Green Mechanical Contractor

BE AWARE OF NEW AND
EMERGING GREEN SOLUTIONS

WELCOME to our second issue of Green Mechanical Contractor — in print and online! The new year promises to be challenging, but full of opportunity and, yes, growth for progressive green mechanical contractors.

We were very pleased with the positive feedback we heard from many of you regarding our premier issue last fall. To keep that momentum going, we have a strong lineup planned for 2009, starting with this spring issue. Our continued goal is keeping you informed and ahead of the green wave. As with the premier issue, all copies of Green Mechanical Contractor are printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. e Web site features a unique online “Page by Page” turn of the issue along with additional information from our host publication, CONTRACTOR magazine. Just go to www.greenmechanicalcontractor.com to read about exclusive related green topics, articles, columns and products. You can also click on the GMC cover for the digital edition.

Since launching the premier issue last fall, we have a new Administration that seems to understand the need for “green mechanical contracting” – energy-saving mechanical and water systems. Back in our December issue of CONTRACTOR, we did a follow-up story entitled “Obama lauds McKinstry’s energy leadership.” We were excited to see McKinstry, ranked the 18th largest in our annual CONTRACTOR Book of Giants (May 2008), recognized for their e orts helping build and promote an energy-e cient America. This large commercial mechanical contractor, which started off as a simple plumbing firm, is a great example of our industry and the impact we have on this movement. In that same December issue, there’s another excellent example of an innovative seven-person, mostly residential contracting rm. Rich Abernathy is the president of the small but innovative rm out of Virginia. I was most

impressed with the quote we got from Rich – “I need to be aware of the new and emerging solutions. Especially now, with energy concerns riding high on my customers’ list of concerns,” said Abernathy. Rich has his customers collect a year’s worth of energy and fuel receipts before they do the work. While the comfort factor is immediately evident, he wants them to see the substantial reduction of energy consumption. In his words, “To stay sharp, we do it all” – solar thermal, photovoltaic, geothermal, radiant, high-e ciency ductless systems and more.

It is clear that from the small rms to the giant rms, the green movement is rmly entrenched in our industry, and despite the current economic downturn, it’s still growing. As mentioned before, whether you’re dealing with homeowners or building owners, new construction or retro t, selling high-efficiency energy and water systems will be progressively easier for plenty of good reasons. Most importantly, you are saving those owners money in operating costs while increasing their comfort level. Job by job, your expertise and knowledge will increase. We at Green Mechanical Contractor will do our very best to bring you the latest information, products, advice from industry professionals and leaders, plus cool examples of green technology in practice. This issue of GMC is another great example of that e ort.

A mantra of the Green Mechanical Council states, “Changing the world – one mechanical system at a time.” at’s a lot of systems and a lot of work!

Don’t forget to use the Reader Service Card or go online at www.contractormag.com – click the “Free Info” button and select Green Mechanical Contractor to request more information.

Finally, please watch for an exciting announcement about the industry’s rst annual awards program this spring called the Green Mechanical Awards – the GMAs! A special panel of judges will choose from the best residential, commercial and most innovative jobs submitted. The awards will be announced in November of this year. Stay tuned for more details on how you can submit a job to win a GMA!