Plumbing & Mechanical Top Stories - Articles

Rethinking upselling: guide, don't sell

What contractors get wrong about upselling, and how to fix it.

April 17, 2026

When options are framed around lifestyle improvements rather than just technical fixes, customers are far more likely to engage, understand the value and ultimately choose what’s right for them.

Ground-source heat pumps gain traction in high-performance building design

Efficiency gains, code alignment and long-term ROI are driving renewed interest among engineers and contractors.

Rich Anderson CBO

April 15, 2026

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, geothermal heat pumps are among the most efficient HVAC technologies available, capable of significantly reducing building energy consumption.

PFAS and the plumbing contractor: what to know as regulations tighten

How "forever chemicals" are reshaping plumbing system design and installation.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 13, 2026

Water treatment is moving from an optional add-on to a core component of plumbing system design and installation.

Contractor's Corner | Dave Yates

Contractors who respond to punch lists with professionalism — not defensiveness — earn lasting trust

Punch list

Dave Yates

April 10, 2026

Sometimes the smartest move on a punch list isn’t proving you’re right; it’s protecting the relationship.

Guard on Compliance | Misty Guard

New Mexico's PFAS regulations signal a new regulatory era

New Mexico's proposed 20.13.2 NMAC rule serves as a highly detailed prototype for how regulators plan to track and restrict PFAs.

Misty Guard

April 8, 2026

As the United States (U.S.) States pioneer regulations for trace chemicals, manufacturers, specifying engineers, and contractors must adapt to a new era.

Renewable Heating Design | John Siegenthaler

How to change the staging status of two heat sources

Who's on first?

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

April 6, 2026

What if your boiler system could automatically switch between heat sources based on energy cost? A closer look at staging logic, relays and smarter system control.

What's the best-paying state for a plumber?

Recent research from Construction Coverage shows which states and cities offer plumbers the highest wages.

Kristen R. Bayles

April 3, 2026

Plumbing remains a stable and essential career, but the competition for talent is increasing. Contractors who understand regional wage trends and adjust accordingly will be better positioned to attract and retain the workforce they need.

And So It Flows Podcast

Podcast: Rethinking Upselling

It’s all about service, not sales

Kristen R. Bayles

April 3, 2026

Editor Kristen Bayles spoke with Blake Turner, master trainer at Nexstar, to discuss the misconceptions surrounding "upselling," and how through a few simple steps — focusing on communication, presenting options, and helping customers make informed decisions — contractors can improve both the customer experience and their business outcomes, without ever feeling like a salesperson.

Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

The air-to-water heat pump summit brought contractors, suppliers, and educators together for hydronic technology

Sold-out summit

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

April 3, 2026

The air-to-water heat pump summit was held on March 4th in Burlington, VT, and attended by over 120 people.

A graphic showing an arrow moving upward, with "PHCP-PVF Price Increases" written above it.

PHCP-PVF price increases April 2026

Targeted increases across plastics, metals and HVAC components continue into April.

Natalie Forster

April 2, 2026

The latest round of adjustments, effective from mid-March through mid-April, reflects that same trend, with measured increases across venting systems, brass and PVF components, HVAC parts, controls and copper fittings.