In the 1980s, defective parts were occasionally received in the heating industry. Warranty issues were not too common back then and problems were quickly resolved by dealing with the supply house. No questions or paperwork were needed.

Celebrating Women's History Month and Women in Construction Week, Plumbing & Mechanical shines a spotlight on ten influential women reshaping the plumbing industry. Challenging stereotypes, they demonstrate that gender doesn't determine skill in this field. Their stories inspire inclusivity and highlight the importance of attracting more women to the trades.

Meet Alayna Chavez, plumber at Parker & Sons. She took advantage of free trade school opportunities and took the chance at plumbing. That was seven years ago and she hasn't turned back since.

The future for young women in this industry is now as bright as anyone wants it to be. If a young woman wants to work her way all the way up to the C-suite, the opportunities are there, and that is so exciting to see.

Meet Katie Byrd, CEO of Clarksburg Plumbing. Formerly a pharmacy technician, she decided to stay home to raise her twin boys and help out with her family business.  The rest is history.

The skilled trades industry is booming, and a new generation of passionate individuals is eager to join the workforce. Let's support and guide them to become the leaders of tomorrow. With my optimism and ideas, we can pave the way to their success. So, let's dive in and explore these ideas together!

The AHR Expo was held in Chicago's McCormick Convention Center from Jan. 22-24, 2024. Over 48,000 attendees interacted with 1,875 exhibitors across the North and South Halls, with 527,520 sq. ft. of space for products, technologies, and skill demonstrations.

There is a growing interest in adding air-to-water heat pumps to existing hydronic heating systems. While I support their use, I do not recommend replacing a perfectly good cast-iron boiler that still has a long service life.

The installer is tasked with setting up a three-zone radiant floor heating system using a 5-ton geothermal heat pump and a mod/con boiler, connected through a primary-secondary system with closely spaced tees. The system includes 4 earth loops of 1” HDPE tubing, each 500 feet long, supplying the heat pump, and features underfloor tubing with aluminum plates.

Sooke School District responded to the influx of young families by swiftly constructing schools for 1,200 students. These LEED v4 Gold-certified buildings seamlessly integrated into the landscape, featuring photovoltaic panels, geothermal HVAC, and district heating for efficiency. Underground piping ensured optimal comfort while minimizing waste.