Warm Air Furnaces
U.S. factory shipments of gas-fired, warm-air furnaces in July totaled 161,301 a 13.8 percent drop compared with the same month a year ago. For the year-to-date, gas furnace shipments totaled 1,056,915, a 14.8 percent drop compared with the same period last year.
Warm Air Furnaces July 09
Oil-fired, warm-air furnaces for the same month totaled 3,057, a 11.2 percent increase compared with July 2008 totals. Oil furnace shipments for the year-to-date totaled 21,526 a 18.1 percent drop compared with the same period last year.
Storage Water Heaters
Residential electric water heater shipments for July totaled 283,854, an 18.5 percent drop from the same month a year ago. Residential gas water heater shipments totaled 269,335, a 10.6 percent decrease compared with shipments for the same month last year. For the year-to-date, about 2,183,800 residential gas water heaters have been shipped, about 11.3 percent drop compared with the same period a year ago. For the year-to-date, about 2,209,732 residential electric storage water heaters have been shipped, a 13.9 percent drop compared to the same period last year.
Storage Water Heaters July 09
Commercial gas water heater shipments for July totaled 5,523, dropping 13.5 drop percent compared with the same month last year, while commercial electric water heater shipments totaled 4,555 a 17.1 percent drop compared with the same month a year ago. For the year-to-date, commercial electric water heater shipments totaled, 33,870, 18.4 percent behind total shipments of this product during the same period last year (41,523). Commercial gas water heater shipments (45,854) for the year-to-date are down 16.7 percent, compared with the same period a year ago (55,055).
Central Air Conditioners and Air-Source Heat Pumps
Combined U.S. factory shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps for July totaled 568,197, down 16.1 percent compared with the same month a year ago. For the year-to-date, combined shipments totaled 3,353,331, down 17.7 percent compared with the same period last year.
Combined July 09
Heat pump shipments for July totaled 1,073,924, up 14.6 percent from the same month a year ago. For the year-to-date, heat pump shipments totaled 687,744, a 12.6 percent drop compared with the same period last year.
Monday, September 21, 2009
New Acme Pocket Guide Released
The 2009 Edition of Acme Brick’s Pocket Guide to Quality Brick Construction now available.
In 1984 Acme Brick Company introduced its first edition of the Pocket Guide to Quality Brick Construction. Since then, over 25,000 copies of the 127-page reference book have been distributed to individuals in the construction industry across America.
It’s all here: brick size and weight information, mortar cost calculation, cold weather masonry requirements, brick wall properties, flashing and weep hole details, etc. For those wondering how brick size effects wall costs--there are wall costs per square foot based on three different brick sizes.
This is a detailed, authoritative reference manual for anyone dealing with masonry, prepared by America’s largest, U.S. owned brick company. Acme Brick was established in 1891 and celebrated its 118th birthday, April 17, 2009.
The Acme Pocket Guide is free from: Marketing Department, Acme Brick Company, P O Box 425, Fort Worth, TX 76101, call 1-800-792-1234 or visit brick.com./lit.htm.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Hands Wounded Marine Keys to New Bridgeland Home
Wounded war veteran Capt. Daniel Moran, USMC (Ret.), and his family received keys to their new Bridgeland home Monday, Aug. 31, sharing the momentous event with a crowd of well-wishers that included U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) and Astros legend Craig Biggio, all on hand to show their support of Moran and HelpingaHero.org.
Builder Perry Homes constructed the Morans’ new home on a homesite donated by Bridgeland, an 11,400-acre development of General Growth Properties in Cypress that was named Master Planned Community of the Year in 2008 by the National Association of Home Builders. This is the seventh of eight homes Perry has built at a substantial discount for the HelpingaHero.org Home Program. Perry will dedicate its eighth HelpingaHero.org home Sept. 14. Houston Rotary District 5890 also has been actively involved in raising money for the project, which was funded by The Strake Foundation, Rex and Marilyn King and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
“Daniel is a real hero, a true patriot of undaunted courage,” said Gates. “Today represents a new beginning and a down payment on a bright future for Daniel.”
Monday’s event marked the fourth time Gates and Moran shared the stage. The first was when, as president of The Texas A&M University System, Gates handed Moran his diploma upon graduation. The second was when he visited him at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where Moran spent two and a half years recovering from more than 30 surgeries and undergoing intense rehabilitation and therapy.
“He asked me to personalize a graduation-day photo of us,” Gates recounted. “I was honored, but I came away thinking I should be the one seeking an autograph.”
The third occasion was when Gates and former President George H.W. Bush presented the captain with a Navy Commendation Medal with Valor as they stood before 90,000 cheering fans during halftime at an Aggie football game. “It was one of the most moving experiences of my life,” Gates said.
Moran, 28, is a Purple Heart recipient who joined the Marines in 2004. While on his second tour of duty in Ramadi, Iraq, he sustained a concussion from the explosion of a homemade bomb. Despite his injury, he urged his doctors to let him return to his platoon. Less than two weeks later, another improvised explosive device killed three of his Marines and wounded Moran, who sustained third-degree burns over 50 percent of his body. The blast also seared the inside of his lungs. Moran spent two and a half years in a burn unit at Brooke Army Medical Center (BMAC) in San Antonio recovering from his injuries and has undergone more than 30 surgeries.
He and his wife, Teal, a graduate of Cy-Creek High School and A&M, have two children, Trey, 4, and Macy, 2, and are expecting their third child.
“What do I say to people who have given me so much?” Moran said Monday. “Words don’t do justice. So what is going to do justice? I can tell you right now, it’s going to be how I live my life, with honor, courage and commitment. The legacy for everyone involved in making this home a reality is that you will see a return on your investment.”
Perry Homes designed the 3,300-square-foot home with special accommodations for Moran’s physical condition. An important consideration was to have enhanced temperature control measures such as tinted windows and a high-efficiency air conditioning and heating system, since Moran’s body is longer able to regulate his internal temperature. A separate system exclusively serves Moran’s office and bedroom, so those spaces can be kept at 68 degrees, while the remainder of the home can be adjusted to warmer temperatures. Plus, sophisticated air filtration will help protect Moran’s damaged lungs and vulnerable immune system. An extended covered porch also will allow him to spend time outdoors with his children without exposure to direct sunlight.
“This particular homesite was selected to allow the least amount of direct sunlight into the home,” said Peter Houghton, Bridgeland’s vice president of master-planned communities. “We are thrilled to be able to give something back to a man who has given so much for his country and we know our residents will gladly welcome the Morans and make them feel at home. The serenity of Bridgeland will offer a sense of peace as Capt. Moran continues to heal.”
The Morans’ new neighbors already have shown their hospitality, with the First Ladies of Bridgeland giving the family approximately $1,000 in gift cards from local restaurants, grocery stores and other retailers, as well as coupons for various resident services, such as babysitting, lawn care, decorating and more. In recognition of his service, Moran also was presented with a flag that flew over the Pentagon in his honor earlier this year.
The Bridgeland home was built in honor of the Boy Scouts, recognizing Moran’s long-time dedication to the organization and his rank as Life Scout. Hundreds of Boy Scouts and military personnel attended Monday’s ceremony.
“It is fitting that this home was built in honor of the Boy Scouts of America,” said Meredith Iler, national chairman of HelpingaHero.org. “Daniel is an American patriot who loves his country deeply. We are pleased to honor someone who served valiantly and who continues to reach out to other wounded heroes and assist them in their journey to recovery.”
In-kind donations for the home include cabinets by Kent Moore Cabinets, a GE front-loading washer and dryer, a side-by-side refrigerator from Sears Outlet Stores, new mattresses from Mattress Firm, a swing set from Kid Structures, Inc., and a $10,000 credit from Growing Scholars Montessori School.
For more information on the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, visit www.helpingahero.org.
Builder Perry Homes constructed the Morans’ new home on a homesite donated by Bridgeland, an 11,400-acre development of General Growth Properties in Cypress that was named Master Planned Community of the Year in 2008 by the National Association of Home Builders. This is the seventh of eight homes Perry has built at a substantial discount for the HelpingaHero.org Home Program. Perry will dedicate its eighth HelpingaHero.org home Sept. 14. Houston Rotary District 5890 also has been actively involved in raising money for the project, which was funded by The Strake Foundation, Rex and Marilyn King and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.
“Daniel is a real hero, a true patriot of undaunted courage,” said Gates. “Today represents a new beginning and a down payment on a bright future for Daniel.”
Monday’s event marked the fourth time Gates and Moran shared the stage. The first was when, as president of The Texas A&M University System, Gates handed Moran his diploma upon graduation. The second was when he visited him at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where Moran spent two and a half years recovering from more than 30 surgeries and undergoing intense rehabilitation and therapy.
“He asked me to personalize a graduation-day photo of us,” Gates recounted. “I was honored, but I came away thinking I should be the one seeking an autograph.”
The third occasion was when Gates and former President George H.W. Bush presented the captain with a Navy Commendation Medal with Valor as they stood before 90,000 cheering fans during halftime at an Aggie football game. “It was one of the most moving experiences of my life,” Gates said.
Moran, 28, is a Purple Heart recipient who joined the Marines in 2004. While on his second tour of duty in Ramadi, Iraq, he sustained a concussion from the explosion of a homemade bomb. Despite his injury, he urged his doctors to let him return to his platoon. Less than two weeks later, another improvised explosive device killed three of his Marines and wounded Moran, who sustained third-degree burns over 50 percent of his body. The blast also seared the inside of his lungs. Moran spent two and a half years in a burn unit at Brooke Army Medical Center (BMAC) in San Antonio recovering from his injuries and has undergone more than 30 surgeries.
He and his wife, Teal, a graduate of Cy-Creek High School and A&M, have two children, Trey, 4, and Macy, 2, and are expecting their third child.
“What do I say to people who have given me so much?” Moran said Monday. “Words don’t do justice. So what is going to do justice? I can tell you right now, it’s going to be how I live my life, with honor, courage and commitment. The legacy for everyone involved in making this home a reality is that you will see a return on your investment.”
Perry Homes designed the 3,300-square-foot home with special accommodations for Moran’s physical condition. An important consideration was to have enhanced temperature control measures such as tinted windows and a high-efficiency air conditioning and heating system, since Moran’s body is longer able to regulate his internal temperature. A separate system exclusively serves Moran’s office and bedroom, so those spaces can be kept at 68 degrees, while the remainder of the home can be adjusted to warmer temperatures. Plus, sophisticated air filtration will help protect Moran’s damaged lungs and vulnerable immune system. An extended covered porch also will allow him to spend time outdoors with his children without exposure to direct sunlight.
“This particular homesite was selected to allow the least amount of direct sunlight into the home,” said Peter Houghton, Bridgeland’s vice president of master-planned communities. “We are thrilled to be able to give something back to a man who has given so much for his country and we know our residents will gladly welcome the Morans and make them feel at home. The serenity of Bridgeland will offer a sense of peace as Capt. Moran continues to heal.”
The Morans’ new neighbors already have shown their hospitality, with the First Ladies of Bridgeland giving the family approximately $1,000 in gift cards from local restaurants, grocery stores and other retailers, as well as coupons for various resident services, such as babysitting, lawn care, decorating and more. In recognition of his service, Moran also was presented with a flag that flew over the Pentagon in his honor earlier this year.
The Bridgeland home was built in honor of the Boy Scouts, recognizing Moran’s long-time dedication to the organization and his rank as Life Scout. Hundreds of Boy Scouts and military personnel attended Monday’s ceremony.
“It is fitting that this home was built in honor of the Boy Scouts of America,” said Meredith Iler, national chairman of HelpingaHero.org. “Daniel is an American patriot who loves his country deeply. We are pleased to honor someone who served valiantly and who continues to reach out to other wounded heroes and assist them in their journey to recovery.”
In-kind donations for the home include cabinets by Kent Moore Cabinets, a GE front-loading washer and dryer, a side-by-side refrigerator from Sears Outlet Stores, new mattresses from Mattress Firm, a swing set from Kid Structures, Inc., and a $10,000 credit from Growing Scholars Montessori School.
For more information on the HelpingaHero.org Home Program, visit www.helpingahero.org.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Fall Creek Welcomes New Builders, Models
Fall Creek has introduced four new builders and several new model homes, continuing with development of new neighborhoods. National builders D.R. Horton and Centex Homes are building in Autumn Falls, an enclave of 50-foot homesites near The Fields of Fall Creek. The 65-acre sports complex is under construction now and will include fields for soccer and Little League, as well as other amenities.
D.R. Horton offers 11 floor plans in Autumn Falls ranging from 1,549 to 2,650 square feet and base-priced from the mid-$150,000s. Centex has nine designs from 1,835 to 2,687 square feet and base-priced from the $160,000s. Centex already has opened a model in the neighborhood and D.R. Horton opened its Fall Creek model Labor Day weekend.
In nearby Lake Point, Triumph Homes is offering homes on 60-foot homesites, priced from the $190,000s and ranging from 2,247 to 3,570 square feet. Also building in Lake Point is Plantation Homes, with 14 designs base-priced from the $210,000s. Triumph also opened a new model home Labor Day weekend.
Finally, Meritage Homes is now building in Fall Creek. Known throughout the southern and western portions of the U.S., Meritage offers designs on 70-foot homesites in Wynnwood, with prices from the $250,000s and homes as large as 4,500 square feet. A model home is now open.
Fifteen minutes from downtown Houston and 10 minutes from Bush Intercontinental Airport, Fall Creek is the only new master-planned golf course community within Beltway 8. It is convenient to major employment corridors, including the East Energy Corridor, Greenspoint, the Texas Medical Center, the inner Loop and the Galleria.
For more information about Fall Creek, visit online at www.fallcreekhouston.com.
Del Webb Communities Celebrate Woodstock Fortieth Anniversary
Baby Boomers will reminisce 1969s three days of peace and music at a variety of Webbstock celebrations at Del Webb communities across Northern California.
Woodstock, the largest rock concert ever conceived and widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in popular music history, celebrated its 40th Anniversary last month.
"Woodstock has become a historic symbol with different meanings to thousands of people. To me, it sparks memories of good feelings from years ago," said Lou Reinitz, a Del Webb resident who was 32 years old at the time. "The 40th Anniversary of Woodstock makes me think back to that care-free time in my life and to all the wonderful music."
The public is invited to join Del Webb's "Webbstock Festival" celebration at the three Northern California Del Webb communities. The Club in Roseville, Glenbrooke in Elk Grove and Woodbridge in Manteca are all hosting simultaneous Webbstock events on Sat., Sept. 12th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All are free and open to the public.
Thirty-two of the best-known musicians of the day appeared during the sometimes rainy weekend in front of nearly half a million concertgoers at Woodstock in 1969.
"Many Del Webb residents lived through--and some even attended--the great festival," said Patrick Higgins, California Area Vice President of Sales. "For the 40th Anniversary, what better way to bring the fun of the 60s and the Woodstock festival back to life than a groovy celebration at Del Webb communities," Higgins said.
At The Club and Glenbrooke, the communities will be hosting classic rock live music from the 60s and 70s, free refreshments, a classic VW bug and bus show, themed giveaways and 60s style art project that residents can wear and take home.
At Woodbridge, the community will be featuring the "Summer of Love" Cast and Band from San Francisco who will perform tribute songs from the 60s. They will also be hosting a Hula hoop demonstration and contest, a classic VW bug and bus show, and providing delicious hot dogs.
The Club
For more information to celebrate with residents at The Club, call (916) 746-4800 or log on to www.delwebb.com/theclub. To visit, take I-80 East to Highway 65 North to the Pleasant Grove Boulevard exit, turn West on Pleasant Grove Boulevard, follow Pleasant Grove Boulevard to the Westpark Development at Pleasant Grove and Fiddyment, continue on Pleasant Grove Boulevard, turn right on Kennerleigh Parkway, turn right on Ashton Drive, turn left on Langtree Drive, and then the sales pavilion will be located at 2159 Langtree Drive.
Glenbrooke
For more information to celebrate with residents at Glenbrooke, call (916) 714-2384 or log on to www.delwebb.com/glenbrooke. To visit, take Highway 99 South, exit at Elk Grove Boulevard, turn right onto Elk Grove Boulevard West, turn left onto Bruceville Road, and then turn left onto Del Webb Boulevard.
Woodbridge
For more information to celebrate with residents at Woodbridge, call (209) 239-3099 or log on to www.delwebb.com/woodbridge. To visit, take Highway 99 to the Lathrop Road exit, travel West on Lathrop Road to Union Road, turn right on Union Road and travel North to Del Webb Boulevard, then turn left and travel West on Del Webb Boulevard to the community entrance.
Woodstock, the largest rock concert ever conceived and widely regarded as one of the greatest moments in popular music history, celebrated its 40th Anniversary last month.
"Woodstock has become a historic symbol with different meanings to thousands of people. To me, it sparks memories of good feelings from years ago," said Lou Reinitz, a Del Webb resident who was 32 years old at the time. "The 40th Anniversary of Woodstock makes me think back to that care-free time in my life and to all the wonderful music."
The public is invited to join Del Webb's "Webbstock Festival" celebration at the three Northern California Del Webb communities. The Club in Roseville, Glenbrooke in Elk Grove and Woodbridge in Manteca are all hosting simultaneous Webbstock events on Sat., Sept. 12th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All are free and open to the public.
Thirty-two of the best-known musicians of the day appeared during the sometimes rainy weekend in front of nearly half a million concertgoers at Woodstock in 1969.
"Many Del Webb residents lived through--and some even attended--the great festival," said Patrick Higgins, California Area Vice President of Sales. "For the 40th Anniversary, what better way to bring the fun of the 60s and the Woodstock festival back to life than a groovy celebration at Del Webb communities," Higgins said.
At The Club and Glenbrooke, the communities will be hosting classic rock live music from the 60s and 70s, free refreshments, a classic VW bug and bus show, themed giveaways and 60s style art project that residents can wear and take home.
At Woodbridge, the community will be featuring the "Summer of Love" Cast and Band from San Francisco who will perform tribute songs from the 60s. They will also be hosting a Hula hoop demonstration and contest, a classic VW bug and bus show, and providing delicious hot dogs.
The Club
For more information to celebrate with residents at The Club, call (916) 746-4800 or log on to www.delwebb.com/theclub. To visit, take I-80 East to Highway 65 North to the Pleasant Grove Boulevard exit, turn West on Pleasant Grove Boulevard, follow Pleasant Grove Boulevard to the Westpark Development at Pleasant Grove and Fiddyment, continue on Pleasant Grove Boulevard, turn right on Kennerleigh Parkway, turn right on Ashton Drive, turn left on Langtree Drive, and then the sales pavilion will be located at 2159 Langtree Drive.
Glenbrooke
For more information to celebrate with residents at Glenbrooke, call (916) 714-2384 or log on to www.delwebb.com/glenbrooke. To visit, take Highway 99 South, exit at Elk Grove Boulevard, turn right onto Elk Grove Boulevard West, turn left onto Bruceville Road, and then turn left onto Del Webb Boulevard.
Woodbridge
For more information to celebrate with residents at Woodbridge, call (209) 239-3099 or log on to www.delwebb.com/woodbridge. To visit, take Highway 99 to the Lathrop Road exit, travel West on Lathrop Road to Union Road, turn right on Union Road and travel North to Del Webb Boulevard, then turn left and travel West on Del Webb Boulevard to the community entrance.
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