ic Codes Corner: Water efficiency is critical to creating sustainable and resilient communities By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 04 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 As the creation of sustainable and resilient buildings becomes a greater priority, especially over the past year, one critical component will be to ensure our buildings are water efficient. Full Article
ic ICC, PMI announce transition of Matt Sigler to Code Council’s plumbing and mechanical team By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:00:00 -0400 Sigler is a well-known and highly respected technical expert in the industry with over 20 years of experience in construction, codes and engineering. Full Article
ic ICC, RESNET to develop standard on Remote Virtual Inspections for energy and water performance in buildings By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 25 Aug 2021 09:47:00 -0400 The new standard will provide guidance for implementing RVI for energy code compliance and for energy and water efficiency performance. Full Article
ic IAPMO solicits public comments on 2024 UPC, UMC By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 13 Sep 2021 10:21:00 -0400 No comments will be accepted after the 5 p.m. PST deadline on Jan. 4, 2022. All public comments will be distributed to the technical committee members in March and reviewed at their meetings, May 2-5, 2022, in Anaheim, California. Full Article
ic IAPMO makes Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) available for public comment By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 26 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0400 The deadline to submit comments is Sept. 5. Full Article
ic Commercial water heating market moves toward electrification By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 23 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400 As more and more cities and states seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it’s clear that regulatory activity is clearly driving the push to electrification and decarbonization. Full Article
ic Best practices for venting tankless water heaters By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Here's what you need to know about venting for tankless water heaters and how you can approach it for the least cost and best results. Full Article
ic F.W. Webb's hydronic panels, born of circumstance, succeed By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Leave it to good old fashioned ingenuity. F.W. Webb recognized an opportunity during the pandemic that resulted in a new revenue stream and an influx of satisfied customers. Full Article
ic Master the basics of sewer root removal By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Root intrusion in sewer systems causes blockages, slow drainage, unpleasant odors, and overflow. Preventative root control is essential to maintain the sewer system's hydraulic capacity. This issue deserves our full attention. Full Article
ic Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater lowers racing legend’s home energy bills By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 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. Full Article
ic Best practices for managing finances By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 As Leap Partners' CFO I handle financial statements, acquisitions, and sales. Small businesses often find finance tasks overwhelming. I work with them daily, guiding them to secure their financial standing. Through this, I've learned about common financial trends and errors. Recently, I shared my insights with a friend. Full Article
ic 4 things you must do to justify a higher price By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 In every market, some companies offer low-priced products, while others offer high-priced premium products. If you want to justify a higher price, here are four things you must do. Full Article
ic How should you handle merchant service fees? By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 09 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Some customers prefer using credit cards, but accepting them means paying merchant service fees. Contractors may offer cash discounts or add an upcharge, so consider how to handle merchant services. Full Article
ic Leadership tips and best practices By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 When we hear about a 'dream team,' our minds envision the perfect basketball team or a group of highly skilled attorneys assembled for a high-profile legal matter. But creating a team that consistently delivers great results shouldn't be limited to sports or legal teams. Full Article
ic Applying the Water Demand Calculator: Public fixtures in multi-family buildings By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 The IAPMO Water Demand Calculator has faced challenges due to exclusions from its documentation and calculations, causing difficulties for engineers in luxury apartment buildings. Full Article
ic Customer service 101: Don't burn bridges By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 If you treat a customer well, they will recommend your services to three others. However, if you treat a customer poorly and make them feel cheated, they will spend a lot of time spreading negative feedback, especially on social media. Full Article
ic Junkyard ruminations from a hydronic heating contractor By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 11 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Junkyards are one of those forgotten places we in the heating business must visit on occasion. Full Article
ic The psychology of plumbing pricing By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 We all know about pricing, right? Hopefully, we know the difference between markup and margin. We know how to calculate break even. Here are eight things you should know about the psychology of pricing. Full Article
ic 4 reasons hydronic radiant heating promotes sustainability and indoor environmental quality By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0500 With remote work becoming the standard for many employees across the U.S. and homeowners spending even more time indoors as a result of the pandemic, a new focus is emerging on the need for sustainability and indoor environmental quality in homes. Full Article
ic BoilerMag magnetic filter By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 16 Nov 2020 08:11:00 -0500 Installing the magnetic filter will increase energy efficiency, significantly prolong boiler life, protect pipework and considerably reduce maintenance calls, the company notes. Full Article
ic Adventures in Hydronic Heating Volume 4 By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Thu, 03 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500 We are proud to present the fourth of the four-part eBook series that chronicles Dave's "Adventures in Hydronic Heating." Full Article
ic Happy as a pig? PP-R pipe excels in tough agricultural application By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500 A happy sow is a better sow. If you didn’t know that, don’t worry: The people who need to know it do. Full Article
ic VRF versus hydronics By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0400 With a considerable volume of contradictory information in circulation regarding the application of different technologies for HVAC systems, this article seeks to explain some of the technical aspects of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, and offer comparisons on the basis of cost and performance to more standard hydronic systems. Full Article
ic Hydronic heat pumps ride the tide of electrification By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0400 According to the United Nations, 2019 was the second warmest year on record at the end of the warmest decade (2010-2019) ever recorded. Full Article
ic Hydronic contractors becoming control consultants By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 19 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500 For decades, changing out a thermostat for a retrofit hydronic heating system was a simple task for a service technician. From Bangor, Maine, to Breckenridge, Colorado, the mere two, 18-gauge thermostat wires running through a home was not a concern (short of the random nail or mouse taking one of the two out). Full Article
ic The gold standard: Protection from dissolved oxygen and debris in hydronic systems By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 21 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Water is the life-blood of hydronic systems. Just as we strive to maintain the health of our own circulatory systems, it’s important to maintain the health of the water-based solutions that circulate through the hydronic systems we construct and maintain. Full Article
ic Hydronic retrofit brings utility and style together By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 22 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400 The age-old question of function versus form has confounded experts in every field for countless decades.Jeff Sweenor, president and CEO of Sweenor Builders in Wakefield, Rhode Island, looks at it differently. He asks, why not both? Function certainly comes first, but when the dust settles, his projects look as good as they work. Full Article
ic Kenny Chapman: Motivation is not about carrots or sticks By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 02 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500 Motivation. It’s something we all need and want, but that’s where the commonality ends. Each of us needs different things to motivate us to get things done. That means that when you talk about motivation, you need to know what kind of motivation your specific team member is interested in and what they will best respond to. Full Article
ic Authenticity creates abundance in business By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400 The challenge for most of us can be identifying how we foster an abundance mindset—a key ingredient to achieving success—in our daily lives and workplace cultures. Full Article
ic Nurturing the next generation of leaders in the home services trades By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 03 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Succession is a crucial phase for leaders. Proper planning and strategy can make it the best decision for the company. Full Article
ic Shifting leadership styles from field to office By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 I have a question for all my fellow leaders in the trades: How well do you remember the days when you were solely in the field? Full Article
ic How organizational charts accelerate team efficiency By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jul 2024 22:00:00 -0400 Our training at The Blue Collar Success Group focuses on three crucial areas: scorecards, processes, and organizational charts. These components are essential for clarity, motivation, and accountability. This month, we will focus on organizational charts. Full Article
ic The importance of processes in the home services trades By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Processes are the third component of our success strategy — organizational charts, scorecards, and processes. Two months ago, I began a three-part series to focus on each of them. This month, we are going to bring that strategy full circle by discussing processes. Full Article
ic Nicole Krawcke: ‘Tis the season By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 04 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500 As I write this, I cannot believe next week is Thanksgiving, and after that, just a few short weeks left until Christmas. Full Article
ic Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder charged in Flint water probe By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Thu, 14 Jan 2021 13:44:00 -0500 Nine individuals have been indicted on a total of 42 counts related to a series of alleged actions and inactions that created the historic injustice of the Flint Water Crisis. Full Article
ic Franklin Electric acquires water treatment company By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Apr 2021 10:20:00 -0400 Puronics is a residential and commercial water treatment products and services provider operating four company-owned service centers. Full Article
ic Water filtration demand grows post-pandemic By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400 There’s no doubt about it, concern over water quality is becoming more prevalent. One just had to walk the trade show floor during the 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) to see plenty of new water filtration and management systems, some even dispensing sparkling water by user preference. Full Article
ic Best practices for Legionella prevention in plumbing systems By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 Plumbing & Mechanical and PM Engineer Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke sits down with Legionella expert Dr. Janet Stout, PhD, to discuss best practice strategies in the plumbing industry for implementing risk assessments and Water Management Programs. Full Article
ic Point-of-use water disinfection: a necessary public health solution By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Point-of-use (POU) water disinfection isn't just about public health; it's also an essential engineering strategy in modern water systems, tackling waterborne diseases by ensuring safe drinking water directly at the point of consumption. Full Article
ic Honest Water Filter Co. receives NSF Standard 53 Certification By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 NSF International Standard 53 is internationally recognized as the benchmark for water filtration systems’ effectiveness in reducing specific health-related contaminants. Full Article
ic BNP Media's Plumbing & Mechanical Media Group receives award for publication excellence By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400 The APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. Full Article
ic Caleffi automatic filling valve with backflow preventer By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400 Caleffi's new AutoFill has a fill rate of 5.5 GPM and maintains stable system pressure, ensuring consistent results without the need for constant monitoring. Full Article
ic Create mobile workstations using smart upfitting solutions to maximize jobsite efficiency By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 Efficient fleet management is essential for plumbing and HVAC contractors looking to optimize operations and improve service. Customizing fleet vehicles to meet specific company needs is a key strategy. Modern upfitting now includes advanced technology and ergonomic designs, creating mobile workstations that boost efficiency on job sites. Full Article
ic Truck of the Month: Beltz Home Service Co. By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 18 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0400 U.S. Navy Veteran Brian Beltz got his start in the trades during his service as an interior communications electrician stationed on the destroyer, the USS John Hancock. Full Article
ic Truck of the Month: The American dream By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400 Edwards Plumbing & Heating, a third-generation contracting business, was founded back in 1948 by Charles W Edwards. Charles Edwards, a pipefitter by trade prior to WWII, became a Navy Seabee, building runways in the pacific. Full Article
ic Today’s Technology to Market (T2M) – the bidirectional thermal district By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500 District systems, which have been around for centuries, provide buildings with a product created with technology beyond what an individual can either afford or apply. The primary advantage is the delivery of more cost-effective heating or cooling to the building. Full Article
ic SunTouch electric floor warming kits By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 08 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400 SunTouch ConnectPlus WarmWire Kits provide heat to warm floors and help keep bathroom, kitchen and entry way floors dry and safe. Full Article
ic A radiant revolution: Innovations illuminating the future of hydronics By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 Within the halls of our recent meetings, the RPA community witnessed a defining moment. Committees were not just formed; they were crafted as engines of change. Full Article
ic MrPEX announces Integrated Dynamic Control system By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 MrPEX’s Integrated Dynamic Control (IDC) is a PC-based intelligent control system which delivers optimized comfort and maximized efficiency. Full Article
ic NextGen Boiler announces electric boiler By www.pmmag.com Published On :: Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 The NextGen Boiler is a hydronic appliance that when installed, allows the homeowner to have peace of mind about their radiant heat applications. Full Article