RALEIGH--As the bitter cold blasts across North Carolina, it's posing threats to many homeowners to keep houses warm.

Prolonged cold also puts a strain on older heating systems, like 95-year-old Minnie Shores' furnace.

"As cold as it is, working outside, and I feel for them...but there's not much I can do, I just hope they get through the job quick," she said.

Her heating system broke down on Friday, leaving the temperature in her home at 45 degrees for two days.

"It's been awfully cold....I believe we could keep frozen food in here," she said.

Luckily for Shores, Michael & Son Services, Inc. provided her with a space heater for her home, but technicians said the problem can be avoided with service checks twice a year.

"The most important thing to do is service the unit often, at least twice a year...one time before you are turning on the air conditioning and once before you are turning on the heat," said Jason Litvak, with Michael & Son Services, Inc.

Shores' heating system was 12-years-old, which is about the average life expectancy of a heating and cooling system in North Carolina.

"Here in North Carolina, the units run really hard, since we have both extremes, we get the heat in the summer and we get cold like we are having here in the winter, so a typical life expectancy of heating and cooling equipment here in this state is about anywhere between 12 and 18 years, so most people are replacing that often," said Litvak.

Cooler temperatures also bring a greater plumbing demand, as water heaters are working harder and pipes can burst.

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Furnace repairs heat up during winter season

By Alex Quintana

aquintana@alamogordonews.com

@LX_Quintana on Twitter

The search for water and the need to improve aging infrastructure are top priorities of three Otero County communities as officials sought state funding during the annual Otero County Legislative Capital Outlay Hearing on Friday at the county administration building.

State Reps. Yvette Herrell, William Gray and Zach Cook, and state Sen. Bill Burt, heard several priority projects in need of state funding from Cloudcroft, La Luz and Tularosa. State Sens. Ron Griggs and Cliff Pirtle, and state Rep. Nate Cote, were not present at the meeting.

Mayor Ray Cordova presented the village's top five projects he feels are in dire need of state funding. Cordova said the top priority for the village include improvements to the current water system. The village is asking for about $120,000 in matching funds from the state to support the project.

Cordova said the project itself cost much more. The village, he said, is receiving additional funds from the Colonias Infrastructure Project Fund and the Community Development Block Grant, but matching funds are needed.

"We have water, but we don't have a place to store it, or a means for storage," he said. "We store 3 million gallons of water. That is all we have capacity for. That's about three to four days of water and we are always a little worried."

He said the village needs to upgrade its plumbing infrastructure, which he said was about 60 years old. The project will need $429,000 for the wastewater improvements.

The village is also requesting about $200,000 to building restrooms in four parks; $40,000 to reroof the police department building; and $60,000 to install a central heating and cooling system, as well as renovate exterior walls and windows, of the Tularosa Historical Museum.

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Tularosa, Cloudcroft seek capital outlay funds for water priorities

GREEN BAY - Dozens of dogs at a Green Bay animal shelter won't be in danger from the cold, thanks to community donations.

A heat exchanger at the Bay Area Humane Society broke Thursday and will take weeks to replace. As a result, the temperature in the main kennel started dropping.

But residents and businesses stepped in.

Friday, Robinson Heating and Cooling installed a temporary fix to keep the animals warm for now. And the owner of Sidelines Sports Bar this afternoon donated $3,000 toward the cost of replacing the exchanger.

"We were blessed with another Packer game, so might as well give little bit back," Sidelines Sports Bar owner Kevin Burkel said.

Shelter officials say they can't thank the community enough for donations that included hundreds of blankets.

"It's been awesome, Lori Nachtwey of the shelter said. We are overflowing with blankets."

Among the blanket donations were 200 Friday morning from St. Vincent Hospital.

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Donations pour in to animal shelter

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Photo by ZGF Architects

King Street Station

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With a dual mission to restore King Street Station to its 1906 grandeur while adding modern structural and sustainable upgrades, the project team behind this $55-million renovation and modernization project delivered a transportation hub to Seattle that respects the city's history and reflects its modern sensibilities.

A landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, the team restored the original character of the multimodal train station, including the rehabilitation of the iconic 12-story clock tower as well as the repair and restoration of the main waiting room. Work within the waiting room included restoration of the original 45-ft-high ornamental plaster ceilings and halls, the terrazzo floors inlaid with mosaic tile and the historic operable windows.

In addition to the historic elements, the Seattle-based team, led by architectural firm ZGF Architects and general contractor Sellen Construction, installed seismic upgrades and met LEED-Platinum standards. "We took this historic structure and made it an outstanding sustainable building," says Tim Williams, associate partner and King Street Station project architect at ZGF. "A city that touts itself as being green now has a portal into the city that's a leader in sustainability."

As part of its green strategy, the team installed a geothermal well field and heat pumps, making it one of the first projects in downtown Seattle to do so. The geothermal system also allowed for a reduction in the size of the building's heating and cooling system. The wells allow the building to perform 40% above ASHRAE baseline.

While installing new utilities and the geothermal wells during the first phase of the project, the team came across granite boulders from an adjacent building's old foundation. The foundation granite was a perfect match for the exterior granite originally used in the walls, much of which was removed during previous modernizations. Utilizing the same means and methods used to create the original granite blocks 100 years ago, the reclaimed granite boulders were cut and fabricated into new wall panels for the exterior finishes.

In addition to restoring the building's windows, the team took the opportunity to incorporate them into its sustainability strategy. All of the sashes and trims from the original 1906 windows were removed, refinished and reinstalled using the remaining original glass. The team restored 74 window openings and 199 sashes and replicated 15 window openings and 33 sashes.

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A geothermal heating and cooling system provides a way for a home owner to become more environmentally friendly. The system helps lower their energy bills and reduce the environmental impact of their heating and cooling needs within the home. It is more efficient than the traditional forced air systems that are found in a home, but it costs more in terms of up front expenses. Here are the tools, materials and steps required to install a geothermal heating and cooling system in your home to replace your current inefficient system.

There are different types to consider when purchasing a geothermal heating and cooling system: vertical loops, horizontal loops and well water geothermal system. A vertical loops geothermal heating and cooling system is used when trenches cannot be built because the land is too rocky. A horizontal loops geothermal heating and cooling system runs pipes horizontal to the home in a trench, as oppose to vertically in the ground. Both the vertical and horizontal loops systems are closed loops systems.

The well water geothermal heating and cooling system is a potable or mechanical water well that is drilled in the ground in order to supply water for the system.

You will need to dig holes or required trenches for the installation of the well or pipes in either the vertical or horizontal systems. Use a back hoe that you may be able to rent from a tool rental store or a home improvement center in order to make the job of digging holes easier.

The pipes for the geothermal heating and cooling system need to be laid in accordance to the system that you have. In a vertical system the pipes will be laid directly into the ground. In the horizontal system they will be laid in the trench with the return connection to your home.

Replace the pump in your existing forced air heating and cooling system. Before you begin the installation of the pump, cut off the main circuit breaker to interrupt the flow of electricity to the pump and avoid electrocuting yourself. Cut the wires and connect the new wires from the geothermal pump. Match the ground and hot wires (green or copper for ground and black or red for hot wires. White wires are neutral).

Connect the loops to the geothermal pump in accordance to their connection order (hot to hot, ground to ground).

Start the pump and open the pump valve. The pipes for the vertical or horizontal loops systems need to have a mixture of antifreeze and water introduced into them in order to charge the system and ready it for use. A well water geothermal system will skip this step.

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How to Install a Geothermal Heating and Cooling System ...

The sign in front of Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, 535 Green St., in New Haven reads Thank you for 50 great years. Looking forward to 50 more.

It's been five decades since Les and Arnie Hartman christened their company and began making sheet metal ducts for apartment buildings around the area, across the state and in neighboring states.

Their work is part of the infrastructure of Northcrest and Georgetown shopping centers and the B.F. Goodrich plant. From that they moved on to heating and air conditioning for new home builders.

They both retired some years back, and Arnie is deceased. The firm is now run by Arnie's children: Richard as president, David as operations manager and Vicki Peterson as service manager. Another brother, Doug, is a service technician.

Over the years, business has evolved from standard furnace and air conditioning installations to the age of digital technology.

A couple of furnace manufacturers are coming up with smartphone applications, says Richard, that customers can use to control just about any electronic gadget in their homes via global positioning satellite. They'll be able to regulate their thermostat, turn on lights and maybe even turn on the coffee maker and start the crock pot with their cellphone.

Our IT guru Roger Buhr is implementing the programs into our system now and we expect to be up and running in 2014.

A system coming soon is one that senses when the home is empty and automatically reduces the heat setting on the thermostat. It's activated when family members return or can be controlled with a cellphone app.

Another innovation by Lennox is 'smart circuits.' These involve control panels that are self-diagnostic. If some part of the system is not operating properly, a light will flash on their thermostat readout similar to most new cars indicating something is wrong and the home owner should call for service. It's called 'icomfort Notification.' It could report the need to change the filter, a problem with the outdoor unit or a failure of the sensor unit. We also get an email highlighting the problem, but are not allowed to remotely take over a customer's thermostat. Those with concerns about privacy can elect to block us from receiving this information.

When Richard began installing furnaces 40 years ago, the highest-efficiency furnace available was 64 percent, which was considered the top of the line.

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Hartman Brothers enters digital age

Puget Sound Energy is offering electric customers who live in manufactured homes and use electric forced-air as their primary heat source the chance to seal up leaky ductwork and receive other energy efficiency upgrades for free.

The service is being offered to PSE customers in several areas around Pierce County: Graham, Orting, Puyallup and Sumner. The estimated value to each customer is about$500, and the upgrades could reduce their heating bills by approximately 30 percent.

A large number of manufactured homes likely have leaky heating and cooling systems that have to work overtime, which results in higher energy bills. The program helps customers who live in manufactured homes install energy-efficient measures to increase their comfort and manage their energy bills.

PSE has teamed up with energy services specialist UCONS, LLC to install the free energy-efficient upgrades. A certified specialist will seal the ductwork, as well as provide free, on-site installation of ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs in high-use areas such as kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms. Customers also receive furnace air filter replacements and up to two energy-efficient showerheads.

To qualify, those living in manufactured homes must be PSE electric customers and use electric forced-air as the primary heat source. Eligible homeowners cannot have previously received PSES manufactured home energy-efficiency upgrade service.

UCONS representatives will be going door-to-door with flyers to discuss the service with PSE customers.PSE customers can also request the service by calling UCONS at1-800-828-8440.

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Electric forced-air furnaces in manufactured homes free sealing and incentives | Puget Sound Energy

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) December 30, 2013

The spring allergy season is just around the corner and many Valley residents who will be looking for furnace service in Fountain Hills, AZ will also want to find some relief from the persistent misery of such allergy symptoms as congestion, sneezing and itchiness. To help your home become an allergy-free haven, Scottsdales AAA Cooling Specialists provide these tips for relieving allergies with HVAC solutions:

1.Install Indoor Air Quality Solutions: Of course the best way to prevent a reaction is to remove the allergens themselves. Humidity plays a major role in indoor air quality, as dry air fosters dust and overly humid air fosters the growth of mold. A whole-home humidifier can easily be attached to an HVAC system to ensure humidity levels are just right. Additionally, air purifiers are ideal for capturing and killing particles including allergens, viruses, bacteria and pet dander. Choosing a system with a high efficiency filter will lead to better results.

2.Clean the Duct System: Years and years of airborne particulates and dust accumulate inside a homes duct system. When the heating and cooling system is used, these particles spread throughout the home via the vents. An HVAC professional can easily clean these ducts and look for other air quality problems such as mold. If necessary, a UV lamp can be implemented to kill mold spores and prevent further circulation.

3.Dust and Vacuum Frequently: Keeping the home clean is another simple way to reduce the spread of allergens and relive symptoms. Allowing dust to sit on indoor surfaces or lurk in carpets can irritate allergy symptoms quite easily. Dusting and vacuuming regularly, once or twice per week, will help to remove them. Some vacuums even implement HEPA filtration technologies to kill irritating airborne particles. Be sure to wear a protective mask while performing these tasks to avoid a severe reaction.

For more information on how to improve the air quality in your home or to schedule a home consultation, contact AAA Cooling Specialists at 480-389-3019 or visit http://www.aaacoolingaz.com.

About AAA Cooling Specialists: AAA Heating and Cooling Specialists is the leading expert in Heating and Cooling in Arizona. With an emphasis on energy efficiency and a mission to keep customers comfortable, AAA has been in business since 1979.

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AAA Cooling Specialists Provide Tips On Relieving Allergies With HVAC Solutions

MILWAUKEE Johnson Controls, a global leader in building technology and services, launched a new line of Coleman rooftop units that eliminate the need for contractors to install curb adaptors, reducing installation time and costs.

In the time it takes to set your fishing rod and reel, you can set a Coleman Peak rooftop unit, said Eric Newberg, director of commercial product management at Johnson Controls Unitary Products Group. Contractors can remove the existing rooftop unit and set the Coleman unit within 15 minutes.

Curb adaptors are typically required when a new unit does not identically match the existing units footprint. The exact-fit-replacement Coleman Peak rooftop units feature a footprint that fits directly on footprints of other manufacturers units, eliminating the need for a curb adapter.

This feature, combined with the units advanced control technology and LCD display, ensure easy installation and set-up, saving contractors time and many of the costs associated with installation. The control technology also delivers information on unit status, start-up and commissioning features; unit set-up, supply, return and outdoor air temperatures; and plug and play accessories.

Available in units ranging from 3 to 12.5 tons, the high-quality heating and cooling solution offers seasonal energy efficiency ratios (SEER) of 13 (with a 10.8-11.2 EER) or 15 (with a 11.5-12.2 EER). Top panels provide a durable rigid cabinet for longevity and noise reduction, while sturdy, thicker gauge base rails support easy lifting, reduce potential handling damage and contribute to the highest level in seismic certification ratings. A powder paint exterior finish with a 1000-hour salt spray rating offers corrosion protection.

Features inside the heavy-duty cabinet include:

A single or dual scroll compressor, which means a simple internal design with fewer moving parts, resulting in a quiet, reliable and efficient system. Indoor and outdoor fans dynamically balanced for better performance and reliability A design that is easily convertible from 2 to 4 air filters, no tools required. 2 MERV 7 air filters are available factory installed, and 4 MERV 13 or higher can be easily field installed by utilizing the simple, adjustable filter rack. Warranty coverage for the units includes: five-year parts and compressor (3-5 tons); one-year parts, five-year compressor (6-12.5 tons); 10-year aluminized and 15-year stainless steel heat exchanger warranty. Extended warranties are available.

To learn more about the Coleman Peak rooftop units, visit http://www.colemanpeak.com talk to your local Coleman distributor. To locate a distributor, visit http://www.colemanhvacdealer.com.

HVAC products from Johnson Controls, marketed under the well-known Coleman brand, include highly reliable residential central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and accessories and light-commercial, packaged heating and cooling systems marketed through a network of distributors and delivered to home- and building-owners through independent Coleman heating and air conditioning dealers. For more information about Coleman HVAC systems, visit http://www.colemanhvacdealer.com or call 877-926-5362.

Johnson Controls Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 168,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2013, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #14 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

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Replacement Rooftop Units eliminate need for curb adapters.

BY JOE MARVILLI Staff Writer

Queens College has seen a renaissance over the last dozen years, with new programs, new buildings, new technology and a new attitude. At the center of these massive changes has been Dr. James Muyskens, who took over as president of the school in July 2002.

Facing many challenges to revitalize the colleges academics, fundraising, culture and student body, Muyskens spearheaded accomplishments like the creation of the colleges first residence hall, the addition of new courses, the hiring of top-tier faculty and the improvement of student outreach.

As he wraps up his time as president, Muyskens talked about his time at Queens College, what led him there and his plans for the future.

Before Queens College

Muyskens was first inspired to get involved in education as a high school student in South Dakota. He had a superb math teacher and thought about becoming one himself. Once he got to college though, he did not find math as challenging and switched to philosophy. Besides setting him on a new educational path, Muyskens college experiences inspired what he wanted to do at Queens College as president.

I went to a small liberal arts college, had an opportunity to interact with the faculty that were teaching me. I really wanted that here, he said. That is one of the truly exciting things about Queens College. Were big, far bigger than the place I went to as an undergraduate, but when we do student satisfaction surveys, right at the top of the list of things that students are happy about is their ability to interact with faculty.

Getting a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Michigan, Muyskens wound up beginning his career in the CUNY system, at Hunter College. Once there, he fell in love with the mission of CUNY, part of which is to provide high-quality, accessible education to students who may otherwise not have had the chance to attend college.

I actually could have gone to more of an elite type of institution, where the students would be more upper-middle class, he said. But to be able to teach students who are the first in their family to go to college and then to make a difference in their lives, that really got me.

After a couple of other jobs, Muyskens was approached by Queens College to become its ninth president. Although he said he was not looking for another job, he was once again drawn in by CUNYs and Queens Colleges mission as well as the opportunities New York City had to offer.

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Dr. James Muyskens Transformed Queens College