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John Siegenthaler has nailed the lid on the suspended tube coffin! I felt like he was writing about a radiant retrofit we're just in the process of completing. Identical 55 [...]

To the Editor: The PATH 'study' comparing radiant and hot-air heating systems in a Habitat for Humanity home in Schenectady, N.Y., is literally not worth the paper it's written on [...]

The article focuses on the products and technologies showcased at the AHR Expo, including tankless water heaters with advanced features such as stable delivery temperature and communication between units, electric tankless water heaters, and the energy-efficient Aerotherm water heater. Topics include the advantages of these products, their environmental benefits, and the innovation-driven approach of Bradford White.

The article talks about the problem of part failures in hydronic radiant system. Topics discussed include concern regarding the match between the zone, circulator and the indirect water heater manual; heating ghost flow to radiators during air conditioning season; and indirect water heater's circulator had its electrical access cover facing the rear wall and could not be readily accessed for service.

The article offers information on air-to-water heat pumps which works on the concept of n outdoor unit takes in heat from the ambient air and transfer it to a coolant. It discusses several pumps such as Taco's award-winning System M, which incorporates a variable-speed inverter compressor and fan in the outdoor unit while incorporating variable-speed Electronically Commutated Motor circulators in the indoor hydrobox.

I wrestled with this issue many years ago due to customers purchasing plumbing fixtures at the big box centers. I developed a document detailing there will be no warranty from [...]

Plumbing contractors in the United States can benefit from the increased sales of solar thermal water systems. Licensed plumbers have the base knowledge on the risks associated from heating and storing water. Safety issues associated with solar water heaters are also included.

The design and construction of a public bathroom's plumbing system in the United States are discussed. Installed plumbing fixtures with flush valves would not function properly. The installation of Grundfos SQE variable-speed pumps has resolved problems with the bathroom's water pressure.

Bathroom fixture manufacturers have successfully designed 1.28 gpf water closets. The 1.28 gpf water closets have high flushability despite additional noise. The 1.28 water closets are required under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense guideline.

Advice on how to choose an indirect water heater in the United States. The boiler should be sized to the home's heat loss. Peak load demand can be calculated by aksing customers about their personal habits in using heated water.

Heating system upgrade alternatives for an old house are discussed. Among the alternatives, a modulating condensing appliance that adapts to a home's heat loss by modulating its input/output to match the heat loss at any given moment is seen as the best choice.

The world will run out of oil, gas and coal someday and renewable energy is the future. Mechanical contractors can help stretch the fossil fuel reserves by installing very high efficiency heating systems and water heaters.

One presenter at the Solar Power International trade show and conference said that solar energy must be cost competitive, has the resources to make it viable, and that it has to have a reliable grid. A number of attendees hoped to see the industry stand on its own without the need for incentives. Other highlights of the conference are discussed.

The article discusses on power grid in the U.S. is not still ready to handle the increased demand for electricity, and how California government is taking measures to conserve energy by reducing the use of fuels through electric vehicles and by reducing use of different home appliances that use fuels. It further examines challenges faced by plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (PHVAC) industry related to energy consumption.

The article discusses how government handouts can send the wrong message to student loan borrowers. It discusses importance of providing realistic grounded-in-reality projections for potential earning capacity for the various degrees to students ,and getting advice about loan repayment schedules, including interest and principal breakdown.

The article talks about using greywater twice which is draining from bathtubs, showers, lavatory sinks, automatic clothes washers and laundry tubs and is not contaminated with fecal matter or urine. Mentions large-scale desalination plants that are being tested and built to generate potable water, but they're not environmentally friendly due to castoff discharges that degrade marine life.

I am a college professor who teaches courses in engineering technology and technical physics to students in several majors, including Construction Management. Therefore, I was pleased and impressed that Dave [...]

The article offers various instructions for installation of hot-water recirculation pumps on the domestic hot water systems.

Q. is there any practical way to get rid of the smell of vent gas coming up through the traps in a house? The house has a septic tank, and [...]

The article offers step by step instructions to troubleshoot an electric water heater.

The article offers information on how to increase the corporate profits and about how to design/install plumbing heating and ventilation (PHVAC) systems. It mentions about Ellen Rohr's classes regarding how to best manage the financials for mechanical contracting firms which helps in growing the PHVAC industries.

In the article, the author discusses how water heater explosions led to the development of temperature and pressure relief valves. Also cited are the claim by Chetwood Smith in 1921 that a boiler at high temperature has energy equivalent to 1.5 pounds of nitroglycerine, the design by Smith of the first patented relief valve in 1922, and the efforts of Watts Regulator Co.'s Burchard E. Horne to sell Smith's invention.

The article presents the discussion on continuing the forensic investigation in a bathing suit protecting the plumbing from excessive pressure.

The article discusses challenges for Texas plumbling, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (PHVAC) contractors for protection from freezing. Topics discussed include biblical flooding and damage from thawing temperatures; licensure issue for plumbing contractors; and role of COVID-19 pandemic to add a heaping helping of stress as contractors strive to meet demands of loyal customers and non-loyal customers.

The article presents the discussion on manufacturers offering additional components turning a boiler or tankless combi unit into a more complete system. Topics include products positioned for optimum visual impact and booths expansive in square footage; and old Edwards supply becoming the return with an isolation and purge valve while the old thermal expansion tank, air scoop, and water-feed valve.

The article presents personal narrative of author's experience of explosion of steam boiler in a doctor's office where he was work as an apprentice.

The article focuses on the last line of defense for plumbing system safety.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of being talking about your business primarily, but your personal cash reserves can become an important tool to temporarily support your business.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of handling tubing by its internal diameter (ID) and by outside diameter (OD), and on tightening of flared joints.

In this article, the author presents his experience of handling all the after-hours, weekend and holiday calls in a company. It mentions customers absolutely expected 24/7 services, so dropping those afterhours emergency calls was not an option or we would lose customers; and also mentions need to set limits for what constituted a real emergency.

The article focuses on the comprehensive retrofit of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) at Saint Paul's Church in Dallastown, Pennsylvania. The retrofit aims to take advantage of efficient and reliable equipment that conserves energy. The two 5-ton A/C units were turned into a two-stage system with the use of multi-stage feature of the Ecobee thermostat.

The article presents questions and answers related to homebuilding, including what causes dirt in the ceiling, do heating equipment need to be checked every year, and how to enhance the performance of furnaces.

The article presents the discussion on plumbers offering products for enhancing customers' health. Topics include scald-guard protections and elevating potable hot water temperatures for combating evils like Legionella bacteria, proper venting for carrying away foul odors, and sewer gasses; and faucets rapidly becoming available with additional infrared sensors where the user shifting water temperature by moving a hand to one side or the other.

The article explores the regulator was defective, but common sense said no and, after all, why would the boiler operate all day and some unknown portion of the night if the regulator was defective? It had to be operating for most of each night because the phone calls were coming in around 7:30 a.m., and the indoor temperature at their thermostat was in the mid-60s, and with the bitter cold blast of winter we were having, that meant the heat could not have been off for very long.

The article explores Supply chain disruptions are ever present and show no signs of going away anytime in the near- or perhaps distant- future. One of the biggest challenges I hear from mechanical contractors is rapidly changing prices that are eating up profits after being awarded bids, and before the goods required are purchased. That, and the scarcity of things such as water heaters and HVAC equipment.

The article provides money-saving solutions for homeowners to efficiently conserve energy when using a water heater. Energy losses in a hot-water system can be reduced by 25% to 45% with the use of water-heater insulating jackets and choosing an appropriate insulating material for the piping system. The savings one can get from tips such as repairing of leaks and drips, addition of thermal expansion tank and investing in solar installations are also offered.

The article provides answers to several questions on water heater-related issues.

The article focuses on the Thermal expansion tank conundrum, which properly sizing thermal expansion tanks. Topics discussed include Thermal expansion tanks (TXT) rated for 125 psi, and also required we add a PRV (pressure reducing valve) to protect against excessive water pressure; and the suggestion to install a by-pass water line from the hot outlet to the reconfigured drain valve port.