Explore the freshest and most trending topics currently making waves in the plumbing/mechanical contracting industry. Dive into the latest buzz, timely insights, and noteworthy content that's driving our industry forward. https://www.pmmag.com/rss/5169-plumbing-mechanical-top-stories en-us bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) While many manufacturers implemented modest increases in the low-single-digit range, some select product categories saw increases of 10% or more. While many manufacturers implemented modest increases in the low-single-digit range, some select product categories saw increases of 10% or more.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107578 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:33:35 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107578-phcp-pvf-price-increases-july-2026 TV ads can build awareness, but earned media builds trust. Learn how a strong public relations strategy can position your company as the local expert, increase credibility, and keep your business top of mind when customers need to make a call. TV ads can build awareness, but earned media builds trust. Learn how a strong public relations strategy can position your company as the local expert, increase credibility, and keep your business top of mind when customers need to make a call.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107576 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:30:39 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107576-the-tv-strategy-that-builds-trust-and-makes-the-phone-ring Problems do not go away in business. They are part of the process. But in a culture of ownership, problems become opportunities for leadership. Instead of frustration, you get solutions. Instead of finger pointing, you get growth. Problems do not go away in business. They are part of the process. But in a culture of ownership, problems become opportunities for leadership. Instead of frustration, you get solutions. Instead of finger pointing, you get growth.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107573 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:28:44 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107573-extreme-ownership-in-the-trades-the-leadership-standard-that-changes-everything baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Chris Fresh, host of The Plumbing Sales Coach Podcast – The Fresh Approach, explains how a service-first culture builds trust, boosts technician confidence and ultimately leads to stronger business results. Chris Fresh, host of The Plumbing Sales Coach Podcast – The Fresh Approach, explains how a service-first culture builds trust, boosts technician confidence and ultimately leads to stronger business results.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107561 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107561-why-service-beats-sales-on-every-plumbing-call bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times Top 40 Under 40 Next Gen All-Star competition. Nominations are officially open for the 2026 Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times Top 40 Under 40 Next Gen All-Star competition.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107569 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:54:14 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107569-top-40-under-40-next-gen-all-star-competition-officially-open hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) As utilities and building owners look for new energy storage solutions, hydronic thermal storage presents an efficient alternative to batteries in many applications. As utilities and building owners look for new energy storage solutions, hydronic thermal storage presents an efficient alternative to batteries in many applications.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107568 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107568-an-open-and-shut-case-part-1 A Massachusetts plumbing contractor replaced an aging indirect water heater with a larger system designed to accommodate future renovations and improve efficiency. A Massachusetts plumbing contractor replaced an aging indirect water heater with a larger system designed to accommodate future renovations and improve efficiency.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107567 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107567-from-firehouse-to-jobsite-a-contractors-approach-to-water-heater-replacement baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) The Armbrust Plumbing team recently had a redesign of their fleet of 18 trucks, with the help of Lemon Seed Marketing. Featuring bright blue and green, partnered with an elegant navy blue, the real star of the truck is the knight. The Armbrust Plumbing team recently had a redesign of their fleet of 18 trucks, with the help of Lemon Seed Marketing. Featuring bright blue and green, partnered with an elegant navy blue, the real star of the truck is the knight. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107559 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:03:32 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107559-truck-of-the-month-armbrust-plumbing Emergency demand will always be part of plumbing and mechanical work. Systems fail. Weather intervenes. Customers need help quickly. But treating urgency as an emotional reflex rather than a validated signal creates inefficiencies that compound as organizations scale. Emergency demand will always be part of plumbing and mechanical work. Systems fail. Weather intervenes. Customers need help quickly. But treating urgency as an emotional reflex rather than a validated signal creates inefficiencies that compound as organizations scale.  

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107556 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107556-are-emergency-jobs-costing-you-money-rethinking-dispatch-decisions baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Artificial intelligence won't fix broken workflows. It will simply expose them, says Powerhouse Consulting Group's Jenny Benbrook. Artificial intelligence won't fix broken workflows. It will simply expose them, says Powerhouse Consulting Group's Jenny Benbrook.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107554 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107554-ai-is-exposing-the-cracks-in-contractors-operations As companies begin evaluating budgets and planning for the future, many leaders focus on lead generation and brand awareness. While those initiatives are important, it is equally important to examine what happens after a prospect enters the sales funnel. As companies begin evaluating budgets and planning for the future, many leaders focus on lead generation and brand awareness. While those initiatives are important, it is equally important to examine what happens after a prospect enters the sales funnel.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107552 Sat, 27 Jun 2026 10:00:11 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107552-the-marketing-materials-your-sales-team-actually-needs baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) The latest numbers show that water heater shipments continued to soften in April, reflecting many of the same economic pressures affecting residential construction and remodeling activity. The latest numbers show that water heater shipments continued to soften in April, reflecting many of the same economic pressures affecting residential construction and remodeling activity. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107549 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:34:01 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107549-ahri-data-shows-water-heater-shipments-remain-soft-in-2026 baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Industry leaders say Gen Z sees something previous generations may have overlooked: the trades offer purpose, opportunity and a chance to make a tangible impact every day. Industry leaders say Gen Z sees something previous generations may have overlooked: the trades offer purpose, opportunity and a chance to make a tangible impact every day.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107544 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:33:05 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107544-nearly-60-of-gen-z-is-considering-skilled-trades-careers For contractors, summer is the perfect opportunity to build trust and establish themselves as the experts homeowners can turn to when those projects become more complicated and they need professional support. Home service professionals who have already built credibility and visibility are far more likely to earn that business. For contractors, summer is the perfect opportunity to build trust and establish themselves as the experts homeowners can turn to when those projects become more complicated and they need professional support. Home service professionals who have already built credibility and visibility are far more likely to earn that business.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107541 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:20:26 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107541-visibility-matters-for-contractors-during-home-improvement-season baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) National HVAC Technician Day serves as a reminder of the vital role these professionals play every day. While the industry continues working to strengthen its workforce pipeline, technicians remain the people who keep buildings running, businesses operating and communities comfortable. National HVAC Technician Day serves as a reminder of the vital role these professionals play every day. While the industry continues working to strengthen its workforce pipeline, technicians remain the people who keep buildings running, businesses operating and communities comfortable.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107539 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:01:14 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107539-hvac-technician-day-recognizing-the-industrys-everyday-heroes bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) In her first editor's note, Hannah Belloli-Oster shares how a carpenter father, a journalism degree, and a few career leaps led her to Plumbing & Mechanical, and why she's excited to learn alongside the industry she now serves. In her first editor's note, Hannah Belloli-Oster shares how a carpenter father, a journalism degree, and a few career leaps led her to Plumbing & Mechanical, and why she's excited to learn alongside the industry she now serves.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107537 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:43:32 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107537-the-view-from-the-new-desk Relationship-based business development should be assessed against its fully loaded cost, including principal and estimator hours, travel, entertainment, association memberships, prequalification time, and the carrying cost of bids that do not convert. Relationship-based business development should be assessed against its fully loaded cost, including principal and estimator hours, travel, entertainment, association memberships, prequalification time, and the carrying cost of bids that do not convert. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107538 Mon, 22 Jun 2026 09:53:56 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107538-what-plumbing-and-mechanical-contractors-get-wrong-about-the-cost-of-finding-new-work Here is the truth I have seen time and time again: most businesses do not struggle with ideas, they struggle with execution. The gap between what we know and what we consistently do is where businesses either grow or stall. Here is the truth I have seen time and time again: most businesses do not struggle with ideas, they struggle with execution. The gap between what we know and what we consistently do is where businesses either grow or stall.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107536 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:11:01 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107536-the-execution-gap-why-great-ideas-die-in-the-field baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) On a recent episode of And So It Flows, Kristen Bayles sat down with Gregg Holladay, business development manager for specialty markets at Bradford White, to discuss the growing role heat pump water heaters are expected to play in the residential plumbing market and why contractors need to start preparing now. http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107531 Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107531-heat-pump-water-heaters-in-real-life bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) A Riverside, California, contractor fraud investigation has led to the arrest of a man accused of posing as a licensed plumbing contractor, stealing from an elderly resident, and using a stolen contractor license number. A Riverside, California, contractor fraud investigation has led to the arrest of a man accused of posing as a licensed plumbing contractor, stealing from an elderly resident, and using a stolen contractor license number.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107526 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:31:13 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107526-fake-plumbing-contractor-arrested-on-fraud-burglary-and-elder-abuse-charges In a hyper-competitive market, talent poaching happens instantly. Salary matches provide short-term retention, but fail to build long-term loyalty. The true competitive advantage comes from the daily workplace experience. In a hyper-competitive market, talent poaching happens instantly. Salary matches provide short-term retention, but fail to build long-term loyalty. The true competitive advantage comes from the daily workplace experience.  

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107525 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107525-the-benefits-package-your-best-technicians-are-quietly-comparing-you-against Thinking about acquiring another plumbing company? Growth can be appealing, but an acquisition may create more challenges than opportunities, especially if you plan to sell your business in the near future. Learn why debt, integration hurdles, operational risks and buyer perceptions can impact your company’s value, and what business owners should consider before making a move. Thinking about acquiring another plumbing company? Growth can be appealing, but an acquisition may create more challenges than opportunities, especially if you plan to sell your business in the near future. Learn why debt, integration hurdles, operational risks and buyer perceptions can impact your company’s value, and what business owners should consider before making a move.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107521 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:06:59 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107521-does-buying-a-company-make-sense baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) The legislation transfers oversight from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana and lowers training requirements, prompting debate over the future of plumbing licensure and apprenticeship. The legislation transfers oversight from the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana and lowers training requirements, prompting debate over the future of plumbing licensure and apprenticeship.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107513 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107513-louisiana-plumbing-reform-bill-draws-concerns keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) A new PHCC-backed program inside Hamilton County Jail is equipping inmates with hands-on HVAC and plumbing skills. A new PHCC-backed program inside Hamilton County Jail is equipping inmates with hands-on HVAC and plumbing skills.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107514 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:00:26 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107514-how-a-new-phcc-program-is-turning-inmates-into-tomorrows-plumbers-and-hvac-techs hydronicpros@gmail.com (John Siegenthaler, P.E.) Air-to-water heat pumps are different from boilers. As the outdoor air temperature decreases, their heating output decreases. That’s a characteristic of all air-source heat pumps, and it runs opposite to how heating load changes with decreasing outdoor temperature. Air-to-water heat pumps are different from boilers. As the outdoor air temperature decreases, their heating output decreases. That’s a characteristic of all air-source heat pumps, and it runs opposite to how heating load changes with decreasing outdoor temperature. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107511 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:57:34 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107511-seizing-control While managing field productivity is critical, many contractors routinely overlook a silent profit killer hiding in plain sight: material procurement. While managing field productivity is critical, many contractors routinely overlook a silent profit killer hiding in plain sight: material procurement.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107506 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107506-the-hidden-cost-of-material-procurement-in-plumbing-projects bellolih@bnpmedia.com (Hannah Belloli-Oster) Manufacturers announced another round of PHCP-PVF price increases in June, with adjustments affecting insulation, valves, fittings, pumps, water heating products, and specialty plumbing components. See which suppliers raised prices and when the changes take effect. Manufacturers announced another round of PHCP-PVF price increases in June, with adjustments affecting insulation, valves, fittings, pumps, water heating products, and specialty plumbing components. See which suppliers raised prices and when the changes take effect.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107505 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107505-phcp-pvf-price-increases-june-2026 Whatever the reason, preparing to sell the company you have created and managed is a major decision that requires careful planning. Whatever the reason, preparing to sell the company you have created and managed is a major decision that requires careful planning.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107503 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:29:41 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107503-clear-the-clutter-and-make-your-company-ready-to-sell baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) AI-powered receptionists are emerging as a tool that can help businesses improve responsiveness, streamline operations, and compete more effectively in an increasingly fast-paced market. AI-powered receptionists are emerging as a tool that can help businesses improve responsiveness, streamline operations, and compete more effectively in an increasingly fast-paced market.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107485 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107485-the-new-front-line-of-customer-service baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) The annual competition highlights the industry's top technicians while inspiring future generations to pursue careers in HVAC. The annual competition highlights the industry's top technicians while inspiring future generations to pursue careers in HVAC. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107498 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:00:44 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107498-showcasing-hvac-excellence-on-a-national-stage