Career Training to Members of Detroit’s Gun Violence Reduction Program Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, announces a transformative partnership with C.H.O.I.C.E.S (Choosing Honorable Options Increasing Chances to Establish Success), a community-based violence intervention program dedicated to reducing gun violence in Detroit as part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s “Detroit at Work” program Read more
HVAC
Career Training to Members of Detroit’s Gun Violence Reduction Program
Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, announces a transformative partnership with C.H.O.I.C.E.S (Choosing Honorable Options Increasing Chances to Establish Success), a community-based violence intervention program dedicated to reducing gun violence in Detroit as part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s “Detroit at Work” program. C.H.O.I.C.E.S is using Interplay Learning’s virtual reality and simulation-based training to empower at-risk youth and individuals affected by gun violence. Interplay’s innovative training equips them with valuable skills that open doors to a brighter future through sustainable employment in high-demand fields like HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Multifamily Maintenance, and Facilities Maintenance.
Aligning with C.H.O.I.C.E.S’ mission to empower violence-affected and/or justice involved individuals with practical job-ready skills, Interplay’s experiential videos, interactive 3D simulations, and immersive virtual reality courses complement the program’s existing in-person residential construction classes. Participants can now tailor their learning experience to align with their specific needs, schedules, and interests by taking the C.H.O.I.C.E.S in-person residential construction classes and/or Interplay’s online skilled trades courses. Using Interplay, learners can access 400+ hours of courses and hands-on simulations so they can practice their skills in a safe, realistic environment. They can leverage Interplay’s courses for as long as needed to prepare for industry certifications, secure meaningful employment with local employers, and ensure long-term success on their journey to self-sufficiency.
“We absolutely love Interplay,” said Stephanie Nixon, Chief Program Officer at Detroit at Work. “It complements our in-person learning well, and their team is great to work with. Our program participants are totally engaged; they’re having fun while learning, they’re competing with one another to complete courses, and all the while, it’s changing the trajectory of their lives.”
A critical feature of the training platform is the administrator reporting tools that enable program coordinators to identify participants who need help and provide timely support and intervention to those individuals. This proactive approach ensures participants stay on course with their training paths, bringing them closer to their ultimate goal of gaining employment and contributing positively to their communities.
“Our mission is to help institutions build better training, better careers, and better lives,” said Doug Donovan, founder and CEO of Interplay Learning. “C.H.O.I.C.E.S is making significant strides in reducing gun violence in Detroit and empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives. We’re proud to partner with them to support the at-risk and underserved community with an innovative strategy that builds flexible pathways to meaningful trades careers.”
Your plumbing business generates income through your services. It’s the simplest business model in the book; people pay for your plumbing services and you provide them. You can make a good living like this, but there are opportunities for more money to be made! There can be periods where you don’t get as much work Read more
Your plumbing business generates income through your services. It’s the simplest business model in the book; people pay for your plumbing services and you provide them. You can make a good living like this, but there are opportunities for more money to be made!
There can be periods where you don’t get as much work as you’d like, so it helps to have other possible sources of income feeding your earnings. Diversifying your plumbing business makes a lot of sense, and here are three of the best ways to do it:
Sell Plumbing Parts
Some people don’t like to pay for plumbers and prefer to tackle jobs themselves. That’s their decision, but you can find an easy way of catering to them. Get your hands on some plumbing parts or have some specially made. Sites like https://jdiplastics.com/ can introduce you to manufacturers capable of making things like plastic o-rings, caps for pipes, and so on.
Set up a website and sell these products alongside your services. It lets the DIY plumbers – and fellow professionals – purchase essential parts needed for maintenance or repair jobs. The other great thing about this is that you can offer to install the parts for someone, which helps you earn even more money with a service fee!
Create Plumbing Manuals
On the topic of selling products, why don’t you create plumbing manuals?
Look, you’ve got all the hallmarks of a great plumber. You’re the best at what you do, so share this knowledge with others. Think about some of the most common plumbing jobs around the house and create an e-book with step-by-step guides on how to do things like fixing a leaky faucet or stopping a toilet from running.
Sell the e-books for a small price on your website and you generate another stream of income. Alternatively, make books for plumbers to help them with their training!
Develop Great Content
If you don’t want to make an e-book, you can take your ideas and turn them into free content. You are literally reading a plumbing blog right now, full of free information for plumbers and regular people. If you start your own blog, you can draw people in with excellent content and make money from adverts, affiliate links, etc.
Or, do the same thing on YouTube and make video content – this is wonderful for showing people how to fix things! The additional benefit of developing content is that it works as a lead-generation tool. Your content draws in an audience and can convince them to hire your plumbing services or purchase any products you’re selling. This means more business and more money.
Try to avoid falling into the trap of relying on your plumbing services as the only source of income. When the demand for your services dries up, you need other ways of bringing home the bacon. Don’t be afraid to diversify and explore other ways of making money as a plumber.
Geothermal heating and cooling is a well-established technology; it’s been around in simplistic forms for more than half a century and has developed at an impressive rate to become a technology that is providing real solutions for decarbonization and grid management. In its years of growth and innovative development, geothermal has taken on many different Read more
Geothermal heating and cooling is a well-established technology; it’s been around in simplistic forms for more than half a century and has developed at an impressive rate to become a technology that is providing real solutions for decarbonization and grid management. In its years of growth and innovative development, geothermal has taken on many different forms and variations, all of which have their own unique benefits.
The Vanderbilt Breakers Mansion saves $36,000 a year with Direct Geothermal Exchange.
The first recorded closed-loop geothermal design installed was a water-free direct exchange geothermal system in 1945. Robert C. Webber (1911-1984) is acknowledged by most to be the inventor of the ground-coupled heat pump system. In fact, according to a September 1948 issue of “The Refrigeration Industry,” Webber was the first to heat his seven-room home in Indianapolis by reversing the cycle on his home freezer. The issue featured Webber as The Refrigeration Industry’s “Man of the Month.” Webber’s “freezer in reverse” was also featured in Ripley’s Believe it or Not in 1948.
Caption: Robert C. Webber (1911-1984)
Direct geothermal exchange (DGX) waterless geothermal systems, also known as direct exchange systems, offer an innovative and sustainable way to heat and cool your home without requiring water in the loop for heat exchange. Unlike many other types of systems, DX uses a closed-loop refrigerant circuit to release heat from under our feet, eliminating the need for water that other systems require. One of the most vital benefits of Direct Exchange Waterless Geothermal is how efficiently it produces year-round temperature control using safe, reliable refrigerants.
There are many pioneers within the sustainable and renewable energy field, one of which is Bill Buschur, President of Total Green Manufacturing. Bill is a recognizable figure within the geothermal industry, and within the niche of waterless geothermal, with a history in the development of the technology used today. For reference, back in 1980, EarthLinked Technologies (ETI) established itself as a research company in the geothermal industry, becoming the original direct exchange manufacturer. It continued to have great success over the years as it carved out a niche in the geothermal industry. ETI partnered with Total Green Mfg. for five years, and Total Green acquired the 38-year-old DGX Manufacturing company.
Total Green Crew installs a DGX system.
A little history
“At around 12 years old, I began to ride along with my father in the service truck and I would run back and forth from the truck to get him tools or the parts he needed to make the repairs,” Buschur shared with us, “As I got a little older, I began building geo ground loops. I remember we had two football practices a day, and I would come home and build loops for the rest of the day. Eventually, I began to go to the job site with other crew members and help with the installation process.”
Young Bill Buschur working on site.
One of the keys to innovation is passion, and Bill Buschur has no issue with showing his passion through actions and incredible results. Bill has grown his business from a hard-working crew of only four people to becoming the largest direct exchange geothermal contracting company in the U.S., installing over 100 DX systems on a yearly basis.
Establishing the Waterless® brand was no small feat for Bill, but after earning a degree in Business Management and a refrigeration certification, topped off by 30 years of experience in geothermal heat pump technology, he’s become the driving force behind the biggest name in Direct Geothermal Exchange nationwide.
Quality is vital in any field, but Bill has ensured that his geothermal direct exchange units are to the highest standard, stating, “Dad always taught us that ‘If you don’t do things right the first time, you’ll end up doing it again’”. So we made sure we didn’t cut any corners when it came to Designing and Installing a geothermal system.”. This has been a key factor in how effectively Total Green has kept up with the latest technology.
At the end of the day, the million-dollar question is, “Are direct exchange waterless geothermal systems as efficient as water-based geothermal systems?” The answer is yes. Past criticisms of DX systems have primarily revolved around the question of environmentally friendly refrigerants. Today modern DX systems use advanced refrigerants that are both environmentally friendly and efficient with heat transfer, which will enhance the performance of the system altogether.
Bill Buschur in his younger years learning the trade (right).
We’re fortunate to have so many diverse options when considering which geothermal system to choose from, accompanied by so many industry pioneers behind each system. As we continue to push for the world to embrace and prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency, minimizing negative environmental impact and using the natural resources given to us, we should make a conscious effort to do so as one piece of that ever-forming puzzle. Any and every geothermal system contributes to a brighter, greener, world-changing future for us and generations to come.
We are on the same team, we are in the same boat, and we are a part of the geothermal heat pump revolution, changing the world for the better.
Mimi (Hannah) Egg is a Social Media Marketing Consultant with a passion for writing and researching. She has overseen the social media accounts for multiple private and corporate organizations and is constantly learning new ways to understand and optimize demographic outreach and form beneficial business connections through social networking for her clients. She can be reached at Mimieggshell@gmail.com
Navien, the leader in condensing technology, has started shipping their latest innovation, the NPF Hydro-furnace. First announced during their virtual launch event on September 26th, the NPF forced air hydro-furnace is Navien’s introduction into the HVAC market. Available in upflow and horizontal configurations, the NPF comes in two sizes of 60,000 BTU/h and 100,000 BTU/h Read more
Navien, the leader in condensing technology, has started shipping their latest innovation, the NPF Hydro-furnace. First announced during their virtual launch event on September 26th, the NPF forced air hydro-furnace is Navien’s introduction into the HVAC market.
Available in upflow and horizontal configurations, the NPF comes in two sizes of 60,000 BTU/h and 100,000 BTU/h that both boast 97.0% AFUE, utilize high-efficiency ECM motor technology, and meet the stringent requirements of SCAQMD rule 1111 for Ultra-Low NOx performance.
The NPF uses Navien’s industry-proven stainless steel heat exchangers to heat water in an isolated compartment out of the airstream which provides sound-reduction and energy efficiency. The heated water is circulated through a hydronic coil which transfers the heat into the airstream for the ultimate in quiet forced-air heating comfort. The sealed combustion design allows the NPF to deliver comfortable heat without significantly impacting humidity levels at one of the quietest sound levels of any furnace on the market. Water can be supplied to the NPF either through an auto-fill ¼” water connection or through an easily accessible manual fill water reservoir.
The NPF features industry leading variable capacity that can modulate down to 15% for an unparalleled level of comfort that allows the unit to meet year-round heating needs. Each NPF unit is field gas convertible from natural gas to liquid propane, and rated for high elevation up to 10,000 feet with factory supplied conversion kit.. An EZNav® unit-mounted interface with built-in setup wizard provides easy, intuitive steps for startup, configuration, and diagnostics. Installers can set supply air temperature and airflow directly from the front panel, and the service wizard will walk contractors through component verification to aid in troubleshooting. NPF hydro-furnaces are compatible with most one- and two-stage thermostats and can be matched with any AC or heat pump system providing their own dedicated airflow selections and ramping profiles.
Upflow models of the NPF are available to ship now, with horizontal models planned to start shipping in February 2024. To learn more about the NPF Series of hydro-furnaces, visit navieninc.com.
Oil-free compressor pioneer marks 10 years as a wholly owned Danfoss company Danfoss Turbocor, manufacturer and pioneer of the world’s first oil-free, magnetic bearing compressor for the HVAC industry, is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a wholly owned Danfoss company. Initially founded in 1994 and later becoming a joint venture with Danfoss in 2004, its Read more
Oil-free compressor pioneer marks 10 years as a wholly owned Danfoss company
Danfoss Turbocor, manufacturer and pioneer of the world’s first oil-free, magnetic bearing compressor for the HVAC industry, is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a wholly owned Danfoss company. Initially founded in 1994 and later becoming a joint venture with Danfoss in 2004, its Turbocor® compressors have delivered versatile and unmatched efficiency, with low-Global Warming Potential compatibility, helping to reduce emissions while earning strong return on investment for customers.
Ricardo Schneider, president of Danfoss Turbocor, stated: “From the beginning, we knew this technology was transformative; the cutting-edge technology combined with our strong manufacturing and sales network enabled us to provide our customers with solutions to improve operating performance and reach unprecedented energy efficiency levels.”
The unique oil-free, magnetic bearing technology of Turbocor compressors results in zero performance degradation over the life of the compressor, reducing maintenance and replacement costs. The permanent magnet motors and variable-speed drives provide efficiency at both full and part loads. Their flexibility to be used in air cooled, water cooled or evaporative cooled chillers operating across a wide range of applications such as comfort cooling, low temperature process, ice storage and heat recovery, has resulted in over 130,000 compressors being installed around the world.
Over the years, Turbocor compressors have been recognized with multiple industry awards, including the Alliance to Save Energy’s Innovative Star of Energy Efficiency award, the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute’s 2022 Product of the Year and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate and Ozone Protection Award.
Globally, Danfoss Turbocor is continuing to grow its footprint, with an expanded facility in Haiyan, China opening next year, and the establishment of a configuration center in Nordborg, Denmark, at Danfoss’ corporate headquarters. The Nordborg site currently handles sales and service for Turbocor’s European customers; a new production facility is scheduled for completion in 2026.
At its headquarters in Tallahassee, Fla., Danfoss Turbocor continues to build collaborations with local institutions. In 2021, the company began a five-year partnership with FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, providing $750,000 of scholarships and research grants to first-generation or underrepresented minority students, to develop engineering talent in the local community and help students achieve their career goals. The company has also partnered with Tallahassee Community College on workforce development programs, such as its CNC machinist apprenticeship.
Soon, the company will celebrate another milestone: its new 167,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Tallahassee is scheduled for completion in early 2024. The new facility will increase current manufacturing capacity to meet a fast-growing demand from American and international markets for high efficiency compressors for cooling and heating. The expansion is projected to create significant additional jobs in the Tallahassee area.