2023 June

The June 2023 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features the 2023 Manufacturers' Rep of the Year, Demand for residential tankless water, and much more!

Nicole Krawcke: ChatGPT: Revolutionizing the plumbing industry

Free OpenAI language model can help plumbing and HVAC contractors excel.

Nicole Krawcke

June 13, 2023

A few weeks back I was having a conversation with a plumbing and HVAC contracting business owner. During the beginning of our discussion, he abruptly told me, “I just use ChatGPT to do your job.”

Donnie Hornback: Two reasons why I sold my 18-year-old plumbing company

Finding the right buyer is important.

Donnie Hornback

June 12, 2023

I never started my business with the intention of selling it. In 2005, I started Hornback Plumbing with three employees, and I started the business because I loved plumbing. I have a son who works with me, and I’ve always wanted to pass the baton to him.

Dave Yates: Heat pump retrofit

Take advantage of government incentives and rebate programs.

Dave Yates

June 6, 2023

Twenty-nine years ago, when we built our forever home, my central air conditioning systems consisted of two 2-ton condensers with two air-handlers in the attic and ductwork that utilized fiberglass ductboard with short runs of flex ducts terminating at commercial-grade ceiling registers. The condensers and air handlers were used that we salvaged from one of our job sites. I kept them with the notion of using them and figured we would upgrade from 10-SEER to higher efficiency units once they died.

Matt Michel: 5 solid reasons every plumber should offer drain cleaning

Drain cleaning presents reoccurring revenue for plumbing contractors.

Matt Michel

June 7, 2023

It is always a mystery why more plumbers fail to emphasize drain cleaning — if they offer it at all. Some think it fails to offer enough revenue. Others think it presents too much low-dollar competition. Here are five solid reasons every plumber should offer drain cleaning.

Michael Copp: Hybrid workplaces need locker room leadership

Don’t let your employees feel disconnected and invisible.

Michael Copp

June 8, 2023

Three Things you need to know:

David Ratliff: The water scarcity situation

Part Two in a series exploring water shortages and possible solutions.

David Ratliff

June 9, 2023

I once had someone tell me “I don’t care where water comes from as long as it comes out of that faucet when I turn it on.”

John Siegenthaler: Extended manifold systems

Less tubing, less drilling, less fastening.

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

June 1, 2023

Several years ago, I had the opportunity of visiting the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort show in Milan, Italy. It ranks right up there with the famous ISH show in Frankfurt, Germany, as a “bucket list” event for those who are passionate about hydronic heating and plumbing.

Dan Holohan: The importance of training and educating yourself on the equipment you work on

Magical thinking

Dan Holohan

June 2, 2023

It was one of those days at HeatingHelp.com when the old guys had the floor. One of the regulars, a retired (and understandably crotchety) fella from Canada had this to say:

Kenny Chapman: Relationships matter more than results

Strong relationships between colleagues and with clients will give you a better chance of achieving your goals and desires.

Kenny Chapman

June 5, 2023

As service business leaders, we often focus blindly on the results — key performance indicators, sales targets and other specific goals. But when it comes to success in any industry, relationships are often much more important than simply reaching a result-based goal. This is especially true for plumbing contractors who need trust and cooperation from our manufacturers, distributors, clients and other partners to succeed call after call, day after day.

Plumbing & Mechanical 2023 Manufacturers' Rep of the Year: Herkowski Stickler & Associates

HSA focuses on growing its business through strong relationships.

Nicole Krawcke

June 14, 2023

The plumbing industry has seen lots of fast-paced changes in recent years. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, material price increases and the vast consolidations in the mergers and acquisitions markets, those who can’t keep up and stay relevant, fall behind.

Bradford White supports “For Pete’s Sake, Walk!” event

May 17, 2023

Bradford White is a corporate sponsor and formed a team to raise money for the 12th annual “For Pete’s Sake, Walk” event at the Phillies’ ballpark.

Carrier acquires Viessmann

May 16, 2023

The Carrier and Viessmann boards of directors have each approved the acquisition, which is expected to close around the end of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Manhattan Mechanical's Max Witt earns bronze for pipefitting in ABC's National Craft Championships

May 9, 2023

Witt joined Manhattan Mechanical’s apprentice program in September 2019, a year after his high school graduation.

Ride the wave! Bidets address wellness needs for popular trends

Smart choice for hygiene, health and aging-in-place appeal of modern bathrooms.

TJ Stiefvater

June 26, 2023

In the United States, bidet sales have grown steadily at a year-over-year rate of 14% to 15%. According to Stephanie Ewing, director, Wholesale North America for Bemis Manufacturing Co., specifying bidets is “becoming a market need driven by market demand. The pandemic started the trend of increased consumer awareness that a solution other than toilet paper was available, as well as an increased focus on hygiene.”

6 reasons why PEX excels in commercial hydronic distribution applications

PEX offers numerous jobsite benefits for commercial projects.

Kim Bliss

June 19, 2023

Historically specified and installed as radiant heating and cooling or snow- and ice-melting systems pipe, PEX is now trending as a viable hydronic distribution pipe for heating hot water and chilled water applications.

Watts Water Technologies' new 250,000-square-foot facility

Watts debuts new training center in Fort Worth, Texas

The new 250,000 square foot facility is customized for broad training purposes, administration and manufacturing.

Nicole Krawcke

June 21, 2023

Watts Water Technologies held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in April to celebrate the grand opening of its latest training center in Fort Worth, Texas. The new 250,000-square-foot facility is customized for training, administration and manufacturing, and joins five other Watts Works Learning Centers across North America.

Demand for residential tankless water heaters heats up

Manufacturers are simplifying installation and troubleshooting on tankless products for plumbers.

Nicole Krawcke

June 15, 2023

The demand for tankless water heaters is increasing as the plumbing industry and federal and state governments strive toward energy efficiency. According to a report form Grandview Research, the tankless water heater market is projected to reach USD 6.8 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during the next seven years.

PVI domestic water heater

June 13, 2023

PVI, a Watts brand, expands its Centurion family of compact, direct-fired domestic water heaters with the addition of a 1600 MBH model to complement its existing 2000 MBH size.

Resideo smart thermostat

June 14, 2023

The new Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits with RedLINK 3.0 offer additional control over three types of indoor air quality (IAQ) equipment simultaneously.

General Pipe Cleaners long-distance drain cleaner

June 12, 2023

Now with easily interchangeable drums, the Speedrooter XL from General Pipe Cleaners clears tough clogs in 3” to 10” lines – up to 200 feet.

Product Focus: Pumps

Little Giant sump pumps

June 6, 2023

Franklin Electric’s Little Giant brand has expanded its sump pump lineup to better equip professional plumbers and installers.

Product Focus: Pumps

Taco Comfort Solutions ECM circulator pump

June 7, 2023

Taco Comfort Solutions has expanded its family of easy-to-use, high-efficiency ECM circulators with the addition of the 0026e.

NIBCO space-saving boiler vent valve

June 8, 2023

Webstone, a brand of NIBCO, announced a new patent-pending Boiler Vent Valve.

Merit Brass CarbonPress fittings

June 9, 2023

CarbonPress Fittings are suitable for use on steel pipes conforming to ASTM A53, A106, A135, a795 (schedule 10 to 40) or constructed of black iron, epoxy coated or galvanized steel.

Product Focus: Pumps

Armstrong permanent magnet pumps

June 1, 2023

Armstrong has a new size range of Design Envelope Permanent Magnet pumps that are engineered to deliver up to 65% lower operating costs than variable speed pumps with standard induction motors, the company says.

Product Focus: Pumps

Goulds Axial grinder pumps

June 2, 2023

The AGS Series grinder pumps feature axial grinder and semi-open impeller technology to easily slice through the solids, flushables and trash found in the modern wastewater stream without roping or clogging.

Product Focus: Pumps

Grundfos high-efficiency circulator pump

June 5, 2023

Boasting a high Energy Rating at 193, ALPHA delivers enhanced efficiency and performance and offers the highest wire-to-water efficiency available, Grundfos says.

Plumbing and Mechanical

Columnists

Nicole Krawcke: ChatGPT: Revolutionizing the plumbing industry

Donnie Hornback: Two reasons why I sold my 18-year-old plumbing company

Dave Yates: Heat pump retrofit

Matt Michel: 5 solid reasons every plumber should offer drain cleaning

Michael Copp: Hybrid workplaces need locker room leadership

David Ratliff: The water scarcity situation

John Siegenthaler: Extended manifold systems

Dan Holohan: The importance of training and educating yourself on the equipment you work on

Kenny Chapman: Relationships matter more than results

Cover Story

Plumbing & Mechanical 2023 Manufacturers' Rep of the Year: Herkowski Stickler & Associates

Departments

Bradford White supports “For Pete’s Sake, Walk!” event

Carrier acquires Viessmann

Manhattan Mechanical's Max Witt earns bronze for pipefitting in ABC's National Craft Championships

Feature Articles

Ride the wave! Bidets address wellness needs for popular trends

6 reasons why PEX excels in commercial hydronic distribution applications

Watts debuts new training center in Fort Worth, Texas

Demand for residential tankless water heaters heats up

New Products

PVI domestic water heater

Resideo smart thermostat

General Pipe Cleaners long-distance drain cleaner

Little Giant sump pumps

Taco Comfort Solutions ECM circulator pump

NIBCO space-saving boiler vent valve

Merit Brass CarbonPress fittings

Armstrong permanent magnet pumps

Goulds Axial grinder pumps

Grundfos high-efficiency circulator pump

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