Montreal, Quebec (PRWEB) May 21, 2014

Consumers know hot water costs money. But they may not be aware that its the second biggest energy expenditure after heating and cooling. Now theres an answer. Ecodrain, a simple, elegant way to save on hot water for homeowners tired of wasting energy they paid hard-earned money for.

Ecodrain is the first practical heat recovery solution for home shower use

The principles of heat recovery are well known but were only viable in large scale commercial applications until now. With Ecodrain's next-generation design, anyone can save energy when remodelling a bathroom or building a new home.

A low cost way to fight the high cost of energy

Ecodrain is very affordable initially, with the cost of a unit just a fraction of that of a modest bathroom remodel (consumers could easily pay more for a showerhead!). Best of all, Ecodrain pays for itself quickly, helping you save energy while you shower. In households with normal hot water use and average energy prices, that usually means a payback period of three to five years.

Keeps on saving beyond the payback date

Because Ecodrain is a robust, well-engineered unit fabricated with quality copper components, the savings on hot water continue for 10, 20, or even 30 years. Extensive testing by the manufacturer indicates the domestic heat recovery unit will likely outlast the brand new bathroom it was installed in.

No reduction in water flow

Unlike devices such as low-flow showerheads, Ecodrain does not constrain water flow to save energy while you shower, rather it recovers a substantial amount of the heat that would otherwise have gone down the drain.

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Ecodrain Launches First Practical Home Improvement Product That Increases Your Shower's Energy Efficiency

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 16, 2014

The weather in Atlanta is quickly heating up and homeowners are turning on their air conditioners for the first time this season. Bardi Heating, Cooling and Plumbing provides AC inspections in Atlanta and is currently offering homeowners 10% off duct sealing services to improve air flow and reduce energy consumption and cooling costs. The discount is available until the end of May.

Air ducts comprise the ventilation in a homes forced-air HVAC system. Holes, poorly connected ducts or ducts that are improperly sealed can cause cool air to leak out or, even worse, can suck in hot, dirty air from attics and crawl spaces. This forces the air conditioner unit to work harder and run longer, which increases a homeowners utility bills. Leaking ducts also introduce unfiltered humid air in to the home which can exacerbate allergies and cause elevated humidity levels in the home, causing discomfort.

In addition to offering duct sealing, Bardi provides a range of residential air conditioning services including tune-ups and inspections, regular maintenance, repairs and replacement. Bardi provides economical and environmentally-friendly options and can install solar panels that power a homes HVAC system and other small appliances.

Ducts are an integral part of a homes heating and cooling system and have a direct impact on the temperature and the comfort level in each room, said Bardis Residential General Manager Gresham Ard. When there are holes in the ducts or cracks in the seals, cool air can leak out and be replaced by hot and humid air from the attic or under the house where ducts are often found. This causes unhealthy conditions in the home and disrupts air distribution to each room, so homeowners may experience areas that are hotter. This may cause them to turn down the thermostat, running their air conditioner longer and racking up those energy bills. It may also lead to investing in 'symptom' solutions such as duct cleaning or portable air filtration, instead of getting to the root of problem, leaky ducts. Our duct sealing solves these problems.

Bardi Heating, Cooling and Plumbing is a family-owned HVAC and plumbing company in Atlanta. Founded in 1989 by Alex and Susan Bardi, the company has been providing the Atlanta area with quality HVAC services for over 25 years. Bardi also offers plumbing repairs and services, and is home to an experienced management team as well as an outstanding team of NATE certified technicians, whose number one priority is to keep their customers satisfied by always, always, always doing the right thing. Bardi provides free electronics pick-up and recycling on all service calls benefiting Nobis Works. For more information about energy efficient HVAC products, visit http://www.bardi.com or call 770-263-5355.

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Atlanta HVAC Repair Company Now Offering Discount on Residential Duct Sealing

Each year, thousands of Arizona residents email or call Rosie Romeros radio show with questions about everything from preventing fires in their chimneys to getting rid of tree roots invading their sewer system. His goal is to provide answers that suit the specific lifestyle wherever someone lives in Arizona. Here are questions about home maintenance and improvement from the Tucson area.

Q: We own a home in Tucson with a huge backyard with almost nothing in it. Can we start raising cacti and agave plants and sell them for a profit? We have plenty of room to plant things.

A: Its going to take a fair amount of research and work to start a business like this. You might start by visiting local nurseries to find out if they buy young plants that you might grow. You probably also need to find a special niche to fill; ask about plants that might have high value like totem pole cacti, for example. That way you can make more money per plant. Once you decide to do this, its going to take you about six months to get started. Youll have to buy containers and get pups or small plants to use as starters. Its probably also going to take you a couple of years before you show a profit on your investment, however.

Q: I was thinking of putting in a propane generator that would serve as a backup to my electrical system. But then, I wondered, can I do something like that using solar power instead? Then maybe if there is a power failure, I could switch over to a solar-powered battery backup?

A: Yes, you can certainly do that. But depending on how big a system you might need, it could be very expensive. Battery systems that are very large can be very costly, but then generators are costly, too. You need to be conscious of comparing the practical application of the system you intend to install against the capital expense and maintenance of the system. Keep in mind how much actual use the system will get.

Q: The back bedrooms in our house where our children sleep do not have adequate air conditioning. We had someone inspect our heating and cooling system and found out that one room was not even connected to the air conditioner installed when we switched over from an evaporative cooler. We had that fixed and had the ducts taped, but the system is still not cooling off the bedrooms enough. Is there anything we can do ourselves to fix this problem without spending a lot more money?

A: Its not scientific, but you can try to balance your cooling system. Walk around your house, and while the AC is running, close all the vents in every room by about 60 percent a little over half. Then go back to the childrens bedrooms and open the vents in those rooms completely. That way, youll be trying to force the air into those rooms. See if that works. Then retrace your steps and open the vents in the other rooms a little bit more.

You may have to keep adjusting the vents several times to reach the amount of air flow that you want in each room. You dont want to close any of the vents, however, to the point where you hear air whistling through them while the HVAC system is running. These changes in the vents may make the air flow more even throughout the house.

Q: I planted a Meyer lemon last year in a spot in my yard that turned out to be a real wind tunnel. To protect it, I put up some stakes around the plant and wrapped burlap around them to cushion the tree against the wind. The burlap is not touching the tree itself. The tree is doing well and has a lot of blossoms this spring. So when can I take that burlap down, if at all?

A: If the tree is doing well, you can probably remove the windbreak in about six months. It was a great idea to do what you did because the burlap helps protect the blossoms from being knocked off. Those blossoms should turn into your crop of lemons later this year.

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Can I Start an Agave Farm in My Backyard?

Webster University will be installing a new chiller and cooling tower plant in the East Academic Building (pictured above). The chiller and cooling tower project is scheduled to start as early as mid-May and be completed by late August. photo by Diana Linsley (click for larger version)

May 09, 2014

An important reason for the project is the university's planned interdisciplinary science building that will be located near the East Academic Building, Greg Gunderson, the university's chief financial officer and vice president, said at one of two meetings the university sponsored on April 30. The East Academic Building is located at 545 Garden Ave.

"That new facility will require an enhancement to provide more capacity for heating and cooling," he said.

"Also, the area's electrical grid supporting Webster Groves has reached capacity, and we need to install a new electrical substation to take the university off that grid," he explained. "We'll help the city by freeing up the university's loads on the local electrical grid and allowing more capacity for growth in the Webster Groves community.

"By rerouting campus electrical lines underground, our work will also let us eliminate overhead power lines, beautifying the campus," he continued.

"When we built our East Academic Building and Webster Groves High School built its addition, we had shared a substation, which is now at capacity due to all the campus buildings tied in, as well as local homes and other uses, and Ameren Missouri told us we needed to build our own substation," Miller said.

About one mile of new underground electrical ductbank with manholes and more than three miles of underground electrical conduit extending from the electrical customer substation will be installed to serve various university buildings during the first phase of work.

Miller said the installation will look to the future.

"We only need four conduits on Garden Avenue but we're putting in eight to serve us for 20 or 30 or 40 years out," he said. "The substation will have a slab available for a second transformer if it's needed in the future."

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Webster U. To Add Electric Substation, Cooling Tower

By Trevor Warner Assistant Managing Editor

twarner@paradisepost.com @TrevorWarner3 on Twitter

Dina and Don McSpadden will celebrate The Screen and Window Shop's 40th year with a customer appreciation day on May 22. The McSpadden's took over the business in 2000. Trevor Warner - The Post

There's an old saying, "You make a better door than a window." Well, the folks at The Screen and Window Shop in Paradise do a good job with both.

Shop owners Don and Dina McSpadden are looking forward to the shop's 40th anniversary celebration later this month. The shop opened in May 1974 and the McSpaddens took over in 2000, expanding it into its current operation.

"It used to be just a screen shop, but we expanded to window and glass," Dina said Friday morning at the shop.

Don said he owned Willows Glass and his background made for a natural transition at the screen shop.

And with the McSpaddens' community-first mindset, they aim to offer the Ridge the best in service and quality.

"We're selling ourselves, we're not selling a big corporation," Don said, adding that person-to-person service is what sets The Screen and Window Shop apart from box stores. In fact, Don said, it is the personal interaction with the people that is the best part of the business.

"We live here and it's important to be a part of the community," Dina said, adding they are also members of the Ridge Chamber of Commerce and Paradise Rotary. "This isn't just a business to us, it's a part of our life."

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Screen and Window shop helps locals see clearly

Hotels have always been in the business of providing beds, but now some are going to luxurious lengths to make sure guests sleep tight. Theyre using purified air, hypoallergenic cleansers and eco-friendly materials to reduce environmental toxins that can cause allergies, breathing difficulties and especially sleep impairment.

For guests who suffer from allergies, especially in countries like the U.K., where hay fever is more pronounced, these accommodation options are an excellent choice, says Kathryn Tilbury, the health, fitness and wellness adviser in-residence at the Grosvenor House Apartments, a Jumeirah property in London.

Tilburys job, in part, is to ensure that every guest has a customized experience and that often begins with sleep. Jumeirah installs health-related amenities for long-term guests, including a personal gym, and equips the apartments with hypoallergenic trappings.

As luxe hoteliers raise the bar, the rest of the industry is following. Linda Burndorfer, owner of Outn About Travel, Inc., a Winnipeg-based travel agency, says sleep amenities are appealing across the board. Even a feather or foam pillow option makes Burndorfer happy when she travels.

Whats the moral to the bedtime story? Relax, breathe easily, put a Do Not Disturb sign on the door and check out until morning.

Here are a handful of companies that want your dreams to be sweet.

Crystal Cruises

Its the first cruise line to install hypoallergenic rooms using the Pure Marine Solutions system so that guests get the best quality sleep. With passengers living on board its ships up to 108 days at a time, cruisers need to rest up properly. Those who suffer from environmental allergies can rest assured that the Crystal Serenitys 70 Pure cabins have been thoroughly made over to incorporate standards that include disinfecting heating and cooling elements (think drop pans, fan blades and condensation lines) to meticulous training about hypoallergenic standards for the housekeeping staff when making up the rooms twice daily. The best perk of all: no extra cost to guests.

Silver Celebration World Cruise: Departs Miami, Jan. 14-May 4, 2015. Cabins from $43,445 (U.S.) a person, all inclusive. crystalcruises.com

Hotel clat in Beijing

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Dreamy amenities for tired travellers

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. Posted 05/09/2014

VERNON HILLS, Ill. - In response to industry demand for a drive that is fast, dependable, easy to use, and easy to integrate and install, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., announces the release of the A800 Series all-in-one variable frequency drive (VFD). The A800 Series inverter combines traditional induction and permanent magnet motors into a single solution, providing high performance response and energy-efficient motor control.

The A800 meets the growing need among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), end users and systems integrators for a multiple-capability VFD. It can be used in both induction motors and next-generation interior permanent motors and is suitable for both low performance applications such as pumps and fans, as well as high performance industrial applications.

For OEMs and systems integrators, the benefit is that the A800 can be used across a number of different applications and motor types, reducing designs, engineering, implementation, and long-term support, said Timothy Lomax, senior product manager, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. Systems integrators will also appreciate its adaptable connectivity and flexible communication options.

Lomax explained that because of its flexibility, the A800 can be used throughout an entire facility, reducing training, inventory and support. Rather than requiring a unique VFD for each application, the A800 frequency controller can support multiple applications, ultimately reducing costs for the end user.

A800 VFDs are ideally suited as replacements for hydraulic drive systems and gear motors in the process and material handling industries, and replacements for inefficient motor drive systems in the food and beverage industry. It is also expected to achieve high adoption in the automotive, oil and gas, forestry products and wastewater industries. The A800 is appropriate for any motor control application that demands increased motor efficiency and maximum energy savings.

The A800 comes in traditional chassis style, large system/component style and fully enclosed, severe environment style configurations. It is available in 200, 400, 575 and 690 voltage classes.

Mitsubishi Electric Automation offers a comprehensive line of factory automation products and solutions.

Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc.Headquartered in Vernon Hills, Ill., Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc., offers a wide range of factory automation products, solutions, training and support services for the industrial and commercial sectors. A U.S. affiliate company of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Automation represents more than 75 years experience in the automation industry. A broad product portfolio includes programmable automation controllers (PAC), programmable logic controllers (PLC), human machine interfaces (HMI), variable frequency drives (VFD), servo amplifiers and motors, control software, computerized numerical control (CNC), circuit breakers, robots and motion controllers. The company takes its motion control solutions on the road with the 53-foot long Solutions in Motion mobile showroom that appears at tradeshows, training seminars and other events across North America. Additional information about Mitsubishi Electric Automation is available at http://www.MEAU.com.

In addition to factory automation, Mitsubishi Electric US group companies principal businesses include semiconductor devices, automotive electrical components, elevators and escalators, heating and cooling products, solar modules, electric utility products, and large-scale video displays for stadiums and arenas. There are 50 locations throughout North America with approximately 3,600 employees.

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation Introduces All-in-One Variable Frequency Drive

Talk about the perfect Mothers Day present for Mother Earth.

Today, President Obama announced at a Walmart in California that 300 leading U.S. companies have taken the solar pledge, committing to install nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of new solar as part of their business plans. Thats a huge increase in the use of solar in the commercial sector.

For Americas solar energy industry, this is like getting a triple-A investment rating from Moodys or Standard and Poors. Solar has become a street-smart investment. These companies are expanding their use of solar because it makes sense from both a business and social responsibility viewpoint. Having worked closely with both the Administration and the private sector to increase the use of clean, reliable solar nationwide, SEIA applauds this exciting, new initiative, and we look forward to assisting commercial businesses, homebuilders, rural coops, governmental entities and Americas financial community in bringing these new solar installations online.

This bold initiative is part of a solar boom in America which is already taking place. Today, more than 30 utility-scale, clean energy projects are under construction, putting thousands of electricians, steelworkers and laborers to work, while helping to reduce dangerous carbon emissions. These facilities, along with rooftop solar on homes, businesses and schools, will help to generate clean, abundant energy for generations to come. Whats more, innovative solar heating and cooling systems are offering American consumers, businesses and schools cost-efficient, effective options for meeting their energy needs, in addition to reducing our nations overall energy consumption.

Clearly, the President sees solar as a critical technology for addressing climate change, and his speech today created a direct link between our need to address climate change and the positive impact that solar can have on reducing pollution. Heres a breakdown on the commitments announced today:

President Obama also highlighted several executive actions, including:

Finally, the President also announced that the White House has now gone live with the 6.3kW system on the White House. After 6 years of lobbying the administration, we are thrilled that they have finalized the installation and that solar is once again back on the White House. See a video of the installation below:

Todays remarks follow the increased visibility the White House is giving to climate issues. Last summer, the Administration released the Presidents Climate Action Plan, followed by a Presidential Memorandum increasing federal solar deployment, a solar mention in the State of the Union, last months White House Solar Summit and this weeks sobering National Climate Assessment.

Solar offers real hope for the future. Smart public policies, like the solar Investment Tax Credit, have helped to create 143,000 American jobs in the solar industry, pumped tens of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy, spurred private sector innovation and investment, and helped to fight climate change. Theyve also helped to make solar the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in America. But theres even more we can do as an industry. Minor changes in federal contracting and Treasury regulations would allow solar to compete as a low-cost alternative on federal buildings, saving millions of dollars for taxpayers and putting even more Americans to work. We look forward to working with the President and Congress on a critically-needed, long-term energy policy, which will help to ensure future prosperity for America.

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Private Sector Investment in Solar Poised to Explode

A new social housing initiative in some of Hobart's most disadvantaged suburbs is being lauded by community groups.

The Catholic Church's welfare agency Centacare is taking on the management of more than 1000 homes in Bridgewater, Gagebrook and Herdsmans Cove from Housing Tasmania.

It's part of a bold new plan to revitalise the area.

Over the next 10 years, Centacare's Evolve Housing will upgrade and build new homes and install heating and cooling.

Social services like counselling and training will also be set up.

Helen Manser from the community organisation Jordan River Service says people will get better housing.

"With the upgrading of the existing properties, plus the plan to build new properties on vacant land, that's just huge for our community," she said.

Centacare's Kim Bomford hopes the project will revitalise the area.

"We know it won't happen overnight, but really help to change the profile of what really has the potential to be a great place to live, in terms of its location," she said.

"And really assisting those residents that we currently have to make the best of the opportunities that we're able to provide in the precinct."

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Social housing initiative evolves in troubled suburbs

Today's most viewed articles SIS presents annual President's Awards

SANFORD, Maine SIS Bank's annual corporators meeting in March included the presentation of the President's Awards, given to employees who went above and beyond the call of duty during the previous calendar year.

Tina Gagne, a commercial lender at the bank's Portsmouth branch, earned the award for Business Development. Gagne helped the bank exceed its commercial lending goals during its inaugural year in New Hampshire.

The entire South Sanford branch team earned the award for Volunteerism. In 2013, the branch staff set up a program to automatically deduct money from their paychecks to form a fund to be used for donations to local charities. Causes included the Sanford Backpack Program, the Boy Scouts and the Samaritan's Purse, an international relief fund for children who are victims of war, poverty, hunger and disease. Their most recent donation was given to a local family in need of fuel assistance, and their efforts caused a ripple effect of support.

SIS Bank, headquartered in Sanford, has branches in Springvale, South Sanford, Limerick, Buxton, Waterboro, Wells and York, Maine and Portsmouth, N.H.

NEWMARKET Nate Ashton and Adam Pomeroy, certified service technicians, recently completed a two-day Diamond Dealer Technical Training program at Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating training center in Southborough, Mass. Their participation is part of the qualification process for Proulx Oil & Propane to become a Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer.

The two-day M&P Series Service course is a hands-on program with specific training on the sizing, engineering, installation and service of the Mitsubishi Electric Heating and Cooling ductless line. The Mitsubishi Electric Heating and Cooling ductless line are Energy Star Systems that incorporate eco-comfort technology, dual and triple-allergen filtration, and whisper-quiet operation. New technology is revolutionizing the heat pump and a space-saving design means easy and unobtrusive installation, and is a breakthrough in comfort.

Proulx Oil & Propane will continue the qualification process to become a Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor, giving customers the confidence to know it is trained to install and maintain Mitsubishi ductless systems and provide the extended manufacturer's warranty.

Proulx Oil & Propane is a family-owned and operated company in Newmarket and Epping, serving residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire and Maine with additional operations in Center Conway. For more information, visit http://www.proulxoilandpropane.com.

WESTFIELD, Mass. Tighe & Bond, a New England leader in civil and environmental engineering consulting, announced the recent hire of William Hardy, P.E., as chief operating officer.

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Business Names and Faces