Plumbing and Mechanical

Many of us have heard the term, ‘The Great Resignation,’ in describing the massive amount of employee turnover the last few years. In 2021, federal data shows nearly 50 million workers left their jobs for various reasons — higher pay, new career opportunities and more. With an already strained job market in the skilled trades, employee retention is more important than ever.

Most construction contracting businesses, including plumbing and HVAC companies, are required to secure licenses before they are legally allowed to work in many states. However, the laws and requirements for licensing vary from state to state. One common condition of obtaining a license as a plumber or HVAC technician in most states is to secure plumbing or HVAC bonds. These bonds are required by various states to protect consumers and the state from potential losses caused by an HVAC technician or plumber. Here is some general information about the process of becoming licensed and bonded for plumbing and HVAC contractors.

Because plumbing is one of the most essential building systems, demand for plumbers and excellent plumbing work continues to skyrocket. There are currently more than 480,000 licensed plumbers in the U.S. — a number that is expected to increase by nearly 16% over the next three years to meet current shortages.

The plumbing industry is a stable industry. There is never a shortage of people who need plumbing work on their homes, businesses or apartment complexes, and this constant demand makes owning your own plumbing company an appealing opportunity for many prospective buyers. However, starting your own company from the ground up can be difficult.

There has been a lot of private equity activity in the service trades since the COVID-19 lockdowns. Suddenly, boring old businesses gained monetary sex appeal when they were declared essential and could continue making money while many other local businesses were effectively shuttered. This has led to a land rush for good service contracting businesses and many plumbers have grabbed the brass ring while the grabbing was seen as good.

I always seek out the Bradford White booth to see what’s new and visit with friends both old and new. It was fun catching up with Carlos Morales because we had worked closely together several years ago in the development of the company’s gas-fired tankless water heater line. Lois and I had the opportunity to beta-test a number of tankless models and report back on their performance. Stability of delivery temperature; showering while other hot water usages ran simultaneously or intermittently; and, of course, attempting to max out the full-flow capacity.

The most effective leaders understand that leadership is more than just giving orders and dictating how things should be done. It’s about understanding the unique needs of everyone in your company (or department) and finding a way to lead in a fair and compassionate manner.

Last month, we discussed the role of buffer tanks in combination with air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps that operate as “on/off” devices. The key concept was to turn the heat pump on and off based on changes in the buffer tank temperatures and not based on thermostats calling for heat.

Morris had me on the phone. It was 1974 and he was calling from Brooklyn, New York. I had a waxed handlebar mustache that year, and my workmates at the manufacturers’ rep were calling me Rollie Fingers because he was pitching for the Oakland Athletics in the World Series.

John Wallace, owner of Atlanta-based JM Wallace Plumbing, has been offering leak detection solutions since 2007, but it’s only recently during the last few years where he’s really seen the technology take off.

Sponsored by PHCC Strategic Partner Bradford White, the PHCC CCI is based on a quarterly survey of PHCC members designed to take the pulse of the plumbing, heating, and cooling market.

Founded in 1994, Plains is a full-service boiler company providing sales, service installation and repair of boilers, pressure vessels, piping systems, and industrial combustion applications.

Niles Steel Tank proprietary Ultonium tank lining will now incorporate Microban antimicrobial technology to provide additional protection against the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface of the interior tank lining.

RainStick Shower co-founders Alisha McFetridge and Sean McFetridge share a longtime passion for water conservation. In 2019, the two began building the North American Market’s first water circulating shower. Supply House Times Chief Editor Natalie Forster sat down with Alisha McFetridge to dive into RainStick Shower’s backstory and plans for the future.

On Feb. 1, NIBCO announced it acquired Matco-Norca and its subsidiary SVF Flow Controls.
NIBCO Chairman Rex Martin stated, “This acquisition supports our strategic long-range goal of growth through acquisition, expanding our market reach and providing customers with access to a broader portfolio of products.This is an extraordinary time in NIBCO’s evolving history.”

The new Market District Apartments in Ohio City will be located near the historic West Side Market, the oldest operating indoor/outdoor market space in Cleveland. Currently, the 13-story development is the largest sustainable, wood-constructed building in the country. Among other facilities, the new 385-unit structure encompasses a first-floor retail space, residential suites on floors two through seven and luxury penthouse suites on the ninth floor, as well as amenity space, including a large rental hall.

Opened in 2020, the new Wasilla police headquarters has the latest technology to supply heat and keep walkways free of ice — critical components where sub-zero temperatures and five feet of snow are common in the winter. Both the hydronic radiant heat system and the snow- and ice-melting (SIM) system consist of 5/8-inch diameter PEX barrier tubing installed in circuits in concrete slabs.

ServiceTitan’s Chris Hunter discusses how contractors can grow their workforce and maximize existing labor to capitalize on opportunities presented by the IRA.

Designed for residential new construction and remodels, Xpress Trak is a single-panel system with lightweight XPS foam at its core and laminated aluminum around the entire surface to provide heat-transfer capability.

The GrohSafe 3.0 Pressure Balance Valve (PBV) with Integrated Diverter is designed to make installation easier by eliminating the need to install and align a separate diverter and separate trims, reducing labor costs and saving time during the build-and-install process, the company says.

Matco-Norca’s tankless water heater isolation valve kit is now available in three new configurations; press, PEX and cold expansion PEX.

in2aqua announced the launch of its new Performance Shower line to the North American market.

The Weil-McLain® SVF boiler line has expanded to include BTU sizes of 500, 600, 725, 850 and 1000 MBH models.

The new M-Spector 4’ Inspection Camera is optimized for diagnostic use in hard-to-reach areas. Featuring improved image quality, a 4.3” LCD screen, and a smaller camera head, this cordless inspection camera is optimized for drain lines and behind-wall use.

The new SharkBite Max push-to-connect fittings are re-engineered to deliver the same reliability as its first generation fittings but with new product enhancements that provide more strength and an easier installation, the company says.

The AMP-L condensing boiler and water heater is available in five sizes: 400, 500, 650, 800 and 1000 MBH.

The Weil-McLain ECO Tec Series 2 features integrated control software that allows for multiple boiler configurations.

The high efficiency Alta and Alta Combi boilers feature next-generation gas adaptive technology that provides the shortest installation time and lowest operating costs, the company says.

The new high-efficiency RCB-Series wall-hung commercial condensing boiler delivers reliable, energy-saving performance, the company says.

Navien NFB-C commercial condensing fire tube boilers have all key components designed and manufactured in-house, and offer an industry leading 97.5% thermal efficiency, 15:1 turndown ratio, intuitive 7” color touch screen with advanced controls and easy intuitive navigation for setup, troubleshooting and operation, extremely low NOx levels, BMS communications, and 3” venting up to 60’ or 4” up to 150’ with PVC/CPVC/PP/SS approved materials, the company says.

The NOBLE floor mount fire tube combi-boiler brings to market a brand new floor mount boiler option for homeowners and multi-family facilities with models ranging from 110,000 to 199,000 Btu/h.

From 2023 Energy Star Partner of the Year Bradford White Water Heaters, the Brute FT Wall Hung Boilers have modulating gas valves to allow up to 10:1 turndown and ensure top performance (80,000-199,000 Btu) and efficiency (95+% AFUE).

The Bosch Greenstar gas condensing boiler is compact and highly-efficient, boasting 95% AFUE efficiency, the company says.

The first snowflakes hit the ground in Park City, Utah, in late October, before a single peanut butter cup hit the bottom of the Halloween bag. The first snow of the 2022 season dumped 10 inches of fresh powder on the town on Oct. 23, giving skiers and winter sports enthusiasts an early start to their activities.

The Uniform Solar, Hydronics and Geothermal Code (USHGC) includes provisions for alternative energy sources for the transfer of energy in a hydronic system for space heating and cooling, or for other purposes such as snow and ice melting.

The Weil-McLain ECO Tec Series 2 features integrated control software that allows for multiple boiler configurations.

SunTouch ConnectPlus WarmWire Kits provide heat to warm floors and help keep bathroom, kitchen and entry way floors dry and safe.

These towel bar accessories are meant to be paired with Ember radiant panel heaters to turn the devices into towel warmers as well as sources of supplemental heat.

The new USB-Connect smartphone app streamlines installation, service and troubleshooting for condensing and combi-boilers.

REHAU’s EVERLOC+ R-20 manifold connectors for hydronic applications support leak-free reliability in a one-piece assembly including an EVERLOC+ insert with a pre-installed O-ring and swivel nut.

Integrated Dynamic Control (IDC) is a PC-based intelligent control system delivering optimized comfort and maximized efficiency by coordinating HVAC, IAQ and hydronic systems in one control.

The luxurious Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, New York, was once a waterfront barrel and rope factory. This renovated structure now has 72 boutique guest rooms. As part of the update, it was important to retain the character of the original turn of the century building, which opened in 1901. In order to convert the cold, utilitarian factory space into comfortable rooms, a major mechanical update was required. By adding radiant floor heat, they were able to meet and exceed the comfort benchmark of a modern-day hotel while balancing for energy efficiency.

Ever since the RPA was formed, members have taken advantage of the great benefits the alliance has to offer, such as codes and standards advocacy, a job center network, obtaining and creating valuable education, the annual Radiant Flooring Guide, newsletter subscription, discounts for IAPMO products and services, access to webinars and more. RPA members are professionals from all facets of the radiant profession, including manufacturers, installers, engineers, architects, students, apprentices and inspectors.

Lochinvar’s CREST with Hellcat Combustion Technology commercial boiler is available in eight models ranging from 999,000-6,000,000 Btu/h.