Despite stubbornly high unemployment, with recent reports of job gains showing a modest decline in the U.S. unemployment rate, human resource professionals have continued concerns about attracting and retaining top talent, according to a new survey. 

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® announced its partnership with HGTV during the unveiling of the HGTV Smart Home^SM 2013, in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Using CEA’s TechHome Rating System (THRS), HGTV built the first ever smart home that has the infrastructure in place to support current and future digital needs.

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®) has made the 2013 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) Technical Committee Meeting Monographs available for download. These documents contain every code change proposal submitted for the 2015 editions of the UMC and UPC.

NexTraq®, a leader in GPS fleet and asset tracking solutions, has announced a partnership with field service software provider, Compusource. According to the companies, they will work together to provide enhanced management functionality for service contracting businesses.

IDC Energy Insights has announced new preliminary survey data indicating that 50 percent of building owner respondents reported that they currently use smart building technologies. Another 33 percent stated they would be using smart building technologies in the next six months to a year.

The Go Go Geo Scholarship Video Challenge is an opportunity for junior and senior high school students to showcase their creativity and compete for scholarship funds while educating the public on the benefits of geothermal heat pump technology. The public is now asked to vote online to help select the winners.

National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH), a national nonprofit dedicated to creating safe and healthy homes for children and their families, and Wells Fargo & Co. announced that the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation has committed up to $850,000 over three years to help launch the “Healthy Housing Challenge.”

After strong January numbers, United States combined shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps have shown another upsurge, totaling 357,637 units in February 2013, up 20.8 percent from February 2012, according to the latest statistics from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

Health care HVAC systems serve facilities in which the population is highly vulnerable and exposed to elevated risks of health, fire, and safety hazards, notes ASHRAE. A new manual from ASHRAE provides guidance in addressing these issues.

Total energy consumption in the United States manufacturing sector decreased by 17 percent from 2002 to 2010, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).