ArchitectVIP.com Architecture News http://news.prvip.com/index.php Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:16:16 +0000 1440 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10972 Energy Efficient Improvements Move Eminence Community School Corp. to Head of the Class

- School Anticipated to Save $30,000 in Annual Energy Costs -

Eminence, Ind., June 22, 2009 — Education leaders at Eminence Community School Corp. recently earned an “A” in energy efficiency. They completed upgrades that make the school more energy efficient and create an optimal learning environment. With portions of the school dating back to 1931, improvements at the school were required to replace aging and outdated infrastructure systems. Additionally, inconsistent temperatures throughout the building were creating a challenging learning and teaching environment.

To address, this, in April 2008, the school undertook $1.3 million in infrastructure improvements. Completed in December 2008, the improvements are anticipated to save the school $30,000 in annual energy costs with an expected payback of 10 years or less. “This past winter and spring, we were so pleased to see how much students enjoyed learning in a more comfortable environment,” said Dr. Susan Phillips, who will be retiring from her role as superintendent on June 30, 2009. “While it’s difficult to step down from my role, I take great satisfaction in being part of the team that helped create a more efficient school and most importantly, the best possible learning environment for Eminence students today – and in all the school days ahead.”

The project was funded by a performance contract, which is a package of products and services customized to building requirements to deliver significant energy and operating cost reductions.

Eminence Receiving an Award for Energy Leadership
In recognition of the importance of these upgrades and Eminence Community School Corp.’s commitment to energy efficiency and to reduction of its environmental footprint, Eminence Community School Corp. has earned the “Trane Energy Efficiency Leader in Education Award” for its sustainable energy and operational efficiency improvements.

Details of the award presentation:
• Dave Sommer, business leader for Trane in Indiana, will present the award to Dr. Susan Phillips, superintendent of Eminence Community School Corp
• Awards presentation will be at 9:30 a.m. on June 25 in the lobby of Eminence High School, 6760 State Rd. 42 N. in Eminence, Ind.

The Energy Efficiency Leader in Education Award honors a school that has completed building improvements that optimize the teaching and learning environment and increase operational efficiency.

Creating the Best Possible Learning Environment
When education leaders initiated the project for the combined elementary, middle and high school building, they selected customized solutions after carefully reviewing options that would allow them to save energy while creating the best possible environment for students. A recent study in Educational Facility Planner Report found a direct correlation between classroom environmental conditions and student performance.

Completed infrastructure improvements at the school include upgraded high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls for improved energy efficiency and more consistent temperatures throughout the building. For greater flexibility where needed, the upgraded controls allow for customized temperature adjustments in individual classrooms.

The gymnasium’s dim lighting was made brighter while decreasing energy used. Upgrades to the gym also included a high-efficiency air conditioning system and more energy-efficient air handling and exhaust fan systems for greater student comfort. Other energy efficiency improvements include new windows and doors.

The performance contracting process in Indiana also allows for a small percentage of funding to be allocated for cosmetic improvements, so new flooring was added to the gym, the locker room, the main entrance and the back hallway.

About Eminence Community School Corp.
The oldest building at Eminence Community School Corp. dates to 1931. The district’s schools, including the elementary and junior/senior high school, serve approximately 550 students from Morgan County, Indiana.

About Trane
Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand, improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy-efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings. For more information, visit www.trane.com.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:54:06 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10972 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10973 Trane Shares Performance Contracting Methodologies to Commercial Real Estate Owners and Property Managers at BOMA 2009 International Conference

-- Business Sponsors Annual Industry Conference, Further Reinforcing its Commitment to Commercial Real Estate Industry as a BOMA Cornerstone Partner --

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania June 22, 2009 –At the upcoming Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) 2009 International Conference in Philadelphia, Trane leaders will educate building owners and property managers on how to take advantage of performance contracting (PC) to finance energy and operating projects in their buildings.

PC is a model that allows building owners to use future energy and operational savings to finance infrastructure improvement projects. It is an option for funding energy-saving improvements in buildings that provides measurable business results. By managing and optimizing energy use, companies can leverage operational savings to support strategic business objectives.

Dane Taival, vice president, contracting solutions for Trane, will participate in a panel discussion on PC at the BOMA 2009 International Conference.

Attendees of the panel will learn PC basics and benefits; management of the energy PC process; how to increase the potential for self-financing; and how employing an energy service company
(ESCO) can help assure building performance.

Details of the presentation are:
When: June 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. (Conference is June 28-30)
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
Conference Web site: http://www.bomaconvention.org/boma2009/custom/splash.html

Trane has saved property owners up to 50 percent in operating costs, and the industry leader has significant performance contracting experience, handling nearly $1 billion in performance contracts and saving both money and the environment in the process. PC projects led by Trane have made the same environmental impact as removing 18,722 cars from the highway, saving 68,074,062 gallons of water, or planting 21,843 trees.

Trane is a BOMA Cornerstone Partner and Sponsor of Event
Trane is a BOMA Cornerstone Partner, demonstrating Trane’s commitment to support BOMA with the needed resources to advance its advocacy, education and research initiatives that benefit the entire commercial real estate industry. At the conference, Trane leaders will be available at the BOMA Leadership Reception on June 27 and at Exhibit Show booth 1031. Trane is also hosting the Welcome Party on Sunday, June 28 and the BOMA Chapter President Breakfast on June 30.

The 2009 BOMA International Conference and The Office Building Show brings together building managers, owners, developers and other commercial real estate professionals to talk about challenges and opportunities in the current economic climate.

BOMA International aims to provide its 16,500 members with information and advocacy on office building development, leasing, operating costs, energy consumption, building codes, legislation and new technology to help run the more than nine billion square feet of commercial properties managed or owned by members in North America.

About Taival
Dane Taival is the vice president of the Trane contracting solutions business in the Americas and is responsible for developing and delivering commercial building modernization and improvement services and solutions. Taival has been with Trane for 16 years and handles asset management and high performance building services, controls contracting, and comprehensive solutions. With 17 years of experience in the HVAC industry, his position establishes the direction for the business and creates new offerings to fuel the organization’s growth.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin. He is also a registered professional engineer (PE) and certified energy manager (CEM).

About Trane
Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand - the world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and energy efficient environments - improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings. For more information, visit www.Trane.com.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:50:59 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10973 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10974 Trane Ships First of Its New Energy Efficient Air-Cooled Scroll Chillers to Community College in Kentucky

-- System can be 50% more efficient at part load and 10% more efficient at full load than today’s ASHRAE minimum efficiencies--

-- Local celebration planned in Pueblo, Colo., to celebrate first unit shipment --

Pueblo, Colo., June 16, 2009 – Building owners are looking for comfort systems with high energy and operational efficiency and low sound levels and ergonomic risk.

To meet this demand, Trane is introducing and now shipping a new air-cooled scroll chilled water system that delivers on all of these requirements and is particularly suited for K-12 school
buildings.

Called CGAM, the 20-to 120-ton system is one of the industry’s most efficient designs available today. It is approximately 50 percent more efficient at part load than the minimum efficiency targets of ASHRAE 90.1 and up to 10 percent more efficient at full load.

It’s also designed with acoustics in mind, with a 5-8db reduction compared with previous models. This allows building owners to apply a standard unit in situations that would have required additional sound attenuation in the past. CGAM can further reduce sound levels up to an additional 3db with factory-installed attenuation.

CGAM is safer to install and commission than other air-cooled chillers because of its easy to reach service valves, water strainer and water pipe connections. This also makes it more durable for a renovation/retrofit project, not just for new construction design.

Celebrating the first CGAM shipment
The first CGAM system is shipping from the Trane facility in Pueblo, Colo., to a community college in Kentucky on Wednesday, June 17.

To celebrate the first shipment, Pueblo community leaders and officials will join the local Trane operation’s nearly 700 employees for a elebration that includes a facility tour and first ship ceremony.

Different CGAM Systems Applications Depending Upon Owner Need
Combined with building automation control systems such as Tracer Summit™, CGAM offers a flexible, scalable, efficient and cost-effective solution for maintaining facility climate.

When used as part of an ice or thermal storage system, owners can benefit from reduced cooling energy cost because the design uses ice made at night, when demand and energy charges are lowest, to cool the building during the day. The CGAM chiller’s dual setpoint control and industry leading ice energy storage efficiency assures reliable operation and superior system efficiency. Another energy saving application is using CGAM with partial heat recovery, which is when the heat that is rejected from the condenser while cooling the building is redirected through a factory installed heat exchanger on the chiller. This optional factory-installed heat exchanger provides hot water that can be used for many applications; water preheat and reheat for enhanced system humidity control are just two examples. This option reduces operating costs associated with boilers/hot water heaters.

For more information, visit www.trane.com/engineer or contact your local Trane office found on www.trane.com/commercial.

About Trane
The Trane operation in Pueblo was established in 1987. The plant manufactures helical rotor and scroll water- and aircooled chillers, compressors and cold generators. The global market for these products includes education, office, industrial, retail and government applications.

Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand, improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings.

For more information, visit www.trane.com.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:47:53 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10974 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10975 New Jersey Business Leaders Learn to Apply Proven

Energy Strategies to Their Businesses and Buildings

Madison, N.J., June 16, 2009 – U.S. buildings are responsible for 40 percent of primary energy use, 72 percent of electricity consumption and 39 percent of CO2 emissions1. By reducing their buildings’ energy consumption, owners and sustainability leaders can make a significant impact on the environment and their bottom lines.

Leaders from Ingersoll Rand and its Trane business are speaking on the significance of this – and how to realize results –in New Jersey and around the world.

John W. Conover IV, president of the Trane commercial systems business in the Americas, will share “Proven Strategies for Making Existing Buildings Energy and Operationally Efficient” as part of the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise’s Breakfast Seminar Series.

Details of the presentation are:

When: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 19
Where: Hartman Lounge, Hennessy Hall
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Madison, N.J. campus

As part of his presentation, Conover will discuss energy efficient technologies, using case examples that demonstrate return on investment. He will offer guidance on strategic energy plans that include forecasts of organizations’ energy needs and strategies on how to meet those needs efficiently and economically. Conover will use an internal case example, illustrating how Ingersoll Rand employed the strategy in its own Residential Systems facility in Texas.

The strategy and its related process improvements are expected to net $1.1 million in recurring annual energy cost avoidance for the next eight years. The energy avoided is the equivalent of planting 237,546 trees, powering 1,285 homes and removing 1,697 cars from the road.

A topic that arises across energy efficiency discussions is the business case for making such upgrades. Owners can link the physical environments of their buildings to business outcomes such as customer and employee satisfaction, productivity, and operating expense reduction, among others.

In May, Kevin Tubbs, director of environmental affairs for Ingersoll Rand, presented as part of a panel on “The Business Case for Going Green” at the Jumpstarting the New Green Economy conference. Tubbs shared best practices in energy reduction and sustainability as well as Ingersoll Rand’s own sustainability practices with an emphasis on what the company is doing to reduce its own carbon footprint.

New technologies and energy strategies and the case for using them are topics that Ingersoll Rand and Trane leaders are discussing in forums around the world. In fact, Conover will discuss similar points as part of the “Waste Not…Containing Climate Change” panel at the Forbes CEO Forum: “The Global Innovation Machine: Fueling New Growth in Tough Times” held in Scotland June 14-16.

About Conover
John W. Conover IV is the president of the Trane commercial business in the Americas. He has been in the heating and air conditioning industry for almost 30 years where he has witnessed major shifts in Americans’ expectations for indoor air quality and comfort. During his tenure with Trane, he has played an integral role in developing methods to better understand customer expectations and market needs such as the growing search for energy efficiency solutions. John focuses heavily on gaining innovative insights on what it takes to acquire, satisfy and retain customers. Under his direction, Trane has saved its customers more than $400M and 198M kwH of energy through comprehensive building solutions. This is the equivalent of planting 115,000 trees, removing 100,000 cars from the road, powering 80,000 homes, saving 2B pounds of C02, 15M pounds of acid rain, 5M pounds of smog, 70M gallons of water and 60M of gasoline.

Ingersoll Rand is a global diversified industrial firm providing products, services and solutions to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and enhance industrial productivity and efficiency. Driven by a 100-year-old tradition of technological innovation, we enable companies and their customers to create progress. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.

Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand - the world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and energy efficient environments - improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings. For more information, visit www.Trane.com.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:45:03 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10975 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10976 Ceremony at Passavant Area Hospital to Launch Efficiency Improvements

--Study Finds Upgrades Will Save Money and Improve Standard of Care --

Jacksonville, Ill., June 15, 2009 — Passavant Area Hospital will soon undertake $2.3 million in infrastructure improvements to address aging infrastructure and high energy and operating costs.

The improvements, which will be completed in February 2010, are estimated to save more than $313,000 annually, which would pay for the project in 6.5 years. A formal audit conducted by the hospital also found that the improvements will positively impact the environment of care for patients and staff while decreasing power consumption by 19 percent.

The hospital will formally launch the infrastructure improvement project with a ceremony and reception on Thursday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. in the main lobby of Passavant Area Hospital, 1600 West Walnut in Jacksonville, Ill.

Joining the ceremony will be officials from Passavant Area Hospital including: Chester Wynn, chief executive officer, Phillip Benz, director of plant engineering and environmental services and David Bolen, vice president and chief financial officer. Key partners attending will include
Bradley A. Zeller, board member of the Illinois Finance Authority and chairman of the Morgan County Board of Commissioners; Richard Campbell, vice president for the central territory for Trane commercial systems business in the Americas. Local community leaders will also be
invited.

The project is anticipated to be entirely funded by a performance contract, which is a package of products and services customized to building requirements to deliver significant energy and operating cost reductions.

Environment of Care Study Demonstrates Potential Benefits
As part of its improvement process, the hospital completed a formal investment grade audit, including a study of the environment of care which evaluated the benefit of potential improvements. The study demonstrated that the improvements will conserve water and energy, save money and improve comfort for patients and staff while decreasing energy consumption. The study identified three physical environment opportunities for improvement, including temperature control, noise level and aging plant systems and equipment. The study also demonstrated that these energy upgrades will improve the environment of care through better:

• Patient satisfaction
• Patient outcomes
• Staff satisfaction and performance
• Physician satisfaction and retention
• Financial performance


Improvements at the hospital will include:

• Installing more energy-efficient lighting and electrical systems
• Optimizing the central chilled water and steam boiler systems for improved operation, efficiency and water conservation
• Upgrading the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and controls
• Increasing the energy efficiency, effectiveness and throughput of laundry operations

“We’re excited to create an optimal environment of care for both our patients and staff,” said Wynn. “It’s ideal that we’re also serving as careful stewards of both our financial and environmental resources.”

“On behalf of both the Illinois Health Finance Authority and the Morgan County Board of Commissioners, I applaud Passavant Area Hospital administrators for this commitment to providing an optimal environment of care while being environmentally responsible,” said Zeller. “Even more remarkable, administrators are using a self-funding approach to generate guaranteed energy savings. It’s truly a win-win situation.”

About Passavant Area Hospital
Passavant Area Hospital is a not-for-profit community hospital serving a five-county area for over 134 years. Passavant’s state-of-the-facility includes a new Ambulatory Surgery addition, a Rehabilitation Center and Orthopaedic building, a Wound Center, and is currently in the middle of a $16.7 million Emergency Department Expansion. Passavant recently achieved the Magnet designation for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Only 5 percent of hospitals nationwide achieve Magnet Recognition. For more information, visit www.passavanthospital.com.

About Trane
Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand, improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy-efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings. For more information, visit www.trane.com.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:43:44 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=10976 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11288 Free Risk Management Training

June 10, 2009 - The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the nation's largest association of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) contractors, has announced a unique benefit for its members in partnership with Federated Insurance, the association's safety and risk management partner.

A limited number of slots will be made available to ACCA members to attend Federated's Designated Risk Manager Seminar, at no charge. (Transportation and lodging are not provided.) This training is usually offered only to Federated clients, but ACCA members do not need to be insurance clients in order to participate in this invaluable two-and-a-half day program.

"The key to controlling your insurance premiums, and ultimately your business profitability, is to keep your losses under control," said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA President & CEO. "The best companies, of all sizes, have a designated risk manager to help control those losses. The challenge? It's not a full-time job! So it's difficult to ensure proper training and qualifications for the individual charged with this important role."

Federated's Designated Risk Manager Seminar is designed especially for the contracting industry, and offers targeted, interactive training to help contractors control their losses, and their premiums. Topics covered at the seminar include:

• Your Losses vs. Your Industry
  
• How to Designate a Risk Manager
  
• Motor Vehicle Reports – "Making the Tough Call"
  
• Distracted Driving
  
• Hiring Practices – "The Faces of Your Business"
  
• Business Planning – "Managing the Ultimate Risk"
  
• Risk Management for Your Industry
  
• Industry-Specific Claims Handling
  
• Industry-Specific Risk Management Practices
  
• Action Plans
  
• How an Underwriter Views Your Type of Business
  
• Emergency Preparedness

The Designated Risk Manager Seminar will be held August 17-19, 2009 at Federated's headquarters in Owatonna, Minnesota. Only a very few spaces are available at no charge to ACCA members, so this training is "first come, first served." ACCA members may download the required form here or contact Jina Duchnowski for more information, at 1-800-533-0472, x5604, or by e-mail at jmduchnowski@fedins.com.

For over forty years, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America has served the educational, policy and technical interests of the small businesses that design, install, and maintain indoor environmental systems. ACCA is a non-profit organization with members in all 50 states and over 20 countries. Learn more at www.acca.org.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:40:35 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11288 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11289 Big Ideas in the Big Easy

June 2, 2009 - October 2009 is shaping up as a turning point for HVACR education, as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the nation's largest association of HVACR contractors, has announced the co-location of two major events serving segments of the industry.

The two events -- the 2nd Annual National HVACR Service Managers Forum, and the 6th Annual Commercial Contracting Roundtable -- will be held October 1 & 2 at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans. Both events are co-produced by ACCA and the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration NEWS, the weekly newspaper of the HVACR industry.

The National HVACR Service Managers Forum was first held in 2008, to resounding success -- in fact, the response was so overwhelming that the Forum sold out well in advance. Responding to participants who said that the Forum was too valuable to hold only once, ACCA moved quickly to schedule the second one, with an all-new, expanded schedule of workshops.

"Service managers are key to contracting success, and the ones who attend the Service Managers Forum are the ones who will make a big difference for the companies they work for," said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA President & CEO. "Of course, we found last year that the Forum actually drew a wide audience -- not just service managers, but company owners, operation managers, and other service and installation personnel. Some companies sent their whole service team, and found the experience invaluable."

Workshops at the Service Managers Forum offer an intense education in management and leadership techniques designed to equip service professionals for success in a constantly changing environment. The full schedule and details are available at www.servicemanagersforum.com. Early bird registration discounts are available until July 15.

Since 2003, the Commercial Contracting Roundtable (CCR) has offered owners and top executives from commercial HVACR firms a unique opportunity to meet, network, and learn from each other in a friendly environment. For the sixth annual event, ACCA chose to shake up the schedule, with an all-new series of workshops aimed at one goal: helping commercial contractors transform themselves for the new opportunities (and challenges) of the new world.

Workshops at the 6th Annual CCR, led by working contractors and commercial building experts, will cover topics like energy services, "bundled" offerings, building information modeling, "green" retrofitting, managing with team leaders, and much more. See more details at www.contractingroundtable.com.

Until July 15, registrants for the CCR will receive early bird discounts and a free copy of ACCA's new report, Commercial Service Agreements: A Benchmarking Guide for the HVACR Industry.

By combining forces, the two powerhouse events will turn the "Big Easy" into the land of "Big Ideas" for HVACR this October.

National HVACR Sponsor Showcase

In addition, participants of both events will enjoy access to the National HVACR Sponsor Showcase throughout the schedule. Unlike traditional trade shows, the Sponsor Showcase affords plenty of relaxed interaction between vendors and contractors, and the number of sponsors is limited to ensure high-quality conversation.

As Jennifer Davis of Davisware said, "The format takes the intimidation factor out of prospective customers because it was not a traditional trade show. The roundtable discussion topics gave us the opportunity to discuss areas of expertise with attendees who were interested in those areas. We will be there again this fall!"

And Tom Jackson of Jackson Systems said of his experience last year, "Being the first Service Managers Forum for ACCA, we were not sure exactly what to expect. We knew that ACCA does an incredible job with their conferences, and the Forum continued the streak ... It was not a tradeshow, so it allowed us more time with all the attendees. There was an excellent mix of both owners and service managers ... We were the first to sign up as a sponsor for 2009!"

For more information about sponsorship, contact Richard Ware at richard.ware@acca.org or 703-824-8843.

For over forty years, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America has served the educational, policy and technical interests of the small businesses that design, install, and maintain indoor environmental systems. ACCA is a non-profit organization with members in all 50 states and over 20 countries. Learn more at www.acca.org.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:39:32 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11289 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11290 Are You a Safety Master?

May 19, 2009 - The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the nation's largest association of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) contractors, has announced that it is accepting applications for the 2009 Safety Masters Club, sponsored by Federated Insurance. The nomination form, which can be downloaded online, is due by July 10, 2009.

The Safety Masters Club recognizes ACCA member contractors who have made a significant commitment to their company's employees and customers by implementing safety programs that produce results. Those contractors with the best safety record and programs in their size category will also be presented with the ACCA Safety Award of Merit.

All entrants for the Award of Merit become members of the Safety Masters Club. It's a simple way for contractors to demonstrate to their employees, their customers, and their community that they care about a safe working environment.

Any ACCA member can apply based on a category that matches your company size (in man hours). The categories are: 0 to 15,000 hours; 15,001 to 40,000 hours; 40,001 to 100,000 hours; 100,001 to 200,000 hours; and 200,001 + hours.

Applications are only accepted once a year, and this is the time. The form is available online at www.acca.org/safetymasters and must be returned by July 10, 2009.

Through ACCA's partnership with Federated Insurance, ACCA members have access to a growing library of articles and resources related to workplace safety and business risk management, located online at www.acca.org/safety. Federated's loss control experts are working with ACCA's Safety Committee to develop programs that contractor members can use to enhance workplace productivity and ensure the health and well-being of employees.

For more information about the Safety Masters Club, please contact Charlie McCrudden at 703-824-8841 or charlie.mccrudden@acca.org

For over forty years, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America has served the educational, policy and technical interests of the small businesses that design, install, and maintain indoor environmental systems. ACCA is a non-profit organization with members in all 50 states and over 20 countries. Learn more at www.acca.org.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:38:45 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11290 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11239 ASHRAE Introduces Prototype of Building Energy Label at Annual Conference

Program that aims to change the “face’ of building energy use moves closer to official launch

ATLANTA – June 22, 2009 - Most of us know the fuel efficiency of our cars, but what about our buildings? ASHRAE is working to change that, moving one step closer today to introducing its building energy labeling program with release of a prototype label at its 2009 Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky.

A prototype label for the ASHRAE Headquarters in Atlanta was unveiled. The Building Energy Quotient program, which will be known as Building EQ, will include both asset and operational ratings for all building types, except residential. ASHRAE is working with major real estate developers to implement the label prototype this fall with a widespread launch of the full program in 2010. For more information, visit http://buildingEQ.com/

“As the United States looks to reduce its energy use, information is the critical first step in making the necessary choices and changes,” Bill Harrison, ASHRAE president, said. “With labeling mandatory in Europe and disclosure of a building’s energy performance becoming required by several states, now is the time to introduce a label that can serve as a model for mandatory programs. ASHRAE’s introduction of its prototype labeling program couldn’t be better-timed.”

Ron Jarnagin, who chairs the committee developing the label, noted that the market, with its move toward placing a premium on energy-efficient properties, would benefit from a labeling program.

“When potential building tenants and owners have information on the properties they are interested in, they can understand the full cost of their investment and place a value on the energy efficiency of a building,” he said. “ASHRAE’s label will help building owners differentiate their product in a technically sound manner while providing tenants with the tools they need to select energy-efficient spaces.”

The ASHRAE labeling program differs from existing labeling programs in that it focuses solely on energy use. Under the ASHRAE program, new buildings will be eligible to receive an asset rating. An operation rating will be available once the building has at least one year of data on the actual energy use of buildings. Existing buildings would be eligible to receive both an asset and operational rating.

The asset rating provides an assessment of the building based on the components specified in the design and would be based on the results of a building energy model. The operational rating provides information on the actual energy use and is based on a combination of the structure of the building and how it is operated.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:35:39 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11239 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11240 Outstanding Achievements Recognized at ASHRAE's Annual Conference

LOUISVILLE - June 20, 2009 - The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recognized 56 members and one chapter for contributions to ASHRAE and the HVAC&R industry at the Society’s 2009 Annual Conference being held here June 20-24.

The Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award honors an ASHRAE Fellow for continuous preeminence in engineering or research work. The recipient is Wilbert F. Stoecker, Ph.D., P.E. Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, professor emeritus, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Andrew T. Boggs Service Award recognizes a past Distinguished Service Award recipient for continuing, unselfish, dedicated and distinguished service. The recipient is Laurance S. Staples Jr., Life Member, who resides in Prairie Village, Kans.

The Exceptional Service Award recognizes Distinguished Award recipients who have continued to serve the Society faithfully and with exemplary effort. Five recipients were recognized:

• Mark C. Hegberg, product manager, Danfoss Heating Controls, Elmhurst, Ill.
  
• Giustino N. Mastro, P.E., Life Member, associate director, Physical Plant, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt.
  
• Hugh D. McMillan III, P.E., senior mechanical engineer, CCRD Partners, Houston, Texas.
  
• Andrew K. Persily, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, group leader, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md.
  
• J. Thomas Sobieski, retired from York International Corp. as director of special products, Airside Products Group. He resides in Johnston, Pa.

The Distinguished Service Award salutes members of any grade for giving freely of their time and talent to the Society. The following 18 members were selected:

• Hoy R. Bohanon Jr., P.E., senior commissioning authority, Working Buildings, Winston-Salem, N.C.
  
• James J. Coogan, P.E., principal engineer, Siemens Building Technologies, Buffalo Grove, Ill.
  
• Stephen W. Duda, P.E., director of mechanical engineering, Ross and Baruzzini, St. Louis, Mo.
  
• Steven J. Emmerich, research assistant, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md.
  
• David F. Geary, Life Member, president, D.F. Geary Consultants, Annapolis, Md.
  
• Klas C. Haglid, P.E., CEO and president, Haglid Engineering, Hillsdale, N.J.
  
• Michael N. Hart, P.E., president, Energy Engineering Associates, Austin, Texas.
  
• Jan L. M. Hensen, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, a professor, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.
  
• Giustino N. Mastro, P.E., associate director, Physical Plant, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt.
  
• Kirk T. Mescher, P.E., principal, C.M. Engineering, Columbia, Mo.
  
• Keith C. Newcomer, regional sales supervisor, Piedmont Natural Gas, Cary, N.C.
  
• Bert Phillips, P.Eng., principal, UNIES, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
  
• Wayne R. Reedy, Fellow ASHRAE, r etired engineering manager, Carrier Corp., Indianapolis, Ind.
  
• Robert B. Risley, sales manager, FPL Energy Services, West Palm Beach, Fla.
  
• Emily Sandru, Ph.D., P.E., research director, Research Facilities Design, San Diego, Calif.
  
• M. Ginger Scoggins, P.E., president, Engineered Designs, Raleigh, N.C.
  
• Peter Simmonds, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, senior associate, IBE Consulting Engineers, Sherman Oaks, Calif.
  
• John W. Wells III, P.E., president, Consulting Engineering Associates, Tampa, Fla.

The Distinguished 50-Year Member Award is given to persons who have been a member of the Society for 50 years and have performed outstanding service to the Society. The following six members are receiving this award:

• Lloyd Barnard Jr., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, a retired partner, Newcomb and Boyd, Atlanta.
  
• John C. Chato, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, professor emeritus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  
• Arthur P. Garbarino, P.Eng., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, president and CEO, Air Service, West Palm Beach, Fla.
  
• Presidential Member George A. Jackins, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, principal, Engineering Resource Group, Birmingham, Ala.
  
• Prem C. Jain, Ph.D., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, chairman and managing director, Spectral Services Consultants, New Delhi, India.
  
• George J. Jarik, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, resides in Chicago. He was elevated to the grade of Fellow in 1977.

The Journal Paper Award honors the best paper or article published in ASHRAE Journal. James Cummings and Charles R. Withers Jr. are the recipients for their article, Problems Related to Air Handler Leakage . Cummings is program director, Buildings Research Division; and Withers is senior research analyst, Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, Cocoa, Fla.

The Crosby Field Award honors the best paper presented at an ASHRAE meeting. Chung Kee-Chiang, Ph.D., Tsai Kuo-Pao and You-Hsuan Wang, Ph.D., are the recipients for Performance of Local Ventilated Hood 1: A General Ventilation Working Environment, which also receives an ASHRAE Poster Presentation Award. Kee-Chiang is a professor of mechanical engineering and Kuo-Pao is a doctoral student, Graduate School of Engineering Science and Technology, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin, Taiwan; Wang is with Light Era Development Co., Taipei, Taiwan.

The following papers were selected to receive ASHRAE Transactions Paper Awards, which recognize the authors of the best papers presented at Society meetings.

• John Wright, Ph.D., P.Eng., receives an award for Calculating Center-Glass Performance Indices of Glazing Systems with Shading Devices Wright is a professor. Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
  
• Iain Walker, Ph.D., and Darryl Dickerhoff receive an award for Field and Laboratory Evaluation of a New Ramping Technique for Duct Leakage Testing. Walker is a scientist and Dickerhoff is principal research associate, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Calif.

Saeed Fathali, Ph.D., and Andre Filiatrault, Ph.D., Eng., receive an award for Experimental Seismic Performance Evaluation of Integrated Isolation/Restraint Systems for Heavy HVAC Equipment. Fathali is a design engineer, Rutherford and Chekene, Structural and Geotechnical Engineers, Lafayette, Calif.; Filiatrault is a professor, Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University of Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, N.Y.

Kevin Rafferty, P.E., receives an award for Design Issues in Commercial Open-Loop Heat Pump Systems. Rafferty is retired and resides in Chiloquin, Oreg.

The Willis H. Carrier Award is given to an ASHRAE member 32 years of age or younger for presenting an outstanding paper at a Society meeting. Alexander Michaud, an associate, Cerami and Associates, New York, N.Y., is the recipient for Experimental Investigation of Reflection of Airborne Noise at Duct Terminators.

The ASHRAE Poster Presentation Award is given to peer-reviewed technical papers with the best visual and technical information presented at Society meetings. The recipients are Nesreen Ghaddar, Ph.D., Kamel Ghali, Ph.D., Ralph Saade and Amer Keblawi for Design Charts for Combined Chilled Ceiling Displacement Ventilation Systems. Ghaddar is Qatar Chair in Energy Studies professor and Saade and Keblawi are graduate students, Department of Mechanical Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon; Ghali is a professor of mechanical engineering, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon.

The Lincoln Bouillon Award recognizes a member who performs the most outstanding work in increasing the membership of the Society during the course of the year. The recipient is Michelle L. Swanson, P.E., senior project manager, M-E Engineers Inc., Denver, Colo.

The Dan Mills Technical Award recognizes a Chapter Technology Transfer Committee (CTTC) chair who excels in meeting CTTC goals in technical, energy and government activities. The recipient is Oscar Cobb Jr., P.E., a mechanical engineer, Albert Kahn Associates, Detroit, Mich.

The Chapter Program Star Award recognizes excellence in chapter program endeavors. The recipient is Robert J. Laneve, director of engineering, Air Control Products Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.

The William J. Collins Jr. Research Promotion Award is given to the chapter research promotion chair who raises the most money for ASHRAE research. The recipient is Robert G. Craddock, managing director, Inland Metal, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

The Puerto Rico Chapter receives the Society's Government Activities Award, which recognizes an ASHRAE chapter for outstanding effort and achievement in state, provincial and local government activities in connection with technical issues related to the activities of the Society.

The Environmental Health Award recognizes excellence in volunteer service focused on environmental health issues. The recipient is Presidential Member H.E. “Barney” Burroughs, Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, president and CEO, Building Wellness Consultancy, Alpharetta, Ga.

The Standards Achievement Award recognizes significant and exceptional service in the area of standards leadership and technical contribution. The recipient is Charles E. Dorgan, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, Life Member, professor emeritus, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

The ASHRAE Student Activities Achievement Award recognizes a Chapter Student Activities chair for service related to the goals and growth of student activities at all levels. The recipient is Ashish Kadam, assistant professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pune-Maharashtra-India.

The Milton W. Garland Commemorative Refrigeration Award for Project Excellence award recognizes the designer and owner of a non-comfort cooling refrigeration application that highlights innovation and/or new technologies. The recipient is Cesar Luis dL. Lim, PME, a consultant, SPTG/CTG, San Miguel Corp., metro Manila, Philippines.

The Refrigeration Comfort Cooling Award for Project Excellence recognizes innovation and/or new technologies. The recipient is Russell L. Heiken, P.E., executive vice president, X-nth, Maitland, Fla.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. Its sole objective is to advance through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:34:49 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11240 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11241 New Publication Provides Energy Efficiency Guidance for Hotels

ATLANTA – June 16, 2009 - When visiting your next hotel this summer, check to see if energy efficiency is on the amenities list. If it’s not, it should be.

Recommendations on achieving 30 percent energy savings over minimum code requirements are contained in the newly published Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging. The energy savings guidance for design of new hotels provides a first step toward achieving a net-zero-energy building.

“The recommendations allow the building industry to create more energy-efficient hotels while maintaining the quality and functionality of the space to provide a pleasant guest experience,” said Ron Jarnagin, chair of the committee that wrote the book.

The book, published by ASHRAE, gives guidance to architects, engineers, contractors and other building team members on how to easily achieve advanced levels of energy savings without having to resort to detailed calculations or analyses. A few tips on how to achieve energy savings now are included below.

Written in partnership with The American Institute of Architects, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the U.S. Department of Energy, the book is available for free in electronic form at www.ashrae.org/freeaedg. Hard copies are available for purchase in the ASHRAE Bookstore through the same Web page.

The Guide focuses on typical hotels found along highways that have up to 80 rooms, generally four stories or less, that use unitary heating and air-conditioning equipment. Buildings of these types with these HVAC&R configurations represent a significant amount of commercial hotel space in the United States.

Examples of advanced highway lodging energy designs are provided in case studies to illustrate the recommendations and the flexibility offering in achieving the energy savings in the Guide.

Although the guidance targets new hotels, some of the design tips included in the guide that allow hotels to save energy immediately are appropriate for existing hotels as well:

Lighting:

• In interior corridors, lighting often runs 24 hours a day. This is an area for possible daylight savings from top lighting (skylights) or occupancy sensors that reduce lighting when the space is unoccupied.
  
• Use compact fluorescent lighting in downlights, wall sconces, and table lamps. Use incandescent lighting sparingly, such as in accent lighting of artwork or highlighting of special architectural features in the lobby. Use translucent wall sconces and table lamps to better light the space and patrons’ faces.
  
• Use compact fluorescent fixtures with electronic ballasts in all plug-in table and floor lamps in guest rooms, lobbies and common areas

Hot Water:

• The least expensive means of reducing service water heating energy consumption is by reducing service hot water consumption. Lower-flow shower heads can reduce hot water demand during showers from approximately 1.8 gpm to less than 1.5 gpm. Low-flow lavatory faucets can produce similar hot water usage reductions for each lavatory.

Laundry Service:

• Laundering of bed linens and towels consumes significant amounts of energy in highway lodging facilities. Water-conserving commercial washers consume roughly 25 percent less water per pound of laundry than conventional commercial washers and extract significantly more water from the load thus reducing the energy use required by the dryer.

The cost of the print version of Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging, is $62 ($53 members). To download the free electronic version, please visit www.ashrae.org/freeaedg.

To order a print copy of the book, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), fax 404-321-5478, or visit at www.ashrae.org/bookstore.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:32:19 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11241 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11242 CDC and HUD Recognize Benefits of ASHRAE Ventilation Guidance

ATLANTA – June 12, 2009 - ASHRAE has long said that proper ventilation levels can lead to healthier, more productive environments. Now the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recognize ASHRAE guidance as a means for creating healthy homes.

On June 9, Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson released The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Healthy Homes , calling for Americans to prevent disease and promote healthy environments in homes. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2007, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, was recommended as an effective way to reduce indoor air pollution through ventilation in the CDC’s and HUD’s supporting guidance for builders and homeowners.

"The citation of Standard 62.2 by the Surgeon General highlights the relevance of this standard to the national need for safe and healthy housing,” says Andy Persily, chair of ASHRAE’s Technology Council. “ASHRAE members should be proud to be able to contribute to such an important goal."

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2 helps ensure air inside homes is clean and safe by limiting sources of pollutants and requiring enough mechanical ventilation to provide dilution for unavoidable contaminants. The standard ensures that heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems work together to effectively ventilate homes and minimize sources of indoor pollution.

The standard applies to spaces intended for human occupancy within single-family houses and multi-family structures of three stories or fewer, including manufactured and modular houses. It does not apply to transient housing such as hotels, motels, nursing homes, dormitories or jails. The standard applies to both new and existing buildings and renovations.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:30:27 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11242 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11243 Guidance on Sustainability Latest Addition to ASHRAE Handbook

ATLANTA - June 10, 2009 – As economies transition from carbon-based to other forms of more sustainable energy, engineers are being challenged to meet an ever-increasing tide of regulation and demand.

To assist the building environment industry in meeting this challenge, guidance on designing for effective energy resource use is being emphasized in the newest edition of the ASHRAE Handbook.

The 2009 ASHRAE Handbook – Fundamentals, covers basic principles and provides essential data for HVAC&R design. In all, the Fundamentals volume includes more than 1,000 pages and 39 chapters on a variety of HVAC&R topics, covering general engineering information, basic materials, load and energy calculations and duct and pipe design.

The new chapter on sustainability defines this concept for HVAC&R and describes the principles, design considerations, and detailed evaluations needed in designing sustainable HVAC&R systems.

“HVAC&R engineering design on projects concerned with performance and sustainability requires understanding of more than just HVAC&R,” said Dave Grumman, who oversaw writing of the chapter on behalf of ASHRAE’s technical committee on building environmental impacts and sustainability. “Engineers must consider projected energy and water demands, storm water runoff generation, waste generation and air quality impacts. The guidance in this new chapter will assist engineers as they strive for overall sustainability in buildings.”

The chapter covers characteristics of sustainability, factors impacting sustainability, primary HVAC&R considerations in sustainable design, factors driving sustainability into design practice and designing for effective energy resource use.

Another change is addition of climate data for 5,564 stations on the CD accompanying the book, an increase of 1,142 stations compared to the 2005 Handbook on the CD accompanying the book. A subset of data for selected stations is included in the printed chapter, Climatic Design Information.

Other new information can be found in chapters titled Psychrometrics, Mass Transfer, Fundamentals of Control, Thermal Comfort, Indoor Environmental Health, Fenestration, Ventilation and Infiltration, Nonresidential Cooling and Heating Load Calculations, Space Air Diffusion, Duct Design, Insulation for Mechanical Systems, Airflow Around Buildings, Refrigerants, Thermophysical Properties of Refrigerants, and Measurement and Instruments.

The 2009 ASHRAE Handbook is published in two editions. One contains inch-pound (I-P) units of measurement, and the other contains the International System of Units (SI).

The cost of the 2009 ASHRAE Handbook – Fundamentals, which includes the CD is $195, in I-P or SI. The 2009 ASHRAE Handbook CD, which contains both the I-P and SI editions, costs $155.

To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), fax 404-321-5478, or visit at www.ashrae.org/bookstore.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:29:43 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11243 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11244 Virtual Congressional Visits Day Hosted by High-Performance Buildings Caucus Coalition

June 8, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – The building industry is encouraged to reach out to Congress to promote high-performance buildings during an upcoming High-Performance Buildings week.

The High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC) is hosting the first annual Virtual Congressional Visits Days during the week of June 15-19. Members of the HPBCCC participating organizations are asked to contact their member of Congress by phone and e-mail and encourage them to join the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus and to focus on high-performance building issues. The week has been dubbed “High-Performance Buildings Week.”

Co-Chairs of the High-Performance Building Congressional Caucus, Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL) introduced a Resolution (H.Res.492) supporting the goals and ideals of High-Performance Building Week.

“ASHRAE’s Washington Office is leading the program and would like to have ASHRAE members participate in full force,” said Bill Harrison, ASHRAE president. “ASHRAE set the foundation for energy efficiency with Standard 90.1, and we are working to build on that foundation by providing guidance related to high-performance buildings. To ensure the design, construction and operation of high-performance buildings, it is vital we have the support of the federal government.”

Information on the program including fact sheets, contact templates, and participating organizations is available at www.hpbccc.org/cvd.

The High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC)is a private-sector coalition providing guidance and support to the High-Performance Building Caucus of the U.S. Congress. The High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition will work with the Congressional Caucus to promote and showcase best practices in building design and focus on issues reflecting all aspects of high-performance buildings including: accessibility, aesthetics, cost-effectiveness, functionality, historic preservation, productivity, safety and security, and sustainability.]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:32:35 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11244 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11245 ASHRAE Operations and Performance Management Certification Available Worldwide

May 28, 2009 - ATLANTA – ASHRAE’s Operations and Performance Management (OPMP) Certification program has joined the Society’s two other existing certification offerings available at testing centers around the world.

ASHRAE member Jim Newman took the exam when it was first offered at ASHRAE’s 2009 Winter Conference.

“I teach classes to facility engineers on proper operating and maintenance techniques,” said Newman, ASHRAE certified OPMP, Newman Consulting Group, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “This exam covered all the aspects of operations and maintenance that an engineer would need to know to properly perform not only O&M in a building, but also know what to do to be more effective. Receiving the OPMP designation shows that a person is truly proficient in his/her craft.”

The web-based exam is offered at testing centers in more than 200 locations in almost 20 countries. In addition to the United States and Canada, the exam is now offered in countries such as Australia, China, Egypt, Guam, India, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Applicants first apply for the examination through ASHRAE, and if they meet the certification qualifications, register for the examination at a testing center.

"ASHRAE's OPMP certification helps professionals attest that they are well prepared to manage and maintain buildings to fully achieve reliability and their potential energy savings," said Richard Rooley, chair of the committee who developed the exam. "These ASHRAE certified professionals will keep your building’s design from fading from green to grey, ensuring the full potential of the energy conserving systems they manage."

Other ASHRAE certifications currently available at testing centers are Healthcare Facility Design Professional and High-Performance Building Design Professional Certification. ASHRAE’s Commissioning Process Management Professional launches in June at the Society’s 2009 Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky., and will be available at testing centers by the end of August.

For information on ASHRAE certification, visit www.ashrae.org/certification.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:31:41 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11245 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11246 New ASHRAE Standard Guides Designers in Moisture Control Measures

May 14, 2009 - ATLANTA – Moisture and mold don’t make the headlines the way they once did, but they are still problems in some structures.

Guidance on how to best design buildings with adequate moisture control features is contained in a new standard from ASHRAE. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 160, Criteria for Moisture Design Analysis in Buildings, formulates design assumptions for moisture design analysis and criteria for acceptable performance.

“If the designer elects to perform a design moisture analysis, the standard requires he or she to think about the interior conditions that will be maintained in the building and the effect that may have on building envelopes,” Anton TenWolde, chair of the committee that wrote the standard, said. “The standard provides a methodology for the first time to make consistent design recommendations, such as the need, type and placement of vapor barriers in any climate.’

The standard introduces criteria to handle rain, wind and other exterior moisture weather loads.

The cost of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 160-2009, Criteria for Moisture-Control Design Analysis in Buildings, is $39 ($33, ASHRAE members).

To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 1-800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide), fax 404-321-5478, or visit www.ashrae.org/bookstore.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:30:44 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11246 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11247 ASHRAE Appoints First DOE Building Energy Codes Fellow

May 12, 2009 - ATLANTA – The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers has appointed its first Building Energy Codes ASHRAE Fellow in partnership with the Department of Energy. The new Fellow, Mike Erbesfeld, will assist the DOE in assessing the impact of updating state energy codes to meet the 2010 version of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1.

“The fellowship is valuable in that I get to bring my industry perspective to the federal government, where I can illustrate the obstacles and pitfalls on the path to net-zero-energy buildings, says Erbesfeld. “At the same time, this collaboration will hopefully ease the communication among owners , designers and building code officials, creating a more efficient and streamlined process from design to certificate of occupancy.”

Erbesfeld will be placed in the DOE’s Office of Building Technologies, Building Energy Codes Program. He will analyze energy code updates based on EnergyPlus analysis of benchmark buildings and cost databases, as well as perform compliance testing of COMcheck using benchmark buildings and recommend program and front end changes to simplify COMcheck use. COMcheck is a software program from the DOE that simplifies energy code compliance by offering a flexible computer-based alternative to manual calculations.

Erbesfeld’s most recent role was as an ASHRAE Congressional Fellow in the office of Sen. Diane Feinstein, where he worked on legislative efforts that included tax credits and deductions to assist homeowners and businesses make energy efficient improvements and with HUD to ensure that their energy efficiency mortgage (EEM) program was utilized to its full potential.

He graduated from the University of Miami, Miami, Fla., with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.

ASHRAE launched its Washington Fellow program in 2007 to allow participants to work in the federal government in a technical advisory role for limited terms. The Society is accepting applications for additional DOE ASHRAE Fellows. For more information on the program, contact Doug Read, ASHRAE Program Director of Government Affairs, at dread@ashrae.org or (202) 833-1830.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of some 50,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.]]> Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:29:51 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11247 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11329 WILLIAMS INTRODUCES THE HIGH-EFFICIENCY DIRECT-VENT FURNACES

COLTON, CALIFORNIA, APRIL 10, 2009: Williams Furnace Company introduces the newest addition to their series of comfort products – Three models (7,400 – 29,400 Btu/Hr) of High-Efficiency Direct-Vent Furnaces. The High-Efficiency Direct-Vent Furnace are designed as a high-efficiency, low-profile furnace that may be installed nearly anywhere in your home, apartment, office or garage. In just minutes your room will be heated and you’ll enjoy a money-saving, energy-efficiency design, modern appearance with low-cost installation. These furnaces require no inside air for operation, making them an ideal choice for safe operation to add comfort to nearly anyplace heat is needed.]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:27:31 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11329 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11330 REMEMBERING JAY WASHBOURNE

May 15, 2009 - Jay Washbourne, VP of Operations for Williams Furnace Company and Phoenix Manufacturing, suffered a heart attack and died suddenly Wednesday evening, May 13th.

For all of those who knew Jay personally, this is a tragic and unexpected loss of one of the great people in our lives. He was a talented engineer, a great manager of people, a visionary, and most of all, one of the best friends you could ever hope to have. His personal approach to leading, helping and mentoring at work and away from work was a cool relief from the stresses our jobs and personal lives can present us with.

Jay had a long history of professional success which included impressive positions in such companies as the Saudi Binladen Group where he was in charge of projects in the energy generating and transmission division. His achievements were many and as sucessful as they were creative. He led multiple companies, and especially Williams and PMI in creative endeavors contributing to much success we all enjoy.

We will most certainly miss you, friend.

The family has requested charitable donations to the American Heart Association in lieu of flowers.]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:41:53 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11330 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11315 Lennox International Appoints Rick Pelini Vice President, Treasurer

DALLAS, Feb 25, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) today announced the appointment of Rick Pelini to the position of vice president, treasurer.

Mr. Pelini most recently served as vice president and treasurer of Lexmark International, Inc. since 2003, and he served as the company's assistant treasurer from 1991-1998. Prior to his most recent position at Lexmark, Mr. Pelini served as senior vice president, Finance for Convergys Corporation. He began his career working in engineering and financial roles for several companies, including Koppers Company, Inc. and Aristech Chemical Corporation. Mr. Pelini holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Business and a BS in Industrial Engineering from University of Pittsburgh, School of Engineering.

"Rick's broad corporate finance expertise and extensive experience in managing complex international finance and treasury issues will be a strong asset for our LII finance leadership team and our company," said Sue Carter, LII chief financial officer.

Through its subsidiaries, Lennox International Inc. (LII) is a global leader in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets. LII stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LII." Additional information is available at http://www.lennoxinternational.com or by contacting Ozzie Buckler, director, communications and public relations at 972-497-7456.

SOURCE Lennox International Inc.

http://www.lennoxinternational.com

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Lennox International's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.]]> Tue, 12 May 2009 14:52:10 +0000 http://news.prvip.com/index.php?showtopic=11315