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Company News December 1, 2009
Even though a new California law went into effect July 1st 2009 to increase the collection and recycling effort, many HVAC contractors still did not know where they could take the mercury thermostats once removed from the home/business. US Airconditioning Distributors (USACD), headquartered in City of Industry, wanted help out by going above and beyond in the mercury thermostat recycling effort. "We wanted to help customers recycle old mercury thermostats, so we asked them bluntly what they were currently doing with the old mercury thermostats that were taken off the walls of homes and business. Some HVAC contractors said they have a large collection with several hundred old thermostats back at their shops. Some contractors said they cut out the mercury bulbs and kept them in a jar until they can figure out what to do with them. Unfortunately, a few contractors would not make eye contact after being asked the same question", notes Tony Albers, Product Manager. It was clear contractors knew thermostats containing mercury should not be thrown in the trash but many still did not know where to recycle them. To assist California in keeping mercury thermostats out of landfills US Airconditioning Distributors started a "Cash for Clunkers" thermostat recycling program offering HVAC contractors a $5.00 instant rebate discount off the purchase of a new thermostat. This program was open to all HVAC contractors for recycling and collection of any brand of mercury thermostat. It's just like the environmental effort to get toxic lead paint out of playgrounds and asbestos out of schools. Read MoreAccording to Jack Scarsi, Vice President of Operations "the Cash for Clunkers recycling program was only going to run for a short time, but it was so successful USACD decided to keep it going for 3 months. The basis of this program was simple. When a HVAC contractor brings in an old mercury bulb thermostat to a USACD parts counter, they can get a single $5.00 instant discount off the purchase of a new Source One LX thermostat". Although the program was well received, USACD had to overcome the issue that some HVAC contractors had already acquired large collections of mercury in loose glass bulbs. Each glass bulb contains about 3 grams of mercury and there is a common phase that says "One Gram of Mercury Can Contaminate a Twenty Acre Lake". The Thermostat Recycling Corporation (TRC) which is set up to accept the recycled thermostats from HVAC distributors would only permit mercury to be returned in a complete thermostat housing. This meant the whole thermostat must be shipped to the TRC which includes all the plastic covers. According to a representative at the TRC, they do not accept plain mercury or mercury in loose glass bulbs as these items might break during return shipment to the TRC and cause a toxic leak. USACD did not want this roadblock to stop contractors from recycling, so they contacted a local Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) center on behalf of the HVAC contractors. They were informed that the local HHW centers are only set up to accept mercury from homeowners, not from businesses like HVAC contractors.
This error leaves a hole in the mercury recycling and collection effort. HVAC contactors know it's wrong to throw away old thermostats containing mercury, but did not know it was wrong to cut and save the glass mercury bulbs out of thermostats. On behalf of HVAC contractors, USACD investigated and discovered if you are an HVAC contractor that has been collecting mercury in loose glass bulbs, you will need to contact your local waste management company and ask for your local "Small quantity hazardous waste generator program". This program is set up to accept mercury from HVAC contractors and small business for a nominal fee. USACD is motivated to be the leader in the mercury recycling and collection effort. "Not only is USACD recycling at all their California locations, but they are implementing mercury recycling in all Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Idaho locations also", Albers said. US Airconditioning Distributors has served the Southern California market for almost 20 years and has branches located in Northern California, Utah, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona. Besides supplying economical generic parts and supplies and original replacement parts, creative programs like this reflect the company's strong ability to meet the customer needs of the HVAC contractors. Contractors can call the US Airconditioning Call Center (877) 922-5423 or to find a location click here. August 7, 2009
USACD introduces the LX Series digital thermostats for residential and commercial applications. Available for gas electric heat pumps or air-conditioning systems in 5+2 (weekday and weekend), 7-day or 1- day programmable and non-programmable models, the easy-to-operate LX thermostats feature a scrolling text display (in English, Spanish or French) and three control buttons. Under the front cover users will find additional options for complete comfort and control, including access to fan, program and outdoor temperature buttons, and the ability to control humidification, dehumidification and reheat. To demonstrate these and other operational features of the new thermostat check out the online simulator available at www.lxthermostats.com Read MoreAll standard and advanced programming can be accomplished on a PC using the thermostats' optional USB programmer. In addition, a Comfort Call accessory incorporates wireless technology for remote monitoring and controlling the thermostats from any phone. Precise temperature control is assured with models that average as many as nine indoor sensors. The LX Series thermostats' bi-color LED indicates a cooling or heating mode and features an adjustable backlit panel for different lighting requirements. The customizable panel can display service alerts and error messages along with the contractor's name and phone number when service is needed. The best thermostat in the industry can be found at all your US Airconditioning locations. March 27, 2009
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US Airconditioning is now carrying the entire line of Venstar thermostats at unbelievably low prices. Venstar offers thermostats to cover every residential or commercial requirement. With the Slimline Platinum Series and Comfort Call module your customer can adjust the settings on their thermostat remotely via a simple phone call. Whether they are heading home from work or returning from a vacation, a quick call to Comfort Call ensures that their home climate will be perfect when they arrive. Venstar FlatStat thermostats boast an elegant and unobtrusive design allowing them to be mounted flat against the wall. These thermostats offer many high tech features and have large, easy to read displays equipped with a continuous backlight. Venstar's wireless thermostat lets you enjoy the convenience of a completely wireless remote control model that is easy to operate with many features; maximum comfort with minimum effort. The best thermostat in the industry can be found at all your US Airconditioning locations. Check out the features and benefits for yourself at www.venstar.com or www.thermostatusa.com.
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Ph: 800-937-7222 • Fax: 626-854-4550 • Email: info@us-ac.com |
