Thursday, February 28, 2008

Heating System School & Furnace Repair Training Opportunities

Heating and climate control systems are installed in virtually every residential and commercial building in the United States, and as the population grows, so will the number of Heating and climate control systems in use. This is one of the major reasons that the US Department of Labor list the HVAC job field as one of the fastest growing job markets in the United States through 2014.

With major heating system technician job market expansion comes a greater demand for trained heating service people. Heating System Training courses, which can be taken to become a Certified Heating System service person are quite cost effective and can be completed in as few as a few months. Many technical schools and trade schools offer heating repair training and heating installation classes. It is important that you choose the right heating school for your needs. It is suggested that you research your heating school training options and find a school that offers all of the following services:

  • Hands on heating system and furnace training
  • On site heating repair training
  • Credits acknowledged by University of Phoenix and many other universities and technical/trade schools
  • An experienced faculty and staff with industry experience
  • Financial aid assistance
  • Graduate placement assistance programs

Courtesy The Refrigeration School Inc Learn More About Heating System Schools

Both residential and commercial buildings are serviced by heating mechanics that must carry out installations, service the systems, and provide the needed repairs. Furnace installers, other wise known as heating equipment technicians, use the blueprints and specs to put in oil, gas, electric, solid-fuel, and multiple-fuel heating systems. Once the central equipment is set up, technicians will also put in fuel and water lines, ducts and vents for air, and pumps along with other parts as needed. Technicians will ensure that the system is performing properly, as well as making the proper connections between wires and their controls. A combustion test using carbon dioxide or oxygen testers will be used to check that the system is indeed working as desired.

In addition to furnace installations, heating techs will maintain and repair maintenance and the system as needed to make sure it is functioning properly. For example, technicians will make adjustments on the burners and blowers during the fall and winter because they are used the most during those seasons. When a system is failing, the thermostat, burner nozzle, and controls will be inspected in an attempt to identify the problem.

Whether this is your first job, a career change to a better job or the ability to upgrade your current job, The Refrigeration School, Inc (RSI) iof Phoenix AZ s an essential stepping-stone in your career path. RSI does not offer a simple "job placement" service but instead, we help you develop your career and give you the tools and strategies you need to take advantage of career opportunities.

The Refrigeration School, Inc or RSI trains you in the technical services that are needed today including Heating Repair training and Heating System school. RSI offers not only HVAC training but also assistance in seeking financial aid and our Placement Assistance staff works with each graduate to find the right employment.

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Friday, January 18, 2008

The Top 10 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Buying a Furnace or Air Conditioner

Purchasing a new heating, cooling or air quality system for your home is one of the most important buying decisions you and your family will make. Before committing to such a large investment, it’s important to do your research and ask some serious questions so you can avoid making the following mistakes:

1. Choosing an Unqualified or Unlicensed Contractor

Picking the right contractor could be the most important part of the furnace or air conditioner buying process – yet most people don’t ask enough questions to make sure the contractor is properly qualified and experienced for the installation. Always ask if they are members of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI).

Membership in HRAI, which represents over 1,000 contractors nationwide, shows that the contractor is qualified and reputable, as they must have the following credentials:

* All required trade licenses and provincial certifications

* Liability insurance up to $5,000,000

* Technical Safety and Standards (TSSA) registration

* Compliance with Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

* Compliance with Dispute Resolution Process

* Compliance with Ontario Environmental Regulations

BBB members are part of a nationwide organization dedicated to upholding the highest level of integrity and ethics in customer service, communications, advertising and dispute resolution.

2. Getting Only One Estimate

When you’re shopping for a new gas furnace or central air conditioner, you should always get more than one estimate. Ensure that each estimate is written on a proper form and always take the time to review and compare the quality of the equipment and warranties offered. Does the estimate include the removal of old equipment and materials? Are permits included in the estimate?

Be sure to pay attention to the Sales Consultant to see how knowledgeable and professional they are. How long have they been in the business? Did they explain all of the rebates that are available for your system? Your experience with the Sales Consultant could be a good indicator as to what type of service to expect from that contractor later on.

3. Always Going for the Lowest Price

You should always select a contractor that promotes the quality of their installation service and equipment at reasonable rates, rather than just picking the one that offers the lowest price. The lowest price does not necessarily mean the best value. For example, the less expensive contractor might not offer valuable services such as 24-hour emergency response or maintenance and service agreements after the installation.

4. Thinking Price is the Only Factor

The purchase price should not be the only important factor in your decision. The noise level of your new system is something you will have to live with everyday, while the energy efficiency of the system will determine how much your heating or cooling costs will be (energy efficiency is determined by the SEER ratings – be sure the Sales Consultant fully explains what these numbers mean). Choosing the right product for your lifestyle will allow you to live comfortably and save money.

5. Ignoring the Fine Print in the Warranty

It is important to fully understand the warranty that is being provided by each contractor. You should always inquire if the warranty covers parts only or both parts and labour. Also ask if there any extra charges above and beyond the warranty coverage, such as an after-hours service labour charge. Always ensure that the contractor provides you with a written warranty form for your records.

6. Forgetting to Ask About Insurance and WSIB Coverage

The contractor you deal with should always have public liability and property damage insurance. If sub-contractors are utilized, the contractor should also have the proper liability insurance. If the contractor isn’t insured, you could be held fully responsible for any damages to the equipment or your home during the installation process as well as any medical costs if an installer is hurt on the job.

Always make sure the contractor is in good standing with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. For large jobs, you may want to request a copy of their latest WSIB certificate.

7. Making Too Big of a Deposit

Holmes Heating Inc. does not request a deposit, unless the equipment is unique and subject to re-stocking charges in the event of an order cancellation. If a deposit is required, it should never be more than 20% of the total job and all payments should be made directly to the company named in the contract.

8. Not Asking for References

Reputable contractors will be more than willing to provide you with the names and addresses of customers they have done work for. Ask neighbours, family, friends and co-workers their opinion of any contractor they’ve used in the past.

9. Believing Your System Will Never Break Down

In case something goes wrong with your system, it’s always a good idea to make sure that the company you choose has after-sales service capability. Inquire if they have a full service department and ask how many service vehicles they have on the road. Do they respond to calls after 11 p.m. or on weekends? How quickly can they be there if you have no heat? Holmes Heating Inc. guarantees a 4-hour emergency no-heat response time to keep you warm in case your furnace quits in the middle of winter.

10. Lack of Proper Training or Instruction

Most contractors have a habit of installing the furnace or air conditioner and then leaving without explaining how to properly operate or maintain the system. This leaves you, the homeowner, with the task of trying to figure out exactly how to reset electronic thermostats and replace furnace filters (which can become quite costly if not done properly). Holmes Heating Inc. provides all of its customers with a free training DVD, which outlines these procedures, step-by-step, in a friendly and courteous manner.

Whether you're shopping for a new gas furnace or central air conditioner or you're looking for air quality and duct cleaning service to keep your family healthy, you can count on Holmes Heating for all of your heating and air conditioning needs.

www.HolmesHeating.com

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Friday, December 21, 2007

Stoke Your Body's Furnace With Low Carbohydrate Food

Though there are many different low carbohydrate diet plans, they are based on the same principles. When carbohydrates (such as starches and sugars) are consumed, the body's blood sugar level rises. To counteract high blood sugar levels, the body releases insulin, which in turn increases fat storage and decreases the body's ability to burn fat.

When a low carb dieter restricts carbohydrates, his or her blood sugar is only slightly raised, thus preventing excess insulin production. But many low carbohydrate dieters’ hopes are ruined by uncontrollable sweet cravings, hypoglycaemic mood swings, hunger urges and lethargy.

The truth about carbohydrate is that too much carbohydrate provides too many Calories and probably also has certain negative effects on blood glucose and insulin levels. Despite this however, the body must still have a minimum amount of carbohydrate (as glucose) to stay alive.

Although the brain and nervous system normally want the most glucose, these organs can get along without it in a pinch. But that's not true for certain blood cells and other types of cells. They must have a steady supply of glucose, because without it they'll quickly die.

For this reason, glucose is so important that your body will begin to make the glucose it needs for these cells out of muscle protein if it doesn't get enough carbohydrate from food. But, although possible, this is a stressful emergency reaction (called ketosis), which also makes you miserable with hunger, cravings, and many other unpleasant sensations. Obviously, dieting would be much more successful if we could avoid all that.

When your body runs low on any nutrient it needs to stay healthy, it naturally triggers hunger to make you go get it some more of that thing. But if you habitually eat foods that have too little of whatever it's running low on and too many Calories, you're going to get fat from this reaction.

Fortunately you can lose the weight again by simply reversing the process. To do so, you learn to eat things that have lots of what your body needs but not many Calories. When you succeed at this your body has no reason to trigger hunger and food cravings even when you're eating very few Calories and it's burning excess fat (stored Calories) to make up for this.

This reaction is as true for carbohydrate as it is for each of the other nutrients. If you eat too little carbohydrate, your body will trigger hunger because it needs a minimum amount of glucose every day to supply the cells that can't use anything else.

If you eat too much carbohydrate, you'll get fat because too much carbohydrate has both too many Calories and the aforementioned negative effects on blood glucose and insulin levels. So how much is "enough but not too much"? That amount is probably highly variable depending on your lifestyle. A stressful "go-go" day can require a lot of carbohydrate while a relaxed day probably won't. However, most scientists put the minimum amount of carbohydrate that most people will need in the range of 50-100 grams per day (which is 200-400 Calories from carbohydrate). This is the amount that prevents your body from starting to make glucose out of muscle protein.

Since most food labels list the amount of carbohydrate in the food you eat, tracking and controlling amounts is not difficult. Try to eat in the range of 400 Calories from carbohydrate per day. This will usually prevent the hunger and cravings that are triggered by too little glucose.

There are several other nutrients that also trigger hunger and cravings when you get too little of them - and which must therefore also be managed similarly.

Lo carb diets are all the rage and you can easily see why. While lowering your carbohydrate intake you thusly have to burn less calories, which means less exercise

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