Cold Weather Energy Saving Tips

When winter comes, colder temperatures and less daylight mean higher energy use. There are many no-cost things you can do to reduce your use.

• Set your thermostat to 68°--and lower when it makes sense. Your heating system will operate less and use less energy. Turn your thermostat down another 5° at night or when leaving your home for an hour or more to save even more on energy costs.
• Let natural sunlight into your home by opening window coverings on south-facing windows to warm your home. Keep window coverings closed in rooms that receive no direct sunlight to insulate from cold window drafts. At night, close window coverings to retain heat.

Information from Avista Utilities Website.
For more great tips on saving energy in the winter and summer go to www.avistautilities.com.

 

 

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Toys For Tots

Pro Mechanical Services will now be a drop off location for

SPONSORED BY THE US MARINE CORPS RESERVE

 

 

 

If you would like to participate, please drop off any cash, prepaid cards, check or money order, or any new, unwrapped toy(s) for boys and girls ages 0-12 years old.

 

 

We will have a box in the front office at 4911 N. Rebecca in Spokane.

 

 

In these tough economic times, holidays can be stressful.

 

WE CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US AT PRO MECHANICAL SERVICES!

Tom Sherry's Turkey Drive 2012

PRO MECHANICAL SERVICES teamed up with ITRON for Krem 2's Tom Sherry's 11th Annual Turkey Drive on November 17th, 2012!!!

 

Pro Mechanical Services and Itron Team Members


 

Rosauers, Numerica Credit Union, Deaconess Medical Center, Rockwood & Valley Hospital, Franz Bakery, Clear Channel, along with 2nd Harvest and many local volunteers work together to provide holiday meals to area families.

 

We raised $767 in just two hours!!!

 

You too can still donate by going on-line to www.2-harvest.org/turkeydrive/.  The money donations go directly into Tom's Turkey Drive account.

 

$15.00 provides a family with a turkey and all the trimmings!

 

 

FROM ALL OF US AT PRO MECHANICAL SERVICES WE WANT TO WISH YOU A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!





Pro Mechanical's First Annual Golf Tournament!!

This past Friday we hosted the first of what we hope will be many more annual golf tournaments.Sixteen of our employees and four union representatives gathered at Sundance Golf Course in Nine Mile Washington for a day on the course. Four teams competed and there were plenty of prizes given away and good times had by all! Over all we think it was a successful first year!

This years participants!

1st Place: Jon Vanos, Ryan Vanos, Tim Howes & Ted Warne (-6)
2nd Place: John Little, Steve Smith, Floyd Burchett & Roger Sipe (even)
3rd Place: Kurt Nierenberg, Erik Nierenberg, Simon Larson & Chris Corey (even)
4th Place: Jerel Rowe, Stu Holden, Ryan Nierenberg & Brian McKenzie (+1)

Closet to the Pin Winners: Brian McKenzie and Tim Howes
Longest Drive Winners: Tim Howes and Jon Vanos

Green Tips, Tricks & Facts: October is Energy Awareness Month

Fact: Electric Lighting consumes nearly 40% of all energy used in U.S commercial buildings.(Check out www.avistautilities.com for the latest Avista Incentives on lighting.)

Fact: Heating accounts for 35% of total energy used in commercial buildings. (U.S. Department of Energy) 

If you've taken a look around town this week chances are you have noticed the trees are slowly but surely beginning to change colors and leaves have begun to fall. You've probably started digging your boots and scarfs out the closet. If you are like me, Fall is a welcomed change, but with fall comes decreasing temperatures and the return of heating bills. To help you fight the cost of heating, we've put together a list of Tips and Tricks to help your facility get ready for the cooler temps.

• Have your heating system inspected and cleaned by a professional. This should be done at least once a year to ensure that your heating system is running at it's best. 
• Filters, Filters, Filters! A dirty filter will cause your system to work much harder then it needs to and results in poor air quality. We recommend filters be changed at a minimum every 3 months. The average filter costs $5 to $6, but can save you from hundreds or thousands of dollars in repair costs. 
• Seal, Insulate & clean your ductwork. Three simple steps that significantly increase the efficiency of your heating system which means your building's air quality improves and so does your comfort.
• Weatherize windows and doors by filling cracks and weatherstripping around gaps. 
• Install Controls. We strongly recommend the use of programmable thermostats. According to our friends at Avista Utilities, facilities can save 2% on heating costs for each degree the temperature is dropped. If you are a larger facility we also recommend an integrated energy management system. If you are skeptical that doing so will actually save you money click here to see how we helped the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture cut their energy uses by 28%. 

If you'd like help preparing your building for cooler temperatures or you'd like to talk to about Energy Management  give us a call at 509-483-1305!

It's Alive!

We are pleased to announce that our website remodel has finally been completed and our site is now active. Some updating is still to come, so please be patient with us as we finish up. We'd like say  Thank You to Kris Russell at Plese Printing for helping us out by building and designing our new site. 

If your company is in need of a website face lift or you need a website built for your company Kris at Plese Printing is definitely the way to go!

To check out our new site click here.

Green Tips, Tricks & Facts: Fall means Football and Energy Savings

As a WSU Alum, it should comes as no surprise to you all that I love Fall, because it means it's time to pack up  my car and drive the 76miles back to Pullman, to stand side by side with the rest of Cougar Nation to show our never ending support and love for the Cougs. My boss Jon, the President/Owner of Pro, and I were excitedly anticipating Cougar football like a child does Christmas. If you are wondering if we'll be making the drive this Saturday to Pullman for the first home game, the answer is a resounding Heck Yes! We might be a little more excited this year than in years past and not just because we have a legend for a football coach or an outstanding QB and leader in Tuel, it's because this year we will be running an ad in the game day program! As Cougar Alumni we feel it's our job to show our support anyway we can, so if you are at the game on Saturday make sure to look for our ad in the program.

Pro Mechanical's Ad in the WSU Game Day Program

I was checking my email this morning with football on my brain, so imagine my joy when I found out I wasn't alone. As an energy partner we get monthly newsletters from Avista Utilities. This month's energy feature is a gem! The Energy Solutions article this month features the NFL and how they are tackling sustainability at their stadiums nation wide, including Centurylink Field, home to none other than the Seattle Seahawks! I've posted the article below for your reading enjoyment!

The NFL Tackles Sustainability

Key Points

• The NFL promotes sustainability and energy efficiency at league facilities and events.
• Newer stadiums have been designed and built with a focus on reducing waste and conserving energy.
• Soldier Field in Chicago, the league's oldest stadium, became the first to earn LEED green building certification. 

Source: www.dot.gov

The National Football League (NFL) is big business. Each week, millions tune in to watch pin-point passing and bone-crunching tackles. While the NFL sets the standard in high-performance play, it has also taken the lead in energy efficiency and sustainability. In 2008, the league formed the NFL Green Team Committee to share best practices and reduce the environmental impact at NFL facilities and events.
At the league's premier event, the Super Bowl, renewable energy credits (RECs) are used to offset all energy used, and thousands of native tree seedlings are planted in the host community. In addition, a number of NFL franchises are saving energy and reducing their impact on the environment through green initiatives.

Philadelphia Takes an Early Lead in Sustainability 

The Philadelphia Eagles were among the first NFL teams to embrace energy conservation and sustainability, launching their Go Green initiative in 2003. Through this program of energy, water, and waste reduction, the team has reduced electricity consumption by half and saved more than $3 million since 2005, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The franchise is currently designing a renewable energy system made up of 11,000 solar panels, 14 wind turbines, and a bio-fuel generator that will allow it to power the stadium with renewable energy only. (George 2012)

New Stadiums Score Big in Energy Savings 

MetLife Stadium, the home field of the New York Giants and New York Jets, was constructed in a unique partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that established goals for energy-saving and sustainable design, construction, and operation. Energy-saving features include ENERGY STAR certified concession equipment, heating and cooling systems, and lighting, all of which use 25% to 50% less energy. An automated lighting control system reduces energy consumption through a central system, while high-performance, low-e coated windows reduce heat gain and provide improved insulation. Overall, MetLife Stadium is 30% more efficient than the old stadium. Through energy conservation and other green initiatives, such as recycling and water conservation, the organization has saved an estimated $15.5 million. (EPA 2012)

CenturyLink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, includes a 3,750 panel solar array on its adjacent Event Center. The array covers 80% of the roof's surface and generates more than 830,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year; enough to power nearly 100 Seattle homes. Other green features include an energy-saving cool roof, high-performance heating and cooling systems, energy-efficient lighting, and low-flow water fixtures. The combined projects are expected to result in energy savings of 21%. (CenturyLink Field 2011)

Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, was completed in 2009. The facility's sustainable features include seating made from recycled plastic material, as well as a translucent retractable roof that saves energy by maximizing daylight. Overall goals for the stadium are to reduce energy use by 20%, solid waste by 25%, and water consumption by one million gallons each year.

What Is Old Is Green Again 

While the league's newer venues have been designed and constructed with a focus on sustainability, the NFL's oldest stadium may also be the greenest. Soldier Field in Chicago, built in 1924, recently became the first NFL stadium to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. LEED certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council to facilities that have achieved high performance in sustainability, energy efficiency, and water conservation.
 

References

CenturyLink Field. "Solar Panels to Help Power Qwest Field Event Center." Press Release. May 17, 2011.

George, John. "NRG to Power Philadelphia Eagles Stadium in Solar Wind Deal." Philadelphia Business Journal. March 2, 2012.

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Smarter Business: Greening the Games. http://www.nrdc.org/greenbusiness/guides/sports/eagles.asp (accessed August 1, 2012)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). MetLife Stadium Environmental Assessment: MOU Semi-Annual Report. February 22, 2012.

Big thanks to Avista Utilities for passing this great article along to me! 

Customer Profile: Lighthouse for the Blind NW

As a Mechanical Contractor we have gotten the opportunity to work with a lot of amazing clients and customers over the past 26 years. Not only do we enjoy working for our customers we also enjoy telling their stories, which is why we have created the Customer Profile section of our blog so our readers can get to know what fantastic businesses make up the Spokane Community. To kick things off I'll be turning the focus over to an incredible organization located in North Spokane: Lighthouse for the Blind NW.

A few months ago Kristin and I had the pleasure of meeting with Lighthouse for the Blind's Facilities Director, Marv Smilden. Marv was kind enough to give us a tour of the facility and explained to us a little more about what Lighthouse stands for and does for the Spokane Community.

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to blind people in our community since 1918.

Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. opened their first satellite operation in Spokane in 2008. Before they could begin the hiring process, Marv helped to ensure all the equipment brought into the facility was blind friendly. In order to ensure this, Marv had to modify most of the equipment. This meant adding braille, lights, hand breaks, and safety shields. Lighthouse hired their first blind employee in June of 2008 and has since added 57 employees, 87% being visually impaired.

The Spokane Facility currently manufactures Quartet/SKILCRAFT co-branded wallboards, hanging file folders, spring-back binders, paper trimmers, and dry-erase easels. They also just secured a Military contract and will begin manufacturing tri-fold shovels.The facility also tries to ensure it's environmental friendly as well. Any product that does not meet their standards of quality is donated to local teachers and schools or is recycled.

Being a non-profit organization, Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., relies on community members to sustain and grow employment opportunities for the visually impaired in Eastern Washington. If you'd like to find out how you can help this wonderful organization please contact Development Director Kirk Laughlin at (206) 436-2253 or via e-mail at klaughlin@seattlelh.org.  

Green Tips, Tricks & Facts: Beating the Summer Heat

Hot, Hot,Hot!

If you've checked the forecast lately you know summer has finally arrived in the Inland Northwest! Let the celebration begin! Of course we all know this extreme heat can mean increased utility bills, which no one really wants. Well to help you stay cool we have put together a few helpful tips to help you beat the heat without breaking the bank.

• Adjust those thermostats: It's a simple idea with big savings. When your building or home is unoccupied program you thermostat to a higher temperature, so your air conditioners wont run as often meaning no unnecessary cooling will happen. P.S. do the opposite in the winter and save on your heating bill!
• Reduce lighting: This can be achieved simply by turning off lights in unused areas. Lighting generates a significant amount of heating causing your air conditioner to worker harder. This can also be achieved by installing automatic room-lighting controls. These devices help optimize lighting use by automatically turning lights off or on, depending on occupancy or time of day. If that's the route you'd like to take call us, we'd be more than happy to talk to you about lighting options.
• Turn off electronics: Similar to lights office equipment using quite a bit of electricity which in return produces heat that effects the overall temperature of an office. By turning off equipment at night you'll reduce the amount of stress on your air conditioner and will keep your building cooler.
• Preventative Maintenance: As a Mechanical Contractor we cannot stress the importance of routine maintenance. Finding a problem before it occurs is the best way to ensure your energy bill stays low. Dirt and Neglect are the number one cause of system failures. Avoid this by setting up a preventative maintenance contract with a Certified HVAC service provider, such as ourselves. 
• Seal that ductwork: Leaks can be costly, to avoid this have your ducts inspected, sealed and insulated. This will increase indoor air quality and maximize the movement of cooled air to your building.
• Replace air filters: If you do not have a PM Contract than you should follow the maintenance schedule for your air conditioning equipment. A dirty air filter will cause your blower motor to use more electricity because of air flow resistance caused dirt trapped in the filter.
• Out with the old: If your air conditioning equipment is more than ten years old it maybe time for an upgrade. Today's air conditioners use far less energy and are geared towards long term energy efficiency, which means more energy savings for you and lower bills. 
• Consult the Professionals: If you think your cooling system is in need of an upgrade contact a licensed contractor before embarking on an overhaul. The professionals will listen to your needs, check out your equipment and work with you to find the best possible solution for your needs. Calling in the professionals will also ensure that you get the right equipment for the job.