Reading the PHCC spring newsletter I found some interesting information the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics had gathered: There will be an 18 percent increase in the need for plumbers and pipe fitters from 2004 to 2014. During this same time period, demand for painters will increase 13 percent, electricians 14 percent, and the demand for HVACR mechanics and installers will blossom 27 percent.

Why so much more for HVAC? Perhaps it is the growth of green initiatives that are being championed by the government and other groups, as suggested in the PHCC newsletter. The government believes that “millions of jobs” will be created during the next 10 years.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ program that is gaining popularity among building owners provides points for the use of innovative and efficient heating and cooling technologies. Space heating/cooling and the heating of water account for a big part of every buildings’ energy usage. If you can find a way to efficiently maneuver these two areas, you’ve nearly got a Silver LEED building on your hands. Add lighting to the equation, and it’s a slam dunk.

The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has gained enough momentum to establish a LEED program for homes. In fact, today you can find information at www.usgbc.org.

Some day, “green” may become less popular. Many readers are already telling us they are tired of hearing about everything being green in the press. However, today, green is the story.

Tomorrow, green will give way to something that will become even more important – sustainability in building practices. Green is simply the stepping stone.