OK, so we probably dont really need some of the things that are available, such as Boschs Indego robotic lawnmower, for example ideal if you dont fancy pushing a mower around the lawn yourself (1,299.99; bosch-indego.com). Or the Geberit AquaClean 8000plus, a loo that washes your bottom with a special spray (it has five different intensity levels). It also has a variety of special pampering functions, including a massage setting which has an invigorating effect, and an integrated warm-air dryer, as well as the most useful part an automatic odour-extraction function (4,422; geberit-aquaclean.co.uk).

Luxury loos and musical baths

Sir Stirling Moss is apparently a fan of Geberits rival, the Japanese brand TOTOs new washlet, which cleans itself and has a heated seat, as well as a slightly scary-sounding Tornado Flush (11,400; gb.toto.com). Does the world really need a musical bath? The developers behind 250 City Road obviously think so their show apartment has one, operated by Bluetooth, which effectively turns the bath into a speaker. Or how about Natuzzi Italias egg-shaped Sound chair, which comes with an iPhone dock and loudspeakers concealed in the headrest? (from 2,200; natuzzi.com).

Despite these outlandish examples, incorporating smart technology into your home can make sense. After all, most of us have got a Sky box these days, or Apple TV. So if youre doing a whole renovation project, it makes sense to install a little bit extra.

There's no need for lavatory paper with a smart loo

Thats what Viki and Mike Lander thought when they bought a Seventies property in Clapham two years ago. The couple, who set up their own interior design and development company last year (ensoul.co.uk), gutted the house, which hadnt been touched for 30 years. As we were building from scratch, we wanted to put in everything we wanted to enjoy, but also try to future proof for new things coming down the line, says Viki. So, they installed the works.

Theres the Sonos sound system, with speakers in all the main rooms and the ability to play different music in each one, because as a family were really into music, and its a big thing for us to have it seamlessly through the house, (and having no dangling wires or loose cables means their two-year-old son Leo cant get his hands on anything dangerous). The sound system is controlled through the couples iPads, iPhones and the computer, but a separate system, Control4, manages the media content: two Sky boxes (so they can watch different things at the same time) and a big media server with the couples music and film collection.

Worldwide security

Security in their wealthy area of London is paramount, so an IP security system of three cameras patrols the front and back of the house, plus the basement the cameras can be viewed anywhere in the world as long as theres a wireless network. A separate IP video entry system means that Viki can hear the doorbell on her phone if shes in the garden or the park. The couple also put in a combined heating/cooling system, digital taps in the bath, shower and basins and a commercial grade IT network for super-fast broadband and IP telephony, which lowers the cost of phone calls. They didnt bother with controllable mood lighting, but did fit the light switch back boxes to accommodate a wireless solution at a later point if necessary. At a guess we probably invested about 35,000 on all of the gadgets, says Viki. Its a lot of money. But this is the perfect home for us and our family and weve designed it as such.

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The ultimate high-tech home

By Michael Faher

mfaher@reformer.com @MikeReformer on Twitter

NEWFANE >> After years of work, the Brookline-Newfane Joint School Board is moving forward with three energy projects.

Officials have begun seeking contractors to build and maintain a new solar array at NewBrook Elementary; to install a sophisticated new heating/cooling system at the school; and to install three new, gas-fired boilers.

Two of those projects were approved in a special vote last fall, and school officials have said the overall idea is to provide energy and HVAC services to the regional elementary in a less-expensive, more-efficient manner that also reduces the institution's carbon footprint.

"We're taking the next step in the selection process to find appropriate entities to take on this work," said Victor "Bud" DeBonis, chief financial officer for Windham Central Supervisory Union.

Any company interested in the projects can receive complete bidding documents by contacting contact DeBonis at 802-365-9510 or vdebonis@windhamcentral.org. Bids are due by 4 p.m. April 3 at the Windham Central office.

DeBonis said officials, in addition to advertising for contractors in local media, have searched online for qualified companies that might want to undertake such projects. "We've done our best to make sure we have quality bidders," he said.

He added that "there were some firms that approached us and asked us to send them information ... for the solar, primarily."

The planned solar project consists of a 500-kilowatt generating facility that would be constructed on school land. Voters initially rejected the project in June 2014, but members of the school board and a volunteer Energy Committee revised the plan, which was then accepted via a 195-96 vote at an Oct. 23 special meeting.

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NewBrook School officials moving ahead on energy projects

Its almost finished and the fish are coming.

Thats the promise as one of the last major structural items on the Mossom Creek Hatchery rebuild was completed and the new hatchery equipment installed.

A green roof, provided by Architek Engineered Solutions for Living Buildings, was planted on a cold but sunny winter day two weeks ago. Plumbing and wiring for coho tubs, incubator trays and monitoring equipment is just about finished.

Now, volunteers are getting ready to accept coho and chum salmon fry in tanks and tubs they have been preparing for weeks.

Go here to donate

Project co-ordinator Pat Dennett, one of a bevy of volunteers working on the hatcherys resurrection, is fond of saying Were on schedule and on budget and he can continue to say those words as the fish hatchery, built with $1.15 million in community, business and government donations and in-kind services, gets ready to resume operations.

Within days, the first chum fry from the Alouette River and the first coho fry from Noons Creek are expected to arrive.

Then the work of caring for the fish begins.

Were pretty excited, Dennett told The Tri-City News during a tour of the facility.

Several months of planning and construction are coming to fruition but for retired educator and Mossom hatchery founder Ruth Foster, one of the biggest moments of the rebuild was the installation of the green roof.

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Mossom Creek hatchery in Port Moody nearing completion

Zuora, the company that helps customers manage their subscription models, today announced a massive $115M funding round involving not just Silicon Valley venture capitalists, but also public market investors.

Those public market names include Wellington Management Company LLP and Blackrock Inc, as well as Premji and Passport Capital. Existing investors Benchmark Capital, Greylock Partners, Redpoint Ventures, Index Ventures, Shasta Ventures, Vulcan and Next World Capital also invested along with Dave Duffield, co-founder and chairman of the board atWorkday; and Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO at Salesforce.com.

Todays investment follows a $50M round in September 2013 and brings the total investment across all rounds to $250M, according to Zuora.

The size of this round and the involvement of those public market companies could signal that Zuora is ready to move to the IPO stage. While CEO and co-founder Tien Tzuo was not ready to commit to such a move, he did acknowledge that the pieces were in place should the company wish to go in that direction at some point. He said for now though, the company is content to take advantage of its non-public status.

We now have a size round normally only available in the public markets and the type of investors in public markets, but we arent public. We dont have to report on our earnings. We can continue to keep our heads down and work.

He added, We will IPO when the time is right of our choosing.

Tzuo admitted while he was excited to announce this type of round, the money was a double-edged sword in some ways because in his words, The bar has been raised. The expectations are high.

He didnt sound like a man who was afraid of that challenge, but he understood the implications of this type of investment.

Tzuo was an early employee at Salesforce, helped build its billing system and left in 2007 with the blessing and investment of CEO and founder Marc Benioff to start a company that would push the subscription model that Salesforce helped popularize.

In 2007, that thing we talked about as a different business model and Benioff [recognized]every company was going through a similar transformation. Stop selling products and start serving subscribers, he said.

Read this article:
Zuora $115M Investment Round Validates Subscription Approach

Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 09, 2015

In a move thats expected to increase the use of solar hot water systems across New York, the states Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is expanding its Solar Hot Water Program statewide to include projects that displace hot water produced by heating oil, natural gas, propane and wood, as well as projects that displace electricity. After the announcement was made today, Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), which strongly supported the expansion, applauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his administration for their continued commitment to clean, reliable solar energy.

This is a win-win for New York, Resch said. This will help to create new jobs and spur the states economy, while also helping to improve the environment. This expanded program will benefit homeowners, businesses, farmers and not-for-profit organizations. Taxpayers will also gain because solar hot water systems can significantly reduce the electricity needs of government buildings. Once again, Gov. Cuomo and his administration are leading by example and theyre to be congratulated for their unwavering commitment to a clean energy economy.

According to the announcement, NYSERDA will begin accepting applications to the expanded Solar Hot Water Program starting March 20 on a first come-first served basis.

This solar hot water expansion is an opportunity for more residents, businesses and organizations to benefit from this clean energy resource, John B. Rhodes, president and CEO, NYSERDA, said in making the announcement. As with Governor Cuomos NY-Sun initiative for solar electric systems, solar hot water can lower energy bills and improve the environment, while helping the state increase the use of renewable energy.

According to Resch, innovative solar heating and cooling systems (SHC) are offering American consumers cost-efficient, effective options for meeting their energy needs, while lowering their utility bills. In fact, a report prepared for SEIA outlines an aggressive plan to install 100 million SHC panels in the United States by 2050. This action alone would create 50,250 new American jobs and save more than $61 billion in future energy costs.

About SEIA:

Celebrating its 41st anniversary in 2015, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at http://www.seia.org.

Media Contacts:

Ken Johnson, SEIA Vice President of Communications, kjohnson(at)seia(dot)org (202) 556-2885

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New York Planning to Expand Use of Solar Hot Water

LEON Gilbert Home Comfort has received the 2014 Dealer Sales Award from WaterFurnace International, a leading manufacturer of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional geothermal and water source heat pumps.

Gilbert Home Comfort has experienced a tremendous amount of growth in recent years as a WaterFurnace geothermal heat pump dealer. Gilbert Home Comfort was the largest WaterFurnace dealer in the state of Iowa in 2013 and now again in 2014.

Presenting the award was Galen Betz, regional manager for WaterFurnace and Rick Rockacy, territory manager for the state of Iowa, during a visit to the Gilbert Plumbings office.

We are delighted to receive this award, which is a testament to the hard work of our employees and their commitment to the comfort of our customers, said Steve Gilbert Jr., president of Gilbert Home Comfort. Even as the national economy has struggled, it is exciting to watch our geothermal sales continue to grow, and we appreciate the fact that WaterFurnace recognizes our efforts and our achievements.

Gilbert began selling WaterFurnace geothermal products in 1993 and has watchedthat portion of their business grow as interest in geothermal energy has increased.

Geothermal systems tap the free, completely renewable, unlimited supply of solar energy stored just a few feet below the earths surface and use that energy to drive heating and cooling systems in both residential and commercial buildings.

Gilbert Home Comfort does a great job for WaterFurnace in southern Iowa and northern Missouri! They truly care for their customers. They are able to offer innovative solutions. They have solid values of integrity and family that form the bedrock of their company. said Rick Rockacy, WaterFurnace territory manager.

Homeowners who install a geothermal system before Dec. 31, 2016, can take advantage of a federal renewable energy tax credit of 30 percent of the total investment of the system.

The tax incentive can also be combined with any state and utility incentives available. Additionally, there is a state of Iowa renewable energy tax credit of 6 percent of the total investment in the system that is available until Dec. 31, 2016.

In addition to federal, state and utility tax incentives that enhance the affordability of geothermal systems, this cost-effective, environmentally friendly technology offers a host of benefits that includes:

Originally posted here:
Gilbert Home Comfort receives sales award from WaterFurnace International

In 2012, William J. Moran, who was in town from Rhode Island, died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a South Charleston hotel because a swimming pool heater was improperly installed. Last year the Legislature passed a law requiring licenses for people who install heating, ventilating and cooling systems.

In 2014, an aboveground storage tank leaked about 10,000 gallons of a coal-cleaning chemical into the Elk River and contaminated the Kanawha Valleys water system. A few months later, the Legislature passed a law to regulate and inspect aboveground storage tanks.

In 2010, Wilbert Ray Starcher was killed in a Greenbrier County coal mine when he was run over by a shuttle car. The driver couldnt see him because his view was blocked by metal sideboards, which had been added to the car in violation of West Virginia law.

The 2015 Republican-controlled Legislature has attempted to roll back or repeal all of these laws, as deregulation has become a broader theme of the legislative session. The changes to the aboveground storage tank law had overwhelming bipartisan support, and the changes to mine safety had limited Democratic support.

A cornerstone of the Republican Party is allowing the free market to control, and free businesses and citizens up from unnecessary and burdensome regulations, said state Republican Party Chairman Conrad Lucas, adding that reasonable people would disagree on what is unnecessary and burdensome.

Regulations, as a generic concept, are never popular. A 2014 Gallup poll found that about half of Americans said there is too much regulation of business, while less than a quarter said there is too little.

But every individual regulation was once put into place for a reason: be it poor HVAC work proving deadly, a water contamination affecting 300,000 or the preventable death of a coal miner.

The question legislators are tackling now is whether the regulations on the books remain reasonable. Im pretty speechless, however we need to speak about it because I have never seen anything like it, said state Democratic Party Chairwoman Belinda Biafore of the legislative agenda. I think its a sad day in West Virginia, especially for working-class families.

Some of the Legislatures deregulatory push has been in the cause of enhancing personal freedom, potentially at the expense of public health and safety. The Legislature has moved to roll back or repeal smoking bans in casinos and video-slot parlors, regulations on the sale of raw milk and regulations on who can carry a concealed weapon in West Virginia.

Some of the deregulation has come with (highly debated) promises that it will lead to job growth.

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Deregulation a theme of this legislative session

By John R. Delaney

The folks at Trane have been in the heating and cooling business for more than 80 years, designing and manufacturing HVAC products for both residential and business use. Their XL824 Connected Control ($333.95) joins an impressive roster of digital home thermostats that allow you to control your heating and cooling system using a smartphone or a PC. This model offers a 4.3-inch full-color touch screen, numerous scheduling options, and both wired and wireless network connectivity. It also features a built-in Nexia Home Intelligence bridge that lets you connect to scores of Z-Wave home automation devices. However, it's a bit more expensive than other smart thermostats we've seen, including the Honeywell Lyric and our Editors' Choice, the Ecobee3.

Design and Features TheXL824 has a built-in Wi-Fi b/g/n radio for wireless communication with your router. It also has an RJ-45 jack for wired Ethernet, and embedded Nexia bridge circuitry that allows the thermostat to control Z-Wave devices. The detachable wall plate contains 19 wiring terminals for heating and cooling, fans, remote sensors, and auxiliary devices such as humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

The XL824 is similar in appearance to the Honeywell Prestige that we reviewed back in 2013. It's a rectangular thermostat measuring 3.3 by 5.4 by 1.2 inches (HWD) and has two-tone silver bezels that frame the 4.3-inch color touch screen. The indoor temperature is displayed on the left side of the screen, and right below that you can see the system status (idle, heating, cooling) and which schedule is active (Home, Away, Sleep). Tapping this area opens the temperature control panel where you can adjust high and low set points and create schedules.

To the right of the temperature readout is an area that displays the current outdoor temperature and the low and high temperatures for the day. Tap this area to view your local five-day weather forecast and receive weather alerts. Below the weather is an indoor humidity reading.

A bar along the top of the screen displays the date, time, and network status (in bars), while the bar along the bottom contains Menu, System Mode, Circulate (Fan Mode), and Air Cleaner buttons. You can choose one of three air cleaner cycles (Auto, Quick, Allergy), one of three fan modes (Auto, On, Circulate), and one of five system modes (Auto, Heating, Cooling, Off, Emergency Heat). On the far right you can view and change heating and cooling set points and enable a 1-Touch Preset. The 1-Touch Preset feature allows you to create heating and cooling set points for Home, Away, and Sleep time periods when regular scheduling is disabled.

In the main Menu screen you can create schedules, view your heating system information, display your HVAC contractor information, and adjust settings. Scheduling options are plentiful; each day of the week can have up to six scheduled programs, called periods, with differing temperature targets (set points). You can create schedules for when you are home, while you are away, and when you are sleeping. To override a schedule simply press the indoor temperature area, adjust the temperature set point, and press the Hold Perm button. The XL824 also offers a Guided Schedule Tool that will help you set up a heating and cooling schedule based on your answers to a series of questions such as what time you wake up, leave the house, and return, and what temperature you would like during these times. There's also a Nexia menu for configuring the XL824 as a Nexia hub and enrolling Z-Wave devices.

The Settings menu is where you go to select a temperature scale (Celsius or Fahrenheit), set the date and time, configure network settings, and modify screen properties (brightness, background colors, screensaver, and backlight timer). Here you can also set up system maintenance and service reminders, upgrade the firmware, and initiate the User Setup wizard.

In order to control the XL824 remotely from a smartphone, tablet, or PC, you'll have to create a Nexia account, which is free and can be used to control up to four thermostats. However, if you want to use the XL824's built-in Nexia hub to control Z-Wave devices such as sensors, locks, and security cameras, you'll have to pay $9.99 per month for a subscription.

The XL824 uses the same Nexia iOS, Android, and browser apps as the Nexia Bridge. The apps offer the same basic functionality as the thermostat interface with one major omissionthey don't allow you to create and edit schedules. Additionally, the XL824 doesn't offer a heating and cooling usage report like you get with the Ecobee3. Trane will be rolling out a Diagnostic Technology offering in a couple of months that will give service contractors the ability to view system performance and run diagnostics remotely, but there's no quick and easy way for a homeowner to view usage history at this point.

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Trane XL824 Connected Control

With an unsurpassed combination of quality, service and industry experience, 21 Degrees is the company Vancouver Island has turned to and now that level of service is available to the Powell River area.

Whether our customers want a new heat pump installed, have oil or gas furnaces requiring service or need ductwork in their home, 21 Degrees Mechanical handles it all, says owner Doug Ingram. We do everything ourselves, from beginning to end.

A new fully-functional showroom will open on March 21 on Glacier Street beside Gourmet Canton. We find the majority of customers want to see what this equipment is, hear it and understand what it does, sales manager John Sheppard explains.

Different brands of heat pumps, an array of hearths and fireplaces, gas furnaces, IAQ (indoor air quality) systems and on-demand hot water systems are all displayed in the showroom. There is also a variety of smart controls on display from WiFi thermostats to zoning controls. Customers can now choose exactly what they want after learning about each product and inquiring about price differences.

Doug and John, both avid animal lovers, are pleased to invite Powell River to support the local branch of SPCA while experiencing their extensive showroom from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday, March 21.

On site, 95.7 COAST FM will broadcast live while 21 Degrees hosts a by-donation barbecue with all proceeds going to the SPCA. It will feature a Brat Bar with tasty bratwursts and a range of condiments to doctor up your brat the way you like it, says Doug. Brandy Craig and Tara Daniels from the SPCA will be on site to share the Million Acts of Kindness message and if there are any adoptable dogs, they will be there for a visit too.

We sell equipment we believe in. It has to be good equipment that has good service life to it, John adds.

Our customers satisfaction is paramount, says Doug.

With a full financing program at 21 Degrees, It doesnt matter if its a fireplace, hot water system or whatever, we finance it, says John. We put people into amazing heating systems for $40 to $50 a month, adds Doug. They invest in the system and it pays them back every year.

A $1,000 rebate is currently available from Fortis BCs Switch n Shrink program for homeowners replacing oil furnaces with natural gas. We inform customers and help them get paperwork ready, explains Doug, adding that 21 Degrees educates customers about every source they have to rebates.

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The waiting is over

Fayetteville, GA (PRWEB) March 03, 2015

ReRoof USA is proud to announce the completion of the metal roofing project at Xxtra Space Storage located at 1572 Highway 85 North in Fayetteville, Georgia 30214. ReRoof USA specializes in metal roofs for new construction, storm damage repair & replacement, and retrofits in and around Fayetteville, GA. For more info call 770-456-1611 or visit the website at ReRoofUSA.com.

In today's market metal roof manufacturers understand that customers are looking for quality and competitive prices. The unique process at ReRoof USA allows fabricating panels onsite ensuring customers get the best price and best looking custom fit finished product. Before making a decision on the next commercial metal roofing in Fayetteville, GA contact the insurance company and find out what type of roof they recommend regarding cost, appearance, durability, and fire rating.

A metal roof will always top the list because it is the best overall product and lasts years longer than other traditional materials. It also reflects the suns rays better providing lower heating and cooling costs. Metal is also a recycled product making it the first choice for people choosing to Go Green and live more Eco Friendly. Solar panels also fit better on metal roofs.

Metal Roofs are perfect for business owners who want to install solar panels on commercial buildings in Fayetteville, GA. ReRoof USA is a metal roofing installation contractor serving Fayetteville, GA and the entire Eastern United States with services for new construction, retrofit roof systems, inspections, storm damage repair, and much more. For more information call 770-456-1611 or visit the website at ReRoofUSA.com.

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Metal Roofing Company in Fayetteville Georgia Provides Installation and Contractor Services To Complete Self Storage ...