Having worked on both sides of the design and build business segments, I thought I’d share my own experience with how estimators and contractors, along with the in-the-field workforce, can contribute to the optimum HVAC system design when working with the consulting engineer as a team. 

This month, we at Engineered Systems magazine celebrate and highlight the winners of our 20 to Watch: Women in HVAC contest. 

This month, I will continue to discuss the forgotten skills of steam system design. 

When I started out at an HVAC consulting engineering firm back in the 1960s, our services were primarily focused on hospital design engineering. Back then, steam system engineering was standard for those building applications.

With variable refrigerant flow (VRF) HVAC systems growing in popularity, engineering refrigeration systems can become very intimidating to many design engineers.

Almost from the start of my HVAC career, I have made it a standard practice to create checklists, use checklists, and continuously improve upon them over the years.

Last month I discussed the niche business of troubleshooting and the pertinent things to do in preparation of the data collection, data analysis, and eventually the potential solution(s) plan. This month, I’m going to continue with this topic, focusing on water-side problem solving.

Back in July 2007, I wrote in this column on how troubleshooting can be a niche business, and it certainly has been for me over the years.

Last month, we discussed having a mid-year sales strategy or course correction. I suggested one should start to plant the seeds to provide a better product at a better price from a team rather than simply sell commodity products to HVAC contractors.

You’re in sales, and you’re looking at your mid-year sales performance and disappointment is setting in. The sales may be in HVAC equipment or it may be consulting services.