Although I’ve worked with hydronic heating for four decades and designed systems around just about every possible heat source, I would be hard-pressed to predict what might be available as hydronic heat sources 25 years from now. 

Many legacy hydronic heating systems use a fossil fuel boiler to supply fin-tube baseboard heat emitters in some areas of a building and lower-temperature radiant panels in other areas. 

Government planners, taking their queues from politicians and advocacy organizations, have steered the future of energy supply away from fossil fuels and toward renewably-sourced electricity. It’s happening on every level from the feds right down to local city councils.

More and more hydronic heating and cooling systems are being designed around air-to-water and water-to-water (geothermal) heat pumps. When the heating distribution system is extensively zoned, a buffer tank is typically installed between the heat pump and that distribution system.

Last month, we discussed the role of buffer tanks in combination with air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps that operate as “on/off” devices. The key concept was to turn the heat pump on and off based on changes in the buffer tank temperatures and not based on thermostats calling for heat.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity of visiting the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort show in Milan, Italy. It ranks right up there with the famous ISH show in Frankfurt, Germany, as a “bucket list” event for those who are passionate about hydronic heating and plumbing.

The basics of relays and switches - part one.

In 2024, the North American air-to-water heat pump market saw significant expansion, with nine new offerings introduced at the January AHR show by companies new to this category. By year's end, at least 18 companies either have or plan to offer these pumps in the U.S. Read the list of these companies as of mid-2024.

Multiple generations living together under one roof, has challenged traditional ideas about space utilization and functionality.

Everything in business is important! Not everything in business is urgent — thank heavens!

According to a Gallup study, only one in three workers in the U.S. strongly agree that they received recognition or praise for doing good work in the past seven days. At any given company, it's not uncommon for employees to feel that their best efforts are routinely ignored.

As the water receded from Lake Mead this past year, all the major news headlines focused on the human remains it revealed. Very rarely did any mention the ecosystem in crisis as trees, fish and other aquatic creatures, birds and other species are dying out as they are left out to dry.

Many of us have heard the term, ‘The Great Resignation,’ in describing the massive amount of employee turnover the last few years. In 2021, federal data shows nearly 50 million workers left their jobs for various reasons — higher pay, new career opportunities and more. With an already strained job market in the skilled trades, employee retention is more important than ever.

There is a growing trend in the skilled trades, with more people turning away from the traditional four-year college path.

Who can be nominated? Any professional working in any aspect of the plumbing industry, including plumbers and pipefitters, contracting business owners, professional engineers and plumbing designers, wholesalers, manufacturers and manufacturers reps.

Not long ago, Ray asked the Wallies who post daily on The Wall at HeatingHelp.com what advice they would give someone just starting out in this business. Here’s some of what they had to say. There’s a lot of street-smart experience here.

OXEA, part of the Oman Oil Company, is a leading chemicals manufacturer with operations around the globe. Its specialist products go towards making high-quality coatings, lubricants, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, printing inks and plastics.

Generative AI, a subset of AI that can produce human-like content, has emerged as a pivotal tool in enhancing workplace safety.

The retailer has struggled for years to comply with OSHA safety regulations

SoterGenius uses image and video analysis, chat functionality and document analysis to automate compliance checks against OSHA guidelines.

SLIPNOT announces logo will appear on all products. 

The OSHA standard on respiratory protection, general industry is one of the top 10 most frequently penalized OSHA standards for FY 2022.

The OSHA standard on control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout) general industry is one of the top 10 most frequently penalized OSHA standards for FY 2022.

Power generation plants are essential for meeting the world's energy needs, but they also pose significant hazards to workers. In this guide, we'll briefly explore the top hazards in power generation plants and discuss effective solutions to minimize risks and improve safety.

Workplace violence and harassment disproportionately harms women from underserved and historically marginalized communities, including women of color, LGBTQI+ individuals, women with disabilities and women affected by persistent poverty and inequality. 

Businesses can achieve maximum success during the holiday season by utilizing AI and automation in their retail shipping operations. The holiday season is critical for companies, but the increased sales often come with shipping headaches. Luckily, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation provide key solutions for simplifying shipping for businesses and customers.

Companies such as GPS Insight that were bestowed with the Sustainability Leadership Award are those that have made sustainability a central aspect of their operations and goals.

HEMCO Emergency Showers are fully assembled and ready for installation to water supply and waste systems. This unit is equipped with a pull rod activated shower and push handle eye/face wash for quick rinsing of eyes, face and body. 

ISHN recently exchanged an email Q&A with Amanda Alexander, global product manager for Emerson’s Location Awareness System.

At ASSP Safety 2024, he addresses enforcement efforts, new and upcoming rulemaking, and the importance of a holistic approach to worker well-being.

President Joe Biden asked businesses to voluntarily move forward with the administration’s Covid-19 vaccine and testing requirements.

As always at the NSC, personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers are found on every row. What’s become different in recent years is the entrance of sports equipment manufacturers into the industrial safety market.

The highest rate of injury is seen with workers between the ages of 18-24, who are experiencing emergency-room injuries at a rate of 2.3 injuries per 100 full-time equivalents — a factor that may be driving the youngest working generation away from these positions.

The U.S. workforce is now composed of four generations: Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. Age ranges for these generations in 2019 were: boomers (55-73); Gen X (39-54); Millennials (23-38); and Gen Z (6-22).

Current trends for health-and-wellness, plant-based, reduced-sugar and functional beverages, for example, easily can affect the taste, mouthfeel and overall beverage experience. Thus, beverage formulators engage masking ingredients to fight off any unwanted effects.

With the functional beverage space growing dramatically, experts note that consumer interest in botanicals and adaptogens is on the rise.

As consumers continue to demand more than hydration from their beverages, manufacturers are turning to new ways to deliver on functionality and clean label preferences.

As younger adults consume less wine, baby boomers dominant wine consumption, in part because they’re still the largest generation by population.

As more Gen Zers reach the legal drinking age, experts highlight how this younger generation is driving variety and innovation in the beverage alcohol market.

From offering consumer insights, enhancing product development to supply chain optimization, experts weigh in on how AI solutions are transforming the beverage industry. 

Setting out to create a canned cocktail suited for his personal lifestyle, Gen Zer Will Blum, CEO and co-founder of Bluebird Hardwater, highlights how the brand differentiates itself in a saturated market.

Genesee Brewery announced its first official sum-all beer: Genesee Black Cherry Vanilla Kellerbier.

Ross unveiled its ROSS V Cone Blenders that utilize diffusion as the main mixing mechanism, providing a high level of precision and consistency, it says.

When Carolyn Chism Hardy, founder and CEO of Hardy Beverage, learned about the benefits of hydrogen-infused water she used her wealth of knowledge in the beverage market and as an entrepreneur to create health-focused hydration for consumers.

Translr, starting in 2018, has been one of the most famous trans dating apps in the United States which gathers 1M users now. It stops its users from seeing trans adults as fetishes since the release of the original version.

Mr. Michael P. Kessler is noted for his contributions to the forensic sciences and forensic operations

LAPD officer Patricia Blake's new "Warriors and Heroes" website celebrates pioneering women in policing worldwide, launched in conjunction with International Women's History Month. It highlights personal stories and contributions spanning a century.

Nations Investments LLC is proud to announce the official launch of Task Boss, a cutting-edge operations management and scheduling tool designed specifically for home service businesses.

Creative cash-out allows experienced sponsor to recap investors while finalizing $87 million construction schedule