Improving the energy performance of buildings and plants requires managing energy strategically across the entire organization. EPA provides strategies, tools, professional assistance, and recognition opportunities to help you meet your goals and contribute to ENERGY STAR's nationwide challenge to improve the energy efficiency of facilities by 10 percent or more! (read more ).

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IN THE NEWS
Is Your Building Ready for the Change in Daylight Savings Time?

While it's not exactly Y2K all over again, the change to "spring ahead" 3 weeks earlier and "fall back" 3 weeks later will undoubtedly cause problems with building equipment that is functioning on a time clock or automation system.

Click here for complete article...

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Light travels faster than sound.
This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

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L.E.E.D. For Existing Building Operations Training
Just Got Easier.

The USGBC and Buildings magazine are cooperating in a joint effort to bring this training directly to your computer. Each module is just $99, or you can save $50 when you register for all four at just $349.The USGBC LEED technical webinar series helps facility owners, managers, and operators implement a sustainable facilities model using the LEED rating system. You will see and hear specific applications and case studies, get tools to immediately implement a plan for your facility that will help reduce operating costs, save energy, and create a healthier environment for occupants. Each webinar is designed to be a standalone session, but we encourage you to register for all four. Click here for complete article...

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A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

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ARI Lobbies for Shorter Commercial
HVAC Depreciation Period

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) has called on the U.S. Congress to enact legislation to modify the tax code to reduce the depreciation period for commercial HVAC&R equipment to 20 years. The current depreciation period is 39 years, which, according to ARI, does not reflect the normal 15 to 20 year life span of HVAC&R equipment. ARI's position is that reducing the depreciation period for HVAC&R systems provides an incentive for building owners to upgrade to more efficient equipment by allowing them to expense more of the cost of the system each year.

Read more...

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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.

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BACnet^® to Expand Into Access Control, Lighting

Proposals that would add access control and lighting to ASHRAE's BACnet® standards are among six proposed addenda. The addenda are expected to be released for public review March 16.

Read more...

UPCOMING EVENTS

ACCA Imaginations Running Free

2007 Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Conference-
Disney Coronado Springs Resort -  March 6–8, 2007

In the magical and mystical world of Disney, children are encouraged to use their imaginations and dream of what it would be like to fly with Peter Pan or cross swords with Pirates of the Caribbean. These dreams are played out daily in the many Disney theme parks in Orlando, Fla., which is also the setting for the 2007 Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Conference & Indoor Air Expo. And it is no coincidence that the theme for this year's meeting is "Imagination in Action." It's also no coincidence that the event is staged at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort.

National Association of Power Engineers - Philadelphia 76:
Sponsors "Chiller Plant Operations Seminar" March 8, 2007 at Ursinus College. (read more ).

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Flashlight: A case for holding dead batteries.

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EnvironDesign 2007, New Orleans, May 15-17, 2007

EnvironDesign 2007 patrons can choose from workshops covering topics such as how to identify green products for commercial interiors; how the various product rating systems work, how are they connected to the project rating systems; how green interiors products are manufactured; green architectural innovations; and global green building trends.

Click here to register now!

Design and Build for Energy Efficiency: A New Construction Best Practices Guide

OCTOBER 10, 2006 -- Multifamily housing developers, architects, engineers and contractors working in Wisconsin now have a new tool. Design & Build for Energy Efficiency: Multifamily New Construction Best Practices Guide provides technical information and recommendations to help implement cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy measures.

Published by Focus on Energy, a public-private partnership that offers energy information and services to energy utility customers throughout Wisconsin, the desktop reference manual was developed to help promote and facilitate the benefits—both financial and environmental—of building energy efficient multifamily housing. Success stories are showcased throughout the publication to illustrate how high performance buildings are already being achieved in a cost-effective manner. For more information, visit www.focusonenergy.com

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Click here: How Smart Are You?
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Visit the NECC/Mamac exhibit. We'll be at booth # 749.

Please stop by and say hello, and learn about new technologies in
Green Building Automation

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NECC TRAINING UPDATE:

"The only true job security is to get very good at what you do for a living".

NECC wants to help you.

Technology is changing our industry at an ever-increasing rate. Today's HVAC professionals need to stay current with more various types of controls and systems than ever before. The result is an increasing need for training on new technologies, as well as refresher courses in legacy systems. Training is not merely important for technicians, but for managers and sales people as well, so they can be familiar with what they are selling or managing.

Well-trained companies will continue to command stronger market shares and higher profits than their competitors.

The results of a well-trained staff are: 

• Fewer occupant complaints/callbacks.
  
• Increased customer loyalty.
  
• Better employee retention.
  
• Lower operating/energy costs.

Over the past 25 years, NECC has gained a national reputation of being an important source for technical training and engineering support.

NECC has run controls workshops on many subjects locally and nationally for Carrier, Trane, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Fitters Union and many other commercial, institutional and government agencies.

If you would like to sponsor a workshop for your organization or association, contact Mark McGann (mmcgann@neccdelivers.com ) and tell him what type of training you need.

We have many offerings such as:

• Pneumatic controls Service and Calibration
• Boiler and Combustion Controls
• DDC and Building Automation
• Variable Air Volume (VAV) setup and calibration
• Customized workshops depending upon your needs.

Depend upon NECC for all of your training and technical support needs.

UPCOMING CLASSES:

March 12-13, Pneumatic Control Fundamentals (read more)
March 15-16, VAV Hands-On Workshop (read more)

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WHAT'S NEW-

Wait until you get a load of what Honeywell is doing to their T775 Electronic Controllers. You won't recognize them! Completely re-designed, and slated for release in the late Spring of 2007, this versatile line just go even better! (read more).

neccdelivers.com
DID YOU KNOW that there are monthly product specials available to registered users at www.neccdelivers.com? The special offerings are for web site orders only, and can't be obtained otherwise. If you haven't visited lately, you should check us out at http://www.neccdelivers.com.

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PICTURE OF THE MONTH
I HOPE THERE'S A CO DETECTOR
IN THE ABOVE BEDROOM!