Letters

I want to congratulate Timothy M. Scruby, PE, for his excellent article, “Mentoring HVAC engineers,” in the May 2008 issue (page 30). I also have done a lot of mentoring. As a part-time associate professor at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, I have taught an air conditioning design course since 1990 and I am proud of the accomplishments of more than 400 ME students whom I have taught. This course has opened doors to my students in the fields of refrigeration and HVAC as contractors, consulting engineers, or employees of industry giants such as Trane, York, Carrier, McQuay, Daikin, and Mitsubishi Electric. The mentoring I gave them, which followed almost all the tips Scruby mentioned in his article, has provided these young engineers, including more than 20 who have worked in my firm, the necessary jumpstart to a successful career in the HVAC industry.

Luis González Jr., MSME, PE Mechanical Engineering ConsultantsSan Juan, Puerto Rico

The Philadelphia chapter of ASHRAE is doing several things to support energy conservation. First, it is the first chapter of a professional organization to sign up for the city's Green Office Pledge program (see www.greenofficepledge.org). Second, the Philadelphia chapter is presenting an all-day seminar on Green Lighting on Sept. 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Philadelphia. And third, as a member of the chapter's board of managers, I submitted a change to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 to add the word “luminaire” or other source system. This is because many contractors still use the word “fixture,” and may not be aware of the newer source/systems like light pipes, glass fiber optics, or organic LEDs (OLEDs), all of which are more energy-efficient than conventional bulbs and lamps.

Gersil Kay Conservation Lighting International and building conservation international Philadelphia