electrification - Page 1 | Plumbing & Mechanical

A heat pump system in a mechanical room.

Hydronic and Heat Pump Hybrid Solution Presents Path for Efficiency Progress

The future for the heating industry is to identify and implement a collaborative system that combines the best features of hydronics with heat pumps.

John Monaghan

October 2, 2026

The current landscape with hydronics and heat pumps feels like an important time to adapt. Changing long-held opinions within the industry is not easy.

$29.7M Electrification Bronx Supportive Housing Retrofit Begins

Lantern Organization, IMC Architecture and Rockabill Consulting closed financing and began work on the project.

Plumbing & Mechanical Editorial Staff

May 21, 2026

The eight-story, 130,000-square foot Silverleaf Hall includes 55 units under contract with NYS Supportive Housing Program for formerly homeless families and 63 affordable units available to single adults and families earning less than 80% AMI.

Eastern Washington Hospital Mechanical System

Old Systems, New Demands: How Contractors are Navigating the Retrofit Market

Integrating high-efficiency equipment with existing piping and controls remains a key challenge (and opportunity) in today’s retrofit market

Kristen R. Bayles

May 15, 2026

With an increase in retrofits in the current market, here’s how contractors are navigating the issues that come with it.

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.

$25.8 million rehabilitation and electrification of The Senate residence in Manhattan reaches half-way milestone

Upon completion in 2026, the project will create the first fully electrified SRO supportive housing property in New York City.

August 19, 2025

Goddard Riverside, Rockabill Consulting, the archetectural team of IMC Architecture and Magnusson Architecture and Planning and Notias Construction are working together on this project.

Woman architect looking over blueprints at home construction site.

Women in the Industry

Meet 10 influential PHCP women

Women continue to impact male-dominated plumbing industry.

Natalie Forster

March 17, 2025

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.

Gas pipe with red valve on sunset background.

February Feature

7 observations on California’s — and the nation’s — ongoing move to electrification through heat pumps

The ultimate impact of California’s drive to replace gas water heaters with electric heat pumps will inevitably vary by state over the next decade. But will home and business owners — and the electric grid — be ready? Shouldn’t regulators — and professionals — pause to consider a more practical “hybrid” solution?

Eric Ashley

February 17, 2025

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.

Vicinity Energy delivers eSteam, first carbon-free thermal energy solution in U.S.

November 22, 2024

Vicinity will import renewable electricity through its co-located substations to power the electric boiler, generating carbon-free eSteam.

Cala Systems announces $5.6M seed round for heat pump water heater

August 20, 2024

Cala’s heat pump water heater will lower costs and carbon emissions from home water heating, which currently accounts for 19% of all home energy use and 3% of U.S. GHG emissions. Homeowners and those who install Cala HPWHs are set up to benefit from local, state, and federal support for heat pump water heaters, including 30% rebates through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Vicinity Energy announces Bill DiCroce’s passing of the baton to Kevin Hagerty as the new CEO

July 18, 2024

Vicinity Energy is the owner and operator of district energy systems dedicated to decarbonizing its operations and investing in innovative renewable thermal energy technologies to offer carbon-free eSteam to its customers. Operating 19 district energy systems in 12 cities, Vicinity delivers reliable and sustainable steam, hot water, and chilled water to over 260 million square feet of building space nationwide