STOW, Mass. — Eleven New England HVAC contractors were presented with COOL SMART awards recently at a lunch ceremony attended by Ted Leopkey of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

COOL SMART was launched in 2003 and is a central air conditioner rebate program for National Grid and NSTAR Electric residential customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The initiative promotes the purchase and proper installation of energy efficient, Energy Star®-qualified residential HVAC systems, which the program says can save customers up to 30 percent on cooling costs.

Leopkey, an EPA program analyst who oversees the HVAC quality installation component of the Energy Star program, said, “By participating in the COOL SMART program, HVAC contractors are taking a big step to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the environment. The EPA is proud to partner with the COOL SMART program and I extend my sincerest congratulations to the winners. We hope that contractors and consumers will save even more heating and cooling energy by taking advantage of our new Energy Star Quality Installation verification program to be offered through COOL SMART in 2009.”

The COOL SMART awards are based on leadership, quality installations, and active program participation. The top Massachusetts award recipients were:

• Boucher Energy Systems

• Central Heating and Cooling

• Distributor Corporation of New England

• Heating and Air Conditioning Services Inc.

• Mark E. Meacham Inc.

• Nashoba Air Inc.

• Needham Oil and Air

• Victory Mechanical

Top Rhode Island award recipients were:

• Carjon AC and Heating

• Providence Mechanical

• Thai Sheet Metal

To find out about becoming a COOL SMART contractor, or for general program information, visit www.mycoolsmart.com or call 800-473-1105.

Publication date: 12/15/2008