Toronto, ON (PRWEB) July 28, 2014

High summer temperatures can take a toll on energy use in Texas. In its second year, Austin Energy is taking steps to help conserve energy while summer demands are high. With its Power Partner Thermostat program, Austin Energy is working with smart thermostat maker, ecobee, to help customers lower their energy bill and participate in demand response events.

When customers enroll in the program and install an ecobee Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat, they will receive an $85 rebate as well as additional energy-saving opportunities on their bill.

Austin Energy was one of the first utility companies to implement a smart thermostat program with a rebate incentive for their customers, said Stuart Lombard, CEO and President, ecobee. With the program running for a second year in a row, we will see greater participation and awareness about the importance of reducing demand to save on energy bills and lessen the burden on the grid.

With heating and cooling accounting for 50 percent of a homes energy bill, the ecobee smart thermostat will help Austin Energy customers make informed decisions about their homes energy use. Homeowners can monitor and control their thermostat from anywhere, using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. The thermostat also understands the weather outside and a homes energy performance to optimize for energy savings.

Participating customers will also help reduce energy use when it matters most during high use periods. This helps customers lower their monthly energy bill and helps Austin Energy avoid unplanned outages. Participation is voluntary and customers choose to opt-in or out when they like.

Internet-connected thermostats, like ecobee, give our customers greater control of their comfort and savings, said Debbie Kimberly, VP of Customer Energy Solutions, Austin Energy. When our customers choose to participate in our demand response events, they are helping to delay the need to acquire additional peaking power and prevent unplanned outages.

For more information on Austin Energys Power Partner program, visit http://austinenergy.com/wps/portal/psp/residential/offerings/cooling-and-heating/power-partner-thermostats.

About ecobee ecobeemaker of the worlds first smart thermostatdelivers intelligent energy management solutions to homeowners, commercial, HVAC, and Utility markets. With hundreds of thousands of installs across North America, ecobees award-winning smart thermostats are the easiest way for customers to understand, manage, and reduce their energy consumption. ecobees pioneering work with Open APIs is accelerating the adoption of the Internet of Things and leading to a more connected home.

ecobees line of Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostats, online web portals and mobile apps are the products of choice for ease of use, energy efficiency and demand response programs. http://www.ecobee.com

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Austin Energy Continues Power Partner Thermostat Program for Second Summer with ecobee

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) July 22, 2014

E-M Air Systems Inc. (http://www.EMAir.ca), the leading provider of custom commercial, residential, and industrial air conditioning (A/C) and heating repair, maintenance, and installation services in the Greater Toronto Area, is weighing in on a recent report showing portable air conditioners are not very effective, as well as offering alternatives for keeping cool this summer.

Summers in the GTA can be hot, muggy, and uncomfortable, says Enzo Colosimo, founder of E-M Air Systems Inc. In 2013, the City of Toronto issued seven heat alerts and six extreme heat alerts. And it was even worse in 2012, when Torontonians were subject to 12 heat alerts and nine extreme alerts. (Source: Heat Alerts and Extreme Heat Alerts, City of Toronto web site; http://app.toronto.ca/tpha/heatStats.html, last accessed July 11, 2014.)

Colosimo explains that in an effort to keep cool and save on energy costs, many homeowners turn to portable air conditioners, believing they are just as effective as window air conditioners or stationary A/C units. A recent study shows that not only is this not the case, but that it could end up costing users more than expected.

A recent test was performed on eight portable air conditioners from major brands, all priced in a range from $250 to more than $500. Using a special chamber to test their cooling power and thermocouples throughout the room to record temperatures, the results were less than compelling. The outside temperature was kept at 32C with each portable air conditioner set to 23C, but in the end, none of the units could cool the test chamber below 26C, not even after being on for 100 minutes. This was true even for the most expensive unit, priced at $550, which promised to keep a 550-square-foot room cool, but struggled to keep the test chamber, which was half the size, cool. (Source: Are portable air conditioner claims a lot of hot air? Consumer Reports web site, June 12, 2014; http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/06/are-portableair-conditioner-claims-a-lot-of-hot-air/index.htm.)

When it comes to keeping comfortable in the summertime, its important to remember that air conditioning can use up to 70% of a summer electric bill, Colosimo adds. At the same time, issues can arise if an air conditioning unit is too small or too big for a space. If its too small, the space will not get cooled; if its too big, the air conditioning unit will cycle on and off too frequently, substantially impairing the systems efficiencyand the owners wallet.

When it comes to deciding what kind of air conditioning unit to install, its best to call a reputable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractor like E-M Air Systems Inc., Colosimo concludes. At E-M Air Systems Inc., we carry high-quality, quiet, and energy-efficient air conditioning outdoor units designed to properly cool rooms of virtually any size. And assuming proper maintenance, the outdoor unit will also last an average of 15 years.

E-M Air Systems Inc. has been installing custom commercial, residential, and industrial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the new construction and retrofit market in Southern Ontario since 1987. Because E-M Air Systems Inc. designs every HVAC system it installs and manufactures the duct work in its own sheet metal shop, clients do not have to rely on outside firms for costly blueprints or work; this translates into greater value and the industrys most competitive pricing. E-M Air Systems Inc. is a member of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), the Canadian Home Builders Association, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, the Technical Safety and Standards Authority (TSSA), and the Residential Heating Ventilation Contractors Association (RHVCA). To learn more about E-M Air Systems Inc, visit the companys web site at http://www.EMAir.ca or call E-M Air Systems Inc. toll-free 1-800-893-6793.

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E-M Air Systems Inc., the GTAs Leading Provider of Custom HVAC Services, Comments on Report Showing Portable Air ...

RESERVE The Federal Emergency Management Agency has obligated the first funding negotiated under the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 for the repair of two St. John the Baptist Parish public schools flooded during Hurricane Isaac.

The federal agency has authorized more than $17.5 million for repairs to East St. John High School in Reserve and Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School in LaPlace.

Work at the high school will include selective demolition, mold remediation and environmental cleaning of five campus buildings.

In addition, the school district will upgrade heating and cooling systems, re-insulate, re-waterproof and replace the exterior sheathings on two buildings, install ADA hardware and public restrooms, replace the gym bleachers and cafeteria equipment and relocate the concession stand from the cafeteria to the gym.

Much of the flooring, ceiling tiles and wall boards will also be replaced.

Work at the elementary school will include demolition of the old building and the construction of a new, elevated elementary school at the site.

The remaining projects repairs to the field house and the building of a combination earthen levee/sheet pile wall for flood protection at East St. John High will be authorized separately.

The fund obligation announcement was much needed after a year of working together as one to get our schools reopened, St. John Schools Superintendent Kevin R. George said. When we pull together and place children first, great things happen. Although this is good news, I will not rest nor will I be satisfied until our children are back where they belong.

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board will consider awarding a contract for the repairs to East St. John High School when it meets for its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at West St. John Elementary School in Edgard.

Once a contractor is selected, construction is expected to be complete by June, with the school reopening in time for the 2015-16 school year.

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FEMA authorizes $17.5 million for ESJ, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary

Water heating is the second largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 18% of your utility bill after heating and cooling.

There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient model.

Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping now for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.

Faucets and appliances can use a lot of hot water, which costs you money. Look for ways to heat your water more efficiently and use less.

If you heat water with electricity, have high electric rates, and have an unshaded, south-facing location (such as a roof) on your property, consider installing a solar water heater. The solar units are environmentally friendly and you can have them installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.

Solar water heating systems are also good for the environment. Solar water heaters avoid the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production. When shopping for a solar water heater, look for theENERGY STARlabel and for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or the Florida Solar Energy Center.

Visit theDatabase of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiencywebsite to see if you qualify for tax credits or rebates for buying a solar water heater.

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Tips: Water Heating

Published: Sunday, 7/20/2014 - Updated: 17 hours ago

BY JON CHAVEZ BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

Free Rent, reads a sign in the window of the building at the corner of Superior and Adams Streets downtown. And every weekday afternoon, dozens of people head for the building at 502 Adams.

But few notice the sign, and none go there to rent space. Instead, they go seeking lunch at the first-floor Subway sandwich shop the buildings only tenant.

The rehab of the building was completed in 2006, 2007, and then we got Subway in. And that was it, said building owner Dino Sarris, a real estate investor from Chicago.

In 2011 Mr. Sarris began offering free rent, promising up to six months free depending on the length of lease a tenant signed.

We had a couple of convenience-store types call. One felt the rent was too high, the other was not qualified [to get a loan], Mr. Sarris said.

But other than that, there have been no offers to rent space in Mr. Sarris four-story, 16,000-square foot building, which is the only structure on the so-called Paramount block, where the old Paramount Theater once stood. It is directly across Superior Street from the Valentine Theatre.

Built in 1920, the building started as the National Bank of Toledo. It became known as the Bond Building when it was home to a mens clothing store by that name. The Bond Store competed with another menswear retailer, the B.R. Baker Co., which was directly across Adams Street.

The Bond Building later housed Davis Business College. In the 1980s it was a flower shop before going vacant and falling to the federal Resolution Trust Corp.

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Vacancy rates still high downtown

July 18, 2014 - Both 5 Series 500R11 indoor and 500RO11 outdoor splits carry Aurora controls. In addition to featuringmicroprocessor control to sequence all components during operation for optimum performance, Aurora Base Control (ABC) provides such troubleshooting features as fault lights, onboard diagnostics, and handheld Aurora Interface Diagnostic (AID) tool. Cabinets for 5 Series and Synergy3D units feature galvanized sheet metal construction with salt spray rating of 1,000 hr. WaterFurnace International, Inc. 9000-T Conservation Way Fort Wayne, IN, 46809 USA Press release date: July 10, 2014

Upgrades include new cabinets and Aurora controls for 5 Series

Fort Wayne, IN WaterFurnace International, Inc., the leading manufacturer of geothermal and water source heat pumps, announces upgrades to its 5 Series 500R11 indoor splits, 5 Series 500RO11 outdoor splits and the Synergy3D.

Both the 5 Series indoor and outdoor splits now carry the WaterFurnace Aurora family of controls. The Aurora Base Control (ABC) features a microprocessor control to sequence all components during operation for optimum performance. In addition, the ABC provides easy-to-use troubleshooting features, including fault lights, onboard diagnostics and a handheld Aurora Interface Diagnostic (AID) tool.

Upgraded cabinets for the 5 Series and Synergy3D units feature new paint and texture for an aesthetically pleasing look that is carried over from the 5 Series and 7 Series family of units. The heavy gauge galvanized sheet metal cabinets also feature a salt spray rating of 1,000 hours for long-lasting protection.

In addition to the cabinet upgrade, changes to the Synergy3D include the relocation of LED status lights to the left corner post and new sweat desuperheater connections for the convenience of the contractor.

The 5 Series 500RO11 outdoor splits are designed for outdoor installations and are connected to an indoor air handler via refrigerant lines and control wiring. Introduced last October, the 5 Series 500R11 indoor splits are engineered for indoor use where an all-in-one unit would be difficult to install, like attics or crawl spaces, and offer an attractive solution for retrofitting existing homes. Both the indoor and outdoor units are ENERGY STAR rated and feature an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 25.3 and a coefficient of performance (COP) of 4.4.

The Synergy3D provides forced air heating and cooling to ducted zones while also providing hot water to radiant floor zones the geothermal equivalent of a boiler, furnace and air conditioner. The single unit uses environmentally friendly R410A refrigerant, dual capacity scroll compressors and the energy efficiency of geothermal technology to provide savings as high as 70 percent when compared to ordinary furnaces and air conditioners.

To learn more about the 5 Series indoor and outdoor splits and the Synergy3D, visit the WaterFurnace website at http://www.waterfurnace.com.

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Cooling/Heating Systems are available with Aurora controls.

The Energy Department today announced up to $7 million to deploy clean energy and energy efficiency projects in tribal communities, reducing reliance on fossil fuel, and promoting economic development. The Tribal Energy Program, in cooperation with the Department's Office of Indian Energy, will help Native American tribes, tribal energy resource development organizations, and tribal consortia to install community- or facility-scale clean energy and energy efficiency projects.

Tribal lands comprise nearly 2% of U.S. land, but contain about 5% of all the country's renewable energy resources. With more than 9 million megawatts of potential installed renewable energy capacity on tribal lands, these communities are well positioned to capitalize on their abundant domestic renewable energy resources, enhancing U.S. energy security and protecting the environment.

The Funding Opportunity Announcement is soliciting applications under two topic areas:

Under Topic Area 1, "Tribal Building Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Retrofits," the department is soliciting projects to install facility-scale clean energy (natural gas combined heat and power systems and renewable energy) systems to displace electrical, heating, or cooling loads by at least 15%. Also included are deep energy retrofits that reduce the total of all energy used in a building or buildings by at least 20%.

Under Topic Area 2, "Community-Scale Clean Energy Deployment," the department is soliciting projects to install clean energy systems that can provide electricity, heating, or cooling to many buildings or to an entire tribal community. Clean energy systems need to generate a minimum of 50 kilowatts of power (or equivalent) and use commercially-warrantied technology.

Cost-shared projects selected under this funding announcement are intended to result in immediate cost savings, reduce energy use, and increase energy security for Indian Tribes and tribal members.

The full funding announcement is available via EERE's Exchange website and the Tribal Energy Program website.

The Energy Department's Office of Indian Energy and the Tribal Energy Program promote tribal energy sufficiency and foster economic development and employment on tribal lands through the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Since 2002, the Department has invested nearly $50 million in 184 tribal clean energy projects, and provides financial and technical assistance to tribes for the evaluation and development of their renewable energy resources, implementation of energy efficiency to reduce energy use, and education and training to help build the knowledge and skills essential for sustainable energy projects.

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Energy Department Announces Up to $7 Million to Expand Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands

A brochure for Affordable Home Comfort. The company has come under scrutiny from Consumer Protection.

The brother of a notorious air-conditioner salesman banned from selling and installing dodgy cooling systems has also come to the attention of WAs consumer watchdog.

Maxwell Raymond Healy, the brother of Alwyn Robert Healy who has been the subject of several consumer cautions over many years for failing to deliver or install air-conditioning units, has now himself had a warning issued against him by the state's peak consumer body.

Consumer Protection on Tuesday warned customers to exercise discretion when dealing with Solar H C Pty Ltd, trading as Affordable Home Comfort, after customer complaints against the company during the past three months.

Complaints included the air-conditioning units did not have the reverse cycle evaporative component promised, the systems had not been installed in a timely manner and large deposits being paid.

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Maxwell Healy, of Bindoon, is the companys sole director.

In May this year, Alwyn Healy, trading as Aircon Factory Direct, was ordered by the Supreme Court of WA to stop claiming air-conditioning units he was selling could heat and cool when they could not.

Alwyn Healy, who in 2011 at a contempt hearing for breaching a court order, was described by Justice Kenneth Martin as dodgy.

He was ordered to pay back $127,000 to 50 customers who were misled about the units, after he told customers they could both heat and cool their homes, however, when the units were installed there was no heating function.

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Warning for 'dodgy' air-con brothers

A new district energy system is now being installed between Coquitlam city hall, Evergreen Cultural Centre, the RCMP building and the City Centre Aquatic Complex.

image credit: tri-CITY NEWS FILE PHOTO

The City Centre precinct in Coquitlam also known as "Four Corners" will see more than just Evergreen Line construction over the next few months.

On Monday, the city started the first phase of a new district energy system for the area, with trenching and pipe installation from the City Centre Aquatic Complex (CCAC) across Guildford Way to city hall.

That portion of the work is expected to wrap up in two weeks and will involve changes to the sidewalk access as well as a temporary relocation of the bus stop in front of CCAC (it will be further west of the pool on Guildford).

The project, when complete this fall or winter, will provide a centralized heating and cooling program between the pool, city hall, Coquitlam RCMP headquarters and the Evergreen Cultural Centre.

The district energy program being put in is similar to the system that has been working since 2009 at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.

It aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by recapturing alternative sources. Under Thermenex (an acronym for thermal energy exchange), city staff say Coquitlam would cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 500 tonnes (8%) and lower power costs by $115,000 a year (26%) for the life of four buildings.

Invented by B.C. engineer Jeff Weston, Thermenex is a water-filled pipe with hot and cold ends, using refrigeration technology to create the thermal gradient. The technology works through a system of reclaiming energy.

The cost to design and install Thermenex at the Four Corners is around $3.5 million money the city will recover over 23 years in energy savings, staff say.

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District energy to be plugged in at Coquitlam city hall

A brochure for Affordable Home Comfort. The company has come under scrutiny from Consumer Protection.

The brother of a notorious air-conditioner salesman banned from selling and installing dodgy cooling systems has also come to the attention of WAs consumer watchdog.

Maxwell Raymond Healy, the brother of Alwyn Robert Healy who has been the subject of several consumer cautions over many years for failing to deliver or install air-conditioning units, has now himself had a warning issued against him by the state's peak consumer body.

Consumer Protection on Tuesday warned customers to exercise discretion when dealing with Solar H C Pty Ltd, trading as Affordable Home Comfort, after customer complaints against the company during the past three months.

Complaints included the air-conditioning units did not have the reverse cycle evaporative component promised, the systems had not been installed in a timely manner and large deposits being paid.

Advertisement

Maxwell Healy, of Bindoon, is the companys sole director.

In May this year, Alwyn Healy, trading as Aircon Factory Direct, was ordered by the Supreme Court of WA to stop claiming air-conditioning units he was selling could heat and cool when they could not.

Alwyn Healy, who in 2011 at a contempt hearing for breaching a court order, was described by Justice Kenneth Martin as dodgy.

He was ordered to pay back $127,000 to 50 customers who were misled about the units, after he told customers they could both heat and cool their homes, however, when the units were installed there was no heating function.

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Watchdog warning for 'dodgy' air-con brothers