Sustainable HVAC Solutions are becoming a major focus in today’s home development, emphasizing energy efficiency and sustainability. While HVAC systems have been heating and cooling homes for decades, in the last 10 to 15 years these systems have become more technologically advanced.

Modern heating and cooling systems, such as geothermal, have become a popular choice for new construction as well as existing homes because they use free, renewable energy from the earth. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that geothermal heating and cooling systems can reduce energy consumption and emissions by more than 40% compared to air-source heat pumps and over 70% compared to conventional HVAC systems.

Our team recently completed a large geothermal install on a 15,000-square-foot, ranch-style custom residential home built by Erickson Balmer Construction. We'll dive into how our team helped with this unique project.

Sustainable HVAC Solutions for Geothermal Home Heating

Sustainable HVAC solutions were top of mind when designing this 15,000-square-foot custom home. There’s a lot to consider in new construction, including what type of heating and cooling system will provide the best comfort based on your needs. For this project, the homeowner wanted to be environmentally conscious yet comfortable climate-wise. Due to the size of the home, more than one HVAC unit was needed. The solution: five geothermal heating and cooling units.

“Geothermal units are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly for any size home,” said Robbie Xayavongchanh, Bell Brothers HVAC service technician. “Unlike furnaces and conventional heat pumps, a geothermal system is powered 100% by electricity. It uses one or more loops of underground pipes to circulate liquid through the ground to absorb or release heat.”

Geothermal systems work by using heat taken from the ground and transferring it through a heat pump to the air in the home during the winter. In the summer, the process is reversed and the heat in the home is transferred to the ground to cool the home.

“The geothermal units were set up in the basement and pipes were installed underground in the yard that distribute heating and cooling to eight different zones in the house,” said Xayavongchanh. “These loops contain an environmentally safe fluid that helps move heat.”

The geothermal heating and cooling systems were outfitted with energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) to support humidity controls and indoor air quality throughout the home. ERVs take the air that’s inside and use the exhaust system to push it outside. Then outside air is brought in and passes through the heat exchanger, where it is either heated or cooled for use inside the home.

Installing Indoor and Outdoor In-Floor Radiant Heating

Sustainable HVAC solutions were also applied through in-floor radiant heat, which warms the home via heated floors installed throughout the main floor, basement, and even outside. This project used hot water as the heat source for the radiant floor heat. There are a variety of advantages to installing indoor and outdoor hydronic in-floor radiant heat; one is that these systems use very little electricity.

As part of this process, water is heated by a natural gas boiler and the temperature is controlled by a thermostat controller. The house has five different zones and each zone is controlled by the in-floor thermostat controller.

For the outdoor portion, plastic piping was placed underneath the driveway and sidewalks along with a moisture sensor and slab sensor, which measures the floor temperature in the area where the radiant floor is located.

“When the sensor detects moisture on the slab and it’s below a certain temperature outside, the system turns on to melt the snow or ice and then dries the concrete,” said Xayavongchanh.

Overcoming New Construction HVAC Challenges

Sustainable HVAC solutions often come with unique installation challenges—especially in new construction. The most challenging aspect of this project was making sure there was enough wiring to set up the thermostats in the house and the snowmelt system.

“In every new project, I have installed extra wires just to be safe, so I don’t run into issues later on,” said Xayavongchanh. “With the outdoor radiant heat, this was the first season of the heated driveway and there were spots that weren’t melting as much. We had to go back there two or three times to dial in the flow to evenly heat the driveway. But this was a fantastic project. I’m very pleased with how it turned out.”

Whether you’re putting in sustainable HVAC solutions for a modern home or renovating and restoring a historical one, Bell Brothers has an HVAC system to fit your needs. We have a creative team that can make sure everyone in your home is comfortable on every floor and in every room.

No matter the season, you want to feel comfortable in your home. One way to do that is with a heat pump. Like an air conditioner, it can cool your home — but it’s also capable of producing heat. A heat pump is a smart, clean way to heat, cool, dehumidify, and purify the air in your home. Plus, a heat pump can be three to five times more energy-efficient than conventional home heating and cooling systems. Our heat pump guide will tell you everything you need to know about this smart and efficient climate control system.
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How a Heat Pump System Works

A heat pump system controls your home’s temperature and humidity level by redistributing the heat that’s already in the air. In the winter, it moves heat from the outside to the inside of your home. In the summer, the process is reversed: The heat pump takes heat from inside your home and moves it outside.

A Heat Pump System vs. Air Conditioner vs. Gas Furnace

A heat pump and an air conditioner can both cool a home. However, an air conditioner cannot pump heat back into a home like a heat pump can. An air conditioner needs to be paired with a furnace to heat your home. That’s why an air conditioner and furnace are typically installed together as a complete cooling and heating system.

Both a heat pump and a furnace help keep your home warm, but they heat differently. A heat pump uses small amounts of electricity to move heat from one area to another. A furnace uses an energy source, like natural gas or oil, to generate its own heat.

In colder regions, heat pumps can be combined with furnaces for energy-efficient heating. When the outside temperature drops too low for the heat pump to operate efficiently, the system will use the furnace to generate heat. This is often called hybrid heat, which is energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Types of Heat Pump Systems

The two most common heat pump systems are:

Air-source heat pump, including ductless or mini split system.
Ground-source heat pump, also known as a geothermal heat pump.

Air-Source Heat Pump

The most common type of heat pump is an air-source heat pump. It can help reduce your electricity use for heating by approximately 50% compared to electric heating, such as furnaces and baseboard heaters. Heat pumps come in ducted and ductless versions.

Ducted heat pump system: Relies on a single air-handling unit, which redirects air throughout your home.
Ductless heat pump system: Uses a small wall-mounted unit to distribute and handle air.

Geothermal Heat Pump

A geothermal heat pump system uses free, renewable energy by moving the earth’s heat from underground pipes to a geothermal unit inside your home. The collected heat is distributed through the ductwork to heat your home. To cool your home, the process is reversed. The warm air in your home is collected and stored in the ground.

There are many advantages to installing a geothermal system in your home, including:

It is five times more efficient than a conventional system and can reduce energy use by 30% to 60%.
It provides a constant, precise temperature and humidity control.
It cools 20% to 40% more efficiently than other cooling systems.
It heats 50% to 70% more efficiently than other heating systems.
It can be installed in new or existing homes with minimal disturbance to yard and landscaping.

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Parts of a Heat Pump

A heat pump is made up of two main components that work together:

An outdoor condensing unit, which looks like a traditional air conditioning system.
An indoor air-handling unit.

The outdoor unit contains important sub-components, including:

A coil: Operates as a condenser (heating) or an evaporator (cooling).
A fan: Blows outside air over the coil to facilitate the heat exchange.

Like the outdoor unit, the indoor unit contains a coil and a fan. The coil acts as an evaporator or a condenser. The fan moves air across the coil and throughout the ducts in your home.

However, the indoor unit includes other components:

Refrigerant: Absorbs and rejects heat as it circulates throughout the heat pump system.
Compressor: Pressurizes the refrigerant and moves it throughout the system.
Reversing valve: Reverses the flow of refrigerant, allowing the system to operate in the opposite direction to switch between heating and cooling.
Expansion valve: Regulates the flow of the refrigerant as it passes through the system.

Heat Pump System Maintenance

Like all heating and cooling units, a heat pump needs proper maintenance. It’s key to the efficient operation and long-term health of your HVAC system. A team of professional technicians should service your heat pump on an annual basis.

In addition to professional service, you should:

Clean or change filters once a month or as needed.
Clean outdoor coils when dirty.
Remove debris and clutter from around your outdoor unit.
Clean the supply and return registers in your home.

Always maintain your heat pump system according to your manufacturer's instructions.

Determining the Right Heat Pump System

Choosing between an air source and a geothermal heat pump depends on two factors: the size of your home and the local climate. Air-source heat pumps are more common in milder climates, typically where temperatures do not drop below freezing. Your lot’s size, subsoil and landscape will help determine whether a geothermal heat pump will work for your home.

Cost of a Heat Pump System

The cost to install a heat pump will depend on the size of your house, layout of your space, where you live and whether you’ll use your existing ductwork or install a ductless mini-split system or geothermal system.

Most air-source heat pump system installation costs fall between $10,000 and $18,000. The model you select has the biggest impact on your total cost. A geothermal heat pump system and installation is more expensive. When you include the outdoor loop field installation and the system installation, the cost ranges from $18,000 to $40,000 for a single system. The size of your home and the efficiency level of the geothermal system you select will also impact your total investment. While a geothermal heat pump does cost more, the system will pay for itself in about five to seven years due to the monthly savings on utility costs.

Another benefit is that a heat pump often qualifies for state and federal energy tax credits plus utility rebates.

Improve Your Comfort With a Heat Pump System

Heat pumps can provide efficient and comfortable indoor heat and cooling year-round. Our team of experts offers heat pump system installation, fast and reliable repair, and an annual maintenance program that will help keep your heat pump working at peak efficiency.

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Update: Although Breast Cancer Awareness month has ended, fundraising will continue through the end of 2022. Please consider donating, or supporting via the suggestions below.

Chances are you know someone who’s been affected by breast cancer. It’s the most common cancer in women, and more than 250,000 women and men in the U.S. are diagnosed each year, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). In the U.S. today, there are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors, including those who are still undergoing treatment.

This is an important issue to me because our Bell Brothers family has been affected by breast cancer. I remember the grief I felt for the families involved and how powerless I felt to help. That’s why this year I have joined the Real Men Wear Pink campaign as one of the 2022 ambassadors.

Real Men Wear Pink Campaign

As part of the campaign, which has raised more than $40 million since its inception, I will be raising awareness by wearing pink every day in October, and raising funds by asking my friends, family, colleagues and business associates to join me in the fight. Bell Brothers as a company is also putting significant resources behind this effort.

In October, our technicians and installers out in the field wore high-visibility pink shirts and pink booties. And a portion of our annual company meeting was spent learning more from the executive director of American Cancer Society of Iowa.

Every dollar raised helps the ACS save more lives through early detection and prevention, research and lifesaving support. The death rate from breast cancer dropped by 42% from 1989 to 2019 because of earlier detection through increased awareness, mammography screening and advances in treatments.

How You Can Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer

The ACS offers a variety of fundraising options you can choose from to help join the fight against breast cancer. Please consider:

Donating to my Real Men Wear Pink fundraising page, perhaps in the name of a colleague, friend or loved one impacted by the disease.
Starting your own fundraising efforts or otherwise using your network to raise awareness.
Taking a photo of yourself or your company wearing pink and sharing it on your social media channels. Tag Bell Brothers on social media so we can give you a shout-out.

Sharing educational content Bell Brothers will post on our LinkedIn and Facebook channels.

Air ducts play an important role in your home. They circulate the air from your heating and cooling systems into and out of each room in your home multiple times a day, giving you consistent comfort throughout the year.

However, when neglected, air ducts may become your worst enemy since they collect dust, dirt, pollen, mold and allergens, as well as pet hair and dander, which are then recirculated throughout your home. Over 90% of homes have three or more detectable allergens, and 73% have at least one allergen at elevated levels according to The National Institutes of Health. Dirty ducts can also impede airflow, leading to inefficient flow of conditioned air and the potential to use more energy, which can result in higher bills.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, it may be time to consider duct cleaning. Learn about the process and how it can be beneficial to increase your indoor comfort as well as keep your HVAC system operating at peak performance.

How Do You Know If Your Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned?

The average home collects 40 pounds of dust each year, so most homes will need duct cleaning at some point. Here are a few signs that you should get your air ducts cleaned:

You’ve lived in your home for longer than five or 10 years and have never had your duct system cleaned.
You’ve recently remodeled or completed significant renovations to your home.
You’ve noticed an excess amount of dust on your furniture or see soot stains around your register.
You’ve experienced a substantial increase in your heating and cooling costs.
You’ve been suffering from allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues and been to a doctor.
You’ve had or currently have pets that shed heavily.

What Methods Are Used To Clean Ducts?

The duct cleaning process starts with a service technician completing a quick walk-around to understand the layout of your home. Most of the time, they will run a camera through the ducts to get an idea of how far each run is and how dirty the duct looks. Then they determine the best cleaning method.

There are two methods used for duct cleaning: a BrushBeast and negative air machine. The BrushBeast is preferred; it uses a brushing system attached to a large, specialized vacuum that runs through the ducts. The brush goes down through the registers and back through the main trunk line. Brushes can be switched out depending on the duct size and material in the duct. This is more efficient since a service tech can go to a register and start the process.

A negative air machine, which is a high-pressure hose that is passed through the ducts to remove particles, is a method that is used less often. It’s a large hose that gets set up in the basement and is passed through the duct work. The supply registers will need to be blocked off first and then air is sprayed through the ducts. This process can be cumbersome since each vent has to be blocked off by a service tech.

During the cleaning, every register grill is removed and cleaned. Then, the ducts are deodorized. If your home has had mold or fire damage in the past, a disinfectant can be fogged through the cleaned ducts to eliminate any material that might remain.

How Much Does Cleaning Cost?

The service cost should be determined by the size of your home, the number of ducts and their configuration. Duct cleaning takes around four to six hours, depending on the size of your home. A proper duct cleaning will last approximately five years.

When is the Best Time of Year to Get Your Ducts Cleaned?

You can have a duct cleaning anytime during the year; however, spring and fall are popular times. A spring cleaning can help remove winter dust accumulation, help with spring allergies and remove pet dander and shedding as they transition into spring. A fall cleaning can be beneficial if your home is prone to mold or mildew as well as help improve your furnace efficiency as winter approaches.

What Are the Benefits of a Duct Cleaning Service?

There are a variety of benefits to having your air ducts professionally cleaned, including creating a cleaner living environment. In addition, clean ducts can help improve indoor air quality to help reduce allergens and irritants, which can be beneficial for those who suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems. A detailed cleaning can help remove unpleasant odors, help improve air flow, and allow your HVAC system to operate at peak efficiency to provide you with the most cost-effective performance.

During a duct cleaning service, a technician will also inspect for other issues in the ductwork, such as leaks, rust, gaps or loose connections. A professional can quickly notice and fix other problems within your HVAC system that you may not have noticed for better air quality.

Air ducts play a vital role in your home, but they are often overlooked. If you notice dust or other contaminants around your registers or your HVAC system seems to be working harder and less efficiently, give Bell Brothers a call to schedule a complete inspection and duct cleaning by our trained service technicians.

It’s summer in Iowa, so your air conditioner is likely working overtime to keep your home cool during the 90- to 100-degree heat. But did you know that refrigerant is a crucial component of ensuring that your AC unit is running correctly? Let’s explore HVAC refrigerant and how it can keep your home cool throughout the summer.

What Is Refrigerant?

The term refrigerant refers to a chemical compound that can shift quickly from a fluid or a gaseous state. During this process, it absorbs heat and provides air conditioning or refrigeration when combined with other components, such as compressors and evaporators.

How Does Refrigerant Work?

Your air conditioner contains an HVAC refrigerant inside copper coils. As the refrigerant absorbs heat from your home, it transitions from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid. The air conditioning components send the refrigerant to the condenser outside, where a fan blows hot air over the coils and exhausts the heat. Once this happens, refrigerant cools down the evaporator and turns into a low-pressure gas. A fan inside your home blows air over the coils to provide cool air.

What Are the Types of Refrigerants?

Many of the traditional refrigerants used in air conditioners over the years have contained ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). For instance, CFCs in R-12 refrigerants were known to contribute to the greenhouse gas effect and were used until 1994. Then HCFCs in R-22 refrigerants were used since they were less damaging to the ozone than R-12 refrigerants. However, the EPA mandated a phase-out with the Clean Air Act of 2010, and R-22 refrigerants were completely phased out by 2020 due to new environmental standards.

Today, many AC units use R-410a refrigerants that contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). AC units that run on this refrigerant are typically more reliable and efficient and offer better air quality.

A new refrigerant, known as R-454b, is being produced to decrease the potential for ozone depletion and climate change and will be used as a replacement for R-410a in new equipment.

Why Does the Age of Your AC Unit Matter?

Your AC unit can last 15 years or longer if properly maintained, so it’s important to look at what refrigerant you use to better protect the environment. For instance, if your system was installed before 2010, you may have a system with R-22 refrigerant. After 2020, only used or reclaimed R-22 is available for system repairs, and it is costly. It may make sense to replace your unit with a newer model that uses R-410a refrigerant.

Should You Upgrade Your AC Unit?

If your current HVAC system is having issues keeping your home cool, it’s time to schedule annual maintenance. You could be running low on refrigerant or be experiencing other issues with your AC unit. Typically, the refrigerant will remain at the same level for the life of your air conditioner unless leaks occur or other issues pop up.

If your air conditioner is older than 10 years, it may be time to upgrade to a new unit. An air conditioner is not a small investment, and because there are many options out there it’s important you receive the best advice when it comes to what AC system is right for you and your home.

Whether you are looking to repair or replace your AC unit, a trusted HVAC professional can help you extend the longevity of your current system and make sure it’s operating at peak efficiency during the summer months; or help you determine the best replacement.

Modern HVAC systems have been heating and cooling homes for 120 years, and in the last 10 to 15 years these systems have become more technologically advanced. Today, many have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled connections, are eco-friendly and feature smart technologies that allow you to control settings from almost anywhere.

If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or want to save money on energy bills, check out these six trends in the heating and cooling space that shine a spotlight on these recent technology-based advancements.

1. Bluetooth-Enabled Thermostats

Smart home thermostats have been around for several years and are very popular due to their multiple cost-saving features. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled thermostats let you control your home’s temperature to help save on energy costs remotely with your smartphone, tablet or computer. They can show you how much you spend on heating and cooling in real time, so you can adjust your settings to help reduce energy consumption.

HVAC manufacturers sell Bluetooth-enabled thermostats. Some brands, like Nest and Ecobee, need to be compatible with your internet provider and HVAC system. Depending on the brand, smart thermostats can cost between $100 and $500 and up to $1,000 if purchased and professionally installed through an HVAC contractor.

In addition, some HVAC manufacturers are using the Internet of Things (IoT) to embed sensors and other technologies into your heating and cooling systems. This technology can help improve your HVAC efficiency, increase comfort and provide real-time monitoring as well as preventive maintenance.

It can be difficult to set up a smart thermostat, so consider having an experienced HVAC contractor install it. They can teach you how to operate a thermostat and take advantage of all the features to gain maximum efficiency.

2. Ductless Split Systems

Keeping your house cool during the summer months can be difficult, especially if you have an older home or a second floor without ductwork. An efficient way to keep your second floor cool is to have a ductless heating or multi-zone mini split system installed in your home. A ductless split includes an outdoor compressor that is connected by refrigerant tubing and electrical wiring to up to five wall-mounted indoor units, which allows you to customize the temperature in multiple rooms throughout your home. A ductless split system is easy to install and efficient, and it can distribute air more evenly across your home than traditional systems.

3. Geothermal heating and cooling systems

Need to replace your current HVAC system and interested in learning more about the different types of systems available? Geothermal heating and cooling systems have become a popular choice for new construction homes and are a great option for existing homes since they use free, renewable energy from the earth.

Installing a geothermal heat pump system in your home has a variety of benefits. It can:

Save you up to 60% in monthly utility costs. Geothermal systems are five times more efficient than conventional systems.
Provide a constant, precise temperature and humidity control. Unlike a conventional furnace, a geothermal system does not kick on and off trying to maintain the desired temperature.
Cool 20% to 40% more efficiently than other cooling systems.
Heat 50% to 70% more efficiently than other heating systems.
Qualify for state and federal energy tax credits plus utility rebates.

Installation costs for a geothermal system vary, but typically it is more expensive to install than traditional systems. However, it will pay for itself in about five to seven years due to the monthly savings on utility costs.

4. Indoor Air Quality Products

The air inside your home may be dirtier than you think. In fact, the EPA estimates that the air inside your home is up to five times more polluted than the air outdoors. You can promote better indoor air quality (IAQ) by:

Changing your air filters frequently.
Getting your HVAC ducts inspected regularly.
Using air purification equipment, such as air purifiers, air scrubbers and air filtration systems.
Air purification equipment has become very popular lately, and the technology has grown immensely over the years. There are a variety of products and services that can help you and your family breathe easier, including Aerus® Air Scrubber and Aprilaire 5000 air purifiers.

5. Zoned Heating and Cooling

Zoning your home is a convenient, money-saving and efficient way to control the heating and cooling output of your home. With an HVAC zoning system, you can heat and cool different areas within your home at different temperatures to reduce hot and cold spots and accommodate different uses. For instance, you can set the temperature in one area or zone to 72 degrees and another zone at 68 degrees. Zoning can be a great energy-efficient option for both existing homes and new construction, and it works best when each area or zone is of equal size. For example, if zone one is your main floor and zone two is your second floor, you’d want those spaces to be similar in size.

6. Increased Use of HVAC Professionals

As new HVAC systems continue to emerge and the need for air purification systems increases, so does the demand for highly trained HVAC professionals. They can figure out what HVAC system is right for your home and family as well as properly install and service the system.

Are you at your best in an environment that’s constantly hot, muggy and uncomfortable? Probably not. That’s why keeping your business properly cooled and ventilated all year, especially during the summer heat, is crucial.

If employees are uncomfortable throughout the workday, it could result in some bad moods and a drop in productivity. And, without proper ventilation, you run the risk of employees getting sick more often.

The challenge then becomes keeping your environment comfortable and improving indoor air quality, without running up the utility bill each month. One solution that you may not have considered is an economizer.

An economizer, which can either be built into or mounted onto your rooftop HVAC unit, analyzes the temperature and humidity outside. When the outside temperature allows, the system uses that air, instead of your air conditioner’s cooling elements, to cool the inside of your building. In the Midwest or other humid regions, the ideal outdoor temperature is usually around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Are the Benefits of Using an Economizer?

Using an economizer can have several benefits to your building environment, your employees’ health and comfort and your business expenses.

1. Improve ventilation and air quality

Have you ever heard of “sick building syndrome?” According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it occurs when spending time in a building seemingly causes people to experience physical ailments and discomfort, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.

Some of the symptoms include, but are not limited to, fever- or allergy-like symptoms, headaches, fatigue and dizziness.

Poor ventilation is one of the top causes of sick building syndrome. An economizer can improve indoor air quality (IAQ) by replacing the stale air inside with fresh air from outside. This can help eliminate the harmful impact of sick building syndrome and keep everyone feeling healthy. The annual financial benefit to reducing sick days by using an economizer could be up to $16,000, according to a 2004 study.

2. Reduce energy use and utility bill costs

An economizer uses the air outside to cool your building instead of only relying on the air conditioner to control the indoor temperature and humidity level. This strategy lowers your building’s energy consumption and the cost of your monthly utility bill. In fact, research from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory revealed a cost savings of around 38%.

3. Prolong the lifespan of your rooftop HVAC unit

Since your HVAC system runs less when using an economizer, the wear and tear on the unit will be reduced. This means less maintenance, fewer breakdowns and a longer lifespan.

Different Types of Economizers

The benefits of using an economizer are clear but, for the best results, you need to have the right one for your facility. To make that decision, you will want to contact a professional HVAC contractor.

There are three types of economizers to choose from:

1. Dry bulb

This type of economizer only senses outdoor temperature, not humidity. They are the simplest type, and are the easiest to maintain, but since they do not account for humidity, they may not provide optimal comfort.

2. Wet bulb (single enthalpy)

This type is the most commonly used. It senses outdoor temperature and humidity to provide maximum comfort inside.

3. Differential enthalpy

Of the three types, this one is the most advanced. This uses two or more sensors to measure outdoor air and humidity, as well as the return air. When the outdoor temperature is lower than the return air, the economizer will be used for cooling.

Boost Your Business With an Economizer

By using an economizer to cool your business and provide adequate ventilation, you can make your employees comfortable and cut costs on your monthly utility bill.

As they prepare to graduate from high school, many young adults are finally beginning to make decisions about what they want to do with their lives. Most are encouraged to pursue a four year degree, but that path isn’t for everyone.

Some people are better suited to join the workforce right out of high school in skilled trade jobs that offer hands-on training and experience that starts right away. If you’re one of those people, you may wonder if there’s even a place for you on this path. The answer is “yes.”

Pursuing a career in the skilled trades offers the opportunity to get hands-on work experience and continued on-the-job training to hone your skills as your career unfolds. Apprenticeship programs also allow you to earn money and gain experience while you learn and develop your skills.

On average a licensed journeyman can make a starting salary range between $55,000-$60,000 per year. Additionally, according to Apprenticeship.gov 92% of workers retain employment after completing their apprenticeship.

Here at Bell Brothers, we have an HVAC apprenticeship program that provides the training and experience for a rewarding career. To get more insight into the value of an apprenticeship program, we chatted with two participants:

Brandon Reynolds, residential installer who graduated from the program two years ago
Jake Matthews, a student in his second year of the program

Q: How did you get connected with the Bell Brothers HVAC Apprenticeship Program?

Brandon: “When I was in high school, I actually hadn't even thought of going into a trade. But then I got some information about a trade program and saw how much money I could make by the end of four years and thought, ‘Why wouldn’t I do that?’ It didn’t cost me any money and I earned a paycheck while I learned.

“It was very important to me to work for a company that had an in-house apprenticeship program and, after working for another company’s apprenticeship program, I transferred into year two of the program here at Bell Brothers.”

Jake: “I always knew I wanted to go into HVAC service because of how diverse it is. You get to have your hands on a lot of different things like heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical. So I started applying for jobs with HVAC contractors.

“At the time, I didn’t know Bell Brothers had in-house training but I’m glad I found out. It’s not something a lot of companies have, so I’m grateful to have been hired and have the opportunity to learn on the job.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about the program?

Brandon: “What stuck out to me the most was how they helped prepare us for our HVAC Journeyman license test. There’s a whole chapter related to taking this test where we learn out of the book, but they also give us additional instruction to help us prepare. That’s a hard test for some people to take and I think Bell Brothers does a great job of helping us succeed.

“There was also an electrical chapter where they set up an electrical board and we got to hook up wires, learn how to make circuits and learn how electricity works. So I think they do a good job of integrating labs with real-world needs for the job.”

Jake: “I like how we get to learn everything in a classroom, but then we get to go out and see how the concepts we’re learning about are applied to real work in the field. That makes it easier to remember what you’re learning so you can have discussions about how you can do those things better.

“One of my favorite types of projects that I do with Brandon is home remodels. Every house is different and comes with a new challenge. In many cases, the houses weren’t even built for cooling because it didn’t exist when they were built. So we have to try to find ways to add ductwork and cooling without damaging the home. We recently faced this on a project where we renovated an old home in the Sherman Hill neighborhood of Des Moines. It was a fun challenge.”

Q: Does the program guide students towards one particular expertise, such as commercial or residential, or do you get a taste of everything?

Brandon: “It depends on the chapter. For example, if you’re learning about boilers and chillers, that would be primarily commercial focused. If you’re learning about mini splits, that would be more residential focused. And chapters related to service kind of tie into all of it.

“I have always primarily done residential work. While I was in the program, I mostly assisted a lead technician as their partner, but now I’ve moved into a lead role.”

Q: Once you graduate, are there opportunities for continuing education and refining your skills?

Brandon: “Yes, we have to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain our Journeyman License and Bell Brothers provides those classes. They pay for two classes in the spring and two classes in the fall. There’s a lot of opportunities to keep learning about all the different areas of HVAC service.”

Q: Jake, what are you looking forward to in your third and fourth years?

Jake: “Right now, I do a lot of installs, but I’m really looking forward to learning more about diagnosing and fixing problems on systems. I’ll get to learn about that through our classwork and during labs out in the field.”

Q: Where do you hope your career goes in the future?

Brandon: “I consider myself to be a big-impact person. I like to have as big of an impression on a company as I can, so for me, whether that looks like management or taking over bigger projects, doing sales or whatever it is, that’s what I want. Any sort of way that I can make an impact on a larger scale is where I'd want to go.”

Jake: “My number-one goal is to get my Journeyman License. That is something I need to do within the next three years and then get into service. I want to be the kind of person who can do anything the company needs. Any problem that needs to be solved or anything that needs to be fixed, I want to do it.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone else who is considering entering an HVAC apprenticeship program?

Jake: “Do it now. Don’t wait. I wish I had started this program right out of high school. It takes a lot of time to start over and learn a new trade, so the earlier you get started, the better.”

Brandon: “That’s great advice. There’s no reason to wait. If you like craftsmanship or you like helping people and diagnosing problems, there is a place for you. Plus, you get paid while you learn, so there really is no reason not to do it.”

Enjoy a Rewarding HVAC Apprenticeship Job

We need hard-working, self-motivated workers. If you have that part down, we’ll do our part to help you thrive in an HVAC career. That’s what our apprenticeship program is all about. Also, you may learn more about the Skilled Trades Alliance we formed with other local partners. It has been tremendously successful at showing a new generation of skilled trade workers the importance of apprenticeship programs.

When you’re designing a new commercial building, there are a lot of things to consider. As you put the floor plan together you’re trying to determine how it will be arranged, where everything is going to go and how the space can make things easy for the staff and improve the customers’ experience at the business.

Among all the logistics, one of the most important considerations is maintaining a comfortable and healthy climate inside the building, making new construction HVAC design-build a critical piece of the process.

During the design-build process, an HVAC contractor works closely with the business owner or general contractor to make sure the building has a heating and cooling system that fits its needs.

Sometimes, HVAC design-build can be a fun challenge. For example, we recently designed and installed a new HVAC system for Zora, a bar in Des Moines. This was a unique project because we had to design a system that would keep the space comfortable and well-ventilated, even though the first floor is wide open to the outside.

Let’s explore how the HVAC design-build process works.

Providing HVAC Construction From the Beginning of the Process

The process starts with a floor plan. An HVAC contractor will look at the blueprint and see the square footage of the rooms, which will give them an idea of how to size the HVAC system. But there are some additional things they will need to know.

They will need to know what you’re trying to accomplish in the space and what the needs of the business are. They will ask you about things that may not show up on a floor plan.

For example, you will have to explain how the building will be used and if there will be any heat-emitting equipment that could affect the comfort of the space. Do you have 9-foot ceilings or 30-foot ceilings?

These kinds of details could affect the size of your system and the way it is designed.

Possibly, the most critical piece of the puzzle is your budget. Depending on how much you or your client are planning to spend, there is a large variety of options to fulfill your needs.

There are lower-cost systems that will save you money today, and then there are some higher-end, more efficient options that cost more upfront, but will save money on the business’s energy bills in the long run.

Air Filtration and Ventilation a New Priority

Air pollution was not something frequently considered in HVAC design-build in the past, but that was before the COVID-19 pandemic came into our lives. Now air filtration and ventilation are priorities for businesses and their customers.

Proper building ventilation and air filtration help fight against the main causes of indoor air pollution by replacing the polluted indoor air with cleaner and fully oxygenated outside air that has been conditioned.

During the design-build process, an HVAC contractor can help optimize airflow throughout the building and recommend high-efficiency HVAC filters for the system.

Learn More: Improve Your Office Building Ventilation

Rolling With the Changes

As your floor plan comes to life and construction begins, there are almost always going to be changes. It could be because of the logistics of the construction, or it could be because you wanted to split that big office into two smaller ones to accommodate future staff.

Whatever the reason, we are accustomed to shifting gears as you make changes. We can alter the design or switch the size of the system to accommodate changes to your floor plan as your vision comes to life.

No matter the challenges you may have, we are ready to work with you from the very start to design and install an HVAC system that meets your needs.