Kele Blog

Mass Save® Rebates Are Here to Help

Posted on by Kele Inc

Massachusetts…a state that is leading in energy efficiency. And surrounding states aren’t far behind them. Why you ask? Because Mass residents and business owners are taking part in Mass Save.

Mass Save?

What is Mass Save? This program was born out of a need and want to help the residents and businesses across Massachusetts save money and create a community that is focused on sustainability through energy efficiency. Because of this, certain sponsors have come together to help by offering this program and other services for all things HVAC and BAS.

Eligibility for application ranges from new equipment to replacing end-of-life equipment and even upgrades that result in savings. There’s also eligibility for savings regarding equipment such as chillers, boilers, VSDs, VFDs, thermostats, economizers, and more. (To learn more about qualifying HVAC and BAS equipment click here.)

With an economy that is giving people no other choice but to try and save as much as they can—now is the time to start investing in savings. When you take part in Mass Save, not only are you doing your part to create a healthier environment that operates on sustainability, but you’re saving money by cutting costs.

CCI is here to help you save energy and money.

The industry is moving forward by being green, and Massachusetts is setting an incredible example. Take advantage of the Mass Save program and let CCI help you navigate the Mass Save process. We’re here to help by supporting YOU with our value-added initiatives and more. Call us today at 781-335-8353 and let us help you find the parts that qualify for maximum money savings and energy savings!

Kele Gets Spooky for Youth Villages of West Tennessee

Posted on by Kele Inc

Youth Villages. A private nonprofit organization that is focused on helping children be successful. Kele. An HVAC/BAS distributor that is an industry powerhouse whose focus is on simplifying the supply chain and helping customers win. Two companies that have no reason to ever cross paths. Except Youth Villages is within the community which Kele calls home.

Roger Johnson, the founder of Kele, was insistent that Kele needed to be a great place to work and play. And that mentality still permeates the workplace and culture of Kele today. Kele believes that in order to best serve our customers, we must also serve our community. And one of the biggest ways we achieve that is through our partnership with Youth Villages.

Youth Villages started out in 1986 and is today well-known and nationally recognized for its work in the mental and behavioral health of children. They now have programs and services that cover 23 states with 100 locations. But they can’t operate and help the children that need it without support.

Kele has supported and fostered a relationship with Youth Villages that has gone on now for over two decades. In fact, Kele donated land to Youth Villages that they still use to this day. It’s a long-lasting relationship that means the world to both the employees and the children. Our relationship with them also allows us to put “Kele is a great place to work and play” to the test!

Just this past Thursday, October 27th, Kele put on a haunted house spooktacular for some of the children of Youth Villages. Different departments teamed up together and turned the hallowed halls of all things HVAC/BAS into scary scenes from a haunted circus, scary maze, and even Stranger Things (just to name a few). The Kele employees got to play and help bring some joy to children. It’s by far the favorite event Kele gets to host each year but certainly not the only way that Kele employees donate their time and energy to such an incredible nonprofit.

Giving back to the community where we call home is important to Kele. We’re lucky and beyond happy that Youth Villages lets us partner with them to give back to children who need it.

Looking for more information on Youth Villages? Learn more about how you can partner with Youth Villages here.

Winter weather & break/fix needs. Are you ready?

Posted on by Kele Inc

Happy Halloween folks! Man oh man has this year just flown by. And we know you have been busier than ever! (How do we know? We’ve seen your orders. Some of your customers became your best friend this year with all the break/fix business they had you doing, didn’t they?)

And speaking of break/fix jobs…we know that going into the end of the year (especially the upcoming holiday season) things will go wrong and you’ll need hard to find parts quickly. What types of parts are we talking about? Any and all parts that have to do with:

Why you ask? Because the end of the year brings with it a season of freezing temperatures that tend to cause chaos for your customers’ systems. This means that pipes and coils freeze, thermostats break, boilers malfunction or fail to work due to issues like pilot lights not igniting, and so on and so forth. And with the high temps, a lot of your customers’ systems had to battle, many systems are going to need maintenance to make sure they are fully operational and ready for the stress that cold weather will bring.

As the year continues to fly by and you get busier in your personal life, make sure you’re prepared for all things winter-related and stay organized when it comes to sourcing for upcoming break/fix and servicing jobs. Don’t wait until the last minute to find a single source that will be able to handle all your last-minute needs.

Call Kele today or shop with us online at kele.com and get exactly what you need without all the hassle. Kele’s here to help and we have you covered.

Today’s CCI: A message from President & GM Michael Youngs

Posted on by Kele Inc

Both Control Consultants Inc. and our customers alike have seen tremendous change over the past few years. John Donahue retired, we were acquired by The Kele Companies, and of course, we faced challenges with supply, labor, and logistical problems that were brought about by COVID. As the industry evolves and we advance with it, I want you to understand today’s CCI.

Since the acquisition, CCI has expanded and enhanced its ability to serve customers by providing an upgraded order fulfillment experience paired with faster delivery nationwide. As a CCI customer, you have gained access to everything Kele offers …

  • 3M+ parts that ship the same day
  • Order tracking
  • Quarterly training and certifications
  • Custom panel shop
  • Calibration and assembly
  • Technical and Application Engineer support

You are also backed by a strong internal team here at CCI …

  • Engineering Lead: Derek Clark – Niagara Certified Professional
  • Application Engineers:
    • Nghia – CAD drawings, engineering submittals
    • Alexis – CAD drawings, engineering submittals
  • Sean Foley – UL508A panel shop, field service, gas calibration, VFD start-ups
  • Director of Sales: Tony Ciuffo – 30+ years of industry experience
  • Warehouse Lead: Rich Bennett
  • Panel Shop Lead: Marc Smith – 20+ years of experience building panels for CCI
  • Purchasing & Niagara Licensing Lead: Joe Mercurio – 25+ years with CCI
  • The sales team consists of senior sales specialists that cover territories throughout New England and upstate New York.

We are continuously striving towards improving your CCI experience. Recently, we have revamped our warehouse with a state-of-the-art bar code system, enabling automatic product-to-order allocation and same-day shipping. Our inventory goes through random cycle counts daily to ensure accuracy. And we are now offering services associated with the Mass Save® rebate program.

CCI and Kele stay committed to helping you win on the job. We appreciate your business and look forward to partnering with you both now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Michael Youngs, President & GM

Checklist for Fire Safety & Prevention

Posted on by Kele Inc

Fall is finally upon us! We are steadily on our way to cooler temps and all things fall (and winter if you’re looking that far ahead!). And with all things fall comes thinking and getting ready for fire safety and prevention.

Fire Prevention Week

October is widely referred to as “Fire and Safety Month” in the HVAC and BAS worlds. It’s the yearly reminder to go over your customers’ checklists when it comes to their systems and make sure that nothing HVAC/BAS related has the potential to become a fire hazard. In 2022, it’s happening from October 9th-October 15th.

Fire Prevention Tips

So what does this mean for HVAC/BAS systems? To start, it means ensuring that your customers’ systems are in compliance with National Fire Protection Agency Codes NFPA 105 & 80. These codes will have your customers covered when it comes to fire and smoke systems, dampers, and ensuring that they are up to date and fully functioning. It also means doing some other annual checks as well! We’ve put together a quick checklist to review with your customers below.

Fire Prevention Checklist

  • Check for leaks
  • Ensure clear, unobstructed ducts
  • Ensure all lines are connected and that there is no damage
  • Keep the HVAC system and its components clean and clear from obstructions
  • Make sure that all sensors and alert systems, especially emergency stop systems, are in working order and functioning as intended

And practicing the 3Ms of HVAC will help your customers keep up with anything that could lead to a fire or some other disaster:

  • Maintenance: do regular work to maintain the system
  • Management: manage the different aspects of the system to ensure peak performance
  • Monitoring: monitor the system and its many sensors and applications so that it is running effectively and efficiently

Kele is here to help you, best help your customer. Check out some of our favorite fire safety products below or shop our in-stock inventory of three million parts on kele.com today. Need additional help? Call and speak with one of our technical experts.

Shop these fire prevention and safety products:

Fire & Smoke Damper Actuators

Emergency Stops

Don’t Let Residual Humidity Dampen Your Customer’s Fall

Posted on by Kele Inc

Did someone say fall? With the way the summer heat has been, HVAC and BAS systems alike are letting out a sigh of relief now that cooler temps are here for some and on the way for others. Systems that have been hard at work battling high temps and humidity are finally going to be getting a break.

But that doesn’t mean that all signs of humidity will be gone. If it’s been a particularly brutal year, your customer’s system probably needs some TLC to ensure that it’s in good working condition come this winter.

So what kind of TLC are we talking about?

You’ll first need to establish if there have been any issues for your customer during those summer months. Have they been dealing with extra amounts of condensation or moisture? Mold and mildew? Wet spots near the system or a wet/musty smell throughout the building? If they say yes to any of these, then humidity has been a busy bee wreaking havoc on their system.

Help your customer ensure uptime of their system by checking the following:

  • Check thermostat(s) for correct settings regarding occupancy levels and room size
  • Ensure that all sensors and monitors are in working order or replace if necessary
  • Check all mechanical elements of the system to make sure there isn’t buildup from moisture that impedes functionality
  • Check ducts and filters
  • Ensure that systems are cycling on and off without issue (and at the correct times)
  • Check on the system’s coils
  • Check airflow intake and outtake along with making sure that the routes the air take are unobstructed

Time for excess humidity to hit the road!

By doing these checks and preventative maintenance around the year, your customers’ systems should be in excellent condition year after year. (If they’re not—well we’re here to get you what you need regardless!)

Don’t let humidity run rampant throughout your customers’ buildings. Show up and show it the door by making smart decisions for your customers. Kele is here to back you up and get you what you need to get rid of excess humidity.

Shop now for these products:

Humidity

Thermostats

Sensors

Monitors

Filters

New Regulations for HVAC in 2023

Posted on by Kele Inc

As businesses attempt to navigate the slippery slope that is energy consumption these days, rules and regulations continue to be created and updated in attempt to police said consumption. Going green is the next stage for most industries and HVAC/BAS is no different.

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are leading the charge in advancing the industry standard by creating a greener and more energy conscious future.

A major way the industry monitors energy consumption industry-wide is the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating:

The AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute) defines ratings for SEER based on the AHRI 210/240 standard. A SEER rating is the measurement of a unit’s cooling output during a normal cooling season/time divided by the total amount of electric energy input during that same period. The higher a SEER rating is, the better and more energy efficient your unit is.

The DOE analyzes and reanalyzes appliances/energy usage and its effects every six years. Based on their last analysis when it comes to SEER etc., 2023 regulations will be looking a little bit different. Next year, the DEO will be increasing minimum efficiencies for central air conditioners and heat pumps. All testing procedures normally used will be having changes as well.

Minimum Efficiency Change for 2023

  • Air conditioners in the North: minimum efficiency is now 14.0 SEER (adjusted from 13.0 SEER)
  • Air conditioners in the South: minimum efficiency is now 15.0 SEER* (adjusted from 14.0 SEER)*15.0 SEER up to 45k BTU, 14.5 SEET at/above 45k BTU
  • Heat pump: minimum efficiency is now 15.0 SEER (adjusted from 14.0 SEER)

Current testing procedures include SEER, EER (energy efficiency ratio, and HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor). The new testing procedures are SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2. Stay vigilant when it comes to jobs in 2023 and make sure you’re staying up to date on the new changes to testing procedures.

Need help picking out products for an upcoming job? Have a break/fix that’s got you stumped product-wise? Chat online NOW at kele.com or call today. Kele’s got you covered!

Federal Funding Available for K-12 School Air Quality Projects: Part II

Posted on by Kele Inc

Part 2 of a 2-Part Series
Read Part 1 here

Do your customers know that they have a deadline to meet when it comes to spending the federal funding they’ve received regarding COVID-19? Well, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act has funds available through September 30, 2023. This is your friendly reminder that such funding will come to an end in a little over a year, so now is the time to spend those funds on critical needs within schools.

Just how much funding is coming out of such acts? In the state of Tennessee alone, public schools will receive over $4.5 billion in federal funding through such relief acts as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief and others. These funds can and will be used between spring 2020 and fall 2023. This funding is meant to support K-12 schools in various ways, from purchasing supplies to clean and sanitize facilities to facility repairs and maintenance that have to do with HVAC/BAS.

Here are two examples of acts that are ready to help and support schools—the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER). Both have similar if not the same regulations and funding rules such as:

  • Available through September 30, 2023
  • Supports purchases made to clean and sanitize facilities
  • Supports repairs and improvements made to facilities that result in safer in-person instruction and reduce the risk of virus transmissions
  • Supports funding for repair, replacement, inspection, testing, maintenance, and upgrades that trend towards improvement in indoor air quality (IAQ) including but not limited to air purification, air filtering, ventilation systems, air sterilization, and fans

Now the ARP, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “…provides critical and unprecedented support to children, families, and communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn, which has been exacerbated by historic racial injustices. As one of the largest stimulus packages in U.S. history, ARP endowed ACF with $47.5 billion in supplemental funding to further our mission and meet the needs of the children, families, and communities we serve now, as well as build a strong foundation for the next generation.”

Similarly for the GEER, according to the Office of Elementary & Secondary Education, “Congress set aside approximately $3 billion of the $30.75 billion allotted to the Education Stabilization Fund through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) Fund (in 2020). The Department awarded these grants ¬to States (Governor’s offices) based on a formula stipulated in the legislation: (1) 60% on the basis of the State’s relative population of individuals aged 5 through 24. (2) 40% on the basis of the State’s relative number of children counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).”

Don’t let your customer forget about the money already in their budget. These funds help make their life (and yours!) easier when it comes to allocating costs for projects.

Kele is here to help in any way that we can. From start to finish, we will help you maximize your customer’s funds to get you what you need for success on the job. Whether it’s a large project or a small break/fix, we’re here to help you get that win for your customer. Shop now on kele.com or call today —Kele’s got you covered.

Doing an interesting project or break/fix with these funds? Drop a line in the comment box below to tell us how your customers are spending their federal funding!

See all our blogs and featured products for School Projects here

The HVAC/BAS world is getting smarter

Posted on by Kele Inc

As costs continue to skyrocket across the U.S., more and more industries are looking for ways to do business smarter. From trying to cut costs to the implementation of smart technologies, there is no corner of the business world that has been left undisturbed when it comes to this. Even the HVAC/BAS industry has been affected!

For the HVAC/BAS customer, they are wanting more control and insight when it comes to their systems, how their systems are affecting their buildings, and the people who are spending time in them. And in this day and age? That’s completely understandable. So how exactly is our industry changing to accommodate the current and coming trends?

Current trends coming in hot!

Here are a few things that the HVAC/BAS industry is beginning to invest in:

  • Software automation implementation
  • Better connectivity through data analysis to improve controls
  • Eco-friendly systems
  • Smarter automation technologies

What do the experts say?

According to Global Market Insights, “Smart HVAC Controls Market size was over USD 7 billion in 2017, growing at a CAGR of 19% from 2018 – 2024. The global shipments are expected to surpass 250 million units by 2024. Energy management initiatives by governments in light of environmental degradation are expected to propel the smart HVAC controls market growth. In several countries, regulations have been put in place to ensure that buildings have smart heating & cooling systems to improve their energy efficiency.”

Kele is committed to helping our customers (that’s you!) win no matter what. So if your customer is looking for a quick break/fix or a smart thermostat for better management and control in their building—Kele’s got you covered so that YOU can win with your customer.

Shop now on kele.com or call today!

Summer Project: Boiler Edition

Posted on by Kele Inc

Whew—temps and humidity have hit the U.S. hard these past two weeks. If you’re not feeling it—that means that your HVAC/BAS systems are working as intended! (Cue happy dance!)

If your customer is one of the “cool” ones, then it’s a great time to talk about starting the boiler install or retrofit they are due for.

Now, which boiler is best?

For an install, it all comes down to what type of building and need your customer has. Commercial boilers are some of the most diverse that are offered. Ideally, they work best in universities, schools, hospitals, office buildings, and more. They typically work off natural gas, propane, non-fueled electric, or light-oil which provides hot water/steam.

If your customer needs high efficiency, condensing boilers are where it’s at. These units have an efficiency of 98-99% and are fueled by oil or gas. Need quiet, compact, and clean? Then electric boilers are what they’re looking for. Other types to keep in mind are firetube boilers, watertube boilers, industrial watertube boilers, non-condensing boilers, or electrode types of boilers.

Retrofits can save the day!

If your customer can’t afford a new boiler or if their system just needs a fix or upgrade, a boiler retrofit is a perfect option. The number one goal in every retrofit scenario is to increase the overall efficiency of the system. These retrofits will give your customer energy savings and cost savings.

Whether your customer is going for a completely new system or a budget-friendly retrofit, Kele is here to help. Visit kele.com now or call today to get exactly what you need.