Industry News
We would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to this month's sponsor -- Taco Inc. Headquartered in Cranston, R.I., Taco, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of hydronic-based HVAC equipment and accessories for use in residential, commercial and institutional buildings worldwide. The company, privately owned and in business since 1920, manufactures a wide range of pumps and circulators, valves, tanks, heat exchangers, electronic controls, accessories and systems. Manufacturing facilities are located in Cranston, R.I. and Fall River, Mass., with a Canadian distribution and sales facility in Mississauga, Ontario. Taco sells through wholesale distributors and also provides select OEMs with product. Visit www.taco-hvac.com for more information.
To find out more about special e-newsletter advertising opportunities, please contact your Phc News sales rep by visiting www.phcnews.com.
Taco now offers the latest on variable speed system pumping online
Taught by Taco’s John Barba, this 10-chapter online video will greatly enhance your understanding of advanced circulation techniques. Through a sample project, you’ll learn why, where, and how to properly apply a variable speed circulator solution. You’ll also pick up problem solving tips and techniques you can take right to the job site.
Sharp, smart e-learning is yet another electronic innovation from Taco, making it easier to learn from the most knowledge hydronic system source at your own place, at your own pace. It's just one more way Taco is helping you design and install high quality, energy efficient hydronic systems.
View each chapter when you can and stop when you want. You can come back later or review previous lessons. You can even bookmark where you left off.
Our new e-learning platform includes sample projects and quizzes, so you're involved from the beginning and can measure your own progress.
Join the FloPro Team (also free) and you'll have instant access to this great course, plus more videos, podcasts, tech support, and The Neighborhood, an online com¬munity of professionals just like you. Click your way to membership online at www.taco-hvac.com/flopro. Then sharpen your pencil!
Webb Pump partners with Dover Pump Solutions
Cranston, R.I. — Webb Pump, a market-focused division of the F.W. Webb Company targeting the Commercial and Industrial Pump marketplace, has partnered with Dover Pump Solutions Group. The Dover Pump Solutions Group (PSG) features the world’s largest manufacturer of air-operated double-diaphragm pumps (Wilden) and the world’s largest provider of sliding vane and eccentric disc pumps (Blackmer). Other members of the PSG include: Neptune, a premier manufacturer of chemical metering pumps, Almatec, a provider of premium diaphragm pumps for chemical, semiconductor and solar markets and Griswold, a quality centrifugal pump manufacturer.
Effective immediately the following key industrial pump lines are now available through Webb Pump; WILDEN, BLACKMER, MOUVEX, NEPTUNE, ALMATEC and GRISWOLD.
Wilkins becomes first backflow preventer manufacturer certified by NSF
to new lead requirements
Ann Arbor, Mich. — As of January 1, 2010, new lead content requirements in California (commonly known as AB 1953) will mandate a maximum weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25 percent for plumbing products. Wilkins, a Zurn Company, is the first backflow preventer manufacturer certified by NSF International to NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components — Health Effects and Annex G low-lead requirements, developed to help protect the public from exposure to lead. Backflow preventers are mechanical plumbing devices that protect against pollution and contamination by preventing unsafe water from flowing back into the public water supply. Manufacturers of backflow preventers for potable water service, faucets, valves, water fittings, and other products that come in contact with drinking water must meet the new lead requirements, as set forth in the California Health and Safety Code, by January 1, 2010. After this date, any pipe, fitting, or fixture intended to convey or dispense water for drinking or cooking must meet a weighted average lead content of ≤ 0.25 percent. The lead content requirements of Section 116875 of the California Health and Safety Code (also known as AB1953) were incorporated as an annex into the American National Standard for health effects of drinking water system components NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Annex G – Weighted Average Lead Content Evaluation Procedure to a 0.25 Percent Lead Requirement. To obtain certification, Wilkins demonstrated compliance with all of NSF/ANSI Standard 61, Annex G requirements.
ECR International announces support of revised NY State net metering law
Utica, N.Y. — ECR International announced its support of the legislation, signed into law Aug. 27 by Governor Paterson, which expands New York State’s current net metering law to include residential micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP). Micro-CHP technologies, like ECR’s freewatt system, combine an ENERGY STAR-rated, high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace or boiler with a Honda co-generator to produce heat and electricity for homes.
“The inclusion of micro-CHP as an eligible technology in New York State’s net metering law is extremely significant,” said Michael Paparone, president and CEO of ECR International. “Net metering will allow micro-CHP homeowners to offset the cost of electricity they purchase from a utility by selling any excess power they generate back to the utility. We estimate this will save New York State homeowners approximately $1,000 per year.” The previous law permitted net energy metering for residential solar, farm waste, non-residential solar and residential and/or farm service wind electric generating systems. The amended law also requires electric corporations to permit net energy metering for micro-CHP generating equipment and to provide for the interconnection to the electric system of micro-CHP systems in the same manner as other eligible technologies.
“I am very pleased that this new law will encourage economic investment in skilled New York jobs, which includes our local residents who work at ECR International in Utica as well as those New Yorkers who work at the facility in Dunkirk,” Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito (D/WF-Rome) explained. “ECR International has already invested $10 million in upgrading its Utica and Dunkirk facilities retaining and creating 35-40 jobs, with approximately another $5 million in planned further investments that will add 300 more jobs in the next few years as a result of the enactment of this very important measure.”
The amended law takes effect immediately, but allows New York electric utilities three months to prepare for the appropriate changes. ECR International will be working with the utilities to help establish the procedures required to comply with the new law.
“New York State and its residents face significant energy and climate change challenges,” said Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, who introduced the bill to the Senate on April 15, 2009. “Energy efficiency continues to be the most cost-effective and the most immediate way to reduce the burden of rising energy and environmental costs, as well as our energy-related carbon footprint.”
Micro-CHP has been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of its 2009 Climate Choice technologies. According to the EPA, Climate Choice is a new partnership program that recognizes emerging technologies that have the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions once they are more widely adopted.
For more information on freewatt, visit www.freewatt.com.
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