May 1, 2010
Top Story
What bad looks like
IF LARGE mechanical contractors thought 2009 was a challenging year, 2010 will be even more difficult as the markets on which they depend — hotels, office buildings and industrial work — hit bottom. Only four CII markets are predicted to be up this year: healthcare, educational, public safety and transportation. The Federal government, utilities and large data centers are among the few active customers....
Articles
Contractor’s home utilizes gamut of green technologies
FAIRHAVEN, MASS. — Eight years ago, Gary Lavalette, a mechanical contractor and owner of Dartmouth-based Gary's Plumbing & Heating Co., began utilizing sustainable systems in his home. ...
Hotel Andaluz is sustainable, maintains historic charm
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Following a $30 million renovation, Hotel Andaluz, truly is a sustainable hotel — it is utilizing water- and energy-efficient systems, and pursuing U.S.GBC LEED Gold certification....
Michigan’s largest geothermal system cuts HVAC costs by 35%
SAGINAW, MICH. — Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) here is home to the largest closed-loop geothermal pond system in the state of Michigan. ...
Country-French home utilizes energy-efficient systems
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Nestled into a wooded ravine here is perhaps one of central Ohio’s most comfortable homes. Conforming to a classic Country-French architectural style, the home appears to be a century-old, solid stone house suitable to be included on the National Register of Historic Buildings, however, the home has the energy efficiency and warmth of a modern home....
CONTRACTOR’s long time Assistant to the Publisher retires
CHICAGO — After 31 years in the trade publishing business and 17 years on CONTRACTOR magazine, Assistant to the Publisher Jennifer Lugiai is retiring....
Water shortages, reuse in contractors’ future
SAN FRANCISCO — “It’s pretty clear now over the last few years that a lot is happening in the water field,” understated green guru Jerry Yudelson....
Potty Parity Act introduced in Congress; codes continue to address issue
WASHINGTON — The issue of potty parity has been around for decades but, so far, there has been no federal law relating to restroom parity regulations. ...
DOE announces student teams for 2011 Solar Decathlon
The U.S. Department of Energy in mid-April announced the 20 collegiate teams selected to compete in the next U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon....
ROTOGreen program offers retrofits to existing plumbing fixtures
CINCINNATI — Just in time for Earth Day, Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Service aims to take water and energy conservation mainstream with ROTOGreen, its new green plumbing program. ...
Mr. Rooter donates money and supplies to Ronald McDonald House
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Mr. Rooter Plumbing kicked off its national sponsorship of Ronald McDonald House Charities by donating money and supplies....
Milwaukee announces partnership with Uponor
LAS VEGAS — Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. announced a new partnership with Uponor at the Uponor Convention here. ...
DOE finalizes tougher water heater standards
U.S. DOE Secretary Steven Chu announced that the Department has finalized higher energy efficiency standards for a key group of heating appliances....
A. O. Smith Partners With Solar Manufacturer Chromagen
A. O. Smith Corp. has entered into a strategic cooperative agreement with Chromagen, a leading global manufacturer of solar water heating solutions....
Alsons showerheads meet EPA WaterSense criteria
Alsons Corp. has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the WaterSense program. The company announced that 40 of its showerheads and hand showers have received the new WaterSense certification for shower heads....
Idaho restaurant is first to install solar thermal system
BLACKFOOT, IDAHO ¯ Solar Panels Plus, designer and manufacturer of solar water heaters, solar air conditioning/heating systems and photovoltaic solar panels, announced that its SPP-30 evacuated tube collectors have been installed at the Homestead Family Restaurant, the first restaurant here and in all of Southeastern Idaho to install a solar water heating system. ...
Columns
Special projects may be the flavor of the day
If every job is unique, then doesn't that make them all "special" and by inference not really all that special? ...
Wrap-up programs: How you can protect your profits
There are hundreds of ways for contractors and subcontractors to lose money in wrap-up insurance programs. Protecting profits requires a great attention to detail and extreme vigilance....
The world of thermal imaging - Part 3
This is the last in a series of articles on the budding technology of infrared cameras. At present, there are no less than a dozen different manufacturers of infrared camera technology. Each and every one of them offers a unique feature....
Leveling the playing field between owners and contractors
I met with a client this week who was encountering difficult soil conditions while laying sanitary sewer pipe. What he encountered was very different than what was shown on the soil borings, which had been made part of the contract documents. In fact, he encountered a landfill that he believes is full of old tires, paint cans and contaminated water in all the voids. It will be expensive to move and may involve toxic substances. ...
Making hay with the RPA
One thing that's undeniable: this recession and economy has altered the way we do business. Chances are you’re operating a bit leaner and paying closer attention to details than when the economy was firing on all eight cylinders just two years ago. It's not easy being an independent small business and it seems to get tougher with each passing year. ...
The world of thermal imaging - Part 3
This is the last in a series of articles on the budding technology of infrared cameras. At present, there are no less than a dozen different manufacturers of infrared camera technology. Each and every one of them offers a unique feature....
The ‘dance steps’ of getting paid — Part 2
My previous column dealt, generally, with the problems many contractors experience with getting paid. ...
Expanding your circle of influence
If you lived in Lewisville, Texas, a Dallas suburb of 100,000 people, and I could show you how an hour a week could help you get to know the mayor, police chief, county commissioner, the presidents of four local banks, a candidate for U.S. Senate, the owner of the town’s leading property management company, one of the area’s top developers, general managers from two auto dealerships and a host of other business and community leaders would you invest an hour?...
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