The system "is broke and can't be repaired," said Ed Gerhardt, the district's business manager.

The hot-water boiler system will be replaced by new technology, a gas-fired, rooftop heating and cooling system, he said.

The failure did not cause any safety issues, nor did it affect personal use of hot water in the building.

The heating system was original to the school, which was constructed in 1974, said Rick Werness, buildings and grounds director for Grand Forks Public Schools.

He and other members of the district facilities maintenance staff as well as contractors from local mechanical engineering and architecture firms went room to room at Winship on Wednesday, removing ceiling tiles to check on location and quality of ductwork.

Analysis of the ductwork will allow the crew "to be strategic about where the rooftop units will go," said Andrew Budke, associate architect with JLG Architects of Grand Forks.

The heating system failure at Winship occurred as the school district is in the midst of thorough study of all its facilities, Werness said.

The study, conducted by JLG, "will look at everything," he said, and will address issues such as aging equipment.

Launched in February, the facilities assessment should be completed in January, when a final report is made public, he said.

The study, which encompasses deferred maintenance and long-range planning, will help the district evaluate its roughly 20 buildings, Gerhardt said.

"We'll look at the entire buildingthe heating and cooling, electrical, the windows."

That information will be used to prioritize "what is most important to address," he said, and for budget planning.

The cost to install a new heat pump system at Winship will be charged to the school district's building fund, Gerhardt said.

Work to prepare for installation of the new system has already begun.

Delivery of the new system equipment is expected to take between four to six weeks, he said.

The timing of the old unit's demise was a lucky break, Gerhardt said.

"We are fortunate it happened when it did. ... It would have been more catastrophic if it had happened during the winter."

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School work: District looks at needs as buildings age - Grand Forks Herald

full-service heating, air conditioning contractor

SPACE COAST DAILY TV:Space Coast Daily speaks John Sabo, owner of All Air & Heat about servicing your A/C now that the weather is heating up.All Air & Heat Inc. is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractorandwas formed to serve all of Brevard Countys home builders with high-quality HVAC solutions for ventilation ductwork on new home construction.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA All Air & Heat Inc. is a full-service heating and air conditioning contractorandwas formed to serve all of Brevard Countys home builders with high-quality HVAC solutions for ventilation ductwork on new home construction.

Through years of experience, All Air & Heat Inc. evolved into a specialist in heating and air conditioning systems and began serving residential customers who were searching for expertise in the AC industry.

Through years of experience, All Air & Heat Inc. evolved into a specialist in heating and air conditioning systems and began serving residential customers who were searching for expertise in the AC industry.

All Air & Heat Inc., located at 3860 Curtis Boulevard in Port St. John, has been serving all of Brevard County with superior service for more than 20 years.

Call All Air & Heat at321-394-9411and ask them about their free, in-home consultation that provides you with a free estimate and advises you on the best options to get the job done right.

All Air & Heat Inc. is your one stop for all of your heating and air conditioning needs, we offer a wide range of services to accommodate all of your HVAC and indoor air quality needs.

Weve been providing Port St. John, Melbourne, Titusville, and the rest of Brevard County with superior HVAC service for over 20 years and we look forward to helping you with a customized solution thats right for you, said owner John Sabo.

From routine maintenance and repair to complete air system installation, the All Air & Heat skilled technicians have the experience needed to get your job done on time and on budget, services include:

SPACE COAST DAILY TV:All Air & Heat Inc. owner John Sabo talks about how important it is to replace your air conditioners filters and shows you how.

INSTALLATION

When you depend on your AC to keep your home comfortable all through the hot Florida months, you cant afford to make the mistake of installing an AC the wrong way. We know that our customers throughout the Cocoa, Melbourne, and Brevard locations trust the expert technicians here at All Air & Heat to professionally install their ACs, ensuring no future problems extend from a poorly installed system.

A correct installation of an AC system can save you both time and difficulty in the future. Its better to make sure the job gets done properly the first time, this way you can avoid having to call us after the last person you hired did a careless job. Having a bad installation done can result in:

Malfunctions/Breakdowns Shorter unit lifespan Higher utility bills Expensive repairs

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ABOVE MAP:All Air & Heat Inc., located at 3860 Curtis Boulevard in Port St. John, has been serving all of Brevard County with superior service for more than 20 years.

REPAIR

All Air & Heat provides the residents of Brevard County with repair services for of their AC systems.

Theyrealize you rely upon your AC system to provide your house with that clean cool air that will keep you comfortable and happy even on the hottest of Florida days and nights.

In theirtime working in Cocoa, Melbourne, and Brevard County, we have seen some of them of the most common causes of AC malfunctions, which includes:

Inadequate maintenance: Bad maintenance can leave your AC weak and unable to work at the demand needed. This can cause your AC to have a complete breakdown, thereby requiring repairs. Sensor Problems: The Acs sensors can begin to malfunction if left unmaintained. Once they do, you will need repairs in order to have your system in full working order once more. Clogged Filters: If your filters havent been changed or clean recently, your AC could be on its way to breaking down and leaving you stranded in the heat.

Any of these causes can lead to your AC system having a complete failure, and requiring you to need repairs. We make getting repairs for your system a simple task thats as stress-free as possible. We accept all major credit cards, and we also have financing options available for those who need it.

All Air & Heat Inc. owner John Sabo talks about how important it is to replace your air conditioners filters and shows you how.

MAINTENANCE

AC maintenance may seem like a waste to some individuals, but it is actually one of the best ways to preserve your AC unit and keep it functioning properly for a longer time than one that receives no maintenance.

All Air & Heat knows that the biggest problem ACs experience in Brevard County, and throughout Florida, is being overworked. Our baking temperatures mean that your AC has to work extra hard just to try and sustain a livable climate inside your home.

AC Maintenance should be an important part of your home maintenance. As important as it is to make sure your roof is in top condition so you do not have leaks after our notorious rainstorms, its important to make sure your AC is in top working condition.

Some benefits of AC maintenance include:

Extended lifespan More efficient cooling Lower utility bills Being aware of potential problems before they appear

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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John Sabo of All Air & Heat Talks About Servicing Your A/C Now ... - SpaceCoastDaily.com

Two people signed in to vote at the Amagansett School on Tuesday afternoon. David E. Rattray

School budget votes and board elections results have begun rolling in, with voters approving budgets in East Hampton, Amagansett, Montauk, Bridgehampton, Sagaponack, and Wainscott, whose polls all closed 8 p.m.

Polls in Springs and Sag Harbor closed at 9 p.m.

East Hampton

The East Hampton School District's $68.3 million budget proposal, a slight increase over last year but still under the state's cap on tax levy increases, was approved by a vote of 291 to 53.

Voters also approved, in a vote of 241 to 96, a proposition allowing East Hampton to establish a capital reserve fund for future districtwide improvements related to growing enrollment, property acquisition, and the replacement of technology and telecommunications equipment, infrastructure, and software. Spending for specific projects will be subject to voter approval.

Jacqueline Lowey and John J. Ryan Sr., who were running uncontested to keep their seats on the school board, got 278 and 302 votes, respectively.

Amagansett

In Amagansett, where interest in the budget and the school board race intensified in the last week, voters approved the nearly $10.7 million budget for the 2017-18 school year. The budget was approved, 146 to 59.

With three board seats available and only three candidates on the ballot, the race for school board was business as usual until last week, when two more candidates announced that they would mount write-in races.

Patrick Bistrian III and Dawn Rana-Brophy were running to keep their seats, and Anna Bernasek was seeking a seat for the first time. Mary A. Eames and Claudia L. Quintana announced after a school board meeting last week that they, too, would like to take seats at the table.

Mr. Bistrianand Ms. Quintana were the top two vote getters, with 122 and 115 votes, respectively. Each will get three-year terms on the board. The next highest vote getter, Ms. Rana-Brophy, got 111 votes and will serve for a one-year term.

Voters also approved a proposition authorizing the expenditure of $400,000 from the 2015 renovations and upgrades capital reserve fund for a new gym ceiling. The vote was 179 to 25.

Montauk

There were no surprises in Montauk, where the $18.8 million budget for next year was approved by a vote of 115 to 8, and Kelly White, an incumbent running for her third five-year term, won it with 112 votes.

The budget is down more than $155,000 from this year's.

Bridgehampton

Bridgehampton's $14.36 million budget sailed through with 102 voting for it and 74 voting no. The budget is up $578,024 over this year.

On the Bridgehampton School Board, Kathleen McCleland, an incumbent, was returned to the board with 136 votes, and Markanthony Verzosa, a newcomer, received 116 votes to take the other seat. The races were not contested.

Also approved Tuesday was a proposition allowing the district to redistribute the balance of a previously approved capital reserve fund to install and maintain a geothermal heating and cooling system as part of a planned school addition. Taxpayers will not incur any additional costs as a result. The vote was 84 to 41.

Sagaponack

Sagaponack voters unanimously passed the school's $1.7 million budget proposal, with 19 votes for and none against.

Sagaponack voters also approved a one-year contract with East Hampton and Sag Harbor School Districts for instruction services for fourth through sixth grades. The district already has a five-year contract with both of these districts for 7th through 12th grades.

Brian Villante, the school board president, was re-elected with 19 votes. There were no challengers.

Wainscott

The Wainscott School District's $2.95 million budget for the 2017-18 school year was approved with 31 votes in favor and none against. It is lower than this year's budget.

David Eagan, the incumbent school board president, who ran unopposed, was re-elected with 29 votes. One vote was cast for someone else, and one ballot was left blank.

View original post here:
Yes to School Budgets in Six Districts - East Hampton Star

There is not one universal blueprint when it comes to high-efficiency air movement and ventilation equipment in residential spaces. Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs); heat recovery ventilators (HRVs); blowers, and high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans are all important HVAC components that can deliver the high-end, highly efficient performance consumers are looking for.

And these options are certainly in high demand.

According to a recent report from Navigant Research, worldwide revenue from ERVs will nearly double from $1.6 billion in 2014 to $2.8 billion in 2020.

Along with new standards and regulations, the heightened sensitivity to how the health and comfort of office workers affects productivity is driving increased acceptance of IAQ technologies in more buildings, said Benjamin Freas, research analyst with Navigant Research, per a release. ERVs are growing in popularity because they provide energy-saving benefits without sacrificing IAQ.

Manufacturers consistently deliver new products in high-efficiency categories (as detailed on Page 12), so where do contractors even begin when they are deciphering the options available to them in the high-efficiency arena? Are there certain types of products that are essential? Or, is each situation truly unique?

To try and tackle these questions head-on, members of The NEWS advisory board were presented with a simple prompt: If you were to design a high-efficiency movement/ventilation equipment system, what products would you choose for the job and why?

Those with experience in this highly specialized area of HVAC answered in a variety of interesting ways.

Rob Minnick, CEO and president of Minnicks Inc. in Laurel, Maryland, said he would choose a ductless system, an ERV with bath fans tied into it, and maybe a dehumidifier, if the job required it.

[These options are] more efficient, offer more control for comfort, and there is no duct-loss outside of any ductless system that may have some ducts usually in the bedroom area, he said. The efficiency benefits of both an ERV and HRV are substantial.

HRVs minimize energy loss by taking cooled or heated air and swapping it with exterior air. This process transfers some of the heat or coolness from the internal air to the air entering the space. The issues presented by ERVs and HRVs are often the fact that not all contractors have the knowledge to install them. They can require a great degree of maintenance but when installed and maintained properly, they provide honest value to homeowners.

I often receive similar questions from customers asking what I installed in my house and why, said Travis Smith, owner, Sky Heating and Cooling, Portland, Oregon. Well, when I custom built my house last year, my first priority was my HVAC system. My 3,500-square-foot home in Portland, Oregon, has a WaterFurnace Intl. Inc. 3-ton variable capacity geothermal system with variable-speed pumps and four zones. The system has an air scrubber, Trane CleanEffects whole-house air-filtration system, and a Lifebreath 155ECM HRV for ventilation since the home was very well sealed. The ductwork was sealed with Aeroseal LLC duct-sealing equipment that gave us less than a 10-cfm leakage on the ductwork. We have a WaterFurnace NSW025 geothermal water heating system to provide hot water and a Mitsubishi Electric FH15 ductless system to heat, cool, and dehumidify the garage since its a below-ground garage.

Smiths second home is smaller, at 2,100 square feet, so he didnt go with a geothermal system but still wanted a high-efficiency system in place.

This home has a 2-ton Trane XV18 variable capacity air conditioner with a S9V2 dual-stage gas furnace and a two-zone Trane system. Because this home is in the high desert, we have an Aprilaire steam humidifier and plan on adding a Navien Inc. tankless combi-boiler and a radiant floor for the lower floor of the home. We will also be aerosealing the ductwork soon, but we bought this house and did not custom build it.

When considering high-efficiency options, Russ Donnici, president of Mechanical Air Service Inc. in San Jose, California, believes that equipment selection, as long as it meets the projects requirements, is actually less important than duct sizing and installation quality.

A high-efficiency system has to produce measurable high-efficiency results and be quiet, he said. Branch duct sizing should be 0.07 inch to 0.09 inch of static. In addition, register selection is important since not all registers of the same size have the same net free open area. We select registers for NC [noise criteria] 20-25 rating.

The California Energy Commission requires testing of duct systems to be sure their leakage is 6 percent or less of the systems airflow capacity, so Donnici said his company seals and tests to 3 percent, so they know they are delivering the proper airflow.

We are a Bryant dealer and use the companys variable-speed condensing furnaces and fan coils, he said. In special cases, we may use some Trane commercial equipment or build up a system we design for high efficiency that may need to overcome the pressure drop of high-efficiency particulate air [HEPA] filters. Typically, we would use a Greenheck fan or a similar fan depending on the total external static pressure [TESP] of the system.

Rich Morgan, president, Magic Touch Mechanical Inc., Mesa, Arizona, said his company does quite a bit of work on the home-performance side of the business, and because of that experience, the companys efficiency improvements often include air sealing and other measures that tighten up a homes envelope.

This often means adding a means of mechanical ventilation, said Morgan. We typically opt for an HRV in these scenarios. Most often, we specify the Lennox Intl. Inc. Healthy Climate HRV as weve found them to be reliable, easy to install, and homeowners are both familiar and comfortable with the brand.

Publication date: 5/15/2017

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Contractors Custom Build Their Most Efficient Ventilation Systems - ACHR NEWS

A A

Thermostats arent usually the first topic of conversation as summer approaches. But with heating and cooling taking up the bulk of your energy bill, its worth it to pay attention. The smartest thermostats today can learn the comings and goings of your family and tune the temperature to your households lifestyle. The savings can add up.

The idea of thermostats controlling heat dates from about 1620 when someone built a heating controller for a chicken coup. More than 250 years later, Albert Butz filed for the first thermostat patent. By the early 1900s, manufacturers sold fuel savers for homes. These clunky mechanical contraptions were complex and more of a luxury at that time.

But designs improved. Manufacturers eventually reduced the inner controls to mercury bubble switches or bimetal strips that bent at different rates to turn the furnace temperature up or down. Normally, folks adjusted their thermostats twice a year, turning them up in the winter and down in the summer. The more energy conscious adjusted the settings when they left their homes for more than a day. This saved a few of their energy dollars, but not many. Back then, energy was cheaper.

As costs rose, engineers devised programmable mechanical units. But despite being heralded as energy savers, they too seemed awfully complex for many households to manage daily. It wasnt until the mid-1980s when semiconductor technology arrived that thermostat programmability became easier and more reliable. This new breed of thermostat promised homeowners lower energy bills. They had fewer parts, battery backups and digital readouts. Digital control ensured homeowners precision and savingsif used properly.

Not long ago, we put a lot of effort into encouraging customers to install programmable thermostats, said Matthew Babbitts, energy services project manager for Clark Public Utilities. The energy savings, however, depended more on how well customers used the thermostats, not the technology alone.

Consumer behavior kept energy savings lower than manufacturers, utility companies and the government expected. Studies, including one by Energy Star, showed programmable thermostats fell short of their promise. Consumers seemed frustrated or confused. Many never programmed them. Others resorted to turning them up and down manually as with older mechanical styles.

Home automation championed the next wave of thermostats. Several facets of the home heating and cooling, security and lighting are now linked to the internet. For the first time, homeowners held home remote controls in their hands. Although these connected thermostats communicated over the internet, they gathered no data about energy use. Later, smart thermostats, that also connected to the internet with cables or Wi-Fi, did crunch and present the data of a homes energy use.

In 2011, Nest Labs introduced its first smart thermostat with learning capacity. Today, the Nest Learning Thermostat and ecobee3 can learn your household habits and adjust heating and cooling accordingly. Any Android or iOS device, as well as any Wi-Fi enabled laptop, can remotely control them. However, they approach learning your household habits differently, which is something you should check out before deciding which is better for you. (If youd like voice control, for instance, the ecobee3 pairs with Amazons Alexa.)

Recently, we started offering a $50 mail-in rebate for the Nest Gen 3 and the Ecobee3, said Babbitts. Customers can control these models remotely, gain better energy savings with little effort, and see where their energy dollars go.

To qualify for the rebate, customers must have an electric furnace or a heat pump and own the home where one is installed. Just download and fill out the Smart Thermostat Project Information Form from the utility website and return it with a receipt to the utility.

Homeowners using natural gas may also qualify for a learning thermostat through the Energy Trust, said Babbitts. Anyone with questions can call the energy counselor hotline at 360-992-3355 during business hours.

Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.

Read more:
Energy Adviser: Save with a smart thermostat - The Columbian

Memphis, Tenn.-based American Residential Services, a privately held national provider of air conditioning, heating and plumbing services, announced a partnership with Nest Labs to include the Nest Learning Thermostat as a standard component of most of its middle- and upper-tier residential HVAC system installations. ARS also will offer professional installation of Nest thermostats as an optional upgrade when performing service and preventative maintenance in previously installed systems.

The benefits that a smart and connected home offers are very compelling, said Luis Orbegoso, president and COO of ARS. We are delighted to be recognized as a Nest Pro Elite partner across our network of more than 70 service centers.

The Nest Thermostat learns the temperatures a homeowner prefers and then programs itself. Nests algorithms allow customers to monitor their energy history daily, in addition to receiving an easy-to-understand monthly report. It also will alert homeowners in the event it detects certain problems with the homes HVAC system. Independent studies have shown that the Nest Thermostat saves homeowners on average 10 to 12 percent on heating and 15 percent on cooling costs.

While Nest products are designed so that homeowners can choose to install themselves, Nest wants to make it easy for those whod prefer to take advantage of the benefits of a pro installation, said Gene LaNois, who heads Nests Professional Channel. ARS shares our passion for enabling the thoughtful home, and were excited that they will be incorporating the Nest Thermostat into their installation offerings.

The Nest Thermostat and other Nest products are available at all ARS Network branches that provide HVAC services and installations.

The rest is here:
ARS Partners with Nest Labs to Provide Learning Thermostats to Customers - Contracting Business

MARTINSVILLELike many property owners, the city is finding out that houses dont always sell for what theyre worth, or even what is being asked for them.

While seated as the citys Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Martinsville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to sell a house that was damaged by a ruptured sewer line for $15,000.

Tax records show the property, at 310 Hairston St. near Starling Avenue, is valued at $48,700. The city bought the house from its unidentified owner for $33,000 to fix the line, which ran under the structure.

The eight-inch-in-diameter line running under the vacant house ruptured earlier this year, resulting in city crews having to pump sewage out of the basement through a nearby manhole every couple of days. Nobody apparently knew the line was there. City officials hired a cleaning service to clean up inside the house, installed a new underground line around the home and connected the building to the new line, according to City Manager Leon Towarnicki.

The city then put the house on the market for $20,000. Towarnicki told the council that it received one offer for $12,500. He said Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Wayne Knox negotiated with the bidders and convinced them to increase their bid to $15,000.

The house is being sold as is, where is, like is, Councilwoman Kathy Lawson said with a chuckle while making the motion to sell it.

The unidentified new owners plan to live there, renovate the house and install new heating, cooling and plumbing systems, Towarnicki said.

Although the house was sold for less than the city requested, at least it returns the house to the tax rolls so revenue can be generated from it in the future, he said.

Neither he nor Knox could be reached Wednesday for further comment.

Also Tuesday, the council recognized Patrick Henry Elementary School student Treylan Beamer for his recent accomplishments in the Elks Lodge National Hoop Shoot basketball free throw competition.

Beamer won local, district, state and regional competitions in the age group for eight- and nine-year-old boys. He then advanced to national competition in Chicago at the end of April, placing fourth.

That was a remarkable achievement, a proclamation that Mayor Gene Teague presented him reads, considering over 40,000 players participated nationwide in the competition.

The council learned that a community job fair planned June 14 will include shuttle service for area residents needing transportation to it.

Lisa Fultz, executive director of the West Piedmont Workforce Development Board, said more information about the fair will be announced soon.

Excerpt from:
City council agrees to sell Hairston Street house | News ... - Martinsville Bulletin

Patricia Guthrie / Whidbey News-Times George Senerth (right) WhidbeyHealth executive director of facilities, checks on construction progress of the new addition. Its innovative heating and cooling system is predicted to reduce energy use by half.

An innovative heating and cooling system being installed at WhidbeyHealth Medical Centers new $50 million addition could turn the facility into one of the most energy-efficient hospitals in the country.

Known as a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, it will respond quickly when patients want their rooms warmer or cooler and it could cut energy use and bills in half.

Comparing it to conventional systems, Im told with the VRF system the energy savings is 50 percent, said George Senerth, executive director of facilities for the healthcare system.

Cutting back on its heating and cooling bills means less demand for electricity, and ultimately less burning of fossil fuels.

This is very unique for the West Coast. Its energy efficient but not with high cost, says Don Iverson, mechanical engineer at Coffman Engineers, Inc., a consultant on the project. Youre not creating a very high construction cost to get energy efficiency.

WhidbeyHealth Medical Centers new 39-patient room addition, designed by HDR Architecture, is expected to open by summer. The hospitals contractor is Andersen Construction.

Construction is about 82 percent complete, Senerth said.

Seattle-based Coffman Engineers suggested using the VRF system as a way to reduce electric bills and more efficiently provide climate control. The Coupeville-based hospital depends on propane and electricity for heating and cooling, which are more expensive than natural gas.

Hospitals may heal people, but they tend to be unhealthy for the environment. Thats because most hospitals rely on a traditional reheat system that blows cold air into hundreds of rooms at the same time from a large, centrally-located ventilation system.

The air is delivered cold because some interior rooms need cooling. Rooms that dont need cooling have individual heating coils that heat the cooled air back up to room temperature.

As much as 40 percent of all energy consumed by a hospital is used for reheating, Iverson says.

Instead of blowing air continuously throughout a building using a standard compressor, VRF systems use variable speed compressors and technology that sense when a room needs to be cooled or heated.

With variable refrigerant flow technology, it spreads out the control of the system into a zoned basis, Iverson explained. Heating coils are controlled by the room, not the central system.

Thermostats exist in patient rooms now, Senerth said, but theyre inefficient.

Our system is so old that if a patient turns it down to 68 degrees from 74 degrees, it will take awhile, he said.

The VRF system recovers heat from where its not needed and redirects it. It also senses when a rooms temperature rises as more people gather, such as in a conference room. It adjusts accordingly.

Whidbeys addition is designed with two long corridors with windows facing south and north. Although built as a two-story addition, only one floor is being used for patients.

We have north-facing patient rooms and south-facing patient rooms, Iverson said. We need to cool the south facing and we need to heat north facing. This system is ideal for that.

The VRF concept was developed in Japan decades ago and caught on in Europe long before it came to the United States.

Its been installed in mid-size buildings throughout the country, but WhidbeyHealth is the first health care facility to install it at a large-scale for a patient wing.

Students with the University of Washingtons Integrated Design Lab are tracking the project to gauge energy savings. It could qualify for a maximum rebate from Puget Sound Energy, which requires a 25 percent reduction in energy usage.

It will reduce the load of electricity needed from Puget Sound Energy and it will save them coal, Iverson said.

Another plus is that patients will breathe air thats only been recirculated from their own rooms and not the entire building as is done with conventional systems, Iverson explained.

In addition to projected energy savings, the WhidbeyHealth addition is designed to reduce water usage with low-flow plumbing fixtures and less irrigation, said Annette Himelick with HDR Architecture.

A courtyard being built as an outdoor extension of the existing cafeteria is designed with conservation in mind, Himelick added.

The site is landscaped with 100 percent Pacific Northwest native plants, 65 percent of them native to the island. These native plants do not have the same irrigation needs that other plants require.

Read more from the original source:
New hospital addition may use 50 percent less energy - South Whidbey Record (subscription)

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. With the heat packing a full punch across the Sioux Empire this Spring, many people are turning the A/C on for the first time in months. Theres a few things you may want to do to prepare your air conditioning unit before turning it on for regular use.

Theres nothing worse than the air conditioner going out on a hot Summer day. To make it even worse, those are the days when everyone is calling HVAC. Experts say yearly cleanings could help you stay cool.

Service Manager Bob Kriese, with Waterbury Heating and Cooling, said The big thing is, is having the outdoor coil cleaned and the indoor air filter cleaned. Having components checked, contactors, capacitors, make sure theyre where they need to be

The average cost to install a new Air Conditioning unit can range from $2,000 to over $4,000. Kriese said, the cost of getting your air conditioner cleaned and checked is much less than the cost of a new unit.

Outside, check for sticks or leaves in or around the air conditioner and have it checked by HVAC Technicians, said Kriese.

It only takes about an hour to have a unit cleaned and checked. During cleanings is typically when problems can be found before its too late.

All the techs, its our job to get it right, our job to make people happy, said Kriese.

If you want to improve efficiency of your air conditioner and help cut down on bills, Kriese said there are things that you can do inside your home to help out.

Drapes and shades pulled down during the day, during the heat of the day. Make sure all the vents are open and clean and clear for the air to flow.

Manufacturers recommend getting your unit cleaned yearly which costs under $100.

More here:
Preparing Your A/C for the Heat Can Help You Stay Cool - KDLT News

Want to host an event outsidebut not outside-outside? Renting a tent just might be the best option for you! Here are a few things to consider:

A tent for every season. A tent for every reason! Find a rental partner that offers a large variety of tent styles to choose from. Seasonal considerations when selecting a tent style are critical to the success of your event. A tent used for a summer BBQ is not necessarily going to be what you want for early or late season events, and certainly not for winter. Your rental partner can help guide you on what style of tent is best suited for your event and climate conditions. A European structure style tent has the benefit of integrated roof and wall panels that help seal the tent and provide a much quieter interior environment. Also, the structure style tents integrated sidewalls operate similar to a curtain rod and are easier to deal with based on changing weather conditions.

One size does not fit all! Tent styles have evolved from the days of the classic rope and pole tent. Nowadays, tent styles and sizes are only limited by your imagination! Challenge your tent provider and hopefully they have kept up with the times. Within a given tent size, a rental provider may carry as many as six different styles, not to mention many different colors. It is also now commonplace for tents to be installed with leveled wood floors, glass walls, and glass door systems. Integrated heating, cooling and electrical systems can be added at the design stage so everything is clean and looks seamless. Be sure to get educated on what is available. It changes every year.

Im so hot! For events that require heating or cooling equipment, never cut corners. It is prudent to install a system that is redundant to ensure that your client is asking you to turn down the heat rather than asking if it can be turned up! This is not an area that you want to pinch pennies, as it is critical to the success of the entire rental order. Got gas? What good is the heating system if you run out of propane? Your rental partner should work with you to ensure the heating equipment and propane service are adequate for your event. Dont forget about the vendors who are going to want to be kept warm during set and strike!

Safety, liability and permits, oh my! Just because something has been done in the past doesnt mean it can or should be done again in this ever-changing marketplace. Many annual events have needed to evolve as liability, insurance, permits and safety considerations have taken center stage. This is a huge, important element to your events success. Your rental provider should ensure that the plan created is going to work properly and most importantly be installed safely. Permits have become increasingly demanding and expensive. Look for safety packages that address the concerns of fire inspection from the start rather than learning about these requirements when its too late. Your rental provider can help you navigate these areas of concern to ensure your event doesnt run into any unnecessary roadblocks.

What do you mean you cant deliver? Get to know your rental provider and the types of products and services that they offer. Also, find out about their fleet and delivery capabilities. Minnesota has an extremely short summer season and tents are very popular. Your rental provider should know what they are capable of producing in a given week and not go beyond their capacity. Sometimes a good rental providers answer has to be, NO. This is done to ensure commitments to events already in production are not jeopardized. A good rental provider will only commit to the amount of work that they can safely install. Also, remember, this is MinnesotaMother Nature likes to show her stuff from time to time! Plan for the unexpected and have back up equipment in case a weather-related incident occurs.

Timothy Smith is The Tentologist and Senior Sales Representative at Ultimate Events. Tim is a 26-year event professional in the rental industry. Tim primarily focuses his efforts working within the sports and sports entertainment segment of the market. Ultimate Events has been a member of the ILEA Minneapolis-St. Paul Chapter since its inception. International Live Events Association (ILEA) is the new name for the International Special Events Society (ISES). ILEA represents and supports more than 5,000 members globally - event professionals who do business together, share knowledge, nurture talent and progress the live events industry. For more information on how an ILEA professional can help you with your event, please contact info@ises-msp.org.

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ILEA Quick Tips For Event Planners: May 2017 - Twin Cities Business Magazine