Emphasizing the importance of continued support for career and technical education to help grow the middle class, U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8th District) last week visited the innovative learning labs at the College of DuPage Technical Education Center. The center, located on the College’s Glen Ellyn campus, includes 31 classrooms, 16 state-of-the-art laboratories to accommodate Read more
HVAC
Emphasizing the importance of continued support for career and technical education to help grow the middle class, U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8th District) last week visited the innovative learning labs at the College of DuPage Technical Education Center.
The center, located on the College’s Glen Ellyn campus, includes 31 classrooms, 16 state-of-the-art laboratories to accommodate 1,400 students, as well as space for raw material and vehicular storage. In addition, an adjacent greenhouse provides a hands-on laboratory for Horticulture students.
Home to the College’s Architecture, Interior Design, Horticulture, Automotive Technology, Computer-Aided Design, Construction Management, Electro-Mechanical Technology, Electronics-Integrated Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Welding Technology, and Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration programs, the LEED-certified center features two windmills and four solar panels on its roof to provide students with hands-on study of emerging wind/solar energy technologies.
“Everywhere I look, I see a glimpse of something even more interesting, even more innovative, even more thought provoking,” said Krishnamoorthi. “I am proud of what you are doing (at College of DuPage) and what we’re accomplishing in Washington to create more job training and job opportunities to help grow the middle class.”
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Law is the primary federal funding vehicle for skills-based education in the country. Krishnamoorthi and Glenn “G.T.” Thompson of Pennsylvania championed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, a bipartisan bill and the first reauthorization of the Perkins CTE Act since 2006. Both the House of Representatives and Senate passed the new act, nicknamed Perkins V, and at the end of July, it was signed into law and will go into effect July 1, 2019. Funding will increase during these years, up to $1.3 billion by 2024, while major reforms strengthen what is in place, including special emphasis on career paths.
In FY19, College of DuPage received $1.403 million through a formula that considers the number of students eligible for Pell grants who declare interest in a CTE program. Perkins funding plays a key role in programs throughout campus, including the HVACR program where funding has enabled students to build their own systems trainers.
“Everything you see in this lab is built by our students, not contractors,” said HVACR Program Coordinator Bob Clark. “Everything from the pumps, to the concrete poured for the bases, to all the piping systems that you see running in the lab and students have to manage that so that it’s comfortable.
College of DuPage President Dr. Ann Rondeau applauded Krishnamoorthi and his colleagues for their diligence in crafting a supporting bipartisan legislation that directly benefits job seekers.
“Your dedication to workforce development is to be commended,” she said. “You have been so helpful and a great leader in securing more Perkins funding, which College of DuPage and other institutions may use, in turn, to provide skilled workers to a number of industries.”
Learn more about Career and Technical Education at College of DuPage.
College of DuPage is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Serving approximately 25,000 students each term, College of DuPage is the largest public community college in the state of Illinois. The College grants seven associate degrees and offers more than 170 career and technical certificates in over 50 areas of study.
Johnson Controls has released the newest addition to their premium line of residential systems, the YORK® Affinity™ Series YZT two-stage Heat Pump. The ENERGY STAR® rated heat pump delivers advanced efficiencies and smart home capabilities. The 19 SEER, 10.0 HSPF efficiency can save homeowner’s up to 47 percent on energy use. Even greater efficiency can Read more
Johnson Controls has released the newest addition to their premium line of residential systems, the YORK® Affinity™ Series YZT two-stage Heat Pump. The ENERGY STAR® rated heat pump delivers advanced efficiencies and smart home capabilities.
The 19 SEER, 10.0 HSPF efficiency can save homeowner’s up to 47 percent on energy use. Even greater efficiency can be achieved when installed with the Alexa® compatible, Wi-Fi®-enabled Affinity™ Hx3™ Touch-screen smart Thermostat. When connected, the combination offers top-of-the-line features for both homeowners and contractors.
Homeowners can now control and monitor their home comfort system by voice command using an Amazon Alexa® device or, remotely using the Hx® app. Contractors can expect easy setup and support thanks to near field communication, a set of short-range wireless technologies and a dedicated distributor app.
“With the addition of the YZT heat pump, we offer a truly comprehensive package of energy-efficient solutions to help contractors meet the needs of homeowners at any budget,” said Liz Haggerty, vice president and general manager, Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls.
Several additional innovations enhance the system’s performance:
- QuietDrive™ incorporates a sound-reducing swept-wing fan blade, composite base pan and sound containment cloak to reduce typical outdoor operating sound levels.
- ClimaTrak™—allows further fine-tuning of the blower for specific applications, whether to compensate for arid environments or maximize the use of additional air quality accessories including system-matched humidifiers, germ-killing UVC lights and high-efficiency MERV 16-rated filtration, for reduced dust and contaminants.
- A two-stage compressor for quiet and efficient operation.
- A compact footprint without sacrificing performance.
- An automotive-grade powder coat finish rated at 1,000 hours of salt spray to ensure the unit can withstand harsh weather conditions.
- Auto configuration and auto system updates via Wi-Fi® when installed as a communicating system.
- YZT can be sold as a complete Affinity™ residential system or as a premium upgrade to an existing system.
Designed, engineered and assembled in the United States, system components are backed by the manufacturing expertise of Fortune 100 parent company Johnson Controls and an unmatched limited one-year labor warranty, lifetime compressor and 10-year parts limited warranties on registered products. Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) facilities aid in the systematic testing of components, including more than 20 years of accelerated operation testing for weather, humidity and temperatures as high as 125° F and as low as -10° F to ensure lasting performance and world-class quality.
In addition, units meet AHRI Standard 210/240 and 340/360 at AHRI conditions and meet relevant ASHRAE 90.1, ENERGY STAR® and EPAct2005 standards.
To learn more about YORK®, visit www.YORK.com. Also follow on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and @YORKHVAC on Twitter.
Weil-McLain®, a leading designer and manufacturer of hydronic comfort heating systems for residential, commercial and institutional buildings, has named Michael Langen as its director of sales. He will be based at the company’s Burr Ridge, Ill., headquarters. As director of sales, Langen is responsible for leading the US sales organization in executing Weil-McLain’s growth strategy, including Read more
Weil-McLain®, a leading designer and manufacturer of hydronic comfort heating systems for residential, commercial and institutional buildings, has named Michael Langen as its director of sales. He will be based at the company’s Burr Ridge, Ill., headquarters.
As director of sales, Langen is responsible for leading the US sales organization in executing Weil-McLain’s growth strategy, including channel management and contractor engagement initiatives.
Langen has more than 20 years of experience in sales strategy and execution. Most recently, he was the sales director for the electrical and hydronic business at Honeywell International.
“Michael’s deep experience as a hydronics sales leader and his proven track record of using advanced selling tools to drive growth will help build on our recent successes and keep us well positioned for the future,” said John Swann, president of Weil-McLain. “We are excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to his leadership as we continue to execute on our growth strategy.”
Langen has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management.
Lennox Industries, a leading provider of innovative home comfort solutions, today launched Feel The Love in partnership with its dealers, a North American community outreach initiative focused on providing home comfort to families in need. The Lennox Feel The Love program invites individuals and local organizations in participating areas to nominate families or individuals in Read more
Lennox Industries, a leading provider of innovative home comfort solutions, today launched Feel The Love in partnership with its dealers, a North American community outreach initiative focused on providing home comfort to families in need.
The Lennox Feel The Love program invites individuals and local organizations in participating areas to nominate families or individuals in their communities to receive heating equipment at no cost, including installation. Recipients are chosen based on a variety of criteria, including physical, mental, or social disabilities; financial challenges; job loss; military service; and community service. Nominations are accepted through the Feel The Love website now through September 5.
On Saturday, October 6, all participating Lennox dealers will install new, high-efficiency Lennox gas furnaces for the selected candidates at no cost, and the dealers and their employees donate their labor and installation materials.
“Feel The Love is all about creating connections with the communities in which Lennox and its dealers live and work, to lend a helping hand by bringing comfort to deserving families,” said
Stephanie Bond, retail marketing director at Lennox Industries. “We’re proud of the incredible partnerships between Lennox and its dealers, as well as community organizations throughout North America, and we’re excited to continue to grow the program to serve even more individuals and families in need in the years to come.”
Feel The Love began as the Heat U.P. program, launched in 2009 as a pilot community initiative in four markets across the U.S., including Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. In 2018, the program will expand to communities across twenty states and five provinces in Canada, with the goal to continue to expand efforts to even more communities throughout North America.
For more information about the Feel The Love program, visit www.FeelTheLove.com/history.
State Water Heaters has launched the new iCOMM Connectivity Platform, breaking down old barriers surrounding remote monitoring and hot water management, placing control firmly in the hands of commercial plumbing contractors and facility managers. The new iCOMM Connectivity Platform is available via the State Water Heaters app on iOS- and Android-ready mobile devices. All State Read more
State Water Heaters has launched the new iCOMM Connectivity Platform, breaking down old barriers surrounding remote monitoring and hot water management, placing control firmly in the hands of commercial plumbing contractors and facility managers.
The new iCOMM Connectivity Platform is available via the State Water Heaters app on iOS- and Android-ready mobile devices. All State ULTRA FORCE® SUF® models now come standard with onboard Wi-Fi, which makes remotely connecting and interacting with ULTRA FORCE water heaters easy and free.
Another benefit of the iCOMM Connectivity Platform is flexibility. According to Jeff Storie, director of marketing for State Water Heaters, commercial water heater customers ranging from small businesses to chain operations could benefit from the system’s real-time data and alerts.
“The iCOMM platform makes it easy to monitor and maintain commercial hot water systems from virtually any smartphone or tablet,” Storie said. “Commercial contractors and facility managers will appreciate the app’s ability to show them their customers have the hot water they need to run their businesses.”
Installers will find the latest iCOMM system easy to set up. Connecting and registering an iCOMM-compatible ULTRA FORCE water heater involves updating or installing the State Water Heaters app, connecting to the building’s Wi-Fi network and completing the step-by-step app sign-up process. Once connected, users can interact with one or multiple heaters on the app, adjusting temperature and differential, viewing status and fault history, and setting custom alerts.
State Water Heaters first unveiled iCOMM for water heater connectivity in 2009. The system operated through a desktop application that monitored a water heater hardwired to the Internet, said Matt Schulz, the product manager leading the new iCOMM rollout.
“State Water Heaters’ new iCOMM platform is designed for commercial applications, such as institutions, multi-family housing, restaurants and hospitality spaces that will benefit from its ability to provide mobile two-way communication. These services come all at no cost for hardware, subscriptions or any other fees,” Schulz said. “The new iCOMM service provides total transparency into water heater usage, remote adjustability and convenience that will allow our customers to save time and gain peace of mind.”