Tips to Saving Energy Around the Office

You may be surprised to learn that electronic office equipment has emerged as the fastest-growing energy user in commercial buildings in the United States.  In fact, office equipment makes up approximately 7% of all commercial sector power consumption, accounting for $1.8 billion per year in total energy costs.  Taking steps to reduce energy consumption in the office not only reduces energy bills, it reduces the impact of harmful emissions on the environment as well.

Some Energy Conservation Strategies:

Saving energy requires more than just circulating a memo around the office.  It involves conservation practices that must be followed by everyone in the office:

• Turn off screen savers on computers. 
• Use low-power sleep or standby mode on copiers and printers during working hours.
• Turn off equipment at night and on the weekends.
• Make copies in batches, with the duplex setting turned on whenever possible.
• Make fewer copies.
• Turn off lights when not in the room.

For more great tips please visit: www.avistautilities.com

Source for this article: www.avistautilities.com

We have a new member to our team!

Taylor Hall, Controller

Taylor joined the Pro Mechanical Services team in January 2013.  Previously Taylor was in public accounting working with small to large businesses.  After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in finance Taylor continued his education at Gonzaga University where he received his Masters of Accountancy.  Taylor is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Washington and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. 

In his free time Taylor enjoys skiing with his wife and family, riding motorcycles, going to the lake in the summer, and always rooting for his Washington State Cougars.  Go Cougs!

 

From everyone at Pro Mechanical we want to tell Taylor "Welcome to our Team!"

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!