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FRESH BREW FOR YOUR BRAIN
Would you like fries with that?
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 That is only most powerful question that's ever been asked in the history of the American marketing. It has produced billions of dollars worth of revenue. It has spawned thousands of other up-selling questions in the same industry. ("Would you like a combo" is the second most powerful.) Everything goes from whopper to jumbo (which typically matches the belly of the person ordering them).
Every one reading this column has been asked the question "Would you like fries with that?" and has answered yes. (Some more than others.)
I don't know who created this question. But it is not just an example. It's a lesson. McDonald's has been asking this question for more than 20 years. They have learned the power of up-selling or "add on". They have a tactical advantage when asking this question because the people they are asking are hungry.
What about our industry? We're providing heating, plumbing and mechanical services to the same people who answer YES to McDonald's. Are they not as hungry for what we offer? Or don't we have anything for up- sell? What could be our "fries"? Green energy and technology is the answer.
Today's heating and plumbing business is in a rush to become green, to be an alternative energy equipment manufacturer, supplier, contractor or installer. For those who did RE & RE (remove and reinstall) for years and their suppliers now is the time to learn new skills and new technology. And for many of us who are already selling alternative energy equipment, now is the time to advance, because we wouldn't be alone for long.
"Would you like fries with that?" is not just a power question. It's a powerful question. And now that you know that, my challenge to you: What questions are you asking that will differentiate you from your competition? What questions are you asking that will make you appear to be an expert in your field? "Would you like to monitor your solar heating right from your iPhone?" is a good one. What's yours? |
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58054 REF-412K Portable Refractometer 0 -50C / 0-58.4%
To order send us an email or just give us a call at 416-699-6746. This offer expires Monday, September 07 at 6 PM Eastern. |
Load PRIORITY
DeltaSol features - using them right. |
 RESOL controllers can do more then just control delta T. Every RESOL controller comes with a watchdog functionality built-in. But there is more than that inside of a DelatSol microprocessor controller! What about energy management and control process optimization? It has all that!
In the previous newsletter we were talking about OREC - the recooling function or VACATION MODE - a very useful function to keep the system operable (and your business profitable) and to prevent the overheating by low hot water consumption or no usage at all.
Another effective way to manage energy flow is to install multiload systems exactly how it's done in hydronic heating. Many of us have already used this technique to create dump loads like air handling units, tubing in the slab and panel radiators. My point here is - does it create a benefit for your customer to blow away BTUs (dollars) he or she paid for in advance? Everything that we don't use - we lose! Think about it, please. Our goal should be to install a system which provides maximum energy use (not delivered) per dollar invested. Ok, back to the bolts and nuts of the DeltaSol controller.
When we have 2 loads to charge, and the best example is DHW tank and outdoor swimming pool, we usually want the DHW tank to get up to the temperature first. DeltaSol has a parameter PRIO -priority, which could be set to 0 - no priority; 1 - load 1 with sensor S2 and 2 - load 2 with sensor S3 (opposite in arrangement # 4)
The setting "0" means that there is no priority- any load with delta T to collector higher than minimum, will be charged.
But what happens in our example with the pool? When delta T to the DHW tank is too small, the controller will switch over to the pool heat exchanger and because the pool temperature is much lower than that of the domestic hot water, the collector temperature will drop and it may never recover during that day to be high enough to charge the DHW tank.
Now think what you should say when the customer calls and he's mad as hell! But this will not happen with RESOL, my friends!
That's why we have 2 additional settings which define the control of the oscillating charge (swing between loads).
tST - is oscillating break time and tRUN - is oscillating run time. What are they for?
As soon as the controller has switched to low priority load, the tRUN time starts and the charging of that load will continue so long as you have specified in parameter tRUN (15 mins. is the default setting). Then there will be a break in charging to give the collector a chance to warm up and have a delta T high enough to start charging of the load with the priority. This break time is specified in setting tST (2 mins. is the default setting). If the collector temperature recovers, then charging of the priority load will begin. If tST is too short and the day is too cloudy, you may get a service call. (Now you know what to do.)
Changing the load priority together with using other options, OCX and OREC, will effectively prevent overheating of the solar thermal system.
What else can DeltaSol do to help us deliver the highest energy use promised to our customers?
In the next newsletter, we will talk about how to put a leash on the backup system and deal with other challenges. |
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From latent heat to solar cooling
Exclusive for our readers from SUN & Wind ENERGY magazine |
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Solar stations without collector sensors, latent heat storage tanks, drain-back systems - there was much more on display in the German city of Munich than just innovative collector concepts. The world's biggest solar energy trade show, Intersolar, presented innovations in storage, stations, complex heating systems with solar heat pumps and solar heating/gas-condensation hybrids.
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Please contact me if you have any questions. I will find the solution that is right for you.
Thank you for being my customer!
Sincerely,
Viktor Tchernikov
Solarnetix Inc. |
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Solarnetix Inc.
777 Warden Ave.
Unit #14
Toronto, ON
M1L 4C3
CANADA
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