Selling Energy Efficiency in Today’s Marketplace — AHR Chicago, January 24, 9-11 a.m.

Phc News is proud to present the brightest minds in the plumbing, heating/hydronics and mechanical industries, covering the hottest trend in the industry — Selling Energy Efficiency in Today’s Marketplace. Moderated by Ellen Rohr, industry leaders Dan Foley, John Barba, Dave Yates, Bob ‘hot rod’ Rohr and Eric Aune will lend their unique perspectives and personalities to to discuss how to integrate energy efficient products and technology into the lexicon of your business, and then how to successfully promote and sell energy efficiency, especially in today’s uncertain marketplace. From alternative energy sources to energy efficient system installations and applications, this FREE educational session will help attendees run a more “efficient” business.

The Players:

Eric Aune — Eric is the owner of Aune Plumbing LLC, Zimmerman, Minn. Eric installs and services high efficiency and high performing radiant heating systems and “green” plumbing. Eric is a contributing writer for Phc News.

John Barba — John’s practical experience includes everything from ditch digging and drain cleaning to boiler piping and PEX installing, as well as business management and contractor sales. Since 1995, John has trained more than 13,000 contractors on the fine art and subtle science of hydronic heating design and installation through highly interactive, entertaining and informative seminars. John is contractor training and trade program manager for Taco, Inc.

Dan Foley — President and owner of Foley Mechanical, Inc., Lorton, Va. Dan specializes in radiant, hydronics, steam systems, as well as mechanical systems for large custom homes. Foley is a monthly hydronics columnist for Phc News.

Ellen Rohr — Ellen is the president and founder of Bare Bones Biz, a business training and consulting company, which teaches you how to turn your big ideas into a successful business. For more than 10 years Ellen has been an industry columnist, providing “in-the-trenches” insight to which business owners can relate. Ellen is a monthly columnist for Phc News.

Bob ‘hot rod’ Rohr — Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor for more than 30 years. A long-time RPA member, Bob is manager of training and education for Caleffi North America. Hot rod is a frequent contributor to Phc News.

Dave Yates — Dave is the owner of F.W. Behler, York, Pa. Dave offers a host of options from renovating old steam systems to modern high-efficiency geothermal systems, modulating condensing boilers (water-based heating), furnaces, heat pumps — both conventional and mini-splits, and solar — both for generating hot water and/or electricity. He focuses on energy conservation, while enhancing healthy indoor environments and increased comfort.

Sign up: www.cds1976.com/ahrexpo/

Radiant Council moving forward

Washington — The ACCA Radiant & Hydronics Council, a newly-forming group of hydronics-focused contractors who are members of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), is moving ahead with an aggressive agenda to provide targeted support for this important segment of the indoor environment industry.
On November 9, the council’s advisory committee, a group of volunteer contractor leaders who are guiding the new group, met at ACCA national headquarters near Washington, DC. Chaired by Dan Foley, of Foley Mechanical in Virginia, the advisory committee laid out a strategic vision for the group’s launch. The group will begin accepting new members online at ACCA’s website shortly after the Thanksgiving holiday.

In addition to Foley, other contractors participating in the November 9 meeting included Greg Jannone, William Jannone & Son, New Jersey; John Abularrage, Advanced Radiant Design, New York; Brian Stack, Stack Heating & Cooling, Ohio; John Siegenthaler, Appropriate Designs, New York; Dave Yates, F.W. Behler Inc., Pennsylvania; Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, Caleffi, Wisconsin and Bill Shady, PE, Sustainable Design and Product Management, California.

Among the new initiatives that will be undertaken by the RHC is the formation of MIX Groups specifically for hydronics and radiant contractors. MIX Groups are one of ACCA’s most popular programs, being small groups of non-competing contractors who act as informal “boards of directors” for each other, providing in-depth peer review and guidance on business operations.

Construction employment rises in 25 states, DC

Washington — Construction employment rose in half the states and decreased in half in October and during the past year, closely matching the stable national employment picture, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. The even split between gains and losses reflects the accelerating improvement in apartment and private nonresidential construction, offset by a declining public market and stalled single-family sector.

“Construction employment gains are likely to remain spotty for months to come,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Local factors, rather than regional or industry trends, seem to dictate whether a state has rising or falling construction employment in a given month.”

North Dakota ranked first among 24 states and the District of Columbia that recorded construction employment gains from October 2010 to October 2011. The state added 19 percent (4,100 jobs). Oklahoma ranked second (8.1 percent, 5,500 jobs), followed by D.C. (4.8 percent, 500 jobs). Texas added the largest number of jobs (17,500, 3.1 percent), closely followed by California (17,100, 3.1 percent). Among the 25 states that shed construction jobs over the past 12 months, Georgia experienced the steepest decline in percentage and total (-9.5 percent, -13,800 jobs). New Mexico was second-worst in percentage terms (-9.2 percent, -4,100 jobs), followed by Wisconsin (-8.6 percent, -8,100 jobs). Florida had the second-highest number of job losses (-11,600, -3.4 percent). Arkansas had no change in construction employment over the year.

For more info, www.agc.org.