Hurricane Sandy: Tips for Flood Damaged HVAC Equipment

While it’s been months since Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, and the flood waters have long since receded, people in the affected areas are still dealing with the storm’s devastation.

But building owners still dealing with clean up at their facilities might not realize the importance of properly cleaning flood-damaged HVAC equipment. And they also might not know if they must replace such equipment rather than clean it.

Once HVAC systems are submerged in water, they not only get dirt and debris inside of them, but they’ll also likely become contaminated with bacteria and fungi, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Building Energy Efficiency: NY State Buildings to Increase Energy Efficiency 20%

It’s called one of the most ambitious initiatives in the nation that will save millions of dollars for taxpayers and create thousands of jobs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The initiative is New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order mandating an increase in energy efficiency in state buildings by 20% within seven years, according to the governor’s office.

To facilitate and strategically implement the executive order, the governor has launched a state initiative called “Build Smart NY.”

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Infographic: Top 3 HVAC Expert Predictions for 2013

Economic prospects are looking up for the HVAC industry in 2013 as those involved in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and related industries see potential for growth.

A resurgence in the housing market as well as a consumer interest and investment in “green” HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) equipment, will stimulate the industry this year, according to a new report from energy market research publisher SBI Energy.

Goodway’s blog interviewed seven industry experts, including our own Tim Kane, Goodway’s President and Tim Robb, Goodway’s Director, Digital Marketing & Strategic Business Development, to get their top three predictions for HVAC in 2013.

In this blog post, we’re going to share one prediction each from Kane and Robb. We present all twenty-plus predictions in our infographic.

Kane expects a continued flight to quality/efficiency-based heating and cooling appliances.

“In terms of ‘hot’ products I think we will continue to see very strong sales for independent AC appliance sales with mini-splits leading the way,” he says. “The trend is toward smaller ‘package’ style units that work autonomously and are oftentimes more efficient than the older integral building HVAC systems.”

Robb predicts that regional energy efficiency standards will be increasing in stature, promoting national reviews of HVAC power usage.

“We see it in California where the utilities are in direct conversation with the HVAC industry associations to better manage HVAC power consumption. In some states HVAC represents over 50%-65% of all power consumption,” Robb says. “While new systems will undoubtedly be more energy efficient, other technologies like whole house fans and cogeneration with solar and domestic hot water will likely emerge quicker. Additionally, newer and more efficient maintenance tools and procedures will become more important to energy efficiency.”

You can read the rest of the predictions from Robb and Kane in our infographic.

In our infographic we also present the top three predictions of:

• Emil Salazar, a market analyst at SBI Energy
• Christopher M. Burney, Executive Director of Planning, Design, and Construction, University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Mark Lowry, Executive Vice President, RSES: The HVACR Training Authority
• Robert Baker, Managing Director, BBJ Consulting
• Kenneth Simonson, Chief Economist, The Associated General Contractors of America

Next steps:

Download Goodway’s 2013 HVAC Trends Infographic with Insight from 7 HVAC Experts.

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HVAC, Building Performance: Probiotics for Sick Buildings

In recent years there have been many television commercials and other advertisements touting the health benefits of probiotics, the “good” bacteria.

The California Dairy Research Foundation defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host.”

Some of the health benefits to consuming probiotics include enhanced immunity, a reduced risk of infectious diseases and improved digestive function, according to the foundation.

So could these microorganisms play a role in improving building health?

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Risk Management: How to Protect Your HVAC Business

As a result of signing a contract, your HVAC company may be responsible for defense costs and damages if you’re sued by a customer, even if your company isn’t responsible for the damage. And although your business has insurance, the protection may not extend to certain losses, particularly in cases involving pollution or subcontractors.

Since 1985, most insurance companies have been excluding pollution claims from their commercial general liability policies. Excluding pollution from the policies protects the insurance companies from paying for costs associated with cleaning up contaminated buildings, claims resulting from lead or asbestos, and illness claims related to mold. Eliminating pollution from insurance policies also invites the opportunity for more lawsuits directed at businesses.

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Steps to Realizing Industrial Energy Efficiency (including HVAC)

Here’s a pair of recent items (one article and one report) that are specifically relevant to the  industrial side of the HVAC industry:

• “A four-step process to energy control” by Jim Plourde and Carl Castellow, P.E., of Schneider Electric (Plant Services, Sept. 1).  The authors write to point out that many opportunities for industrial energy efficiency are being missed, and that although an energy audit is a good place to start, it’s only a start, and must be followed by concrete action steps if it’s going to do any good.  They suggest a four-step process: measure energy usage, fix the basics, automate where appropriate, and monitor and control.  Regarding HVAC and automation they write: “HVAC control regulates heating and cooling at the optimal levels, which can change day by day.  Variable frequency drives regulate the fans and pumps central to a facility’s HVAC system and manufacturing processes, so they aren’t constantly running at full capacity.”  Combined with lighting automation, they say, this can yield a 15 percent improvement in energy efficiency.

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HVAC Industry Braces for Health Reform

President Obama talks to Congress about national health reform on 9/9/09

Don’t look now, but there’s a debate brewing in America about the advisability of overhauling the nation’s health insurance system — and the HVAC industry is taking notice.  If you have a pulse, you’ve probably already heard about the first part. If you’re involved or interested in the HVAC industry, you may or may not have heard of the second. For those who wonder how health reform might affect the HVAC industry, the ever-reliable ACHR News has published an article exploring this very issue: “Health Care Reform Excites and Scares HVAC Industry” (Sept. 14).

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