ProTech HVAC

In August Bonney Staffing Service contacted me regarding the position, “Sales Engineer” that their client, Thayer Corporation, of Auburn, Maine and Pembroke, New Hampshire was trying to fill. After many interviews I agreed to take the position.

What does this mean for Protech HVAC as a separate business entity? It means that Protech is no longer acting as a contractor - service, or installation. But I, John Rocheleau, am available in the capacity of Sales Engineer at Thayer Corp., and consultant and expert witness as myself (where it does not conflict with my position at Thayer Corporation).

In that light, I can be reached for any HVAC/R design/installation/service projec(s), through Thayer Corporation: www.thayercorp.com , or 603-772-0374.

Further, in my capacity, as Sales Engineer at Thayer Corporation, I am happy to discuss any hand’s-on HVAC/R projects (that you seek help with). If you need a professional consultant, or expert witness, with respect to invention development and HVAC/R, then you can email me through this site.

The benefit of my joining forces with Thayer Corporation is that you now have access to hundreds of years of collective talent in areas of HVAC/R, too numerous to mention. Thayer Corp. covers all angles of what the acronym “HVAC” inadequately depicts, but suffice to say, Thayer will bend the scope of this field, from replacement of the 64,000 btu boiler in your residence, to Engineer, Install, nd Service ventilation systems on board oil drill platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Thayer is excited about, and competent with Green technology - Bio-Mass; Geo-Thermal and Solar, for residential and commercial applications. Thayer can do it all! You just have questions? We can answer them, timely. Call me on my cell: 603-662-3372, or in the office from 7:00 AM (Eastern) - 5:00 PM at 603-717-0374. I can also be reached at jrocheleau@thayercorp.com.

In summation, our collective  aspirations will benefit all those involved. I confidently say, if there is anything you need in heating; cooling; refrigeration; exhaust; make-up air; ventilation; process systems; geothermal; biomass; solar; and engineering/design/installation/service of the same, then you will feel comfortable with Thayer Corporation’s desire to be competitive, and technical competency.

We welcome your initiative in making the first move in developing a great long term relationship, one we endeavor to perpetuate for years to come!

John Rocheleau

On 8/17/08, Protech HVAC <protechhvac@comcast.net> wrote:

Dear Tom,

In HVACR, “Green” Begins with Conservation

And conservation begins at the design phase of any HVACR system, with installation (of efficient equipment) and service completing the energy conservation triangle. With 28 years in HVACR design, installation, and service, I can credibly assure the reader that I have witnessed the reality that a startling number of HVACR systems are improperly designed, installed, or serviced, which perpetuates higher fuel consumption throughout the life span of the equipment.

or…

The Role of The HVACR Wholesaler in Keeping America “Green”

The installing HVACR contractor is the common thread that connects the Wholesaler to the consumer and, fittingly, the Wholesaler would be wise to seize upon this opportunity to promote energy saving devices to the consumer, vis a vis the contractor.  This, of course, would require that the Wholesaler target the demographic most likely to respond to the economic squeeze that high fuel costs have put them in - the middle class.

or…

Tips From An HVACR Master / Inventor That The American Manufacturer Should Consider

An attentive manufacturer, you’ve noticed a dramatic influx of European HVACR equipment in the U.S. in the past 2 decades.  HVACR manufacturers from Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and innumerable other foreign countries have set up shop in the U.S. to satisfy the demands of the American consumer that were not being satisfied by American manufacturers. Tip #1: Creativity and the desire to make a difference will ensure companies in the U.S. will find firm footing in the fertile ground of the emerging “Green” economy.

Tom, please see my website for my bio http://www.protechhvac.com/about/ , inventions http://www.protechhvac.com/protech-inventions/ , and examples of writings on my blog http://www.protechhvac.com/the-protech-blog/
I hope you will consider my submissions for publication in the HVACR Distribution Business Show Guide. I have a multitude of HVACR-related topics that I could write about in the future, as well.

Sincerely,
John Rocheleau
Protech HVAC, LLC
603-817-2754

…Keep in mind that the state plumbing license does not include specific training for fuel gas systems or fire code, just for wastewater, and the current program for fuel gas is only VOLUNTARY. That means there are over 10,000 people in the state working on our fuel gas systems and appliances without demonstrated ability. It is legal for anyone to install, repair, modify or remove your gas heating system or appliance. How safe does that make you feel? Our family, along with many others can testify that even when you think you’ve hired a professional (in our case, a clean up and repair firm that was nationally contracted with our insurance company); they do not have to be trained for fuel gas in NH.The explosion in our Moultonborough lake house that took the life of our 5 yr old daughter Amilia is not an isolated incident. MTI industries, tracks gas related accidents. Across the nation, there is a gas explosion occurring nearly every day. (see MTI Industries.com. In Enfield, NH, a woman received permanent brain damage and her son and boyfriend died because of carbon monoxide exposure when a gas repairman failed to put the system back together correctly. Two people died in a fire and explosion at the Lilac Falls Motel in Rochester, NH., because of an incorrectly repaired gas furnace. Recently, in Grantham, the gas company failed to recognize an improper venting situation, and an outside tennis court exploded, causing one death and injuring two others. Recently in Amherst, there was an emergency carbon monoxide call due to an improperly installed gas water heater. Another incident in Hanover was caused because of installer error, which caused an explosion with tens of thousands of dollars in damage. The Amerigas case involved a Belmont family whose son died after the gas company repaired an LP space heater. And just recently, Maureen Syr testified about a situation in her Concord development where improper gas conversion installations have caused numerous problems that have failed to be remedied, eventually causing evacuation for carbon monoxide. A number of people have come forward with similar issues. She felt compelled to testify when a plumber she hired to install a new system, because the original installer failed to correct the problem, told her, “you need a license to install piping to flush your toilet, but you don’t need a license to work on a burner that uses combustible material” All these incidents and many more were due to improperly installed or repaired gas systems or appliances. The need for certification and provable, demonstrated capability to work with these explosive materials is evident.

Sen. Kenney testified that there have been six bills before the House and Senate since 1989, the year our son Andrew was born. Andrew and our other daughter Anna survived the fire, not without emotional trauma. I’m not sure they will ever truly feel safe anywhere again. I know I don’t. Please don’t let another tragedy occur before you pass this important piece of legislation. Please vote in favor of HB1711. For more information, please go to www.amiliaslaw.org

Sincerely,
Craig and Michelle Luhrmann

Dear New-Home Owner:

I am writing to inform you of how builders and their subcontractors are circumnavigating New Hampshire energy and mechanical codes, and why local code enforcement officials (the building/mechanical inspector) turn a blind eye. This is happening in your neighborhood! Possibly, you’ve been a victim.

Heating and air conditioning systems that do not meet energy codes will end up costing you a lot more money to operate. Plus, contractors’ code violations can pose a serious threat of injury, even death. (See “Amilia’s Law”: www.amiliaslaw.org Amilia Luhrmann, a 6-year old girl, was killed in her home from a gas explosion, caused by the acts of an unqualified worker in her home. Prior to the passage of Amilia’s Law in 2007, there was no license requirement of any kind for installers of HVAC equipment! Still, today, only a license for gas equipment service and installation is required in New Hampshire.)

In April I mailed 2,000 letters to builders in New Hampshire offering my heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) inspection service, to ensure that their subcontractor was installing the HVAC equipment in compliance with the New Hampshire Energy Codes, which follow the International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC), and International Mechanical Codes (IMC), which New Hampshire ascribes to. To date, just one builder hired me, but then refused to pay me when I cited 13 code violations in one unit of the townhouse development he was constructing, in Hampton Falls. The reluctance of the recipients of my letter to reply indicates to me how interested builders are in seeing that their HVAC subs’ work is in compliance with relevant energy and safety codes. Builders know homeowners don’t know the codes, or how to spot violations, so they are not concerned. They also know how much the Local Inspector will allow them to get away with.

Unfortunately, municipal building/mechanical inspectors allow numerous code violations to pass. Why? Because New Hampshire does not require licensing of “residential and building inspectors”, and the Public Utilities Commission will not enforce their own codes - they leave that up to the “Local Inspector”, who is pressured for political reasons not to enforce all codes. Further, many inspectors do not have formal training in the HVAC trade, nor do they hold any licenses. Unbelievably, the New Hampshire Legislature shot down House Bill 763-FN, on March 3, 2008. That Bill sought legislation “establishing the licensure and regulation of residential and building inspectors”. Still, the consumer must rely on the old adage: “Caveat Emptor” - buyer beware!

Most homeowners (and often, builders) assume they are getting a job done well, but really have nothing to base that assumption upon, as they are not in the HVAC business themselves, and the installer will always promote and defend his work. This is why you may need an unbiased, second opinion from an HVAC master.

I’ve been involved in nearly every aspect of heating, ventilation/exhaust, air conditioning and refrigeration for 28 years - the last 20 self-employed as a system designer, estimator, installer, service technician, consultant, successful inventor, and expert witness in New Hampshire Superior Court. Please visit my website www.protechhvac.com for complete information about my background, qualifications, accomplishments, and visit my Blog if you’re interested in expert advice.

How can I help you determine if there are energy consumption and/or safety concerns with your HVAC systems? For $250 I will inspect the HVAC system(s) in your home for:

• Proper design and equipment selection
• Adherence to the equipment manufacturer’s installation instructions
• Code-compliant system installation(s)
• Safe installations
• Any significant installation defects
• Ways to improve the energy efficiency of your system(s)

Also, I will provide:

• A written report outlining my findings

• Enumeration of any code violations, including the code names and numbers
• The names, addresses, and phone numbers of the code officials responsible for prescribing and enforcing the codes that were violated
• My recommendations for remedying any code violations and/or system defects, including cost to repair

Please call me anytime if you would like a free consultation over the phone, as well as information that I may have about other jobs by your builder that I’ve inspected.

Sincerely,

John W. Rocheleau