Have more energy NOW!
RENEWABLE ENERGY SEMINAR AUGUST 18 and 19
No, Kirberg is not introducing their own line of energy drinks. But we can help you make sense of new and emerging technologies that affect the future of our energy usage. Eric Kirberg will hold renewable energy seminars on August 18 at 4pm and August 19 at 9am at the Kirberg offices. He will be discussing a number of topics, including renewable energy solutions, green roofing options, and Missouri Proposition C or the "Clean Energy Initiative." Guest speakers from AGT (Advanced Green Technologies) will join Eric in a special discussion on photovoltaic panels, as well. There will be cocktails and appetizers at the August 18 presentation and an opportunity to ask all your renewable energy questions following the presentations.

This seminar will also be held in Kansas City on September 14. More details to come.

Click here to register for either seminar! Be sure to specify which seminar you will be attending.

Chevron Tower in Houston
CURRENT PROJECT
Kirberg Chosen Because of Safety Capabilities

Now and again, Kirberg Company gets an exceptionally challenging assignment. While we like to think our reputation and expert roofing skills carry us through those tough jobs, this particular challenge required a little something extra.

The Chevron Tower in Houston sustained significant damage during Hurricane Ike. Kirberg Company was hired to rehab the roof on the tower. The dome roof provided a dangerous challenge, as the angle was steep and there was no wall to stop anything at the bottom. A 43-story free fall awaited anything that went off the side. Kirberg was chosen over local contractors because of our safety capabilities. We provided the client with a detailed safety strategy that outlined our risk minimization plan, our extensive experience with safety-focused jobs, and our ability to implement a man-on-man monitoring system that ensured zero loss of materials and 100% safety assurance for our workers.

Safety for the crew meant tie-offs and full-time safety personnel monitoring the workers to be sure that all protocols were followed. Additionally, all tools and any materials being removed or installed had to be carefully handled so they didn't go over the edge. This near-impossible mission had our crew feeling like astronauts in space flight. With our assistance, a liquid plastic (specified from Sika) was bound to the lightweight concrete substrate and tied into the remaining Sarnafil membrane. This was left in place for the majority of the roof. We're happy to report our Houston mission was a success!

Edward Jones Building — STL
CURRENT PROJECT
One-of-a-Kind Work

The Edward Jones Building in St. Louis is a very unique design that features the first curtain wall of its kind anywhere in the country. Teaming up with our sister company, Fabritech Sheet Metal Company, Kirberg installed framing to support individual, non-porous, kiln-fired clay tiles. Adding these tiles created an infinitely durable wall that is more stable in its expansion characteristics, heat loading, and finish color than anything in use today. Clay tiles have been used for centuries to create roofs that will outlast any other component in the structure — but such use with modern curtain walls is a stroke of genius. Expert craftsmen from both firms were required to ensure the detailed performance required to support and properly install these very expensive tiles. The tile is manufactured by Faveton in Spain. The Faveton Ceram system of terra cotta wall tiles uses an extruded aluminum mounting system specified by an Austrian firm called All Face. While they are not fragile, one must make certain not to damage the corners or edges of the tiles or they will not fit together properly and compromise the system. The project was completed for GC McCarthy Construction.

Investor-Owned Utilities Going Solar
INDUSTRY NEWS
Now's the Time to Go Solar

Kirberg's solar roofing systems are looking better than ever, now that local laws are working to offset the costs.

Missouri Proposition C goes into effect on January 1, 2010, and will require investor-owned utilities to procure a percentage of their energy from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Utilities with renewable energy obligations are required to offer rebates of at least $2 per watt for customer-sited solar electric systems of 25 kilowatts (kW) or less beginning in 2010. This equals up to $50,000 in rebate opportunities. In addition, power companies must then come up with Renewable Energy Credits to meet the targets of Prop C. For 2010, Ameren UE alone will have to find 16,000 MWH of energy to meet the mandate. This will require them have to contracts with private owners of power systems to purchase that energy in the form of REC's. (A ruling by the Public Service Commission is still pending to provide rules for the value of those REC's.)

Rooftops are the best location for solar panels, and Kirberg's proprietary system provides Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems built into the roofing membrane. Federal statutes are also currently providing a 30% tax credit on the installed cost of the BIPV system and a 5-year accelerated depreciation. This will apply to the roof system as well, allowing for a funding mechanism that will offset the cost of your next roof system.

Doug's Two Cents: Protecting Your Investments
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Protecting Your Investments

Your home or business is your single largest investment, and right now is the time to protect and enhance it with roofing upgrades. There are many ways a new roof or repairs to your current roof will save you money. For instance, you can prolong the value of your property and save on monthly energy costs by increasing insulation.

With prices at their lowest in 20 years, now is the time to make needed repairs or add desired upgrades, before prices go back up. You can add value to your property with a designer shingle or hail-resistant shingle, or finally get that leaky roof fixed. All at a fraction of what you would have paid a few years ago.

More of us are planning on holding on to our investments for longer, making you the beneficiary of any repairs you currently make to your home. If your house is on the market but has been delayed for a few years, roofing repairs will increase your property's value at the time of sale.

As an added incentive, you can receive a tax credit for up to $1,500 when you increase the insulation on your roof or install Energy Star rated shingles. Call our offices today to learn more about how you can increase the value of your home or business, and save money, too!

Doug Kirberg, President