1954 was the year Joe DiMaggio married Marlyn Monroe, the year of the first Burger King burger, the first Godzilla movie, and the very first issue of CONTRACTOR. In the decades since we have been witness to boom and bust, to technological innovations, government regulations, an evolving business landscape, and even a pandemic. Join us in a look back at seven decades of helping contractors run better, more successful businesses.
Celebrates70 Years
Ruling on Chevron Decision Likely to Impact Water Industry
BY NATALIE OLSEN, SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR
A recent Supreme Court ruling is expected to further impact the water industry in what has been an especially consequential two terms for the sector.
In June, the Court issued a 6-3 decision overruling its landmark 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which deferred to a federal agency’s reasonable interpretation of
Turn to Ruling, page 10
and Contractors reported August 13th that its
Construction Backlog Indicator held steady at 8.4 months in July, according to an ABC member survey conducted July 22 to Aug. 6. The reading is down 0.9 months from July 2023.
Only the largest contractors, those with greater than $100 million in annual revenues, have ➤ Turn to ABC, page 16
➤ Turn to 70 Years, page 20
Herb Walther, founder and first Publisher of CONTRACTOR.
The front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, at dusk.
On Your First 70 Years CONGRATULATIONS
Since 1930
We commend our friends at Contractor magazine as you celebrate your 70th anniversary. Having been around for all seven of those decades—and then some— we appreciate your service to the industry.
Best of luck on the next 70 years.
Features & Departments
Bosch Acquires Key HVAC Segments from Johnson Controls
STUTTGART, GERMANY — Bosch, the supplier of technology and services, is continuing its growth course with a strategic acquisition. For its Energy and Building Technology business sector, the Bosch Group plans to take over the global HVAC solutions business for residential and light commercial buildings from Johnson Controls.
Educational Program Announced for PHCC CONNECT 2024
FALLS CHURCH, VA — The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) reveals educational programming including knowledge, technology and podcast hubs, for CONNECT 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama. With over 20 education sessions, CONNECT will
REHAU Announces Partnership
to Serve
Mechanical Market in TX and OK
LEESBURG, VA — Leading polymer manufacturer REHAU and Hugh M. Cunningham Companies (HMC) have announced their partnership that serves the mechanical and plumbing market in Texas and Oklahoma. Starting August 1, HMC will
Columnists
EDITORIAL STAFF
VP/Market Leader-Buildings & Construction
Mike Hellmann, mhellmann@endeavorb2b.com
Group Editorial Director-Buildings & Construction
Mike Eby, meby@endeavorb2b.com
Editor-In-Chief
Steve Spaulding, sspaulding@endeavorb2b.com
Editor-At-Large
John Mesenbrink, jmesenbrink@endeavorb2b.com
Contributing Writer Kelly Faloon
COLUMNISTS
Al Schwartz, Management
Pat Linhardt, Hydronics & Radiant Patti Feldman, Technology Matt Michel, Marketing
Art Director, Susan Lakin
Ad Services Manager, Deanna O’Byrne
Production Manager, Sam Schulenberg
Classified
Terry Gann
Industry News
In Brief
One Click LCA, a provider of construction life-cycle assessment software, has announced a strategic commercial partnership with the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This collaboration supports USGBC members by providing discounted access to One Click LCA software, offering educational opportunities, and increasing outreach efforts to promote decarbonization across the construction industry in the US.
Marcone has expanded offerings in its Tulsa and Oklahoma City locations, representing the company’s growth as a distributor. As a Marcone business unit, O’Connor Company added inventory in those locations to include appliance parts and plans to soon bring in plumbing products, in addition to their existing HVAC solutions. The move allows customers to rely on Marcone-O’Connor as a full-service provider for a range of industries.
The VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design Industry Association has announced the addition of three more companies. With SYR, Grünbeck and Roth Werke joining, 25 companies from the German and European sanitary industry are now working together to raise awareness in society and politics of the innovative strength and solution expertise of brand manufacturers. The joint goal is to set conditions for the future success of the industry.
Safe Fleet, a leading supplier of fleet vehicle safety solutions, continues to expand its Commercial Vehicle division’s Safety-As-A-Service (SAAS) network, with a facility in Houston, TX. This new location will better service work trucks and the construction, agriculture, refuse, and recycling vehicles. The new service location will specialize in using premium solutions from its family of tarping, video, and van storage brands.
Harts Plumbers, Electricians and HVAC Technicians, now delivers service to more homeowners in the greater Seattle/Eastside area with the opening of a new location in Tukwila, WA. The Tukwila branch ensures Harts Technicians offer comprehensive coverage along the Maple Valley Highway corridor. The fast-growing company’s fourth location offers complete plumbing and sewer service as well as electrical.
CONTRACTORmag.com
• National Institute of Building Sciences Calls for Abstracts for Annual Meeting
• Watts Announces eLearning Challenge as Part of Backflow Prevention Day Celebration
• Eliminating 3 Common Pain Points With Progress Payments
Videos & Media Galleries
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As Technology Evolves, Advancements Enable Water Conservation
BY CANDACE ROULO, SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR
Since 2008, when I joined the staff of CONTRACTOR Magazine as an Associate Editor, there have been many industry trends that have come, and instead of going away, they have stuck around and evolved. At first contractors may not welcome these advancements with open arms (I do think a bit of skepticism is healthy). Yet, these advancements are part of the industry’s evolution, and many contractors have embraced these technological advancements since they do aid in conserving water and making the industry more environmentally friendly.
Looking back to 2008, sustainability was still in its infancy, smart products were just coming into the market, and AI was not yet mainstream, like it is today. Let’s look at how all these advancements are playing a role in the plumbing industry today.
Saving Water with AI: Leak Detection and Automated Diagnostics
Artificial Intelligence is transforming all industries. When it comes to the plumbing industry, AI-enabled sensors and monitoring systems can detect leaks in real time, analyze water flow patterns and pressure changes that minimize water damage, and reduce repair costs. According to the Forbes article, Plumbing The Depths Of Innovation: How AI Is Changing Plumbing Services, this is groundbreaking for the industry.
For instance, Moen’s Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff uses AI algorithms to monitor water usage and detect leaks. It identifies leaks that are often invisible and provides insights to prevent water damage, saving time and money for contractors and consumers.
Another AI-powered water monitoring system is Phyn Plus, which analyzes pressure in water pipes to
Back in 2008, sustainability was still in its infancy, smart products were just coming into the market, and AI was not yet mainstream.
detect leaks and shut off water automatically in case of a major leak. Powered by Phyn, KOHLER H2Wise+ protects against water damage by alerting homeowners about leaks, enabling them to shut off a water valve remotely. The device also monitors household water usage.
Then there are AI-powered diagnostic tools that detect leaks and monitor symptoms through sensors to accurately diagnose plumbing issues. With these types of tools, plumbers can identify issues more efficiently and provide timely solutions. For example, Marcone is launching an AI-powered diagnostic tool to aid with quicker plumbing and kitchen repairs. The tool uses OpenAI and ChatGPT
to guide plumbers through solutions related to specific issues.
Smart Faucets and Showers
Smart plumbing products incorporate technology into the product to make it more convenient, efficient and environmentally friendly. Smart products can be controlled via a smartphone app, voice commands, or a touch screen control panel, and can be integrated with other smart home devices.
An impressive Smart faucet is the Moen Arbor Smart Touchless Kitchen Faucet with Voice Control. This faucet allows consumers to precisely dispense water at desired temperature, up to 120°F, and volume as little as 1 Tbsp. or as much as 15 gallons. It allows for customizable presets for exact measurements and exact temperatures, along with voice activated capability. Use the app to provide personalized experiences as well as control the faucet directly. The interactive iOS/Android app provides usage data, customizable settings, notifications and control of all Moen Network products.
Across the pond, Triton Showers has an impressive smart shower—the Envi electric shower features a
The Flo Smart water monitor and shutoff.
The H2Wise+ smart leak detection system.
The Arbor Smart touchless kitchen faucet with voice control.
The Envi electric shower.
Education Program Announced for CONNECT 2024
➤ Continued from page 3
cover relevant topics like finance, business management, legislation, regulatory issues, influencer marketing, sales and marketing strategies and the latest in AI technologies.
In addition to its strong emphasis on education, CONNECT 2024 will feature a tradeshow with a multitude of exhibitors, as well as specific technology, knowledge, and podcast hubs around the tradeshow floor.
Attendees will have the opportunity to enhance their skills at the different knowledge and technology hubs, or listen to a live podcast featuring industry professionals recording in the podcast hub.
“With Watco, we don’t need test balls or plugs.”
Addressing Key Issues
There will be over 20 speakers and panelists at CONNECT 2024 who will provide attendees with the tools to thrive and succeed with their businesses and companies. Through the speakers and panelists, attendees will expand their knowledge on various legislative and regulatory updates, learn how to create a leadership vision that shapes a productive and constructive team, grow profits through service and repair, and protect their company from cybersecurity threats.
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CONNECT Education sessions cover topics such as finance, business management, legislation, regulatory issues, influencer marketing and much more.
“The education that attendees will be able to consume is priceless,” says Cindy Sheridan , CEO. “CONNECT 2024’s topics were chosen carefully to address key issues that plumbing and heating professionals are facing. We are very excited to watch plumbing and HVAC professionals grow and learn, and we are happy that CONNECT can provide that environment for growth and learning.”
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For more details, visit phccweb.org/CONNECT. This site offers information on education sessions, speakers, exhibitors, registration and hotel reservations, as well as the many attractions of Birmingham, Alabama, known as “The Country’s Best Kept Secret.” Register for CONNECT 2024 at www.phccweb.org/ news/phcc-connect-2024-conference/
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Ruling on Chevron Decision Likely to Impact Water Industry
Continued from page 1
a statute. The decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo rolls back the power of agencies to interpret more ambiguous laws and instead gives courts leeway to exercise judgment.
“It used to be the courts would say, ‘If what the agency does sounds reasonable, we’ll defer to it,’ but that’s not the case anymore,” said Barry Hartman , a partner at K&L Gates who previously served as Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resource Division in the US Department of Justice. “The court is going to say, ‘We’re going to see if the statute really authorizes the agency to do it.’”
Impact on the Water Industry
The decision affects anyone subject to federal regulation, but the longterm implications of overturning the so-called Chevron-doctrine may have a significant impact on current and future regulations governing the construction industry. Amid ongoing action by the Biden Administration to promulgate drinking water and wastewater regulation, that may also mean potential impacts on the water sector.
“We are watching closely to see the consequences for the Administration’s proposed rules on PFAS, standards for air/water permitting,” said Zack Perconti, Vice President of Government Affairs at the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA).
Some anticipated challenges are related to an April 2024 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances. The designation marked the EPA’s first-ever use of section 102(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA, also known as Superfund—a rationale that will likely come under scrutiny.
The American Water Works Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, and The Chemours Company have already filed challenges in
the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit against the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) standards for various PFAS compounds.
“Although none of the statements explicitly mention the US Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright, you will note that there are several issues
tal and regulatory cases between this and last term. In 2023, a landmark Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA narrowed the federal government’s authority to regulate water pollution. In that ruling, the court said that wetlands lack a “continuous surface connection” to larger, regulated bodies of
The American Water Works Association, the National Association of Manufacturers, and The Chemours Company have already filed challenges.
that involve questions of statutory interpretation that could trigger a review using the standard set out,” Hartman told CONTRACTOR Magazine.
More Litigation to Come
Additional rules may also stand on less firm legal ground as many associations and their lawyers review the current inventory of federal regulations to determine which, if any, are potentially unlawful in a post-Chevron world.
“We certainly expect a great deal more litigation from all sides in response to agency rulemakings,” Perconti told CONTRACTOR . “Congress will need to carefully exercise its legislative authority, and will continue to rely in part on industry experts and advocates to provide technical expertise and advice.“
In recent weeks, NUCA and other trade associations have encouraged the Administration to direct agencies to pause regulatory rulemakings to evaluate their policies and procedures and determine whether proposed rules are likely to be upheld. As of July 1, 2024, it estimated over 1,000 major rules across industries and in various stages of review at federal agencies which would need to be reevaluated in light of the Loper Bright ruling.
Two Impactful Terms
The ruling comes on the heels of Court action on a number of environmen -
water and did not fall under the Clean Water Act. In Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado, it also took action regarding disputes between states over water usage that have major implications for interstate water cases.
Meanwhile, the industry will be looking closely at the results of a Clean Water Act case that SCOTUS agreed to hear in October, City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency, and its potential implications for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting.
“There’s a renewed focus on federal permitting requirements that is getting a lot of attention from both industry and Capitol Hill,” Perconti said.
In addition, massive new investments as part of a bipartisan infrastructure measure are having a significant impact on efforts to modernize the nation’s wastewater systems and deliver clean drinking water.
All Eyes on Congress
Going forward as a result of Loper, Congress may now need to be more precise in its language or be forced to make changes to laws. Federal agencies are likely to be more careful about how to comment on regulations and evaluate whether they have authority for particular rulemaking and detailed guidance for stakeholders, resulting in longer timelines.
In Hartman’s view, many regulations
are likely to be challenged, but few will be successful because an agency may actually have satisfactory grounds for implementing a rule.
At the same time, water industry groups may be forced to adapt by putting more effort into the rulemaking comment process and creating a record that shows any concerns have been adequately raised.
“There may be more fragmentation of the positions of the industry, which is not necessarily a bad thing,” Hartman said. “They’ll have to be proactive and specific if they want to get an agency to do what they want.”
For Perconti, industry coordination may be more important than ever— at least with regards to educating lawmakers and regulators in the postChevron landscape.
Brian Turmail , Vice President of Public Affairs and Workforce of the Association of General Contractors of America, said it was too early to say how the overturning of the Chevron doctrine will require the industry to adapt.
“But certainly everyone benefits when lawmakers write more specific and detailed laws, instead of deferring to unelected bureaucrats to craft them,” he said.
Natalie Olsen is an independent journalist and former editor for The Associated Press. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post Magazine, Los Angeles Times and many other outlets.
Editor’s Note: Chevron and Loper will apply only to federal agencies, not state agencies, but there may be downstream effects. Many state court systems previously adopted Chevron-like deference in deciding challenges to state agency actions. It remains to be seen whether such states will retain their state Chevron counterparts or reach a Loper -like decision rejecting deference to state agencies. As Congress and federal agencies adapt to a post-Chevron world, states may try to fill the void with increased legislative activity and enforcement actions.
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Aliaxis Agrees to Acquire Part of Johnson Controls’ CPVC Pipe & Fittings Business
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — Aliaxis SA, a world leader enabling access to water and energy through innovative fluid management solutions, has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the manufacturing assets of the Johnson Controls CPVC pipe and fittings business for residential and light commercial sprinkler systems.
This acquisition affirms the company’s commitment to its North American growth strategy. Aliaxis is bolstering its product range with a more comprehensive portfolio in fire suppression systems for residential and light commercial applications. The acquisition will be part of IPEX, Aliaxis leading brand in the region.
Located in Huntsville, Alabama, this acquisition further expands Aliaxis’ presence in the Southern United States. Today, the 1985-established pipe and fittings business generates an annual revenue of approximately $100m and employs over 100 people.
Thierry Vanlancker , Manager
Director of Aliaxis says: “This acquisition makes great sense for us. It is another step in providing more
complete customer solutions in our product portfolio across the United States and brings extra potential for Aliaxis.”
Alex Mestres , Aliaxis’ Divisional CEO Americas also comments: “We are thrilled to welcome the CPVC pipe and fittings team of Johnson Controls. This acquisition provides us with a unique opportunity to expand our offering and continue to be the partner of choice for our national customers.”
The deal is subject to customary closing conditions. Both parties anticipate a completion of the transaction over the coming weeks. The financial details of this acquisition will not be disclosed.
Bosch Acquires Key Segments of Johnson Controls
➤ Continued from page 3
As part of this transaction, Bosch also intends to acquire 100 percent of the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning (JCH) joint venture, including Hitachi’s 40 percent stake. The Bosch shareholders and supervisory board have approved the transaction. Binding agreements on the acquisitions were signed by the parties involved. The acquisition is subject to approvals from the antitrust authorities. The purchase price for the acquired businesses is 8 billion dollars (7.4 billion euros). The acquisition is expected to be closed in approximately 12 months.
Together with JCH, the businesses Bosch intends to acquire generated sales revenue totaling roughly 4 billion euros in 2023, and employ some 12,000 people worldwide. The transaction includes 16 manufacturing sites and 12 engineering locations in more than 30 countries. The product portfolio covers the entire spectrum of HVAC solutions for residential and light commercial buildings, and includes well-known brands such as York and Coleman in the U.S. and Hitachi in Asia, for which Bosch will be granted a long-term license.
Christian Fischer , the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH who is responsible for the Bosch Group’s strategic growth initiatives, and thus for this planned acquisition, adds: “With this acquisition, Bosch will accelerate its growth and nearly double its sales revenue in the HVAC market to roughly 9 billion euros. Together with our future colleagues, we want to seize the huge opportunities offered by the market for the further growth of this new unit.”
The company expects the global HVAC market to grow 40 percent by 2030, driven by technological progress, the fight against climate change, and new regulations. “The acquired
businesses will become part of the Bosch core business—and this will benefit customers, installation partners, and associates,” Fischer adds. “We have proved several times in the past that we can successfully integrate brands, take them forward through investments,
opportunities for supplying innovative and energy-efficient solutions for mitigating global warming and the move to alternative energy. Heating technology is moving away from fossil fuels such as oil and gas toward heat pumps and heat pump-hybrid solutions. At the same time, air-conditioning technology is growing in importance both in Europe and worldwide.
Frank Meyer , the Bosch Management Board Member responsible for the Energy and Building Technology business sector, and thus also for the Bosch Home Comfort Group and the integration of the new unit, says: “It is Bosch’s aim to play an active part in shaping the innovative and growing market for energy and
Integrated unit will then have workforce of more than 26,000 and complementary portfolio at the interface between heating and cooling.
and strengthen them.”Jun Abe, Executive Officer and executive vice president at Hitachi, and executive officer and general manager of the Hitachi Connective Industries division, says: “The new partnership with Bosch to establish a global air-conditioning business is an important step. The market is dynamic, and is flourishing. I firmly believe that a global supplier such as Bosch, with its strong European presence and many years of experience in the heating business, is the optimum partner for further expanding the global air-conditioning business of the longstanding Hitachi brand.”
Innovative, Energy-Efficient Solutions
The current transformation in technologies and market conditions in the field of HVAC solutions opens up huge
building technology, and to occupy a globally leading position. With this acquisition, we are improving our position, especially in air conditioning. In addition, we will be able to globally expand our heat-pump business and achieve greater economies of scale. With our technology and our products, we can work together to make a bigger contribution to energy efficiency and to more comfort and a better quality of life for many people in light of global warming. That’s ‘Invented for life’ in its truest sense.”
Complementary Portfolio, Established brands
Bosch intends to integrate the acquired businesses into the Home Comfort Group. The 14,600 associates of the existing Bosch Home Comfort Group generated sales of roughly 5 billion
euros in 2023. Home Comfort is excellently positioned in the major segments of the heating market, of the heat-pump market, and of the market for heat pump-hybrid solutions, which comprise a heat pump and a fossil fuel-fired boiler for peak loads.
Following the transaction, the new unit will have a workforce of more than 26,000 and be able to benefit considerably from economies of scale and a complementary portfolio at the interface between heating and cooling. Jan Brockmann , president of the Bosch Home Comfort Group, says: “With our successful heating technology in Europe, we already have a strong team and a sound foundation. Now is the right time for a bold step toward a global presence. Demand for air-conditioning solutions is growing especially fast.
“In the US, for example, Bosch expects to see more than 50 percent growth by the end of the decade, and in Europe as well, strong growth of approximately 30 percent is forecast up to 2030. Together, we will be able to build on strong, well-established brands. We are looking forward to shaping the future of the Bosch Home Comfort Group with our future colleagues and their innovations and ideas,” Brockmann adds.
The HVAC business Bosch plans to acquire from Johnson Controls has an especially strong presence in the United States and Asia. In the United States, its portfolio focuses on ducted solutions in which air passes from a central source through ducts in order to heat or cool all rooms at the same time.
In Asia, it especially sells ductless solutions, where interior units in each room can heat or cool individually, as well as modern air-conditioning systems based on variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems. This technology is used in commercial applications ranging from light commercial premises such as retail stores to large projects such as hotels and hospitals. The portfolio in these regions is supplemented by efficient air-water heat pumps, which Johnson Controls offers above all in Europe.
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IAPMO Seeks Development of American National Standard IAPMO Z1403
ONTARIO, CA — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), developer of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC®) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC®), has posted online the 2024 Report on Proposals (ROP) for the 2027 editions of these eight-time American National Standard-designated model codes.
No hard-copy editions of these publications will be printed or distributed. Interested parties are encouraged to download the documents at the following URLs:
➤ Continued from page 1
longer backlog than one year ago. On a monthly basis, the decline in backlog was driven by declines among the smallest contractors, those with less than $50 million in annual revenue.
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels fell in July. All three readings remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over the next six months.
“Contractor confidence regarding profit margins now stands at the lowest level since November 2022, which comes as little surprise,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “There are now strong indications that elevated interest rates have finally taken their toll on a number of privately financed construction segments as well as the broader economy.
“While inflation has moderated in recent months, construction materials prices remain almost 40% above pre-pandemic levels,” said Basu. “With construction spending down for the past two months, the industry eagerly awaits lower interest rates. Given recent economic turmoil, the Federal Reserve will begin cutting rates at its September meeting.”
Note: The reference months for the Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data serieswere revised on May 12, 2020, to better reflect the survey period. CBI quantifies the previous month’s work under contract based
UPC: https://codes.iapmo.org/ docs/2027/UPC/2024%20UPC%20Report%20on%20Proposals.pdf
UMC: https://codes.iapmo.org/ docs/2027/UMC/2024%20UMC%20Report%20on%20Proposals.pdf
IAPMO will begin the Call for Comments on these documents on Sept. 6. All suggested code amendments/ additions/deletions published in the ROP will be available for public review, and no comments will be accepted after the 5 p.m. PST deadline of Jan. 17, 2025.
Eligible IAPMO members in attendance during the UPC and UMC Assembly Consideration Session will have the opportunity to vote on an Assembly Comment. This session will take place at IAPMO’s 95th annual Education and Business Conference, Sept. 24, at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
IAPMO employs a consensus development process accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), gathering the largest assembly of plumbing and mechanical experts in the world at its annual Education and Business Conference and Technical Committee meetings, enabling anyone—members and non-members alike—to propose changes to the code.
Only the largest contractors, those with greater than $100 million in annual revenues, have longer backlog than one year ago.
on the latest financials available, while CCI measures contractors’ outlook for the next six months. View the methodology for both indicators.
View ABC’s Construction Backlog
Indicator and Construction Confidence Index tables for July, as well as the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series by visiting https://www.abc.org
IAPMO urges its members and other interested parties to get involved in the code development process to ensure effectiveness in preserving public health, safety and welfare.
IAPMO urges its members and other interested parties to get involved in the code development process to ensure effectiveness in preserving public health, safety and welfare. Installers, plumbing and mechanical officials, the construction industry, engineers, and manufacturers all benefit from a cooperative effort in developing codes.
For questions about submitting comments for the UPC, contact Enrique Gonzalez at 909/230-5535 or enrique.gonzalez@iapmo.org . For questions about submitting comments for the UMC, contact Taylor Duran at 909/218-8126 or taylor.duran@ iapmo.org.
Tag.
Mechanical contractors will notice that Mueller duplex and select wye strainers now come with pre-installed pressure sensors.
Don’t remove this tag during installation. It simply reminds the maintenance engineer to purchase an add-on Connection Kit to activate the pressure monitoring technology. Once activated, they’ll receive mobile or BAS/BMS alerts so they can:
• Maintain consistent flow and efficient system performance
• Proactively perform strainer maintenance
• Protect costly equipment from damage
by Al Schwartz
From There to Here: Plumbing the Past 70 Years
Since this year marks the 70th anniversary of this publication, it is appropriate that we take a look back at what it was like when the magazine started. What the trade was like then, and how things have changed since then. Of course, this is a broad spectrum of changes to look at, so I intend to recall only the things that I, personally, did, saw and was trained in. Since I grew into the trades in the northeast (New York City and its environs), much of what I recall has that area’s flavor. Your experiences might be different.
First, let me remind my readers that the following is my recollection of some of the things that I was taught and saw growing up in the plumbing trade over the last 70 years. I can, and probably will, misremember some things. So, should I relate something that you know to be different than I portray it, please don’t go running around like your hair’s on fire and pointing at me to disagree!
The Dim Mists
My first taste of what would become my vocation came in 1952 (I was six years old) when my dad and granddad were cutting in a water tap in the streets of Brooklyn. The water main was made of wood—one of the last I was later told.
At that time, in that place, cast iron and tubular lead pipe were used for drainage, waste and vent piping. Galvanized steel water piping was slowly giving way to threaded red brass. In order to connect a P-trap you had to “wipe” a lead joint between the lead tube coming out of the wall and a threaded brass ferrule. You screwed the trap directly onto the ferrule allowing for a bell-shaped chrome escutcheon to cover the connection. If your measurements were not “dead nuts” you either moved the sink or lavatory to adjust it or you started over again. Water connections were the same with chrome plated brass supply tubes which were NOT flexible attaching to angle stops and to the faucets.
Knowing the how and why things work like they do is just as important today as it was seventy years ago.
Union Rules
In New York City at that time the unions held great sway when it came to materials allowed. Anything that might take away from the plumbers’ work was deemed bad and the unions fought like the “third monkey getting onto the Ark and it was starting to rain!” to keep that product from entering into the trade there.
Ten-foot-long cast iron was seen as witchcraft! Why? Because it took away one joint from the plumber! You see, at the time, five-foot lengths were the norm. Copper tubing was another no-no. Because it was “easier and lighter” than red brass and it didn’t require threading equipment (that’s my opinion, not fact... I really don’t know the reasoning). No Hub cast iron was the next hit on the parade. You can imagine the howls of protest when we no longer had to “yarn” and pack a joint with oakum, then pour molten lead into it, “tap it up” and move on. Heck, the only way I was taught to cut cast iron was with a “lump” hammer (a three-pound hand sledge which, when you missed and hit yourself, caused a lump) and a cold chisel. You hit the chisel around the pipe until it broke off. You might imagine how
ecstatic I was when the boss brought a new Wheeler snapper onto the job site! That was around the mid ‘50s. Eventually all those products were accepted and folded into the trade. When PVC and ABS came on the scene, the howls grew to such a cacophony you needed to hear it to believe it! PVC and ABS DWV were not allowed in residential use until the early ‘70s! Commercial use until the late ‘80s or early ‘90s, even though the products were superior in many respects to the old cast iron product.
Service
Service work was always my favorite. It was usually intriguing, quick and a good use of my trade skills. Toilet tanks, back then, had brass ballcocks and Douglas valves as well as threaded brass overflow tubes. You used a set of lift “wires” to adjust the tank flapper ball so it would drop correctly. If the Douglas valve was pitted and corroded, allowing water to bypass, you could “dress it” using a drill attachment with a spongy sandpaper at the end. Instead of replacing the entire ballcock (remember, the supply tube was not flexible or easy to unscrew) you could replace the plunger inside
of it and re-seat it. Floats were made of thin sheet copper.
I spent many an hour rebuilding faucets and tub/shower valves from a stock of seats and washers that we always had on hand on the truck. Usually, if you worked in a particular area, you knew what manufacturers products had be used in what type of home or apartment (Kohler, American Standard, Briggs, etc.) and so always had a supply of replacement repair parts on hand.
Then and Now
Times sure have changed, haven’t they? I didn’t touch on a tenth of the things we used to do then that we don’t do now. Today we use all sorts of space-age materials, electronics and other cutting edge stuff. Back then, we fixed things rather than replacing them. Service work today usually involves replacing rather than repairing (a different time) and selling new products to the ever “greedy for new technology” mindset of today’s customer. Sure, there are still instances where big steel pipe and cast iron are used, always in commercial/industrial applications, but those are becoming less and less common. Is it any better than it was? In some ways yes and some ways no. Obviously, the trade has embraced the new paradigm of cutting-edge technologies and materials, but the skill set and knowledge of the plumber is still something that should be cherished, not denigrated. Knowing the how and why things work like they do is just as important today as it was seventy years ago.
The Brooklyn, N.Y.-born author is a retired third generation master plumber. He founded Sunflower Plumbing & Heating in Shirley, N.Y., in 1975 and A Professional Commercial Plumbing Inc. in Phoenix in 1980. He holds residential, commercial, industrial and solar plumbing licenses and is certified in welding, clean rooms, polypropylene gas fusion and medical gas piping.
The Manhattan skyline back in in the 1950s.
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By Steve Spaulding
CONTRACTOR was the brainchild of Publisher Herbert Walther, a man noted for his biting wit, no-nonsense attitude and comprehensive industry knowledge. Walther learned his trade in the pages of Plumbing and Heating Business, a magazine which was the official organ of the National Association of Plumbing Contractors back in the 1930s and ‘40s. Walther was a true innovator in the business-to-business publishing game. When it came time to found his own magazine (out of a cramped office on Lexington Ave. in New York City), he stressed that the new venture was independent, not beholding to any organization, association, union or manufacturing concern. That independence put his new publication 100% at the service of the reader. The plan was that this would, in time, create a wider, more loyal audience of high value to advertisers. The plan worked.
John Carlson was the first Editor of CONTRACTOR—a title that morphed over the decades to Chief Editor/Editor-in-Chief as staff expanded, then to Editorial Director as business models changed, and even briefly to Content Director as the brand staked out new territory on the World Wide Web.
Following Carlson came Seth Shepard, who directed editorial operations almost 30 years until his retirement in 1984. Over the years the editorial torch passed in turn to John Schweitzer, Bob Miodonski, Robert Mader (more about both Bobs later in this feature) and finally, in 2018, to myself.
Over the years CONTRACTOR has featured columns by such industry legends as Dan Holohan, Matt Michel, Dave Yates, Mark Eatheron, Al Schwartz, Pat Linhardt and countless others. While my sympathies are obviously on the editorial side, the continuing success of the brand has been the work of publishers including William Adams and Bill Everham, of our several art directors (including our current one, Susan Lakin), our sales team, support staff and so many more.
It has been a remarkable 70 years, and all made possible thanks to you, our readers. We hope to keep bringing you the news, insights and expert know-how that will help you run a better business for decades to come.
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Timeline
The first issue of CONTRACTOR is published in January of 1954. Initially The CONTRACTOR, it prints twice a month at a price of 50 cents an issue.
• Plumbing Manufacturers International (then known as the Plumbing Brass Institute) is founded (also in 1954).
• Infrastructure—including water and wastewater systems—is a key concern of the Eisenhower Administration.
• High interest in modernization and improvement loans.
• Influx of people joining the skilled trades; early issues worried the supply of journeymen plumbers would far exceed the demand.
• First steps towards the development of a national plumbing code.
1970s
1960s
• Worries over excessive government regulation.
• Big question: are you charging your customers enough?
• The rise of women as decision-makers in bath and kitchen design and remodeling.
• Plastic pipe enters the market to skepticism, controversy, and some who see enormous potential in the new materials.
• CONTRACTOR begins to print with more and more color.
• Seth Shepard’s regular column “As I See It” runs as a boxed item on the cover of each issue of CONTRACTOR
• Some larger plumbing companies start using computers to help with their business.
• CONTRACTOR begins to develop longer, feature-style stories.
• In response to growing concerns about pollution, the Nixon Administration establishes the EPA in 1970.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is founded in 1971.
• The Safe Drinking Water Act is passed in 1974.
• An outbreak of pneumonia occurs at a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. The causative agent was identified as a previously unknown strain of bacteria, subsequently named Legionella.
• Rising gas prices become a concern for fleet managers.
• The first software tools for modeling buildings (BIM) come on the market.
• Herb Kohler initiates “The Bold Look of KOHLER” bringing luxury kitchen and bath fixtures to the mass market.
• Solar water heating systems rise in popularity.
• Sloan introduces the hands-free faucet.
• The first low-flow toilets (at ¾ of a gallon)
1980s
• The power of union plumbing begins to wane as merit shops rise in popularity.
• CONTRACTOR undergoes an editorial re-design that includes a new logo, more color photography, and an emphasis on columnists covering a variety of industry “beats” (management, plumbing, law, taxes etc.).
• The Lead Contamination Control Act becomes federal law.
• Columnist Irving Blackman writes about the looming shortage of skilled workers.
• Mobile phones become a game changer for managing technicians in the field.
• CONTRACTOR begins publishing larger issues once per month.
• Building on technology developed in the 1950s, Viega introduces copper press fittings to the North American market.
• AERCO introduces the first modulating condensing (mod-con) boiler to the North American market.
1990s
• The EPA introduces the Lead and Copper Rule, setting maximum levels for lead and copper contaminants leached into drinking water from service lines.
• The International Code Council is formed.
• The US Green Building Council is formed. LEED 1.0 begins pilot testing.
• A court decides a class action suit involving defects and damages due to polybutylene (Poly-B) pipe for $950 million.
• CONTRACTOR’s online home, www.contractormag. com, is founded. Digital ads become an increasingly more important part of the brand’s business model.
2010s
• LEED v4 released.
• The Water Demand Calculator—the first statistically-based pipe sizing method since Hunter’s Curve in the 1940s—is published.
• The Flint, MI water crisis. Of 15 people brought up on charges, only one person has been successfully convicted.
• “Megadrought” in the Southwestern states makes water conservation and access a primary concern for administrators, utilities and policy-makers.
• After decades with a bright red logo, the CONTRACTOR logo turns blue (and, briefly, lower-case) as part of a company-wide rebranding effort.
• Berkeley, CA, in one of the first such local ordinances, bans the installation of natural gas-powered appliances (including water heaters) in new construction.
2000s
• LEED 2.0 is launched.
• The 2003 edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code is developed— for the first time—through a true consensus process.
• CONTRACTOR enters the arena of social media with channels on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
• The first edition of CALGreen (containing, at that time only voluntary measures) is published in 2008.
• A CONTRACTOR investigation finds scalding water in more than 91% of hotel rooms.
2020s
• Plumbing is designated an essential occupation during the COVID pandemic.
• Publishing is also deemed essential. Luckily, most of the staff of CONTRACTOR are already working remotely.
• Supply chain problems related to the pandemic halt or slow many construction-related projects. Plumbers working new construction move quickly to adapt.
• PFAS or “Forever Chemicals” in the drinking water supply become a growing concern.
• Artificial Intelligence explodes on the scene with applications in project scheduling, customer relations, predictive maintenance and much more.
• A Bloomberg report estimates that the US is expected to be 550,000 plumbers short by 2027.
Green Buildings, Scalding Water and SARS
A few recollections from CONTRACTOR’s former Chief Editor, Bob Miodonski.
Being a plumbing contractor would be a great business, except for two things: customers and employees. Yes, that’s an old joke, but you have to remember I was chief editor of CONTRACTOR from 1994 to 2007. During my time with CONTRACTOR, I wrote an opinion column every month. Editor-in-Chief Steve Spaulding must think that enough time has passed between my 162nd editorial and my 163rd. Steve, whom I hired as Production Editor in 1996, asked me to look back at industry topics we covered in my day.
Along with reporting on industry news, CONTRACTOR always has shared expert advice on how you can run your business better. As any business owner or manager, you have to focus on your customers and employees.
Women customers stepped into the forefront of making buying decisions when I was with CONTRACTOR. A quaint infographic showed home-improvement projects had surpassed shopping and cooking as a woman’s favorite activity. Customers overall became better educated about plumbing technology and pricing through the World Wide Web and the marketing of big-box stores like The Home Depot.
As for your employees, we devoted substantial space to the importance of training them. Then,
In
as now, you needed to compete with other industries to attract good people. We published an Annual Salary & Benefits Survey based on data we collected from our readers.
CONTRACTOR always has promoted the plumbing contractor as protecting our nation’s health and safety. This came to include the Green Building Movement with its emphasis on using water and energy more efficiently. Another important issue was safeguarding your customers— particularly children and seniors— from scalding water. And before the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS was a health scare that the plumbing industry helped to identify and remedy.
We encouraged our readers to get involved in politics. Being a member of PHCC or MCAA is critical, but contractors need to contact their elected representatives directly to educate them about industry issues.
A few topics were more personal. I wrote about Brad Sell , a manufacturers rep who made it his life work to educate the men in our industry about the importance of testing for prostate cancer. And I would be remiss if I did not mention Bob Mader , who worked with me as CONTRACTOR’s managing editor for 13 years and who died in 2021.
On its 70th Anniversary, I am happy to see you have done just that.
In my farewell column in 2007, I asked readers to continue to use CONTRACTOR as a trusted resource for industry news and business education. The
Memoriam : Bob Mader
No history of CONTRACTOR would be complete without special mention of Bob Mader A graduate of Notre Dame, Bob came to CONTRACTOR back in 1984, working first as Associate Editor, later as Managing Editor. He took the top job as Editorial Director in 2007 and served in that capacity until 2018—more than 34 years all told with the publication. Bob was a tireless champion of the industry, believing that the plumbing and heating trades protected the health of the public, and were the backbone of modern infrastructure. He was an early proponent of the Green Buildings/Green Cities movement, using his editorial voice to highlight water and energy conservation efforts, as well as renewable energy applications using geothermal and solar. He was early to grasp the importance of prefabrication, IoT, the Digital Twin and other key industry innovations.
Bob worked to bring the CONTRACTOR brand into the digital age, dedicating new resources to the website, contractormag.com, and promoting our first forays into social media.
Bob passed away unexpectedly in 2021. Many industry tributes followed, including one from frequent columnist Matt Michel, who wrote, “In his role at CONTRACTOR, and other publications, Bob was incredibly influential, but it never went to his head. He was always humble, committed to his craft, excellent in his work, and forever maintaining a dry, sardonic sense of humor.”
CONTRACTOR masthead as it appeared in January of 1994.
Bob Miodonski
Bob Mader, working the floor and interviewing attendees at the ComforTech trade show in 2014.
Bradford White: How Company Values Inform Your Brand
BY STEVE SPAULDING OF CONTRACTOR’S STAFF
For more than 140 years, Bradford White has been manufacturing, innovating, and growing to become a world-wide leader in the plumbing and HVAC industries.
Throughout that journey, the values of the company—some from its founding, others embraced along the way—have served as an inspiration to its employees and a promise to its customers. Keeping true to those values has been the not-so-secret ingredient to creating one of the most trusted brands in the trades.
Dustin Bowerman, Technical Director for Bradford White has been with the company nearly three decades. During that time, he has worked and lived those values and seen them in operation on a daily basis. He spoke with CONTRACTOR about what they mean and how they are practiced.
CONTRACTOR: Can first give us a quick overview of what the company values are at Bradford White?
Bowerman: I’m approaching 28 years with Bradford White. I’ve said it’s like I’ve grown up there—I’ve worked there longer than I haven’t. I had a buddy working there and he said man, it’s just different (whatever that means to a 20-something). But, time goes forward, and time and time again I’ve met internal customers, external customers and they’re all saying the same thing: it’s different—and it is different, right? This is going back to the ‘90s when Bradford White restarted its professional, wholesale channels. The first and foremost pillar is collaboration, then innovation , then community , and then the foundation to all of those is integrity . Then, at the end of the day, you’ve got empathy and transparency . What they all have in common is people working with people.
CONTRACTOR: How did those particular values come to be the Bradford White values?
Bowerman: Bob Carnevale was, if not the visionary, one of the key visionaries in my early days. His
We talk with Dustin Bowerman, , Technical Director for Bradford White, about the values that have helped define and grow the company.
idea was, we’re going to help people and we’re going to be easy to work with, and that’s what I grew up learning. Recently we formalized those pillars, but I’m going to say that Mr. Carnevale and his leadership team are who set us on this course back in the early 1990s.
CONTRACTOR: What did living those values as a Bradford White employee mean to you and the teams that you worked with?
Bowerman: Everyone’s working towards the external, but inside our four walls—and there’s a lot of walls here—everyone views their neighbor-
ing business partner, their co-worker, as a customer. And if you maintain that customer relationship inside, it just naturally flows to the outside.
So, if my purchasing team says, hey, we need to do X or we need to do Y, you internalize that information and call it an opportunity. It’s not a challenge or problem, but an opportunity, and sometimes that piece of innovation that I need to satisfy that internal customer we can then use to help an external customer.
CONTRACTOR: When it then comes to that external customer, do you think that most of your custom -
ers have come to recognize the Bradford White brand as being bound up in those values?
Bowerman: We manufacture mechanical products, right? There’s always going to be challenges regardless of the brand. But our customers, they see our passion to help and to resolve their problems. When you do that with sincerity, people notice it—it’s hard not to.
We’re constantly asking, are we doing the right things? Is it good for the customer? If it’s good for them, we’ll find a way to make it good for us. You have to listen. When we need to go find a solution, that’s always done with customer benefit in mind.
I use IoT as an example. It’s a growing sector in the water heating world, part of the way the business is growing in complexity. So, if IoT is not a core competency, finding other companies that that have those competencies and share our values is how our team continues to grow.
And when I talk about the growth of our offering, it’s about opportunities. Problems are all opportunities. If we can take a policy, or the feeling in Ambler, PA or Middleville, MI, and we start to reach out to the Carolinas or New England and places like that, we’re ultimately impacting more communities.
To me, that’s the cool part of it. That’s the piece—I don’t want to call it the “secret sauce”—but if you help everyone around you, you’re going to do okay.
CONTRACTOR: And at Bradford White that extends from employees to customers and even out to the wider community.
Bowerman: I can say hey team, let’s call a food bank or a Habitat for Humanity or whatever the local community thing is that that given day or week and the team responds. There’s this energy created from that that’s really special to be part of.
And again, that goes all the way back Mr. Carnevale: help people help people. Pretty easy recipe.
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Must be ‘63Three Boiler Jobs Trapped in Time
Sometimes you just know what year something is from just by looking at it. Take the 1963 Corvette Stingray for example. The car is immediately dated by the split window in the fastback, since it was the only year the Corvette had twin rear glass windows. The look is distinctive and every gearhead that sees on says to himself/herself, “Must be a ‘63”.
The author encounters three separate hydronic setups all using 1960s technology.
Stuck in the ‘60s
I seemed to be stuck in the ‘60s last week, since most of the job site visits involved replacements for boilers installed in the 1960’s. Of course they were all cast iron boilers, nothing else seems to last 60-plus years. Some looked better than others, depending on the amount of care and attention it received.
The one in the picture was a well maintained residential application. I found out it was a ’63 before we made it to the boiler room. The homeowner told us the house was built in 1963. This installation had all the latest 1963
technology, three zones of heating and all the hydronic accessories of a major Chicago manufacturer.
You can see their version of air separation on the supply pipe leaving the boiler. That’s a dip-tube air separator, located at one of the two points in the system where air is most likely to separate from water, the point of highest temperature. The other point, for you readers that are curious, is the point of lowest pressure.
That point, which is at the top of the system, is usually out of the boiler room. That’s also the place where we have the most problems with radiation that won’t heat because of an airlock. Coincidence? With the typical 12# static pressure on a cold boiler in the basement, the pressure at the second floor radiation is only going to be about 4#. An exception occurs when the boiler room is not in the basement, but above the radiation in a penthouse.
If you look closely to the gauge in the photo, the static pressure on this boiler is only about 5# at 80 degrees F. Since this is a 1963 model gauge, it reads in
feet of altitude as well as pressure. The 5# reading corresponds to 10 feet of altitude, which is on the low side. This ‘60s house was built on a slab, with one story above. The radiation is less than 10 feet above where the boiler sits, so it should be full of water. I am assuming that it is still accurate.
The copper pipe off the side of the dip-tube air separator is connected to the standard steel expansion tank located in the ceiling of the boiler room, real ‘60s style. The air that separates as the hot water flows out of the boiler floats up to the expansion tank, to maintain that cushion of air needed in the tank.
From Classic to Catastrophic
What I found at the next job was a disaster. It was a church built in the ‘60s, again it was on a slab, no basement. Some of the pipes to feed the radiation were located in the slab, rather than the ceiling. Whenever I run into underground piping, I recommend that the system be checked for leaks. Nobody wants to find out that the underground pipes leak after the new boiler installation. People start getting blamed, and I don’t want to be one of them.
It was going to be tough to check on this job, because there were so many leaks in copper joints and gate valve packing visible in the boiler room. One of the worst leaks was on an automatic air vent right on top of the boiler. Ironically, this vent should never have been located where it was.
By the 1960s, air control became more important. On the end sections, where the supply pipe gets threaded into the section, most manufacturers cast a baffle into the section to act as a built-in air separator. No need to buy that expensive accessory, just pipe the expansion tank to the tapping they provide.
As the water leaves this style boiler, the baffle separates any air in the flow. On this job, the tank was piped properly, but the air vent wasn’t. Since it
was on the opposite end section, there was no flow past the baffle and no air separation. The air vent had nothing to vent and eventually did what every automatic air vent does, it leaked. Unfortunately, when I got there it looked like it had been leaking since the turn of the century.
Efficient Refit
The last job in this streak was a boiler in a house built in the 1920s. Sometime in the 60s, the existing boiler was installed. Through the years, the original hand-fired coal boiler was converted to automatic-fired natural gas and the original distribution piping was changed from gravity flow to pump flow. Everything was working fine. The homeowner wanted to know the age of the boiler, get a cost of a new boiler, and how much he could save.
The water piping would easily adapt to a mod-con fire tube boiler and the new flue wouldn’t be too hard. His big interest was energy savings, so I explained how that ton of cast iron under the jacket decreased his efficiency in mild winter weather and how the new mod-con could save him up to 35% or so.
I also asked him how long he was going to live in this house and he gave me a strange look, like he never thought of that. I also reminded him of resale value, and that his house is going to be much more attractive to a potential buyer with a modern high efficiency boiler. He seemed to be absorbing this advice as I was walking back out to my car, to head off to another slice of time.
Patrick Linhardt is a forty-year veteran of the wholesale side of the hydronic industry who has been designing and troubleshooting steam and hot water heating systems, pumps and controls on an almost daily basis. An educator and author, he is currently Hydronic Manager at the Corken Steel Products Co.
The back end of a 1963 Corvette with its distinctive twin rear window.
The pictured boiler represents the latest 1963 technology—three zones of heating and all the hydronic accessories of a major Chicago manufacturer.
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Heat Pump Manufacturer Cala Systems Announces $5.6 Million Seed Round
BOSTON, MA — (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
— Cala Systems (Cala), creator of highly-intelligent heat pump water heaters that ensure comfort, save energy, reduce emissions, and integrate with the home, today announced $5.6 million in seed funding and the commercial launch of its product. The round was led by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and Clean Energy Venture Group, and included Burnt Island Ventures, Leap Forward Ventures, CapeVista Capital, Collaborative Fund, and Climate Capital. Cala’s heat pump water heater (HPWH) is now available for preorder on its website, with initial deliveries expected in the first half of 2025.
Cala’s HPWH
Cala has developed a highly efficient and intelligent heat pump system that heats water based on the patterns of hot water use in each home and the preferences of the homeowner. By understanding each home’s hot water patterns, Cala improves hot water availability during times of high demand and minimizes costs. In addition, homeowners can tailor water heating to their home and priorities; including synchronizing water heating with the power output of their home solar system, minimizing their greenhouse gas emissions by coordinating
variable speed compressor and an integrated mixing valve, which enable it to take full advantage of its predictive controls by increasing water heating efficiency and producing more hot water when beneficial.
Cala’s HPWH is poised to benefit both homeowners and installers with local, state, and federal incentives, including up to a 30% tax rebate through the In-
Cala’s HPWH is poised to benefit both homeowners and installers with local, state, and federal incentives.
water heating with times of clean electricity on the grid, decreasing costs for homes with variable electric rates, preheating water before potential power disruptions, and more.
To achieve this, Cala combines sensors and advanced hardware with patented predictive control software originally developed by the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Cala’s predictive controls blend artificial intelligence and physics-based techniques, enabling the system to plan ahead for future hot water use, and whatever other inputs (home solar output, electricity price, etc.) the homeowner has activated in the Cala app. It also incorporates a
flation Reduction Act. Cala will conduct final assembly in Massachusetts, bringing high-quality, green manufacturing jobs to the local economy.
Capitalizing on Growth
“Heat pump water heaters are beginning to grow rapidly because of their enormous savings and greenhouse gas reductions,” said Michael Rigney , CEO and Cofounder of Cala Systems. “Today’s heat pump water heaters are designed to deliver heat into the tank when the water is cold, a design that is virtually unchanged for the past 130 years. By contrast, our intelligent heat pump water heater is not only better at ensuring hot water is available
Bradford White Hosts Annual Memorial Car Show in Honor of Former CEO
Last week, Bradford White hosted the 18th annual Bob Carnevale Memorial Car Show at its facility in Middleville, MI for current and former employees. The event was re-named last year in honor of Bob Carnevale who served the company for nearly 60 years, and as CEO from 1991 to 2009. Carnevale, who passed away in 2019, is remembered for his passion for classic cars and dedication to both his employees and the industry in which he worked. This year’s winner of the car show was Lynn Kermeen, a Bradford White employee from 1976 to 2017, and her 1969 Chevy Chevelle SS 396.
and reducing cost, but also accounts for the other needs and goals of each homeowner. Cala is a superior way to heat water.”
Beyond developing and manufacturing its intelligent, efficient HPWH, Cala is also addressing obstacles to HPWH adoption by establishing a network of professional plumbers, electricians and HVAC contractors, as well as other partners, to support installation. To date, the company has already signed over ten Letters of Intent (LOIs) with installers.
Cala’s founders and senior team bring significant experience in the fields of consumer hardware, heat pumps, energy, and the built environment. CEO and Cofounder Michael Rigney has over 20 years of start-up experience at companies including EnerNOC, EnergySavvy and BlueTarp Financial. VP of Hardware and Cofounder, Mike Ting, led hardware and product management teams as Bose and SharkNinja. Cala’s senior leadership and key advisors are drawn from prominent companies including Nike, Google, Nest, Span, Gradient, and James Hardie.
“Other heat pump water heaters leave both money and emissions savings on the table because they don’t use the core technology as effectively as possible. Cala’s unit is the only one that seamlessly integrates with the home and the customer’s lifestyle to deliver an exceptional experience and maximum savings. The team has done remarkable work,” said Tom Ferguson , General Partner at Burnt Island Ventures.
“Heat pump water heaters are an essential tool for meeting our climate goals, and Cala’s innovative design realizes their full potential to cut emissions while helping residents save money and improve comfort,” said Susan Stewart , Managing Director of Investments at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. “MassCEC is thrilled to support the Cala team through our 2030 Investment Fund as they grow their business and create jobs in Massachusetts to meet customer demand across the country.”
Guests also enjoyed
food trucks, plant tours, bounce houses, face painting, ice cream, and more.
Vintage cars on display at the Bob Carnevale Memorial Car Show in Middleville, MI.
The Annual Car Show trophy.
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Cooling System Rescue – Replacement of the Dinosaur
By BRIAN NELSON, SPECIAL TO CONTRACTOR
We see lots of strange things on the Vineyard, but this was the strangest! Back in 2001, this homeowner wanted a HVAC system but had significant constraints on the design. No ductwork between floors—so that meant there would be fan coil units in the upper floors. No drilling—so that meant no geothermal. The remote chiller plant had to be 300 feet from house —so that meant chilled water (as VRV hadn’t arrived in the US yet). No chilled water piping above the basement level—so that meant refrigerant lines to the DX coils in the fan coil units.
When service bills started to pile up, the homeowner turned to us for a complete retrofit of this system.
To make all of this happen back in 2001, the HVAC contractor had to cobble together a system built around a Thermaltron R22 compressor rack (which we called the Dinosaur) that was cooled by a remote chilled water plant and sent refrigerant to the six fan coil units throughout the house.
This system, while profoundly inefficient, was effective enough that it lasted more than twenty years. When service bills (failed compressors, failed circulators, clogged heat exchangers) started to pile up, the homeowner turned to us for a complete retrofit of this system.
The homeowner again stated his conditions—he wanted to leave the six aging fan coil units in place, re-use the line sets buried in the walls, and connect to the existing remote chilled water plant. And make the system more efficient. And make it quieter. And make it easier to service. And make the installation beautiful.
The good thing was that the Thermaltron Dinosaur was very inefficient,
loud, and difficult to service so replacing that would get us halfway there. But what would we replace it with that would work with chilled water and DX coils? Our first thought was a geothermal split system, but they were no longer made using R22. So we would need to source new R410a DX coils for the fan coil units and confirm that the line sets buried in the walls would work based on their size and total length.
Existing System Issues – Temperature Cascade, Inadequate Flow in Loop, Refrigerant Leaks
The Thermaltron Dinosaur was really inefficient and really looked like a nicely painted science experiment. We noticed that all the compressors were different brands and models, all of the water to refrigerant heat exchangers were different brands and models, and there was a horrible temperature cascade across the entire rack with the first compressor getting nice cool water and the sixth compressor struggling with water heated up by the previous 5 compressors! (No wonder compressors 5 and 6 had been changed numerous times over the past 20 years.)
drop calculations to correctly size the pump that would connect the remote outside chiller plant with a new buffer tank (which we needed to smooth out the thermal load and make connection between inside and outside loop pumps easy).
We would then select water to DX heat pumps that could tolerate our existing line set lengths and copper tube diameters and easily work with new R410 TXVs and coils. The pressure drop across the heat pump heat exchangers would inform our selection of an inside loop pump between the buffer tank and the new heat pumps.
Lastly, we needed to locate new R410s DX coils for the six fan coil units. The knowledgeable folks at Sustainable Coils were able to match the dimensions of the existing R22 coils and make new R410a DX coils with attached TXVs.
Demo Begins and Project Moves Forward
Our first goal was to break up the DX load into six individual heat pumps going from water to refrigerant. We also knew that there were refrigerant leaks—but were they in the Thermaltron or the DX coils or the line sets? The homeowner was also concerned about the condition of the blower motors in the six fan coil units, so he asked us to replace those as well. We knew from our entering and leaving water temperatures going to and from the remote chiller plant that we had inadequate water flow through the Thermaltron. We could only guess the size and length of the buried water lines and the homeowner did not want to disturb the landscaping. So easiest path forward was to split up the pumping duties and create separate inside and outside water loops.
Refrigerant Investigation and First Design Steps
We had quite a list of things to do. We would start with the demo of the Thermaltron, remove the R22 DX coils in the six fan coil units, and then individually test all 12 liquid and vapor copper lines that served these DX coils.
Next, we would do our pressure
We broke up the Thermaltron into small enough pieces to remove from the basement. It took a while to recover all of the refrigerant and cut free all of the 12 liquid and vapor lines. Once it was out of the way, we brazed up pressure test ports for our nitrogen test. We removed the six DX coils from the six fan coils and tested all of the copper lines to 400 psi. We were very grateful when we discovered that they all
The Thermaltron Dinosaur with its six compressors.
The Thermaltron Dinosaur’s circulators and heat exchangers.
INFINITI® GS & GR TANKLESS
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Every contractor needs a go-to tankless that can tackle just about any job. That’s what we had in mind when we engineered the Infiniti® GS & GR tankless gas water heaters. They’re flexible and easy to install in many configurations.
• Robust stainless steel heat exchanger for longer life
• Residential and Commercial applications (Indoor/Outdoor)
• Cascade and common venting between standard and recirculation models
• ENERGY STAR® certified and Certified Green Product™ by the Green Restaurant Association
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held pressure! No leaks in the buried line sets! The homeowner was relieved that we wouldn’t need to open up any walls inside his home to replace any lines.
We made careful measurements of the DX coils and Sustainable Coils was able to create new coils that would drop in without any modifications and work with R410a and with the replacement
blower motors. After evaluating several water to DX heat pumps, we went with Climatemaster as their Tranquility heat pump could work with our existing line sets sizes and lengths.
Now that we had settled on a heat pump model, we started layout of our new system in the basement. We had a firm constraint of length from the basement corner to the stairs. We had to set them in a row of six heat pumps as the homeowner did not want us to stack them on a rack. Noise was a critical concern, so he wanted the ability to add additional sound treatments if necessary as the living room was directly above this mechanical space.
Inside and Outside Water Loop
We installed a framework of strut on the wall and laid out the footprint of the six heat pumps. We then installed water lines to supply the six heat pumps with inside loop water.
Spacing was critical as there was only an inch to spare across the six heat pumps. We installed a 120-gallon buffer tank to smooth out the operation of the remote chiller plant and the inside heat pumps.
Our pump selection for the inside circulator was easy as we knew the pressure drop across the new heat pumps and our new piping. The homeowner opted for simplicity and wanted a single speed circulator instead of variable speed pressure dependent pumping. We did insist on pump operation only when there was a call for cooling.
(There is way too much uncontrolled constant pumping in mechanical systems across the globe. Sure, it is easy and makes controls simple, but it is a lazy approach that wastes an enormous amount of energy. Just say no!)
The pump selection for the outside piping was a little more involved as we had to guess the pressure drop across the remote chiller plant and the buried piping between the plant and the basement. We installed the tees for the supply and return for each heat pump in precisely the right location so that we could slide the heat pumps in place and make our water connections in the front. Each heat pump got its own air separator and purge points.
Refrigerant Piping –Homeowner Insists on Hard Copper
We had determined that there were no leaks in the vapor or liquid lines going to the six DX coils in the fan coil units. We got the replacement drop-in coils ➤ Turn to Cooling, page 50 ➤ Continued from page 32
Buffer tank and inside heat pump loop pump in place (left). Buffer tank and inside heat pump loop pump in place(center). The new inside water loop with tees for the six new heat pumps (right).
Brazing in process, connecting to line sets (left). The new refrigerant lines insulated and under pressure (center). Sliding the new heat pumps into their bays
The rehabbed system working nicely, and quiet operation too!
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Patti Feldman
3 Solutions for Inventory, Field Service, and Enhanced AI
eTurns TrackStock ( www. eturns.com ) is a versatile cloud-based mobile app developed to help company inventory managers optimize point-of-use inventory replenishment from any distributor. It offers the ability to order, cycle count, or pull material to track usage and automate replenishment using easy QR code scans that know your min/max settings. It is designed to decrease inventory, procurement, and carrying costs by optimizing inventory levels.
TrackStock can be used in either a VMI (vendor managed inventory) model or CMI (customer managed inventory) model. In addition to QR or barcode scanning functionality, TrackStock offers electronic shelf labels, RFID, and/or SensorBins that trigger auto replenishment.
The functionalities most useful to contractors fall into three areas:
• Management of Consigned Inventory. Users can track where and when material was used on a project, which allows them to return unused consigned inventory to the distributor at the end of a project to maximize project profitability.
• Work Orders. Contractors can create work orders that can track all the parts of labor used for a job along with details such as before/ after photos and signatures. Tracking the parts on the w/o triggers replenishment orders automatically from the warehouse or from the distributor.
• Visibility and reporting.
TrackStock lets contractors and their suppliers have visibility into inventory levels and usage. Over 80 reports can be scheduled and sent in email alerts.
SensorBins are a no-touch inventory replenishment system that converts bin weights to quantity on an ongoing basis to trigger automatic replenishment when needed 24/7/365, using min/max settings. It enables managing inventory in remote locations and
Various windows from the eTurns
TrackStock mobile app
generate critical predictive insights and automated reporting.
ServiceTrade SmartAI generates an equipment service summary for technicians using multiple pages of service history, deficiency reports, comments, and attachments (photos, videos, and audio notes).
The solution can predict equipment issues—what might go wrong with equipment in the future. It will
Reviews of the eTurns TrackStock mobile app, ServiceTrade SmartAI, Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Interplay Learning.
gives all parties visibility to usage and quantity on hand. Digital kanban replenishment is also available using an RFID tower in the stockroom and RFID inventory tags on consigned or customer-owned inventory items.
The Min/Max Dashboard displays areas of potential savings by implementing TrackStock’s recommendations for optimized inventory levels. It recommends min/max levels customized to your stockroom after analyzing item usage. Inventory managers can track usage, do cycle counts and place orders any time on an as-needed basis. The solution enables sending digital orders directly to your suppliers’ ERP systems or to your procurement system.
TrackStock is offers four plans that bundle different features: Replenish, Manage, Manage Lite, and Optimize. A la carte pricing is also available.
Pricing: per month, either by per Stockroom or per Vehicle, billed semi-annually. Free 30-day trial.
ServiceTrade
ServiceTrade , ( www.servicetrade. com ), a mobile and web application for commercial service contractors that addresses field service management, technician productivity, and service sales (see Feb. 2018 column review), recently integrated Smart AI capabilities into its platform to help contractors
suggest common failures, any malfunctioning equipment and how to fix it, giving suggestions that, the software developer points out, can give less experienced technicians more confidence and help every technician solve problems quickly.
ServiceTrade Smart AI creates a comprehensive history summary and customer-ready reports after each job that summarize the work delivered in easy-to understand terms. The predictive scheduling functionality suggests the best technician for each job based on skills, location, availability, and past work history.
Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 (www.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics-365), covered in Aug. 2020 column) recently added several new capabilities aimed at enhancing or boosting sales, customer service, field service, project operations, finance, supply chain management, and customer insights.
Expanded generative AI capabilities for sellers provide customers with actionable insights about their customers to help accelerate deals along with ROI calculations.
Users now can use Microsoft Dynamics 365 CoPilot and get answers from included sales documents and have access to AI-generated prepara -
tion notes and opportunity summaries, and administrators can leverage dashboards to coach sellers. Other new sales tools: the ability to plan and perform assigned tasks with a preview of sequence steps; the ability to assign leads and opportunities to sellers based on individual capacity.
Pricing: fee per user per month, based on features/capabilities included in plan level selected.
Interplay Learning
Interplay Learning ( www.interplaylearning.com ), a career development provider for skilled trades, recently launched a new mobile app that extends Interplay’s career development solution into the hands of on-the-go workers. The app, designed to expedite learning on the job and boost productivity, allows technicians to train between service calls or in the field with job-relevant content.
A wide range of on-demand micro-learning opportunities, including Interplay Learning’s expert-led instructional videos, knowledge checks, and personalized learning paths, are accessible 24/7. Knowledge checks and short quizzes following each video test content retention of each learner and help learners stay focused on the key takeaways from each module.
In testing their knowledge as they progress, learners can get an objective readout of their skills, and receive AIbased course recommendations to help fill skill gaps and tailor learning to personal needs.
The app also features intuitive search capabilities: to expedite learning: users can type course keywords into the mobile search bar to quickly find what they need in Interplay’s content catalog.
Price: free for Interplay Learning users, downloadable from the Apple store and Google Play.
Patti Feldman writes articles and web content for trade magazines and manufacturers of building products. She can be reached at productpad@yahoo.com
Matt Michel
8 Ways to Adapt to the New Economy
It’s been said that the only constant is change. Well, that certainly applies to today’s economy. The economy of today is not the same as yesterday. To survive and prosper in a changing economy, you need to adapt. Here are eight ways you must adapt.
1. Focus
You must focus. There are a lot of distractions. Block them. Do not worry about elections. You cannot do much more than vote, so vote and forget about everything else.
Block out politics. Block out news. Block out family drama. Focus on the business. No one else will.
2. Build Cash Reserves
People say cash is cold and hard. It’s not. It’s warm and soft and you can cuddle it. Cash is king under any circumstances. It is more important
To survive and prosper in a changing economy, you need to adapt.
when economic turmoil reigns. Building your cash reserves means you can sleep well at night. It means you can weather the economic storms. It means you can take advantage of opportunities, such as growth by acquisition at fire sale prices. Periodically, sweep your cash into reserve accounts, outside of the business. Invest the cash in conservative, but interest-bearing accounts.
3. Update Prices Continually
In inflationary times, you must, must stay on top of your pricing. Don’t change prices annually or even monthly. Be prepared to change prices
on a weekly basis. When your costs rise, your prices must rise to maintain margins. Doing anything else is subsidizing your customers. Do they need your subsidy?
4. Price Dynamically
In an inflationary economy, people are more price sensitive, so give them something to compare. Flex your prices. Price dynamically. Lower the price and margins on easily compared tasks and promote those. Make up for it by raising other prices to maintain your overall margins. Rote pricing by across the board mark-ups won’t work in today’s economy.
5. Target Like Willie Sutton
Take a Willie Sutton approach to your marketing. Willie Sutton was an infamous bank robber. When he was caught, he was asked by a reporter why he robbed banks. Sutton looked at the reporter like he was an idiot and said that’s where the money was. Focus your marketing efforts where the money is. Target affluent neighborhoods and communities. That’s where the money is.
6. Offer Financing
Even the affluent are careful with their money in the current economy. It’s one of the reasons they’re affluent. Line up financing options and offer them. There are a number of companies who focus on financing for home services. Partner with one or more.
Build merchant service fees into your pricing. Let people pay by the method of their choice: cash, check, or credit card. Do not charge extra for credit cards. Price for credit cards and make a little extra if people do not use them.
7. Team First
Your ability to grow is constrained by your ability to put butts in trucks and keep them. Put your team first. Pay them more and build it into your pricing. As St Louis contractor Steve Miles likes to say, “If they are the best paid in your town, it’s not their fault.”
Respect their family time. Be cautious about putting people on call too much. It’s better to lose a customer than to lose a plumber.
8. Seek Knowledge
The way you used to do things won’t suffice going forward. Make sure you attend conferences like the Service World Expo and PHCC Connect. Learn what other contractors are doing.
Looking for inspiration and information combined in one easy to digest package? Buy Matt Michel’s latest book, Contractor Stories on Amazon.
We get it. With relationships built for the longhaul, our pros are determined to help you find the right fit. Our trusted PEXa plumbing system has choices that set you up to win big. na.rehau.com/plumbing
by Anne Lackey CO-FOUNDER OF HIRESMART VIRTUAL EMPLOYEES
Core Values: The Unseen Engine Driving Your Company’s Success
We live with infrastructure beneath the service: the pipes in the ground, the electrical wiring behind the walls, or the vast digital architecture of modern life. But don’t forget another foundational system for your business: your core values.
Many companies make the mistake of treating core values as a PR exercise, an obligatory list to slap on their website and employee manual. But genuine core values have nothing to do with virtue signaling. They are inward, not outward facing. They guide your organization’s actions and decisions and have a direct, measurable impact on your long-term financial health.
Your Most Important Asset
Consider how core values affect your most important asset—your people. A company whose core values resonate with workers’ ethics and aspirations will attract and retain the best talent. Team members who feel connected to a shared purpose demonstrate stronger engagement, productivity, and loyalty, reducing the significant costs of constant turnover.
Clear core values help team members make intelligent judgment calls without micromanagement. When they have internalized principles like integrity and customer focus, you can trust them to do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Contrast that to employees at a company with no consistent values training, who are more likely to apply Band-Aid fixes, recommend unnecessary upsells, or take unethical shortcuts that shatter client confidence if revealed. When respect, empathy, and going the extra mile are part of your company’s DNA, your receptionist will be more patient with anxious callers, your techs will be more conscientious with your customers, and your salespeople will be more creative in tailoring solutions to customer needs. Showing genuine care for customers as humans, not just dollar signs, inspires loyalty,
Genuine core values guide your organization’s actions and decisions and have a direct, measurable impact on your long-term financial health.
positive talk, and repeat business—the most cost-effective ways to grow.
Build Your Brand
Core values also help your brand stand out from the crowd. A commitment to excellent customer service will attract clients willing to pay a premium for a superior experience. Initiatives like sponsoring youth workforce development programs or supporting your local food bank demonstrate strong community ties. Highlighting actions that support your values can elevate your company from a faceless provider to a relatable brand that stands for something more significant than the bottom line.
That’s not to say core values don’t protect that bottom line. A focus on integrity guards against reputation-destroying fraud, and a commitment to
compliance keeps you out of hot water with regulators and litigators. Strong core values keep your profits from being siphoned away by completely avoidable personnel and legal issues. Make sure to build core value discussions into your team meetings, evaluations, and internal messaging. You want all members of your organization to understand “this is who we are.” When workers feel valued, they are more willing to point out shortcomings in current processes, suggest solutions, and pitch new ideas. Successful companies are always moving forward, seeking continuous improvement, intelligent risk-taking, and creative problem-solving, and there must be a deeper energy beneath these things, a fuel found only in a positive motivational force. Make sure you understand that force and articulate it every chance you get.
Core values are the glue that holds an organization together through internal and external challenges. When catastrophe hits, you need foundational strength, which only comes with a sturdy value system.
Leading by Example
These principles aren’t confined to a company handbook. They must be your organization’s scaffolding for all decisions and actions. That starts at the top. As a leader, you must exemplify the values you promote. Nothing poisons morale and productivity faster than a “do as I say, not as I do” dynamic. When management plays by its own rules, it breeds cynicism and erodes faith that the core values apply to everyone.
When leaders serve as core value models, it sends a message that those principles are the real deal, encouraging everyone to pull in the same direction. Reinforce core values at every turn, from hiring and onboarding to performance metrics and promotions. Recognize team members who go above and beyond to live out company values.
When your company lives with authentic core values, it will show up where it matters most—employee engagement, customer loyalty, adaptability to change, and sustainable profitability. Like a well-designed mechanical system, strong core values are an investment that will power your business to greater heights for years to come.
Let core values be the heart of your company, pumping vitality and purpose into every person, process, and interaction. That’s how you build a respected, high-performing, and profitable organization. You have to feel it at your core and help everyone else feel the same.
Anne Lackey is the co-founder of HireSmart Virtual Employees, a full-service HR firm helping others recruit, hire & train top global talent. She can be reached at anne@ hiresmartvirtualemployees.com.
THE EVENT FOR HVACR / FEB 10-12
Orlando
by David Federico
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AT RINNAI AMERICA CORPORATION
Tankless Truth: Tankless Water Heaters Work in Cold, Northern States
There are a lot of people out there who believe tankless water heaters do not work well with cold groundwater temperatures. We hear this mostly in places where it gets below freezing like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. It’s a misunderstanding that has led many plumbers and contractors to not recommend tankless technology to their clients. By providing a recommendation based on misinformation or myth, professionals are missing out on the many benefits a tankless water heater could provide their customers.
The truth is tankless water heaters will still deliver 5 gallons per minute (GPM) of hot water with 40-degree Fahrenheit groundwater. That is equal to running three showers simultaneously.
We know tankless technology works in even colder temperatures like Canada. Rinnai will typically sell over 100,000 gas tankless water heaters per year to our northern neighbor. If tankless units are proven to work in Canada, where groundwater temperatures are as low as 38 degrees Fahrenheit or 3 degrees Celsius, they can certainly handle similar climates in northern US states. Still providing adequate amounts of hot water when needed for a home or business to function.
Tankless Benefits for Northern States
When you get called to your next job, there are some great benefits to consider that could improve the quality of life for customers who get hit with winter head-on. Here are a few to keep in mind:
• Tankless can keep up with household demand: With cooler groundwater temperatures, many believe it takes more energy and time to heat water to the desired temperature, reducing the amount of hot water available. But a single tankless model can provide hot water up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit at 5 GPM. For perspective, in a residential home, an average shower head will deliver about 1.5-
The truth is tankless water heaters will still deliver 5 gallons per minute of hot water with 40-degree Fahrenheit groundwater.
2.0 GPM. Considering the average shower is about 105 degrees F, this can equate to as much as three showers delivering unlimited hot water simultaneously.
• Never run out of hot water: In general, the hot water recovery time is much slower for a standard tank water heater and can be amplified in cold groundwater areas. A 40-gallon tank can take upwards of 30 minutes to an hour to fully recover before hot water is available again. But because water is continuously heated as needed via a tankless
unit, a customer will never have to choose between taking a hot shower, doing a load of laundry, or running the dishwasher. The technology ensures a steady stream of hot water regardless of external temperatures, which can be especially beneficial in chilly climates.
• Tankless water heaters are very efficient: Rated by a Uniform Energy Factor (UEF), tankless water heaters are highly efficient hot water appliances often coming with an ENERGY STAR® certification. As an example,
Rinnai’s new SENSEI RX™ offers an industry-leading UEF of 0.98. This offers customers additional energy-saving benefits, resulting in lower utility bills. And during the winter, utilities tend to rise quickly, so using a more efficient solution could save money overall.
• Tankless water heaters can provide faster hot water at the faucet: Some tankless water heaters come with additional features to make hot water even faster. Tankless units such as Rinnai’s SENSEI RXP models can come equipped with a built-in pump for recirculation. This results in faster delivery of hot water when it’s needed.
Jumping into a cold shower when it’s freezing outside is not on many people’s lists. Luckily, some tankless products also come with smart recirculation capabilities, such as Rinnai’s Smart-Circ™ Intelligent Recirculation™. This feature learns a user’s hot water usage pattern and schedules recirculation accordingly to provide clients with faster hot water when they need it.
Northern regions shouldn’t dissuade you from recommending tankless water heaters to your customers. With the benefits of high efficiency and unlimited hot water, tankless can enhance your customers’ lives. And plumbers can offer clients a variety of options, no matter where they are in North America. To learn more about the other common myths associated with tankless water heaters, visit www.rinnai.us/ tanklesstruths
David Federico is Senior Director of Marketing at Rinnai America Corporation with primary responsibilities leading the marketing strategy for its residential and commercial products. Prior to joining the organization in 2016, David held marketing leadership positions at multinational corporations including Georgia-Pacific. David is a graduate of Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration - Marketing.
A basement-installed Sensi-RX tankless unit from Rinnai.
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Melissa Dixon
SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY CHAIN DIVISION
Supply Chain 3.0
In recent years, the global supply chain has faced unprecedented disruption. Throughout every project phase, from estimating to construction, MEP contractors must address supply chain disruptions, unstable commodity prices and general global economic conditions that threaten to drive up costs and jeopardize project timelines. Navigating these challenges is even more difficult for contractors who rely on disconnected technology and manual processes and must manage material and labor costs without complete, up-to-date item-level information.
Digital Pricing and Procurement
Improving supply chain productivity relies heavily on standardized information flowing freely from one project phase to the next. Creating quotes and orders using a bill of materials (BOM) generated from a fully managed materials database with material codes, descriptions and prices enables accurate and speedy material sourcing, reduces confusion and errors in procurement, and can even boost accounts payable tracking and processing capabilities.
Miller Mechanical, a Georgia-based contractor, saw an opportunity to reduce waste and friction in the company’s supply chain operations. “We needed to streamline our process,” said the company’s general manager, Chad Baxter. “It was very cumbersome.”
Miller Mechanical began using Supplier Xchange, Trimble’s digital pricing and procurement solution with its local supplier, Ferguson. Today, Supplier Xchange provides Miller Mechanical with real-time pricing directly from Ferguson. This is made possible by a digital connection built on a common data environment that supports better collaboration between contractors and their preferred suppliers.
Through a direct connection with its main supplier, Ferguson, Miller Mechanical can access up-to-date contracted pricing information. “Pricing is live and up-to-date, and we’ve cross-referenced around 900,000 SKUs that have a direct match or a one-to-one correlation,” said JD Abrams, director of construction services and technology
Technology offers a reliable path to more productive and profitable supply chain management.
at Ferguson. “The efficiency gains are a game changer.”
Supplier Xchange turns contracted pricing information into a purchase order (PO) that flows into Miller Mechanical’s ERP, immediately placing the order while simultaneously accounting for it financially. Automatic syncing of the PO saves time and reduces errors by eliminating manual entry. “It creates a closed-loop system for receiving and accounts payable,” said Baxter. “We’ve moved from going between multiple digital and manual systems to just one that seamlessly syncs with the others, making us faster and more accurate.”
Optimizing the Supply Chain and Material Procurement
A digital supply chain may initially feel daunting, but contractors can avoid common pitfalls and succeed with the proper knowledge. A solid strategy must address two main problems—disconnected technology and a lack of standardized data.
Connected Systems
As mentioned earlier, one of the primary reasons for the slow pace of digitization in the MEP sector is the use of disparate software solutions from multiple vendors. Often, these systems lack standard integration, creating information silos that hinder the smooth flow of data. Siloed data leads to downstream
inefficiencies for project teams.
As the construction industry evolves, it’s moving toward a connected technology ecosystem in which concept-ual design can inform estimates, detailed designs, fabrication activities, bid management, project management and procurement. The same is true with supply chain and material procurement activities.
Instead of multiple software vendors to address single problems, software should integrate with other technologies, stakeholders and teams across all phases of construction.
Fragmented technology and disparate data go hand in hand. When preconstruction or construction applications do not communicate with other technologies, teams or project stakeholders, data is disconnected, locked away and unable to inform other parts of the workflow. Additionally, as contractors switch from one software application to another, translating the data consumes resources and increases the potential for errors.
Standardized Data
A barrier to information flow is the absence of a common data environment. When contractors and suppliers rely on a fully managed material database to generate quotes and orders, they can streamline their workflow with standardized product information,
including material codes, descriptions and prices. This ensures accurate and efficient material sourcing, minimizes procurement errors and enhances accounts payable tracking capabilities.
However, many contractors still manage purchase orders without material codes. According to a Trimble Viewpoint and Carnegie Mellon University survey, 60% of MEP contractors in North America do not use standardized material codes in their procure-to-pay process. This lack of standardization further complicates the procurement process and inhibits productivity.
Suppliers and contractors must align on material sourcing, which is only possible when contributing to a common data environment. A common data environment populated with data from multiple preconstruction and construction technologies allows information based on standardized definitions to be shared freely across teams. In this case, the estimating team can pull pricing from connected suppliers 24/7, ensuring the most up-to-date pricing in estimates. Project team members can create a BOM, which becomes instantly available to other team members responsible for purchasing, who can then submit purchase orders directly to their connected distributors.
With this automatic, digitized information exchange, the risk of miscommunication or inaccurate pricing drops significantly.
Critical Path to Digitization
Adopting a digitized approach to material sourcing offers significant opportunities for improving efficiency and data collection for critical reporting and tracking functions. Contractors can achieve more seamless and connected construction processes by utilizing a common data environment, connected systems and electronic information exchange with suppliers. This transformation will enhance information flow for improved efficiency, reduced errors and enhanced productivity throughout the supply chain.
Melissa Dixon is a senior product manager for the Construction Supply Chain Division within Trimble MEP.
WITHIN TRIMBLE MEP
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Tom Sheahan CEO OF RED OXYGEN
Are Your Text Messages Being Blocked? Here are 3 Reasons Why
Text messaging, like all digital media and communication, is an ever-evolving field. Best practices may change over time, but so can rules and regulations. That is what has happened in the United States in the last few years. New mobile carrier rules went into effect in 2022 for any application to person (A2P) texts sent within the country.
sCarriers initiated these rules in an effort to reduce spammers, scammers and what is called “smishers” (SMS phishing). These are all problematic for consumers, but also cost companies millions of dollars each year. The rules affect those using a 10-digit long codes (called 10DLC) for business texting, which is the majority of businesses. While the 10DLC regulations were introduced in 2022, they were not widely enforced until 2023. Now, in 2024, they are mandatory and well enforced. Noncompliance with these regulations results in messages not being delivered to their intended recipient. Some businesses might not even realize their messages are being blocked because some SMS software does not send automatic alerts about blockages. Hopefully businesses working with contractors, and those in any industry, are familiar with these rules by now. But, as a reminder, companies must now register their brand (providing company information) and messaging campaigns (use-case and message samples), adhere to content guidelines and maintain a high-level of transparency in their texting campaigns.
Despite knowing these high-level guidelines, as an SMS provider, we have continued to see many companies have their important messages blocked. Based on that information, I want to share the top three reasons companies are having messages blocked as well as specific advice for remedying the situation to get texting campaigns back on track.
1. Not using full or branded URLs: One of the most pressing issues is the use
Why businesses struggle with SMS compliance more than a year after rule changes.
of shortened URLs in text messages.
The advent of URL shorteners, which were once seen as a useful way for digital marketers to save space and track engagement, has now become a double-edged sword. The problem lies in how these shortened links are perceived by carriers and spam filters. Shortened URLs, unless they are branded to still include the base of a company’s URL, are often flagged as potential threats or spam. This flagging can lead to the blocking of entire messages, disrupting communication between businesses and intended recipients. To ensure compliance, make sure the brand name still appears in the URL. Shortening links internally may work. For example, a fictional company called Best Plumbers may shorten the URL www.bestplumbers. com/newcustomersignup/2024 to bestplumbers.com/new24 without being blocked while still saving on character count. There are also companies that provide link shortening services which keep branded links that are easily
recognized and traced back to the company; the small fee is often worth it.
2. Altering the content of texts after submitting them for approval: Another critical error that businesses often make is altering the content of their text messages after submitting them for approval (but before the scheduled text send). The process of getting SMS campaigns approved is designed to ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and carrier policies. However, some organizations, in an effort to make last-minute tweaks or updates, modify the message content after approval has already been obtained. This practice can inadvertently lead to compliance issues. When text message content changes, it may no longer adhere to the original approval parameters, causing the message to be flagged or blocked by carriers. To counteract this, make sure what you want to say within each text campaign is well thought-out and finalized before being submitted for approvals. If something changes internally, and
the content of a pre-approved message needs to change, you’ll want to delete that campaign and/or start a new one from scratch. Yes, this may take more time. Remember, even seemingly minor alterations can possibly render the initial approval no longer valid, so the extra time is worth the effort.
3. Not including a privacy policy on your company website: When you think about digital communication compliance, this one is (hopefully) something that isn’t coming as a surprise. Federal regulations mandate that businesses must provide a clear and accessible privacy policy to protect consumer information and comply with data protection laws. Without a privacy policy, businesses not only risk non-compliance (which can come with hefty fees) but also face the possibility of having their messages blocked. This is because many carriers and compliance systems check for the presence of a privacy policy as a criterion for message delivery. The published privacy policy is not the only requirement, of course. Business texting also requires an explicit opt-in from the recipient, and easy opt-out instructions should be included on every text message. Not including opt-out instructions (like, “Text END to unsubscribe,” for example) can also result in a message being blocked.
Companies that operate with the help of mechanical contracting professionals have ample opportunities to use text messages. Whether it’s confirming customer appointment times, sending service reminders or communicating with team members, text messages can only provide value if they’re successfully sent and received. Take this opportunity to brush up on the basics of SMS compliance to ensure this powerful method of communication continues to work for your business.
Tom Sheahan is the CEO of Red Oxygen, a leading business SMS solutions provider that serves companies in the US and beyond.
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Presented in partnership with Radiant Professionals Alliance
A. O. Smith Product Development Center Sneak Preview Teases Plans for Future Production
LEBANON, TN — A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a leader in water heating and water treatment, announced today that its new Product Development Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, will open its doors Aug. 26 with an invitation-only sneak preview event for federal and local elected officials, chamber of commerce delegates, project partners, university representatives and select employees. Attendees will join A. O. Smith and Lochinvar teams for a project introduction and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the facility’s environmental chambers, product engineering development lab, electronics lab, and other new spaces.
The estimated $30-million-project combines a mix of new construction and existing facility renovation to create an environment of innovation and collaboration. The new center will bring together the company’s North America Water Heating commercial engineering and platform electronics functions with Lochinvar engineering and product management to support future commercial product production, including heat pump water heaters.
Advancing Product Innovation
“We’re not only committing to conceptual changes but also providing our people with the tools they need to achieve meaningful progress,” said Chairman and CEO Kevin Wheeler. “This center is designed to enhance knowledge-sharing across the organization and foster new ideas in a space conducive to collaboration. We’re confident this new facility will play a critical role in advancing product innovation and future sustainability efforts.”
The program will feature Chief Technology Officer Bob Heideman,
New facility in Lebanon, Tennessee will prioritize talent and innovation.
North America Water Heating (NAWH) President and General Manager Steve O’Brien , Senior Vice President Human Resources and Public Affairs Curt Selby and Lochinvar President Darrell Schuh , along with the NAWH and Lochinvar vice presidents of engineering and product management and the project’s head architect. After the tours, guests
Cooling System Rescue – Replacement of the Dinosaur
➤ Continued from page 34
from Sustainable Coils, complete with new TXVs, and brazed those in at the fan coil units. We then redid the pressure test and then started our refrigerant piping layout. The homeowner wanted the look of hard copper pipe for the refrigerant lines so we used a lot of smaller Hydrazorb cushion clamps. Just like the water lines, we had to carefully lay out the refrigerant piping for each heat pump so it would land in the space between heat pumps. We then pressure tested our braze joints again and insulated the vapor lines.
Installation and Connection of New Heat Pumps
The homeowner had asked for a low-profile installation of the six heat pumps and piping so they would have
more options if sound mitigation steps were necessary. This had dictated our layout of six heat pumps in a row.
Because they wanted noise and vibration isolation from the floor as well, we simply laid out 2” foil faced foam and slid the heat pumps into place.
We were grateful that they all fit! We were able to complete the water and refrigerant piping between the units and make the connections at the front of each heat pump. Then we completed final pressure testing of all refrigerant connections and proceeded with evacuation and refrigerant charging at each heat pump. We found no leaks on the water side (thank you press fittings) to each heat pump and the individual air separators did the air purging for us.
Commissioning and Operation
Controls for this system were simple: each of the six thermostats turned on their respective fan coil unit blower and sent a call for cooling to their respective heat pump in the basement mechanical room. Each heat pump then energized a relay; the six relays were wired in parallel to the outside and inside loop pumps so that they would only run if there was a cooling call. The remote chiller plant outside was looking at loop temperature so when it saw that the buffer tank temp was rising, it would turn on. Each zone cooled nicely, and the new heat pumps were much quieter than the old Thermaltron Dinosaur! The homeowner was happy and decided that they didn’t need any additional noise reduction measures. Another successful cooling rescue.
are invited to stay for a continental breakfast.
The Wilson County Difference
People may be wondering what the reasons are behind the expansion of the A. O. Smith presence in Wilson County. A recent Workforce Essentials report on Wilson County shows the population has grown by 16.3% since 2018 and jobs increased by 35.8%. This change far outpaced the national growth rate of 4.3% during that time. In addition, almost 25% of Wilson County residents possess a bachelor’s degree, which is 3.7% above the national average, and growth remains on the horizon as the population is expected to increase by 15% in the next five years. Proximity to state universities was also a key factor.
“We must recruit and retain the brightest minds in our business, grow our talent force and create new opportunities for our employees to further enhance their skills,” said Selby. “We’re excited about our future in this community and look forward to creating an environment where talent and innovation can thrive and flourish.”
The Product Development Center is expected to open in Spring 2025. When fully operational, the facility will house more than 140 new and existing employees with room for future growth.
The exterior of the new Product Development Center in Lebanon, Tennessee.
ASSE Seeks Working Group Members for Development of American National Standards
MOKENA, IL — ASSE International is seeking working group members to participate in the development of four American National Standards: ASSE 1391, ASSE 7000, ASSE 10000, and ASSE 19000.
ASSE 1391 working group members will assist the Product Standards Committee (PSC) in converting LEC 2006 Point of Entry Reverse Osmosis Systems into an ANSI standard, ASSE 1391 Performance Requirements for Point of Entry Reverse Osmosis System.
“ASSE 1391 will address point of entry (POE) reverse osmosis (RO) systems installed after water meters in residences or businesses,” said John Higdon, IAPMO’s director of Standards Development. “These systems are used to treat drinking water by reducing dissolved solids, heavy metals, microbes, and inorganic and organic contaminants.”
Separately, ASSE professional qualification standard working group members will assist the Professional Qualifications Standards Committee with the development of three American National Standards—ASSE 7000 Standard for Residential Potable Water Fire Sprinkler System Installers & Inspectors for One- and Two-Family Dwellings , ASSE 10000 Standard for Green Plumbing Systems Installers, and ASSE 19000 Hydronic Systems Professional Qualifications Standard.
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“The subject standards provide minimum performance criteria, identified by industry consensus, for residential potable water fire sprinkler system installers and inspectors and installers of green plumbing and hydronic systems,” Higdon said.
The working groups will operate in accordance with ASSE’s accredited procedures for standards development: IAPMO/ASSE PP-1 (Policies and Procedures for Consensus Development of American National Standards)
The first working group meetings will be held virtually in September.
The deadline to apply is Aug. 30. Applications can be downloaded through the following URL: https://asse-plumbing.org/media/30630/asse_committee_app.pdf
Interested parties wishing to serve on ASSE working groups, please contact ASSE Standards at standards@ iapmostandards.org with a completed application, as well as a copy of your resume by the Aug. 30 deadline, or you may contact John Higdon at 909/218-8123 or by email at john.higdon@iapmo.org with any questions.
As Technology Evolves, Advancements Enable Water Conservation
Continued from page 6
control panel that enables users to remotely adjust water temperature, set a timer, and easily monitor water and energy usage. The control panel accommodates up to six user profiles and features an ecomode, making it simple for users to reduce water and energy usage by showering for a minute less.
Then there are Smart toilets, designed to use less water than traditional models. Although most toilets today are regulated to use no more than 1.6gpf, smart toilets can use as little as 0.6-gpf. Plus, a smart toilet adds hygienic benefits—no need to use the toilet brush!
One unique Smart toilet is the Kohler Karing toilet. It comes with a self-cleaning wand, air dryer, adjustable temperature settings, hands-free seat opening and closing and an LED light that illuminates the bowl at night. It is a single-flush toilet, certified by the EPA’s WaterSense program. It uses 1.28 gallons of water per flush.
Recyclability and the Circular Economy
Besides focusing on water and energy conservation, consumers are interested in companies making products in a sustainable way. Not only is it about how much water the product is saving, but what is the product made of and how it was made is important too.
You have probably come across the term “circular economy.” This means that everything gets reused, reducing the burden on the planet’s resources. The circular economy aims to minimize waste, maximize
resource efficiency, and create a closed-loop system where materials and products are continuously reused, refurbished, and recycled, according to the article The Circular Economy and its Application in Plumbing. The plumbing industry, with its significant impact on water consumption and materials usage, is a crucial industry for embracing these principles.
Some plumbing manufacturers are already working towards offering products that meet circularity principles. For instance, Hansgrohe’s Pulsify Planet edition hand shower is designed with a holistic approach. The three-function hand shower reduces water flow—it uses 60% less water than Hansgrohe’s conventional models. Incorporating circular economy principles, the handle is made of recycled plastic, using a unique process for extracting raw material. The hand shower is manufactured chrome free with recyclable raw materials.
The plumbing industry has come a long way in the past 15 years, and evolution will continue. I hope this article sparked curiosity and you decide to investigate some of the technologies mentioned.
The Kohler Karing toilet.
Hansgrohe’s Pulsify Planet edition hand shower.
Sila Uses 3D Training to Upskill Technicians
AUSTIN, Texas — Interplay Learning, a leader in immersive career development solutions for the skilled trades, and Sila Services, a leading home services platform operating HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies, are pleased to announce that Interplay will deliver ongoing, scalable training solutions across Sila Services’ 30+ brands.
With a workforce of 1,200+ field technicians and a commitment to a people-first approach, Sila Services has selected Interplay Learning to enhance and scale its training and development operations. Interplay will provide Sila Services’ expanding family of brands with cutting-edge 3D simulation training and career-building training pathways that integrate with existing systems, reduce trainer burden, and develop its talent pipeline.
A Shift in Learning
With Interplay’s training content, Sila Services can provide safe and consistent training anytime, anywhere across its distinctive brands. This reduces reliance on location-specific training and dependence on senior technicians and managers for training responsibilities. The mobile and structured shift in learning leads to less disruption in business operations and provides a repeatable solution from apprentices to leadership roles, boosting confidence in technicians’ ability to expand their skill sets and meet customer needs.
“Our training philosophy is deeply rooted in our core value of putting people first,” says Edward McFarlane , chief learning and development officer, Sila Services. “We chose Interplay because it’s intuitive for our technicians to use and minimizes administrative burdens for our managers.”
Personalized Learning Paths
The integration of Interplay’s skills assessments into Sila Services’ training strategy and technology stack creates
personalized learning paths across multiple trades and skill levels. This approach increases engagement and retention while building reliable skills inventories, enabling more effective talent deployment to jobs. It also supports rewarding promotions and developing technically proficient leaders
capable of driving Sila Services’ growth and new partner acquisitions. Additionally, Interplay’s connection to NATE, third-party agencies like OSHA and EPA, and relationships with major original equipment manufacturers create an industry-validated ecosystem that Sila Services can rely on
for top-tier training and certification opportunities all in one place.
“We are proud to partner with Sila Services, a company culturally aligned in its dedication to empowering all levels of the workforce through training,” said Doug Donovan , founder and CEO of Interplay Learning.
CUT THE CORD AND KEEP ON WORKING
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But wait, there’s more. You can now record onto a flash drive or send the recording to your customers with the built-in Wi-Fi transmitter. Also, you can track just how far the camera has traveled down the line with the on-screen distance counter.
For more information, visit www.drainbrain.com/XPodPlus, or call the Drain Brains ® at 800-245-6200
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Channellock Announces Its Sixth Annual Trade School Trade-Up Winner: Central Wisconsin Christian School
MEADVILLE, PA — Channellock, Inc. has announced this year’s Trade School Trade-Up Competition winner, the industrial education program at Central Wisconsin Christian School.
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The Channellock Trade School Trade-Up competition aims to close the nation’s skills gap by funding initiatives and supplying tools that benefit the next generation of tradesmen and women. Each year, the competition awards a trade program that exemplifies hard work, innovation, and a commitment to getting the job done right with a $5,000 cash prize, a full set of Channellock tools, and a complete classroom makeover.
Channellock, Inc. is helping close the skilled trades gap with national competition.
To win, students specializing in plumbing, HVAC, welding, automotive, and electrical must produce an impactful video that demonstrates their school’s technical abilities.
“We are proud to support the future of America’s skilled workforce,” said Jon DeArment, President and COO of Channellock, Inc. “Our goal is that this program helps inspire trade school students to become strong contributors to their communities and take pride in their craft.”
Russ Smies , Head Instructor at Central Wisconsin Christian School, is committed to equipping his students with valuable life skills needed for success in the trades, including a strong work ethic, critical thinking, and effective communication. “We are so appreciative of Channellock’s investment in our program and are confident that these resources will help our students further develop their talents and technical abilities.”
To learn more about the Channellock Trade School Trade-Up competition and how the company is helping support America’s future trades professionals, visit: channellock. com/tradeup.
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Franklin Electric Hosts 2nd Annual ‘Future Franklineers Day’
FORT WAYNE, IN — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) hosted its annual “Future Franklineers Day” on July 22, welcoming more than 60 elementary, middle school, and high school students from the community for a day of learning and career exploration. The exclusive event allowed students of Franklin Electric employees to tour corporate headquarters, gain insights into the water systems industry, and learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers in a real-world setting.
Students participated in interactive tours that allowed them to explore the company’s state-of-the-art research, development, and testing facilities. Each attendee spent time learning how motors operate and took home a kit to build their own mini motor. Company engineers, designers, and executives were on hand to answer questions and share their expertise. The event also
Ferguson Now Headquartered in the US
NEWPORT NEWS, VA —(BUSINESS WIRE)-— Ferguson Enterprises Inc.
(NYSE: FERG; LSE: FERG), a Delaware corporation, announces that Ferguson is now headquartered in Newport News, Virginia following the completion of its corporate reorganization.
“We have now completed the final step in our journey to better align our North American operations and leadership with our headquarters and governance,” said Ferguson CEO Kevin Murphy . “Our associates have helped our customers build this country for more than 70 years, and we’re proud to have Ferguson headquartered in the US and to celebrate the value they bring to the North American construction market each and every day.”
“This milestone is the culmination of a multi-year, methodical process that required significant shareholder engagement,” said Ferguson CFO Bill
Announcement follows the completion of the distributor’s corporate reorganization.
Brundage . “We want to thank our associates, customers, shareholders and Board of Directors for their support, and we look forward to building on our strong track record of growth and financial performance.”
Ferguson is included in the S&P Total Market Index, MSCI, CRSP indices and Russell 1000. With $29.7 billion of revenue in FY2023, and 35,000 talented associates serving our customers across more than 1,700 locations, the
Company is the largest value-added distributor serving the specialized professional in the $340B residential and non-residential North American construction market. It helps make customers’ complex projects simple, successful and sustainable by providing expertise and a wide range of products and services from plumbing, HVAC, and appliances to lighting, PVF, water and wastewater solutions, and more.
The company opened its HQ to more than 60 elementary, middle school, and high school students for a day of learning and career exploration.
provided networking opportunities, allowing Franklin Electric families to build lasting connections.“Showing children a variety of STEM career possibilities is essential to the future of the industries we serve,” said Amanda Hecht , Director of Human Resources—Talent. “Future Franklineers Day is a chance for young learners to see firsthand how Franklin Electric innovation is a part of their everyday lives—from the water they drink to the cars they ride in.”
Franklin Electric proudly sponsors various local programs and education-based initiatives throughout Allen County, including United Way and Junior Achievement, to support future community leaders and beyond.
Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers worldwide in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be recognized in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies and Most Trustworthy Companies for 2024, Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024, and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.
A group of “Future Franklineers” take an important board meeting.
The full group of Future Franklineers outside the company’s Fort Wayne, IN headquarters.
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5 Reasons to Attend CONNECT 2024
From October 7-10, plumbers and HVAC professionals from across the country will gather for CONNECT 2024, hosted by the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC) in Birmingham, Alabama. Here are five reasons to attend CONNECT 2024 this fall.
1. New for This Year
The theme of this year’s conference is “Authentic Connections,” where building trust and growing relationships will be the primary focus. This year’s conference will conveniently start on Monday, so attendees can settle in and kick off a three days with peers at the opening reception. The conference concludes with an Awards Breakfast on Thursday, giving attendees the option to stay and explore Birmingham or return to the office.
During the event, attendees can discover a Product & Technology Showcase, listen to live interviews with industry professionals at the Podcast Hub, or improve their skills at a knowledge or Technology Hub.
2. Top-Tier Speakers and Educational Content
CONNECT 2024 features distinguished speakers Jeff Butler and Mary Kelly. Butler will deliver the keynote address, “Building an Effective Multi-Generational Workplace,” and lead a breakout session on “Winning the Talent War.” Mary Kelly will present “Why Leaders Fail and the 7 Prescriptions for Success” as her keynote and lead a breakout session on “Master Your World: Unleashing Leader’s Productivity for Max Profits, Peak Efficiency and Superior Communication.”
With over 20 education sessions covering finance, business management, AI applications, influencer marketing, and more, attendees will gain valuable insights to better improve their businesses.
Notable presentations and panels include:
• “From Good to Great: Enhancing Your Company’s Value for a Profitable Exit” by Brendan Hughson
• “The Forgotten Heroes: Our
Support Staff” by Foster (Jim) J. McCarl, III
• “What the Hell is an Influencer?” sponsored by Scorpion
• “Reverse Mentorship: What We Need from You” sponsored by Kohler
• “Following the Leader: Succession Planning for Signatory Contractors” by Paul Lally and Dave Friedman
3. Networking Opportunities
CONNECT 2024 provides opportunities for networking among HVAC and plumbing professionals. With over 20 speakers and numerous panels, attendees can connect with industry leaders, peers and businesses to discuss challenges, solutions and opportunities for growth.
CONNECT 2024 is a prime opportunity to meet and network with a wide range of professionals from across the country. From interactive sessions to engage directly with speakers and fellow attendees to social events that allow time to connect with other professionals, CONNECT creates an ideal environment for establishing relationships.
4. Apprentice Competition
On October 8, the PHCC Educational Foundation’s National Plumbing and HVACR Apprentice Contests will begin. This two-day competition will
The theme of PHCC’s annual conference is “Authentic Connections,” where building trust and growing relationships will be the primary focus.
showcase the skills of the next generation of professionals. These young men and women will get the experience of a lifetime meeting fellow apprentices from across the country and making connections with industry professionals. The winners will be announced at the Awards breakfast on October 10.
5. Culinary, Sightseeing and History
Birmingham is the hidden gem of the south, known for its food and drinking scene. With over 30 restaurants within a 10-mile radius of the conference and several James Beard Award-winning chefs, Birmingham offers a variety of dining options. It’s a city celebrated as the “best-kept secret” and “Dinner Table of the South.”
Birmingham also offers a range of activities and historical sites. Explore Oak Mountain State Park, the Birmingham Zoo and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, or delve into the city’s rich history at The Civil Rights District, Birmingham Historic Tours
and The Birmingham Ghost Walk. Or visit the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and the McWane Science Center to see the local arts and science of the city.
CONNECT will also be providing the Birmingham Foodie Tour, as well as the “Magic City” tour, showing off all that Birmingham has to offer. Click the link here to learn more about each tour and how to register for both.
CONNECT will be kicking things off with an evening reception at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest motorcycle collection, plus home to other rare and unusual cars. If you miss the opening party, make sure to stop by before you head out.
CONNECT 2024 promises exciting opportunities for professionals, from educational content, networking and the chance to explore a city full of history and delicious food. For more information on this exciting three-day event, visit phccweb.org/CONNECT
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REHAU Partners with Hugh M. Cunningham Companies to Support Markets in TX, OK
Continued from page 3
expand their trusted product line by representing REHAU polymer-based solutions for mechanical and plumbing systems. This partnership combines the long-standing industry expertise of both companies, providing enhanced services to contractors, engineers and wholesalers.
This partnership combines the longstanding industry expertise of both companies, providing enhanced services to contractors, engineers and wholesalers.
Spanning over nine decades, HMC has personified a sales agency for building products: mechanical, light industrial, waterworks, fire protection, turf, irrigation, HVAC, waterwell, agriculture and residential and commercial plumbing products. HMC employs over 180 people focused on one overriding goal:
marketing, selling and servicing their vendors, to their customers, in their territory.
The REHAU Contribution
Driven by enhancing lives for 75 years, REHAU will contribute to HMC’s dependable product line with polymer components built for long-term performance in mechanical and plumbing systems. The backbone of REHAU systems is RAUPEX® crosslinked polyethylene (PEXa) pipe, first produced in 1968 and now used in heating, plumbing and geothermal applications.
PEXa offers benefits over copper and other polymer piping such as cost-effective installation, enhanced temperature and pressure capabilities and corrosion resistance. In 2017, the company further pioneered the proprietary REHAU EVERLOC+® compression-sleeve fitting system, providing plumbing contractors and installers with quick yet secure connections.
Offering a range of products to meet the needs of contractors and installers, the REHAU F1960 cold expansion fitting system is an additional option that supports safety, reliability and cost savings. Regardless of the REHAU fitting system chosen, RAUPEX pipe has a 25-year limited warranty. The high-quality, trusted products developed at REHAU are backed by a team of product experts who will support HMC representatives to deliver comprehensive project support to customers.
An Exciting Opportunity
“Partnering with HMC is an exciting opportunity for REHAU to deepen our engagement with customers throughout Texas and Oklahoma,” says Mark Hudoba , Vice President of REHAU building solutions for the Americas region. “We look
forward to expanding the reach of our trusted products through HMC’s esteemed industry expertise and exceptional customer service.” “The opportunity to partner with REHAU was an easy decision for us,” says Jim Ambery , President and CEO of HMC. “REHAU is fully committed to providing products that exceed industry standards as well as install-based solutions that reduce labor costs in the field with our contractor partners. The Hugh Cunningham team is honored to be part of the REHAU team.”
Aaron Reeves , Vice President of Sales at HMC, adds, “We are ecstatic and humbled to be in a partnership with REHAU. They have quality products that help us round out our overall package. Hugh Cunningham is excited about the new opportunity REHAU provides us.”
To Learn More
Learn more about REHAU at www.na.rehau.com/mp and on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Learn more about HMC at www.hughcunningham. com and on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. HMC has several locations across Texas, including Carrollton, San Antonio and Houston. HMC can be reached at 800/339-0191 for customer service or 800/5573881 to contact the distribution group.
The REHAU Group develops, manufactures and markets polymer-based solutions for automotive, construction, furniture, materials, medical and industrial sectors throughout the world. The independent, family-owned group of companies operates in more than 190 locations with more than 20,000 employees. REHAU teams work each day toward the common goal of improving lives through the use of innovative, sustainable technologies.
REHAU offers flexible fitting options with their proprietary EVERLOC+® compression-sleeve fitting system and F1960 cold expansion fitting system.
The REHAU EVERLOC+® compression-sleeve fitting system offers quick, secure connections regardless of pipe diameter or temperatures.
➤
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THE 0.75 GPF PRESSURE-ASSISTED TOILET from Sloan has the lowest flush volume available for toilets in commercial restroom applications. They are less likely to back up or clog compared to gravity toilets, and the bowl remains clean due to the rim jets’ higher velocity and pressure for each power flush. Available with an elongated bowl in standard and ADAcompliant height. Bowls are available with SloanTec Hydrophobic Glaze, and tanks are available with both left- and right-hand flush handles. In addition, all tanks and tank/bowl combinations are Buy American Act-compliant.
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TRUCLIMATE 900 HEAT PUMP CHILLER from Waterfurnace features a variable-speed compressor with OptiHeat technology, enabling units to stay online 44% longer than traditional chillers. It allows the retrofit of current setups with an electric solution that minimizes carbon footprints, adds to current setups for a hybrid plan or creates an entirely new heating and cooling solution. It delivers 44° F chilled water and 140°F hot water simultaneously from a single chiller. Available in 30-ton sizes, up to 10 units can be banked to achieve a capacity of up to 300 tons. WaterFurnace International
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Niagara Conservation Corp. WWW.PRO.NIAGARACORP.COM
▼ L4000 LORAWAN DISPLAY FOR HOT/COLD WATER from H2O
Degree provides tenants in submetered, multifamily buildings and multitenant retail/commercial facilities with access to accurate, real-time hot and cold water consumption information for their specific units to avoid tenant/ landlord billing disputes over water. H2O Degree
WWW.H2ODEGREE.COM
POINT-OF-USE ELECTRIC TANKLESS WATER HEATER from A. O. Smith features a compact footprint, making it easy to install at or near fixtures in light commercial and residential applications. It does not require venting, making it an ideal fit for lavatories, isolated sinks, emergency fixtures, boosters, and more. The unit is also equipped with continuous dry fire protection, leak detection with an audible alarm and integrated scale detection.
A. O. Smith
WWW.HOTWATER.COM
▼ STANDARD-R TOUCHLESS FAUCET-1.0 GPM includes a microsensor underneath the spout head, providing accurate hand detection and ensuring smooth, consistent water distribution. It features ADA-compliant, vandalresistant aerator housing, 1.0 GPM laminar water-saving flow rate, and durable chrome-plated spout body.
Toto USA
WWW.TOTOUSA.COM
▲ HAYMAKER TANKLESS WATER HEATER DESCALER KIT includes solution, pump, hoses and a bucket— to remove scale and maintain optimal performance of a tankless water heater. The solution quickly and easily dissolves inorganic deposits that restrict flow to restore circulation and improve system efficiency.
Hercules/Oatey Co.
WWW.OATEY.COM
New Products
editor’s choice
‘APOLLO’ V-PORT SERIES CONTROL VALVE from Aalberts integrated piping systems is designed to offer precise flow control even in the most demanding environments. Features include a three-piece construction with enclosed fasteners for easy maintenance and repair, standard port and full port options for versatility, and stainless-steel trim and hardware for corrosion resistance. Live-loaded stem packing maintains seal integrity and reduces maintenance frequency. It also includes adjustable graphite stem packing for in-situ adjustments and a fully machined ISO 5211 mounting pad for standardized actuator mounting.
Aalberts
WWW.AALBERTS-IPS.US
▲ RDA-940 WALLFLOWER DOWNSPOUT NOZZLE from Watts has a universal gasketed connection that works with cast iron, PVC, IPS pipe to reduce installation time by up to 20%. It’s powder-coated cast aluminum material eliminates building staining. The integrated wall flange protects against theft.
Watts Water
WWW.WATTS.COM
ZURN WILKINS 900XL3 SERIES SMALL BACKFLOW PREVENTER
combines technology from the 300 and 900 series. Designed for residential or commercial applications with the shortest lay length of all-bronze small backflow preventers. It features modular cartridge internals and a single, top-access check cover.
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
WWW.ZURN.COM
SINGLE-HANDLE TUB AND SHOWER TRIM KIT
from Matco-Norca features a metal lever handle, slip-fit diverter spout and multifunction showerhead. Max flow rate is 1.5 GPM at 80 psi; minimum flow rate is 1.1 GPM at 40 psi.
Matco-Norca
WWW.MATCO-NORCA.COM
▲
STRYKE BATH COLLECTION
from Delta Faucet with subtly upturned spout and handles now features Lumicoat finishes. The sleek surface repels liquids, resisting water spots and staying cleaner longer, protecting the faucet and shower’s commonly touched areas. Long-lasting Diamond Seal technology reduces leak points, ensuring leak-free operation for the life of the faucet.
Delta Faucet Co.
WWW.DELTAFAUCET.COM
▲ DURAVIT NO.1 BATHROOM
COLLECTION is a complete suite of contemporary fixtures and furnishings. From washbasins to bathtubs to toilets, mirrors and vanities, each design within the collection reflects the brand’s design and engineering. The series’ compact designs fit bathrooms of all shapes and sizes. Furnishings are available in two modern matte finishes (white matte and graphite matte) and arrive pre-assembled and fully adjusted for quick and convenient installation.
Duravit
WWW.DURAVIT.US
▲
EVERLAST SERIES 1000 PUMP
STATION from Smith & Loveless is an above-ground wastewater pump station. The complete, factory-built and -tested system is fast and simple to install in both new installations and replacements of submersible pumps. It incorporates a premium efficiency motors designed for wastewater, resulting in reduced energy consumption costs and a smaller carbon footprint. All mechanical equipment is safely located and easily accessible above ground and outside the wet well, eliminating confined space hazards during routine maintenance and operation. Features include a tip-up hood, allowing for easy and immediate access to all mechanical and electrical components. Smith and Loveless
WWW.SMITHANDLOVELESS.COM
▲ THERMATOUCH2 IN-SHOWER CONTROL from ThermaSol is available in three sizes: 7", 10" and the newly unveiled 15" screen option. Controls turn the shower on remotely, set water at a certain temperature and pressure, activate steam therapy and control chromatherapy options through voiceactivated smart home assistants. It also includes various relaxation apps. ThermaSol
WWW.THERMASOL.COM
▼ SUPERSCAN ID ADVANCED STUD FINDER from Zircon features One Touch technology that can identify wood and metal studs; live, unshielded AC wires; and low-density objects without having to change modes. An intuitive user interface includes a fourcolor target ID display; target indicator bars to indicate the center, left edge and right edge of wood and metal studs; and a low battery indicator.
Zircon Corp.
SHOP.ZIRCON.COM
TYPE II INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
HELMETS feature a buckle-free monochinstrap safety system. The polymer strap arms offer a more proper fit system that can be easily rotated up for storage and then quickly rotated down below the chin when in use. The system can also be easily adjusted with a twist dial on the bottom to tighten or loosen the mono-strap with one hand.
Studson
WWW.STUDSON.COM
Ductless Mini-Split Systems
Engineered compatibility with InSinkErator® instant hot water dispenser tanks & taps
800.582.8423 | www.StiebelEltron.us
The AutoCutPL® plastic tubing cutter quickly produces clean, uncrushed, square cuts – with less effort. Easier to use than conventional plastic tubing cutters, the AutoCutPL cuts plastic tubing in as little as one rotation.
For more information, contact the Drain Brains® at 800-245-6200, or visit www.drainbrain.com/ autocutpl
Easy to Install Complete Comfort Control Optimal Efficiency, SEER 20-28
Premium Maximum Heat Pump Series
6,000 Btu/h to 24,000 Btu/h indoor units, high wall air handler or ceiling cassettes. High efficiency single & multi-zone systems.
Value Advantage Heat Pump Series 9,000 Btu/h to 36,000 Btu/h indoor units, high wall air handler single zone systems.
emiductless.com
• Cost effective
for
• Dual access covers for easy access to any major component while installed.
• Pre-assembled 1/2 HP unit with two low inlets for the addition of a sink, tub or shower.
by Steve Spaulding
Back to Where it All Began in 1954
On this, the 70th Anniversary of CONTRACTOR, it seems fitting to reprint the first editorial from our very first issue. Written by founder Herbert Walther, it touches on some points that are no longer relevant, and some that remain true to this day.
For one thing, we no longer publish twice a month. For another, we no longer cover the HVAC/R industry. That become the domain of our sister publication Contracting Business. Likewise, our wholesaler audience has declined as our focus has concentrated on the contractor.
One thing that has not changed is our independence. We are not the voice of any industry association, union, syndicate or manufacturing concern. We answer to no one but you, our readers. I say with some pride that I and the editors that came before me have fought tooth-and-nail to preserve that independence.
Which means Herb’s last point is as relevant now as it was back in 1954: we need you, the reader, to make us a better publication better serving your needs. Tell us what topics interest you, what stories resonate with you. For all the information we can
ADVERTISER INDEX
get from Internet analytics, nothing beats an email (or a good old-fashioned letter) to the editor.
And so, without further ado, take it away Herb…
reduces the physical labor absorbing the contents of any one issue—you get smaller bites of fresher news more often.
Brevity in writing style, familiarity with industry interests and people, and
CONTRACTOR will be a magazine of the type the plumbing, heating and air conditioning industry has not yet experienced. While we intend to give you readers a complete editorial service along fairly conventional lines, the techniques used will make reading more appetizing and less time-consuming.
For example, the tabloid size permits the editor to assemble a variety of subjects before your eyes at the same time, permitting you to scan the news quickly; likewise, the twice-a-month frequency
editorial integrity are characteristic of the people behind our venture.
Our selected audience is the whole industry, including (primarily) contractors, wholesalers and manufacturers. But we refine our editorial aim a bit more closely; for instance, we will provide editorial features on “management, merchandising, methods and materials” of a type that we think will appeal to the employing contractor, the contractor who employs two or more men.
Now, there are a few things we want
you readers to know:
First, CONTRACTOR is independent. We represent no special interest.
Second , as most of you who have seen our work under previous auspices should know, we love this plumbing-heating-air conditioning industry, believe it has an expanding and profitable future, and are convinced we can perform a useful purpose, the purpose of creating a better-informed industry, and an industry more quickly responsive to its opportunities.
Third, to do that job effectively we ask for your support, which means simply this: write to us about the subjects we introduce; comment pro and con on opinions expressed; tell us where you think we can direct new editorial inquiries.
In short, make CONTRACTOR part of your business existence. That will help you with a better magazine.
Our pledge to you is that we will deliver a vigorous, enterprising journalistic service to you, on principles of honesty, fairness and integrity. — Jan. 1st, 1954.
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