No longer willing to settle for uncomfortably hot homes, Garfield County residents are choosing high-efficiency evaporative coolers over air conditioning as an economical and environmentally friendly way to keep cool in the summer.

When Rifle resident Richard Eberle accepted new work hours a year ago, his bedtime routine changed, and he had to go to sleep at 7 p.m. But the old conventional swamp cooler in his 1,800-square-foot tri-level home wasnt cooling the house sufficiently that soon in the evening.

I had trouble sleeping because it was so hot in our master bedroom. We needed to do something, and last summer was so hot, Eberle said.

In August 2013, he decided it was time to make a change to his home cooling system. With guidance from CLEER Energy Coach Maisa Metcalf, Eberle replaced a 10-year-old conventional swamp cooler for a new high-efficiency evaporative cooler. The change was immediate.

Our house has never been hot like that again. The new unit helps cool the entire house right. If it gets too hot, you adjust it with the thermostat, he explained.

Evaporative coolers have become a popular way for people in Colorado to cool their homes. Residents from Parachute to Glenwood Springs, in particular, are catching on to this trend.

At least a dozen homeowners have worked with CLEER and Garfield Clean Energy to get free energy coaching and apply for rebates to make an upgrade or install evaporative cooling for the first time. GCE has distributed more than $4,300 in rebates toward residential evaporative cooling systems since June 2013.

A $500 rebate from Garfield Clean Energy and $1,000 from Xcel Energy was a big incentive for Eberle and his wife to get a new evaporative cooler. It cut the cost more than half, he said.

Eberle hired Mountain Air Mechanical of Rifle for the job, which included installation of new ducts to the bedrooms and an extra vent in an upstairs hallway.

They did an excellent job of installing it for me. I was very happy with the quality of work that they did, Eberle said. Its quality equipment, too, which I appreciate.

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Homeowners finding relief with evaporative coolers

Washington DC (PRWEB) September 03, 2014

On October 20 and 21, Solar Power International, the solar industrys most powerful, comprehensive educational conference and product exhibition, will offer its first-ever dedicated symposium on the solar heating and cooling (SHC) sector.

This is a truly exciting time for solar heating and cooling, said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Every year, more than 30,000 SHC systems are installed in the U.S. but we can do even better. SEIA's goal is to install 100 million SHC panels over the next 35 years, creating more than 50,000 good-paying American jobs and saving $61 billion in energy costs for America homeowners, businesses, schools and governments.

Approximately 44 percent of energy consumption in the United States is directly attributable to heating and cooling. As detailed in the SHC roadmap, released last year and developed by BEAM Engineering and a task force of SEIA-member companies, an expansion of SHC systems will allow America to generate nearly 8 percent of its total heating and cooling needs through solar, displacing an equivalent of 64 coal plants.

The two-day symposium will feature keynote speaker Jigar Shah, author of Creating Climate Wealth, panels on innovation, growth markets and financing, as well as networking opportunities and access to the Solar Power International floor show. The full schedule can be found here.

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SPI to Feature Solar Heating and Cooling Symposium

New Hope, MN (PRWEB) September 03, 2014

Heat Up Minnesota is back again in 2014, and this year, Total Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning is participating in the program. Through Heat Up Minnesota, families in need can receive a new furnace from Lennox. Total Comfort will be providing installation services.

In 2012 and 2013, Heat Up Minnesota gave nearly 100 deserving families a new high-efficiency Lennox furnace completely free of charge. Over 20 dealers are participating in the program this year, including Total Comfort.

Heat Up Minnesota is currently accepting nominations for families, friends or neighbors who may have fallen on hard times and are in need of a new furnace. To nominate someone for a new Lennox furnace, the process is simple. Visit http://heatupminnesota.org/ to find the forms for nominations. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Sept. 12.

The new furnaces will be installed on Saturday, Oct. 4. Heat Up Minnesota has two crews that have volunteered their Saturday to install the donated systems.

Total Comfort is always looking for new ways to help the local community. The company looks forward to participating in the Heat Up Minnesota program and helping those who are less fortunate receive the heating system that they need. To learn more about Total Comfort, visit their website at http://tcomfort.com/.

About the Company: Total Comfort is a highly-trained and professional heating, cooling, and indoor air quality provider and contractor serving residential homes in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1956, three brothers got the entrepreneurial spirit and A-ABC Refrigerator Repair Company was born in Minnesota. As this heating and cooling company grew, additional services were added until A-ABC was the complete HVAC and appliance service solution. That spirit continues today, guiding the second generation, as they continue to innovate and research the best alternatives for their clients - in and near the Minnesota area.

With their focus on superior solutions and world-class service, A-ABC re-branded the company as Total Comfort to better communicate their passion: optimal solutions, every time. They renamed themselves Total Comfort not only because they go to great lengths to have their equipment create a comfortable environment in customers homes - but also because interactions with them should be comfortable as well. With 50 years of history under their belt, customers can count on Total Comfort to be there - solving HVAC conundrums with fresh ideas and proven implementation. Other heating and cooling contractors can do it cheaper but nobody can do it better than Total Comfort.

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Total Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning Participates in Heat Up Minnesota

DGAP-News: 2G Energy AG / Key word(s): Strategic Company Decision/Sales Result 2G Energy AG: The LichtBlick SE sales team for 'ZuhauseKraftwerk' smaller power stations moves to 2G

04.09.2014 / 07:28

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2G Energy AG: The LichtBlick SE sales team for "ZuhauseKraftwerk" smaller power stations moves to 2G

- Considerable increase in sales figures for 2G G-Boxes expected in Germany thanks to comprehensive sales and service areas

Heek, Germany, September 4, 2014 - 2G Energy AG (ISIN DE000A0HL8N9), a leading manufacturer of cogeneration systems, is significantly expanding its sales team and taking over the LichtBlick SE sales network. The energy provider stopped selling ZuhauseKraftwerk-type cogeneration modules in May. Independently of this decision, the 1,000 ZuhauseKraftwerk smaller power plants operated by LichtBlick itself will continue to be serviced directly by the energy provider and its service partners.

The sales team of more than 20 members is to reinforce the 2G sales team for the G-Box 20 (20 kWel and up to 43 kWth) and G-Box 50 (50 kWel and up to 100 kWth). The former LichtBlick sales team members will contribute both their professional experience and a technical understanding of cogeneration systems. Before this time, they had been selling the LichtBlick ZuhauseKraftwerk systems with electrical output of 20 kW. The LichtBlick team is being integrated into 2G Home GmbH, which is responsible for the sales and organization of the system service area through regional firms in the sanitation, heating, and cooling trade (SHC) in this power range. By expanding the sales area, 2G wants to more intensively address the target groups: the housing industry, hotels, health sector, swimming pools, shopping centers, medium-sized industry and the trade, and also significantly increase the sales figures for its own 2G cogeneration systems (no contracting agreements). As a rule, these target groups have a large, often continuous, need for heat and cooling. With the 2G cogeneration systems, they can significantly reduce their energy costs over the long run and make these costs calculable.

Within the framework of the strengthened sales team, 2G will guarantee service for the G-Box 20 and G-Box 50 throughout Germany through partnerships with local SHC companies. The G-Boxes are well-engineered, established cogeneration systems. 2G routinely provides the service force with training on expert commissioning and maintenance of the G-Boxes. Drawing on the established contacts of the SHC operations, 2G promises improved customer access and consequently better market penetration.

2G will generally be using the intensified sales area and the service partnerships to expand its mass production thanks to higher production unit runs for the G-Boxes. These economies of scale will enable considerable unit costs reductions.

Continued here:
DGAP-News: 2G Energy AG: The LichtBlick SE sales team for 'ZuhauseKraftwerk' smaller power stations moves to 2G

PRESS RELEASE: 2G Energy AG: The LichtBlick SE sales team for 'ZuhauseKraftwerk' smaller power stations moves to 2G

DGAP-News: 2G Energy AG / Key word(s): Strategic Company Decision/Sales Result 2G Energy AG: The LichtBlick SE sales team for 'ZuhauseKraftwerk' smaller power stations moves to 2G

04.09.2014 / 07:28

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Corporate News

2G Energy AG: The LichtBlick SE sales team for "ZuhauseKraftwerk" smaller power stations moves to 2G

- Considerable increase in sales figures for 2G G-Boxes expected in Germany thanks to comprehensive sales and service areas

Heek, Germany, September 4, 2014 - 2G Energy AG (ISIN DE000A0HL8N9), a leading manufacturer of cogeneration systems, is significantly expanding its sales team and taking over the LichtBlick SE sales network. The energy provider stopped selling ZuhauseKraftwerk-type cogeneration modules in May. Independently of this decision, the 1,000 ZuhauseKraftwerk smaller power plants operated by LichtBlick itself will continue to be serviced directly by the energy provider and its service partners.

The sales team of more than 20 members is to reinforce the 2G sales team for the G-Box 20 (20 kWel and up to 43 kWth) and G-Box 50 (50 kWel and up to 100 kWth). The former LichtBlick sales team members will contribute both their professional experience and a technical understanding of cogeneration systems. Before this time, they had been selling the LichtBlick ZuhauseKraftwerk systems with electrical output of 20 kW. The LichtBlick team is being integrated into 2G Home GmbH, which is responsible for the sales and organization of the system service area through regional firms in the sanitation, heating, and cooling trade (SHC) in this power range. By expanding the sales area, 2G wants to more intensively address the target groups: the housing industry, hotels, health sector, swimming pools, shopping centers, medium-sized industry and the trade, and also significantly increase the sales figures for its own 2G cogeneration systems (no contracting agreements). As a rule, these target groups have a large, often continuous, need for heat and cooling. With the 2G cogeneration systems, they can significantly reduce their energy costs over the long run and make these costs calculable.

Within the framework of the strengthened sales team, 2G will guarantee service for the G-Box 20 and G-Box 50 throughout Germany through partnerships with local SHC companies. The G-Boxes are well-engineered, established cogeneration systems. 2G routinely provides the service force with training on expert commissioning and maintenance of the G-Boxes. Drawing on the established contacts of the SHC operations, 2G promises improved customer access and consequently better market penetration.

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PRESS RELEASE: 2G Energy AG: The LichtBlick SE sales team for 'ZuhauseKraftwerk' smaller power stations moves to 2G

By Shirley Ruedy, correspondent

Editors note: This is the second of a two-part series showcasing two homes built in Vinton more than a century apart.

VINTON Its the house that Roger and Barb Beau built in more ways than one.

It sits on the crest of a hill on 1.1 acres overlooking a bucolic panorama of the Iowa landscape: green fields mantled with waving corn, one rolling hill seguing into another.

Its a peaceful, serene scene, punctuated by the occasional sound of a mooing cow, or the call from the many species of birds fluttering about.

The house itself is modified Country French, its exterior accented by a swooping gable bordered in dark brick thats repeated in the window lintels. The house beckons invitingly to visitors through a Wisconsin stone entrance.

Inside theres almost 3,500 square feet of convivial comfort on two levels, a home that continues the Country French theme but with such 21st century features as an open floor plan and a whole house sound system.

What is most remarkable, however, is what took place behind the scenes. Roger, 65, and Barb, 64, were not the type of homeowners who selected house plans, a builder and a contractor, then waited to move in.

Whats astonishing is the amount of work they put into the house, assessed at $330,000, but that probably would enjoy a more realistic market value of $350,000. The couple spent five years just finding the right site.

The Beaus, both retired Qwest phone company employees, then methodically went about educating ourselves, says Roger, attending Parade of Homes and home shows, and exploring house plans on websites.

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Country comfort

Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) August 29, 2014

The new unit is being installed by Magic Touch Mechanical, Inc., a Mesa, AZ based company that provides HVAC and Energy Efficiency Audit services to homeowners.

We are one of the companies taking part in Project Cool Aid a program started by the Arizona Chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America ten years ago, said Magic Touch owner Rich Morgan.

We are donating the labor, the cost of the crane and supplying some of the materials needed, and there are a few other companies participating as well, says Morgan.

Goodman/Daikin, an AC manufacturer, is donating the equipment and The Metal Shop of Mesa, AZ donated the sheet metal needed. Other donors including RE Michel a cooling and heating materials supplier chipped in other materials needed for Magic Touch to complete the install for Mrs. Simpson.

Phoenix Mayor, Greg Stanton who recommended Mrs. Simpson be considered for the Project Cool Aid Program, will be on-site for the installation and praises all those involved for giving back to their community and especially to those who need it most.

Its a great feeling when you can help someone like Mrs. Simpson. She is such a sweet and grateful woman and Im glad we can help. It takes a lot of generous people to make this happen and Im proud to call them friends said Morgan.

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Phoenix Woman Receives Donated Air Conditioner Installation From Mesa Based AC Company

Wallington, NJ (PRWEB) August 28, 2014

Sewage ejector systems that are chronically clogged and HVAC systems that give out in extreme weather are issues that rank high on a list of growing concerns among commercial and industrial facility managers in aging industrial areas of New York and New Jersey. Ed Drejman, who heads Pump Express Services, the service division of New Jersey-based pump retailer, Pump Products, is part of a team that is shifting it's focus from pump repairs and maintenance to addressing these and other growing job site challenges with innovative pumping equipment characterized by heavy-duty design, high performance and versatility.

"Some systems we're called in to service are so old, they've started to collapse," says Drejman. "Even pump systems in newer buildings installed in the 1970s and 80s, are showing signs of wear. Only much-needed upgrades can prevent continuing breakdowns that increase the damage to an aging infrastructure, and in some cases, threaten public health. We are focused on addressing these issues with a staff trained in the installation and operation of a new generation of pumps suited to current demands."

The improper disposal of synthetic wipes, gloves, swabs and other sanitary products has led to a rise in the clogging of commercial and industrial sewage disposal systems. Drejman and his team respond to chronically clogged systems with a variety of commercial-grade grinder pumps, including Liberty Omnivore Grinder Pumps and BJM Shredder Pumps, which provide maximum efficiency and shredding power in a compact, easy-to-install unit.

"Commercial property managers are constantly looking for solutions to chronic clogging in their restrooms," says Drejman. "My suggestion is usually to replace the existing sewage ejector pump with a BJM Shredder Pump. Maintaining the old pump will generally cost more than replacing it with a BJM Shredder Pump specifically designed to shear down tough synthetic debris. Two of our trained technicians can usually upgrade a mid-sized system within a day or two, often with no downtime to the system."

The same economic shifts that led business owners to neglect aging buildings and focus on bottom line growth a couple of years ago are now leading company heads to seek out maintenance solutions that are long-lasting and versatile. Trained service staff are installing increasing numbers of pumps that combine quality construction with design efficiency, such as the Armstrongs Astro 2 Series 3-Speed Wet Rotor Circulator Pump which provides unmatched performance over a wide range of head and flow requirements and can accommodate a fluctuating number of zones.

"Armstrongs Astro 2 Series Wet Rotor Circulator Pumps move liquids through closed hydronic and solar heating systems efficiently and with minimal maintenance, allowing users to match a wide range of application requirements," says Drejman. "And once installed, these units will grow with a home or business because they can be adjusted to accommodate an increased number of zones. That's an added value more and more of our clients appreciate."

Aging infrastructure and rising energy costs are leading growing numbers of Metro-area building managers to address annual spikes in cooling system demands by adding Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to their HVAC pump systems. Standard motors start abruptly with a high starting torque and current surges up to 10 times the normal running current resulting in wear and tear on the system and intense energy demands. Variable speed drives gradually ramp the motor up to operating speed and thereby conserve energy, lessen mechanical stress, reduce repair costs and extend equipment life.

Everybody from corporations to homeowners are looking to save money, says Drejman. "Our guys are installing more VFD's and other energy efficient equipment which is paying for itself in savings within a few years."

New Jersey's SmartStart Buildings program, established in 2009 to provide financial incentives for using energy efficient heating and cooling equipment, provides an added incentive for maintenance managers across New Jersey to install VFDs and other energy saving equipment in their buildings.

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Pump Express Services Tackles Growing Need for Upgrades in Old Inefficient Pump Systems Across New York and New Jersey ...

Recently, I tried explaining the air conditioning process on the radio on two separate occasions. Both times we were flooded with calls asking for clarification. Thats when I went to some trusted air conditioning technicians and we simplified it to this: Air conditioning is simply a matter of moving heat from point A to point B.

Im getting excited about the wave of new equipment and technology making its way to the consumer with the potential to greatly reduce the cost of staying comfortable in our desert summers. Heres whats happening:

--Geothermal cooling systems Usually called ground source heat pumps, these systems use the relatively constant temperature of the earth to cool or heat air in your house.

There are several ways to do this, including some involving groundwater. But in Arizona, it is often a closed loop system of pipes underground in vertical rows. Workers drill wells near the house. These are dry wells that hold pipes for the heat transfer underground.

A heat pump located inside a house or garage will circulate a solution of about 30 percent ethylene glycol mixed with water through the underground pipes. In the summertime, a heat exchanger transfers heat between refrigerant in the heat pump and the solution in the closed loop. In winter, the same system can heat the house. In retrofits, existing ductwork in the house can often be used.

It gets more expensive in Phoenix because you have to drill deeper into the ground to reach the right cooling level. The ground temperature at 15 feet down in Phoenix is 80 degrees as opposed to 70 degrees in Central Arizona or even less than that in Northern states.

And anywhere in Arizona now, it is not cheap to install a ground source heat pump. A system for an existing home of about 3,000 square feet would cost about $50,000 to $70,000, mainly due to drilling, according to Jeremy Rushton of Yavapai. In a new house, it might cost about 15 to 20 percent less. There is a federal tax credit of 30 percent for geothermal devices available through 2016.

There can be big savings on heating and cooling with this system. The heat pump uses electricity, but not as much as a traditional air conditioner. A system can also be solar powered to avoid using electricity at all. You can also use your system to heat your hot water.

nMini-split air conditioners Mini-splits are small, individual air conditioners that can be easily installed to cool an individual room. They can hang from a ceiling or on a wall. There are also floor-standing models. These systems include an indoor evaporator connected to an outdoor condensing unit.

The indoor section of one in my offices is about a yard long, less than a foot tall, and several inches in depth. The evaporator is connected to the condenser by copper tubing and wiring that passes through a small hole in the wall.

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Hot new ideas for cooling your home are in works

28.08.2014 / 07:28

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2G Energy AG: Successful commissioning of 3.12 MW CHP system for Merck for production in Darmstadt

- Merck utilizing CHP system for ongoing process heat requirements in manufacturing

- Total efficiency of around 87% represents high standard for industrial applications

- 2G receives order from brewery Krombacher to install a 2 MW CHP system

Heek, August 28, 2014 - 2G Energy AG (ISIN DE000A0HL8N9), one of the leading manufacturers of combined heat and power (CHP) systems, has transferred a CHP system with electric output of 3.12 MW to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, following a four and a half month construction period. The natural gas driven system consists of two CHP units each with 1.56 MW electric and 1.58 MW thermal output. The system supplies pharmaceutical production and research at the Darmstadt site with electricity that is fed into the plant grid, as well as with thermal output in the form of heating, and also with cold water through an absorption cooling machine. The 2G system is set up so that it can also be operated as a grid replacement if required, so that if electricity supplies fail, important areas of the Darmstadt company can continue to be supplied with electricity.

With this investment in its own energy centers, Merck, in its own words, is "securing the long-term generation of electricity, heating and cooling for the manufacturing of its pharmaceutical and chemical high-tech products." Merck entrusted 2G with the complete planning of the CHP system, including installation and connecting to the already existing infrastructure for electricity, natural gas and heating, as well as project management. It also included the construction of a 48 meter steel chimney.

Ludger Holtkamp, COO of 2G Energy AG, commented on the project's model character as follows: "The Merck project is exemplary in showing how CHP systems can offer highly varied thermal output that can be utilized very efficiently by the chemical industry and in the pharmaceutical sector. Economic efficiency is secured through the plant's demand for electricity, and especially through continuous process heat demand, as well as utilization possibilities for cooling and steam. Total efficiencies of 87 %, as is the case with Merck, or more, are delivered as a consequence. These are significantly higher than is the case with the separate generation of electricity, heating and cooling. This performance level shows that investments in CHP systems remain attractive for many industrial operations, also after the 2014 amendment to the German Renewable Energies Act."

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DGAP-News: 2G Energy AG: Successful commissioning of 3.12 MW CHP system for Merck for production in Darmstadt