Contractor articles from December 2007

Contractor archives from December 2007

Greenbuild packs 'em in.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2007... CHICAGO--The U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild conference and exposition opened with huge crowds to see and hear former President Bill Clinton give the keynote address. Total attendance topped 22,000, with the aisles of the exposition...

DOE sets 82% as new AFUE level for boilers.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2007... WASHINGTON--The U.S. Department of Energy has announced moderately higher efficiency standards for gas and oil furnaces and boilers under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The new standards, which will take effect in 2015, call for Annual...

Global labor shortage requires new hiring tactics.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(workforce shortage in construction industry)
December 1, 2007... ANAHEIM--Contractors are facing a global competition for workers that will only exacerbate a growing workforce shortage in the U.S., Purdue University Associate Professor Kirk Alter told contractors meeting here in late October. Alter...

Urban water uses.(CONTRACTOR INFOCUS)
December 1, 2007... [CHART OMITTED] Urban Water Uses All Customers Industrial (10%) Multi Family (10%) Single Family (55%) Public (10%) Commercial (15%) Single Family ...

Editors' choice.
December 1, 2007... Following are those products from the past year that generated the greatest number of reader inquiries. THIS SOLAR-POWERED ATTIC FAN helps remove heat and moisture, reducing energy consumption and extending the life of HVAC equipment and...

'Green' school goes for Gold.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2007... WAYNE, PA.--Armed with the knowledge from building its first "green' elementary school, Radnor Township School District officials here decided to embark on an even more ambitious sustainable school project. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In...

Well-crafted bonus plans pay dividends.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2007... ANAHEIM--Developing a well-thought-out bonus program can go a long way to increase employee productivity and retain qualified workers, business coach John O'Connor said Oct. 25 at the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Network '07 conference...

PMI helps cut water use 45% in drought-ravaged town.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2007... ORME, TENN.--While the City of Atlanta has been in the news for having less than a three month supply of water available, this tiny town in southwest Tennessee has virtually run out of water. The town shut off its water pumps and was only...

'Green' insurance sprouts from sustainable building demand.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2007... NOVATO, CALIF.--The growing momentum to bring sustainable building practices into the mainstream prompted an insurance company here to offer what it claims to be the only coverage for green-certified commercial buildings. The company,...

Cast iron boiler shipments.(CONTRACTOR INFOCUS)
December 1, 2007... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Cast iron boiler shipments (First three quarters 2007) 2007 Gas-fired Hot water 98,539 2006 Gas-fired Hot water 108,218 Percent change -8.9% 2007 Gas-fired Steam 22,349 2006 Gas-fired Steam...

The Capital Group.(In Brief)
December 1, 2007... Johnson Controls has announced the acquisition of The Capital Group, a mechanical services company headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The Capital Group provides mechanical services for...

Mr. Rooter Corporation.(In Brief)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Franchise Times magazine named the Mr. Rooter Corporation to its 2007 Top 200 list. This list ranks the top 200 franchises based on worldwide sales. The magazine ranked the Mr. Rooter franchise system No. 165 with $300 million in worldwide...

U.S. Green Building Council.(In Brief)
December 1, 2007... * A new Web site launched by the U.S. Green Building Council gives students, parents, teachers, school administrators, elected officials and community members a new resource in the effort to ensure a future of green schools for every child...

The international sssociation of plumbing and mechanical officials.(In Brief)
December 1, 2007... * The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials has joined the Green Mechanical Council as a Charter Member. IAPMO joins several other organizations as a leading member of GreenMech, including Carrier, NIBCO, Ferris State...

PHCC, InSinkErator.(In Brief)
December 1, 2007... * After two decades of active partnership with the PHCC, InSinkErator has renewed its commitment to industry education by donating $25,000 to the 2007 PHCC Educational Foundation's "Invest in Your Future" annual giving campaign. To date,...

Make your business work for you.(EDUCATION)(business management)
December 1, 2007... As a business manager or owner, do you know how to assess your business and your plan to determine if you are progressing toward success--or even traveling down the right road? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Selecting the road and staying...

Company donates water heaters.(EDUCATION)
December 1, 2007... MIDDLEVILLE, MICH. - Bradford White Corp. has pledged 100 water heaters to Habitat for Humanity. Over the past 20 years, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Mich., has built 158 homes for families in need. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit...

Looking for the green in green: because of its dedication to being on the forefront of the green building movement, C.J. Erickson Plumbing Co., Alsip, Ill., is our Mechanical Contractor of the Year.(CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR)
December 1, 2007... Bill Erickson started thinking about water conservation and the green building movement a long time before it became The Next Big Thing, before sustainable construction really blew up into the juggernaut that it has become. [ILLUSTRATION...

Plan insures 'green' homes.(YATES ON PLUMBING)
December 1, 2007... NEW YORK -- Lexington Insurance Co. recently announced Upgrade To Green Residential, an insurance coverage allowing U.S. homeowner policyholders to rebuild their property to "green" standards following a covered loss. In the event of a...

Retrofit variable speed pump considerations, part 4.(EATHERTON)(Column)
December 1, 2007... At the end of last month's column (November, p. 40), I promised that we would look at the bottom line results of retrofitting variable speed pumps on a sample project. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As I explained previously, for the purposes...

Online resource finds, compares software.(FELDMANS ON COMPUTERS)
December 1, 2007... With a database of nearly 10,000 software vendors, Capterra's interactive market-place, at www.capterra.com, is an easy-to-use online resource that can help companies find and compare software solutions for broad or specific business...

Sioux Chief holds plant tour for contractors.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
December 1, 2007... PECULIAR, MO. -- The Sioux Chief Co. recently hosted a plant tour for more than 50 mechanical and plumbing contractors here. The event included an invitation for everyone to attend the Sunday NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the...

NY Thermal continues recall.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(NY Thermal Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- NY Thermal Inc. continues to recall select models of its Trinity gas-fired hot water boilers due to potential risk that a condensate fitting in the boiler may prematurely deteriorate, causing a leak and presenting a risk of carbon...

15 tips to peak performance in steam systems.(HYDRONIC SYSTEMS COLUMNISTS)
December 1, 2007... With energy costs at record levels, efficiency is on the minds of homeowners, and contractors are being asked to bring utility bills down. Try this steam system checklist on your next "I can't afford to heat my house" call. [ILLUSTRATION...

Doing business with the U.S. government.(MCGREEVY ON LAW)
December 1, 2007... I started my career with the U.S. government, so it came as a bit of a shock to me, when I went into private practice in the Midwest, to learn that people built buildings without all the clauses, forms and procedures I was used to. I came to...

Elkay unveils new technology center.(MCGREEVY ON LAW)(Elkay Manufacturing Co.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... BROADVIEW, ILL. -- Elkay Plumbing Products Division President Jim Scott has announced the company will transform its sink manufacturing facility here into the Elkay Technology Center, which will include a new "rapid production facility." ...

Potpourri of little-known tax miracles.(BLACKMAN ON TAXES)
December 1, 2007... It's easy to lose big dollars to the IRS, almost always unnecessarily. The following are some easy-to-do (tax-saving and wealth-building) strategies that we have done hundreds of times, yet are little known. Why? The reason is most professional...

My sliding scale of contract value contributions.(CRAIG ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT)
December 1, 2007... Certain people or things can add more value to a project than others. While each part of the process to complete a contract may be equally necessary, they are not of equal value. You need to differentiate what actions have the greatest leverage...

Lasco suspends plant activities.(Lasco Bathware)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... ANAHEIM -- Lasco Bathware recently announced it temporarily will suspend certain manufacturing activities at its production facility here. "Challenging market conditions require efficiency, and we continue to make necessary adjustments...

From where you are to where you want to be.(HUDSON ON MARKETING)
December 1, 2007... No matter how long you've been in business, there's one question that always fits: where do you go from here? The question that refines that thought is how do you get to where you want to be? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] These are the issues...

Is a comp plan needed for small contractors?(BEST PRACTICES)
December 1, 2007... One of the most common comments we receive from our small--and medium-sized clients is, "We don't need a compensation plan. We are a small employer and pay on an individual-to-individual basis." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Actually, money,...

MSI donates $60,000 to Frontline Outreach.(Mechanical Services Inc.)(Brief article)(Column)
December 1, 2007... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Mechanical Services Inc. presented a $60,000 check to Frontline Outreach Inc. during the 23rd annual MSI-Frontline Outreach Golf Tournament Benefit held here in late October at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge. ...

Editors' choice.
December 1, 2007... Following are the past year's Editors' Choice products, ranked by which generated the greatest number of reader inquiries. THE FREEDOM CM CONDENSING WALL-HUNG BOILER delivers 95% AFUE, making it eligible for federal tax credit. The sleek,...

This used-oil coil tube boiler.(editor's choice)
December 1, 2007... THIS USED-OIL COIL TUBE BOILER is able to burn used oil generating hot water for use in car washes, baseboard heating, in-floor radiant heating and ice melt applications. It is UL-listed for use in central heating systems. It is able to save...

Free-hand sensor operated valves.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... FREE-HAND SENSOR OPERATED VALVES are designed with conservation and convenience in mind. A motion sensor starts and stops the flow of water, automatically reducing daily gallons used and preventing accidental overflow. It is powered using...

The wind model tub.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... THE WIND MODEL TUB is a sleek corner tub with an integral skirt, ideal for smaller urban bathrooms where space is at a premium. The diamond shape hugs the corner, freeing up more room for other furnishings. It features a clean, modern...

The como collection.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... THE COMO COLLECTION of faucets and fixtures now features this single handle bar faucet. Elegantly proportioned with simple, clean lines, the faucet is offered with chrome or stainless steel finishes. The 13 1/4" high spout is ideal for a bar or...

Quickfitting quick connect fittings.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... QUICKFITTING QUICK CONNECT FITTINGS are repairable, reusable and permanent. The versatile quick-connection fittings use no glue, solder, crimping or tools. They can be used on copper, CPVC, PEX and stainless steel in the the most demanding...

This designer faucet.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... THIS DESIGNER FAUCET is offered in 10 colors and finishes to complement almost any decor. It is compatible with any of the company's water filtration systems or instant chilled water systems. It is ideal for use in a bar, bathroom or outdoor...

The blancoperforma stainless steel sink.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... THE BLANCOPERFORMA STAINLESS STEEL SINK features clean lines and hard-working functionality. It is manufactured from heavy-gauge steel with a long-lasting satin polished finish. It is insulated to help muffle the sounds of pots and pans. The...

The hot shot 400 pipe thawing machine.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... THE HOT SHOT 400 PIPE THAWING MACHINE is capable of thawing pipes in minutes without tearing up floors or breaking down walls. With 400 amps of thawing power, it can clear frozen lines up to 175' long in 1 1/2" diameter lines. If the user is...

Enviro check valves.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... ENVIRO CHECK VALVES now offer an upgraded poppet system option. The valve option is a 316 stainless steel internal poppet system and is available in a size range of 1" to 4" and replaces the standard bronze or plastic WCR poppet. The unleaded...

The bifolator reversible tube and pipe insulator.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... THE BIFOLATOR REVERSIBLE TUBE AND PIPE INSULATOR is part of the company's Support line of products. It is intended for use with 1/2" and 3/4" CTS tubing, and works in both wood and metal studs. Wholesalers and contractors can reduce their...

Doublesafe transition fittings.(PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2007... DOUBLESAFE TRANSITION FITTINGS are designed to provide a leak-proof seal and prevent cracking under high torque when transitioning between metal piping systems and the company's Schedule 80 plastic piping system. Metal-to-plastic joining is...

Erickson provides green contracting model.(EDITORIAL)
December 1, 2007... I've heard it said that if you read a book on a topic, then you know more than the vast majority of people. And if you read two books on a subject, then you're an expert, because one of those books might contain a nugget of information that...