High Efficiency Homes .taxonomy-header__description{ width: 675px !important; max-width: 100% !important; }

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Elevate Your Home Building Projects: High-Efficiency Design and Construction Solutions.

]]> https://www.pmmag.com/rss/6657-high-efficiency-homes en-us Impact of affordability challenges and demographic shifts on housing trends in 2026 Housing affordability has declined significantly in recent years. The deterioration in price-to-income ratio has been a key factor, as home prices have risen 53% since 2019, while median household income has risen only 24%. This has notably decreased the share of first-time home buyers in the market, which dropped to 21% in 2025 from 44% in 1981. Over that same time frame, the median age for first-time buyers reached a record high of 40 in 2025 from 29 in 1981. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/107232 Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/107232-impact-of-affordability-challenges-and-demographic-shifts-on-housing-trends-in-2026 Rethinking tankless: fact over fiction baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Many people still hesitate when they hear the phrase “tankless water heater.” The myths run deep: they won’t work in cold climates, they’re too expensive, they can’t keep up with demand. These misconceptions are fueled by early limitations in the technology and years of hearsay passed along between homeowners – and even some tradespeople.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106906 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106906-rethinking-tankless-fact-over-fiction Beyond the blueprint: Navigating codes, carbon and clean energy incentives baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Building codes are becoming stricter, carbon targets are becoming law, and there’s more funding available for compliance. For those in plumbing and mechanical trades, system design now involves meeting emissions goals, leveraging incentives, and navigating changing regulations.


]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106789 Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106789-beyond-the-blueprint-navigating-codes-carbon-and-clean-energy-incentives Millennials and Gen Z making gains in housing market: What this means for plumbing service companies forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) Baby Boomers own the most homes in the U.S., but Millennials and Gen Z are gaining. In 2024, Millennials made up 29% of homebuyers, while 33% of older Gen Z members (around 27) are homeowners, compared to about 40% of the same-age Baby Boomers.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106760 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106760-millennials-and-gen-z-making-gains-in-housing-market-what-this-means-for-plumbing-service-companies How plumbers can enable insurable homes and deliver peace of mind for homeowners To help control losses and to make insurance available to certain homes, more insurers are requiring plumbing leak detection devices as a condition of coverage, alongside smoke detector requirements that are ubiquitous throughout the industry.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106751 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106751-how-plumbers-can-enable-insurable-homes-and-deliver-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners The hybrid heat advantage: decarbonizing water heating for a resilient future baylesk@bnpmedia.com (Kristen R. Bayles) Hybrid systems offer a critical bridge in the transition from fossil fuel reliance to full electrification. For contractors working in colder climates or retrofitting older homes, all-electric heat pump systems can be a tough sell. Hybrid units, however, deliver measurable emission reductions while preserving consistent output and adaptability.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106740 Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106740-the-hybrid-heat-advantage-decarbonizing-water-heating-for-a-resilient-future Water treatment solutions becoming the norm forstern@bnpmedia.com (Natalie Forster) 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.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106471 Fri, 11 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106471-water-treatment-solutions-becoming-the-norm 9 out of 10 homeowners would recommend heat pump technology to others Survey respondents who owned a heat pump shared their top three benefits of owning a heat pump system as greater energy efficiency (55%), better heating (41%), and greater cost savings (39%). 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106337 Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106337-9-out-of-10-homeowners-would-recommend-heat-pump-technology-to-others Duel-fuel solution offers best of both worlds Keefer Rader of Outlaw Mechanical integrated hydronic heat pumps into a solar-powered home, using a dual-fuel system with U.S. Boiler Co.'s products to manage temperature needs and isolating oxygenated radiant loops with a heat exchanger, completing the retrofit in five days.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106287 Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106287-duel-fuel-solution-offers-best-of-both-worlds Top 10 of 2024: The most-read articles on Plumbing & Mechanical Here’s a countdown of the top 10 articles you read the most in 2024 based on the number of unique pageviews on www.pmmag.com. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106281 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106281-top-10-of-2024-the-most-read-articles-on-plumbing-and-mechanical LG, University of Alaska Anchorage open heat pump labs for cold-climate HVAC research The LG Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump, which was just awarded the 2025 AHR Innovation Award in the Sustainable Solutions category, underscores the company’s ongoing research and development efforts for products under cold conditions.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106259 Fri, 13 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106259-lg-university-of-alaska-anchorage-open-heat-pump-labs-for-cold-climate-hvac-research 2025 Plumbing Industry Outlook Plumbing and HVAC contractors navigated a year of challenges and opportunities, with rising demand for energy-efficient systems amid labor shortages. As we look to 2025, growth is expected in commercial sectors like data centers and healthcare, alongside increased home repairs. The focus on sustainability and technology will drive innovation in the industry.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106223 Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106223-2025-plumbing-industry-outlook Empower homeowners and enhance sales with properly installed tankless water heater solutions Tankless water heaters can be a great option for many consumers, but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Their efficiency and performance vary based on individual circumstances. Homeowners should consult with a plumbing professional to explore all their water heating options.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106177 Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106177-empower-homeowners-and-enhance-sales-with-properly-installed-tankless-water-heater-solutions Want to retain employees? Give them a reason to stay Retaining skilled employees is vital for plumbing and HVAC contractors. High turnover leads to disruptions and decreased customer satisfaction. To address this, many are finding innovative ways to encourage retention, including unique approaches from new companies.



]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106123 Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106123-want-to-retain-employees-give-them-a-reason-to-stay Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater lowers racing legend’s home energy bills NASCAR legend Ward Burton installed a Premier AL Smart Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater in his 1999 home, saving up to $300 monthly on electric bills. Homeowners can save 75% or more on energy costs with this unit.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106061 Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106061-hybrid-electric-heat-pump-water-heater-lowers-racing-legends-home-energy-bills Daikin advances to final stage in US Department of Energy's Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge This milestone follows the successful completion of multiple field tests, underscoring Daikin's commitment to product innovation in energy-efficient electric heating solutions.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106036 Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106036-daikin-advances-to-final-stage-in-us-department-of-energys-residential-cold-climate-heat-pump-challenge Midea showcases heat pump innovation at 2024 ENERGY STAR Products Partner Meeting The gathering was organized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and brought together leaders in energy efficiency from across the country. 

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/106006 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/106006-midea-showcases-heat-pump-innovation-at-2024-energy-star-products-partner-meeting Air-to-water heat pumps — a game changer for the hydronics industry Air-to-water heat pumps are becoming popular in the hydronic heating industry due to their energy efficiency and sustainability. Chris Decato of U.S. Boiler Co. notes a rising demand driven by their cost-effectiveness and reduced carbon footprint.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105927 Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105927-air-to-water-heat-pumps-a-game-changer-for-the-hydronics-industry Inflation Reduction Act marks second anniversary Last month marked the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the most significant U.S. federal action on climate change. With over $369 billion allocated to energy and climate programs, the IRA has driven unprecedented growth in renewable energy, boosting solar, wind, and battery storage, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions and lowering energy costs.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105920 Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105920-inflation-reduction-act-marks-second-anniversary LG establishes new Consortium in China, completing its global heat pump R&D network Partnership to enhance company’s high-performance heat pump solutions for cold climates, lay groundwork for the development of next-generation technologies.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105828 Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105828-lg-establishes-new-consortium-in-china-completing-its-global-heat-pump-r-and-d-network ASHRAE's new edition of Residential Energy Performance Standard sets bold GHG reduction and IEQ targets This updated edition introduces groundbreaking advancements in building design and sets ambitious goals for energy efficiency, greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, and indoor environmental quality (IEQ).

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105826 Wed, 04 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105826-ashraes-new-edition-of-residential-energy-performance-standard-sets-bold-ghg-reduction-and-ieq-targets Midea opens first Brooklyn Showroom to promote heat pump adoption Each location showcases a range of heat pump solutions, including Cold Climate Heat Pumps, Packaged Window Heat Pumps, EVOX ducted systems, multi-zone heat pumps and domestic water heating systems, making it an ideal setting for gaining firsthand knowledge about heat pump innovations.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105681 Tue, 27 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105681-midea-opens-first-brooklyn-showroom-to-promote-heat-pump-adoption Cala Systems announces $5.6M seed round for heat pump water heater Cala’s heat pump water heater will lower costs and carbon emissions from home water heating, which currently accounts for 19% of all home energy use and 3% of U.S. GHG emissions. Homeowners and those who install Cala HPWHs are set up to benefit from local, state, and federal support for heat pump water heaters, including 30% rebates through the Inflation Reduction Act.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105669 Tue, 20 Aug 2024 17:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105669-cala-systems-announces-56m-seed-round-for-heat-pump-water-heater Hot water in seconds — boosting comfort while saving water Nestled within a 20-year-old home deep in the heart of Klein, Texas, the Stansifer family encountered a common homeowner problem: a painfully long three-to-five-minute wait for hot water whenever they turned on a faucet.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105597 Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105597-hot-water-in-seconds-boosting-comfort-while-saving-water Heat pump water heaters: transforming contractor profits with sustainable solutions The plumbing industry is evolving with a focus on sustainability. Heat pump water heaters (HPWH) present an opportunity for contractors to stand out and meet changing client needs, contributing to environmental conservation and demonstrating leadership in a dynamic market.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105552 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105552-heat-pump-water-heaters-transforming-contractor-profits-with-sustainable-solutions Martha's Vineyard mechanical contractor incorporates radiant heating into his own Net Zero strategy Matt Millard, owner of Performance Mechanical in Edgartown, Massachusetts, loves to experiment with new technologies. Recently, Millard wanted to step up to hydronic radiant heating for his own home addition using an air-to-water heat pump.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105512 Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105512-marthas-vineyard-mechanical-contractor-incorporates-radiant-heating-into-his-own-net-zero-strategy Contractor finds success in simple, scalable hydronic designs Jim Harper Sr. instilled a strong work ethic in his son, Jim Jr. who studied at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. Jim Jr. moved to Colorado in the 1990s to work with Caribou Plumbing, gaining experience in hydronics. He founded Plumbing Systems Inc. (PSI), which was put on hold after 9/11.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105482 Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105482-contractor-finds-success-in-simple-scalable-hydronic-designs Innovation for an important part of the home Wi-Fi technology has improved homes, including water heaters. The changing landscape of water heaters presents challenges for industry professionals. Nick Snell, director of plumbing sales at F.W. Webb Co., emphasizes the importance of working with a supplier that understands the evolving marketplace.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105426 Fri, 05 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105426-innovation-for-an-important-part-of-the-home Boilers offer path to greener future While electrification can help meet decarbonization goals, high-efficiency condensing boilers are also a possible solution to bridge the gap between where we are now and where we are heading.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105299 Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105299-boilers-offer-path-to-greener-future Radiant heating provides zoned comfort and efficiency to log cabin home Mike Guglielmo, a 30-year industry veteran, is currently working on a radiant heating project for a 9,200-square-foot luxury log cabin, located about 40 minutes outside of Easton, Pennsylvania, across the New Jersey border.

]]> http://www.pmmag.com/articles/105288 Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.pmmag.com/articles/105288-radiant-heating-provides-zoned-comfort-and-efficiency-to-log-cabin-home