Do the math - get work (GrandPAH)

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_1

Twice this week, homework has paid off. Ran HVAC load calcs & in both cases, the other bidders simply looked at unit plates for sizing and in both cases, the units were oversized. The second one was reviewed by engineers for the municipality & I got called on the carpet for deviating from the existing unit sizes for both A/C and heating. Turned out the municipality officials were taken aback by our detailed report and asked the engineers to step in to review each of the bids. I met with the engineering firm and together we reviewed my Manual-J load calcs. Once they were comfortable with the info I provided, they went to bat for us and the job was awarded to our firm.

The engineers asked why we'd gone the extra mile and noted that none of the other bidders had bothered to measure the building for running heat loss/gain load calcs. They understood the long-term parasitic energy loss implications of oversizing. I told them there's an army of us out there - professionals doing their jobs - a routine exercise.

Ripple effect!

Told em they might want to check in on The Wall & that they'd find the army I mentioned.

Jim_65

Congratulations!

Mr. Yates,

It is very reassuring when you are awarded the contract simply by operating as you normally would everyday for each and every project by doing the calculations and not going on specifications of existing equipment.

I am still amazed (although I guess I shouldn't be) that both owners and builders think that everyone is created equal and operates under the same guidelines. The look on their face when you specify a boiler much smaller than the others who just peeked in and gave the mechanical room a once over can be priceless.

Last week a homeowner had to leave for work after 10 minutes on site. She said two things that I thought were very funny. The first was "Well I have to go to work the other contractors were finished in less than 10 minutes so I thought that would be enough time for you as well." The second was "Why are you measuring my windows and room sizes? Are you going to give us a bid on shades and hardwood floors?"

Even though I explained to her on the phone prior to committing to the appointment that generally initial site visits can be as short as an hour and as long as half the day depending on existing conditions of the system. After explaining the process of gathering data and information on this visit would be extremely beneficial in sizing the equipment to ensure her the most efficient system we could provide she called work to inform them she would be late. She then followed me around every nook and cranny asking numerous questions.

Keep up the great work and continued success!

Take Care,
Jim French

Al_19

Its dissapointing when the client assumes that because of the time you're taking, you're the guy that DOESN'T know what you're doing. Then begins the part where you try to convince them otherwise. You have to fight the good fight.

RianS

HVAC-Calc

Hey Dave, Which program do you use? I use one called HVAC-Calc and it works great. I have been using it for years and it's never been wrong. I am thinking about purchasing the commercial program for it. The bad thing is I cannot give on the spot estimates because I need the computer at the office to the input the info. Do you have something that works better?

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_2

replies

Jim,

We're gaining on the folks who cut corners. A few converts at a time, which sends out ripples each time we shatter that "glass ceiling". Same types of questions heard here: "no one else asked me.....". Funny how interested the customer gets once they find out you're the real deal.

Al,

Never give up - been fighting that good fight for decades. It used to really get under my skin when folks missed the truth and simply went for the first deal that gave them what they wanted to hear. We still lose more than I like, but now I can look at the scene and blame myself for not being an effective communicator or understand that they weren't open to hearing the truth. Either way, we sleep better knowing we did the right thing.

Rian,

For hot air & A/C it's RHVAC by Elite Software & courtesy of Rheem, which covers residential and light commercial - very speedy. I have it on my laptop (and office PC) along with other programs. 2-solar, 1-GSHP, 3-radiant, & 1-hydronic BB along with one for Manual-D. If only they spoke with each other

Sure beats my older manual printed sheets done by hand that took hours & hours.

Steve Ebels_3

Manual J the long way

That was why no one bothered with doing it. An 1,800 ft ranch house could eat up a day between the site visit, measuring and then the actual calculations. Hard to bill for that but it was and still is the correct way.

Chalk it up to another way the digital age has helped us to be better at what we do.

Dave Yates (GrandPAH)_1

and....

with a laser measuring device, the time is once again shortened.

Suspended ceilings and floor tiles can offer nice short-cuts too(G).