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Top 20 Products 2021

Plumbing & Mechanical Top 20 Products of 2021

See what tools and equipment caught readers’ attention throughout 2021 in our Top 20 Products list.

February 21, 2022

Each year, Plumbing & Mechanical editors receive thousands of product releases from industry manufacturers. The 20 products highlighted here have earned the distinction of being PM’s Top Products of 2021 based on the number of page views on pmmag.com. Congratulations to those products on this year’s list.

No. 20: Taco VR series ECM circulators

Taco VR series ECM circulators — Taco’s new VR series high-efficiency ECM cast-iron or stainless steel circulators offer a wide range of low-, medium- or high-head options in sizes from 1/3 to 2 HP. Easy, intuitive settings and operation will appeal to installers for a broad range of uses, including HVAC, hot water recirculation and NSF commercial hot applications, Taco notes. 00e VR circulators provide an easy-to-provide pump interface with real-time feedback. Taco Comfort Solutions. www.tacocomfort.com

No. 19: Kohler kitchen faucet collection

Kohler kitchen faucet collection — With clean lines and a soft teardrop base, the Tone kitchen faucet collection features a fresh take on mid-century modern style, Kohler says. The collection comes in several configurations, and combines minimalism and warmth, making it the perfect fit in any space, Kohler adds. The Tone Collection is also available in a new two-tone finish option. Kohler. www.kohler.com

No. 18: Cherne cleanout plugs

Cherne cleanout plugs — Cherne’s mechanical cleanout plugs make it simple to test a DWV system, the company explains. Available in 2", 3" or 4" configurations, these plugs are built for quick and easy mechanical operation. Each plug’s two-stage locking mechanism locks firmly in for both test and drain positions, allowing for high-pressure testing up to 150-ft.-head/65psi/15 floors (at 10-ft.-head per floor). Cherne. www.oatey.com

No. 17: Aquatherm polypropylene piping system

Aquatherm polypropylene piping system — Aquatherm Blue Pipe is a polypropylene piping system for mechanical and industrial applications. It offers stable pricing, an attractive total installed cost, and is among the most environmentally friendly systems available, Aquatherm says. Sized from 1/2" to 24", it is rust-proof and scale resistant, up to 70% lighter than steel, the company adds. Aquatherm. www.aquatherm.com

No. 16: Navien NPE-2 condensing tankless water heater

Navien NPE-2 condensing tankless water heater — Navien’s NPE-2 condensing tankless water heaters include a turndown ratio up to 15:1, advanced EZNav multi-line control panel with setup wizard, and 2" PVC venting up to 75', Navien notes. The NPE-2 continues to offer dual stainless steel heat exchangers, 1/2" gas pipe capability up to 24' and a patented ComfortFlow recirculation system with built-in pump and buffer tank (NPE-A2). Navien. www.navieninc.com

No. 15: Uponor Fast Track radiant floor

Uponor Fast Track radiant floor — Fast Track from Uponor is the fast, easy solution for installing radiant floor heating in new, remodel or retrofit applications, the company explains. The preformed knobbed mats simply adhere to the concrete slab, making it easy for installers to “walk” the pipe into place, Uponor adds. Uponor. www.uponor-usa.com

No. 14: Viega PorPress Copper line

Viega PorPress Copper line — Viega’s ProPress Copper line offers more than 400 different fitting configurations and is approved for more applications than any other copper press fitting system. It is available in sizes 1/2" to 4". Three different sealing elements are available to use in ProPress systems to perform in hundreds of applications: EPDM, FKM and HNBR. ProPress also has Smart Connect technology which helps identify unpressed connections. Viega. www.viega.us

No. 13: Viega Pressgun 6

Viega Pressgun 6 — Viega now has its own branded pressing tools for use with its fittings: The Pressgun 6 and Pressgun 6 Picco. The Pressgun 6 can press up to 4" ProPress copper and stainless and 2" MegaPress with the V2 actuator and rings, as well as 2" PureFlow PEX. Its features include an eight-second press cycle, LED display indicating number of presses left on the charge, and a steel cylinder head and jaw intake. Viega. www.viega.us

No. 12: Legend Valve undersink thermostatic mixing valve

Legend Valve undersink thermostatic mixing valve — The T-47NL compression-fitted thermostatic mixing valve blends hot and cold water to provide a safe and consistent water temperature in potable systems. This mixing valve incorporates dual check valves to prevent crossflow and integrated screens to filter out debris while minimizing pressure drops. The 3/8" compression ends allow for easy installation between stop valves and faucets in point-of-use applications. Legend Valve. www.legendvalve.com

No. 11: WaiWela mini tank water heaters

WaiWela mini tank water heaters

No. 10: Navien condensing combi-boilers

Navien condensing combi-boilers — Navien’s new NCB-H condensing combi-boiler is packed with industry-leading features, including the highest residential DHW Btu up to 210,000 per hour, cascade and common vent capabilities with NPE-2 tankless water heaters, advanced controls with intuitive display and the highest full lineup 2" vent length, up to 65', Navien notes. Navien. www.navieninc.com

No. 9: Rheem ProTerra water heaters

Rheem ProTerra water heaters — Rheem’s ProTerra Energy Star-certified water heater is more eco-friendly than ever at up to 4.0 UEF, Rheem states. The ProTerra’s compact design makes it an ideal replacement for the home’s smallest spaces. The system is available in 40, 50, 65 and 80 gallon sizes to support various hot water needs, and the ProTerra with LeakGuard model is now the industry’s only hybrid water heater with built-in leak detection and auto-shutoff that limits water loss from the tank to no more than 20 ounces, Rheem adds. Rheem. www.rheem.com

No. 8: Noritz tankless combi-boiler

Noritz tankless combi-boiler

No. 7: Vesta residential and commercial tankless water heaters

Vesta residential and commercial tankless water heaters — Vesta DS’ premium condensing tankless water heaters are CSA, AHRI and NSF certified, feature a 0.95 UEF, low NOx and are lead-free. Vesta Smart Technology VRP models include a built-in Grundfos pump and a 1/2-gal. buffer tank for internal or external loop recirculation (Title 24 compliant with an optional controller). VST models are designed for North America for use in single residential or in multiple commercial applications. Cascade up to 40 units (7,500k Btu/h). Vesta. www.vestahws.com

No. 6: T-DRILL tee joints

T-DRILL tee joints — The T-65 Stainless Steel is the ideal portable solution for forming tee joins, T-DRILL Industries notes. The T-65 SS increases efficiency by eliminating the efforts to install purchased tees while maintaining identical quality. With fully variable output ranges and one welded joint, the user no longer has to worry about purchasing and installing commercial tees again, T-DRILL adds. T-DRILL. www.t-drill.com

No. 5: Laars combi-boilers

Laars combi-boilers — Laars Heating Systems’ ultra-high-efficiency floor-standing FT series combination boiler and water heater is the only residential combi-boiler that simultaneously supplies abundant home heat and endless hot water without interruption, the company states. The FT series includes a unique integrated domestic hot water mini-indirect tank that delivers stable hot water on demand, Laars adds. Laars. www.laars.com

No. 4: Amvic hydronic radiant panel

Amvic hydronic radiant panel — Amvic’s Ampex hydronic radiant panel combines rigid insulation, a vapor barrier and a PEX tubing locking mechanism into a single solution for both residential and commercial applications, the company states. A four-sided interlocking shiplap connector system makes for a quick, easy and secure panel installation, and mushroom nub technology allows for easy walk-in pipe installation, Amvic adds.
Amvic. www.amvicsystems.com

No. 3: Moen sump pump monitor

Moen sump pump monitor — For peace of mind and plumbing protection, install the Flo by Moen smart sump pump monitor with 24/7 monitoring. This smart device can detect potential sump pump failures and unusual conditions, alert the homeowner in real-time through notifications if an abnormality is detected, and can help to mitigate the risk of water damage, Moen explains.
Moen. www.moen.com

No. 2: Bradford White eF series gas water heaters

Bradford White eF series gas water heaters — Bradford White’s eF Series of ultra-high-efficiency gas water heaters feature electronic controls, a low-NOx premix modulating power burner, a three-pass fire-tube heat exchanger system, and versatile venting options. Its ICON HD controls combines temperature control, diagnostic codes and system ignition functions into a single control board with a digital LCD display. Energy Star models, such as the EF60T125 and EF100T, are available.
Bradford White. www.bradfordwhite.com

No. 1: Rinnai hydronic air handler

Rinnai hydronic air handler — The Rinnai hydronic air handler systems connect seamlessly to select Rinnai tankless water heaters to deliver efficient home heating and domestic hot water simultaneously in one complete system. The system saves energy, compared to traditional furnaces, when integrated with Rinnai’s highly efficient tankless water heaters, Rinnai states. The air handler can also be configured to work with AHRI-certified cooling solutions, including indoor cooling coils and outdoor condensing systems.
Rinnai. www.rinnai.us