#acimechanical – Keith Glasch's Blog

Working with the best: Price Industries

Price Industries is amazing at commercial HVAC applications

Price Industries is a leading manufacturer and supplier of commercial HVAC equipment and systems, known for their innovative GRD, Chilled Beam and noise control designs and high-quality products. However, what truly sets them apart from their competitors, like Titus, Nailor, or Greenheck, is their outstanding engineering support team, which provides unparalleled technical assistance to their customers. I see it firsthand in every interaction we have with Price Industries!

The engineering support team at Price Industries is comprised of experienced and knowledgeable professionals who are dedicated to helping our customers find the best possible solutions for their Air Distribution, Sound Control, Custom AHUs and ERVs and Operating Room systems. They ensure that every project is successful, from design to installation notes and beyond. The labs (Winnipeg is show above) are full of real world examples of HVAC equipment, many fully operational, providing great hands-on training.

One of the key strengths of Price Industries’ engineering support team is their ability to provide customized solutions that meet the unique needs of each project. They use advanced software like Price Predict (CFD Modeling) and basis of design tools to simulate and analyze different scenarios, allowing them to develop solutions that are both efficient and effective. This level of customization ensures that each HVAC system is tailored to the specific needs of the building and its occupants, resulting in optimal performance and energy efficiency. For real. We just taught another consulting engineer how to layout diffusers automatically with Ripple, a REVIT plug-in. How cool is that feature! Bonus: The Price people become your friends, they really care about you and others.

ACI Mechanical won the Price Cup in November 2022. We only won because Price Industries understands, and lives by one of our Core Values: Thrive Together. Thank you Gerry Price and the Price Industries family!

Sometimes simple control is better

The KISS method is one of my favorite acronyms, keep it simple stupid. It is not about insulting a contractor about their knowledge, it’s about making things easy. Decades ago the PENN electric switch company, bought by Johnson Controls in the 1980s, made a line voltage thermostat that required no outside power to operate. No internet of things, no calibration or BSME required to operate it.

We needed an thermostat to operate a Loren Cook Gemini exhaust fan to remove hot air in a lobby where we installed a condensing unit. The VRF unit is inside for demonstration purposes and when the training room need a lot of cooling we need to exhaust the heat outside. The Penn thermostat simply turns on the fan when the room gets above 78F. Simple 120V one wire current interruption when room temp is OK, engages when the room gets hot. So simple!

Gree Condensing unit with Price Industries exhaust grille connected to Loren Cook exhaust fan

Recognition for a job well done

Engineered Systems magazine article photo

Congrats to the ACI Mechanical and HVAC team for their recognition as an Ambassador of Energy Efficiency. The award comes from engineers and contractors recognizing the contribution that our team has made. Recognition is my love language, just ask my wife Margaret!

We love helping building owners save energy, and our mission statement “Helping Building Thrive” says it in three words.

Selling products from stock works

Reznor unit heaters in Portland on our shelves

“You can’t sell from an empty wagon”, said Bob Nichols, the owner of Allied Refrigeration in Long Beach, CA told me when I was a young sales engineer at Johnson Controls. It was 1989 and I was blown away with this distributor’s high value, high service model. Bob passed in 2012, but his words stuck with me.

Part of the 40,000 square foot warehouse in Seattle

Thirty years later, as I get to make decisions with our leadership team about how to service customers, it is clear to me that being a hybrid manufactures rep and commercial HVAC distributor works. We increased our on-hand inventory over $1M as supply chain disruptions ran up the lead-times for products. It turned out to be a great idea to buffer longer lead-times with real on-hand products. We are selling more of nearly all of our products because we actually have it.

Thanks for the tip 33 years ago Bob!

#hvac #supplychain #customerservice

3 easy tips to solve HVAC air distribution problems

We at ACI Mechanical solve cold office worker problems for our contractor and owners all the time. Here are 3 tips to make a difference for cold work spaces.

Change the airflow patterns of diffusers and grilles

Many ceiling diffusers or grilles have the ability to be adjusted or closed down. Many designs have maximum airflow rates that are over designed for actual building usage. Facility engineers (or you with a ladder) can reduce the total airflow directed toward occupants. Change the diffuser from a fixed style to adjustable to have a choice.

Price Industries diffusers have adjustable controllers

2. Install VAV Diffusers to control local zones without extra wiring

We installed a 10″ neck Acutherm Thermafuser in a small conference room at ACI Mechanical in Seattle, changing the room from freezing cold to a perfect 72 degrees. It took a ladder, a new Panduit strap to connect the existing flex duct to the new diffuser, and an Thermafuser to solve the problem. It was a 10 minute installation, before picture shown:

A ladder and a simple diffuser replacement

Acutherm by Price Industries Thermafusers

3. Use Preheat strategies on thermostats and building controls for morning warm-up

We use our Verasys building control system by Johnson Controls to preheat the building at 5am, before the first worker arrives at 5:30am in Seattle. This gives the three rooftops the ability to “catch-up” from a weekend of unoccupied setpoints.

Verasys smart building hub connects to JCI equipment, smartphone image superimposed

Changing the way air flows in a building can make a difference for occupant comfort all year long. It is worth the time and effort!

AHR Las Vegas is a success

HVAC product exhibit halls were busy with people at the opening day Jan 31, 2022. It was great to connect with industry leaders and talk business.

Big manufacturers like Johnson Controls, Carrier, and Daikin had large booths with the latest equipment. They were packed with mask wearing engineers and contractors. We had no fewer than 20 different meetings with factory reps outside of the expo and in. No where else can I go and get that all done expect to AHR!

Plus it’s Vegas, so you get free Chihuly art!

Nice equipment stands look big in person!

#ahrexpo #hvac

Positive review on growth in PNW, despite costs

Growth is happening at a quick rate in the Pacific Northwest. Natural beauty is all over the place. It costs more to live here, but people want to be around the mountains and water.

Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Boeing, and a host of others want to be where high quality employees can be found. We have seen high costs in construction, yet the work keeps coming.

Hermanson Commercial Construction Cost Index Q3 2021

Supply chain disruptions and steel prices contribute to the higher prices here, and expectations are the increase level off. My friend who leads a large retailer supply chain group says it might not get better until 2023!

At least I get to work through these problems in a beautiful place.

Finally back to near normal-let’s celebrate!

Six months ago we gambled by setting a July date for ACI Open House events in Portland and Seattle. You know…the kind where we shake hands, talk about products and projects, and frankly just connect in person. It looks like the right decision!

Seattle opens up “fully” on June 30th. The city celebrated 70+% vaccination rates, the first US City to make it.

If you are in Seattle or Portland during the week of July 12-15th stop by and say hello!