge programs and key alliances,” said Victoria McCoy, EVP of Global Human Resources at Taco. “Our collaboration with DDI and DiSC marks a significant shift from traditional learning and development practices to a more strategic approach that aligns with our organizational goals. Together, we’ve crafted a program that embodies Taco’s values, culture, and objectives, ensuring a unified leadership strategy worldwide,” concluded McCoy.
In essence, the MDP integrates modules that aim towards developing self, managing others and leading the organization. By providing a cohesive leadership framework across all regions, the program helps Taco forge meaningful connections and empowers its employees to reach new heights.
For additional information about the MDP or to explore career opportunities at Taco, please visit the Careers page at www.tacocomfort.com/careers.
Acquisition extends a long-term strategy for market growth and channel expansion. Atlanta—Rheem has announced its intent to acquire Nortek Global HVAC (NGH), a leading manufacturer of air conditioning products, from Madison Industries. NGH is based in O’Fallon, Missouri with manufacturing in Saltillo, Mexico, and a distribution center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. “Nortek Global HVAC has Read more