HVACPlanet News

BACnet Standardized Communications

via The News

ATLANTA — A new standard way of representing building data is designed to give BACnet new capabilities for standardized communications between a wide range of applications. READ MORE

ACCA Opens West Coast Office

via ACCA

ARLINGTON, Va. — With the state of California moving ahead on a number of energy and building code initiatives that will affect the HVACR contracting industry, and because of the influence California wields across other states nationwide, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has announced the opening of a West Coast office in Sacramento, Calif.

This marks the first regional office in the national association’s history, noted Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. “ACCA’s board of directors has taken a visionary and aggressive approach to ensure that our members have the best possible representation before vital agencies in California, which have an inordinate impact on actions taken in statehouses across the country,” he said.

Russell King, P.E., a trainer and engineer in the California HVACR community, has been retained as director of the regional office, effective Aug. 1, 2008. The office will represent contractor interests before such agencies as the California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, California Building Standards Commission, and the Contractors’ State Licensing Board.

In addition to representation and alliance-building with influential organizations, the ACCA West Coast Office will work to develop new training opportunities specifically for ACCA members in California, provide technical support to members, and keep members informed of important regulatory and legislative developments in the state.

“When we approached the board of our state chapter in California with this concept, they embraced the vision wholeheartedly and agreed that this approach is needed to ensure stronger, more vibrant services for contractors in the state,” Stalknecht said. “As such, they have voted to dissolve their chapter and ACCA’s efforts in California will be focused around this new regional office.”

For more information, contact the ACCA West Coast office at 916-446-0555 or russ.king@acca.org.

NORDYNE Brings Atlanta Falcon Cheerleaders to HVAC Comfortech

via Contracting Business 07/25/2008

NORDYNE is giving contractors and distributors a lot to cheer about at this year’s HVAC Comfortech show. As one of the hosts of the Thursday Evening Extravaganza, NORDYNE is getting its game on with professional cheerleaders from the Atlanta Falcons. All show attendees are invited to have their pictures taken with the cheerleaders in the NORDYNE area from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. on September 11, 2008.

This marks the fifth consecutive year that NORDYNE has brought professional football cheerleaders to Comfortech. Past attendees included cheerleaders from the St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins.

HVAC Comfortech runs September 9 – 13, 2008, and is located in Atlanta, Ga.

WaterFurnace Announces Name Change

Via Contracting Business 07/29/2008

WFI Industries Ltd., Fort Wayne, IN, has changed its name to WaterFurnace Renewable Energy Inc. The name change was approved at the shareholders meeting held at the company’s world headquarters in Fort Wayne on May 15th.

The company will retain the Toronto Stock Exchange symbol WFI. The company’s CUSIP number has been changed to 9415EQ 10 8.
“The Board and the Shareholders are very pleased with the Company’s position in the renewable energy field. Our products offer a green alternative to conventional heating and air conditioning," says Tim Shields, chairman of the Board/ "WaterFurnace products provide better comfort, reduced energy costs and directly reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Our new name reflects our continued commitment to the renewable energy marketplace,” Sheilds says.

WaterFurnace Renewable Energy, Inc. manufactures geothermal heating, air conditioning and air purification systems. Visit www.waterfurnace.com for additional information.

Jail Break Foiled Air Duct

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A woman who attempted to escape from jail in Sydney had to be rescued by police after she became stuck in an air conditioning duct, police said on Thursday. The 22-year-old woman had just been refused bail by a Sydney court when she attempted the escape, but then spent about an hour stuck in the air vent before she was rescued. Police in the New South Wales state said the woman would now face an extra charge of attempting to escape.

Service Warranty Offered

ServiceBench Inc., which made its name connecting appliance manufacturers with retailers and repair services on an easy-to-use network, has put together an extended warranty solution that will help give manufacturers a second chance to sell a service contract to those who didn't buy them at retail, and will give appliance dealers and distributors a contract pricing and management capability that can put them into the business.
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Energy Saving Sensors

EnerBrite Technologies Group, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ETGP) announced today that it has introduced a highly effective energy-saving program for multi-unit residential properties. This integrated system allows its SensorStat® direct digital control HVAC-regulating thermostats to "communicate" with its innPULSE® master control unit to regulate energy use.
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HVAC Safety Recall

The safety relief plug can allow pressure to build in the cylinder of an HVAC pressure testing tool or Nitrous Oxide system. If the cylinder is overfilled and overheated it can burst, posing an injury hazard to consumers. MORE

Solar Energy Powers Home

This year's CU team has designed what they call a “real home for the real world.” To make it stand out from other entries, team members - a group of about 30 students - are currently constructing a 700-square-foot competition module... MORE

Watsco Credit Agreement

A portion of the credit facility will be used to fund the acquisition of ACR Group, Inc. Watsco and ACR announced on July 5, 2007 that a definitive merger agreement was executed under which Watsco is seeking to acquire ACR's outstanding common stock in a cash tender offer for $6.75 per share.

...Watsco also announced the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 with respect to its offer to acquire all the outstanding shares of ACR Group, Inc. This expiration satisfies one of the conditions to Watsco's offer.

...Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in economic, business, competitive market, regulatory and other factors, including, without limitation, the effects of supplier concentration, competitive conditions within Watsco's industry, seasonal nature of sales of Watsco's products, insurance coverage risks and final GAAP adjustments. MORE

New Air Filter Standards

Building owners or developers pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification must evaluate several things relating to energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, related materials and resource selection. But the question the consulting engineer must ask is: Are you focusing on all the right things in seeking LEED-oriented benefits of cost efficiencies, productivity, occupant well-being and property values?

In addition to the obvious strategies, such as upgrading to Energy Star-qualified appliances and low-flow toilets, there may be some not-so-obvious ways to achieve LEED prerequisites and credits. One option is to take a closer look at ASHRAE 52.1 and 52.2, which characterize air filtration efficiency. Filter systems are often overlooked in many HVAC designs, yet they're a tangible way to improve temperature control, indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency.

Careful selection of the right HVAC filter and filter media can actually save money in the long run, helping LEED proponents answer critics' charges that green buildings always have to cost more. Continue reading...

American Standard All Trane

ASD agreed to sell its bath and kitchen products unit to Bain Capital Partners LLC for 1.76 bln usd and spin-off its vehicle control business WABCO to shareholders through a tax-free stock dividend, effective July 31. It will retain its air conditioning systems and services segment (HVAC), which operates under the Trane and American Standard brand names and is expected to change its name to Trane.

The rating confirmation reflects Trane's pro-forma capital structure and the level of off balance sheet obligations, sustainability of its ongoing earnings and cash flow generation, solid business profile, and financial management policies, Moody's said. The ratings also reflect Trane's leading market position in the HVAC market, large installed base, broad exposure to the replacement market, ongoing earnings capacity, consistent free cash flow generation, and manageable leverage, it said.

Estimation Enables Mobile User

The latest software application designed specifically for the mobile contractor. TransferKey provides the contractor the ability to easily transfer their Estimation Logistics Software license from one computer system to another without requiring the purchase of another license. Therefore, the contractor saves the cost of buying additional license(s) for their home office, or jobsite, yet they are still able to fully use Logistics software to win their bids. LINK TO WEBSITE

HVAC Company Defends Work

...Dave Zeitler, project manager at Rado who has been involved in the high school work since 2004, said there was no detail on the specification for that portion of the pipe, so the company used the manufacturer's standards, which was ¾-inch pipe. LINK TO ARTICLE

Checking Out Your Furnace For Winter

... Also, the best service folks (HVAC or Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning technicians) are busy when the winter hits and everyone’s turned on their ... LINK TO ARTICLE

Clinton Climate Initiative Addresses Climate Change Via Green Buildings

"Our partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative is an unprecedented opportunity to work collaboratively with the World Green Building Council and share what we've learned with other communities around the world." LINK TO ARTICLE

HVAC Distributor Open New Store

... Each facility will include warehousing and distribution of Bryant HVAC equipment and a full line of parts and supplies at the Totaline stores. ... LINK TO ARTICLE

York Brand HVAC Products Get Rebates up to $1,500

Consumers who purchase eligible products from Johnson Controls’ York® brand of heating and air conditioning products between ...LINK TO ARTICLE

Johnson Controls Buys Florida HVAC Firm

Environmental Technologies designs, manufactures and supplies HVAC terminal products, including premium variable air volume terminals, low-pressure air ... LINK TO ARTICLE

Northern Air Focused

... Your company both fabricates HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and markets air handler/chiller units themselves. ... LINK TO ARTICLE