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Johnson Controls celebrated National Skilled Trades Day by confirming a second cohort of schools receiving funding as part of its Community College Partnership Program. Last year, Johnson Controls agreed to fund $15 million over the span of five years to help support the community college’s HVAC, fire, security and digital academic programs.

There are many benefits to including supply boxes, also known as outlet boxes, in new construction or renovation. Among these benefits for end-users are a crisp and clean finished appearance, as well as quick and safe access to water shutoff valves in case of an emergency.

If you’re anything like me, the first thing that comes to mind when you think about variable speed circulators is 1970s rock band Supertramp. No? Okay, maybe you’re not like me. Either way, allow me to elucidate.

Service contractors are busy people. Already struggling to find workers amidst an ongoing labor shortage, plumbing and HVAC contractors saw demand soar during the pandemic as most people transitioned to a work-from-home environment.

Stanley Black & Decker recently released its Makers Index, a study that revealed many of the reasons young people aren’t currently considering jobs in the trades, which has left many businesses struggling to find good workers at various skill levels.

At one point, solar thermal systems were limited as to the temperature they could safely reach. Then High-Temperature Solar Thermal (HTST) Technology was invented. High temperate solar thermal can be used to generate steam.

Customers can be a fickle lot. You do your best for them, but they move on in spite of your fair pricing and Johnny-on-the-spot response times.

My shop teacher was a wiry man who loved hand tools. We spent a week making a buzzer base. He taught us how to saw, sand and varnish. He introduced me to a Brace & Bit hand drill and went on and on about how this was better than an electric drill. “Can you feel the wood? It’s alive!” he said, and I could.

Nearly all closed-loop hydronic heating and cooling systems are supposed to be filled with water or a mixture of water and antifreeze. The only intentional air in the system is that contained in the expansion tank.

Plumbing & Mechanical asked several plumbing manufacturers to explain what American manufacturing means to them today. Watch this video to see what they had to say.