For their third mission, Blake, Brenan and Michael were challenged to help us bridge the skilled trades gap. We asked them to talk to the industry and their peers and to think about it themselves - then tell us what we can do as an industry to attract and...
We've heard several misconceptions and stereotypes related to the HVAC industry…so we challenged our Mission: HVAC educator, Chris Walters, to tell us about what he hears about the HVAC world, along with some ideas to combat these common misconceptions and stereotypes...
For this challenge, we asked the Mission students to get out into the field to shadow a local HVAC pro and then tell us about their experience and what they learned.View BlakeView BrenanView Michael Blake Hodge: Going Through the ProcessFor my job shadow,...
When taping a plenum, it is recommended to use a UL Listed foil tape. The plenum is usually made from sheet metal and is connected to the supply outlet of an HVAC system.
The skilled labor shortage has taken over headlines in the past few years and with the continued (and ever-growing) demand for technicians, the HVAC industry is facing a crisis.
When it comes to choosing the right duct tape for the job, it’s important to understand how they are tested and measured. Below are common tape performance characteristics to consider: Thickness, Adhesion to Steel, Tensile, Shear, Tack, Elongation, etc.
For their first mission, we asked Blake, Brenan and Michael to tell us a little more about their interest in HVAC and perspective they have on the industry. To tell us more about how they define HVAC and why it's important, where they got their knowledge...
When it comes to apartment and multi-housing complexes, tape is a must-have tool for a variety of jobs, from tasks around the front office and keeping up with grounds and landscaping to construction, remodeling and general maintenance. Here are some tapes to have...
There’s no denying the impact that an HVAC technician can make on a family or the employees of an organization when you consider the importance of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). IAQ has a direct effect on our health – and poor indoor air quality can lead to health concerns...
Not all electrical tapes are made the same! Consider these 5 thing when choosing a tape for your job: Need an electrical tape that is purpose-built for professional electrical applications? Visit Shurtape.com.
We’ve reached the end of our Under the Microscope series – and today’s topic may be one of the least taken seriously despite posing a threat severe enough to be deadly. When you think of hospitals and other healthcare centers, “dusty” probably isn’t a word that you...
Most painter’s tapes are designed to be relatively gentle – especially in comparison to more robust tapes like duct tapes – but not all of them are equal when it comes to their effect on certain surfaces. Delicate surface painter’s tapes are those which are built for...
Today's electrical industry is much more advanced than it was a century ago. All certified technicians should know the basic how-to’s of operating the gadgets in their tool box. Regarding the more sensitive workings of a building or warehouse, you may find yourself on...
The skilled labor shortage has had a major impact on HVAC businesses, but the future of the trades isn’t all “doom and gloom.” The opportunities to get involved and make an impact are abundant, and they aren’t limited to the biggest companies. Read the rest of our...
HVAC tapes are subjected to a wide range of conditions throughout the life cycles of the systems they seal – between hanging out in sub-freezing temperatures throughout snowy Winters and sweating it out during sweltering Summers, only the toughest materials are up for...
Double-sided abatement tape was created with the intention of simplifying the containment building process during abatement and remediation jobs. As opposed to the traditional two-step containment building process using a painter’s tape and a duct tape, it eliminates...
Housewrap is crucial in creating an air barrier to stop uncontrolled air flow – helping to prevent interior damage, mold growth, and increased heating and cooling costs. Housewrap tape helps to seal all seams on housewrap applications including sheathing, insulation,...
The shortage of skilled labor in trades such as HVAC has become a hot topic in the industry – as seasoned pros reach retirement age; many positions are left unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants. Because of this, many HVAC businesses are having trouble...
Foil. Film. Cloth. When it comes to HVAC tapes, there are a lot of options to choose from. The backing type has an impact on the tape’s performance, and it’s important to know how to choose the best type for the application at hand. Foil is the most common backing...
Elongation is a measure of the extent to which a tape is able to stretch before breaking. Measured in percentages, elongation is a good indicator of how a tape handles and how well it responds to the constant stress of being stretched. Elongation is a key...
Non-adhesive flagging tapes are used in a variety of industries as an easy, temporary color-coding and safety marking solution. Its ease of use, bright colors, and ability to resist fading makes it ideal for increasing visibility of hazards and landmarks across a...
HVAC businesses often specialize in either commercial or residential systems – or some may offer both. However, it is important for technicians to keep in mind the differences in the two types of systems and the best practices for working in either situation. While...
In abatement and remediation projects, building an airtight containment system is critical to prevent the spread of contaminants – things like mold, asbestos, soot, and other harmful pollutants – to other areas beyond the work site. Using the right tapes for the job...
Stucco is a popular choice for residential and commercial siding that has advantages over other material options, especially for certain regions. Although it can be found nationwide, it is most popular in the Southwest region of the United States because of its...
HVAC jobs range from installation of brand new systems in new construction to improvements of existing systems by repairing or replacing only the malfunctioning or worn-down components. The age and condition of the HVAC system you are working with has a major impact...
5,190 workers were killed on the job in 2016 – that’s more than 14 deaths a day.* Barricade tapes such as caution, danger, and lead hazard tapes are used to communicate warnings and manage access to work sites and hazardous areas to promote safety. These non-adhesive,...
June is National Safety Month, and this is the first of a series of weekly blog posts about how tape is used in different industries to promote safety in the workplace and on the job site. Tapes are used to promote safety in a variety of ways, from creating an...
With no two jobs being the same, HVAC technicians must learn to adapt to the challenges of the jobsite environments – including working efficiently in small spaces. Attics and crawlspaces are often where HVAC maintenance and repair takes place, but with little to no...
Flagging tape is meant to be easy to spot, but it isn't always clear what it is being used to mark. Learning the meanings of the most commonly used colors will reduce confusion - and lower the risk of injury. Stay safe; learn to recognize hazards and which color to...
Electrical tapes come in a rainbow of colors, but for a purpose beyond being colorful. Each color of electrical tape represents a certain voltage level and usage designation for phasing tasks. Study up on what each color signifies so you can be prepared for whatever...
Whether you are working with a foil or film tape, applying to sheet metal, flex duct, or rigid duct material, knowing the proper way to apply the tape can make the difference between failure and long-lasting performance. Follow along to learn how HVAC tapes are...
Every true craftsman knows that it is essential to be prepared for everything the job might throw at them, and in the HVAC field, there is no limit to the unexpected. Different materials and environments demand the use of different types of tape, and coming unprepared...
The importance of proper tape use is often overlooked when it comes to HVAC installation and maintenance tasks. When system efficiency is on the line, choosing – and properly applying – a tape that is right for the task at hand can make the difference between an...
The popularity of reflective insulation is growing, and when you understand the benefits that it can have, it’s no wonder. Reflective insulation provides a barrier that reflects radiant heat given off by HVAC ducts back onto itself, allowing it to maintain its...
A common question that HVAC technicians who are new to reflective insulation ask is why it must be installed with air gaps at regular intervals between the reflective material and the surface to which it is being applied, such as the outside of a metal duct. To...
The surface that you are painting on should be a major consideration when selecting the type of painter’s tape. Different tapes are constructed with different levels of adhesion, making it important to choose one that is strong enough to hold up on the surface you...
Stucco tape can be removed in much the same way as a painter’s tape after painting a room. To remove tape that was used to mask off a window, start by gently pulling up a corner of the tape and gradually pulling the tape – and your poly sheeting if you used it – so...
Have you ever stood in a store aisle holding two different brands of the same product side by side reading the labels to try and figure out which one is the better product? Or do you always go for the same brand because it has always worked well for you in the past?...
In reflective insulation, the “R-value” refers to a measure of the insulation’s resistance to heat flow. The purpose of the insulation is to help the HVAC system run more efficiently by keeping the conditioned air at the proper temperature without leaking or being...
Water-resistance is an essential characteristic that a good stucco tape needs to have in order to stand up to the job. A key part of the stucco application process is to wet cure the first coat, called the scratch coat, in order to keep it from drying out. Wet curing...
If you have ever faced sky-high heating or cooling bills despite feeling like your home or office is never quite the temperature you want it to be, you know how impactful system efficiency is. But how can you be sure if your system is running as efficiently as it...
Tape failure is unfortunately not an uncommon occurrence on reflective insulation projects for HVAC ductwork. Reflective insulation is a great way to reduce energy costs, but its ability to do so is dependent on the achievement of full system closure, in which tape...
Stucco tapes are offered in several different colors, but the most popular and commonly used is the iconic bright red tape. Besides being easy to remember, this color actually serves an important function in the stucco application process. The red color of the stucco...
In any job that involves HVAC work, including the installation and maintenance of reflective insulation, using tapes that are UL listed is critical. Why is having a UL listing so important? A UL listing: Ensures that the tape has been rigorously tested for adhesion...
HVAC technicians depend on their tools of the trade in order to get each job done efficiently. That’s why they are careful to choose materials – like tapes – which allow them to work quickly and deliver quality results. Many foil and film tapes for HVAC are...
Depending on the parameters of the project, stucco application can involve either two or three steps. Two-step stucco application involves a scratch coat, which is applied with a trowel and creates a rough layer of stucco that the second coat, the brown coat, can bond...
Last month, we learned about the trend of reflective insulation, but for this challenge, we asked our Mission: HVAC students to consider some of the other trends in the HVAC industry for the regions where they live. Differences in temperature and climate conditions...
Duct tape is useful for repairing just about anything, but ironically, not for ducts. Although the name might be misleading, general purpose duct tape was not designed for use in HVAC ductwork at all. In fact, if you tried using “regular” duct tape on your ductwork,...
Many stucco tapes are constructed to with a UV-resistant backing because they are for use on exterior surfaces, often in hot, sunny climates. Sunlight contains harsh UV rays which can cause negative changes to the physical properties of many tapes. Certain components...
Printability is an important consideration to HVAC tape manufacturers because it allows information to be printed on the tape itself in addition to being on the core of the roll and on the packaging. In HVAC system inspections, inspectors need to be able to quickly...
In stucco applications, tape failure can take a few different forms. The most common is adhesive residue. Residue occurs when the stucco tape’s adhesive coating begins to transfer to the window, door frame, or other surface that it is adhered to because of...
To apply painter's tape in corners, start by running the first piece of tape along the baseboard of the wall, through the corner, and up the perpendicular wall. Burnish the tape firmly with a putty knife, then cut along the crease with a sharp utility knife, thus...
Stucco tapes go through a variety of both physical tests and application tests. Physical tests ensure that the tapes perform at the required specification limits for shear, stretch, strength, and adhesion. These types of tests are common procedures for many different...
Packaging and strapping tapes are great additions to the toolbox for restoration and abatement jobs. They are useful for: General purpose bundling and holding applications Sealing boxes of belongings that are packed up and removed from the jobsite before the crew...
When it comes to paint projects, it is best to apply and remove painter's tape in a fairly short time span. However, there are some paint masking tapes that are designed to adhere to surfaces for longer - 3, 8, 21, even 60 days depending on the project and surface. Be...
Cloth stucco tapes and polyethylene (PE) stucco tapes are both useful for stucco application, but each has advantages and disadvantages resulting from the differences in construction. Cloth stucco tapes are more prominently found because they typically hold up better...
No, in fact it is best if the tape is removed from the painted surface before it has dried. This prevents the paint and the tape from bonding, which can result in a jagged edge when the tape is removed, taking pieces of paint with it. If your paint has dried...
Stucco application can be messy, making it essential to find the right tape to stand up to the job. Stucco tape needs to be able to: Adhere strongly to a variety of surfaces, such as vinyl, wood, metal, concrete, brick, stucco, and poly-sheeting Conform to irregular...
While typically thought of for use in HVAC jobs, foil tapes are also useful for abatement and restoration applications involving metal and sheet metal repair, such as sealing up ductwork after a hole has been cut into it to check for water damage after a fire or...
The first thing to understand about the difference between general purpose duct tapes and stucco tapes is that they were designed for different purposes. Duct tape is built to be robust enough for use in a wide variety of applications and day-to-day use as needed. It...
Ensure clean, sharp paint lines by following these simple application and removal steps: Start by making sure your surfaces are dust and debris-free, these particles can prevent a tape from bonding properly with the surface, resulting in messy paint lines. Next, keep...
Painter’s tapes and masking tapes are useful for more than just masking surfaces before painting. They are also quite handy in abatement and restoration projects for building containments, labeling, hanging temporary signs, and bundling. Masking and painter's tapes...
There are two types of tapes that are predominately used in the stucco process: cloth and polyethylene (PE). Each offers its own set of benefits to the user, but the main purpose of both tapes is to protect surfaces from damaging plaster and water used in the stucco...
In abatement and restoration applications, the jobsite environment can have a heavy impact on your tape’s performance. Abatement projects like asbestos removal, fumigation, cleanup of smoke and fire damage, and other disaster relief efforts are usually accompanied by...
You may not be aware that tape is an important tool used in exterior stucco application. Applying stucco involves carefully spreading plaster across an exterior surface with a metal trowel, almost like wide painter’s strokes. Just like with painting, it is important...