HVAC and water heating equipment manufacturer underlines its commitment to environmentally friendly products and business practices by also sponsoring the new Green Mechanical Awards

Rheem Manufacturing Company recently announced that it has joined the Green Mechanical Council (GreenMech). The announcement follows Rheem’s recent decision to sponsor the Green Mechanical Awards, which “recognize mechanical/plumbing contractor and design/build firms that are creating the most fuel- and cost-efficient systems in residential and commercial applications.”

The three winners of this new competition were announced at a special ceremony at the Greenbuild International Expo in Phoenix, Ariz., on November 11. The Green Mechanical Awards are the exclusive property of Penton Media Inc., publisher of Contractor magazine.

“Incorporating environmentally friendly business practices have never been considered optional at Rheem,” says Peter Reynolds, vice president and general manager of the company’s Water Heating Division. “That commitment is reflected in the energy-efficient products our company brings to market, as well as in the environmentally responsible business practices we have undertaken within our production facilities over the years.”

Energy-efficient water heaters: Rheem recently became the first industry manufacturer to announce delivery of a fully integrated, high-efficiency heat pump water heater to both the plumbing wholesale and utility channels. The new air-source HP-50 Heat Pump Water Heater, which was showcased at the Greenbuild Expo, offers an Energy Factor (EF) of 2.0, or more than twice the energy efficiency of a standard electric storage water heater. The energy-saving design will help a family reduce its carbon footprint by nearly two tons annually. In addition, the new water heater qualifies for a federal tax credit as well as many state and utility rebates and incentives.

Eco-friendly facilities: At Rheem’s water heater production facility in Montgomery, Ala., new chillers that lower the air temperature and use recycled water have slashed water consumption by 45%. Energy-efficient lighting has cut electricity consumption while actually boosting illumination, while a shift to four-day workweeks (10 hours per day) has decreased gas consumption by 18 percent.

Similar measures have been instituted at the company’s water heater production facilities in Nuevo Laredo and Mexicali; and at the Heating & Cooling Division operations in Fort Smith, Ark., and Nuevo Laredo. In Fort Smith, for example, powder paint is applied to products in an enclosed environment to boost air quality for employees. Air quality is also a priority in Nuevo Laredo where vacuum oil filters use a pump system on all refrigerant to collect the oil, rather than allowing volatile organic contaminants (VOC) to vent into the atmosphere.

“The changes we have made in our HVAC and water heating facilities are intended to minimize the impact on natural resources, preserve indoor air quality and protect neighboring communities where our employees and their families live,” says Reynolds. “At the same time, these changes also make a strong, positive contribution to the growth of our enterprise.

“That same win-win situation is why our company has decided to join the Green Mechanical Council,” Reynolds continues. “We enthusiastically share in GreenMech’s commitment to educating the trade on the need to create and maintain environmentally sound residential and commercial mechanical systems. Environmental stewardship is good for both our society and our industry.”

– For more information about the Green Mechanical Council, visit http://www.greenmech.org/

– For more information on the new Rheem HP-50, see http://www.rheemhpwh.com.

NOTE: Publication-quality images to accompany this press release can be downloaded at the following location on the web:
http://rheem.oreilly-depalma.com/2009/Rheem-Joins-Green-Mechanical-Council.shtml

About Rheem Manufacturing Company
Rheem Manufacturing Company (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta. In its 82nd year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of high-quality residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar, and heat pump water heaters; swimming pool heaters and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands including Raypak, Ruud and Rheem have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design, and high quality. Rheem is the official heating, cooling, and water heating supplier to Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Kevin Harvick, Inc. (KHI) and sponsors the KHI No. 33 car in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, KHI’s No. 33 truck in the Camping World Truck Series and RCR’s No. 29 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.