{"id":24658,"date":"2015-11-23T08:00:23","date_gmt":"2015-11-23T13:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/retrofitmagazine.com\/?p=24658"},"modified":"2015-11-17T14:35:59","modified_gmt":"2015-11-17T19:35:59","slug":"acr-insulation-employee-named-americas-best-insulation-installer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/retrofitmagazine.com\/acr-insulation-employee-named-americas-best-insulation-installer\/","title":{"rendered":"AC&R Insulation Employee Named ‘America’s Best Insulation Installer’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jose Hernandez of Elkridge, Md.-based AC&R Insulation<\/a> was named \u201cAmerica\u2019s Best Insulation Installer\u201d at the 2015 America\u2019s Best Installer competition in Denver, Colo. Hernandez earned the top title and grand prize of $10,000 competing against 38 insulation professionals from across the country, the most competitors in the history of the competition. Hernandez also took top honors at the 2014 competition and is the first ever back-to-back winner.<\/p>\n

The Best Installer competition was created in 2003 by Denver-based building products manufacturer Johns Manville<\/a> and Insulate America<\/a> to highlight the importance of a quality insulation installation. As temperatures begin to dip and homeowners start to consider home heating costs, the competition serves as a timely reminder of the role properly-installed insulation plays in home energy efficiency and indoor comfort. <\/p>\n

Each competitor was given the task to install insulation products into one of four identical wooden mock home structures complete with construction obstacles, including electrical outlets, pipes and a vaulted ceiling. Performance was judged using several real job-site criteria, including quality of workmanship and installation, adherence to safety rules, speed\/productivity and the amount of scrap material created. <\/p>\n

\u201cEach year we look forward to bringing competitors at the top of their profession together to compete and showcase the industry\u2019s best practices,\u201d says Danelle DeGroodt, marketing leader for the Building Insulation Division for Johns Manville. \u201cAmerica\u2019s Best Installer has provided recognition to the skilled installers who play a significant role in creating more energy-efficient homes; we\u2019re grateful for the opportunity to work with Insulate America to recognize Jose Hernandez and all of this year\u2019s competitors.\u201d<\/p>\n

The competition also recognized a first runner-up, Javier Gonzalez of Ringwood, Ill.-based Astro Insulation, with a $5,000 cash prize. Two-time America\u2019s Best Installer winner Ray Blackwater of Durango, Colo.-based San Juan Insulation was recognized as second runner-up with a $3,500 cash prize. Stan Tatara of Orchard Park, N.Y.-based Northwind Insulation took third runner-up with a $2,500 cash prize.<\/p>\n

Additional cash prizes were awarded to runners-up from the preliminary rounds of competition:<\/p>\n