Hammond Services Blog

Me and my Operations Manager, Wayne Hughes, just returned from 4-days of training at the NCI (National Comfort Institute) training center in Cleveland, OH. This was their Fast Track Implementation course for Performance Based HVAC Contracting. Learned a lot and developed a plan for conducting NCI on-site training for all of our employees. This will give us new technology and tools for measuring actual HVAC system “delivered” performance. Most contractors focus on selling their customers new, high efficiency HVAC equipment and expect it to deliver the rated BTUH’s and efficiency without any way to measure and prove what it is actually delivering into the home.

A new testing process, referred to as HeatMaxx and CoolMaxx, was introduced to us in the training we received. This gives us the ability to measure the HVAC sytems actual efficiency, comapring what the equipment’s rated performance potential with what is actually being delivered into the home. By doing this, we can identify opportunities for improvement, and with additional testing can pinpoint solutions. I am convinced these new testing methods will provide our customers with improved comfort and energy efficiency, not just on older systems, but even on newly installed systems. This is breakthrough technology for the HVAC industry, and I plan to lead Hammond Services so that we fully integrate this into our organization. All of our employees will be trained and equipped to perform this testing by the first week of July, 2010. If you want to learn more, please click on the following to read NCI’s brochure about this testing.

HeatMaxxCoolMaxxConsumerSeries

If you want to schedule a test for your home, or if you have questions, please call our office at 770-227-5325. We are excited to begin to roll this new technology out to our customers. I appreciate all of our customers and encourage you to have your HVAC equipment tested. The average measured system efficiency across the nation is less than 60%. After pin-pointing the problems areas, and making the needed adjustments, most systems can be brought up to 90% or better. This translates to better comfort and reduced operating costs. If you’re not in our service area (South Metro Atlanta), look for a NCI certified contractor in your area to perform this work.

David Hammond

For chronic “Do It Yourself” types or for those that simply want to save a few bucks, simple electrical wiring installations or repairs are nothing to be scared of if you simply follow some basic safety rules.  After all, 120 volts is nothing to be played with or taken lightly!

While it is true that 120 volts can possibly kill you, it is also true that by following some basic safety rules and techniques, the chances of that happening are highly unlikely.  Now that you feel better, let’s go over the rules for safely handling electrical wiring.
Check the rules set by your local electrical authority regarding permits in your area.  Some jurisdictions allow homeowners to work on their own electrical systems while others restrict the kind of work or work area, such as working on only the branch circuits and nothing larger.  Find out if you need to get a permit or if you are not allowed a permit at all.

While this should go without saying, we will say it anyway…always shut off the power before beginning any electrical wiring work.  You can do this by shutting off the breaker connected to the circuit you would like to work on.  Just about all distribution panels have a diagram or schedule displayed that will let you know which circuit is connected to which breaker, however, you may need to be careful in following these as they may be vague or changes might have been implemented by previous owners.  It may take a little testing to find the right breaker, but it is time well spent.

You can test that the breaker is completely off by using a voltage tester or a lamp or even a radio.  It is easy enough to plug in the meter (or whatever you are using to test it) to the area you are going to be working on and ensuring that there is no power available.  If you are using a lamp or radio, you just turn it on and then turn off the breakers one by one until the appliance also turns off.  Now you will know and can document which breaker controls that particular circuit for the next time.

Depending on what kind of work you are doing and if there are others around while you are working, you may want to consider posting a notice on the service panel so that no one will try to turn the power back on while you are working on the electrical wiring or even better, lock the panel.  Be sure to not restore power until the work has been completed. 

Make sure you NEVER touch the service wires that enter the service panel from the outside.  These 2-3 large wires remain live even if you shut off the main switch or breakers.  You also will not want to work near them with any kind of metal ladder and if you suspect that there is anything wrong or faulty about these wires then do not conduct any electrical wiring work yourself until you have contacted a professional or the power service provider in your area.
 
Again, common sense says to never work with anything electrical while there is water on the floor and to not be wet while you are working on anything electrical.  If there is moisture present and it can’t be helped, then you can put down dry boards or use a rubber mat while working.  You should also use common sense and not touch anything metal while working on electrical wiring.  Be aware of your surroundings and clear the area of anything metal before getting near a live wire. 

It may also help to use tools that have insulated handles.  These are the ones with a rubber or plastic coating and will not conduct the electricity easily if you do happen to touch a live circuit.  Make sure that your shoes have rubber soles or wear sneakers, and safety goggles or glasses are smart to wear while working.

As you complete your work on the electrical wiring, you can turn the power back on and test the work with a voltage tester or a lamp, etc.  But the smartest thing you can do is call a professional if you are not comfortable or feel intimidated by trying to work on electrical wiring yourself.