Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc

Heating Emergency at American Steakhouse

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:40:00 +0000

When American Steakhouse in Norwalk had a rooftop unit heater malfunction. They had a dining room full of customers that was getting colder by the minute. They called Controlled Air for help. Our technicians found the unit non-repairable. We located a stock unit and had the heat back in a timely manner so they did not lose any of their customers. They called for help and we responded. Another satisfied customer that knows when there is a problem with their HVAC system, “Who you gonna call ? Controlled Air, Inc.!” Submitted by Frank Lazowski

Fuel Cells and Bloom Energy

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:40:00 +0000

We are excited to announce that we now referral partners with Bloom Energy fuel cells.

Bloom Energy® is making clean, reliable energy affordable. Their unique on-site power generation systems utilize an innovative fuel cell technology with roots in the NASA Mars space program. Derived from a common ceramic powder and leveraging breakthrough advances in materials science, the technology significantly reduces operating costs while dramatically lowering greenhouse gas emissions, practically anywhere. By generating power where it’s consumed, Bloom Energy offers increased electrical reliability, improved energy security, and a clear path to energy independence. Bloom’s Energy Server™ is an easy, smart choice in today’s economic and environmentally focused economy.

Typical 3-5 year payback
Cut CO2 emissions by 40%-100%
Virtually eliminate SOx, NOx, and other particulate emissions.
Can run on natural gas or biogas.
The technology is capable of both energy generation and storage
Able to generate power 24/7/365
Some of the current Bloom Energy users include: Walmart, FedEx, The Coca-Cola Company, Google, and Staples.
Can be used in conjunction with cogeneration to make your building even more energy efficient.
The are federal tax credits and state incentives available.

Service and Maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:22:00 +0000

Service contracts and preventative maintenance are very beneficial to your equipment and your piece of mind. The equipment that is covered under the contract will be kept cleaned and maintained to run at optimum efficiency. What is important to note is what equipment is covered under your specific contract and what equipment is not. You may want to review your contract periodically to know what equipment items need to be maintain by internal staff or other contractors. We will always do our best to inform you or suggest maintenance to equipment where we notice issues, but it is up to you to make sure that additional equipment is maintained. Most commonly your service technician will notify you immediately of anything he notices while conducting your service inspection. You may find over time that it would be easiest to add those items/equipment to your contract so that you no longer have to worry about it. A service and maintenance contract can help ease the burden of your worries about your heating, air conditioning, and controls system, but it is important to remember what is specifically covered to prevent any long term or costly damage to your equipment.

Eco Company TV for Teens

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:36:00 +0000

Although not necessarily part of our field. I found this program for teens worthy of sharing, Eco Company TV. The program is a national tv and website run, organized, and hosted by teens around the country about green technology, sustainability, and eco-wise information. It is a great opportunity for teens to get involved in green technology and get a chance to be on television. We have all kids in our lives children, nieces or nephews, friends children, grandchildren, that may have some interest in this. If your business in green it might be a nice way to showcase your own business. Here is a link to the Eco Company site: http://www.eco-company.tv/.

A little more about Eco Company from their website:

About Eco Company

What does it mean to "go green" as a teen? More and more young people want to know the answer to that question. Now there's Eco Company, a national TV show on a quest to find answers. Eco Company is hosted by a dynamic group of teens who combine their natural curiosity with their enthusiasm to preserve the planet they will inherit.

Every week Eco Company explores all aspects of being green and understanding how we impact our world. From reporting on the latest technologies in energy, recycling, conservation and organics to sharing the stories of young people making a positive impact on the environment. In addition every week Eco Company provides a practical tip that teens and people of all ages can use in their daily lives. Eco Company is designed to be an interactive program from finding out what's on the mind of all teens by talking to them wherever we find them to providing a forum on this website for teens to share their own videos about going green. Find out whereEco Company is airing near you and make Eco Company appointment viewing in your house!

Remember to Change Your Air Filters

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:52:00 +0000

Air filters within your heating and air conditioning system are easy to forget; you don't see them, and there are no warnings when they are dirty, but they are important for the life of your equipment and the comfort of employees.

Filters that are not changed regularly enough will eventually stop filtering the air. A plugged filter will sometimes collapse and get pulled out of its filter track. Air can now bypass the filter and accumulate in coils, fan wheels and ductwork. Dirty coils and fan wheels reduce the performance of the equipment.

Secondly, dirty filters can reduce the air flow through a heating or cooling system. Reduced air flow will cause heat exchangers to run hotter and cooling coils to run colder than they were designed to. Uncorrected, this will lead to shortened life expectancy or failure of the equipment.

Filters vary in quality performance and price. Selecting the proper filter to meet the requirements at the most economical price is important. Filter performance is based on required air quality, equipment, and occupancy. Make sure that if you do not have a maintenance contract that you change your filters often based on the requirements of your equipment and facility. This could be as often as once a month to once a year. Clean air filters and proper maintenance will lead to happier employees, customers, and longer equipment life.

Energy Efficiency Funding in Connecticut versus Federal

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:33:00 +0000

It is hard to tell what direction energy efficienct funding will go. The Federal Government may be making huge cuts to energy efficiency and green technology funding, but it may be a little time until we know for sure what is going to happen. But Connecticut is moving in its own direction, continuing and even increasing funding for energy efficient projects. The new legislation SB 1243 that was signed by Governor Malloy in July, makes huge strides forward.
SB 1243 is an act concerning the establishment of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and planning for Connecticut's Energy Future. The bill merges the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) into the newly created Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). The legislation also allocates $2 mil in funding/grants for cogeneration, as well as continuing much of the funding for solar pv, solar thermal, including grant programs, tax rebates, and tax exemptions.
To further increase the use of renewable energy, the public utilities are required to obtain a minimum portion of their retail load by using renewable energy. By 2020 27% of their retail load must be from a combination of renewable energies. The types of renewable energies are broken into classes: Class 1 includes solar, wind, fuel cells, ocean thermal; Class II includes energy created by trash to energy facility; and Class III Source which is combined heat and power or cogeneration.
The law also sets forth new standards for state buildings as well, requiring them to become more energy efficient. Here is more infomation about Energy Standards for State Buildings.

There are many opportunities within this bill to help pay for energy efficient improvements. If you are interested please contact us and we can find the best incentive opportunities for your business.

Winter/Fall Maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:26:00 +0000

Fall & Winter Maintenance

It is time once again for fall and winter maintenance to begin. The benefits of completing regular maintenance are: avoiding failure and downtime, continued employee comfort, as well as preventing shutdown of critical equipment.

The Fall & Winter Maintenance check includes: Inspection and adjustment of equipment for proper operation; replacement of weak or failing components; Inspection and tightening of electrical connections to avoid burnt wires, opened circuits or major failure of electrical motors and components; Chassis inspection to avoid corrosion damage; and draining of exterior water lines to prevent freeze damage and flooding. We work from specific checks list for each maintenance. These lists have been developed over our years of experiences and recommendations from the manufacturers of your equipment.

If we notice any further problems we will always discuss them with you immediately, that way your business avoids any unnecessary downtime. During your maintenance check it is also a good time to ask questions about your equipment, so make of list of things as they come up. Of course you are always welcome to call at any time with questions.

We are open

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:32:00 +0000

It has been a difficult few days for everyone after Hurricane Irene. Many are still without power or have just recently gotten it back on. We have not yet gotten power but are open and running on generators. We wanted to make sure that we were available for those who needed us. As the next few days roll around we hope that you get your power turned back on and if you come across any heating/cooling emergencies know that we are available for your business. 800-840-9101.

Fall Hydronic Water Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:52:00 +0000

Controlled Air highly recommends the cleaning of a hydronic system to provide the best heat transfer and longevity of the system. Any closed loop system, that has water under pressure and recirculates it would need cleaning. The pH of the water should always be tested to prevent the effects of too much acidity, which will deteriorate the system from the inside out. If in doubt a complete flush with plain city water (which is usually 6.0 to 8.0) should at least bring the pH to neutral. This will introduce oxygen into the system so it should be accompanied with the proper inhibitors.

Besides Ph there is also a loss of efficiency when the system is not clean. Iron oxide, scale, oil, and even bacteria can coat the internal surfaces of the heat exchangers and heat coils, which will prevent proper transfer and result in loss of energy dollars. We have found in many cases the need to chemically clean and then flush the entire system to remove the buildup. Some systems have not been cleaned or treated since they were first filled with water.

Often this concern becomes an out of sight, out of mind, situation until there is a failure. Some failures start off as small as a leaking fitting, or as large as leaking boiler sections. There are other reasons for components to start leaking, but water condition should not be one of them. A simple water test and maintaining a proper inhibitor level will keep the system clean, efficient, and save you the cost of clearing blockages.

Controlled Air can help you identify problems with you heating and cooling loops, and can offer the services of professional water treatment experts. We can provide the cleaning and flushing needed to prepare a system to receive treatment.

This is the best time to ask questions about your heating system. Is the water clean, treated and is the pH at the proper level? Have all of the safety devices been tested and functioning properly? Is the fire side of the boiler clean – for better efficiency? Has the burner been serviced? Has the combustion been tested and set to maintain a clean fire chamber and the most efficient use of your fuel?

For further reading about water treatment please Google ‘Section 15189 – HVAC’ and you will find industry specifications that outline the requirements and benefit of this valuable service.

Contributed by Dave Eger

HVAC Support Manager

Programmable Thermostats

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:04:00 +0000

Not all programmable thermostats are created equal. They can range in price from $40 - $300. The difference in price is based on the capabilities of the thermostat. Your basic programmable thermostat varies in price from $40-$100 dollars. A more advanced programmable thermostat varies from $150-$300. Running down to home depot and installing any programmable thermostat may save a few dollars in the immediate, but investing is a better thermostat could save you even more in the long run. Johnson Controls offers a programmable thermostat for about $195 that offers Smart Fan. In a commercial situation the fan is supposed to run continuously during occupied times for the best air quality, and a smart fan mode provides this without manually putting the fan in the 'on' position. Smart fan also allows for continuous fan operation during occupied mode and cycling with the equipment at night. This saves you money in energy by not having a fan in operation 24 hours a day when you don’t need it. Without the smart fan mode the fan would be left ‘ON’ all the time, which draw constant energy and the fan would only cycle during a call for cooling or heating during the day, which could create stagnant air or a buildup of CO₂

Other features of a more advanced programmable thermostat include: adjustable heating and cooling cycles per hour, which balances temperature control and equipment cycling; remote indoor outdoor sensing; frost protection, that will turn on the heat when the zone temperature drops below 42 degrees, regardless of how the thermostat is set; memory that saves parameters in the case of a power outage; as well as many more.

Before buying a less expensive programmable thermostat make sure that it is the best piece of equipment for you. Spending a little more money upfront may save you money and time in the long run.

Emergency Service

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:13:00 +0000

Hopefully you never find yourself in a heating or air conditioning emergency, but someday you may. We want you to know that we are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. In the event of an emergency you can call our main number 203-481-3531 or 800-840-9101. There is an automated system that is set up that automatically contacts the technician on duty. The technician give you a call back to review the issue and determine the best course of action. If you have a computer monitoring system, it is possible that the technician will be able to fix the issue immediately. If you do not have a computer monitoring system, depending on the issue the technician will go to the business for further evaluation and to fix the problem. It is one less thing to worry about during these hot summer months.

The Importance of Coil Cleaning

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Did you forget something?

Everyday we rush around trying to accomplish things on our schedule. There are many devices that help us from an old fashion list to smart phones. The purpose is that we get the important things done and the fun things always seem to be remembered without much help.

Here is one very important item that should be added to your schedule: Clean the condenser coil on your air conditioning unit.

Air conditioning is usually thought of the first hot day of the year, turned on and forgotten about. Like other mechanical devices, your air conditioner needs help to run properly, and efficiently. The most efficient way to run your air conditioning is with clean coils. A clean inside coil can absorb the more heat from the air, and the outside coil needs to be clean to reject that heat, avoid compressor damage, and extend the life of the unit. It starts with a visual check, but don’t be fooled but the lack of surface buildup. By the time you see the buildup on the outside of the coil, the fins of the coil are full.

Controlled Air recommends regular cleaning of the coils and filter changes. New filters help keep the inside coil clean but the outside coil still needs to be washed. We can provide the correct means to clean the different types of condenser coils.

Please add coil cleaning to your yearly service and maintenance plan. Call 203-481-3531 and we’ll be there to help your equipment to run more efficiently.

Dave Eger HVAC Support Manager

Customer Service

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:34:00 +0000

Customer service has not been a hot topic lately, but it should be. The one thing that I have noticed since the economy slumped is that customer service has gotten worse. To often we get put on hold for long periods of time, never get to talk to a real person, or get told, "Sorry I can't help you." Some people still use those companies because there aren't any other options or they are locked into a contract and sometimes you just don't know who else to use, since you have used that same company forever.

At Controlled Air, we are close as employees and all know each other. We also have experienced bad, even horrible customer service. It is from these stories that we have created our own philosophy of customer service. It is not a new concept, it is just not common. It is not about the quantity of our customers, but about how much quality we can give our customers. It is more important to us that once a customer works with us once, they continue to work with us forever. Not because you have too or don't know what else to do, but because you want too.

Because we have all experienced what bad customer service is, Controlled Air made it easy to talk to a person, doesn't have hold times, and yes, "We can help you."

Our Customer Satisfaction Guarantee

We are committed to offering the best service, installation, and design work in class and the highest level in customer satisfaction. All work is performed by licensed technicians who receive direct factory instruction and our own in-house training. Because we are one of the largest HVAC companies in the State of Connecticut, we have an excellent working relationship with all major manufacturers and are authorized as warranty providers. We guarantee all of our work including installation, design and service. If the job is not done to your satisfaction or if a problem is discovered that is due to our error, we will make the necessary corrections and/or repairs at no cost to you.

Should you ever have a question about an installation, service or invoice, we are always available. Our goal is to ensure that your experience with Controlled Air, Inc. meets to your complete satisfaction on every level.
We are always here for questions, comments, and to help. You can call our 800-840-9101 or find us on facebook and twitter.

ISO 50001

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:05:00 +0000

The new ISO 50001 Standards were just released this month. These standards replace the Federal Standards recommendations for Energy Management Systems (EMS). These standards are not required but make some important and intutitive recommendations that should be followed. The recommedations can help business save large amounts of money on energy, while also helping the environment by reducing demand on natural resources. The standard can be used by any size organization or facility and was created to easily integrate with other ISO such as 14001 and 9001. Energy Management Systems can allow a company to have greater control over their entire building including heat, air conditioning, and lighting, while also having the ability to monitor usage. EMS also save time by having one location to change temperature, monitor controls, and track usage rather then having to go to individual thermostats and controls per department or room.

THE ISO STATES:

Information provided by ISO.org
The standard is intended to accomplish the following :
• Assist organizations in making better use of their existing energy consuming assets
• Create transparency and facilitate communication on the management of energy resources
• Promote energy management best practices and reinforce good energy management behaviours
• Assist facilities in evaluating and prioritizing the implementation of new energy-efficient technologies
• Provide a framework for promoting energy efficiency throughout the supply chain
• Facilitate energy management improvements for greenhouse gas emission reduction projects
• Allow integration with other organizational management systems such as environmental, and health and safety.

“ The purpose of this International Standard is to enable organizations to
establish the systems and processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use, and consumption. Implementation of this standard is intended to lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy cost, and other related environmental impacts, through systematic management of energy. This International Standard is applicable to all types and sizes of organizations irrespective of geographical, cultural or social conditions. Successful implementation depends on commitment from all levels and functions of the organization, and especially from top management.

You can get more information about ISO 50001 by going to the ISO.org website.

Recommendations for Parts Replacement

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:43:00 +0000

Contributed by Dave Eger, HVAC Support Manager

Why we recommend replacing parts that are working?
One of our goals as your HVAC service provider is to help eliminate service calls, especially major failures such as compressor replacements. On a regular basis, we review in detail, catastrophic failures. When we first started this process many years ago we saw failures caused by simple components. One example is a $75.00 contactor; the contacts had corroded and welded shut. This forced the compressor to stay running constantly, never shutting off. In this case the compressor failed, resulting in a repair that cost over $5,000.00.

Through our analysis, we have assembled a list of items that if failure occurs can cause additional issues with your system. Our service technicians are trained to review these items during a preventive maintenance and to recommend replacing them at any sign of wear or possible failure.

We recommended replacing these items before they fail because our experience tells us if we wait, the possibility of additional failures is high.

There are times when major failures cannot be avoided. Age and use of the equipment eventually take their toll. As your HVAC service provider we work hard to make sure that your equipment runs properly and runs past its life expectancy.

Our Cogeneration Video

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Fri, 20 May 2011 19:00:00 +0000

We have mentioned Cogeneration so many times before, but it really is one of our favorite energy efficient forms for heating and cooling. Because of that we made it our first video. We really hope that you find it information and educational. Our goal was really to educate more then anything else. If you have more questions about cogeneration contact us we would love to answer them.

Geothermal Heating & Cooling

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:37:00 +0000

Geothermal is a fascinating energy efficient form of heating and cooling that does not seem to get as much press as solar or even cogeneration. Geothermal energy is a renewable and reliable source of heat. Because 46 percent of solar energy is absorbed by the earth, at a depth of approximately six feet, the soil maintains a consistent average temperature of between 42-77 degrees Fahrenheit year round.

Geothermal heat pumps use this natural energy to heat and cool water circulated through an underground loop. In the winter the water is run through the loop underground and is warmed by the earth's heat and then brought to the system in the building that then delivers the heat. It is much easier for the system to capture heat from soil of a moderate temperature than from the frigid air outside in winter. In the summer the heat is gather from inside the building and then run underground where the heat is absorbed by the earth and then cooler water is then brought back to the system to create cool air. Conversely, in summer, the relatively cool ground absorbs waste heat more readily than warm outdoor air.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, geothermal energy is the most energy-efficient system of air handling and can lower energy costs by 25 to 40 percent, with fewer emissions, lower maintenance and no danger of underground contaminants. There is also a reduced use of refrigerants.

One very important aspect of Geothermal heating and cooling is the system which controls it. Just like any other form of heating and cooling it needs strict controls to run at optimum efficiency. Not too long ago we got a new customer with a geothermal system where the controls were never set up properly. This meant that the system ran inefficiently and the utility bills were extremely high. It they finely got so fed up that they sought us out. We designed and installed a custom controls system for the geothermal system they already had installed, allowing great control and efficiency. So with that being said it is not enough just to install an "energy efficient" form of heating and cooling if it is not done properly.

Clean Rooms

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:21:00 +0000

Cleanrooms have various purposes that can be highly beneficial for critical applications, such as laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and electronics manufacturing. Cleanrooms do just what their name implies they remain clean. They have special filtration systems, air exchange rates, control, and humidity that keep out dust, debris, bacteria and any other small particles that could contaminate equipment or laboratories. These filtration systems vary depending on need and can range from class 1 to class 100,000. Class 1 having the least amount of particles per cubic foot.

Typical office building air contains from 500,000 to 1,000,000 particles (0.5 microns or larger) per cubic foot of air. That means in order to reduce a space from 500,000 to 1, an incredible amount of control needs to be available over the space. Most Cleanrooms typically maintain 70 degree temperature with a constant humidity, although occasionally a different temperature is required. The air exchange rate is an important aspect of a cleanroom. Typically an air conditioner changes out the air in a room .5 to 2 times per hour. In a cleanroom the air needs to be exchanged anywhere from 5-600 times depending on the circumstance.

In the situations where a cleanroom is needed a simple miscalculation can lead to contamination with long amounts of downtime and money lost. This means that the utmost controls needs to be available for every aspect of the air in a room. It is not just about humidity, temperature, air flow, air exchange, or filtration but about ALL of them. It is important to work with someone that is highly experienced with cleanrooms. With the money and product that is at risk there is no reason to take a chance with someone who has never done it before.

Earth Day

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 20:04:00 +0000

Happy Earth Day. We sincerely hope that you spend a moment today considering what your business can do to help the environment in the long term. Earth Day was created to bring about awareness but one day is not enough. It is about making environmental efficiency part of your everyday and making it the norm, rather then it being anything special. SO the question is what are you doing tomorrow? Solar or Cogen anyone?

The importance of Duct Work

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:06:00 +0000

Contributed by Vincent Chiocchio, President

I have been asked many times over the years, why do I want to spend the extra money on ductwork? It only is hidden by the drop ceiling and as long as the system cools when I lower the thermostat and heats when I raise the thermostat, what else matters. Well, that poorly designed and installed duct system is costing you money every day!

The poorly designed and installed system restricts the air flow to the HVAC unit. This restriction must be compensated for to maintain the comfort capabilities within the space. The compressor now operates at a less efficient point with this reduced air flow caused by the restriction. This causes the compressor to operate at a reduced output capacity and at a less efficient point using more watts per btu than at optimum design. It now has to run longer to achieve the same amount of cooling using even more energy.

Well, we can compensate by increasing the airflow. This increase requires more energy to move the air, trying to compensate for the restriction. In most HVAC systems the fan cost more to operate then the cooling compressor itself. This fan energy can be appreciable, especially when the fan operates for cooling, heating and ventilation purposes running well over 3000 hrs per year. For the same reasons, poorly sealed and insulated ductwork also contributes to additional operating cost.

Faced again with this question about the added cost for the duct system, I now used the Building Energy Modeling Software to substantiate my hypothesis. I entered both a poorly designed and leaking duct distribution system and an efficiently designed tight fitting duct distribution system and compared the energy cost on identical building and equipment. The efficient system paid for itself in about three years. To me that’s a pretty good return on your investment.

Schuco Solar

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:37:00 +0000

Solar is constantly gaining in popularity and seems to be one of the most talked about forms of energy efficiency. There are also more grant and funding opportunities out there then other forms of green energy, although there is also more competition for it, making it harder to get.
We have not until now been installers of solar, but we have always been advocates. Just recently we have become liscensed distributors and installers of both solar thermal and photovoltaic. We are working with Schuco Solar who offer great products and we can be proud to promote.
Some information about Schuco Products:
Schüco guarantees standards of the highest level in industrial and commercial construction. They are a market leader in the solar industry, providing solar energy systems worldwide. Schüco’s range of photovoltaic and solar thermal products are perfect solutions for commercial and industrial buildings as well as government facilities. The benefits include: high energy efficiency and improved energy balances, reduction in CO² emissions, decreasing dependency on energy markets, plus high value-added potential and a flexible installation system that includes all necessary components.

Schüco is a complete provider of photovoltaic solutions, which includes crystalline modules, thin-film technology and customized modules. Schüco is the only system supplier today, who is able to offer a PV module performance warranty based on the nominal power of the panels. In addition, the Schüco 12 / 25 years power warranty is an industry keader and exceeds power-production period. This guarantees a significant surplus in performance and kWh production over the entire warranty period.

Schüco solar thermal systems minimize the impact on the environment and reduce energy consumption for heating and hot water provision. Schüco’s solar thermal portfolio includes all the components needed in the best quality from one source. Different mounting systems and individual building integration enable thermal collectors to be integrated harmoniously into every building.

As far as funding goes, there is only $1,330,740 left from the CT Clean Energy Program. It is important to put in application right now for these funds. We can only hope after they are used up they allocate more this year or at least next year. There are some federal incentives and tax rebates that are still available for solar. For more information from the CT Clean Energy

Our 31st Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:38:00 +0000

We are happy to announce that March 18th is Controlled Air Inc’s 31st Anniversary. We would like to thank all our employees and customers who have been vital to the on-going success of Controlled Air for all these years. In this economy it is important to have dedicated employees that you trust, as well as customers who believe in the quality of your work. We are looking forward to another 31 years leading the way in service and environmental efficiency in the HVAC field. Thank you!

CHP or Cogeneration

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:51:00 +0000

Cogeneration also called CHP or combined Heat and Power is an integrated energy system that can create heat as well as electricity. It is extremely energy efficient and has a high Return-On-Investment. There are also some wonderful tax incentives out there, as well as a few low interest loans & grants. We have spoken about cogeneration before and will probably will mention it again. It is one of our favorites.

The Federal Tax Incentive:

What is the tax incentive for Cogeneration or (CHP) property?
A 10% investment tax credit, applicable to only the first 15MW.

Who is eligible?
Owners of systems smaller than 50 MW may take advantage of this tax credit, and their systems must be placed into service by December 31, 2016. Only the original constructor may take the tax credit.

What are the incentives and how do they work?
The incentive is an investment tax credit, a reduction in either overall individual or overall business tax liabilities. The incentive can also be applied to the alternative minimum tax. Cogeneration owners cannot take the credit until the system is operational.

For more information about this tax credit please contact us. Check back soon we will be releasing our video all about cogeneration in the next week.

What is happening with Energy Efficient Funding?

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:39:00 +0000

It is confusing at best trying to keep up with all the new legislation that is going on in the government. Some things say they are trying to increasse spening and funding for energy efficiency and the next cutting it. Currently there are a few major items that are being decided on that will have a major impact on what happens with energy efficiency funding in the future.

The Good:
The President has put in a request for 29.5 bil budget request for the DOE and EERE(Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) program. This increase would stregthen renewable energy resources, boost clean energy research, and cut expenses to pursue the goal of 80% clean energy sources by 2035. The budget includes large increases for EERE programs including, 135% increase for geothermal technology, 115% increase for building technologies, 88% increase for solar energy, and a 61% increase for wind. The weatherization spending would increase by 52%. The new budget would also promote renewable energy and energy efficient with $300 million in credit subsidies.

The president also set a new initiative to cut energy use by 20% in commercial buildings by 2020. In order to fund these changes he is suggesting a series of incentives that will encourage private sector investment. Additionally, it launches DOE's "Race to Green" grant competition program to provide retrofit loan guarantees that will focus on universities and hospitals. Futhermore there will be a larger tax incentive for retro-fitting.

If this passes it could help get you funding for retro-fitting your business, but this budget is still subject to congressional approval.

The Bad:
The House of Rpresentatives are proposing some large cuts throughout the government in order to reducing spending. Some of these cuts include a $899 Mil cut to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, $1.6 B cut to the EPA, $1.4 B to the Loan Guarantee Authority, and $7.4 Mil cut to EPA Energy Star Program, as well as many others. What these cuts will mean to us is still to be determined, but it may undermine some of these funding increases to help retro-fitting.

Changes in 2011 for Incentives & Rebates

noreply@blogger.com (Environmental Efficiency by Controlled Air Inc) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:52:00 +0000

With the Economy being what it is, Connecticut made some changes to the rebates and incentives available for green energy funding. Also the utilities made some changes as well. We do our best to stay up to date about all these so that we can make recommendations to get you the most out of the available funding. There have been a lot of changes, but I will just mention a few of the most important at the moment.
First of all, if you have any plans to do energy efficient upgrades do it soon! I know many of you might be waiting for the upswing in the economy, but as of 2012 they are reducing the funding by 35% and it is available on a first come first serve basis. Also 50% of the funding for 2011, has already been allocated. You don't want to lose your opportunity to receive this funding because you hesitated too long. Another important aspect of receiving funding is you always want to talk to a CL & P or UI representative before beginning any part of the project. We can help you with this and have contacts at both utilities. You will not get considered for any funding if any part of the project has been started. Even if what has been started is not directly related it is possible to lose the opportunity. So don't take any chances. Here are a few contacts at the UI and you can always contact us.

UI Contacts
. New Construction (ECB): Roy W. Haller (203) 499-2025
. Cool Choice: Michelle LeMoine (203) 499-5828
. Retrofit (EO): Roy W. Haller (203) 499-2025
. Express Lighting: Roy W. Haller (203) 499-5828
. Small Business: Dennis O’Connor (203) 499-3715
. Financing: Roy W. Haller (203) 499-2025
. O&M Services: Marissa Westbrook (203) 499-3314
. Load Response: Rick Rosa (203) 499-2632
. Residential Programs: Chris Ehlert (203) 499-2965
. Natural Gas Programs: Roy W. Haller (203) 499-2025
. UI Account Managers

If you have time and are considering this funding for the future, please write your legislators. Tell them they this funding is important for our economy and for the environment. If enough people write then maybe we can get the legislation changed and that 35% back.