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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Deregulation a theme of this legislative session

By John R. Delaney

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Trane XL824 Connected Control

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our customers satisfaction is paramount, says Doug.

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

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

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The waiting is over

Fayetteville, GA (PRWEB) March 03, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

As anyone who experienced the recent Polar Vortex on the East Coast can attest to, being cold in your home is rarely ideal. Thankfully, the market for smart thermostats has been growing ever since Apple alumni Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers first unveiled the Nest Learning Thermostat four years ago, ushering in a new wave of connected devices that had more or less been overlooked in the effort to revolutionize the home of the 21st century. The self-aware devicespack far more capabilities than their older counterparts such as the ability to learn your daily schedule, adjust the temperature of individual rooms, and anticipate your heating and cooling needs in conjunction with the local forecasts while simultaneously boasting connectivity with your smartphone or tablet.

Below are a few of our favorites, from Nest to Netatmo, so you can run a more efficient system and cut back onexuberant costs. Well, at least until the next vortex hits.

Related: Five smart home trends were looking forward to in 2015

Surprisingly, Nests Learning Thermostat really does learn. After you initially install the devicea process thats simple regardless of your heating and cooling systemyou can set a desired temperature for your home. The thermostat will then take note of how you move around your house throughout the week, adjusting the various temperature settings according to the time of day and your habits. It will also automatically log and apply said settings when suitable, and showcase the amount of time it will take to get your house to your desired temperature. Nests bevy of sensors will detect when youre not home and adjust accordingly, and like any good friend, the device will offer suggestions designed to save you money. Its ability to adjust the temperature of your home a half hour before you arrive from work is onlyfurthers its intuitiveness.

Full review

Available at:AmazonBest BuyTarget

In a nutshell, the Honeywell Lyric taps into your location and local weather forecasts via Wi-Fi. The circular device will then anticipate potential temperature changes and compensate for the weather, while offering a host of shortcut settings for straightforward programming and operation. The thermostat features three standard modes one for when youre sleeping, one for when youre leaving your home, and another for when youre arriving all of which you can adjust using the mobile app for iOS and Android devices. The device will adjust accordingly to save you the maximum amount of money, but if you prefer to work outside the box, you can set custom settings to fit your household.

Full review

Available at:AmazonB&H

The EcoBee3 monitors youre position in the apartment much like the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Honeywell Lyric, sure, but it does so utilizing physical sensors you place around your home. The remote sensors allow for more accurate changes in heating and cooling throughout your home, which in turn saves you money because it restricts heating and cooling to the spaces in your home you utilize the most (i.e. the kitchen, living room, bedroom). The slick EcoBee3 also takes notice of humidity, and if you have a humidifier, the thermostat will automatically adjust it to best accommodate your situation. And if you dont, it will simply tweak the temperature to keep you satisfied, whether at home or away.

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Baby, its cold outside: Heres our favorite smart thermostats to heat up your home

Workers with Las Cruces-based C D General Contractors continued construction on the roof of the Plaza Building at White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street Thursday afternoon. Construction to restore the more than 70 year old building began in early February and is expected to last five months. Workers said they expect construction on the roof of the Plaza Building to last a couple more weeks. The Tularosa Basin Historical Society plans to convert the adobe building into a historical museum. The renovations are expected to cost about 405,000. Workers will install a new roof and heating and cooling system, renovate the interiors and bathrooms and redo the parking lot, among other changes. (Bryan Betts Daily News)

Workers with Las Cruces-based C D General Contractors continued construction on the roof of the Plaza Building at White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street Thursday afternoon. Construction to restore the more than 70 year old building began in early February and is expected to last five months. Workers said they expect construction on the roof of the Plaza Building to last a couple more weeks. The Tularosa Basin Historical Society plans to convert the adobe building into a historical museum. The renovations are expected to cost about $405,000. Workers will install a new roof and heating and cooling system, renovate the interiors and bathrooms and redo the parking lot, among other changes.

Workers said they expect construction on the roof of the Plaza Building to last a couple more weeks. The Tularosa Basin Historical Society plans to convert the adobe building into a historical museum. Workers with Las Cruces-based C D General Contractors continued construction on the roof of the Plaza Building at White Sands Boulevard and 10th Street Thursday afternoon. Construction to restore the more than 70 year old building began in early February and is expected to last five months. The renovations are expected to cost about 405,000. Workers will install a new roof and heating and cooling system, renovate the interiors and bathrooms and redo the parking lot, among other changes. (Bryan Betts Daily News)

The rest is here:
Renovations underway on Plaza building

By Mike Pearson, News staff

Stoney Creeks Erland Lee Museum has received a major boost from the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, Golden Horseshoe Chapter.

The museum and carriage house will receive a new heating and cooling system thanks to donations of cash and materials valued at more than $45,000 from the local trade association chapter.

Ron Robinson, a member of the HRAI Golden Horseshoe chapter, announced the donation on Feb. 22 during an event at the Ridge Road historic site.

Two years ago, Robinson read a story in the Stoney Creek News that outlined the museums struggles to install a new boiler in the basement.

Robinson, a home comfort and hydronics specialist for AtlasCare Heating and Cooling, assembled a technical team to identify a climate control solution.

This spring and summer, HRAI member contractors will install a new boiler and climate controls for the museum, along with a new second floor ductless cooling unit and a completely new duct system with furnace, air conditioning, ventilation and humidification to reduce heating costs and provide optimal comfort. Two new ductless heat pumps will be installed in the carriage house.

A lifelong Stoney Creek resident and 25-year HRAI member, Robinson said the Golden Horseshoe chapters donation fulfills its community service mandate.

Its a case of giving back into the community we serve, said Robinson. Its a good project. We cover right from Niagara to the Burlington area, so its right in our wheelhouse in terms of supporting the community.

Robinson said members, through association dues, as well as wholesalers and manufacturers who will be completing the hands-on work, have funded the donation.

Originally posted here:
Donation brings warmth to Stoney Creeks Erland Lee Museum

Salt Lake City - Utah (PRWEB) February 24, 2015

LINQ Home, a maker of energy-saving home automation products, today announced the launch of a Kickstarter Campaign to improve Heating and Cooling through smart vents.

LINQ is providing households with unprecedented control over HVAC systems. By sensing the temperature in each room and adjusting dampers on every vent, LINQs system enables room-by-room temperature control. The system routes air to the rooms that need it, and not to those that dont. Air flow data processed through algorithms, opens and closes the vents and prevents strain on the furnace or AC unit. Rooms reach their set points faster, run times of HVAC equipment are reduced, and the increased efficiency translates to money savings and consistent comfort.

I couldnt believe the temperature variances between the rooms in my home, said Jason Griggs, founder and CTO of LINQ Home. When I first started testing our Smart Vent system there was a 12 degree difference between rooms. The variance resulted in seemingly endless thermostat wars.

LINQ Smart Vents have all the perks of a zoning system, at less than half the price, and with none of the inconvenience of construction. The simple-to-install, retrofittable system saves users up to 50% on monthly heating and cooling costs.

This technology is such a no-brainer, said Doug Wells, a homeowner and LINQ Home Beta tester, every room in my home is the temperature I want it to be at. I dont waste any time fiddling with vents or worrying about my thermostat.

LINQ Home has 40 days to reach the Kickstarter funding goal of $30,000. The smart vent systems run from $299 to $1,900. Every system includes smart vents and a brain. The brain communicates with the vents, the internet, and most open API smart thermostats. With the funds raised, LINQ will begin commercial production of their patent pending smart vents.

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Contribute to the Kickstarter at http://linqhome.com/kickstarter

About LINQ Home LINQ Home is an innovative, energy-saving home automation company. LINQ Home technologies stress comfort, consistency and control. More information on the company can be found on Twitter or Facebook.

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LINQ Home Launches Energy-saving Smart Vent Crowdfunding Campaign

A little museum has been telling a big story about Tucsons roots, urban renewal and the oldest Mexican-American barrio in Arizona.

But no more. La Pilita Museum now is closed after 15 years.

Founders and directors Joan Daniels and Carol Cribbet-Bell are packing up the memories housed at the 1940s building at 420 S. Main Ave. in downtown Tucson.

Grants became more competitive in the economic downturn. Then grants started to dry up altogether and little cultural house museums such as ours began to suffer, Cribbet-Bell said.

Sometimes she and Daniels didnt take paychecks as they tried to raise money to keep the museum going.

About 6,000 tourists visited each year, and the museum had a membership of about 125. After a year of discussions with La Pilita Foundations Board of Directors, the museum officially closed Feb.1.

When Daniels and Cribbet-Bell took on the building as a community service project for Carrillo school children, it had been vacant for about a decade.

It had no roof, no plumbing, no heating or cooling, and there was food in the refrigerator from 10 years before, Cribbet-Bell said. It was pretty daunting.

Through a series of grants, the two former teachers renovated the property and started a museum and a free after-school program. It grew into a nonprofit association.

For several years, third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students learned about the neighborhoods place in Tucson history, collected oral histories, gave tours of the museum and operated the gift shop.

Excerpt from:
Museum that displayed Tucson's lost barrio history closes

February 20, 2015 12:00 PM

(Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

CBS New York (con't)

Affordable Care Act Updates: CBSNewYork.com/ACA

Health News & Information: CBSNewYork.com/Health

FORDS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) Given how cold its been lately, heating and cooling experts are issuing a public safety warning for those heatingtheir homes this winter.

Airdex Heating and Cooling Company President Harvey Stoller said crews on many of their calls to fix or replace heaters have noticed a lack of carbon monoxide detectors.

He told WCBS 880s Levon Putney the detectors should be on every level of every home and every unit of every building.

None or if there are, theyre putting them in places no one would ever hear them, he said.

Stoller also said everyone should have their furnaces checked once a year, even the heating vent outside. He said ice, birds nests and other blockage can cause issues.

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Heating Expert Urges Homeowners To Install Multiple CO Detectors