� CARRIER LAUNCHES SMART THERMOSTAT
Carrier ’ s newest addition to its connected controls portfolio offers improved homeowner connectivity at a lower price point , the company said . The 24V thermostat , launching commercially as the Carrier Smart Thermostat , made its builder debut at the International Builders ’ Show in Las Vegas . Carrier is a part of Carrier Global Corp ., provider of intelligent climate and energy solutions .
The Carrier Smart Thermostat was developed with homeowner needs and preferences in mind , including a clean , contemporary design . The unit supports accessories , integrates with smart home systems , and comes with an optional 5-year warranty once connected , or 2-year warranty out of the box .
Units will begin shipping in Q2 of 2024 . To learn more about Carrier ’ s connected controls , visit https :// www . carrier . com / residential / en / us /.
Carrier specializes in high-technology heating , air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions . Its experts provide sustainable solutions , integrating energy-efficient products , building controls and energy services for residential , commercial , retail , transport and food service customers .
� BSOHA DONATES $ 6,000 TO SALVATION ARMY
The Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association ( BSOHA ) donated $ 6,000 to the Berks and Schuylkill County Salvation Army on February 15 . Since 2006 , this is the third largest annual donation BSOHA has presented to the Salvation Army . The BSOHA annual charitable contribution has directly helped the heating needs of local residents to a total of $ 93,100 .
Lt . Derek Barrett and Lt . Betty Ellen Barrett – Salvation Army Pottsville and Lt . Hector Cid – Salvation Army Reading accepted the presentation from BSOHA President Kevin Steele and BSOHA Secretary / Treasurer Chris Crooks .
“ We are very pleased to make this donation to the Salvation Army . With rising inflationary costs , the household
budget does not go as far as it did a few years ago . I could not think of a better way to help people in these tough economic times . To reach in excess of $ 93,000 in total donations from our local association is truly remarkable ,” said Kevin Steele , President of BSOHA .
Donations for the annual fundraiser were received from the following member companies of BSOHA : R . W . Beckett Corporation , Buckeye Energy Services , BRT Inc ., Carroll Motor Fuels , Hafer Petroleum , Jerome H . Rhoads Inc ., Jack Rich Inc ., Lehigh Fuels LLC , Lewis Environmental , Marathon Petroleum Corp ., Penn Pride Inc ., Pennsylvania Petroleum Association , Santilli Oil Co . Inc ., Tevis Energy and Woosnam Consulting among various other individual donors .
As an organization comprising independent heating oil distributors and dealers , and associated industries , The Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association exists to promote and educate current and prospective heating oil customers as to the benefits of oil heat and to support local oil companies , providing a wide range of products and services to enhance their customers ’ satisfaction . To find a member dealer or to learn more about the Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association log onto : www . bsoha . org . To learn more about the Salvation Army log onto : www . salvationarmy . org .
From left : Chris Crooks , Secretary / Treasurer BSOHA ; Kevin Steele , President BSOHA ; Lt . Hector Cid , Salvation Army Reading ; Lt . Betty Ellen and Lt . Derek Barrett , Salvation Army Pottsville . Image courtesy of BSOHA .
� ETF SUPPORTS MARYLAND ’ S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ACT
Maryland ’ s House and Senate on Feb . 22 considered The Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act of 2024 . The legislation , sponsored by Gov . Wes Moore , would remove a regulatory barrier impacting how back up power systems are classified and considered as part of data center applications , according to The Engine Technology Forum . The Forum says it supports the legislation and encourages Maryland ’ s elected officials to do so as well . The Forum ’ s Executive Director Allen Schaeffer testified at the hearing in Annapolis to help provide lawmakers with a better understanding of backup generators and the role they play in ensuring continuous electrical power supply .
This testimony comes as the state prepares to welcome more data centers in the near future . Growth in data centers is playing out in local government and planning commission hearing rooms across the mid-Atlantic and other parts of the country . The United States leads the world in data centers , with more than 5,000 in 2023 . That number is expected to grow with the boom in artificial intelligence ( AI ).
A key part of data center design and operation is ensuring continuous electrical power if grid power goes out . In 2022 , according to the Energy Information Administration , the nation ’ s electricity customers experienced an average of 5.5 hours of power interruptions .
“ Backup generators are like an insurance policy against the loss of grid electrical power ; you hope you never need them but if you do , they are there to support critical operations and protect public health and safety ,” says Schaeffer . “ While you may not see or hear them , backup diesel generators have serviced hospitals , assisted living facilities , government facilities , manufacturing businesses , and data centers for decades .”
Data centers rely on a steady and uninterrupted supply of electricity , and backup generators are part of the system that helps achieve 99.9 % uptime .
12 MARCH 2024 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com