Plumbing & Mechanical Top Stories - Articles

Dave Yates: Heat pump mayhem

Think twice before you act.

September 11, 2019

Mmanufacturer of air-to-water heat pumps called asking if I would be willing to visit a home to perform a heat loss/gain calculation where two of its heat pump systems had been installed and determine why the home was not heating and cooling to the homeowners satisfaction.

ECM circulator myth-busting

Make the smart decision the first time.

John M. Barba

September 10, 2019

That prophetic little quote from “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” pretty much sums up where our industry is today with residential ECM circulators. So many myths, many of them downright crazy, make it nearly impossible to make clear-headed and smart decisions for your customers.

Kenny Chapman: Size and stress levels aren’t related

Building, owning and leading a large company does not have to be more stressful than owning a small one.

Kenny Chapman

September 10, 2019

I’ve been discussing with clients lately about scaling/growing their companies, and they fear that it will just be more stressful and possibly put a damper on their lifestyle and personal freedom.

A custom-designed, prefabricated, pre-pressurized network of Uponor

Hydronic heating provides superior comfort

Industry professionals weigh-in on current market trends.

Nicole Krawcke

September 9, 2019

When John Kopf eventually gets around to designing and building his own house, he will go with hydronic heat instead of a more traditional forced air system. Kopf knows a thing or two about heating, having spent more than 20 years in the industry. He currently serves as boiler product manager for Navien.

Dan Holohan: Thermostat adventures

A look back at odd places.

Dan Holohan

September 9, 2019

Twenty-five years ago, I wrote a story for this fine magazine. I titled it, “Only Gus Touch.” Over the years, many people have told me they still remember that tale and ask if I can send them a copy. Sure, why not?

John Siegenthaler: Bidirectional Btu

The flexibility of hydronic systems.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

September 6, 2019

Over the years, our office has received requests for design assistance for systems involving two hydronic heat sources, each in different buildings, where the expectation is to have either heat source supply heat to either building.

Al Levi: Sharpening the axe before you need it company culture

The value of looking ahead, being prepared and staying ahead.

Al Levi

September 4, 2019

It was still hot and sweaty in the midday sun just a couple of days after Labor Day in New York, and at first glance, you’d think we were out in the yard in the dead of winter.