Economists Say Housing Should Rebound in 2009 The economists at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Construction Forecast Conference generally believed that the battered housing market will start to make a comeback in 2009. But in their assessment of the economy, they raised the specter of the dreaded “R” word — recession. However, the speakers did point out the positives in the current turmoil.
Dual-Fuel Systems Gain Momentum Dual-fuel systems have become all the rage lately, primarily due to the increasing cost of fossil fuels. By pairing a fossil fuel furnace with an electric heat pump, manufacturers say the systems can often pay for themselves within a few years, while providing a higher level of comfort to homeowners and their families.
Trend Home Benefits From High-End In the year 2020, more homes will probably be built with sustainable technologies. Completed in August 2008, the Wisconsin Trend Home was built to these 2020 “specs,” and features many different energy-efficient technologies that are readily available in the marketplace.
Cypress Envirosystems: Wireless Pneumatic Thermostat A wireless pneumatic thermostat with direct digital control-like functionality enables automatic zone-by-zone scheduling of temperature set point changes, automatic calibration, and remote monitoring of temperature and pressure. According to the company, it can be installed in older buildings with legacy pneumatic thermostats.
Hook and Hanger Hardware: Telescoping Pole Tool The LagMaster-Plus™ telescoping pole tool is the fastest, simplest way to hang threaded rod, wire, or chain from the ground, says the company. The pole’s thin profile allows it to reach into tight places where a worker would have difficulty maneuvering. It can be used by electricians, as well as HVAC and plumbing contractors.
Taco Inc.: Circulator Pump-Control The all-in-one pump-control variable-voltage version of the Variable Speed 00® circulator can be installed in a wide range of commercial building HVAC applications. It has been designed to operate the pump at different speeds based on an externally generated analog voltage signal input.
A book compilation of the popular “Btu Buddy” service article series is now available. Btu Buddy Notebook is a collection of more than 50 real-life service call scenarios.
What if a customer changed his mind and you had
to return and install the old equipment and refund the price paid for a new
system you had put in yesterday?
The following info was sent into me by one of my
three readers. As an investor with very limited knowledge of the stock market,
this makes perfect sense to me.
President-elect
Barrack Obama’s transition team has already started its work, and in Congress,
new leadership will be elected soon. What can we expect from the new
administration and a new Congress on an energy efficiency policy?
Manufacturers for the Week: 11/17/2008 TAC announces acquisition; Gamewell-FCI hires North Atlantic regional sales manager; Danfoss Turbocor Compressors Inc. facility is ISO certified; Rheem Heating & Cooling appoints engineering manager for heating products; Greenheck Fan Corp. breaks ground for addition to manufacturing facility; Emerson Climate Technologies appoints vice president, marketing, Air Conditioning Division; Rinnai Corp. names general manager for North American operations.
Distribution for the Week: 11/17/2008 W.W. Grainger Inc. names senior vice president and president, Grainger Industrial Supply; Schmidt’s Wholesale now stocks Buderus line.
Organizations for the Week: 11/17/2008 Air Conditioning Contractors of America releases “Understanding Electricity” training package; American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers extends tenure of distinguished lecturer.
NATE Changes C3 Criteria To support the launch of a new consumer Website expected in January, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is making changes in the criteria to participate in its Consumer Contractor Connection (C3) contractor referral service. The changes apply to the basic C3 program and the elite-level “Quality Circle” program.
RMI Completes Restructuring Refrigerator Manufacturers Inc. (RMI) completed its financial restructuring and is now intending to aggressively pursue an increased share of the $350 million North American market for custom-designed and manufactured walk-in cooler and freezer rooms. In recent years, RMI has been a leading supplier of large cooler and freezer rooms.
LonMark Launches Training Program LonMark® International (LMI) launched its Onsite Professional Certification Training Program. The one-day, onsite training program is a preparatory course for professionals wishing to become LonMark certified. It is intended as a refresher course for those already familiar with the basic concepts and for those who have had prior training or field experience.
Project Files: Energy System COMPANY: American DG Energy Inc., Waltham, Mass. INSTALLATION: On-Site Utility energy system. CUSTOMER: Penacook Place, Haverhill, Mass. OBJECTIVE: Install a highly efficient energy system without the need to finance the project.
