Tucson, Arizona (PRWEB) March 31, 2014

Even though Arizona is currently experiencing the most enviable spring weather in the country, the triple digits are just around the corner. ACS Air Conditioning Services, an HVAC company that provides service for air conditioning and heating in Green Valley Arizona, gives homeowners the following four reasons why now is the best time to install a new air conditioner:

1.Demand is low. Summer and winter are busy times for any HVAC contractor or home improvement store. Purchasing and installing a new air conditioning unit before temperatures soar allows for shorter lines at the store and more time for contractors to give customers personal attention.

2.Closeout deals. Manufacturers are trying to clear their warehouse floors of current models to make room for newer ones they will unveil in time for the busy season. This means steep discounts on perfectly good units will save homeowners lots of money.

3.Bundled services. Install a new air conditioner to be ready for summer, and at the same time have the contractor inspect your heating system for winter. Two seasons, one appointment - this bundled service saves homeowners both time and money.

4.Peace of mind. Installing a new air conditioning unit now gives savvy homeowners peace of mind knowing they will be ready when uncomfortable temperatures are expected in the coming months.

For more information on air conditioning services, call ACS at 520-399-6893 or visit http://www.acshvac.com.

About ACS

ACS Air Conditioning Services is a heating and air conditioning company located in Tucson, AZ that prides itself on being customer focused. The company originally opened in the year 1990 and specializes in the design, engineering, and installation of perfect climate systems for homes and buildings in the Southern Arizona area.

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Four Reasons Why Spring is the Best Time to Install a New Air Conditioner

Earth Hour proponents are hoping the city gets a little darker Saturday night.

The eighth annual Earth Hour takes place on Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and residents are urged to shut off as many electrical appliances and lights as possible to conserve energy and promote conservation efforts.

Earth Hour the global environmental movement initiated in Sydney, Australia in 2007 as a campaign for action on climate change has grown to become the worlds largest mass participation event in history, according to the organization's website.From one city eight years ago it's spread to more than 7,000 cities in seven continents and hundreds of millions of people.

"Earth Hour's mission is three-fold," said Earth Hour CEO and co-founder Andy Ridley. "That is to bring people together through a symbolic hour-long event.To galvanize people into taking action beyond the hour. And to create an interconnected global community sharing the mutual goal of creating a sustainable future for the planet."

That attitude extends all they way down to just one person switching off a light, or a youngster learning that it's important to protect Mother Earth.

Terry Fox Elementary School students have been recognizing Earth Hour this week prior to the actual event on Saturday by monitoring power usage throughout their north-end school. They used a 'Watt-O-Meter' to check out electrical appliances in the office, staff room and classrooms such as a pencil sharpener, ice maker, coffee machine, toaster, kettle, microwave, freezer and printer.

Even at the tender age of 11, Dylan Sabourin knows what Earth Hour is about and what his family will do for 60 minutes on Saturday night.

"We turn off practically everything except the fridge and the furnace," he said, while using the Watt-O-Meter with classmate Emily Youell.

His outlook is what Terry Fox vice-principal Primrose Goss wants to hear.

"Young people will eventually be the responsible citizens that will inhabit this beautiful earth," Goss said. "This Earth Hour that we recognize by 'powering down' not only brings the importance of the saving the environment to light, it shows in a practical way that they can survive without the things in our lives that require an electric source of power.

Originally posted here:
Barrie residents urged to 'switch it off' for Earth Hour

The Steamfitters union has a rigorous training program to make sure all those vying to build and maintain pipes, ventilation, heating and cooling systems in buildings across the city are really up to the task. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.

At the Steamfitters Union Local 638 training center in Long Island City, Queens on Wednesday, instructor Dan Knight demonstrated how to properly operate a welding torch.

"These men and women that are in this program know that it's highly competitive and they are here to get the most learning and skill they can," said Steamfitters Union Local 638 President Pat Dolan.

The five-year program requires aspiring steamfitters to spend one day every other week here and the rest of the time in the field working for a variety of mechanical contracting firms.

"Air conditioning, heating, sprinkler work, hydraulic work, all of the piping work basically on new construction, renovation, powerhouse work, school work and hospitals," Dolan explained.

The apprentices spend time in classrooms and workshops, and they get to use a virtual welding simulator too, giving them the feel of welding before they do the real thing with the help of instructors like James Coffey.

They get their training through an education fund under a collective bargaining agreement with the companies that use them, represented by The Mechanical Contractors Association of New York.

"It's a jointly-managed fund of trustees on the management side and the union side, so we make the decisions on what gets taught, what the funding is, and what the need might be," Mechanical Contractors Association of New York Executive Vice President Tony Saporito.

A number of the apprentices are part of the Helmets to Hardhats program, where recently discharged military veterans are given the opportunity to have a career as a steamfitter.

"It's a beautiful transition, anyone who knows me will tell you I'm at the job one hour early," said Ricardo Francis, a Steamfitter apprentice.

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Steamfitters' Apprenticeship Program Welds Future Careers

Ontario, CA (PRWEB) March 26, 2014

With the economy in its current state, consumers are looking to save money now more than ever before. By looking at home improvements with energy-efficiency in mind, homeowners have the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars a year on their energy bills including heating, cooling, and water expenses.

The first step a homeowner should take is to conduct an energy audit to see what improvements can be made to make a home more energy efficient. In Florida, contact FPL (Florida Power & Light Company) to schedule an appointment for a representative to visit your home. These audits help homeowners discover where they might be losing energy and money. Energy auditors inspect insulation, Central a/c units, duct-work, windows, doors, and check if leaks exist that may be letting air escape or unwanted heat penetrating your interior. In a state like Florida where air conditioning is on at least 9 months of the year, its highly recommended to conduct an energy audit, particularly for older homes. (Home Energy Audits, Energy.gov) (Energy Efficiency, RemodelSouthFlorida.com)

If a system is not in poor working condition, it may be hard for some homeowners to justify purchasing a new one but it will save you more money in the long run: If there is a significant problem, simply comparing the price to repair the system with the cost of replacement will give you a good idea of what you should do. Energy efficiency improvements will have the added benefit of reducing your operating cost. If your system is over 10 years old, you will want to consider a new super high efficiency unit, especially if you have a large home with a high cooling load. The annual dollar savings from installing a new system may pay for itself in a short period of time, (EnergySmart Guide to Cooling Systems: Aclara Technologies, March 12, 2014).

After learning what improvements need to be made, homeowners can talk with an expert about the different types of energy saving options to install such as super high efficiency central A/C, insulation, and energy efficient replacement windows / doors, advises Marvin Lebovitz of Gulf Atlantic Industries of America, Inc., a leading expert in Floridas home improvement industry. One of the main responsibilities of a homeowner is the maintenance and care of their home. Theres no better way to maintain and increase the value of a home than to improve its energy efficiency.

A key step Lebovitz recommends is replacing windows and doors with energy-efficient hurricane impact products. Its important to determine what type of window will work best in a specific home. Different types of windows may be needed for each side of the house. Windows facing east and west should have some shading due to the difficulty controlling the entrance of heat and light while north-facing windows are only used for light.

Installing energy saving solutions are not just for residents of Florida but necessary across the nation. Energy-efficiency has come a long way in recent years making it easier and more affordable to improve your home. Everyones prerogative is to access new GO GREEN technology and keep more money in your pocket. With the hot season quickly approaching, take the time to get in touch with someone knowledgeable about energy-efficiency so you can see the impressive results in your own home, says Lebovitz.

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Save Money: Energy Saving Improvements for Home and Condo Outlined by Leading Renovation Expert Marvin Lebovitz of ...

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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Today marks the first day of spring, and while we can enjoy milder temperatures, the TCEQ says now is the time to prepare our living and outdoor spaces for the eventual arrival of summer heat. The agencys Take Care of Texas program makes it easier for everyone to do their part to help conserve our states natural resources, and save money at the same time.

As Texans, we all take on a personal responsibility to our state, says TCEQ Commissioner Zak Covar. Preparing for the summer heat now, with these simple, cost-effective water and energy conservation measures, will help us all to do our part to Take Care of Texas.

Lawn and garden watering can make up nearly 40 percent of a Texans total household water use; but if you prepare your yard this spring, you can do your part to save water.

Fine-tune your irrigation system. Properly zone the system so turf areas are watered separately from the landscape and flowerbeds. Schedule each irrigation zone to account for the type of sprinkler, sun exposure, and soil type. Check sprinkler heads for dirt and debris that clogs the nozzle and adjust the heads to avoid watering pavement.

Capture spring showers and use them to water your landscape. Rainwater is better for plants than chemically treated water and its free.

Add mulch and compost. Mulch helps prevent erosion, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature, and adds nutrients to your lawn and garden. Compost serves as a soil conditioner that will help improve your garden and reduce your water usage. By using mulch and compost on lawns and gardens, Texans could reduce the need for outdoor watering by 30 to 60 percent.

Use native plants. Plants native to Texas are beautiful; and they typically require less water, pesticides, fertilizers, and maintenancesaving you time and money. The deep root systems of many native plants also increase the soil's capacity to store water and reduce runoff. In addition, native plants attract a variety of birds, and butterflies, by providing diverse habitats and food sources.

In Texas, cooling and heating accounts for as much as 50 percent of annual home energy expenses. This spring, you can do your part to prepare your home for the summer heat while helping to keep our air clean.

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Take Care of Texas offers tips to save water, energy and money this spring

Etobicoke Guardian

Ontario Power Authority (OPA) officials are sounding the alarm after an Etobicoke resident reported she received a solicitation call to inspect her furnace from someone purporting to be with the authority.

The OPA co-ordinates province-wide conservation efforts, plans the electricity system long-term and contracts for clean electricity sources.

The authority does not inspect residents heating or cooling systems or solicit participation in its programs by phone or at the door, a spokesperson said Tuesday.

We want to make sure all residents are aware the OPA takes very seriously unauthorized use of its name, logos, brands and program information, OPA spokesperson John Cannella said. We do not call consumers to solicit participation in our saveONenergy for Home programs. Our programs do not require door-to-door sales or calls, or the inspection of any heating and cooling equipment.

Etobicoke Centre MPP Donna Cansfields office confirmed a constituent recently called her office to report the solicitation call. Cansfields office then contacted the OPA.

The three-term Liberal MPP said Wednesday she has received a solicitation call at her door to inspect her furnace.

I had someone actually come to my door about my furnace who claimed to represent the Ontario government, she said. I found that fascinating, obviously. When I started to grill him, he took off.

Cansfield said she repeatedly cautions her constituents to be on the lookout for fraud and misrepresentation whenever they receive a solicitation call or knock on their door.

Her advice?

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Ontario Power Authority urges residents to be wary if someone wants to inspect your furnace

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) March 18, 2014

Heating and air repair company, Bardi Heating Cooling and Plumbing has expanded their technical staff to serve the growing needs of its five-county service area. The technicians, Johnathon Ward, Alex Bond and Corey Davis, increase the growing Bardi staff to nearly 80 employees. The new technicians agree that joining a company where its own employees voted it as an "AJC Top Workplace" three years running was an appealing factor in working for Bardi. The technicians started with the company on March 3, 2014.

The technicians will be responsible for installing new furnaces and air conditioners and additional HVAC accessories including germicidal UV lights, whole home media filters, humidifiers and dehumidifiers and programmable digital thermostats. Technicians also perform emergency services, inspections and planned maintenance on heating and cooling systems.

Bardis technicians are certified by the North American Technician Excellence (NATE). The HVAC company conducts thorough background checks and ensures all employees are drug-free, including abstaining from cigarette smoke. In fact, Bardi was one the first heating and air conditioning contractor to become a certified Drug-Free Work Place (DFWP) in the state of Georgia.

Expanding our technician team allows us to quickly respond to both emergencies and scheduled maintenance appointments, and accommodate homeowners during service calls so they never feel rushed, said Gresham Ard, Residential General Manager at Bardi. We look forward to expanding our services and providing our customers with timely installations, repairs and inspections.

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 almost 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 furnace repair, visit bardi.com or call 770-263-5355.

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Atlanta Heating and Cooling Company Adds to Technical Staff to Increase Customer Support in Expanding Service Area

Scottsdale AZ (PRWEB) March 16, 2014

Although its efficient, reliable and durable, the Trane XR15 Heat Pump may not be the right fit for every Scottsdale home. But thats ok. Its also not the only Trane Air Conditioning listed in the American Cooling and Heating 2014 winter, spring, summer or fall HVAC super sale. Every Trane system in stock is on sale, priced right, ready to move quickly, and fully backed by the ACH lifetime limited workmanship warranty.

ACH is on-call 24/7 to ensure that Arizona residents get the quickest possible heating and cooling installation, services or maintenance, along with the best A/C pricing too.

The Trane XR15 Heat Pump

It may not be the right size for every AZ home, but for many Scottsdale, Phoenix and other regional residents, the XR15 is the perfect heating and cooling comfort solution. And ACH has it priced as a "best value" heat pump system.

An American Cooling and Heating installed Trane XR15 heat pump provides economical operation at 1/3 again better energy efficiency than a 13 SEER model. Its a small up-step in pricing that effectively lowers the cost of heating and cooling a Scottsdale, AZ home. Plus add Trane CleanEffects advanced air filtration system. Ensure better air quality by removing as much dust, pollen and other irritants as possible.

Take a look at the features linked to the XR15 heat pump models:

For a full list of available models and the associated cooling specs, see the attached Trane XR15 HP spec-spreadsheet image.

Other Popular Trane Heating and Cooling Products

American Cooling and Heating 2014 Air Conditioning Sale Back By the ACH Workmanship Warranty

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Trane XR15 Heat Pump, an ACH 2014 Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall Air Conditioning Comfort Solution Throughout Arizona

Critical research on Minnesota's aquatic pests and food supply is being conducted in a century-old tractor garage and a condemned workshop on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus.

The school's bee laboratory is lodged in a small, unfinished cinder block structure tucked away on a muddy road on the northwest edge of the campus.

The Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center is studying ways to control carp and zebra mussels with Rube Goldberg-like contraptions housed in the tractor garage built in 1911.

Both labs are headed by world-renowned researchers: Marla Spivak at the bee lab and Peter Sorensen at the invasive species lab.

"They put the best minds to work on two very problematic issues in a garage and a shed!" an incredulous Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, said last week.

University officials are asking lawmakers to help them remedy that situation this year. They have requested $6 million from the state to help pay for a $6 million upgrade at the invasive species lab and a new, $3 million bee lab. (The U would pay the remaining $3 million of the projects' costs.)

Those two labs are small fish in the U's application for $232.7 million from this year's state bonding bill for public works projects. Yet they are examples of the challenges faced by many projects vying for state money.

Hausman, chairwoman of the House Capital Investments Committee, is championing the labs, saying she would include them in the bonding bill she plans to introduce this month.

Gov. Mark Dayton recommended allocating money for the two projects in his $986 million bonding proposal.

And Hausman's Senate counterpart, Capital Investment Committee Chairman Sen. LeRoy Stumpf, DFL-Plummer, said both labs "should be funded."

Original post:
UMN professors say they need $6M to continue important work

TORONTO, ONTARIO (PRWEB) March 13, 2014

AirPlus Heating & Cooling Inc., today announced that it is now an authorized dealer of Trane branded equipment in the Greater Toronto Area.

Since commencing operations under new management in February 2013, AirPlus Heating & Cooling Inc. has made significant improvements in how they do business. In a continued effort to improve, they are thrilled to offer their customers AirPlus Home Comfort solutions that include a top of the line brand such as Trane heating and air conditioning equipment.

The Trane brand and equipment aligns with AirPlus philosophy by being of superior quality, providing high energy efficiency and significant ROI. said Bill Watson, President. The addition of Trane to the group of products we represent will help us to continue deliver first rate professional, customer oriented, service that is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

About Trane Inc. Trane is a global provider of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as building management systems and controls. Its offerings include service and parts support and financial solutions. They employ more than 29,000 people at 104 manufacturing locations in 28 countries, and have annual sales of more than $8 billion. In addition to their activity in HVAC systems, Trane is involved in energy conservation and renewable energy projects.

About AirPlus Heating & Cooling Inc. AirPlus has been providing the Greater Toronto Area with state of the art HVAC installation and repair since 1993. With over 20 years of experience in heating and air conditioning installations and repairs. We install all makes and models of home comfort equipment including: Air Conditioners, Furnaces, Gas Fireplaces, Humidifiers, Heat Pumps, Boilers, Energy Recovery Ventilator Systems, Hot water Tanks and Tankless water heaters.

AirPlus is a member of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), ASHRAE and BBB, and is licensed and insured by TSSA and WSIB. AirPlus serves Southern Ontarios Golden Horseshoe including: Toronto, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Markham, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, Newmarket, Whitby, Pickering, Ajax, Maple, Georgetown, Bolton, and Milton.

For more information, visit: http://www.airplus.ca , phone 416-298-6874

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Airplus Heating & Cooling Inc. Becomes the Greater Toronto Areas Newest Trane Dealer