Plumbing and Mechanical

PM April 2023 cover

2023 April

The April 2023 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features Ongoing water quality issues present opportunities for plumbers, 5 reasons to use push-to-connect fittings for plumbing repairs, and much more!

Columnists

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drinking water

Nicole Krawcke: The war on forever chemicals

First-ever national drinking water standard proposed for PFAS.
Nicole Krawcke
Nicole Krawcke
April 12, 2023
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Last month, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposal, if finalized, would regulate PFOA and PFOS as individual contaminants, and will regulate four other PFAS — PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and GenX Chemicals — as a mixture.


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water quality

David Ratliff: The plumbing industry must come together to solve water scarcity and sanitation issues

The next big thing
David Ratliff
April 10, 2023
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It was August 2019 when I was last published in PM magazine. I wrote about the failure of cast iron soil pipe, which now has customers often waiting two weeks or often longer for a plumber. As the plumbing instructor at Ultimate Technical Academy, the administration is adding classes to accommodate the need for plumbers as quickly as possible.


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boilers are still a great heating source

Ray Wohlfarth: Why boilers are still a great heating source

A tale of educating young minds.
ray wohlfarth
Ray Wohlfarth
April 7, 2023
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"According to the ASHRAE HVAC Applications Handbook, the estimated life of an air-to-air heat pump or a rooftop unit is 15 years while a boiler life expectancy is between 24-35 years, depending on the boiler type. So, you will install two heat pumps or rooftop units for every boiler. Where do you think those old units will end up?" I ask the class.


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Legionella

Matt Michel: Let's talk scalding

Plumbers need to inform customers of the risks, tradeoffs and solutions available to them.
Matt Michel
Matt Michel
April 6, 2023
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Scalding in the home or burns from hot liquids is dangerous to anyone, but is a particular concern to the youngest and oldest Americans. Plumbers are charged with protecting the health of the nation. Thus, plumbers can play a key role in reducing the risk, starting with homeowner education.


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domestic hot water heat pump

Dave Yates: AHR 2023 — it's a wrap

DHW trends from the show floor.
Dave Yates
April 5, 2023
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Attending trade shows both large and small have always been an integral part of keeping our business abreast of changes within the PHVAC industry. Our employees knew that upon my return, there would be new innovative products joining the tried and true offerings we provided for our customers.


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leadership

Kenny Chapman: Improving leadership effectiveness

Key characteristics of successful leaders.
Kenny Chapman
Kenny Chapman
April 4, 2023
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In order to be an effective leader, you need to first understand what leadership actually is. Many people mistakenly believe that leadership is simply overseeing a group or organization. However, there's much more to it than that. Effective leaders possess a number of qualities that allow them to successfully navigate through challenges and inspire others to do the same.


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thermostat

Dan Holohan: Do you miss the T87

Though many have moved on to smart thermostats, several T87s are still in use today.
Dan Holohan
Dan Holohan
April 3, 2023
4 Comments

In 1885, when you could still buy a milk cow for $29.70, Albert Butz, a Swiss immigrant living in St. Paul, Minnesota, invented what he called the damper-flapper. He patented it the following year. The flapper opened a damper that allowed outside air to enter a coal-fired home furnace. This increased the oxygen in the furnace and made the fire burn hotter. When the temperature rose to a desired point, the damper closed.


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hydronic heating and cooling systems

John Siegenthaler: Eyes for a heat pump

Buffer tanks are necessary for heavily zoned distribution systems.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
John Siegenthaler, P.E.
March 31, 2023
One Comment

More and more hydronic heating and cooling systems are being designed around air-to-water and water-to-water (geothermal) heat pumps. When the heating distribution system is extensively zoned, a buffer tank is typically installed between the heat pump and that distribution system.


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Cover Story

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Traditional_ClassicOilRubbedBronze

Ongoing water quality issues present opportunities for plumbers

Point-of-use and point-of-entry water filtration systems on the rise.
Nicole Krawcke
Nicole Krawcke
April 13, 2023
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When you talk about water scarcity and the lack of clean drinking water, most people think about third-world countries. They don’t realize that there’s a growing threat to clean water right here at home in the United States. Look at the February train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, where a fire forced the controlled release and burn of toxic chemicals to avoid an explosion. The resulting contamination killed thousands of fish in nearby streams and ignited concerns over soil and water quality.


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Departments

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Feature Articles

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voice-activated products

Bathroom trends: Technology and advances in barrier-free design support safer living

Smart home technologies help homeowners age in place comfortably.
Jocelyn Hutt
April 24, 2023
One Comment

How is the aging population changing product design? Builders and designers have been hearing from clients that homeowners now want to age-in-place, and they also want to renovate their existing homes to accommodate various generations living under one roof. The lack of housing stock and current mortgage and interest rates have contributed to this phenomenon. This shift in living has been a boon to the renovation industry, and it has given rise to innovations and building processes that elegantly combine technology and health benefits in the service of independence for elderly or anyone with physical challenges.


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push-to-connect

5 reasons to use push-to-connect fittings for plumbing repairs

Push-to-connect fittings are ideal for fast, long-lasting plumbing repairs.
Jeff Long
April 19, 2023
3 Comments

When plumbing emergencies inevitably happen, plumbing contractors have to act quickly and make pipe repairs swiftly so they can mitigate water damage for their customers. There are several methods you can use for pipe repairs — soldering, gluing, crimping — but only one offers the quickest fix and long-term reliability: Push-to-connect fittings.


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assisted living facility

Hydronic pressurization unit helps maintain Chicago-area assisted living facility

Mikrofill 3 helps 235-unit retirement community identify potential costly leaks.
John O’Reilly
April 17, 2023
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The very first installation of the Mikrofill 3 hydronic pressurization unit in North America took place recently in a mechanical room of an assisted- and independent-living community in Southwest-suburban Chicago. You might say the flower of this innovation grew from the soil of an old industry friendship.


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Hot water

Minimize the risk of scalding

Scalding: What is it and why it should concern you
Kimberly Manchester
April 14, 2023
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Have you ever started your day thinking, “Ahh, coffee!” only to have it turn into “ouch!” as the steaming hot beverage hits the roof of your mouth? If so, you have experienced scalding. Luckily, the scald you experienced was (most likely) mild and, while quite painful, healed quickly and without the need for hospitalization or the prolonged medical treatment that is required for the nearly half a million people who experience scalding each year.


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New Products

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Vortex UV CIPP system

Vortex UV CIPP system

April 19, 2023
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UV CIPP provides additional installation flexibility and environmental advantages. Vortex has introduced a comprehensive UV CIPP system that includes everything needed — curing equipment, liners and custom truck builds.


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A.Y. McDonald ranger fitting

A.Y. McDonald ranger fitting

April 12, 2023
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The unique design of the RANGER enables it to assemble onto multiple ranges of nominal pipe diameters from CTS up to PEP and is applicable for underground and aboveground potable water systems.


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Noritz residential water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

Noritz residential water heater

April 11, 2023
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The compact EZ Series is designed to speed replacement of conventional storage-tank water heaters, offering a Uniform Energy Factor of 0.96 and a 25-year warranty.


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Navien’s NPE-2 series condensing tankless water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

Navien condensing tankless water heater

April 10, 2023
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Navien’s NPE-2 series condensing tankless water heaters feature an EZNav upgraded advanced multi-line control panel with Setup Wizard, high efficiency up to 0.96 UEF, 2” PVC venting up to 75’, cascade capability up to 32 units and common vent capability up to 12 units.


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HTP electric water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

HTP electric water heater

April 7, 2023
One Comment

HTP Everlast Elevate is a flexible capacity water heater that includes an adjustable thermostat paired with an ASSE 1017-certified mixing valve.


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Bradford White tankless water heater
Product Focus: Water Heaters

Bradford White tankless water heater

April 6, 2023
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With stainless steel heat exchangers and multiple venting options, the ENERGY STAR-compliant Infiniti GS and GR tankless water heaters combine reliability with flexibility to meet the demands of both residential and commercial applications and accommodate a variety of installations


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