Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Taco Inc. Hheadquartered in Cranston, RI, Taco, Inc.,is a leading manufacturer of hydronic-based HVAC equipment and accessories for use in residential, commercial and institutional buildings worldwide. The company, privately owned and in business since 1920, manufactures a wide range of pumps and circulators, valves, tanks, heat exchangers, electronic controls, accessories and systems. Manufacturing facilities are located in Cranston, RI and Fall River, MA, with a Canadian distribution and sales facility in Mississauga, Ontario. Taco sells through wholesale distributors and also provides select OEMs with product. Visit www.taco-hvac.com for more information.
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NYC braces for greener AHR
The latest advances in the HVAC&R industry will not only be displayed on the show floor at the 2008 AHR Expo next week, January 22-24, 2008, they will also be hot discussion topics at many of the 72 educational sessions being offered during the three-day event. Ranging from such “green” solutions as Greenspeak: Understanding the Language and Concepts to Going Green and the Plan and Spec Representative, more than a dozen leading associations will offer educational sessions for every segment of the industry. A total of 32 free educational sessions will be presented by such endorsing associations as AMCA, MCAA, SPIDA, GWAC, CTI, ABMA, NEBB, GAMA, ZigBee, LonMark, HARDI, and NAFA. These free seminars cover a wide array of topics, ranging from The Role of Controls in Green and Sustainable Buildings and Intelligent Buildings-Delivering Sustainability to Global Warming and GridWise.
The latest in “green” products, trends, technologies and solutions also will be featured, with thousands of new products from over 1,800 exhibitors, hundreds of demonstrations and technology presentations and over 30 free educational sessions, you’ll find everything you need to stay abreast of the HVAC&R industry and your business. For more information, www.ahrexpo.com.
IAPMO commits to ‘greener’ codes
One week in advance of a controversial meeting in Hawaii, where 17 of the world’s top economies will gather to debate greenhouse gas emissions cuts, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) held an emergency meeting of its Committee for the Awareness and Understanding of a Sustainable Environment (C.A.U.S.E.) in Honolulu. At this meeting, IAPMO committed to push forward a minimum 10 percent mandatory reduction in energy usage and water savings through code changes that require sustainable construction practices over the next three years. The changes in the Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code and Uniform Solar Code will focus on achievable goals that reduce waste and conserve precious resources, while still enabling contractors to build affordable buildings with more efficient construction products and practices.
Gore goes geothermal
In today’s era of increasing environmental consciousness, being known as a “green” product is quickly becoming the highest accolade. Recently, one high-efficiency home heating and cooling system earned an endorsement of sorts from perhaps the best-known environmentalist on the planet -- Al Gore. Although the former U.S. vice president, a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize for his environmental activism, has not publicly lauded his new HVAC equipment, he voted his approval of an innovative ground-source heat pump system by installing one in his own Nashville home and office headquarters.
According to an assistant, Kalee Kreider, Gore was intent on a geothermal system from the start, and a number of options were researched. “He made the final decision on this heat pump technology,” Kreider says. “He lives there with Mrs. Gore, and he works out of the house.”
The new HVAC equipment, manufactured by Earth To Air Systems of nearby Franklin, Tennessee, replaced an older heating and cooling system that had a federal Energy Star rating for efficient operation, Kreider says. “But when you look at overall energy use, this new system is far more efficient.”
FMI Presents its 2008 U.S. Construction Overview
FMI, management consultants and investment bankers to the construction industry, announce its annual 2008 U.S. Construction Overview.
This year’s Overview forecasts a 5.8% growth of construction put in place for the coming year, although it was down 3.7% in 2007. The health and direction of the construction market matters not only to firms directly in the construction industry, but also to the overall economic health of the country. In 2008, construction put in place will total $1.21 trillion, about 9% gross of domestic product.
In addition, the 2008 Overview discusses standout trends in the construction industry, such as:
- Green Building. Green, nonresidential construction put in place was $13.4 billion in 2006. By 2008, it projects $21.2 billion of all new nonresidential construction will employ the use of green-building principles -- a 58% increase.
- Employee Ownership. Dramatic ownership turnover within the construction industry will bring significant change and challenge over the next decade.
- Productivity Improvement. Productivity improvement is approaching safety in importance for self-performers. Firms have begun to identify productivity as a critical strategic issue to provide sustained return on investment as well as an opportunity to gain competitive advantage.
- Hispanic Workforce. Of the 11.8 million workers in the construction industry work force in 2006, 2.9 million were Hispanic -- 25% of the total.
New Products
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Three-speed service pump Taco, Inc.’s unique 0010 Service Pump was specifically designed for use by service contractors replacing failed circulators. The three-speed pump makes short work of service calls, and will be especially appreciated for use on those late-night calls. The Taco 0010 Service Pump will replace any of the most commonly used circulators. The pump’s three-speed motor settings -- set via a rugged speed selector switch - will provide the same performance as the circulator being replaced. Taco, Inc. |
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ProPEX Auto rotation adapter Installers no longer need to rotate the expander tool or the PEX tubing itself by hand when making ProPEX connections. The adapter automatically turns the expander head on each expansion of the tubing, eliminating the need for any manual rotation. Uponor Inc |
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“Condensing 98” tankless water heater “Condensing 98” tankless water heaters feature exceptional 98% efficiencies. These “Eco-Navi” models offer significant energy savings, reduces over 420 lbs. of CO2 per year per unit, use PVC venting up to 100 feet and offer superior performance over the standard mid-efficiency tankless units on the market today. Unique mini-tank/pump combination gives hot water quicker and saves water. Navien.
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Heating & domestic hot water boiler The Baxi Luna HT 380 is a combination heating and domestic hot water boiler that produces 3.9 GPM of DHW. The fully modulating, condensing boiler has a modulating range from 112,601 Btu/hr at high fire down to 32,804 Btu/hr, and can achieve thermal efficiency up to 98% (AFUE 92.5%) for low temps. Ideal for in-floor radiant, hydronic air handler, baseboard radiator and snowmelt, boiler emits 90% less CO and 80% less NOx than conventional heating products. Marathon Intl.
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Movers & Shakers
Watts Water Technologies Inc. announced that Paul Green has re-joined Watts as South Central regional sales manager. Paul has over 20 years experience in the plumbing industry and was previously employed with Watts for over eight years. |
According to Jay L. Smith, president, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., John Roberts, national sales manager has been promoted to the position of vice president of domestic sales. Roberts joined Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. in 1992 as the Western Regional Manager. Prior to joining Smith, Roberts had 10 years experience in managing manufacturing representatives in the industrial, commercial and municipal markets. Charles White, marketing manager has been promoted to the position of vice president of marketing. White has been with Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. since 1982. He was hired in 1982 as accounts payable supervisor. |
Wilo USA LLC, a subsidiary of Wilo AG, Germany, one of the largest pump manufacturers of the world, announced the appointment of Michael Easterley as their new president and CEO. Mike has an outstanding record of over 30 years in the pump industry. With his experience, Wilo will become an even more valued partner with their customers. |