MILWAUKEE – (June 3, 2011) – The national Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to improve the energy performance of their homes, using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols in the housing industry. Created by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 1976, WAP operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories, and applies to Native American tribes as well.

In the state of Utah, the program means the installation of 567 Coleman^® high-efficiency gas furnaces from Johnson Controls and Coleman heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) distributor Johnstone Supply during the last 12 months. Responsibility for the program rests with the state’s Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), which disperses DOE funding to a network of local community action agencies, nonprofit organizations and local governments that provide weatherization services to eligible families.

Weatherization improvements may include wall, floor, ceiling and duct insulation, windows, caulking, door repair or replacement, weather-stripping, furnace tune-ups, repairs and replacements and carbon monoxide testing.

“But it all begins with an audit,” explained Wade Thompson, Weatherization Program specialist with the Utah DHCD. “We inspect a home inside and out, looking at things like insulation, heating systems, air quality, health and safety concerns, lighting, windows, etc., and then we evaluate our findings using the National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT). This software compares the cost of recommended energy saving measures to the anticipated energy savings that will result. Using those comparisons we determine what steps will be implemented in a particular home.”

After the initial energy audit has been completed and reviewed, work is assigned, with Thompson responsible for ensuring that all of the agency HVAC technicians are properly trained and certified. “In almost every case, heating is considered a necessity and air conditioning a luxury, so the great majority of our work focuses on furnace repairs and replacement,” said Thompson. “Johnstone Supply and the Coleman brand of furnaces, along with many other reputable companies/brands, have contributed to the success of Utah’s WAP.”

Johnstone Supply currently equips Utah’s WAP with two types of furnaces – the Coleman Echelon™ modulating gas furnace with efficiencies up to 98 percent and the Coleman LX 96 percent, two-stage, variable-speed gas furnace.  According to Coleman Regional Sales Manager Diego Stefani, “Johnstone Supply has managed a great relationship with Utah’s WAP, and it’s a huge bonus for Coleman to have our top-of-the-line Echelon modulating 97+% furnace as part of the program. This furnace was recently named a Consumers Digest Best Buy, which is very exciting for Coleman and contributes to consumer peace of mind.”

Although Utah can’t mandate which brand of furnace program participants install, it can make recommendations. From Thompson’s perspective (which includes 30 years in the HVAC business), the Coleman brand is a good choice.

“We work with eight local organizations, including government associations, county agencies and one community action program,” he said. “Some of these organizations use contractors to do the HVAC work and others choose to do the work in-house. In either case, we let them choose the equipment, as long as they follow our general procedures and guidelines for equipment efficiency, commissioning, testing and safety.

“Drawing on my experience in the industry and the comments I hear from the field, I recommend high-quality, highly efficient, dependable HVAC products. I prefer that our agencies use at least a multi-stage piece of equipment,” he continued. “But, my preference is a fully modulating furnace, like the unit Coleman offers with the electronically commutated motor (ECM). Considering what we do and the payback this unit delivers, I think the modulating furnace does a nice job.”

Apparently those in the field agree, because nearly half of the installations through Utah’s WAP feature Coleman furnaces. In addition to the efficiency of the Coleman furnaces, Thompson points to the unit’s compact size, its versatility and ease of installation and service as reasons for the popularity of the equipment. Both the Echelon and LX units feature a compact 33-inch height, multi-position design with minimal conversion requirements, fully supported slide-out blower assembly for easy service access and ECM variable-speed drives for cooling SEER enhancement, improved comfort with optional airflow delay profiles and continuous fan options for indoor air quality performance.

“In addition, the Echelon modulating furnace only requires a standard thermostat to operate,” explained Stefani. “This eliminates the need for special, more expensive thermostats. What’s more, the fact that the furnace modulates, means it is able to maintain temperatures within 0.5 degrees of setpoint, ensuring the maximum in comfort and eliminating temperature swings that are typical of a single-stage product.”

“The many features and benefits of the Coleman product influence my recommendation and the success we’re experiencing in the field. But a lot also has to do with Johnstone Supply,” Thompson added. “The technical and customer support that Johnstone offers its customers is absolutely stellar. Any time we have questions or challenges with an installation, I know we can depend on them to have someone on-site, to provide help wherever and whenever we need it.”

Johnstone is one of many reputable companies that contributed to another project associated with WAP. According to Thompson, the state of Utah recently completed construction of the Intermountain Weatherization Training Center. Located in Clearfield, Utah, just north of Salt Lake City, the 16,000-square-foot facility contains a 1,280-square-foot, two-story demonstration house, which gives technicians the opportunity to evaluate real issues residents face in their homes.

“It’s a fully functioning house with a heating and cooling system, working kitchen, three bedrooms, etc. that we’ve loaded with problems common to a home,” Thompson explained. “Technicians will explore the home, almost like being on a treasure hunt, identify problems and recommend prescriptions to correct them.”

The training center also includes:
•    Insulation lab, complete with attic, wall, floor and crawl space props to demonstrate proper insulation techniques for both site-built homes and mobile homes
•    Computer lab equipped with nine learning stations to handle a variety of computer training needs
•    Two large classrooms fully equipped with modern audio visual equipment
•    Large open training area for large displays or group gatherings
•    Furnace lab and sheet metal shop with eight testing stations and 18 furnaces, boilers, water heaters and air conditioners to demonstrate HVAC problems, diagnostic and repair techniques and duct fabrication

“The furnace lab includes a number of Coleman products – furnaces and air conditioners – supplied by Johnstone,” said Thompson. “These units, and by extension, Johnstone Supply, are helping us train technicians and contribute to the success of this facility.”

And Johnstone Supply is happy to be of service. “Of course we appreciate the business,” said Matt Butler, equipment training and service manager at Johnstone Supply. “But we’re also excited about the proactive steps the Weatherization Assistance Program is taking to improve energy efficiency and assist low-income families. To align Coleman products with those two initiatives is good for everyone involved.”

HVAC products from Johnson Controls, Inc., marketed under the well-known Coleman^® brand, include highly reliable residential central air-conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and accessories and light-commercial, packaged heating and cooling systems marketed through a network of distributors and delivered to home- and building-owners through independent Coleman heating and air conditioning dealers. For more information about Coleman HVAC systems, visit www.colemanhvacdealer.com or call 877-926-5362.

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About Coleman

As an international leader in the innovation and marketing of outdoor products, The Coleman Company, Inc. helps people have fun and make memories by providing the gear integral to their favorite outdoor experiences. The company’s products include its legendary lanterns and stoves, as well as coolers, tents, sleeping bags, airbeds, backpacks, furniture, and grills under the Coleman^® brand. Additionally, the company provides flotation devices, towables, rainwear, waders, hunting and fishing gear as well as safety and survival equipment under its Stearns^®, Sevylor^®, Sospenders^®, Hodgman^®, Mad Dog Gear^®, and Helium^® brands. Founded in 1900 and based in Wichita, Kan., Coleman is a wholly owned subsidiary of Jarden Corporation and can be found online at COLEMAN.com.
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Please Direct Reader Inquiries to:
Mary Mocarski
Coleman Brand Manager
Johnson Controls’ Unitary Products
507 E. Michigan
Milwaukee, WI 53202


Photo Captions:

Energy Diagnostics Training House.jpg – Located in Clearfield, Utah, just north of Salt Lake City, the Intermountain Weatherization Training Center features a 1,280-square-foot, two-story demonstration house, which gives HVAC technicians the opportunity to evaluate real issues that residents face in their homes.

Coleman Gas Furnace.jpg – As part of the national Weatherization Assistance Program, Johnstone Supply, a Johnson Controls distributor, has provided the state of Utah with 567 Coleman^® high-efficiency gas furnaces in the last 12 months.