The NW Ductless Heat Pump Project has announced its Contractor of the Year awards to partners who have demonstrated superior performance in quality installations, customer service, and consumer marketing and education on ductless heating and cooling systems.

Air Care, a Chandler, Ariz.-based HVAC contractor, announced that it is providing Aeroseal duct sealing with the purchase of a new air conditioning unit. The offer applies to all new air conditioning units purchased from and installed by Air Care for a limited time.

Chas Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing is one of only eight companies to be selected as a recipient of the 2013 IMPACT Award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. These awards celebrate the impact these companies are having on the area’s business community and economy.

REC Solar, a leader in solar system design and installation, has announced the completion of solar installations totaling 3.5 MW at 12 Arizona public schools. The systems will provide enough power to reduce the schools’ electricity bills by up to 20 percent, said the company.

Bellevue, Wash.-based OutToday Plumbing, Heating, and Electrical has announced the expansion of its services with the opening of a new Seattle location.

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) has published the first two in a series of reports that it said will impact the future of residential energy efficiency in the Northwest. 

Avista Utilities has announced its new Manufactured Home Duct Sealing Program, which enables qualifying customers in Washington to have their home’s ductwork sealed and receive other energy efficiency products at no cost. Avista said the service, a $500 value, can help customers save up to 30 percent on their energy bill.

Vanessa Spencer, a San Diego resident, was the winner of the iPad mini raffle prize given out at the American Heart Association and Bill Howe Plumbing’s “Howe” Healthy is Your Heart Kick-Off Party held at The New Children’s Museum.

ICF International has been awarded a new contract to provide energy efficiency services to Energy Trust of Oregon for its Existing Buildings program. The contract has a value of $16 million and a term of two years. Additionally, the contract allows for a potential three option years. 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved an increase in rebates offered through the California Solar Initiative (CSI)-Thermal Program of up to 45 percent. CPUC authorized the higher rebates to help boost adoption of solar water heating technology and encourage involvement in the statewide program.