The third book in the comprehensive, updated HVAC Library, a hands-on guide-book for installation, service, and repair for HVAC equipment and components, with detailed coverage of air conditioning
Covers basic installation, maintenance, and repair of radiant heating systems, radiators, convectors, unit heating systems, fireplaces, stoves, chimneys, water heat-ers, indoor/outdoor pool heaters, heat pumps, fans, exhaust systems, air cleaners and filters, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers
Contains special sections on installing air conditioning in new and older construction, including air conditioning calculations
Includes appendices featuring a trade organization listing, formula cross reference, data tables with conversions, and a manufacturer listing for the products covered in the book
Unique coverage and organization as well as economical cost make this ideal reference for the seasoned HVAC tech, apprentice, or trade school student

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 2.5 based on 3 reviews)

Good first book

I note the two earlier reviews saying this book is very old school, somewhat dated, and the figures are all black and white, lacks information on newer technology, such as Puro, etc.

For a homeowner with very little previous knowledge who wanted to get a leg up on the area, though, this book was fine as a first read. Also note that the book isn't that expensive, especially if you're buying newer books, or more engineering level books, you can pay $100 or more for those.

So for me the book was all right. I needed a basic intro and this fit the fill. Also, the book on gas burners and heaters is the most extensive, which is what I have, at over 80 pages. The other chapters on oil, electric, hydronic, etc., are shorter, but gas is the most common and important these days.

I also don't mind the black and white illustrations. I worked in the publishing industry for 7 years, and too often color is misused just for aesthetic effect in educational books and doesn't add to the clarity of the presentation. In that case, I would prefer to have a much cheaper black and white book since the cost of color illustrations is several times that of black and white.

I found Brumbaugh's writing style clear and concise. Technical books can be monotonous and boring, but a good technical writer can minimize that problem, and Brumbaugh is more than competent at presenting the topic.

At just under 700 pages including the index, it's a lot of information for a reasonable price. Overall, a pretty good value, and after reading this book, I feel comfortable going on to the more technical, more up to date volumes on the subject.
October 09, 2008

Not Up-to-date But Still Relevant

The controls section of this book needs to be updated, but 90% of the book is still relevant. The text tends to lag behind the images, but this book is packed with a ton of helpful information and plenty of pictures. If you're a mechanic and you're working with older equipment, maybe this book is exactly what you're looking for. This is the second book that I bought by Mr. Brumbaugh, and I noticed there's a little over lapping, but still, this book is a few bucks and what you'll get out of it is worth it.
February 02, 2006

Old School Information, Nothing New For This Generation!

Not a very good book. The author James E. Brumbaugh must be recycling his information from the 1st edition. This book is very old school. The pictures are in black and white and seem to be recycled pictures from HVAC theory back in 1960's era.
I would not recommend purchasing this book. I hope the author's next edition will be in color with more "new school" information such as a "Puron" refridgerant techology, modern day HVAC servicing procedures such as "EPA Section 608" information, and more up to date pictures - take pictures of new housing and commercial construction, factory workers putting units together, and a technician working on a actual unit. James E. Brumbaugh is very "old school".
July 17, 2005

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Audel HVAC Fundamentals, Heating Systems, Furnaces and Boilers,
by James E. Brumbaugh

Audel HVAC Fundamentals, Heating System Components, Gas and Oil Burners and Automatic Controls
by James E. Brumbaugh

Audel Air Conditioning Home and Commercial
by Rex Miller, Mark Richard Miller, Edwin P. Anderson

DEWALT HVAC Professional Reference (Dewalt Trade Reference Series)
by Paul Rosenberg

AnswerMan HVAC&R Reference Guide (AnswerMan Pocket Reference Books)
by ESCO Institute Ltd.
by Jerry Weiss