Sisters’ monastery defines sustainability, receives LEED Platinum certification

Jun 30, 2010 3:31 PM, BY CANDACE ROULO Of CONTRACTOR’s staff

MADISON, WIS. — The Benedictine Women of Madison work toward environmental solutions and teach the importance of nature in daily life as part of their mission, thus, it was natural that they aimed for a high level of sustainability when building their new monastery....

Handhelds Galore

Jul 9, 2010 10:12 AM, BY CANDACE ROULO Of CONTRACTOR’s staff

Blackberries, iPhones and Droids are some of the popular handheld devices that contractors and service technicians are using on the job these days. ...

Industry opposition builds to Home Star bill

Jul 7, 2010 11:08 AM, BY ROBERT P. MADER Of CONTRACTOR’s staff

WASHINGTON — Industry opposition is building to the Home Star legislation, more commonly known as “Cash for Caulkers.” ...

DOE showers industry with confusion

Jul 7, 2010 10:36 AM, BY ROBERT P. MADER Of CONTRACTOR’s staff

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy probably didn’t know what it was getting itself into when it announced an interpretive rule in early June that would effectively ban multi-head shower systems....

Manufacturing companies enter joint venture, new business alliance

Jul 7, 2010 10:21 AM, Special to CONTRACTOR

MILWAUKEE & CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF. — A. O. Smith Corp., Milwaukee, and Takagi Industrial Co. Ltd., Fuji-city, Shizuoka, Japan, announced that they are establishing a joint venture; and Acorn Engineering Co., City of Industry, Calif., and Smith Industries Inc., Montgomery, Ala., announced a new business alliance....

Deal in the works: Direct Energy to purchase Clockwork

Jul 7, 2010 10:05 AM, BY TERRY MCIVER Special to CONTRACTOR

Direct Energy has announced its intention to acquire the assets and business of Clockwork Home Services Inc....

Study finds dry cities have cheap water

Jun 29, 2010 10:10 AM

A study evaluating residential water use and charges in 30 metropolitan areas of the United States finds that some drought-plagued, “dry” cities in the country actually have the lowest water rates in the nation....

ICC signs MOU with rainwater group

Jun 28, 2010 10:46 AM

The International Code Council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association....

Bemis toilet seats will be used for Independence Day festival game

Jun 17, 2010 5:08 PM

SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WIS. — Bemis Manufacturing Company is proud to find itself participating in the Redneck Games at the Independence Day festival, Cape Girardeau, Mo., July 2-4. ...

Energy Star program to increase water heater criteria this fall

Jun 9, 2010 12:25 PM

This fall, the Energy Star program will increase the minimum Energy Factor (EF) for gas storage water heaters from 0.62 to 0.67....

The risks of an outdated estate plan

Jul 9, 2010 11:57 AM, BY IRVING L. BLACKMAN TAX AUTHORITY

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, said it: "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The next best thing is the wrong thing. And the worst thing you can do is nothing."...

Of punchlisting and project management

Jul 9, 2010 12:09 PM

A time for renewal at RPA — Part 2

Jul 9, 2010 12:31 PM, BY MARK EATHERTON HYDRONIC HEATING CONTRACTO

Editor’s Note: This is the continuation of last month’s article, an interview with the new executive director of the RPA, Ted Lowe....

Software helps calculate residential HVAC loads, duct sizes

Jul 9, 2010 12:44 PM, BY WILLIAM & PATTI FELDMAN TECHNOLOGY AUTHORITIES

Developers and owners of residential homes are generally keen on keeping heating and cooling costs as streamlined as possible without sacrificing performance. A properly sized system costs less to run and provides the highest level of comfort....

Heat Pump Water Heaters — Part 2

Jul 9, 2010 2:16 PM

Green Products - July 2010

New Products - July 2010