Systems Help Center

Our comprehensive HVAC Systems Help Center covers a wide range of HVAC-related topics, including air conditioning and heat pumps, geothermal, hot-water heating, thermostats and controls, solar, steam heating, and warm air. We also have a section of informative and entertaining articles to help you sharpen your HVAC business skills. And our Heating Museum is a captivating journey through the evolution of HVAC technologies. 

Find help by category

Recent Articles

The Heating Plant by H.W. Means

Thanks to John Van Hoesen for finding and sharing this interesting article about how to fire a steam boiler in an elementary school, circa 1916. It urges the fireman to k...

Published on 06/16/2014 2:47 PM
Posted in Heating Museum
The Steam Loop

This is an interesting article about the steam loop from The Manufacturer and Builder magazine, January, 1892. It still works today.

Published on 06/16/2014 2:43 PM
Posted in Heating Museum
Thermostatic Radiator Traps

Here is a nice explanation of thermostatic traps by Austin Roche, Chief Engineer for Hoffman Specialty. This appeared on June 13, 1952.

Published on 06/16/2014 2:41 PM
Posted in Heating Museum
Trane: The Complete Line

This document is called "Trane: The Complete Line, featuring the Trane Lifetime Valve" and contains information about Trane traps, vents and supply valves. Thanks to Patr...

Published on 06/16/2014 2:37 PM
Posted in Heating Museum
Vacuum Valves for Winter Profits

This William Moore article from a 1935 edition of Fuel Oil Journal does a nice job of explaining how vacuum vents once worked on one-pipe steam systems.

Published on 06/16/2014 2:32 PM
Posted in Heating Museum
Vari-Vac Differential Controller

Here are installation and operating instructions from Dunham-Bush about the Vari-Vac Differential Controller Model 389 K. Thanks to Brad White for finding and sharing thi...

Published on 06/16/2014 2:30 PM
Posted in Heating Museum
Vari-Vac Differential Heating System

Here is information from MEPCO (Marshall Engineered Products Co.) about the Vari-Vac Differential Heating System. Thanks to Brad White for finding and sharing this inform...

Published on 06/16/2014 2:28 PM
Posted in Heating Museum