2025 April

The April 2025 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features our cover story on a company rebrand that led to revenue increase and stronger community connections. Also read features on a guide to geothermal heat pump installation, a whole-home water treatment system, featured columns, and much more!

Close-up of a man holding a blue helmet. Construction worker with office and people in background. Close-up of a construction worker's hand holding a working helmet.

Guest Column | Steven John Cumper

Enhancing workplace safety through challenges

Innovative training tools and techniques for plumbing and mechanical businesses.

Steven John Cumper

April 15, 2025

Jobs like yours are dangerous. You knew when you started your career that you and your crew would be at risk of injury most days. But you were willing to take the chance anyway because you love what you do. As a contractor, you also know that without proper safety training, everyone on your team is a sitting duck waiting for a life-changing injury.

Heating Perceptions | Scott Secor

Weekend house calls: A high-demand heating season

Scott Secor

April 11, 2025

This has been busier than normal heating season. I suppose this winter was colder than most in the last decade. For the first time in years, we had to make numerous repairs to frozen pipes. There were many late nights and weekends that required me or my men to work extra hours. I’m sure we were not alone.

Editorial Opinion | Natalie Forster

Building trust before knocking on doors

Earning one loyal customer may be better than a handful of one-off jobs.

Natalie Forster

April 1, 2025

There is a fine line between running a profitable business and taking advantage of customers; ethics, values, transparency and consistency are the standout factors that make sure you’re riding the right side of the line.

Closeup of a team of industrial engineers meeting to analyze machinery blueprints and consult on a project on a table in a manufacturing factory.

Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

Build what you need: Availability and customization of heat pump systems opens doors of possibilities

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

April 2, 2025

The availability of heat pumps allows designers and installers of hydronic heating to include cooling. A simple method involves using a single air handler with a chilled water coil for a ducted distribution system, providing single zone cooling that can complement multi-zone hydronic heating in average houses.

Crowds at the AHR Expo exhibition floor in Orlando, Florida

Contractor's Corner | Dave Yates

AHR day 3: Best in show

Dave Yates

March 31, 2025

As the morning passed, crowds thinned and by midmorning, you have unfettered access to folks working booths who are happy to see you and eager to show off their wares. This is by far the best time to establish inside contacts and create bonds with manufacturers.

Group photo of Plumbing Outfitters staff, posing in front of two service trucks with new branding.

Branding together: Plumbing contractor rebrand is about more than an image

Texas-based plumbing contractor rebranding initiative leads to YoY revenue increase, improved recruiting and stronger community connections.

Natalie Forster

April 3, 2025

In the world of service contractors — where time, labor and oftentimes materials — are in limited supply, establishing a brand and marketing strategy aren’t always top of mind. For Texas-based plumbing contractor, Plumbing Outfitters, undergoing a rebrand was about much more than portraying an image.

April 2025 The Glitch & The Fix Figure 1

The Glitch & The Fix: April 2025

Unexpected results: heat pump system at low outdoor temperatures

Consider the “dual temperature” heat pump system shown in figure 1

John Siegenthaler, P.E.

April 4, 2025

When only the air handler is operating the heat pump is able to supply the 120 ºF water. However, when the floor heating zone and the air handler are operating at the same time and the outdoor air temperature is below 24 ºF the fluid temperature leaving the heat pump can’t climb above 103 ºF. Why is this happening, and what can be done?

Fire flames burning and glowing on dark background.

Balancing environmental responsibility and effectiveness in fire protection systems

Trends driving the future of fire protection design and construction.

Clifton Hartford

April 22, 2025

The demand for smarter, cleaner, and more efficient fire protection solutions is growing, especially for hospitals and data centers. Fire protection engineers, contractors, and manufacturers must stay updated on changing regulations, fire codes, market needs, and new technologies.

EPA and consumer demand call for water saving installations

Trends in water efficiency and sustainability in plumbing.

Jenni Steele

April 16, 2025

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) suggests that 70% of all counties in the U.S. may face more serious water shortages in the next 30 years. This depletion threatens to reduce stream flows, increase land subsidence, and elevate water costs for both households and industries.

Water being poured into a glass. Close up of person holding the glass and a blurred background.

Water treatment solutions becoming the norm

Consumer demand leaning toward whole-home water treatment portfolios.

Natalie Forster

April 11, 2025

As end users become more aware of and knowledgeable about the damaging effects of PFAS, microplastics, other chemicals, and hard water, plumbing professionals must be up-to-date with the latest water treatment and filtration technologies on the market. Plumbing & Mechanical sat down with Sara Krupa, category manager, filtration at Moen, to talk all things water filtration.

Geothermal Power Plant: Geothermal electricity is electricity generated from geothermal energy.

Demystifying ground source heat pumps

A guide to retrofit and new construction geothermal heat pumps.

Dave Yates

April 7, 2025

GSHP systems have one primary significant difference: the outdoor refrigerant coil and fan are absent. Instead of these components, the functions of the outdoor condenser have been integrated into the indoor unit, resulting in a hybrid condenser and evaporator unit.