2022 November

The November 2022 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features Trucks built for the trades, 5 ways to help your customers realize their dream shower, and much more.

Nicole Krawcke: Recruiting the next skilled trades workforce

Plumbing industry uniquely suited to offer environmental impact that Gen Z and millenials want.

Nicole Krawcke

November 11, 2022

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As I write this month’s column, I’m attending Plumbing Manufacturer’s International annual Manufacturing Success conference in Louisville, Kentucky. PMI has done a great job with its programming content this year, especially with keynote presenter Andrew Winston, a corporate environmental strategist and author, who discussed how today’s companies are now expected to take a stand against the world’s social and environmental problems — and in doing so, earn a profit.

Zaid Rahman: 3 credit card considerations for plumbing contractors

Evaluating the right credit card for your business.

Zaid Rahman

November 10, 2022

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While most plumbers may like to think that they’re mostly serving routine maintenance or installation customers, the most common nature of those calls is likely panicked customers with a burst pipe, a backed-up toilet or another emergency that needs a response ASAP.

Garrett Wilson: Promoting technology in the plumbing field

Attract the next generation of plumbers and new customers by highlighting new tech.

Garrett Wilson

November 9, 2022

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As anyone in the profession knows, the plumbing industry is rapidly changing. Demand for plumbing services is reaching unprecedented levels, but so too is competition.

Water Wisdom: Instructor-led training proves a hit with water treatment industry

Demand increasing for skilled, certified professionals.

November 8, 2022

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Water treatment education and certification for water treatment professionals is a critical part of the mission of the Water Quality Association. The association represents the residential, commercial and industrial water treatment and conditioning industry.

Matt Michel: 8 steps to beating the big tech algorithm

Become the local plumber.

Matt Michel

November 7, 2022

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If you rely on search engine marketing for calls, you are putting your company at risk because you are relying on the unreliable. Here are eight steps to wean your company off big tech dependency.

Dave Yates: The U.S. power grid is not ready to handle the increased demand for electricity

Are we idiot-proof?

Dave Yates

November 4, 2022

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Common sense runs through our veins and helps us avoid idiotic, absurd edicts handed down by well-intentioned, but seriously misguided politicians. The fact is, I’ve always felt that common sense, along with training and knowledge, often handed down from generation to generation, guides our hands and minds as we toil at PHVAC issues.

Kenny Chapman: Decision fatigue dragging you down?

6 ways to overcome it.

Kenny Chapman

November 3, 2022

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When faced with decisions, we humans are wired to seek out patterns to help make our choices. However, when we're faced with countless decisions — many of which do not offer a pattern to follow — we tend to develop what's called "decision fatigue."

Dan Holohan: Why we use 180 degrees for hot-water systems

The history of The Carbon Club.

Dan Holohan

November 2, 2022

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Most hydronic systems have the boiler running up to 180° F with water returning from the system at 160°. This rarely happens in real life, but it’s the traditional way we do things.

John Siegenthaler: Variable speed circulators for boiler protection

Creating a thermal clutch to regulate energy transfer.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

November 1, 2022

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All boilers that burn hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil or wood produce water vapor as a byproduct of combustion.

Trucks built for the trades

Contractors are looking for durability, dependability and increased safety features.

Nicole Krawcke

November 15, 2022

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A key part of the success of PHVAC contracting businesses is the ability to get plumbers and technicians to the jobsite on time. That means having reliable wheels carrying all the tools and parts that may be needed to get the job done.

New PHCC chapter organized in Arkansas

October 24, 2022

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Officially chartered in October 2022 as a PHCC-affiliated association in Arkansas, the chapter has elected officers, identified goals for 2022 and established a recruiting strategy to bring on new members to the organization.

2023 AHR Innovation Award Winners Announced

October 24, 2022

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Each year, winners are chosen in ten industry categories to represent the most innovative products and technologies set to hit the market in the year ahead.

Nexstar Network hosts Super Meeting in celebration of company’s 30th anniversary

October 17, 2022

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Nexstar Network's Super Meeting in Austin gave participants an opportunity to reconnect in-person, learn, work together on business challenges and gain new ideas.

5 ways to help your customers realize their dream shower

Tap into innovative products and techniques to meet growing demand for a spa-like shower experience.

Theresa Choh-Lee

November 24, 2022

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The consumer mindset around bathing is evolving to view showering as far more than a simple rinse to get clean, but rather as a time to relax, unwind and wash away the day-to-day stresses of life. In fact, consumers are making purchases to support this shift. According to a recent survey commissioned by GROHE, more than 65% of respondents are enhancing their time in the shower with various add-ons, such as soothing aromas, music and gentle rain shower products to elevate their “me time.”

The risks of adjustable pressure relief valves

Choosing the correct relief valve needs preplanning.

George McHugh

November 22, 2022

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Pressure relief valves protect fire sprinkler system components by relieving excess system pressure from supply surges or temperature changes. Since the 2010 edition, NFPA 13: “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems” has required pressure relief valves to be installed on all wet pipe fire sprinkler systems. But picking the correct relief valve for a specific system does need a little preplanning.

CASE STUDY

Tankless water heaters provide on-demand hot water, energy savings for high school fieldhouse

Cascaded tankless water heater system provides redundancy, improving the lifespan of each unit.

Brett Butler

November 17, 2022

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The last thing football players want to worry about after two-a-day practices or a hard-fought game is the locker room showers not having hot water. Student-athletes at Pasadena Memorial High School in Pasadena, Texas unfortunately were dealing with this situation far too often.

New-Grundfos-UPSe-and-ALPHA-digital-background

PM Profile: Grundfos launches next generation of circulator pumps

Both the UPSe 15-and ALPHA 15-58 feature Hydraulic Institute Energy Ratings of 193.

Nicole Krawcke

October 4, 2022

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Grundfos announced the launch of the next generation of small circulators for the residential heating market with the introduction of the Grundfos Digital NEXT range — starting with the UPSe 15-58 in late 2022, followed by the release of the new, digital ALPHA 15-58 in early 2023.

T&S Brass and Bronze Works compression thermostatic mixing valve

November 9, 2022

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The new 3/8” compression thermostatic mixing valve features solid, low-lead brass construction and integral check valves to prevent backflow and crossflow.

Bell & Gossett hydronics system pressurized solution

November 4, 2022

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The Glycol Make-up Unit GF60 (GMU) automated 110V diaphragm pump with digital control is designed to maintain critical minimum pressure levels to make up for losses that may occur due to leakage.

Moen granite sink

November 8, 2022

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Moen granite sinks are composed of natural sound-deadening material for a quiet experience with a stain-resistant surface to avoid cosmetic damage from food and liquids, and is heat safe up to 535° to withstand damage from hot pots and pans.

WarmlyYours snow-melt control

November 14, 2022

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The ZoneBraker touchscreen multi-zone snow melting controller allows for zoned control of a snow melting system, breaking total heating coverage into four separate zones.

Walraven pipe clamp

November 11, 2022

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Walraven’s starQuick pipe clamp that can be used to quickly and securely install multiple pipe runs for electrical and plumbing installations.

Uponor hot potable pipe and fittings

November 10, 2022

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Uponor North America’s new hot potable pipe and fittings help meet the demand for commercial domestic water systems, the company says.

Liberty Pumps grinder pump

November 7, 2022

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Liberty Pump’s 1-HP grinder pump is designed for sewage applications. Higher flow rates allow use with 2" discharge lines.

A. O. Smith hybrid electric heat pump water heater

November 3, 2022

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The Voltex AL (anti-leak) hybrid electric heat pump water heater features integrated leak detection, smart connectivity, updated water connections for professionals and the highest overall Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) of 4.02 with the 66-gal. unit and the highest 50-gal.

Daikin Applied air-cooled screw chiller

November 2, 2022

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Daikin Applied announced upgrades the 100%-configurable Pathfinder air-cooled screw chiller, including a higher efficiency compressor, factory-installed pump packages and ECM condenser fan motor options.

Bradford White Corp. tankless water heater

November 1, 2022

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The GS and GR tankless water heater models feature cascading and common venting; variable heat control, adjustable from 95° to 140°; and bottom water connections.

The biannual Radiant Comfort Report highlights the latest technology, products and training for radiant heating/cooling professionals.

Retrofitting radiant in residential

Radiant products ideal for retrofit applications.

Kim Bliss

November 21, 2022

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With homes now doing dual duty as both a residence and a workplace, many people are spending double the time in the same space. This lifestyle shift has launched a home-renovation trend for people who are looking to change their current living spaces to better align with the needs of life and work in one place.

Today’s Technology to Market (T2M) – the bidirectional thermal district

District systems offer more cost-effective means of heating and cooling.

Rick Bostian

November 14, 2022

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District systems, which have been around for centuries, provide buildings with a product created with technology beyond what an individual can either afford or apply. The primary advantage is the delivery of more cost-effective heating or cooling to the building.

Fossil fuel awareness pushes increased demand for radiant heating systems

Radiant heating grows in all market sectors, need for training and skilled labor rises.

Natalie Forster

November 10, 2022

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The radiant heating market is one that took the industry by storm in the early 2000s. More than two decades later, the acceptance and applications of radiant systems have grown exponentially. Experts describe the radiant heating market in 2022 as “consistent” and “expanding,” citing labor, material and logistic uniformity shortages as the top challenges hindering radiant projects.

New standard addresses water quality for closed-loop hydronic systems

But it’s just water, isn’t it?

Mark Eatherton

November 7, 2022

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During the late, great Les Nelson’s last AHR conference in Chicago back in 2018, he asked me what our hydronics industry needed the most. He was on a mission to increase the visibility of the Radiant Professionals Alliance and give the industry something that it could really use.