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There’s an App for That

May 15, 2012 / Elisabeth / No comments

Smartphone market leader Apple has transformed the way people access data, with 98% of iPhone users using the data features on their phones. Even though Apple has made it consistently harder to publish an app over time, the HVAC industry was lucky enough to launch two iPhone apps in the past three months!

The most recent app is the “Ideal Gas Flow Rate Calculator” which helps installers by timing the gas flow and processing the formula.  Complicated conversion charts are needed no more, all you have to do is choose the type of meter, and follow the simple steps. Features within the app include:

U6 Meter Function:

  • A start/stop timer which automatically converts the time taken to burn 1ft3 of gas into a flow rate in ft3 and m3
  • Automatically converted heat input in kW and BTUs/hr

E6 Meter Function: All you have to do is type in the meter reading, start the two-minute timer, enter the new reading when prompted, and the results just simply pop up.

This is the first time that heating engineers can be provided with access to such an accurate measurement, and the best part is the app is free to download! http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ideal-gas-flow-rate-calculator/id507399951?mt=8

The predecessor of the Ideal Gas Flow Calculator is the “Ideal Boiler Sizing Guide” app which over its lifetime has already averaged around 500 downloads per month! Sizing a modern condensing boiler is a vital part of any central heating quote and is essential to the efficiency of the boiler. As the accuracy of sizing increases, so does the efficiency rating.  The Ideal Boiler Sizing Guide will make this task a lot easier by accurately calculating the boiler output required for a property in just a couple of minutes after entering project details. Entering the property type and measurements, location, window, and wall and roof type of the project are the details needed to complete the calculation. The app also conveniently stores customer details and the corresponding boiler output required for access wherever it is your job may take you. You can download it here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ideal-heating-boiler-sizing/id440553445?mt=8

So now for any need you may have, even carrying over into the HVAC industry– there’s an app for that!

Category: HVAC Service / Tags: , ,

A Closer Look at One of our Project Coordinators: Micah Alexander

May 7, 2012 / Elisabeth / No comments

 

Working for Bruner for 13 years, Micah Alexander holds the title of Project Coordinator. She considers herself a “concierge” because she helps with all projects here at Bruner, ranging from small to large. Because of her role, her favorite part of working for our company is that she never knows what is going to happen when she walks through the door in the morning. This exciting uncertainty is a good thing for Micah because it prevents her from ever getting bored with her job. She also firmly believes that you can do anything you put your mind to, and tries to be a walking example of that every day.

Outside of Bruner, Micah loves to swim at her local gym. She says that it “gets rid of a lot of stress” which helps her relax. Her favorite food is simple, as she enjoys cheese pizza. The sports teams that she cheers on the most are any teams that her sons play on. Along with her love of winter, coincidentally her favorite holiday is Christmas. When she takes time off for vacation, Micah’s favorite spot is the internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining—Las Vegas.

Category: Employee Spotlights / Tags: , ,

Boiler Replacement: Start to Finish in 4 Days

May 2, 2012 / Lauren Coker / No comments

On Friday, February 17, around noon, Service Technician Steve Haag received a call from the Kroger regional office in Westerville indicating that they had a leak into the first floor offices below the mechanical room. Haag’s immediate action was to find the leak and identify its cause. Once at the Kroger office, he found that the leak was coming from their thirty-year-old Ajax fire tube boiler.

Project Engineer Chip Neville was contacted to come up with options for which to rectify the situation. “A repair of that style boiler requires special certification welding that only a couple of people in central Ohio have,” Neville said. “Unfortunately, our certified technician was out of town on another service until late the following week.” By the time he arrived at the Kroger office at about 2:30pm, Haag had the system opened and they found more than just a few tubes were leaking.

The two deduced that a repair was not an option and turned their focus toward a new system. Neville had checked options on his way over with Kevin McGovern Associates and Herbert & Conway, and while on site, he received pricing from both. With those costs in mind, the Bruner team discussed options with Kroger representatives with regards to equipment availability, efficiency, cost, and timing.

By 5:00pm that day, Neville presented firm budgets and a recommendation to Kroger’s Senior Engineer, Eric Wagonknecht, with a target of having the new boiler in place by the end of the following week.

Wagonknecht asked the Bruner team to proceed with a modular boiler option called EVO by Hamilton Engineering. Thanks to Kevin McGovern and the late night put in by the Hamilton Engineering team, the boiler was ordered and its assembly started by 6:00pm.

After tremendous effort by the entire Bruner team, the system was ready to be started by the end of the day Thursday – less than one week after discovering the problem. By 10:00am on Friday morning, the Bruner team had the heat back on in the building just as outdoor temperatures dropped. The replacement even managed to increase system efficiency from 76 to 95 percent.

Thanks to the Bruner team for their incredible diligence and efficiency in delighting our customer with excellent service: Steve Haag, Larry Carver, Don McNeal, and Rocky Carr, with assistance from Kevin McGovern Associates and Hamilton Engineering.

If you’re worried about your mechanical systems, check out our e-book for 9 tips to keep them in tip-top shape!

Category: HVAC Service, Projects / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Employee Spotlight: Kirk Wilson

April 27, 2012 / Elisabeth / No comments

Kirk Wilson is currently Bruner’s Computer-Aided Design (CAD)/ Building Information Modeling (BIM) specialist and has worked for us for 6 years. As a member of the CAD department, his primary responsibilities include conducting and managing BIM/VDC coordination and practices, along with fulfilling other CAD and project presentation needs. Kirk’s favorite part of his job is being able to work on a project team assisting others in order to make the project successful. Additionally throughout the six years that he has been with Bruner, Kirk has always enjoyed seeing buildings and other objects coming to life from an empty piece of land.

When he’s not on the job, Kirk enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and working on home projects. Also in his free time he cheers on the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. His “absolutely favorite” foods are steak or chicken on the grill. His favorite vacation destinations are Florida and the Caribbean.  His favorite day of the week happens to be Friday, and finally his favorite holiday is the 4th of July.

 

Category: Employee Spotlights / Tags: ,

Fast Track Prefab for Scioto Downs Casino

April 23, 2012 / Lauren Coker / No comments

The Scioto Downs Casino is a fast track project. The construction of the building must be concluded in six months, with all HVAC and plumbing finished in months two and three of the project.

Bruner Corporation has performed many fast track jobs in the past, but not as short as this. In order to accomplish this task, prefabrication was a necessity. Bruner developed an aggressive plan that entailed the prefabrication of all ductwork and plumbing fixture rough-in piping systems in our shops. The fixtures would subsequently be shipped to the project on a just-in-time basis.

The prefabrication process consisted of 60,000 pounds of ductwork and 2,500 feet of waste and vent, and domestic water piping. Modular restroom assemblies were prefabbed for 161 fixtures. Twenty-one batteries were shipped to the project, rolled in to place, and finish piped in four weeks.

Bruner met our commitment to our customer with the detailed planning and coordination between our fab shop and field teams.

Thanks to all those who made this project a tremendous success.

Category: Construction, Projects / Tags: , , , ,

Glenn Hagler Enjoys Customer Focus

April 17, 2012 / Lauren Coker / No comments

Glenn Hagler

Glenn Hagler isn’t one for titles, but when he has to have one, he’s the Director of Business Development for Bruner. That means his job is to help our customers identify and quantify the value of their energy efficiency opportunities. “I get to help them save money and the environment,” Hagler said. He enjoys getting to focus solely on our customers. “When we do it right – and we normally do – we help them improve their facilities, reduce their energy consumption, and develop a trusted, long-term partnership with Bruner.” Despite all the great work he has done with our customers thus far, Glenn still considers himself “the new guy,” having only been with the company for less than one year.

,p>When he’s not working, Glenn likes to play tennis and golf, but he really cherishes the opportunities to watch his kids compete and succeed, whether the competition is in sports, arts, or academics. “It’s all good!” Glenn said – a saying that rubbed off on him from close colleague Eric Kuns. Glenn also enjoys football Saturdays when he can watch the Ohio State Buckeyes, indulging in desserts, and vacationing at the beach.

Glenn also shared a story with me regarding the dog he bought for his children and nearly killed in a headstand accident, but I’ll leave out the gory details.

Category: Employee Spotlights / Tags: , , , ,

Visitors to Columbus’ Santa Maria can safely explore thanks to Jim Clark and Bruner Corporation

April 11, 2012 / Elisabeth / No comments

The Santa Maria Ship Museum in downtown Columbus welcomes all visitors to its 21st year in exhibition. In preparation of the 2012 tour season, improvements were made to the riverfront destination. One of these improvements included new safety rail installations attached to the

Visitors Center dock. With donated steel from Bruner Corporation, Jim Clark, Senior Design Engineer, spent his weekends designing & constructing the necessary safety rails. The challenge was positioning the rail posts deep enough below the dock to securely stabilize them. The finished design resulted in new, safe & secure dockside chain railings. Several Bruner employees also contributed to the effort including Rocky Carr, Purchasing Manager, and Kenny Brown, Fabrication Shop Foreman.

On behalf of Santa Maria, Inc., and the ship’s governing board of officers; Jim invites you to visit the ship this season. More information on tour hours and rates can be found at http://www.santamaria.org. Learn about the experience & adventures of our city’s namesake, and while you’re there, take notice of Jim’s hard work!

Category: Events / Tags: , , ,

Is Your HVAC System Prepared for April Showers?

April 2, 2012 / Lauren Coker / No comments

With April showers well on their way, one customer asked the question, “How does all this rain affect my HVAC system?”

Bruner Engineer John Mrofchak has the answer:

An air cooled condensing unit could operate more efficiently with a lower discharge pressure when it is raining outside or when cooled with moisture. However, air cooled condensing units are typically not designed to be continually sprayed with moisture. Continual moisture could create several issues, including electrical, compressor, and condenser coil damage.
Compressor damage could result by water spray overcooling the condenser, and liquid refrigerant returning to the compressor. Compressors are designed to compress gas, not liquid. The refrigerant in an air conditioning system changes state from liquid to gas as part of the air conditioning process.
The condenser coil could be damaged by poor spray water quality. Another type of outdoor condensing unit is an evaporative condenser. If you have an evaporative condenser, you’re in the clear; they are designed to be continually sprayed with moisture.

For a more detailed explanation or assistance preparing your systems for the influx of moisture, contact Bruner Corporation at (614) 334-9000.

 

Category: HVAC Service / Tags: , , , , ,

Excelling with Energy Dashboards

March 23, 2012 / Lauren Coker / No comments

Many software programs come with dashboard features these days, and many facilities professionals fail to use this feature to the fullest potential.

What are dashboards, anyway?

Dashboards are a great way to turn raw data into actionable, presentable information that’s easy to share with others. The visualization dashboards provide can also be particularly effective and useful for tying several sets of data together and better impacting you bottom line.

Why should I, as a facility manager, use dashboards?

I’m sure you know that facilities are not perfect when it comes to operations and processes. Constant improvement and maintenance is necessary. Dashboards provide you with additional insight into the processes of your building, which in turn allow you to uncover new ways to make your facility run more efficiently.

What’s so special about dashboards?

The availability of intelligent instrumentation enable facility managers to extract much richer facility operational data than in the past. In the past, you may have integrated your data in a spreadsheet, and that spreadsheet may have even contained some pattern and trend visualizations thanks to spreadsheet tools. However, today’s dashboards take this visualization to the next level. Now you’re able to include multi-dimensional charts, time-series charts, gauges, and other displays, which make it easier for your audience to focus on key performance indicators.

Category: Energy Conservation, Facilities Management / Tags: , , , , ,

Spring has Sprung: Schedule Your Seasonal Inspection

March 20, 2012 / Lauren Coker / No comments

Depending on the contents of your service maintenance agreement, you may be due for a spring inspection. Spring inspections are vital to your system to prepare it for the cooling season. There’s nothing worse than system malfunctions with temperatures topping out in the 90s or 100s!

What should your service technician be inspecting?

The inspection of your outdoor condenser unit is most important and has the greatest significance of your cooling system. The technician should check for proper refrigerant levels; a system that is low on refrigerant will run for longer periods of time, consuming more energy. They should also inspect the system base pan for restricted drain openings, coil and cabinet, fan motor and fan blades for wear and damage, control box, associated controls and accessories, wiring, and connections.

Additional tasks your service technician may perform:

  • Installing gauges and checking operating pressures
  • Checking voltage and amperage to all motors
  • Checking air temperature drop across evaporator
  • Checking for adequate refrigerant charge
  • Looking for any visible signs of leaks
  • Oiling motors if needed
  • Checking belts and adjust tension (if needed)
  • Checking pressure switch cutout settings
  • Checking reversing valves
  • Adding 1lb. of R-22 or 410-A refrigerant (if applicable)
  • Checking all wiring and connections
  • Changing air filters
  • Checking electrical lockout circuits
  • Checking starting contractors
  • Cleaning condenser coil (if needed)
  • Checking and adjust thermostat
  • Checking air temperature across condenser
  • Checking that condensate drain is open
  • Checking and cleaning disconnect

During the spring isn’t the only time you should be worried about your HVAC system. Check out our e-book for 9 Tips to Keeping Your Mechanical Systems in Tip-Top Shape all year round!

If you’re in need of a preventative maintenance agreement, please contact us to ensure your systems are all set for the coming months!

Category: HVAC Service / Tags: , , , ,
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