NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Don’t Put That Analyzer Away!

While some of us are already dealing with summer air conditioning work, in many parts of the country some of us are still dealing with heating. There's also a large number of contractors that aren't doing heating or cooling work because it is between seasons. This...

Don’t Let “Mother Nature” Control Your Summer Success and Profits!

We all love hot, humid and miserable weather in the summer because it's good for business. Unfortunately in many parts of the country that's not been the case the past few years, and for many, business just hasn't been what it should be. But should air conditioning be...

Don’t Forget the Burners!

What could be wrong with something so simple as a burner? Unfortunately, we assume that they are simple devices, but in order to function properly, several conditions have to be met. Burner Position Single burners like those on water heaters have to be perfectly...

Don’t Be Victor Frankenstein

Don't Be Victor Frankenstein In 1818, Mary Shelley published Frankenstein, her best-selling horror classic about an experiment that goes horribly wrong. Swiss student, Victor Frankenstein, uncovers the secret to bringing life to that which is lifeless. In assembling...

Does CO Certification Impact Your Liability?

What's my liability when I make the job right? This is a commonly asked question once contractors are taught how to diagnose and fix combustion safety and efficiency problems. My first response is another question: "Does ignoring or not diagnosing problems reduce your...

Do Your Customers Pay With a Smile?

Collecting money is one of the least favorite tasks for a small business owner. Many contractors would rather avoid the awkwardness and just send a bill. This can really hurt cash flow, considering how much you have tied up in a typical installation. Getting your...

Do You Get Paid What You’re Worth?

Vendor Spotlight, Rodney Koop, founder of The New Flat Rate.

Keying in on Relationships and Service

Distributor Spotlight, R.E. Michel founder, Robert E. Michel.

Diagnosing Water Heater Pilot Defects

Trying to solve water heater pilot problems is one sure way to experience feelings of frustration and uncertainty. The challenge is to learn to recognize all the conditions that can cause them to go out and then quickly bring to mind the host of repairs available to...

Diagnosing Cooling Systems

Compared to the majority of the service techs in our industry, airheads have a distinct advantage when it comes to diagnosing cooling systems. The general idea that the system is "working" means it's typically only producing 60% or less of the equipment rated BTU...