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Cookeville, Tenn. – CHC Mechanical Contractors was recognized by the Tennessee chapter of the Association of General Contractors during its Ninth Annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards. CHC Mechanical won in the specialty contractor category and will now compete with other AGC members from across the country for the national award.

“We are very honored to have been named a Construction Safety Excellence Award winner,” said Floeter. “As is often the case, this was a true team effort from top to bottom. We take great pride in our dedication to safety, and we’re proud to receive recognition for all of that hard work.”

Construction Safety Excellence Award candidates must meet stringent pre-qualification requirements to participate in the program. Candidates are independently judged on their corporate commitment to safety, overall safety program elements, level of employee involvement, and the company’s effectiveness in promoting safety to include uniqueness and creativity.

A two-time winner of the Tennessee Governor’s Award for Excellence for Workplace Safety, CHC maintained its safety record while working on dozens of projects in the Upper Cumberland, including CRMC’s North Tower Expansion, the School of Nursing at Tennessee Tech University, the Freedom Plaza office complex (the J&S Construction office building) and the McMinnville Civic Center. Additionally, CHC has been a part of the renovations at the Governor’s Residence in Nashville.

Cookeville, Tenn. – Garry Floeter, president and CEO of Cookeville Mechanical Contractors, is now accredited by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association to harness the earth’s energy for use in heating and cooling systems.

“With energy usage and dependency on fossil fuels at all-time highs, it is important now more than ever to find long-term, cost-effective heating and cooling solutions,” said Floeter. “Ground source heat pumps combine the use of leading-edge technology and the earth’s natural processes to provide energy-efficient heating and cooling.”

Floeter added that CHC Mechanical has been installing geothermal loop systems for more than 20 years, including the first install in Cookeville. While the certification isn’t necessary to perform geothermal system installations, the classes further bolstered the experienced he has gained throughout the past two decades of installing geothermal systems.

An IGSHPA-accredited installer is a benefit to the Upper Cumberland because of the ability to offer the only qualified renewable energy system available today. These systems are ideal for businesses, schools and churches. In addition to heating and cooling, ground source heat pumps also create free hot water in the summer and deliver substantial hot water savings in the winter.

During installation training, Floeter learned about the design and installation of ground heat exchangers, which are the basis of ground source heat pump systems. During the winter, water or an antifreeze solution is circulated through buried pipe, collecting heat from the earth and transporting it into the building. During the summer, the system cools the building by reversing itself, collecting heat from the building and transporting it back into the earth.

Cookeville, Tenn. – Commercial building owners that install geothermal heating and cooling systems are now eligible for federal tax incentives under the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008, passed by Congress on Oct. 3 as part of the economic recovery package.

“By passing this important piece of legislation, Congress is encouraging the growth of renewable energy and contractors like us that support it,” said Garry Floeter, president of CHC. “As a dealer for the WaterFurnace brand of geothermal heat pumps, we are encouraged by these tax incentives and the positive impact they can have to make geothermal systems more attractive to commercial building owners.”

The Energy Improvement and Extension Act offers a one-time tax credit of 10 percent of the total investment, with no maximum limit.

To qualify for the tax credit, the system must have been installed after Oct. 3, 2008. Owners can file for the credit by completing the Renewable Energy Credits subsection on their 2008 tax return forms. No proof of purchase is required.

“As the installing contractor, we will list the purchase as a Geothermal Heat Pump on the invoice and note that the unit ‘Meets or exceeds requirements of the Energy Star program currently in effect,” commented Floeter. “We believe this incentive will encourage many more business owners to install geothermal heat pumps. Geothermal heat pumps are made in the U.S. and the machines used to put the renewable heat exchangers in the Earth are all made right here. This is truly a homegrown solution to the energy crisis and a very good way to address the financial crisis at the same time. The systems were already growing in popularity, but this stimulus will help us have an impact on the economy and the environment much more quickly.”

CHC Mechanical has installed geothermal systems for two recent projects: renovations to the Governor’s Residence in Nashville, and the new McMinnville Civic Center.

Geothermal systems tap the free, renewable supply of solar energy stored just a few feet below the Earth’s surface and use that energy to drive heating and cooling in commercial buildings. In addition to utility, state and now federal tax incentives that enhance the affordability of geothermal systems, this cost-effective, environmentally friendly technology offers other benefits, including a reduced carbon footprint, utility bill savings of up to 70 percent, and improved indoor air quality.

CHC Mechanical Contractors has been providing mechanical construction services throughout the Upper Cumberland Highlands, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, since 1969. Located at 347 E. Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at (931) 528-5514, or on the Internet at www.CHCcompanies.com.

Cookeville, Tenn. – What is the Next Big Idea in the HVAC industry? CHC Mechanical Contractors and five of the nation’s other top HVAC contractors were selected from over 100 submissions to present their ideas at the 39th Annual Air Conditioning Contractors of America Conference and Indoor Expo, held March 6-8 in Orlando, Fla.



CHC Mechanical president and CEO Garry Floeter shared with the group how to establish a safety-conscious work environment. His company’s secret? To “bribe” employees with paid days off, a plan good enough to be selected as a finalist in the competition.




For every full year without a lost-time accident, Floeter explained, he provides his employees with an additional day off with pay.



“Our industry carries with it plenty of inherent safety challenges,” explained Floeter. “The safety program that we’ve put in place has proven to be effective, which is not only a benefit to our company, but to our clients as well. A good safety record lowers our overhead, leading to more competitive pricing and overall cost savings.”



Earlier this year, CHC Mechanical received the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Workplace Safety, and last year celebrated four consecutive years without a lost-time accident.



CHC Mechanical Contractors has been serving the Upper Cumberland, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, since 1969. Located at 347 East Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at (931) 528-5514, or on the Internet at www.CHCcompanies.com.



Cookeville, Tenn. – In today’s economy of rising energy costs and a weak dollar, businesses are challenged with finding ways to cut expenses. But one local company has found that investing in its own safety program leads to cost savings not only for itself, but for its customers as well.



The employees at CHC Companies, which is comprised of CHC Mechanical Contractors and Cookeville Heating and Cooling Services, recently celebrated another milestone for the HVAC-related business: 661 consecutive days without a loss-time accident. The entire staff gathered for a summer cookout to observe the occasion.




“This is another great accomplishment for our staff and is a testament to everyone’s dedication to safety,” said Garry Floeter, president of CHC. “We take great pride in our safety record, and it shows.”



The all-time safety record for CHC is five years, which Floeter points out as a major challenge in the construction field. Contractors and subcontractors with strong safety programs are able to keep overhead costs low, a savings Floeter says can be passed on to customers while maintaining a high standard of services. He attributes the company’s strong safety record to several factors: a continual safety program; a dedicated work ethic among all associates; and good old-fashioned “bribery.” Over the past several years, CHC employees have been rewarded with additional paid days off and shopping gift cards.



“Every single one of us is responsible for safety. It’s not just the field craft workers and technicians, but also our delivery folks, clerical staff, sales force and estimators,” commented Floeter. “We’re all accountable, and it’s worth the investment in extra days off or gift cards in the long run.”




A two-time winner of the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Workplace Safety, CHC maintained its safety record while working on dozens of projects in the Upper Cumberland, including CRMC’s North Tower Expansion, the School of Nursing at Tennessee Tech University, and the McMinnville Civic Center. Additionally, CHC has been a part of the renovations at the Governor’s Residence in Nashville.



CHC Mechanical Contractors has been providing mechanical construction services throughout the Upper Cumberland Highlands, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, since 1969. Located at 347 East Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at (931) 528-5514, or on the Internet at www.CHCcompanies.com.


Cookeville, Tenn. – What is the Next Big Idea in the HVAC industry? CHC Mechanical Contractors and five of the nation’s other top HVAC contractors were selected from over 100 submissions to present their ideas at the 39th Annual Air Conditioning Contractors of America Conference and Indoor Expo, held March 6-8 in Orlando, Fla.

CHC Mechanical president and CEO Garry Floeter shared with the group how to establish a safety-conscious work environment. His company’s secret? To “bribe” employees with paid days off, a plan good enough to be selected as a finalist in the competition.

For every full year without a lost-time accident, Floeter explained, he provides his employees with an additional day off with pay.

“Our industry carries with it plenty of inherent safety challenges,” explained Floeter. “The safety program that we’ve put in place has proven to be effective, which is not only a benefit to our company, but to our clients as well. A good safety record lowers our overhead, leading to more competitive pricing and overall cost savings.”

Earlier this year, CHC Mechanical received the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Workplace Safety, and last year celebrated four consecutive years without a lost-time accident.

CHC Mechanical Contractors has been serving the Upper Cumberland, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, since 1969. Located at 347 East Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at (931) 528-5514, or on the Internet at www.CHCcompanies.com.



Cookeville, Tenn. – Make it another year of working safely for CHC Mechanical Contractors. In five of the past six years, CHC Mechanical has not experienced a loss-time accident, including this past year.

In honor of the event, company president Garry Floeter hosted a cookout, complete with steaks and baked potatoes. Additionally, every employee received a paid day off for contributing to the safety record, an idea that earned CHC recognition at the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Conference earlier this year.

“Our associates accept the responsibility to make safety ‘priority number one’ throughout the entire company,” said Floeter. “Without their diligence and conscious effort, this wouldn’t be possible.”

Earlier this year, CHC Mechanical received the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Workplace Safety.

“Investing in a strong safety program helps reduce costs in the long run,” added Floeter. “We have less overhead due to lower employee turnover and insurance premiums, which leads to a cost savings that we can pass along to our customers.”

CHC Mechanical Contractors has been providing mechanical construction services throughout the Upper Cumberland Highlands, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, since 1969. Located at 347 East Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at (931) 528-5514, or on the Internet at www.CHCcompanies.com.



Cookeville, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley announced that CHC Mechanical Contractors was chosen to receive the Governor’s Award for Excellence for Workplace Safety and Health.




“Our industry possesses significant safety challenges, and to be the only mechanical contractor in the state to receive the Governor’s Award is a true testament to the dedication and safety awareness of our staff,” commented Garry Floeter, president of CHC Mechanical. “Maintaining a strong commitment to safe work practices keeps our insurance costs low, a savings we can pass along directly to our clients.”



The Governor’s Award honors Tennessee employers and employees who meet a required number of hours during a calendar year without workplace injuries serious enough to cause an employee to miss a day of work or restrict his normal job activities. The number of hours required is based on the size of the company.



“CHC Mechanical has a remarkable safety record,” said Neeley, who presented the Governor’s Award on behalf of Gov. Phil Bredesen at the company’s Cookeville facility. “Company employees have worked more than 240,000 man hours without a lost-time or restricted-duty incident in order to qualify for the Governor’s Award.”



Neeley noted that this is the second time the company has received the Governor’s Award for Workplace Safety and Health, having previously earned the recognition last year.



“CHC Mechanical has booked more work this year than ever before in the company’s history,” commented Glenn P. Spann, outreach trainer and director of Jobsite-Safe-T, which oversees CHC’s safety program. “That is directly attributed to a strong safety record.”



CHC Mechanical Contractors has been serving the Upper Cumberland, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, for over 37 years. Located at 347 East Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at (931) 528-5514, or on the Internet at www.CHCcompanies.com.



Cookeville, Tenn. – CHC Mechanical Contractors has been cited for its outstanding commitment to safety in the workplace by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).

“Our dedication to safety is as strong as our devotion to customer service and quality craftsmanship,” commented Garry Floeter, president of CHC Mechanical. “Safety is a vital component of our organization, and I’m proud of everyone on our team that made this achievement possible.”

According to Glenn Spann, director of safety at CHC Mechanical, the company had registered over 720,000 man-hours without a lost-time accident as of July 1.

“CHC placed first in their category of membership in the 2006 ACCA Safety Masters Club,” said Paul Stalknecht, president and CEO of the national non-profit trade association. “The exclusive Safety Masters Club is open only those contracting companies with a formalized safety program and fewest number – if any – of workdays lost because of on-the-job injuries.”

Floeter added that CHC’s commitment to safety benefits the company’s clients on several levels. Mechanical construction projects are more likely to stay on target within their time frame, and CHC can keep its project costs competitive because of the favorable insurance rates provided to them for their safety efforts.

CHC Mechanical Contractors has been serving the Upper Cumberland, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, for over 37 years. Located at 347 East Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at (931) 528-5514, or on the Internet at www.CHCcompanies.com.



Cookeville, Tenn. – Garry Floeter, president and CEO of CHC Mechanical Contractors, recently served on a mechanical contracting licensing review panel responsible for overseeing Tennessee’s new licensing exam. Mechanical licensing is administered by the Department of Commerce and Insurance’s Division of Regulatory Boards.

Made up of several professionals in the mechanical contracting field, the panel reviewed the state’s proposed exam to ensure that it represented a true test of requirements needed to practice mechanical construction, said Floeter.

“Due to the nature of this industry, it’s important that the exam is comprehensive and thorough enough to maintain a high level of competency and professionalism in mechanical construction,” explained Floeter. “I’m very proud and honored to have been selected to sit on the review panel and help preserve those qualities in our field.”

CHC Mechanical Contractors has been serving the Upper Cumberland, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, for over 37 years. Located at 347 East Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at (931) 528-5514, or on the Internet at www.CHCcompanies.com.
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