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The Glitch & The Fix: Share, and share alike

An installer is asked to pipe up two larger commercial air handlers supplied by a dual boiler setup. 




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Happy as a pig? PP-R pipe excels in tough agricultural application

A happy sow is a better sow. If you didn’t know that, don’t worry: The people who need to know it do. 




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The Glitch & The Fix: Busy backup

A heating designer is asked to create a three zone radiant floor heating system using a 5-ton (60,000 Btu/h) geothermal heat pump as the primary heat source, and a mod/con boiler as the auxiliary heat source. 




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The Glitch & The Fix: Inadvertent flows

An installer recently read about the benefits of piping a buffer tank in a “2-pipe” configuration.  




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The Glitch & The Fix: Heat, heat everywhere

Figure 1 shows the piping layout for an actual installation. It uses two boilers, fired in stages, to supply three areas of a building. 




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The Glitch & The Fix: Mixed results

An installer is asked to connect a single speed geothermal water-to-water heat pump to a highly-zoned low temperature hydronic distribution system.




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Circulator pump reliability in extreme conditions

On a military base in east-central Alaska — where the average winter temperature is 16° F with lows that fall well below minus 50° at times — dependable, low-maintenance winter heating systems are critical for the active-duty military families and Department of Defense civilians who live on the military post.




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Hydronic retrofit brings utility and style together

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.




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The Glitch & The Fix: Combining geothermal heat pumps and radiant




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Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder charged in Flint water probe

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.




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ASA joins appeal on DOE rule to change showerhead water-flow limit

The American Supply Association (ASA) recently joined the Alliance for Water Efficiency in its appeal to the United States Department of Energy related to allowable flow-rate changes for multi-head showers, and the subsequent negative affects it will have on business operations for ASA members, as well as overall negative water-efficiency consequences that will result.




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Franklin Electric acquires water treatment company

Puronics is a residential and commercial water treatment products and services provider operating four company-owned service centers.




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IAPMO commends Washington State Legislature’s passage of bill requiring testing water for lead in schools and daycare facilities

Lead contamination in drinking water poses serious health risks, and even low levels of lead exposure can cause permanent cognitive, academic and behavioral difficulties in children.




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EPA adds new PFAS to its Drinking Water Treatability Database

The Drinking Water Treatability Database presents an overview of different contaminants and possible treatment processes to remove them from drinking water.  




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WQA opens new headquarters, laboratory in Illinois

The WQA Board of Directors officially approved the relocation plan in April 2019, after more than two years of research and planning, and the former headquarters was sold to another Lisle-based association in March 2020, right as the coronavirus pandemic hit.




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Ongoing water quality issues present opportunities for plumbers

When you talk about water scarcity and the lack of clean drinking water, most people think about third-world countries. They don’t realize that there’s a growing threat to clean water right here at home in the United States. Look at the February train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, where a fire forced the controlled release and burn of toxic chemicals to avoid an explosion. The resulting contamination killed thousands of fish in nearby streams and ignited concerns over soil and water quality.




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Franklin Water Treatment acquires assets of Action Manufacturing & Supply

Franklin Water Treatment provides products, services, and system solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial point-of-use and point-of-entry water treatment products, in a wide variety of markets and applications.




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Point-of-use water disinfection: a necessary public health solution

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.




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BNP Media's Plumbing & Mechanical Media Group receives award for publication excellence

The APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. 




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California homebuilder leads the way as early adopter of IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator

Appendix M of the IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code, or the Water Demand Calculator, was integrated into the California Plumbing Code on July 1. It provides a new method for sizing water pipes in residential buildings. For Villara Corp., a leading plumbing and HVAC contractor in Northern California, it remains business as usual, having used the calculator for over five years to construct over 5,000 single-family homes.




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Caleffi automatic filling valve with backflow preventer

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.




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Bosch Home Comfort introduces the IDS Ultra Cold Climate Heat Pump

The IDS Ultra qualifies for federal tax credits and state rebates as an Energy Star V6.1 Cold Climate-certified product.  




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A. O. Smith upgrades Pro-Size Tool for improved specifying capabilities

The improved ease of sizing these units makes it easier for customers to adopt commercial heat pump technology and allows them to take advantage of local HPWH rebates.




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Truck of the Month: CEC Facilities Group

This month, CEC Facilities Group celebrates 12 years in business. 




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Truck of the Month: Living the dream

Known as “The Temperature Experts,” Shelby Township, Michigan-based Koz Heating & Cooling was founded just eight years ago — the culmination of Michael Kosmalski’s dream to one day own his own HVAC company.




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Truck of the Month: A little retro representation

What do logging and plumbing have in common? Jon Hatch for one. After a friend told him about a plumbing apprenticeship opening 15 years ago, Jon Hatch made the jump to the plumbing industry. 




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Truck of the Month: A dream realized

For the past 15 years, Steve Baker had a plan to start his own plumbing company. Last year, that dream was finally achieved with the opening of Gideon Plumbing in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada.




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Truck of the Month: A modern facelift

After learning the trades during two tours in the Navy Seabees, Guy M. Cooper Sr. decided to start his own business — Guy M. Cooper Plumbing & Heating was founded in 1930. While the mechanical contracting firm has a long, storied history of providing high quality work and high quality jobs for all its employees, the third-generation owners Gary Cooper and Glenn Cooper decided it was time for a rebrand in 2021.




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Hugo Aguilar: What's on the horizon for the Radiant Professionals Alliance

Ever since the RPA was formed, members have taken advantage of the great benefits the alliance has to offer, such as codes and standards advocacy, a job center network, obtaining and creating valuable education, the annual Radiant Flooring Guide, newsletter subscription, discounts for IAPMO products and services, access to webinars and more. RPA members are professionals from all facets of the radiant profession, including manufacturers, installers, engineers, architects, students, apprentices and inspectors.




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MrPEX intelligent control system

Integrated Dynamic Control (IDC) is a PC-based intelligent control system delivering optimized comfort and maximized efficiency by coordinating HVAC, IAQ and hydronic systems in one control.




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The underground movement toward radiant cooling and future-proof building

Radiant heating and cooling systems are not new to the North American market, but there’s a strong trend toward incorporating both, especially for tightly controlled environments such as commercial spaces.




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Contractor gains multiple benefits installing radiant in his own home

When Jason Gaspard, owner and project manager at Select Mechanical Services, was looking to finish the basement of his Maple Grove, Minnesota-based home, he knew he wanted radiant heating in the space.




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Uponor announces multizone wireless control system for radiant heating and cooling

Smatrix Pulse is the industry’s first multizone wireless control system for both radiant heating as well as forced-air heating and cooling.




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How radiant heating and cooling can help achieve decarbonization goals

In a radiant heating and cooling system, water circulates through PEX pipes in the concrete slab to control the slab's temperature for heating or cooling.




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2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference Technical Program to feature AI, IoT, Climate Technology and more

The event’s more than 100 technical sessions will showcase on eight conference tracks will offer emerging approaches to building design, construction and operation.




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Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical partners with University of Alabama as the official plumbing & HVAC provider of the Crimson Tide

Hiller announced a five-year partnership with The University of Alabama’s Athletic Department and Crimson Tide Sports Marketing.




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Plumbing industry rallies to help following recent hurricane disasters

The East Coast has suffered severe damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, leading to extensive destruction, fatalities, and power outages. These hurricanes highlight the impact of climate change on storm severity, driven by warmer Atlantic waters. This situation underscores the urgent need for the PHCP-PVF industry to adapt to the challenges of increasingly intense storms.






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GF Building Flow Solutions reaches carbon neutrality in Minnesota and Germany

Key actions at the plant in Hutchinson included focusing on electricity consumption, energy efficiency and the use of green electricity since 2021. These measures have reduced the site’s emissions by about 94% as compared to the baseline year 2019. 




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PHCC’s CONNECT delivers a successful conference experience in Birmingham

Attendees gathered to learn and engage with the industry at PHCC CONNECT 2024.




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PHCC’s Plumbing Contractor of the Year Awarded to Vincent “Trey” Giglio III of Louisiana

Giglio is a dedicated member of PHCC of Louisiana’s leadership, currently serving as president-elect after more than a decade of work on the chapter’s Board of Directors




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High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric honored as one of Denver’s fast-growing businesses

This year, High 5 pLUMBING ranked No. 7 in the small business category.




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Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing expands plumbing services throughout Dayton area

Initially, Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing was only offering plumbing services to homes as far north as Springboro from their Cincinnati office, but now they are hiring Dayton-based plumbers to serve the entire Miami Valley for water heater service, plumbing repairs, water softeners and water quality service, and more from their Dayton location. Initially, Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing was only offering plumbing services to homes as far north as Springboro from their Cincinnati office, but now they are hiring Dayton-based plumbers to serve the entire Miami Valley for water heater service, plumbing repairs, water softeners and water quality service, and more from their Dayton location. 




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Neoperl's Belinda Wise elected president of Plumbing Manufacturers International’s 2025 Board of Directors

 The 71st Annual Meeting of the Membership will be held as part of the PMI25 Manufacturing Success Conference from Nov. 3-6, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. 




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Fluidmaster acquires Australia-based Haron International

On Nov. 7, Fluidmaster acquired the assets of Haron International Pty Ltd based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.




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Why is the relief valve leaking?

Not maintaining this valve could destroy the heating system.




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Ray Wohlfarth: Installing a trouble-free condensing boiler

On the older hydronic systems, replacing the existing boiler with a new one was pretty straightforward. The installer connected the new boiler to the existing flue, piping and electric. The newer high-efficiency boilers are much different and require some additional planning.





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Little Giant sump pumps

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




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MRPEX: Intelligent Control System

Integrated Dynamic Control (IDC) is a PC-based intelligent control system which delivers optimized comfort and maximized efficiency by coordinating HVAC, indoor air quality and hydronic systems in one control. 




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Caleffi North America introduces new vacuum relief valve

Introducing Caleffi's New Vacu-Stop™ Vacuum Relief Valve (VRV). Available in ½” and ¾” MNPT, the Vacu-Stop is suitable for use in water and low-pressure steam services.




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Franklin Electric announces Little Giant 16G Series heavy-duty, 1hp grinder pump

The Little Giant 16G Series 1 HP grinder pump is designed for tough wastewater applications. It has a silicon carbide mechanical seal for longer life and a 1 HP motor to prevent clogging.