The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) issued a challenge to manufacturers to build more efficient air conditioners for the western United States. Coolerado Corp. was the first certified winner of the UC Davis Western Cooling Challenge, entering the program with its new hybrid commercial rooftop unit.

Solar energy has had an image as an impractical high-cost luxury. However, falling costs and time-of-use electricity pricing have now begun to help solar become competitive in select locations. Proximity to “grid parity” varies by location, and is closest for commercial rooftop installations in California, according to a new research report.

Nexstar® has announced that the Money Masters® touring seminar will be coming to the Denver area Aug. 21-22. The seminar provides an opportunity for service contractor owners in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades to learn how to more profitably run the business-side of a company.

GainSpan® Corp., a provider of Wi-Fi semiconductor solutions, Radio Thermostat Company of America (RTCOA), a provider of programmable communicating thermostats, and Our Home Spaces, a supplier of energy management solutions for homeowners and developer of iPhone™ applications, have joined forces to bring Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats to market.

Alliance Environmental Group, a provider of indoor air quality remediation and mold/asbestos removal services throughout California, has announced the expansion of its offering to include commercial and residential coil cleaning services aimed at increasing energy efficiency and air quality for its customers.

Seattle Refrigeration Co. and the Seattle Chapter of the Refrigeration Engineers and Technicians Association (RETA), in conjunction with the Ammonia Safety and Training Institute (ASTI), are offering an NH3 (ammonia) safety class for their inaugural Ammonia Safety and Awareness Day.

Goettl Air Conditioning and radio station Mix 96.9 (KMXP) are partnering to cool down Phoenix’s hottest moms this summer. From May 8 through June 1, Mix 96.9 listeners are invited to nominate a mother they feel deserves a new air conditioning unit by uploading a picture of her onto the station’s Website.

Southern California Edison (SCE) has launched its Energy Star® Residential Quality Installation program, and only contractors eligible for the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Consumer Contractor Connection (C3) program are able to offer these incentives to their customers.

The California Community College’s Workforce and Economic Development Centers of Excellence (COE) has produced a study indicating that California’s persistent move towards energy efficiency has spurred a rising need for eight energy efficiency occupations that is likely to create thousands of well-paying jobs.

In celebration of its 56th year anniversary, the Arizona Chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA-AZ) will conduct its second annual HVACR Industry Tradeshow & Career Fair. It will be held Thursday, April 9, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mesa Convention Center.