AEP Ohio’s gridSMART program proved greatly beneficial to our customers in the year 2011. Bruner submitted 60 rebate applications and earned our customers more than $300,000 in incentives. We look forward to topping those numbers in the year 2012!
Bruner Makes List of Top gridSMART Solution Providers
Category: Energy Conservation /
Tags: Energy Efficiency, Green Office Practices, Incentives, Lighting, Ohio, Rebates, Technology
Phase Out of T12 Lamps
It’s finally happened: T12 lamps will be phased out of production starting July 2012. This has been a long time coming since the U.S. Department of Energy’s fluorescent lighting mandate stopped the production of the magnetic ballasts most commonly used for the operation of T12 lamps in July 2010.
The Good News
There is large energy savings when switching from T12 to T8 lamps – up to 33% in energy costs per fixture. Even better news is that if you make the switch before July, AEP’s gridSmart program offers rebates for switching from T12 to T8 or T5 lights.
How to Prepare
Begin discussing your options for replacing your T12 lights. If you complete the T12 project or get the pre-approval in before July and then you have 90 day to complete.
Need Help?
Contact us! We can assist you in replacing your T12 lamps, and evaluating your energy consumption in the process. There may be even more savings out there for you!
If you’ve already switch out your T12 lights, check out our commercial energy savings e-book for more tips to decrease your energy consumption and your utility bills!
Category: Energy Conservation /
Tags: Energy Efficiency, Green Office Practices, Incentives, Lighting, Rebates
Supporting our Soldiers
During the month of February, Bruner employees came together to gather donations for Josh Hughes, a service technician for Bruner, and his unit currently serving in Afghanistan.
“The response from Bruner employees has been impressive,” said Renna Schafler who organized the effort, “and the encouragement I have received from the places I went to help make this happen was humbling.”
The thirty-seven soldiers will receive multiple boxes containing the following items and then some:
- Baby wipes
- Book lights (donated by Staples)
- Safety glasses
- Candy and gum
- Plastic storage bags
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste
- Body wash
- Books (sold at a reduced rate by a local Half Price Books store owner)
- Games
- Fire-proof gloves (donated by Air Gas)
- Coffee
- Lotion
- Pen and paper (donated by Staples)
This effort was so successful in part because of the generosity of Bruner employees, the great community support we received, and a few great coupon-clippers. Bruner employee’s Renna Schafler, Leslie Brungarth, LeeAnn Lynn, and Sarah Campbell combined efforts and used their coupon-savvy to turn an $85 donation into $300 worth of items to be sent overseas.
“The feeling of pride has washed over me countless times during this experience,” said Schafler. “To know we are supporting our troops and one of our own coworkers in the way we have is extraordinary.”
A huge thanks to all that contributed!
Employee Spotlight: Rocky Carr
Purchasing Manager Rocky Carr has been with Bruner Corporation for 12 years and has worked in the industry for 35 years! Day-to-day, Rocky’s role includes purchasing materials and equipment for our projects, as well as managing the warehouse operations here at Bruner.
When he’s not working, Rocky enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with his wife. Together, they take pleasure in traveling, with one of their favorite spots being Outer Banks, NC. Rocky also undoubtedly delights in traveling to see his three children who live in some of the United States’ most desirable vacation spots: New York, California, and Hawaii. Rocky’s son living in Hawaii is currently serving in the United States Army.
As one of Bruner’s most smiling faces, Rocky’s favorite part of his job is working with our people and key partners. “I truly enjoy working with people and finding solution to the challenges we encounter,” Rocky said.
If Rocky sounds like a person you’d love to work with, contact us! We’d love to do business with you.
INFOGRAPHIC: Business First Book of Lists Top Heating & Cooling Companies
In the 2011 Book of Lists published by Columbus Business First, Bruner topped the “Top Heating & Cooling Companies” chart. This is a distinction that we have earned several years running and we continue to aim to live up to the expectations this award sets. Our position is in no way secure, however, with such excellent competition in the central Ohio area.
Looking for some HVAC tips from the top heating and cooling company in central Ohio? Check out our e-book containing 9 Tips to Keeping Your Mechanical Systems in Tip-Top Shape!
Category: Business Practices, HVAC Service /
Tags: Awards, Central Ohio, HVAC, Leadership, Mechanical Contractor, Ohio
Performance Solutions Group: Taking Action Together
For years the Bruner Performance Solutions Group (PSG) has been saving our customers boat loads of money by evaluating their energy consumption and developing a mechanical solution to their excessive energy use. In 2011, Bruner PSG saved our customers 2,431,986 kWH. By submitting 60 applications throughout the course of the year to AEP’s gridSMART program, our customers received more than $300,000 in incentives.
I know what you’re thinking. “That all seems really great, in theory, but how much time am I going to have to put into this?” or maybe, “How do I know if doing an energy conservation program is going to be worth it?” Those are all great questions, and we’ve got the answers!
The implementation of your program can be started in three easy steps:
- Develop an energy analysis.
The Bruner PSG team performs supply and demand side analysis from your utility bills, evaluating current conditions (usually from two historic years), and then assembles projections. - Provide a feasibility study.
From surveys of equipment, systems, and operations, the Bruner PSG team provides a study of the feasible solution to reduce consumption costs. - Provide an investment grade audit to implement the program.
With approval of the feasibility study, final implementation cost and specific plans are provided to enact, administer, and implement improvements.
And guess what else? You can enter a program where the up-front analysis costs can be deferred or waived altogether based on the project and level of implementation chosen, making your investment nearly risk-free and all the more rewarding.
So take action with us, and together we can reduce consumption and make the world a greener place!
Category: Energy Conservation /
Tags: Central Ohio, Energy Efficiency, Incentives, Rebates, Teamwork
Pipe-Valves Offers Additional Classes at New Training Center
In late 2010 Pipe-Valves struck a deal with Spirax Sarco to open a Steam Training Center at our Columbus headquarters. Previously, Central Ohioans would have to travel to Chicago, Illinois, or Allentown, Pennsylvania, to receive training with live steam equipment.
In July 2011 we held our first class. Thanks to Spirax Sarco (for much of the equipment) and Bruner Corporation (who performed the installation) we have been selling out our Steam 101 classes for 8 months straight! The demand and feedback has been great. We are now offering additional classes/workshops that we believe will also be valuable to Central Ohio Contractors, Engineers, and Facilities Maintenance personnel.
Joe Jacob, President
Pipe-Valves, Inc.
www.pipevalves.com
Category: Facilities Management /
Tags: Central Ohio, facilities, facilities management, Ohio, Pipe-Valves, Piping, Plumbing, Technology
INFOGRAPHIC: Commercial Energy Usage
Providing mechanical solutions that save energy is what we do, but before our customers can agree to an energy conservation program, they first need to know the facts.
Selecting Your HVAC System Equipment
The United States EPA details that, “the main purposes of a Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system are to help maintain good indoor air quality through adequate ventilation with filtration and provide thermal comfort.” It seems like those purposes are pretty crucial for keeping your business or organizations environment safe and comfortable, right?
Absolutely. That’s why the choice and design of your HVAC system is so important. It can even affect many other high-performance goals, including water consumption and acoustics.
The selection of HVAC system equipment is a complex design decision. You must balance several factors, including heating and cooling needs, energy efficiency, humidity control, potential for natural ventilation, adherence to codes and standards, outdoor air quantity and quality, indoor air quality, and cost.
Where do you start?
First off, where feasible, use central HVAC air handling units (AHUs) that serve multiple rooms in place of unit ventilators or individual heat pumps. Central AHUs have a plenty of advantages over unit ventilators and heat pumps serving individual rooms, including being quieter and less drafty.
Secondly, there are many features you should specify for all air handling units, including a double-sloped drain, non-corroding drain, and easy access doors.
For more assistance choosing the best HVAC system components for your building, give our Service department a call at (614) 334-9000.
Also, don’t forget to check out our e-book for 9 tips to keeping your HVAC system in tip-top shape!
Contractors: Learn How to Boost Productivity and Lower Expenditures
“Companies that manage their labor and their inventory effectively are among the most profitable,” says Ruth King (@RuthKing) in HVACR Business Magazine. King used her wealth of knowledge and 25+ years of experience in the HVACR industry to share with HVACR Business readers how the contracting business can increase profits without increasing prices. The solution: productively manage your labor force.
Here are ten ways to do so:
- Lock up your warehouse and parts room
- Make sure that charges for nitrogen use, silver solder, vacuum pump (and the oil change after each use), reclaim units, and leak testing are included in your flat-rate pricing or added to the invoice
- Add a charge of $0.50/pound for refrigerant disposal
- Say thank you to your installers and service technicians by bringing them a soda or hot drink on the job
- Create a sheet and have the customer sign off that they understand how to use a programmable thermostat
- Use tickler files
- Say, “It’s time for your prepaid maintenance check” instead of spring/fall tune up
- Keep the second call of the day open
- Use the camera in your phone or keep a digital camera in your truck
- Track productivity
For further explanation of these guidelines, visit HVACRBusiness.com.
Category: Business Practices, HVAC Service /
Tags: Leadership, Mechanical Contractor, Relationships, Teamwork
