Learning from their father, who was a fire prevention and lighting services provider, Raymond and Joseph Kishk knew they would continue their family’s 30-year service tradition, so they started their own heating and cooling company nine years ago and haven’t looked back.

Keeping people happy and cool isn’t always easy in a crunch, so it’s essential commercial contractors have the right practices in place — including access to portable equipment — to quickly restore cooling in emergency situations.

The market will be driven by an increase in demand for energy saving in buildings and enhanced thermal comfort for occupants, in addition to the increasing benefits of chilled beam systems, such as low noise levels, floor-to-floor space savings, and good IAQ in various applications.

According to Brad Taback, more than 300 competitors are operating in and around Pittsburgh. And, though he may not like the sheer number of his competitors, he thrives on the competition.

Manufacturers are finding innovative ways to meet and exceed expectations while creating comfortable, healthy indoor environments for building occupants.

Carrier has introduced a new website to provide commercial customers with quick access to product, system, software, sales, and service information on any Internet-connected device. The company said the new site, www.carrier.com/commercial, utilizes advanced website design and technology to optimize the user experience.

As geothermal continues to grow in popularity, it’s important for contractors to be properly trained in geothermal installations and functionality.

A research group led by Jim Rawlings, the Paul A. Elfers professor, and W. Harmon Ray, professor of chemical and biological engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, has partnered with Johnson Controls to develop better HVAC control systems for large commercial buildings.

After looking around at their own families, some might find it difficult to imagine a family-owned operation working for this long. There are fifth-generation members currently working in the business full time or during the summers while going to college, but it’s too early to determine the generation’s long-term interest level and commitment to the business.

Bardi Mechanical, a commercial HVAC service contractor based in Atlanta, has announced the opening of a coastal region office in Savannah, Georgia, to better support clients in that area and provide HVAC solutions in both Georgia and South Carolina.