Friedrich Air Conditioning’s 600,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehouse facility in San Antonio has been awarded the San Antonio Water System’s (SAWS) top environmental distinction - the Environmental Excellence Award.

Recipients must demonstrate best management, water conservation, and pollution prevention practices as well as innovative educational initiatives, SAWS said.

Friedrich was selected because of recent changes it has made to its paint processing system. Many air conditioning parts and components receive a commercial-grade paint job to help prevent rust and to increase durability. The new paint process is “an ecologically more friendly powder coat process which virtually eliminates waste, decreases water treatment requirements, and uses less water than the previous system,” according to a statement from Friedrich. Additional improvements to the paint pretreatment process will further reduce water usage, eliminate natural gas heating, and make even further reductions in the need for wastewater treatment, Friedrich said.

According to Bob Desplinter, vice president of manufacturing, “Friedrich has a long history of manufacturing high efficiency, commercial grade room air conditioners and specialty air conditioning solutions. We are honored to be recognized by SAWS for our environmental contributions because we realize that we have a responsibility to our community to help protect our most valuable natural resource.”

For additional information, visit the Friedrich Website at www.friedrich.com.

Publication date: 12/18/2006