I got a chance to talk with Travis Haas from  Automation Components  Inc. (ACI ) about sensors. ACI is one of the leading manufacturers of HVAC sensors in the world. Based in Middleton, Wisconsin, they make quality temperature, humidity, pressure, and current sensors. In my interview Travis educates us on how to make the right choice when it comes to

sensor selection. Not all sensors are created equally, and the great news is that the sensors ACI makes in Wisconsin are some of the best in the world. Stromquist & Company keeps these sensors in stock in both our Atlanta and Florida locations. If you are not in Georgia or Florida, no problem; one of our affiliates at Controls Group North America can help you with your ACI sensor needs.

Click on the start button and find out how ACI can save you time and money when it comes to your temperature, humidity, pressure and current sensors.

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Products that perform their job so well that you just do not have to think about them are products that on today’s market seem few and far in between. Maxitrol gas regulators are among this line of products that we as suppliers and contractors have come to depend on.

Founded in 1946 Maxitrol’s headquarters are located in Southfield, Michigan.

The Maxitrol 325 series gas regulators are world renown for their use in the domestic natural gas market. The 325 series allows for inlet pressures up to 10 psig with certified 325 series for 2 and 5 psi systems and vent limiters to reduce the costs of installation by removing the need for a separate gas vent line to be installed by the contractor. New 325-7AL series regulator announced in July of 2010 takes the 325 series to new limits of capacities of over 1,000,000 BTUs. The larger RV series and 210 series are used by OEM boiler and burner manufactures worldwide.

Maxitrol’s  Selectra series of gas valves, amplifiers, and Selectrastat thermostats  with options of different temperature sensors allow the service and repair companies to add electronic modulation to Make Up Air applications and Space Heating applications for environmental climate control, as well as industrial or commercial heating processes.

Maxitrol’s PLUG1, is one of the most innovative devices for the homeowner. PLUG1 allows the homeowner to turn off the gas to an appliance, unplug the gas line, move the appliance for cleaning or any other reason, return the appliance, plug the gas line back in, turn the switch back on, and the appliance is ready for use again.

Plug 1 video (double click black box)

Smart solutions to everyday needs, keep Maxitrol, on top of your needs.

Stromquist and Company is proud to service your Maxitrol needs just give us a call at 1-800-241-9471.

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Johnson Controls

Eric interviews Chris Eichmann who is the director of product and systems sales North America for Johnson controls. In this interview Eric and Chris discuss everything from Johnson Controls AX DDC product offering to how the Johnson Branch, Johnson distributors and independent controls contractors can co exist in the marketplace.

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Tony Kelly is a controls contractor and trainer in New York City. Tony has created a a training series on DDC controls designed to allow the hvac technician in the field a way to learn about and become proficient on DDC controls.Eric and Kelly talk about DDC controls, open systems, and how to become a

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better controls tech. Look for Kelly’s excellent training videos and blog on Controltrends. To find out more about Kelly and his training courses please visit his website.

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AIC Wireless has developed wireless products for HVAC building automation control and monitoring applications. I sat down and talked with Bryan Pike, one of the owners of AIC Wireless, about the company and the reliable products they produce. AIC wireless products are a low cost alternative to long runs of wire or Lon cable to control points in unreachable locations.  Not sure if wireless is right for your application? Just click on the play button and find out.

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What makes AIC products special is that they are very easy to set up; they truly are “plug and play.”AIC wireless is a proven product with successful installations that range from wireless communications from several feet to up to six miles. One of AIC’s higher profile projects was connecting data points at Fort Benning Georgia. Among other things, the AIC wireless control system used their bidirectional transceivers to receive and transmit data over a very hilly Fort Benning terrain. The AIC transceivers used the LonWorks protocol to communicate between a local LonWorks controller and an EMCS control room server. For more information about all the control points that the base monitors and controls check out the case studyby LonMark International.

AIC Wireless can expand any new or existing network.  The AIC Wireless transceivers operate on a point-to-multipoint architecture, which means that one server transceiver can communicate with multiple client devices. The AIC wireless transceivers work well in near and non-line-of-sight applications, and ranges can go up to forty miles. In addition to the transceivers, you need to make sure you select the proper antenna for longer distances.

Let’s take  a look at a couple of the products:

WLD Series

If you are a Stromquist & Company customer or are located in Georgia or Florida please contact us at www.stromquist.com for more information on AIC Wireless Products others can contact one of our affiliates at Controls Group North America.If you are a Stromquist & Company customer or are located in Georgia or Florida please contact us at www.stromquist.com for more information on AIC Wireless Products others can contact one of our affiliates at Controls Group North America.

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What is social network marketing? In the HVAC controls industry, why should we care? Answers to these and other questions are explored with Mitch Joel, one of the leading digital marketers on the planet, and author of Six Pixels of Separation (2009). Social network marketing, or digital marketing, includes webtools like facebook, twitter, and  google. It is changing the way business is being done in new and exciting ways. When Google wanted to explain online marketing to the top brands in the world, they brought Mitch Joel in to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. Marketing Magazine dubbed him the “Rock Star of Digital Marketing,” noting he is “one of North America’s leading digital visionaries.” In 2006 he was named one of the most influential authorities on Blog Marketing in the world. Mitch Joel is President of Twist Image, an award-winning Digital Marketing and Communications agency. I had the pleasure to interview Mitch about social networking in the HVAC industry. He knows his stuff and what he has to say might surprise you….

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Mitch’s book SIX PIXELS OF SEPERATION (2009) is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand how digital marketing is and will be changing the way businesses connect.

Mitch does an excellent job of explaining how to create a digital marketing strategy .

The book includes inspiring useful steps to understand and utilize internet tools and why and how you should be using them.

Only after reading this book did I begin to grasp the enormous ramifcations of digital marketing. Non-participation is not an option.

Times are changing, and as an industry we must embrace these new concepts. A stactic website is not enough; you must have an internet presence that allows for open-ended two-way conversations.

In addition to this interview, check out Mitch’s book and his website for the most up-to-date ideas.  Chris Brogan and Seth Godin are other leaders in the social network marketing movement.

Locally, we have a real talent in Judi Knight and her group at New Tricks.  She has a wonderful free newsletter with information on the latest in social network marketing ideas. New Tricks helped us design the Control Trends website and we have found them to do quality work at an affordable price.

So fellow HVAC industry partners, a whole new world of digital marketing awaits us! Let’s sign up to play!  Follow me on twitter, sign up for Control Trends and let’s enjoy the ride.  Once again, thank you, Mitch Joel !

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Eric interviews the innovative Brian Turner from Control Co. Eric and Brian discuss everything from “open systems” and how a building owner can make sure they get a great integration job to the beautiful graphical interface that Control Co developed called prophetsuite. Check out this interview for the latest trends in building automation controls.

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Eric interviews the very interesting Pete Baselici from Watt Stopper, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of lighting controls. Topics include: Watt Stopper’s newest products,  “ladderless” commissioning, changes in the ASHRAE 90.1 lighting standard,the difference between ultrasonic and passive  infrared occupancy sensors, an inexpensive way to eliminate “phantom energy losses” and the new “forced on” lighting control strategy. So if you are looking for ways to save energy in your buildings or for products that can reduce your job installation time, this interview is a must listen.

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