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ACING THE TEST
When Brian Wagner, president of CCG Energy Solutions in Richfield, Ohio, got the green light to retrofit the Mt. Vernon (Ohio) Middle School, the building had an EPA Energy Star rating of 1. This month Wagner will deliver the new Energy Star plaque to the school, showing an Energy Star rating of 94 out of 100. Because of the outstanding work performed by Wagner and his team, CCG Energy Solutions won First Prize in the Commercial Building Category in CONTRACTOR's Green Mechanical Contractor magazine Green Mechanical Awards....
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Grainger show highlights building green, economic recovery
ORLANDO, FLA. — Contractors learned about building sustainable, green products and technologies, and economic and business challenges during seminars and networking sessions at Grainger’s 2010 Total MRO Solutions National Customer Show here in January. Contractors also had the opportunity to visit Grainger suppliers during the trade show to learn about programs, services and products available through Grainger. ...
Most popular tools? The survey says …
CHICAGO — Contractors are making more tool purchases at home centers, a CONTRACTOR survey has found. Additionally, contractors are increasingly working in the service, repair and retrofit markets, with the aftermarket accounting for 72% of their work....
Aquarium’s solar demonstration project exceeds expectations
SEATTLE — Approximately two months after its unveiling, a new solar demonstration project, heating water for the Seattle Aquarium café, is exceeding expectations — performance data has shown that the five flat-plate solar collectors, on the south facing wall of Pier 59, have off-set almost double their expected consumption of natural gas....
Data center goes off-grid, is research test bed
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University’s Green Data Center (SUGDC), a 12,000-sq.ft. facility, created by the university and IBM, opened December 2009 and is registered to receive U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver certification. ...
News
Laars Reveals Two Key Company Positions
William (Bill) Root has been appointed to the role of V.P. and General Manager for Laars Heating Systems Company....
Contractors must be lead certified
WASHINGTON — Contractors who perform work in housing built before 1978 must be trained and certified to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) regulation. The rule applies to any contractor who might disturb lead paint to, for example, service behind-the-wall plumbing. Contractors who don’t get trained and certified by the April deadline will be subject to hefty fines....
Contractors fret over credit, people, government
CLEVELAND — Contractors are cautiously optimistic about 2010, although worries about tight credit markets, lack of qualified people and the effects of government are what keep them up at night....
Hansen Mechanical performs boiler upgrade at zoo
BROOKFIELD, ILL. — The Chicago Zoological Park — better known as Brookfield Zoo — has been in business since 1934. The 216-acre campus sponsors numerous research and conservation efforts around the globe, and is home to more than 2,300 animals of more than 450 species. ...
Data center goes off-grid, is research test bed
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University’s Green Data Center (SUGDC), a 12,000-sq.ft. facility, created by the university and IBM, opened December 2009 and is registered to receive U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver certification. ...
Harrington Engineering wins award for armed forces reserve center project
ROCKY HILL, CONN. — Harrington Engineering Inc. received an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Connecticut for its Armed Forces Reserve Center (AFRC) project in New Windsor, N.Y. ...
Features
Do the Right Thing - 2009 CONTRACTOR of the YEAR
John Ward was broke in 1992, and then he met Frank Blau. Ward took Blau's flat rate gospel to heart and he has turned Applewood Plumbing, Heating & Electric into one of the most profitable and philanthropically minded contractors in the country. ...
Tracking Your Fleet Can Increase Bottom Line
If you're not yet using a GPS fleet-management system, and you're looking for a way to increase your company's bottom line, it's time to consider what a GPS fleet-management system can do for you. ...
Solar Choices
Red vs. Blue. Tastes Great vs. Less Filling. Kirk vs. Picard. Epic battles for which there really are no right answers. Enter into that pantheon the great...
It's always 55F
GEO-EXCHANGE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS PROVIDE A PROFITABLE NICHE MARKET FOR CONTRACTORS, AND TIE IN WELL WITH RADIANT SYSTEMS...
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