Wallington, NJ (PRWEB) June 27, 2013

With the arrival of summer, building managers across the Northeast must address the spike in cooling system demands and soaring energy costs that accompany hot weather. In recent years, growing numbers of cost-conscious New Jersey building owners have begun calling on Pump Express Services to address these issues by adding variable frequency drives (VFDs) to their HVAC pump systems.

Everybody from corporations to homeowners are looking to save money, says Pump Express Sales Manager Fred Hettinger. Along with large corporations like LOreal, who called us to install VFDs on the Armstrong end-suction pumps that run their HVAC system, weve done VFD maintenance for high-end residential clients intent on saving energy and dollars."

Variable Frequency Drives are used to control the speed of motor-driven pumps and fans. Standard motors start abruptly with a high starting torque and current surges up to 10 times the normal running current. 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. In most cases, VFDs pay for themselves in savings within three years.

We recently replaced a pair of ABB VFD drives on the HVAC system of the 376-unit condominium complex in Hoboken, says Hettinger. The VFDs that were originally installed on the buildings Paco horizontal split-case pump system failed and we were called to install replacements.

Developers across New Jersey have begun using VFDs and other energy saving equipment covered under the New Jersey SmartStart Buildings program, established in 2009 to provide financial incentives for using energy efficient heating and cooling equipment. Garden State residents currently qualify for rebates of $60.00 per horsepower for chilled water pumps driven with variable frequency drives.

Thats a potential savings of $3,600 on a 60 horsepower pump for anyone that has an air-conditioning system in a large commercial or municipal building using air-handlers with condensers and chillers, says Hettinger. Qualified property managers, schools and developers all stand to benefit.

For more information on variable frequency drives and other resource saving equipment call Pump Express Services at 1-800-620-7331 or visit our website: http://www.pumpexpressservices.com

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Rise in Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Use Among Garden State Building Owners Driving Summer Sales at Pump Express ...

Katy, TX (PRWEB) June 23, 2013

People all over the country are trying to save money, and Texas homeowners have learned that they can lower utility bills by blocking radiant heat from the sun. Keeping this heat out of the home makes it easier to cool the property and lower energy bills. Texan Roofing is now offering radiant barriers that will effectively cool the home and help people save money.

Installation Options Radiant barriers can be stapled in place, or property owners can choose a paint that covers the interior surfaces. Quality roofing in Katy, Texas, will offer both options, so homeowners can choose the one that suits their home and budget better through the new services provided by Texan Roofing. Estimates are free, and the technician can explain the different options and why one may be better than another. Generally, the stapled barrier is ideal for attics with large open spaces, but the paint may work better if an attic has appliances, supports and other structures that would make foil installation difficult.

Effective Radiant Barriers The sun warms the shingles on a home, and conduction moves that energy to the underside of the sheathing. There, the radiant heat starts moving from the top of the attic to the attic floor, through the insulation and into the living space below. Installed along the roof decking in an attic, the barrier reflects radiant heat that comes through a roof. The main area of the attic stays cooler, insulation remains cooler and the temperature throughout the home will be reduced.

Lower Bills and Fewer Repairs In addition to lowering energy bills, radiant barriers from Texan Roofing in Katy will also make home air conditioners last longer. When the heat from the sun radiates into a home and warms the living area, air conditioners have to work harder to cool the home. They strain for long periods of time, and that causes them to wear out faster. With radiant barriers in place, the air conditioner doesnt have to work as hard. The strain is minimized, allowing the air conditioner to last longer and require fewer repairs.

Homeowners who are seeking ways to reduce their energy bills appreciate passive changes that provide them with financial gains long after they are installed. Radiant barriers are ideal for reducing radiant heat entering a home and making it more energy efficient. In addition to lower energy bills, it also lowers HVAC repair expenses. Available from experienced companies like Texan Roofing, this simple change can make a large difference in homeowners utility bills this summer.

About The team at Texan Roofing is a family owned business in Katy, Texas. They first started offering home improvement projects in 2005, and they incorporated in 2007. Serving Houston and the surrounding areas, the company has built a solid reputation by providing customers with the highest quality work. Team members are highly trained and qualified to handle most roofing projects. They are prepared to handle projects ranging from simple leaks to full replacements and new roofs.

Members of the Better Business Bureau, they are very proud of their A+ rating with zero complaints. They treat customers like family members and will send a quality control representative out to inspect every job and ensure that customers are completely satisfied. They are happy to provide free estimates, and can be reached at 866-782-6036.

Link:
Texan Roofing Introduces New Radiant Barrier Services

After being entrusted by Town Meeting with a much larger capital contribution than usual, the schools are gearing up for a busy summer to start fiscal 2014.

Although the district managed to get by with far less in recent years, buildings and grounds director Matt Torti said the infusion of funding is sorely needed.

"This is the amount wed really like to see annually," he said. "Were a long way from being up to speed, but this is a very good start in a positive direction."

The schools $3.6 million capital allocation for fiscal 2014 include $900,000 for two major projects scheduled this upcoming year: $500,000 for another phase of the districts ongoing technology equipment and infrastructure upgrades, and $400,000 for a feasibility study of Fuller Middle School and Farley Middle School. The latter expense is intended to help school officials determine which building currently only Fuller is used as a public school will be Framinghams middle school of the future.

Other planned capital projects, including rooftop HVAC unit replacements, energy conservation control installations, and paving work, are part of continuing programs.

Where the extra capital funding will come in handy is to accomplish some of the tasks that have been put off in recent years, Torti said, like mechanical and plumping upgrades and replacing tiles at some of the schools. The additional capital will also help buildings and grounds buy a new mower and dump truck vehicles the department has had to wait years to replace.

With much more to spend, Torti expects his crews to be busier this summer than last.

"Absolutely," he said, "$3.6 million is more money, therefore we do more work."

Former Fuller Middle School principal Juan Rodriguez is also keeping busy these days thanks to the additional $250,000 that Town Meeting approved for security projects around town, most of which will be spent on the schools. The soon to be retired administrator was tasked by Superintendent Stacy Scott shortly after the December Newtown, Conn., shootings to oversee an audit of Framinghams security system, and Gonzalez said the quarter-million-dollar contribution OKd by voters last month will go a long way to fund the improvements he and other school administrators have identified with the help of town public safety officials.

Some of the expenses officials will start to prioritize at a meeting scheduled today, he said, are new scanning systems at school entrances for employees, building interior cameras that can be accessed by the police and fire departments, and a new ID badge system. In addition, several schools are hoping to buy new walkie-talkies that can be used to contact public safety personnel in addition to other education staff.

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Buildings work, security upgrades will keep schools busy

Summer is always a busy time at Guilford Public Schools, with tons of improvement projects planned at nearly all the district schools, according to Director of Operations and Facilities Cliff Gurnham.

"As always, we do have a large number of projects planned for this summer," said Gurnham.

A.W. Cox School has a number of upgrades taking place, including new windows and doors, as well as renovations to the main entrance and offices and floor and carpet replacements. Gurnham said the cost is estimated at $80,000.

Elisabeth C. Adams Middle School will receive replacements for ventilation, air conditioning, and ceilings. Upgrades to ventilation will be made in the southern section of Adams, formerly considered an open space area. Because that area is now closed in and broken into different sections, the HVAC system needs to be redesigned. Action Air Systems of Manchester was awarded the contract for these improvements for $679,947.

Another improvement is to eight bathrooms at Melissa Jones School. Pat Munger Construction will perform the work for $96,469, which is covered by a 2011-'12 bond issue that still has a $108,847 balance.

Additionally, "At Adams, a whole new clock system will go in...and we're also doing some work at the bus yard to replace the fuel oil tank over there this summer," Gurnham said. "We have a busy summer ahead of us."

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Summer Improvements Coming for Guilford Schools

By SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer on Jun 10, 2013, at 1:52 AMUpdated on 6/10/13 at 2:58 AM

A rendering shows the proposed renovation of Central Library's exterior at 5th Street and Denver Avenue. Courtesy

The almost $48 million project was necessitated by the building's aging mechanical and electrical systems, said Tulsa City-County Library CEO Gary Shaffer.

"We were having to fabricate parts for our mechanical systems" because replacements aren't made anymore, Shaffer said, and the current facility wasn't built for sustainability. "When this building was built, energy was abundant."

That's all changed with the way buildings are constructed now, and energy efficiency is the norm.

"Newer systems are just more efficient," said Terrell Hoagland, director of sustainable projects at Flintco, the contractor for the project.

The new HVAC system will use high-efficiency boilers and chillers and chilled beam system, which is a relatively new technology in Oklahoma, Hoagland said.

"It's super quiet. It provides a larger amount of air at a slower speed," he said.

There will be new LED lighting, water-efficient fixtures in the bathrooms, preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, new windows that let in more natural light and daylight sensors that turn lights off when daylight is in the building. Rainwater will also be collected and stored and then used for irrigation on the property.

"The strategy behind the renovation, it's not just being more energy efficient, that's just one part of it. There's water consumption, types of materials used" including locally produced products, recycled materials and using carpets and paints that aren't as harmful to the air quality.

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Tulsa's Central Library to get 'green' changes

NEW YORK, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Energy Efficient HVAC Systems http://www.reportlinker.com/p0370594/Energy-Efficient-HVAC-Systems.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=HVAC

Unitary Systems, Heat Pumps, Furnaces and Boilers, Ductless Cooling, Engineered Cooling Systems, Radiant Heating and Cooling, and Ventilation Systems for Energy Efficient Buildings

HVAC accounts for roughly 40% of commercial building energy consumption worldwide. As energy costs, pressure on energy resources, and restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, strong global, national, and local pressure is driving the market for higher-efficiency commercial building HVAC systems. Efficient commercial HVAC systems include technologies and product lines that exceed minimum efficiency standards and requirements for commercial and institutional buildings.

Deployments of specific efficient commercial building HVAC technologies vary considerably by region. Efficient forced air systems overwhelmingly dominate the North American market, but are much less common in Europe and Asia Pacific. Western Europe, where strong regulatory drivers strongly support energy efficient HVAC deployment, has made significant progress with respect to efficient ductless systems and efficient ventilation systems. However, due to a combination of continuing economic development and increasing interest in energy efficiency, Asia Pacific has emerged as the global leader in the deployment of efficient HVAC systems for commercial buildings. Navigant Research forecasts that worldwide revenue from energy efficient HVAC systems will reach $33.2 billion annually by 2020.

This Navigant Research report analyzes the global market opportunity for energy efficient commercial HVAC systems, including unitary systems, heat pumps, furnaces and boilers, ductless cooling, engineered cooling systems, radiant heating and cooling, and ventilation systems. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the demand drivers, business models, policy and regulatory factors, and technology issues associated with the global market for these systems. Key industry players are profiled in depth, and worldwide revenue forecasts, segmented by application, region, and key countries, extend through 2020.

Key Questions Addressed:

Why are some end users (but not others) paying higher capital costs for efficient HVAC systems? Which technologies lead global and regional efficient commercial HVAC markets? What are the market drivers and barriers for energy efficient HVAC systems? How large will the market for energy efficient HVAC systems be through 2020? Who are the key players in the global market for energy efficient HVAC systems? Will ductless systems become competitive in North America? What is in the future for ducted systems outside of the Americas? How quickly will new energy efficient HVAC technologies develop through 2020? How will the recession of 2008 and its aftermath affect replacement markets in North America through 2020?

Who needs this report?

Commercial HVAC equipment manufacturers and suppliers Energy service companies (ESCOs) Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) service providers Building owners and managers Utilities Government and institutional agencies Investor community

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Energy Efficient HVAC Systems

(PRWEB) May 29, 2013

Hiring an HVAC service company in Philadelphia to fix an air conditioning system should not have to be an arm and a leg. Hutchinson announces a new special for an AC checkup. Hutchinson will come out to any home in South Jersey or Philadelphia, and service check the air conditioner unit for the low price of $64.95. The best defense against a steaming hot summer, and high utility bill, is a professionally serviced air conditioner. No home needs to put up with an inefficient air conditioner during the hot summer afternoons. Small problems that are ignored and not fixed can raise cooling costs as much as 30%. To save time, money, and energy, people can contact Hutchinson today for their special AC service check-up plan.

Hutchinson provides a 10 Point Service Check to make sure every air conditioner they deal with is in great shape. An experienced technician will perform all stages of the 10 point service check including checking the Thermostat Operation, Coil, Condenser Fan Motor, Voltage & Amperage, Electrical Connections, Operating Pressures, Temperature Drops, Blower Operation, Condensate Drain & Pump, and Overall Maintenance. To take advantage of the 10 Point Service Check, customers can call 1-800-360-5807. Customers can also fill out their service check online by visiting http://www.TrustHutch.com. Once the online form is completed and submitted, Hutchinson will get in touch within minutes.

Hutchinson has been providing complete customer satisfaction to those who inquire about the companies heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services. Each job performed, such as the AC Service Check-Up is completed thoroughly without error. It is this dedication that has kept Hutchinson at the top of the industry for so many years.

About Hutchinson:

Hutchinson is South Jerseys largest heating, ventilation and air conditioning company. For generations they have had the opportunity to provide the community, both residential and commercial with services, repairs and replacements whenever there was an issue. Over the years as a family owned business, Hutchinson continues to stay up to date on all the latest advances, laws and regulations so property owners are receiving the highest quality of services and equipment. With a history of mechanics and engineering the Hutchinson team has what it takes to provide customers with the most practical and affordable solutions when it comes to heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

For more information about Hutchinson, visit http://www.hutchbiz.com.

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Hutchinson HVAC Service Company in Philadelphia Announce New Special on AC Service Check Up

Before we ever bought our condo and had a monthly association fee to pay, I was under the impression that I'd really dislike such a regular financial obligation. However, having been in this situation for over a year now, I'm finding our association fee surprisingly beneficial. While such fees can come in differing amounts depending upon location, number of units within the association, and what the fees are meant to cover, I've found that certain factors have come into play in helping us determine whether or not such a fee is worth the cost.

Breaking Down What the Fee Covers

Knowing what an association fee is for and how it will be applied to the various aspects of living in a home is an important part in deciding if it is indeed worthwhile. There are many components of living within a community that an association fee might apply to. Road maintenance, maintaining a community pool, tennis courts or clubhouse, grounds upkeep, repairs, snow removal, trash, water and sewer services, insurance, and a variety of other items could be covered by such a fee.

With our particular association fee, we get our water/sewer/trash services, our condominium's common insurance fee, common area utilities, lawn maintenance and snow removal, repairs to the exterior of the building and common areas paid, and the management company is paid from this fund as well. There is also a reserve fund that is maintained as well. We receive a regular budget that allows us to see how our money is being applied to such items.

Cost Analysis

By knowing what costs an association fee covers, it makes it easier to conduct a cost analysis to decide whether such a fee is indeed worthwhile. In our case, we can compare our current situation, and the cost involved -- a $300 a month association fee -- to the costs we were incurring in our previous single-family home to see if it pays off.

Current Condo

TOTAL -- $300.00

Previous Single-family Home

TOTAL -- $249.82

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First Person: Is a Condo Association Fee Worth the Cost?

ROCKLEIGH - A Connecticut real estate company has acquired 8 King Road, a two-building, 200,000-square-foot diagnostic lab and office property, where it plans to make $30 million in improvements, the company said Thursday.

Marcus Partners of Wilton, Conn., will do the revamp on behalf of the existing tenant, Spectra East Inc. The plan is to upgrade the buildings' infrastructure and expand Spectra into the entire facility under a new long-term lease.

The improvements to 8 King Road, in Rockleigh Corporate Park, will include: new Class A finishes to the lobbies and common areas; laboratory and warehouse expansion; faade enhancements; roof replacement; HVAC and back-up power generator replacements; and site and parking-lot improvements.

Marcus Partners has taken over the management of the property and will provide development and construction management services during all phases of the renovation project.

"This acquisition has the added benefit of being our first major foray into the northern New Jersey market - a market presence we wish to expand further over the next few years," Marcus Partners Principal David Fiore said in a statement.

- Linda Moss

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Rockleigh building to undergo $30 million upgrade

By Penny Czarra - May 21, 2013 | Tickers: BECN, CSTE, WSO | 0 Comments

Penny is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

Are there any housing recovery stocks out there that are worthy of inclusion in a reasonable growth + reasonable risk + reasonable price portfolio?

Here are 3 prospects I want to study. They straddle the wholesale/retail distribution segment of the building materials sub-industry. They have already enjoyed a fairly good run in share price, so reasonable price may be too much to hope for right now. In any case, reasonable price comes and goes with market fluctuations. An Intentional Investor's first step must be to look for reasonable growth at reasonable riskaka good businesses.

Beacon Roofing Supply (NASDAQ: BECN) has failed to achieve the 10%+ Return on Invested Capital criteria that I insist upon. I must also take a pass on Watsco(NYSE: WSO) which has, in my view, a deteriorating ROIC. CaesarStone(NASDAQ: CSTE) is generating superior profitability on a consistent and improving basis and stands-up to my first test of Tough Love.

My screening process

As an Intentional Investor wannabe, my only competitive advantage is Discipline, focus, and tough love. Im training myself to look for a reason NOT to invest. This goes against my natural grain. Ive long been a patsy for good investment stories.

I use the following four criteria -- in this order -- to make my initial cuts:

1) Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) must exceed 10%. If not, outta here!

2) Free Cash Flows must cover Long-Term Debt within four years. No can do? Cut!

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Intentional Investing: Tough Love on Housing Recovery (Part 6)