Business Bits
ASHRAE, GBI to Promote Building Sustainability
Through a new memorandum of understanding, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Green Building Initiative (GBI) will work together to accelerate the adoption of sustainability principles in the built environment.
“ASHRAE supports a wide variety of programs that encourage the sustainable design and operation of buildings,” says Bill Harrison, ASHRAE president. “Tools such as GBI's Green Globes® rating system help to provide metrics through which building owners and operators can gauge a building's sustainability performance.”
Green Globes is a green building guidance and assessment program described as an effective, practical and affordable way to advance the overall environmental performance and sustainability of commercial buildings.
The agreement calls for the two groups to promote the design, construction and operation of buildings that are energy-efficient, healthier, and environmentally responsible by providing education and training. Additionally, ASHRAE and GBI will promote the link between sustainable design and actual performance outcomes
ashrae.org; thegbi.org/greenglobes
School Districts Seek to Save Energy Through Controls
School districts in Texas are implementing facility enhancements designed to improve building operations, comfort, and energy efficiency.
The Grand Saline Independent School District (GSISD), Grand Saline, TX, is implementing $700,000 in facility enhancements. TAC, Loves Park, TX — the building automation business unit of Schneider Electric — will complete the work as a performance contract with the district.
GSISD serves approximately 1,200 students on four campuses. The district contacted TAC to resolve several problems, including the lack of a single building management system for all the schools, inadequate lighting, and for assistance complying with state-mandated energy-efficiency guidelines.
The Comanche Independent School District (CISD), Comanche, TX, is implementing more than $1 million in facility enhancements designed to improve operations, comfort and efficiency at the district's four main campuses. TAC's energy solutions division will complete the work as a performance contract with the district. TAC guarantees that CISD will reduce its utility costs by more than $14,000 annually when the project is completed in the spring of 2009. tac.com
Speaker Encourages HVAC Contractors to Take IAQ Lead
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a comfort problem that's tailor-made for HVAC contractors. Therefore, its essential that the industry improve technicians' IAQ expertise, says Robert P. Scaringe, P.E., Ph.D.
Scaringe — president of Rockledge, FL-based Mainstream Engineering — says that off-gassing toxins from building materials, and tight, efficient building techniques that rob homes of needed outdoor air, have unleashed a rash of emerging IAQ health ailments. Some 20 million Americans and 6.3 million children now suffer asthmatic conditions, Scaringe reports..
“IAQ in the home starts and ends with the HVAC system, which is the domain of the skilled HVAC contractor,” Scaringe says, and adds that HVAC professionals are the perfect candidates for IAQ remediation. Replacing mold-infested ductwork, installing mold-killing electrostatic filters, humidity correction, and other solutions all require the skills learned in HVAC instruction and certification courses.
Scaringe believes training helps to overcome the many misconceptions about residential IAQ. For example, many contractors believe it's beneficial to vacuum dirty ductwork. In reality, the practice can distribute lung irritants throughout the home.
Other misconceptions involve mold remediation. According to Scaringe, many HVAC contractors are unaware that hard surface mold growth requires an entirely different biocide treatment than porous surfaces, such as duct insulation. A hard surface biocide applied to duct insulation will soak in and make it possible for the ventilation system to distribute harmful toxins, Scaringe says.
Scaringe's remarks were made during a presentation to contractors during the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society annual conference. mainstream-engr.com; epatest.com/IAQ.
Luxaire® Commits to Helping Grant Wishes to 2011
Luxaire Heating and Air Conditioning, Norman, OK, recently renewed its commitment to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America® into 2011.
Luxaire estimates the extension will result in $675,000 in contributions to Make-A-Wish over the next three years. Luxaire began its association with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2001. A portion of every sale of a Luxaire product goes toward a minimum contribution of $250,000. The Luxaire network of distributors and contractors also works with Make-A-Wish chapters to organize fundraising activities.
luxairebelievesinme.com; wish.org
Honeywell Sends a Chill Through Infringement Culprit
A Chinese firm has agreed to stop infringing on Honeywell refrigerant patents. Counterfeit R-410A refrigerants purveyed by Shandong Huaan were seized by Italian Customs Authorities in Gioia Tauro, Italy in November, 2008. Shandong Huaan and its affiliates subsequently agreed not to manufacture, purchase, sell or otherwise dispose of, any products that infringe any intellectual property of Honeywell or its affiliates. Honeywell holds patents related to R-410A, R-404A, R-408A, R-507, R236fa, and 245fa.
“We're committed to making the investments and will continue to work diligently with authorities to protect our patents from infringement worldwide,” says Rene Mueller, managing director for Honeywell's Fluorines business abroad.
honeywell.com/refrigerants
Nordyne Voted a Favorite St. Louis Employer
Nordyne, O'Fallon, MO, is one of the best companies to work for in the St. Louis metropolitan area, according to a recent online survey conducted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper.
Nordyne won in the category of “Best Coworkers/Team.” The company was nominated by its employees.
“This is a real testament to the quality of our people,” says Dave LaGrand, president/CEO of Nordyne. “We're extremely fortunate to have courteous, enthusiastic employees who enjoy being here every day.”
Nordyne employs nearly 200 people at the company's St. Louis-based corporate headquarters and more than 1,600 people worldwide.
Nordyne residential system brands include Maytag, Frigidaire, NuTone, Tappan, and Westinghouse.
nordyne.com
AMCA International Approves Louver Test Method
The Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc. (AMCA) announced it has approved ANSI/AMCA Standard 540-08, “Test Method for Louvers Impacted by Wind Borne Debris.” The standard addresses impact testing of louvers used on the outside of buildings, as required by the International Coding Council (ICC)
The standard is available for purchase. amca.org
Engenuity Announces New Customer Rewards Program
Building automation systems manufacturer Engenuity, Chandler, AZ, has launched a new customer rewards program that restructures customer pricing levels into platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels.
Buyers will be rewarded with benefits such as free shipping, product training credits, and extended credit terms. engenuity.com
Appointments
Rheem has appointed Michael Sentovich vice president/general manager of Raypak, manufacturer of commercial and residential boilers and pool and spa heaters.
JLG Industries, Inc. has appointed Donald F. Roy to the position of senior vice president, manufacturing.