Americans likely to open their wallets at businesses with clean restrooms Menomonee Falls, Wis. —Businesses that make a point to clean up their restrooms may also clean up in sales, according to new national research conducted by Bradley Corporation. The annual Healthy Hand Washing Survey reveals that almost half of Americans say they will “definitely” Read more
Industry News
Americans likely to open their wallets at businesses with clean restrooms
Menomonee Falls, Wis. —Businesses that make a point to clean up their restrooms may also clean up in sales, according to new national research conducted by Bradley Corporation.
The annual Healthy Hand Washing Survey reveals that almost half of Americans say they will “definitely” or “probably” spend more money at a business that has clean, well-maintained restrooms. In addition, nearly 60% of Americans make a conscious decision to visit a specific business because they know it has nice restrooms.
“The inherent correlation between restroom conditions, businesses and customers extends even deeper than we realized,” says Jon Dommisse, director of strategy and corporate development for Bradley Corp. “Our survey has previously highlighted how well-maintained restrooms increase patronage; learning that people also reward these businesses with their spending power was further confirmation of how consumers respond positively to clean restrooms.”
For restaurants, the judgment surrounding the condition of restrooms is especially tough, as 82% think a restaurant with dirty restrooms is “extremely” or “fairly” likely to have a dirty kitchen. Further, out of all types of facilities, restaurants and health care establishments cause Americans the most concern about workers not washing their hands.
Untidy restrooms send business down the drain
The survey also shows that when businesses let restroom maintenance slip through the cracks, they are at a high risk of jeopardizing customer satisfaction and sales.
“More than half of Americans say they are unlikely to return to a business after experiencing a poorly maintained restroom,” Dommisse said. “Others will complain to management, tell a friend or leave right away without completing their business.”
That means more businesses may be on shaky ground with customers since 70% of Americans report having an unpleasant restroom experience – a number that has steadily increased from 59% over the past three years. In fact, 42% said they had a bad experience within just the past two months.
When asked about the biggest pain points in restrooms, an overwhelming majority identified the following circumstances as “extremely” or “very” aggravating:
83% Toilet clogged or not flushed
78% Toilet paper dispenser empty or jammed
74% Partition doors don’t latch
73% Unpleasant smells
72% Overall appearance is old, dirty or unkempt
Top restroom frustrations include having to walk across a wet floor (women in particular), reaching over someone to access soap and waiting in line for a hand dryer.
Flu-conscious Americans increase hand washing
The survey of 1,035 Americans, which was fielded Jan. 2-5, also delved into perceptions about this year’s pervasive flu season. Almost 60% of Americans are “extremely” or “quite” concerned about contracting a new or particularly resilient strain of the flu. This elevated concern appears to prompt more diligent hand washing, as 65% of Americans say they wash their hands more frequently or more thoroughly to avoid getting germs or passing them on to others.
For more information on Bradley’s 2018 Healthy Hand Washing Survey visit https://www.bradleycorp.com/handwashing.
Atlanta —ASHRAE announced the launch of a new, redesigned version of its website, ashrae.org. This website offers quick and easy access to essential information and simplified navigation through mega-menus. ASHRAE’s redesigned website features a device-responsive layout to support viewing on smartphones, tablets and desktop/laptop computers. The new search is powered by Amazon Elasticsearch Service, a Read more
Atlanta —ASHRAE announced the launch of a new, redesigned version of its website, ashrae.org. This website offers quick and easy access to essential information and simplified navigation through mega-menus.
ASHRAE’s redesigned website features a device-responsive layout to support viewing on smartphones, tablets and desktop/laptop computers. The new search is powered by Amazon Elasticsearch Service, a new and powerful technology. The new search includes thousands of relevant results from other ASHRAE sites such its bookstore, eLearning platform and Technology Portal.
“Visitors are now able to move seamlessly between learning, planning, and participating online,” says Jeff Littleton, Executive Director of ASHRAE. “We are excited about the possibilities that this website will provide to our visitors.”
The new website offers users a customized experience with IP targeted content, which provides the opportunity for locally-targeted content based on a website visitor’s location. This feature will continue to evolve over time as content is made available (some seen sooner than others).
“This redesign benefits all of our members and partners whether they are engineers, contractors, architects, manufacturers, educators and others whose work is linked to the global built environment,” says 2017-2018 ASHRAE President Bjarne W. Olesen, Ph.D. “Our website visitors want to quickly find the information they need, whether they are searching from their desk or from a smartphone. We believe that this website speaks vividly to ASHRAE’s leadership in the industry as well as the passionate support of our members.”
The website roll out will take place on a limited basis with continuously expanded content becoming available over time. The website redesign reflects ASHRAE’s ongoing priority to expand its communications, outreach, and dissemination strategies.
Springfield, Ill. — The U.S. geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry scored a victory for its workforce and their employers as federal legislation was passed to extend federal tax credits for residential and commercial installations of GHPs. The measure was included in the Continuing Resolution spending bill approved by Congress. The reinstated GHP tax credits are Read more
Springfield, Ill. — The U.S. geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry scored a victory for its workforce and their employers as federal legislation was passed to extend federal tax credits for residential and commercial installations of GHPs. The measure was included in the Continuing Resolution spending bill approved by Congress.
The reinstated GHP tax credits are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2017, and extended to Jan. 1, 2022. The language also changes an important consideration for commercial GHP projects, making them eligible if commenced by Jan. 1, 2022 rather than placed in service.
WaterFurnace illustration of commercial geothermal pond loop
“Today’s action by Congress finally fixes the inequity created two years ago when tax credits for solar installations were extended through 2021,” stated Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) President and CEO Doug Dougherty, “Credits for technologies including GHPs, fuels cells, microturbines, small wind and combined heat and power were left to expire at the end of 2016.
Since then it was an uphill fight, as GEO and its allies worked diligently for parity with the solar industry through bills in both the House and Senate. GEO’s message to legislators was ultimately heard: Congress shouldn’t be picking winners and losers when it comes to renewable energy and fairness in tax policy. “And now we have finally achieved parity with solar,” said Dougherty.
Coalition partners included all of the “orphaned” clean energy technologies, and among others, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the National Association of Homebuilders, and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. In the days prior to passage, GEO joined a larger coalition of business, energy, transportation, real estate, and agriculture stakeholders who gathered forces to make their case for including tax extenders in the CR that passed the Senate and the House.
GEO’s relentless campaign to regain GHP tax credits included several Executive Fly-Ins to Washington DC in 2017, plus GEO Board Members, staff and industry volunteers making hundreds of visits to House and Senate legislative offices. Grassroots efforts by GEO members and supporters included job site visits set up for key legislators to show them firsthand the value of GHPs and plead the industry’s case for tax credit parity with solar.
“Achieving this critical milestone for our industry couldn’t have been accomplished without the positive and aggressive leadership of GEO staff, GEO manufacturers and members, our DC lobbying team—and the tireless efforts of my fellow board members during several Fly Ins to Washington during the past two years,” said GEO Board Chairman Joe Parsons (EarthLinked Technologies, Inc.).
“Our hard-fought victory for the GHP industry helps ensure a bright future for our technology,” said Dougherty. “It will stem the loss of jobs we now face, provide more time to overcome market barriers, achieve economies of scale, and help spread the environmental and economic benefits of GHPs across America.”
JR Motorsports announced today that Rinnai Corporation, manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of tankless water heaters in North America, will serve as primary sponsor of Justin Allgaier and the No. 7 Chevrolet for the upcoming Rinnai 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 24. Rinnai has been a long-time partner Read more
JR Motorsports announced today that Rinnai Corporation, manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of tankless water heaters in North America, will serve as primary sponsor of Justin Allgaier and the No. 7 Chevrolet for the upcoming Rinnai 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Rinnai has been a long-time partner in the sport, spanning more than a decade, and increased its involvement last year, signing on as a multi-year sponsor of the Atlanta Motor Speedway NXS race.
“Rinnai is excited about the opportunity to sponsor Justin Allgaier and the No. 7 Chevrolet during the Rinnai 250,” said Frank Windsor, COO of Rinnai America Corporation. “With the launch of Rinnai’s portfolio of new products, sponsoring Justin during our namesake race is a good way to bring our brand in front of NASCAR fans. We wish Justin and his team all the best during the race.”
Headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, Rinnai America Corporation is a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation, based out of Nagoyoa, Japan. In addition to water heaters, Rinnai also manufactures gas appliances, including a wide range of kitchen equipment and heating and air-conditioning units. Rinnai recently announced plans to build its first North American manufacturing facility in Griffin, Georgia. The company intends to start its manufacturing and assembly operations in an existing factory in Griffin in April 2018 and then move these operations to a new facility that Rinnai will construct.
“Rinnai is a top-notch company with quality products and I’m pumped to have them on board with us in their home state of Georgia,” said Allgaier. “I know they are also the race sponsor and they’ll have a lot of customers and employees there so we’re going to make sure they have a great experience. How cool would it be to get this Rinnai Chevrolet in Victory Lane at the end of the day?”
Allgaier is in his third year with JRM and is coming off the first multi-win season of his NXS career. In 240 series starts, he has five wins, 52 top fives and 128 top 10s. The 31-year-old driver has been competitive at Atlanta Motor Speedway, leading 30 laps and finishing in the top 10 three times in seven NXS starts.
Ontario, Calif. — Dr. Peter Williams, IBM Distinguished Engineer and Smart Cities and Resilience Lead, will provide the keynote discussion at the sixth Emerging Water and Technology Symposium (EWTS), the event’s co-conveners and industry partners are proud to announce. The symposium, which provides a platform for plumbers, contractors, engineers, manufacturers, and water efficiency experts to Read more
Ontario, Calif. — Dr. Peter Williams, IBM Distinguished Engineer and Smart Cities and Resilience Lead, will provide the keynote discussion at the sixth Emerging Water and Technology Symposium (EWTS), the event’s co-conveners and industry partners are proud to announce. The symposium, which provides a platform for plumbers, contractors, engineers, manufacturers, and water efficiency experts to introduce new technologies for the plumbing and mechanical industries, and to discuss emerging trends, challenges and opportunities important to anyone who cares about how water is used in the built environment, will take place May 15-16 in Ontario, Calif.
Williams has played a major role in the development and delivery of IBM’s smart cities, water management, and resilience solutions. He has worked with organizations as diverse as the UN and EU, numerous city, state, and local governments, and many public utilities on these issues. He co-wrote the UN’s City Disaster Resilience Scorecard, used by about 40 cities globally, and now scheduled to be used by an additional 200.
By background a strategy and change consultant, Williams has spent his career at the intersection of technology and strategy, and currently focuses on issues including the role of the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and block-chains in city and utility operations.
In addition to Williams’ keynote, the EWTS will provide presentations and discussions on today’s most pressing water related issues. Attendees will hear updates on the status of research activities and mitigation strategies for legionella and other opportunistic pathogens in water distribution and premise plumbing systems; discussions on the unintended consequences of water efficiency that threaten water quality and water system efficacy; the development of a new international ISO standard for the labeling of water efficient products and how the standard will work with existing labeling programs; new technologies and information on water reuse and alternate water sources; an exploration of the water and energy nexus; a wonderful demonstration on how young students in California are thinking about and working toward solutions for our global water problems; and much more.
The EWTS is co-convened by the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE), The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI).
Additional information and details on how to register for the symposium can be found online at http://www.iapmo.org/Pages/EmergingWaterTechnologySymposium.aspx.
Attendees are advised to register early as this symposium will sell out. The early bird rate of $495 ends on March 15. Prior presentations and a series of videos from the previous five symposiums are available for viewing online at http://www.youtube.com/user/IAPMOGroup.
Further details on the EWTS program are forthcoming. Please direct questions to Maria Bazan at (708) 995- 3000.