ControlTrends

Johnson Controls Introduces the VP140 Series of Pressure Independent Control Valves

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The VP140 reduces energy spend and improves tenant comfort

Johnson Controls rounds out it’s already prolific control valve line with the introduction of it’s VP140 line of pressure independent control valves.  The New VP 140 Pressure Independent Control Valves from Johnson Controls Saves Energy and Improves Tenant Comfort
 
In this post, we will take a look at the Johnson Controls VP 140, what makes the VP140 unique, and why pressure independent control valves are a control pros best friend. The video covers all this and more.
Johnson. Controls is not the first controls company to offer pressure independent control valves. If you follow ControlTrends, you know we re big fans of the pressure independent control valves offered by Belimo, Siemens and Honeywell. I have sold all of these brands and all are solid choices.
 
So why the Johnson Controls VP 140?  In my almost 40 years in the controls business ( yes I really am that old) , I have noticed that Johnson Controls might not always be the first out with a new technology, like the VP 140 pressure independent control valve. They tend not to rush a new product. They look for ways to make a technology better. Then they do massive quality testing before the product ever hits the street…..
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Episode 12: Next Generation Innovation

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EPISODE 12  –  Catching Up and Discussing Global BAS Challenges
 
ControlTalk Now the Smart Buildings Video Cast and Podcast will return next week. Aaron Gorka and Brent Burrows are stepping in this week with the Next Generation Innovation Podcast.
 
Aaron and Brent play some catch-up after a month away.  Brent had his first child almost a month-ago and Aaron’s been buzzing in and out of Toronto on Core Business. We bring in Controma the BAS Powerhouse from Poland. We discuss BAS challenges and different ways to tackle them with a Global perspective. Fun and Easy as always!
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HVAC Tech Tip: How to Control a VAV Box with Pneumatics

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Let’s get old school today. Believe it or not there are a lot of pneumatic controls still in the field. How do I know this? Because at Stromquist & Company we still stock and sell a ton of them every year.

In this HVAC Controls Training Video, HVAC Control Pro Tim Chanblee  shows you how to control a VAV box with a Pneumatic Controller…..

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The Data Driven Approach to  Making Money in HVAC and Smart Building Controls.

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The data driven approach to making Money, or more Money in HVAC and Smart Building Controls.

 
The ever informative Ron Zimmer is at it again. He gives us his unique perspectives, based on his years in the Industry and new research data from CABA.
 
CABA – the Continental Automated Buildings Association is the go to source for data driven competitive intelligence. They have the world’s largest research library, and help influence Industry trends.
 
We caught up with Ron at IBcon 2019. Ron shares his thoughts on the IBcon conference and how it relates to the research data from CABA.
 
Ron makes a very generous offer to our ControlTrends Community, if you want to make more money then watch this video and reach out to Ron.
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Having Trouble Discovering BACnet Points on Your Trane Voyager System?

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In the field with HVAC Control Pro Brent Burrows

A special thanks to HVAC Pro, ControlTrends Affiliate, Master Sytems Integrator, Young Gun, and all around cool dude, Brent Burrows as he takes us with him on a service call.

The Problem: BACnet points from a Trane Voyager system are unable to be discovered.

The Solution: Watch as one of Entek’s finest HVAC and Smartt Building Control Techs, diagnoses and fixes the problem.

Great stuff Brent! If you agree, let him know in comments by typing “Well Done.”

Be sure to check Brent out on the Next Generation Innovation Podcast with his co-host Aaron Gorka.

What does the Next Generation Have to Say About HVAC and Smart Building Controls?

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Episode 10:Next Generation Innovation

Next Generation Innovation HVAC Controls Young Gun Style

I am so excited to be sharing Episode 10 of Next Generation Innovation with you.

The Next Generation Innovation is a podcast and video-cast for the younger HVAC Control Pros.

Aaron introduces his new co-host Brent Burrows.  Brent is Building Automation Specialist at  Entek in Atlanta. Entek is one of the premier systems integrators in Georgia and Brent is a big part of their success.
Brent knows his stuff!
He works in the field everyday with HVAC and building automation controls and brings this knowledge to the Next Generation Podcast and to ControlTrends with his Tech Tip series.

Your hosts Aaron Gorka and Brent Burrows bring a fresh perspective to all things HVAC and Smart Building Controls.

 In this episode they give you their thoughts on Controls Con.

 Often Irreverent but never boring…

check out Aaron and Brent in Episode 10 of Next Generation Innovation.

Mechanical Systems and Control Systems How to Avoid The Blame Game

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How many times have you been on the job, and the customer is not happy: the Mechanical Contractor and Controls Contractor are red-faced, pointing fingers at each other and it has the look and feel of an MMA Fight gone wrong?

It happens more than you think. So how can this scenorio  be avoided? 

Young Gun Aaron Gorka goes back to school (literally back to school) to find solutions to the age old awkward  dance of mechnical vs. controls.

Aaron goes to one of Canada’s top technical colleges, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. He sits down with Jim Bechard and John Loncar two of the brightest professors in the HVAC and Smart Buildings controls field.

On this episode of Next Generation Innovation, you will hear an insightful conversation about how the different systems in a building are supposed to work. You will also get practical tips on everything from managing expectations to evaluating performance.

Thanks to Aaron, Jim, and John for passing on such excellent knowledge.

Episode 313 ControlTalk Now The Smart Buildings Podcast: The Power of Your People Network: Use it or Lose It!

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On Episode 313 of Controltalk Now the HVAC and Smart Building Controls Podcast we explore your most important asset: Your Network.

 
Most of us in HVAC and Smart Buildings are well versed in HVAC and Smart Building Controls Networks. How many of us have studied or understand our people and social networks?
 
 They call it the networked economy for a reason.And yes connecting smart building and HVAC control systems is a big part of the networked economy. But what about connecting people? You can have the greatest control networks in the world but if you don’t have any people in your network to buy, sell, and help support your great technology, then you are just another broke smart person.
 
One of my brothers definition of a consultant is someone who knows 9,999,997 different ways to make love but doesn’t know any women. Don’t be that person! More than ever it is more about who you know versus what you know. So how do you maximize your people networks?
 
As a teacher of mine once said, ” Effort plus Correct Theory equals Profound Results”. 
 
On this episode of ControlTalk Now , Ken Sinclair, owner-editor of automatedbuildings.com, helps us understand three theories to maximize our people networks:
 
1. separate and define your networks as different creative communities
 
2. Connect these different creative communities into strategic alliances
 
3. turn these communities into communities of practice.
 
Ken, who is filling in for Ken Smyers,  also helps me break down  the HVAC and Smart Buildings Controls of the Week, as only Ken Sinclair can.
 
 

Lot's more great content after the video, so please come back after watching...

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The Best New Product From Siemens…

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The best new product from Siemens...

that is a very difficult question to answer given all the new products and solutions Siemens is bringing into the HVAC and Smart Building Controls Space. 

  The Siemens new line of Variable Frequency Drives, their integration of Comfy and J2 Innovations into their suite of building automation controls, and Desigo are just a few that come to mind..You can click here and find out more from our interview with Siemens senior sales manager, Josh Felperin.

As cool and innovative as all those products are, I want to feature a product that might not be recognized  for just how special it is ….

The Siemens POL 220 is a carefully thought out, elegant new version of the economizer control. Siemens has reimagined, and redesigned the classic economizer controller.

Some of the things I really like about the Siemens POL:

  1. You don’t need any software to configure it. I am still old school at heart , so dip switches and potentiometers work for me. They make me feel young again! And the fact that Siemens made sure not to skimp on the pots and dip swiches, makes them feel good in the hand and easy to see.
  2.  I can select three free cooling strategies:  temperature, humidity , and even Demand Control ventilation based on CO2 sensors.
  3. The plug and Play Feature will automatically determine which configuration you need once you have your sensors wired and power up the controller for the first time.
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