Hobbs & Associates, Inc.

Hobbs & Associates, Inc. Hobbs & Associates is a leading independent HVAC provider serving Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland & Tennessee.

We are a family-owned business that has prioritized our relationships with our customers, local communities, and employees for over 60 years.

**Press Release** Hobbs & Associates, Inc. Welcomes Chad Blalock as Director, Business DevelopmentRichmond, VA – June 20...
06/20/2024

**Press Release** Hobbs & Associates, Inc. Welcomes Chad Blalock as Director, Business Development

Richmond, VA – June 20, 2024 – Hobbs & Associates, Inc. is delighted to announce the appointment of Chad Blalock as Director, Business Development. With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in construction and facilities management, Chad brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization.

Most recently, Chad served for over 16 years at W.M. Jordan Company, where he worked under the esteemed leadership of John Lawson and Ron Lauster. Throughout his career, Chad has earned a reputation as a practical, solutions-minded team player, adept at communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. His extensive experience in HVAC systems planning, budget analysis, and troubleshooting aligns perfectly with Hobbs & Associates' commitment to delivering best-in-class customer experiences.

Chad is a native of the Richmond area. He began his career in the HVAC industry by crawling through attics in Carytown before earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and HVAC Master Mechanic, further underscoring his technical acumen and dedication to the field.

Mike Orr, Vice President, Hobbs & Associates, Inc., expressed his enthusiasm for Chad's arrival, stating, "We are very excited to welcome Chad Blalock to the Hobbs organization. Chad’s extensive experience with mechanical systems and his passion for serving customers will continue to elevate our position in the Virginia marketplace. Chad has built a reputation throughout his career of having a very technical, well-planned approach to projects while focusing on the best interests of his clients. We are confident his talent and integrity will continue to be valued as he begins the next chapter in his career. Please join me in welcoming Chad to Hobbs & Associates."

Hobbs & Associates is confident that Chad's addition to the team will further enhance our ability to provide exceptional service and innovative solutions to our clients. We look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly make.

Congratulations to Hobbs & Associates, Inc.'s own Michael Morris and his wife Lisa Morris, and the Atlee High School Var...
06/10/2024

Congratulations to Hobbs & Associates, Inc.'s own Michael Morris and his wife Lisa Morris, and the Atlee High School Varsity baseball team on being the 2024 Virginia State Champions!

Last week, Jason Ramey, Operations Manager from Hobbs & Associates, Inc. Richmond office, celebrated the recent graduate...
06/04/2024

Last week, Jason Ramey, Operations Manager from Hobbs & Associates, Inc. Richmond office, celebrated the recent graduates of Hanover County Public Schools with a memorable Signing Day for the Tradesmen course. We proudly welcome Dawson Schultz to our Richmond team after his graduation from Atlee High School and The Hanover Center For Trades & Technology.

The event was enthusiastic as over 20 students from each trade completed their courses, surrounded by their supportive families. Dawson will begin his journey as a full-time HVAC Service Technician apprentice at Hobbs & Associates' Richmond branch on Monday, June 3rd, 2024. He will also continue his Apprenticeship Schooling at the ABC Program, which we proudly partner with, gaining hands-on experience and learning from our skilled technicians.

Hobbs & Associates has been an integral part of the Hanover program for over four years. This marks the second year that Jason Ramey has attended the signing day, further solidifying our commitment to nurturing young talent.

Jason Ramey shared his thoughts on the program: "The Hanover trades program is incredible in providing specific training in the HVAC field for high school graduates. It equips them with the skills and knowledge to launch their careers successfully. We are honored to be a part of this journey and to support these talented individuals as they embark on their professional paths."

Michael Morris, Vice President of Field Operations, also added: "Our relationship with the Hanover CTE program is paramount to the present and future of our business. This relationship goes back many years; multiple current Hobbs employees have come through this program. The opportunity that Hanover County Public Schools provides these students in their junior/senior years allows them to be prepared for a non-college path post-grad and experience a career in a trade, especially today when the need for that workforce greatly outweighs the applicants. We are excited to have Dawson as another in a line of great apprentices this program has partnered with us on."

Join us in congratulating Dawson and all the graduates on their remarkable achievements!

We are thrilled to highlight Hobbs & Associates, Inc.'s incredible efforts in supporting our local communities and educa...
05/30/2024

We are thrilled to highlight Hobbs & Associates, Inc.'s incredible efforts in supporting our local communities and education. Recently, Anthony L. Arnold, PE from Hobbs & Associates, visited Southwestern Elementary School in Chesapeake to present a generous check made possible through Hobbs' funding of the Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) teacher grant program. This grant will support Technology Integration Specialist Jessica Breakfield's exciting program, “Empowering Future Innovators with Dash Coding Robots.”

Thanks to Hobbs' collaboration with the CPS Education Foundation, students will have the opportunity to dive into the world of coding and innovation, fostering a new generation of tech-savvy leaders. Together, we are empowering future innovators!

Tony Arnold, Miguel Ochoa, and Gabriella Bryce from Hobbs & Associates, Inc. Norfolk, VA office enjoyed visiting Christy...
04/22/2024

Tony Arnold, Miguel Ochoa, and Gabriella Bryce from Hobbs & Associates, Inc. Norfolk, VA office enjoyed visiting Christy Flanagan’s Kindergarten class at Salem Elementary in Virginia Beach, VA. They were there to share in the students' enthusiasm and detailed discussions about the aeroponic tower garden, which was made possible through funding from Hobbs & Associates' teachers grant.

As the Kindergarteners embark on their second season of harvesting, they have been actively cultivating strawberries, broccoli, peas, and other vegetables in their classroom. This hands-on learning experience is commendable and reflects the dedication of educators like Mrs. Flanagan and others across our public school system who work tirelessly daily.
Kudos to Mrs. Flanagan and all our public educators for their commitment to providing enriching learning experiences for their students.

Thanks to the Norfolk Hobbs office and everyone who continues to share your time and talents to educate and enrich our greater community.

Tony Arnold, PE was excited to share that Hobbs & Associates, Inc. was once again a proud sponsor at the Virginia Beach ...
04/15/2024

Tony Arnold, PE was excited to share that Hobbs & Associates, Inc. was once again a proud sponsor at the Virginia Beach Schools Education Foundation’s Annual Pearls of Wisdom Party! On Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the 24th Street Park on the boardwalk, party goers gathered for an unforgettable evening supporting our wonderful educators.

This year’s Pearls of Wisdom Party showcased an all-you-can-eat feast including oysters, pork BBQ, fried chicken, fried fish, hush puppies, slaw, baked beans, and Hatteras-style clam chowder. Plus, refreshments will include beer, wine, soda, and water. All proceeds from ticket sales go towards Building Futures and Schoolwide Grants, directly benefiting VBCPS teachers.

The party included live music by Wonderland and an exciting on-site auction. It was fantastic to support innovative teaching and the enrichment of our local schools! Thanks to everyone who make this event a huge success.

We make a difference together and celebrate the dedication of our educators.

Maximizing Efficiency & Longevity in Galvanized Steel Cooling Towers: Essential Water Quality GuidelinesProfessionals ov...
04/08/2024

Maximizing Efficiency & Longevity in Galvanized Steel Cooling Towers: Essential Water Quality Guidelines

Professionals overseeing facilities with galvanized steel cooling towers, including those with stainless steel basins, must prioritize optimal water conditions for efficiency and equipment longevity. Here's an expanded guide with essential parameters for normal tower operation:

Pre-Startup and Initial Operation Highlights:

The initial operation should target water pH between 6.5 and 8.0, alongside specific calcium hardness and total alkalinity values for the first eight weeks, guiding towards effective passivation of galvanized surfaces.

Comprehensive Guide for Normal Tower Operation:

pH Levels: Maintain 6.5 to 8.0 during passivation, allowing higher pH values post-passivation.

Temperature: Ensure a maximum of 125° F (51.7° C) to prevent excessive stress on the system.

Langelier Saturation Index (LSI): The recommended range is 0.0 to 1.0. Higher values can be considered if scale formation is manageable.

Alkalinity & Hardness: Maintain M-Alkalinity within 100 to 500 ppm as CaCO3, safeguarding against corrosive and scaling conditions.

Silica: Cap at 150 ppm as SiO2 to avoid scale formation.

Metal Ions: Iron levels should be below 3 ppm, and manganese and copper should each be kept under 0.1 ppm to prevent staining and corrosion.

Sulfides & Ammonia: Be vigilant of these elements due to their corrosive potential towards copper alloys and galvanized steel.

Chlorine/Bromine: A balance of 1 ppm free residual intermittently or 0.4 ppm continuously is vital, with adjustments for bromine concentrations.

Organic Solvents & TDS: Monitor and limit exposure to organic solvents and maintain total dissolved solids (TDS) below 1500 ppm for optimal operation.

Environmental and Maintenance Insights:

The environment surrounding the tower should not accelerate corrosion; thus, adherence to "moderate industrial" conditions is recommended.

Regular inspections, cleaning, maintenance, and professional water treatment consultations are paramount for preventing microbial growth and ensuring system integrity.

This comprehensive approach to water quality management in cooling towers mitigates the risk of Legionella and ensures that cooling systems operate efficiently and last longer. Let’s commit to these best practices and elevate our facilities' operational standards.

Download cooling tower guides or schedule your tower inspection today: www.insightusa.com/recon

The three fan laws are critical mathematical formulas that help HVAC technicians and designers understand how airflow, s...
04/05/2024

The three fan laws are critical mathematical formulas that help HVAC technicians and designers understand how airflow, static pressure, and horsepower change under various conditions in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

These laws describe how changes in fan speed or static pressure can affect airflow and the energy required to maintain it.
Understanding these laws allows for more precise sizing and selection of equipment and ductwork and enables technicians to troubleshoot and optimize HVAC systems effectively.

Fan Law 1: Relationship Between CFM and RPM
Law: CFM is directly proportional to the fan's RPM.
Formula: CFM2 = CFM1 × (RPM2 ÷ RPM1)

Practical Meaning: Increasing or decreasing the fan's RPM will proportionally increase or decrease the airflow (CFM). A 10% change in RPM results in a 10% change in CFM.

Field Application: To adjust airflow, technicians can change the fan's speed. For example, decreasing a fan's RPM from 1100 to 990 will decrease airflow from 1000 CFM to 900 CFM.

Fan Law 2: Static Pressure and CFM Relationship
Law: Total Static Pressure changes with the square of CFM (or RPM).
Formula: SP2 = SP1 × (CFM2 ÷ CFM1)²

Practical Meaning: A slight increase in airflow (CFM) leads to a disproportionately larger increase in static pressure. A 10% increase in CFM results in a 21% increase in static pressure.

Field Application: When increasing airflow, it's crucial to consider the impact on static pressure across system components. For instance, increasing airflow from 1000 CFM to 1200 CFM can significantly increase the pressure drop across a filter, affecting its efficiency.

Fan Law 3: Horsepower and CFM Relationship
Law: Horsepower required by the fan changes with the cube of CFM (or RPM).

Formula: HP2 = HP1 × (CFM2 ÷ CFM1)³

Practical Meaning: A slight increase in airflow requires a disproportionately larger increase in horsepower. A 10% increase in CFM results in a 33% increase in horsepower.

Field Application: Before increasing airflow, it's essential to ensure the motor can handle the increased load. An increase from 1000 CFM to 1200 CFM significantly increases the horsepower required, potentially overloading the motor.

Key Takeaways:
These laws highlight the nonlinear relationships between airflow, static pressure, and horsepower in HVAC systems.

Adjustments to fan speed (RPM) directly affect airflow and indirectly influence system static pressure and horsepower requirements.
HVAC technicians must consider these relationships when modifying system performance to avoid unintended consequences, such as overloading motors or creating excessive static pressure.

You can download your fan and pump law PDF here: https://www.insightusa.com/fan-laws-pump-laws

Hobbs, Alabama - April 3, 2024, Hobbs & Associates, Inc. hosted a successful LG MLV-01 installation class led by our own...
04/05/2024

Hobbs, Alabama - April 3, 2024, Hobbs & Associates, Inc. hosted a successful LG MLV-01 installation class led by our own Service Manager, Justin Baskin.

We were thrilled to have Comfort Systems USA Mid South, ASSOCIATED MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, INC., Trinity Contractors, C & H Constructors, Inc., and Apex Mechanical join us for this enriching session at the Trilogy Hotel, courtesy of John Tampa with Ascent Hospitality.

This training not only provided valuable insights but also qualifies for LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA's enhanced warranty - 10 years parts/compressor for eligible projects.

If you are looking to enhance your skills or interested in future trainings in the Alabama Market, please reach out to Hanson Schultz. We are thrilled to facilitate more educational opportunities in the future!

04/04/2024

Do you know what needs to happen when a mildly flammable refrigerant leak is detected?

Listen to this full podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/-TV

Great job Kevin Teakell, Dermidio (Derby) Juez Perez, and Whitney Tapp! AAON, Inc.

A rotary compressor, commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, operates based on the principle of rot...
04/04/2024

A rotary compressor, commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, operates based on the principle of rotary motion to compress gas. Here's how it generally works:

Intake Phase: The compressor has a cylindrical housing and a rotating element (rotor). The rotor is mounted eccentrically within the housing, meaning it's not perfectly centered. As the rotor spins, it draws in refrigerant gas (or another type of gas/air) into the compression chamber through an intake valve.

Compression Phase: As the rotor turns, the refrigerant gas space gradually decreases. This is often achieved by the rotor’s eccentric motion within a stationary, curved casing or by the use of sliding vanes or screws that mesh together. The reduction in volume increases the pressure of the gas according to Boyle's Law (a gas law that states that a gas's pressure and volume are inversely proportional. When the temperature is kept constant, as volume increases, the pressure falls and vice versa).

Discharge Phase: Once the gas is compressed to the desired level, it is forced out of the compressor through a discharge valve. The compressed gas then moves on to the next component in the system, like a condenser in a refrigeration cycle.

There are a few types of rotary compressors, with the most common being the rotary vane and screw compressors:

Rotary Vane Compressor: Uses a rotor with longitudinal slots in which vanes slide in and out. The eccentric rotation of the rotor causes these vanes to slide out due to centrifugal force, pressing against the wall of the housing, thus forming compression chambers.

Screw Compressor: Consists of two helical screws, one with a convex profile and the other with a concave profile, which interlock. As these screws rotate, the volume between the meshing screws decreases, compressing the gas.

The key advantages of rotary compressors include their compact size, smooth operation with less vibration than reciprocating compressors, and efficiency, particularly in systems where a constant flow of compressed gas is needed.

A scroll compressor is considered a type of rotary compressor. However, it operates on a somewhat different principle compared to other rotary compressors like rotary vane or screw compressors.
A scroll compressor consists of two interleaved spiral-shaped scrolls. One scroll is stationary (fixed scroll), and the other (orbiting scroll) moves in a small circular orbit.

The motion is not rotational like that of a wheel but rather orbital, and because of this motion, pockets of gas are trapped between the scrolls. As the orbiting scroll moves, these pockets of gas are pushed toward the center of the scrolls, simultaneously being compressed into smaller and smaller volumes until they reach the center, where they are expelled through the discharge port.

Are you looking for compressors or other HVAC parts? If so, please call or visit one of our Hobbs & Associates, Inc. centers today! https://hobbsassociates.com/

In HVAC engineering, specifying the right makeup air unit (MAU) is key to creating efficient, comfortable indoor environ...
04/03/2024

In HVAC engineering, specifying the right makeup air unit (MAU) is key to creating efficient, comfortable indoor environments.

An MAU replaces air removed by exhaust systems with fresh, conditioned air, maintaining indoor air quality and occupant comfort.

Here are five essential tips for specifying MAUs:

Compressor Modulation: Modulating compressors control cooling and dehumidification, allowing flexible adjustment to meet varied demands. This avoids overcooling on milder days, enhancing comfort and efficiency.

Hot Gas Reheat for Humidity Control: Opt for modulating hot gas reheat options to prevent overcooling during dehumidification. This ensures air is reheated to a comfortable temperature, maintaining comfort without sacrificing humidity control.

Condenser Fan Control: Modulating fan speeds improves MAU efficiency, longevity, and noise levels. Variable-speed fans allow for better head pressure control and smoother operation.

Modulating Heat: Modifying heating options ensures the MAU can provide just the right amount of heat, avoiding temperature swings and boosting comfort—modulating gas heat and SCR-modulating electric heat offer precise, efficient heating.

Cabinet Size Optimization: Working with manufacturers to select an MAU that closely matches project needs can lead to cost and efficiency gains. The most cost-effective units often come in the largest tonnage available for a given cabinet size.

Specifying MAUs involves balancing performance, efficiency, and comfort. By focusing on modulation for both cooling and heating, ensuring efficient reheat capabilities, optimizing fan and heat control, and choosing the right cabinet size, engineers can design cost-effective and energy-efficient systems.

Based on industry experience and a deep understanding of MAU operation, these tips serve as a guide for specifying systems that deliver comfort, efficiency, and reliability.

Contact Hobbs & Associates, Inc. today for your next make up air unit selection.

AAON, Inc.

Address

4850 Brookside Court, Suite 100
Norfolk, VA
23502

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+17574688800

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