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May 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
See The Power Of Haystack Connect
May 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
One of the highlights of Haystack Connect was the presentation by Jason Briggs and Scott Muench of J2 Innovations. Their demonstration shows how ease, power and flexibility of Haystack. Great job guys!
For more coverage of Haystack Connect be sure to check out automated buildings.com
Haystack Connect 2013 Brings Together Companies, Technology and People who are Re-defining Smart Devices and Connected Systems
May 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA- May 20, 2013- Close to 200 technology providers, systems integrators and forward looking end users redefining smart and connected systems gathered at Haystack Connect 2013 to exchange knowledge and share experiences about smart building technologies, energy management and operational efficiency solutions.
Technology continues to drive rapid change in smart building and device technologies with significant advances being driven by a community of companies [Read more...]
Control Talk Now For the Week Ending May 19, 2013
May 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The sponsors for this week’s ControlTalk NOW are Easy IO, featuring the FG-32 “Beast from the East Controller”, and DG Logik’s DG BOX,Visualizing the Internet of Things. The CTA Awards Committee thanks these two Platinum Sponsors for their continued support.
Are You Playing Russian Roulette in Your Boiler Room? FACT: Rebuilt controls rarely meet industry safety standards.FACT: Rebuilt controls rarely meet industry safety standards. “The use of rebuilt or remanufactured flame safeguard equipment shall not be allowed. All boiler controls [Read more...]
Reading HVAC Wiring Diagrams Part 2
May 19, 2013 by 2 Comments
Thanks to our friend Dr.Z for the second of his videos in how to read an HVAC wiring diagram. In this video he shows how to read a wiring diagram as it relates to an air condition unit. To see part one click here.
Get Ready for Next Tax Season NOW! Appliance Upgrades to Consider from US Department of Energy
May 18, 2013 by 2 Comments
If you missed the energy efficiency and renewable energy tax credits for 2012, fortunately, you can still take advantage of them in 2013. According to the recent energy.gov blog on the Extended Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency, the majority of the appliance upgrade tax credits were continued through the end of 2013 or 2016.
The list below specifies the energy efficient home improvement and appliance additions you can make to your home in 2013 to save money on your next tax return. Application instructions for all of the Federal Tax Credits listed can be found on the ENERGY STAR® website.
Water Heaters
Hot water is an expensive commodity, and your old water heater may be racking up your electric or gas bill on a daily basis. Heating water accounts for 14-25% of your home’s energy consumption, so a highly-efficient electric or gas water heater can save a lot of money. A new ENERGY STAR®-qualified water heater (look for the label) is eligible for a tax credit of $300, a hefty savings. [Read more...]
ASHRAE Giants Series: Willis Haviland Carrier, the Father of Air Conditioning
May 16, 2013 by 2 Comments
While standing on a foggy train platform in Pittsburgh, William Haviland Carrier was struck with the genius realization that he could dry air by passing it through water, using the spray as a condensing surface. Soon afterwards, Carrier conceived the idea of adjusting humidity by heating the spray water itself and controlling the dew point temperature of the air leaving the conditioning machine. With this, came “dew point control” which, an early company brochure announced, was “the greatest single factor in modern air conditioning.”
The “Apparatus for Treating Air,” which was granted U.S. Patent# 808897 in 1906, was the first of several patents awarded to Willis Haviland Carrier. The air conditioning device would historically impact factory productivity, building design, population trends, and, ultimately, the growth of U.S. Sunbelt cities, like Atlanta and Houston. [Read more...]
Product Review: Siemens EcoView
May 16, 2013 by 2 Comments
When I was at the Controls Group North America meeting a couple of weeks ago Siemens introduced a cool product that they will be relaunching through distribution. The product is targeted at the light commercial buildings market.
The product looks good and seems to be priced right. We are looking forward to getting our hands on a demo unit and will keep the Controltrends Community posted.
If you are interested in EcoView, click here and we will connect you with your local EcoView distributor and email you updates on this product.
They Call it “Easy” IO For a Reason
May 15, 2013 by 1 Comment
Thanks to Mike and Lim, from Easy IO who stopped by to update us on their new Controller “the Beast from the East“. This takes their ddc controller offering to a whole new level. More on the Beast in upcoming posts.
For now, we would like to take a few minutes to show you how you can create and customize your own Sedona function blocks for the EasyIO controller using the Tridium Niagara platform. This Stromquist & Company tutorial will get you up and running in no time. With even just a basic understanding of programming, we’ll get you started with your own custom design.
Mike and Lim are making their way across the United States, like the rock stars they are, so be sure to contact your local automation controls distributor, to see if they are coming to a town near you! For more on Mike, Lim and EasyIO click the link.
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Are You Playing Russian Roulette in Your Boiler Room?
May 15, 2013 by 2 Comments
It’s what you don’t know that you don’t know that will kill you.
Facts and knowledge are the best ways of understanding the decision making process so let’s look at a couple of facts… [Read more...]
ControlTalk NOW for Week Ending May 12, 2013
May 13, 2013 by 2 Comments
Easy IO and DG Logik are the sponsors for this week’s ControlTalk NOW. CTA Awards Committee thanks these two Platinum Sponsors for their continued support.
Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., a member of the OpenADR Alliance, is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit product information from manufactures and technology providers for equipment and services. Hawaiian Electric is pursuing a Demand Response operational strategy [Read more...]
