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In October 2009, Stanford University released a comprehensive and long-range Energy and Climate Action plan aimed at maximizing energy efficiency and utilizing clean, renewable energy on campus. The plan includes a cutting-edge energy supply system known as the Stanford Energy System Innovations (SESI) project.

On a recent call to replace an aging gas boiler, the owners reported a persistent gas smell. The gas company had previously inspected the building and couldn’t find a leak. Yet the smell continued. The point is, if you smell gas, however subtle the smell, there is a gas leak. Somewhere. The challenge can indeed be where to find it.

Now is a good time for contractors — along with facility operators and engineering firms — to take a close look at ASHRAE’s pending Legionella standard. ASHRAE 188P, “Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems,” could become a standard as early as July if the latest comments do not warrant another public review.

Absorption chillers use heat, instead of mechanical energy, to provide cooling. The mechanical vapor compressor is replaced by a thermal compressor that consists of an absorber, a generator, a pump, and a throttling device.

Water is a byproduct of combustion. If the proper venting of flue gases is neglected — as is so often the case — water in the form of condensation triggers serious safety and comfort issues for our customers. As professionals, we must pay more attention to flue gas temperatures and the conditions of the flue during our service calls.

Two new reports from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) examine the economic options customers face when deciding how to finance commercial or residential solar energy systems.

A large hotel replaces a lot of mechanical equipment over the course of its lifetime. The Embassy Suites - Nashville Airport chose Aquatherm pipe for a major chilled water renovation in 2008 and selected it again in 2013/2014 for a hydronic heating and subsequent domestic hot water renovation.

The home standby generator is designed to be reliable in the face of the impossible-to-predict variable weather conditions that often necessitate its use; yet, many homeowners do not utilize this appliance. These generators provide homeowners reliable backup power to keep them comfortable, safe, and secure during a power outage.

Gas Monkey Garage, owned and operated by Richard Rawlings and home to the Discovery Channel’s series Fast N Loud, has gone since conception without air conditioning. Rawlings contacted A#1 Air and requested air conditioning for Gas Monkey Garage, believing it to be a simple job. It turned out to be much more.

For contractors working to improve the HVAC functionality in Class A buildings, there has never been a time with more opportunity for upgrades, retrofits, and innovative equipment replacement.