Articles Tagged with ''energy efficiency''

As we celebrate Women’s History Month and Women in Construction Week, Plumbing & Mechanical is shining the spotlight on 10 influential women who are leading the plumbing industry to great success.

Navien is launchcing several new products, such as its NPF System Furnace, NAZ Air-to-Air Heat Pumps, NAM Cased Coils, NAS Air Handlers, NAE Hydro-AC, NWP Heat Pump Water Heaters, NFB700-C Floor Standing Commercial Condensing Fire Tube Boilers, WEC Tankless Electric Water Treatment System and PeakFlow X Scale Prevention and Filtration System. 

The 2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference recently brought together HVAC and refrigeration industry leaders, experts and professionals for an event focusing on key topics such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and workforce development.

California's push to replace gas-fired water heaters with electric heat pumps marks a significant shift in the construction industry. This electrification trend, while still emerging, is prompting plumbing contractors to navigate the changes brought on by decarbonization, impacting HVAC technicians and the broader market.

As businesses embrace sustainability, commercial heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) stand out as a smart investment. By utilizing ambient heat and optimizing energy use, these systems significantly cut operational costs and carbon emissions.

Advancements in the plumbing industry are driven by U.S. Department of Energy regulations, with new efficiency standards for fractional horsepower pumps set for 2028. Plumbing & Mechanical's Nicole Krawcke discussed these changes and performance improvements with Becky Henderson from Grundfos Pumps.

Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine, utilizes an efficient radiant floor heating system designed by Harriman Associates, using lower temperature water and primarily geothermal energy for a comfortable, sun-like warmth.

Outdated pipe sizing standards are no longer suitable for modern multi-bathroom homes, especially post-COVID-19. The International Code Council is collaborating globally to update these standards for improved efficiency and health.

Hydronically-heated concrete floor slabs offer comfort but can be slow to warm up. A proposed solution uses a heat pump and variable-speed circulators to provide rapid heating through air handlers, ensuring quick warmth during cool days while maintaining energy efficiency.

Sustainability in commercial plumbing focuses on modern pipe sizing to reduce material use and Legionella risk. Efficient layouts and lower-carbon materials like PEX and recycled PVC can lower greenhouse gas emissions, while improved equipment efficiency and training help reduce operational and embodied carbon emissions.