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Home » Authors » Dave Yates
Dave Yates

Dave Yates

Dave Yates began his career in the PHCP-PVF trades in 1972 with F. W. Behler, a third-generation plumbing/ HVAC firm he purchased in 1985. Besides running F.W. Behler, writing articles for industry trade publications and speaking at events, Yates also is an experienced teacher in the hydronics industry, serving as an adjunct professor and on the Technical Advisory Board for the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. He can be reached at dyates@consultyates.com.

Articles

ARTICLES

High-Low temperature

Dave Yates: Doing the hydronic limbo

Low-temperature hydronic systems reduce energy consumption.
Dave yates
Dave Yates
January 9, 2023
No Comments

If you’re my age, you’ll remember Chubby Checker singing the Limbo song. If you’re wondering who and what that is, check out the link. I found myself thinking of that song and how low can you go when reviewing some flat panel radiator pictures.


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pottery classroom

Dave Yates: What happens when donated equipment needs costly repairs?

Free ain’t free
Dave yates
Dave Yates
November 9, 2022
No Comments

I love design-build mechanical projects, and York Arts was one that presented many challenges. The basement level would be two large pottery classrooms with a third room isolated for the electric kilns, the first floor an art gallery and offices and the upper floor was to be classrooms and a large open space where lectures, painting classes or gatherings would be held. With such a diverse and wide-ranging load for maintaining thermal comfort, multiple zones would need to be created.


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Caleffi's DIRTMAG PRO

Dave Yates: Treating the water inside hydronic systems

Black water
Dave yates
Dave Yates
September 9, 2022
No Comments

I was first introduced to black water in 1972 as an apprentice at F. W. Behler, where I had just begun the never-ending learning curve. We were draining a hydronic hot water system that served a large row home with standing cast iron radiators. The water was dark colored and smelled a bit funky, but it was explained, to me, that this was perfectly normal and highly desirable because that indicated the hydronic water was essentially devoid of free oxygen.


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steam heating systems

Dave Yates: Steam to gently warmed water

Best practices for converting steam heating systems.
Dave yates
Dave Yates
July 11, 2022
No Comments

Customers with steam heating systems often ask if there is any way for them to reduce operating costs. In addition, after asking, they note there is uneven heat distribution and want that resolved, too.


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Formic acid corrosion, erosion

Dave Yates: Formic acid corrosion, erosion

Leaking line sets cause problems despite being protected by insulation.
Dave yates
Dave Yates
May 12, 2022
One Comment

I first encountered formic acid erosion/corrosion when our installed air conditioning and heat pump evaporator (indoor) coils began suddenly leaking refrigerant in 2008. These were not old coils either, and some had only been installed for a year when the issues arose. 


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When coal was king
FROM THE MECHANICAL ROOM

Dave Yates: When coal was king

Understanding operational efficiency and heat loss.
Dave yates
Dave Yates
March 10, 2022
No Comments

My grandparents lived in Saint Clair, Pennsylvania, which is in the heart of the anthracite coal region. Pop-Pop had a Westinghouse Appliance store and serviced everything they sold. In addition, he had helped to wire homes when electricity first became available and serviced lots of coal boilers. 


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safe water temperature

Dave Yates: Why 120° F is not a safe water temperature for potable water storage vessels

Preventing Legionella while protecting against scalding at points-of-use.
Dave yates
Dave Yates
January 10, 2022
One Comment

When I first entered the trades in 1972, residential tank-style water heaters shipped with the aquastat set to approximately 140° F. Dishwashers had no need to incorporate a sanitizing cycle. Around 1977, water heater manufacturers were required to lower the aquastat temperature setting to approximately 120°, and now, dishwashers needed to incorporate a sanitizing cycle where rinse water in their reservoir was raised to 140° or higher.


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A marvel of engineering.

Dave Yates: Don't look down

A marvel of engineering.
Dave yates
Dave Yates
November 9, 2021
No Comments

When I first entered the trades, F. W. Behler installed lots of galvanized and copper spouting. I was not keen on working several stories above terra firma, which hampered my speed in getting-er-done. What to do to overcome my fear of heights? Go skydiving of course!


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Rubber meets road

Rubber: Meet road

Resolving hydronic heating comfort issues
Dave yates
Dave Yates
September 9, 2021
No Comments

Thanks to folks like you, I’ve been able to delve into many forensic examinations of mechanical mayhem and then offer solutions based on solid engineering guidelines.


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Tail Pipes

Dave Yates: Tail pipes and back alley shops

Lessons learned from those that came before.
Dave yates
Dave Yates
July 8, 2021
No Comments

On Sept. 1, 1979, I struck out on my own to become an independent PHVAC mechanical contractor. 


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View All Articles by Dave Yates
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