New efficiency standards for residential water heaters are on the horizon
In less than two years, new water heater energy efficiency standards will be in effect, starting in April 2015. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven Chu announced in April of 2010 that the Department had finalized higher energy efficiency standards for a key group of heating appliances that will together save consumers up to $10 billion and prevent the release of up to 164 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over 30 years.
TP Mechanical celebrates 60th Anniversary
CINCINNATI — TP Mechanical, a mechanical contracting firm specializing in plumbing, pipe fitting, sheet metal and fire protection, marks its 60th anniversary this spring. The company, which prides itself on safety, teamwork, servant leadership and a winning attitude, provides comprehensive contracting, mechanical and pre-fabrication services to the healthcare, hospitality, education and public sector industries in Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, areas.
Tool trends: reciprocating saws, hammer drills most popular tools amongst contractors
CHICAGO — This March, CONTRACTOR surveyed readers to find out what are the most used corded and cordless power tools amongst contractors today, along with identifying types of construction involvement, assessing annual spending on power tools, and finding out where contractors prefer to purchase those tools. CONTRACTOR also picked the brains of some industry-specific tool manufacturers to find out what type of tool trends they are seeing and what they are forecasting for the future.
Functionality, practicality seen at KBIS 2013
NEW ORLEANS — Contractors, wholesalers, dealers, designers and architects at this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, held here, April 19-21, were the first to see a variety of new and enhanced kitchen and bath products designed with universal appeal and ADA compliance in mind, offering functionality, practicality and affordability. And, as usual, water and energy conservation is top of mind for the manufacturers exhibiting at KBIS.
Banner Plumbing Supply exceeds expectations
In 1947 Charles Greenspon borrowed $500 and opened up Banner Plumbing Supply in a three flat on the South Side of Chicago. With six employees, they loaded pipe out of the basement window to service their customers — and that’s how it all began. Lee, Charles’ son, learned every aspect of the business, so it was natural that Lee took over the business when Charles passed on.
Lessons in radiant, hydronics at ACCA 2013
ORLANDO, FLA. — This year at ACCA 2013, Feb. 27-March 1, in Orlando, Fla., contractors had the opportunity to attend Radiant and Hydronics Learning Labs, focusing on the history of radiant, how to integrate radiant into an HVAC business, and how to estimate fuel and electrical costs in residential hydronic systems.
Grainger Show 2013 highlights sustainability, safety
ORLANDO, FLA. — This year, more than 14,000 Grainger customers attended the Grainger Show in Orlando, Fla., March 10-12. Attendees had a chance to visit with more than 600 Grainger supplier partners during the trade show and attend educational seminars and networking discussion groups.
Employees make the company at Applewood Plumbing
DENVER — As their 40thanniversary nears this year, Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric, www.ApplewoodFixIt.com, has evolved into a company that sets industry standards for recruitment, training and business best practices. Applewood has more than 116 employees and more than 70 service trucks on the road daily to service customers with plumbing, heating and electric needs.
BIM, prefab increases efficiency, safety on UCSD Health Sciences Biomedical Research Facility project
SAN DIEGO — A new Health Sciences Biomedical Research Facility, which could receive notoriety as being the highest performing laboratory facility in the U.S., is being built by McCarthy Building Companies Inc., at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in La Jolla, Calif. Located on a 3.3-acre site within the UCSD School of Medicine campus, the 196,000-sq.ft. facility, which is part of an ongoing expansion at the campus, is being built to achieve U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum Certification and is scheduled to be completed August 2013.
Geothermal system reduces propane use by 85%
BIG SKY, MONT. — For Marc Montanus and his wife, geothermal was ideal when deciding what type of HVAC system would be most efficient for their new, radiant heated mountain home in Big Sky, Mont. The couple elected to design and install a geothermal system for two simple reasons: efficiency and cost.
Get The Lead Out Plumbing Consortium highlights training, outreach strategy
ROLLING MEADOWS, ILL. — The Get The Lead Out Plumbing Consortium met with media representatives here at the Plumbing Manufacturers International offices on Nov. 9 to discuss how the group of associations and manufacturers are working together to explain the impact of the national “Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act” on contractors, apprentices, distributors, engineers and code officials, and to educate and train these four industry sectors, so all professionals are prepared for when the law goes into effect in Jan. 2014.
The NATE Magazine is the official publication of North American Technician Excellence, the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians
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