Tips for Summer-Proofing Your Car

As the temps begin to finally heat up, it’s not just time to buy new sunscreen or hunt down those bathing suit bottoms, you’ve got to get your car ready, too.

Just as in winter, when it’s a good idea to do a general checkup of your car and add items for safety—scraper, blanket, sand bags, etc.—summer is a perfect time to give your car a once over and switch out winter helpers for ones to help you beat the heat.

Some suggestions for summer-proofing your car:

Get a professional tune-up: Start the season with an oil change, have the pros check all your fluid levels, and your tires. You could do this at home, but it might be best to have the pros have a look every once and awhile. Also: Your coolant should be changed annually, thus if you can’t remember when it was last changed, make sure new coolant is added before it heats up.

Make sure your tires aren’t tired: Tire pressure is especially important in the summer months when the hot surface of the road can wreak havoc on your tires. Make sure to check your tire pressure monthly

Check your radiator cap: Because radiator caps are constantly exposed to the elements, they easily crack, warp or hardened. Replace your cap if it shows any signs of wear to avoid problems.

Do a clean sweep: Bugs, dirt, dust and other debris can clog up the radiator or condenser or otherwise ruin airflow. A good cleaning can help improve how well your air conditioner cools your cabin.

Stow food and water: You may want to have a small box with trail mix (probably the kind without chocolate) and a couple of gallons of water in your trunk. Though you may need to replace these items from time to time, even a jug of water that’s been sitting in your car for a month is better than no water if your car overheats.

Pack a rain jacket: Seems like something you wouldn’t need in the summer, but it can double as sun protection, if needed.

Prepare for the sun: Speaking of sun protection, having a bottle of the old-fashioned sunscreen in your glove compartment could help in a pinch if you get stuck. It’s also helpful if you go to the park, beach or shopping outdoors and forget to cover up before you leave.

Happy Earth Day Today… and Every Day

April 22 only comes once a year, but we should celebrate the earth every day. The EPA offers some suggestions on taking action to help make a difference:

1. Wash clothes in cold water
2. Try the Energy Star online home advisor
3. Plug into power strips
4. Change HVAC filters
5. Insulate water heaters
6. Give your car a break
7. Compost
8. Turn off the tap
9. Spread the word about climate change
10. Replace light bulbs with Energy Star-qualified bulbs
11. Save energy at home
12. Clean the HVAC area
13. Check tire pressure
14. Reduce food waste
15. Fix a leak
16. Fill the dishwasher with a full load
17. Use smart thermostats
18. Think life cycle when choosing products
19. Use WaterSense label shower heads
20. Maintain your car

To read the full descriptions on each of the tips, please visit the EPA website. The ideas can be enjoyed all year and we hope you celebrate Earth Day today and every day.

Work with HCA Health Centers and Stand Alone ERs

As the preferred civil engineering provider for HCA Midwest Health System, we’ve been working on several projects in recent years as they expand and invest in facilities across the KC Metro. The latest is a free-standing Emergency Room in Shawnee, which will be a 10,000 sf ER facility located just east of Nieman on Shawnee Mission Parkway. Demolition of an existing building and the need to address stormwater and the adjacent creek were paramount to our role on the project as planning and city council approvals were met.

Also underway is a major expansion at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Since 2010, GBA has been working in partnership with Perkins + Will. As the civil engineer of record, we’ve been working behind the scenes on site design, grading plans, utilities, surveying, temporary access points, and landscaping. The process involved an extensive approval process through the City of Overland Park and neighboring residents. Construction drawings have been completed and our team is responding to questions and emerging needs as JE Dunn builds the new facility.

Looking back over the past decade, GBA has been involved with new or renovation projects at many HCA sites, including:

·         Belton Regional Medical Center
·         Centerpoint Medical Center
·         Centerpoint Cancer Center
·         KC Pain Clinic
·         KCMO Ambulatory Surgery Center
·         Lafayette Regional Medical Center
·         Lee’s Summit Medical Center
·         Research Medical Center

GBA Energy Group Attends KU Energy Conference

The GBA Energy Group recently traveled to Lawrence, Kan. to participate in KU Energy Club’s Fourth Annual Energy Conference. This is the fourth consecutive year GBA has attended the event, which attracted more than 130 registrants from across the industry.

Jay Hakes, author of “A Declaration of Energy Independence,” served as the keynote speaker for the event, discussing the need for the U.S. to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and turn to alternative methods of energy in the near future. Panel discussions included the country’s journey toward energy independence, the future of wind energy in Kansas and beyond, and the rise of oil and gas.

Throughout the conference, the future of wind, specifically in the state of Kansas, was a hot topic of discussion. Second only to Texas in wind energy generation, Kansas has vast opportunities in the wind sector. Recent improvements in the technology used for wind turbines are only expanding those opportunities. Additionally, the panelists discussed alternative forms of energy, including solar and waste heat, along with distributed energy solutions like Combined Heat and Power (CHP). Hakes, in particular, stressed the importance of taking advantage of all opportunities available in order to get closer to the goal of achieving energy independence.

For more information on the topics covered by the industry leader panelists, visit kuenergyclub.com.

Make a Pledge Today

April 1^st kicks off the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. Communities across the U.S. are competing to determine who can be the most “water wise.” In an effort to dramatically decrease water usage, energy consumption and hazardous waste from entering watersheds, residents are being challenged to conserve water by dramatically reducing their daily usage. A commitment can be made at

mywaterpledge.com.

In 2013, residents from more than 1,000 communities in all 50 states, pledged to reduce their annual consumption of freshwater by nearly a billion gallons. This prevented more than 70 million pounds of harmful waste from entering the water system.

This year, entrants from winning cities will have an opportunity win prizes, ranging from a Toyota Prius Plug-In to water saving fixtures, gift cards for a shopping spree and more. The friendly competition runs until April 30.