August 12, 2026 · 4 min read
The Next OAC Meeting Will Be a Room Full of People Prompting Agents
The biggest shift may be a new verbal protocol for assigning agent work, adding context, and running dozens of studies at once.
Blog
Notes from the team.
October 14, 2025 · 2 min read
EPA 608 General Knowledge: Cylinders, Oils, and Safe Refrigerant Handling
Working with refrigerants is more than just knowing the refrigeration cycle — it’s about handling cylinders correctly, using the right...
October 7, 2025 · 2 min read
Conservation Practices Every HVAC Technician Must Know
Refrigerants are powerful chemicals. If mishandled, they can harm the environment, damage equipment, and trigger severe EPA fines....
September 29, 2025 · 2 min read
Refrigerant Blends Explained: What Every Technician Needs to Know
Not all refrigerants are created equal. Some are simple, single-component chemicals like R-22, while others are blends of refrigerants...
September 26, 2025 · 2 min read
A History of Refrigerants and Their Environmental Impact
When you look at modern air conditioning and refrigeration, it’s easy to take for granted that cold air just “happens.” But the truth is,...
September 24, 2025 · 2 min read
Why EPA 608 Certification Matters for Every HVAC Technician
When you enter the HVAC world, you quickly learn that handling refrigerants is not just about cooling spaces — it’s about protecting...
April 6, 2025 · 3 min read
The $25 Wire That Nearly Wasted My $17,000 HVAC Investment
A $25 oversight had made my $5,000 upgrade completely useless.
October 6, 2024 · 5 min read
AI Strategies for Real Estate Brokers: The Three Pillars of AI Optimization
AI Strategies for Real Estate Brokers: Unlocking Potential Many firms struggle to fully harness AI due to confusion around key concepts...
July 5, 2024 · 2 min read
Grease Trap Code Issues in Virginia
The new Virginia Plumbing Code (2021) contains a hidden conflict regarding grease traps. Let's investigate.
March 16, 2023 · 3 min read
Improve Your Engineering and Designs Immediately With A Simple 10-Step Warmup Routine
Permit ZIP has grappled with various ways to solve scalability problems for the small-project MEP engineering market. Teaching a team to...
January 5, 2023 · 1 min read
Small projects deserve big attention: Choose Permitzip
Our MEP consulting firm, PermitZIP, is dedicated to small projects and provides a unique value proposition to our clients. We understand...
December 28, 2022 · 1 min read
Get Accurate MEP Engineering Quotes in Minutes with PermitZIP's Instant Quote Tool
PermitZIP has developed the Instant Quote tool, which allows users to get fast and accurate pricing estimates for a wide range of MEP...
April 5, 2022 · 4 min read
"Boilerplate", "fine print", and Transparency at PermitZip
Construction drawings are more than a floor plan.
January 21, 2020 · 2 min read
I'm Trapped!
Have you ever heard of a trap primer or a trap seal? Well, if you’ve been in a bathroom or kitchen and smelled the sweet smells of sewer...
January 3, 2020 · 2 min read
The PermitZIP Reading List
Once upon a time (three years ago), in a kingdom far far away (Richmond, VA) a man started a business (PermitZIP). This man (Kenny...
December 10, 2019 · 2 min read
Project Spotlight: Taste Westhampton
Architect - Robyn Thomas Architects Owner - Jon Parden General Contractor - Spacemakers MEP Engineer - PermitZIP A Coastal Virginia...
November 12, 2019 · 4 min read
You can be as comfortable as you can afford.
A perfect and cheap HVAC system is a unicorn.
November 7, 2019 · 1 min read
Project Spotlight: Bateau
History and wine come together in this beautiful project along the James River Canal. With the great design team of Johannes Design,...
October 24, 2019 · 2 min read
Project Spotlight: Blanchard's Coffee
Chances are if you've had coffee in a Richmond restaurant, you've had Blanchard's coffee. Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Company has been...
October 15, 2019 · 3 min read
The Cost Of Engineering
You've been saving your pennies, and you're ready to open a new office/business/restaurant. You get an estimate to get work started, pull...
July 16, 2018 · 4 min read
Water Meter Surprise!
In working with contractors and developers around the city, we have found that one of the most distressing line items that may come up in...