Robust forecast is expected to beat pre-COVID-19 estimates by a significant margin. Hackettstown, N.J. — In its July update to the Kitchen & Bath Market Outlook, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) revised its 2021 industry sales projection upward to $170.9 billion, up by a substantial 21.4% from 2020’s $140.8 billion in kitchen and Read more
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Robust forecast is expected to beat pre-COVID-19 estimates by a significant margin.
Hackettstown, N.J. — In its July update to the Kitchen & Bath Market Outlook, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) revised its 2021 industry sales projection upward to $170.9 billion, up by a substantial 21.4% from 2020’s $140.8 billion in kitchen and bath spending and nearly 8% higher than the initial estimate for the year.
New construction K&B spending is now expected to exceed 2020 by an impressive 28.5%, as builders attempt to keep pace with substantial demand. Meanwhile, K&B remodeling is expected to climb by 12.5%.
The update provides a comprehensive review of current industry conditions as well as macroeconomic factors — such as consumers opening their homes to workers post-pandemic and stimulus checks — likely to impact business.
“This update is very encouraging and confirms the ongoing robust performance of the design and remodeling industry,” said Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. “This very strong sales forecast is attributable to pent-up demand for new home construction, easing COVID disruptions and a sea change in consumer behavior. People will continue to work from home in some capacity, fostering renovation of their space to meet their evolving needs. A tight inventory of homes for sale is also encouraging homeowners to stay put and renovate. That’s all good news for our industry.”
Darcy cautioned, however, that there are a few bumps in the road: Home prices continue to rise, and the cost of building materials is still high — a combination that’s excluding some potential buyers from the market; the employment picture still hasn’t fully recovered to pre-pandemic peaks, and supply-chain disruptions continue to delay jobs and make product sourcing a challenge. “But most indicators suggest the thriving K&B market will continue,” he added.
The industry should see double-digit increases in both kitchen and bath spending. This is a reversal from the industry’s 3.8% decline in 2020, which was driven by an 8.6% loss for remodeling and stagnant growth of just 0.5% for new construction during the pandemic.
Bathroom spending will rise by 22.3% in 2021 and will be sparked mainly by gains in new construction, while kitchen spending will increase by 20.4%, led by stronger gains in remodeling.
Among the report’s other key findings:
High-End Soars Even Higher: Although forecasts for low and mid-range project spending have each been revised upward, it’s the high-end that will shine. It’s now expected to surge by over 28% compared to 2020 (beating the initial 19.8% projection), as pent-up demand, robust savings and impressive house appreciation encourage homeowners to go the extra mile.
Job Recovery Lags: Not everyone is in a position to act. Although 14 million jobs have been recovered since the pandemic lows, total U.S. employment is still more than 8 million jobs below peak levels. At the current rate of job creation, it would take more than a year to fully recover. The unemployment rate, however, is receding to traditional levels, as some have left the job market entirely and are no longer counted.
Tailwinds for Housing Starts: Starts are expected to grow by 18% in 2021, a sharp upward revision over the initial forecast for the year. The spike in starts is partially owing to a plunge in available resale inventory. This portends a continued hot market for at least the short term, but relentless home inflation is beginning to flash warning signals, as more consumers are being priced out of the market.
Home Improvement Tops Discretionary Spending: Nearly 1 in 3 homeowners plan to boost their home-improvement discretionary spending this year, well above the 1 in 5 (or fewer) who plan such increases for eating out, entertaining, travel or health. In fact, the average home-improvement project price point is 25% higher than last year.
Kitchen & Bath Are Top Choices: For those planning home improvements this year, kitchens and primary baths rank #1 and #2, respectively, among a dozen home areas offered. More than half (55%) said they planned to remodel their kitchen, while 40% cited their primary bathroom. Exterior (37%), patio/deck (29%) and primary bedroom (29%) round out the top five.
Methodology:
The data presented in this report is compiled from a variety of sources: U.S. Census American Housing Microdata, National Apartment Association (NAA) Spending, the National Association of Realtors, Moody’s Analytics, Home Innovation Research Labs (HIRL) data, and John Burns Real Estate Consulting’s home improvement estimates and forecasts. In addition, a survey was conducted among 530 consumers to better understand spending behaviors as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. The homeowners were over age 24, and only projects of $1,000 or more were included.
Clean, running water gifted to Illert family of Eureka, Missouri, through Hometown H2O Former St. Louis Rams star Chris Long and partners Xylem and Water Well Trust provided a local family of four in Eureka, Missouri, access to clean water with a donated water well system, equipment, well drilling and pump installation. The Illert family Read more
Clean, running water gifted to Illert family of Eureka, Missouri, through Hometown H2O
Former St. Louis Rams star Chris Long and partners Xylem and Water Well Trust provided a local family of four in Eureka, Missouri, access to clean water with a donated water well system, equipment, well drilling and pump installation. The Illert family – Justin Illert, veteran, age 30 yrs old, Sarah age 27, Lilah, age 5, and Austin, age 1 – was previously living without clean, running water in their home and relied on bottled water and rainwater for cooking and cleaning. The family now has reliable access to clean, potable water for the first time.
“It feels like we won the lottery,” said Sarah Illert, Water Well Trust beneficiary. “It means the world. It really is life changing for us. We are so grateful to have clean water to cook with, do our laundry, clean the dishes, and take clean showers and baths.”
The donation marked the fourth project between Xylem Inc., Water Well Trust and Hometown H2O, which is a domestic water program dedicated to bringing clean, sustainable water to people and communities in need across the United States. Hometown H2O – a program launched in early 2020 – is a united effort between retired NFL player Chris Long and his Foundation’s Waterboys initiative and water technology company Xylem Inc. to address domestic water scarcity issues, which currently leave more than 2 million Americans without access to clean water. Hometown H2O and Xylem work alongside the Water Well Trust, a national nonprofit that helps qualify low-income families. This project was also supported by beverage company Talking Rain, who donated water to project staff and made a financial contribution to the family.
“Nobody should have to live without access to clean water– especially the brave and honorable men and women that have served our nation,” said Chris Long, two-time Super Bowl champion and founder of the Chris Long Foundation. “Clean water access for many Americans is an increasingly serious problem. Since Hometown H2O launched in 2020, we have raised awareness for water equality that affects policy at the state and federal levels. We will continue to prioritize this mission in our future projects. The organizations we work with, including Xylem and Water Well Trust, bring industry expertise to the table, and passionately do what it takes to make these projects successful. Thank you to our supporting partners for helping us to change lives and ensure that clean, running water is a basic human need that no American lacks.”
Xylem donated Goulds Water Technology brand equipment while local distributor partner Water Works of Springfield, Missouri, coordinated the discounted installation through pump installer Schroepfer Well Drilling, Inc. of Franklin County, Missouri. A team of volunteers – from Water Works and Xylem employees – also donated time to clean up the property’s yard.
“The unacceptable reality is that many Americans do not have access to potable, running water,” said Susan O’Grady, Director of Marketing, Building Services and Agriculture, Xylem. “For Xylem and its partners, we are honored to be able to use our expertise and passion for the cause to bring this vital service to people who deserve to have clean water.”
Xylem and Waterboys, along with nonprofit partner Water Well Trust, seek to raise awareness about domestic water issues, including that more 2 million people in the U.S. lack access to clean, safe drinking water at home. Working in coordination with Watermark and the company’s Goulds Water Technology brand, this partnership delivers ongoing water well projects to provide rural communities with reliable, safe water access, which can lead to better overall health and improved quality of life.
Leading hot water solutions manufacturer Bradford White supports top snowboardcross competitor and master plumber as he races to compete in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial water heating and storage products, announces its continued support for master plumber and general contractor Jonathan Cheever Read more
Leading hot water solutions manufacturer Bradford White supports top snowboardcross competitor and master plumber as he races to compete in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing
Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial water heating and storage products, announces its continued support for master plumber and general contractor Jonathan Cheever as he pursues his dream of competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The company has renewed its sponsorship agreement with Cheever, a 2018 U.S. Olympian and former national snowboardcross champion who has balanced world-class international competition with plumbing, general contracting and design work throughout his career.
Cheever credits his career in the skilled trades as the key factor allowing him to compete internationally for more than 15 years.
“My experience in the trades has been essential to my snowboarding career,” Cheever said. “Without the flexibility I found in the industry, I wouldn’t have had the freedom to race all over the world, from the U.S. and Canada to New Zealand, Europe and Asia. Plumbing has also taught me lessons in patience and resilience that have been critical to maintaining a professional snowboarding career for almost 20 years. I’m grateful not only for Bradford White’s generous support of my efforts but for their dedication to the entire trades profession.”
Cheever learned the plumbing trade from his father while growing up in Boston and earned his master plumber license in 2004. He currently operates Team Cheever Design Build in Park City, Utah, delivering high-quality residential and commercial plumbing, general contracting and interior design services.
“Jonathan represents peak achievement, not just in his sport but in his career as a hard-working tradesman and entrepreneur,” said Carl Pinto, Jr., senior director of marketing communications for Bradford White Corporation. “The dedication that he has demonstrated on the slopes has also fueled his success as a highly skilled plumber and contractor. While his accomplishments are extraordinary, they also reflect the commitment and discipline that define the trades. We’re proud to be working with him as he continues to chase his dreams.”
Cheever’s outstanding career accomplishments include multiple podium finishes in World Cup competition; a third-place finish in the overall 2010-11 World Cup standings; the 2010-11 U.S. championship in snowboardcross; and a place on the U.S. team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID is proud to support trade professionals giving back to the community RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, today announced their sponsorship of the first Miracle Mechanical project, a new initiative that completes plumbing, heating and air conditioning work for those in need at no-cost to Read more
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, RIDGID is proud to support trade professionals giving back to the community
RIDGID®, a part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, today announced their sponsorship of the first Miracle Mechanical project, a new initiative that completes plumbing, heating and air conditioning work for those in need at no-cost to the homeowner. The non-profit, headquartered in Georgia, is spearheaded by plumbing and mechanical contractor Brent Ridley.
“I have been doing tool reviews for many years, but I wanted to do more with my platform and really try to help some folks,” said Ridley, who along with working as a contractor is also a tool reviewer and co-host of the Tool Pros podcast.
The Miracle Mechanical team recently completed its first project for homeowner Nick Hendricks and his family in Monroe, Georgia. Hendricks had been seriously injured in a car accident. While he was recovering, the family’s home began experiencing septic system issues.
“The repairs mean everything to us at a time like this,” Hendricks said. “It had come to a point that we were afraid when it rained that the toilet downstairs would overflow due to groundwater getting in the septic and backing up through the toilet! Any time it rained the toilet would bubble and gargle and it was very unsettling.”
The Miracle Mechanical team repaired the septic system issues to prevent sewage from backing up in the house. They also installed three new toilets, repaired kitchen sink piping and installed a new electric water heater.
“At RIDGID we’re committed to not only supporting the trades, but also giving back to the community,” said Becky Brotherton, Senior Marketing Communications Manager, RIDGID for Emerson. “It’s a privilege for our team to be a financial supporter of the work Miracle Mechanical is doing to help others.”
https://youtu.be/0FL3hvxn2sY
Emerson’s professional tools business, which includes RIDGID as well as the Greenlee® and Klauke® brands, provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally.
Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.
With zero emissions, economical electric steam and hot water boilers deliver maximum heat and hot water in minimum spatial footprint Due to the threat of global warming as well as international commitments to the Paris Accord on Climate Change, municipalities and regions using district heating in Europe and North America are tasked with significantly reducing Read more
With zero emissions, economical electric steam and hot water boilers deliver maximum heat and hot water in minimum spatial footprint
Due to the threat of global warming as well as international commitments to the Paris Accord on Climate Change, municipalities and regions using district heating in Europe and North America are tasked with significantly reducing their environmental footprint in record time. With district heating, towns or large areas typically receive heat and hot water, distributed to commercial, residential, or public buildings at greater economies of scale than individual heating systems.
In response, last year the 27-nation European Union (EU) agreed to cut greenhouse gas carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. According to a recent report that has tracked the EU’s power sector since 2015, renewables surpassed fossil fuels last year (38% to 37%), indicating that municipalities relying on district heating are already pivoting away from often inefficient, outdated equipment that produces excess carbon emissions.
Even the U.S., which recently rejoined the Paris Agreement, has targets for American businesses to achieve a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050.
While the interest of regions using district heating in electric boilers has waxed and waned in the last century, suddenly it is in vogue again. Whether to honor Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) goals, meet regulatory commitments, or take advantage of government credits and incentives, a growing number of municipalities are installing new or retrofit high-voltage electrode boilers that are compact, economical, and produce no emissions.
This is, in part, due to technological advances in electric boiler design that increase the output to a level that rivals even large gas or oil-fired boilers. When utilized for district heating, electric-powered alternatives are sure to be a critical piece of the puzzle to meet future emission reduction goals.
Transitioning from High-Emission Gas and Oil-Fired Boilers
With district heating, besides the notorious greenhouse gasses carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), natural gas-fired boilers and furnaces emit dangerous nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM).
However, many facility engineers familiar with gas-fired boilers mistakenly believe that electric boilers cannot match the output of the traditional, fossil fuel burning units. Due to considerable advances in electric boiler technology, that is far from the case. Today, such technology can match the capacity of large gas or oil-fired boilers in a much smaller footprint.
Electric boilers utilize the conductive and resistive properties of water to carry electric current and generate steam. An A.C. current flows from an electrode of one phase to ground using the water as a conductor. Since chemicals in the water provide conductivity, the current flow generates heat directly in the water itself. The more current (amps) that flows, the more heat (BTUs) is generated, and the more steam produced. Crucially, almost 100% of the electrical energy is converted into heat with no stack or heat transfer losses.
As an example, the electrodes of the CEJS High Voltage Electrode Steam Boiler by Acme, a Canada-based manufacturer of industrial and commercial boilers, are vertically mounted around the inside of the pressure vessel. This enables the unit to produce maximum amounts of steam in a minimum amount of floor space, with boiler capacity from 6MW to 52MW.
The boiler operates at existing distribution voltages, 4.16 to 25 KV with up to 99.9% efficiency, and can produce up to 170,000 pounds of steam per hour. With pressure ratings from 105 psig to 500 psig, the boilers are designed to ASME Section 1, and are certified, registered pressure vessels at the location of the boiler.
“There is an entire generation of district heating facility engineers that grew up with oil and gas-fired boilers almost exclusively,” says Robert Presser, Vice President of Acme Engineering, which, along with North American facilities, builds in Europe to European standards and has a network of CE-compliant fabricators for the pressure vessel, as well as partners in France and the UK for local equipment assembly.
“As a result of preconceived notions, most view electric boilers as small underpowered units, like a hot water heater,” adds Presser. “So, we frequently have to educate engineers that there is electric boiler technology that can match the capacity of large gas or oil-fired boilers available.”
According to Presser, the electric boiler technology is used for residential and commercial district heating, which is increasing in demand, particularly within urban centers. With district heating, distributed heat is generated in a central location through an insulated pipe system, and utilized for high-efficiency, low-pollution, space and water heating. For central heating applications, electric boiler technology quietly supplies ample power for its compact size. This approach is currently being considered to install several 50MW steam boilers in the center of Manhattan, replacing gas-fired boilers to provide centralized steam to a number of buildings.
Typically, district heating upgrades are initiated due to high heating costs that customers find unaffordable, often due to expensive fossil fuels or an aging system that needs to be replaced. Increasingly, such upgrades are pursued to minimize environmental impact.
The upgrades often entail retrofitting or replacing boilers (the heat source) with cleaner, more efficient electric alternatives, along with the heat distribution network (pipes/ heat exchanger stations).
In addition, electric boilers have several advantages compared to oil or gas-fired boilers, including superior safety, ease of installation, faster start-up and shut down time, and quiet operation. Electric boilers do not have a high minimum operating level to make them immediately available.
“Electric boilers do not need an operator because if anything goes wrong, the breaker trips, preventing further escalation of the issue,” says Presser. “With gas burning boilers, however, any gas leak can increase the risk of an explosion. So, gas units must usually be continually monitored or periodically inspected.” He notes that state and municipal safety guidelines vary depending on boiler type and the expected frequency of inspection.
With electric boilers, the energy input as well as adjustment is also precise and virtually immediate. In contrast, increasing or decreasing the temperature in a gas fired boiler is a slower process because it takes time for the heat in the boiler to rise or dissipate before reaching the targeted output.
The electric units are also exceptionally quiet compared to fuel fired boilers. “Unlike gas-powered burners that throttle like turbine engines almost continually, electric boilers keep operational noise levels down,” says Presser. “Because the loudest boiler component is a circulating pump motor, it is easy to have a conversation next to one without having to raise your voice.”
As the EU and U.S. resolve to dramatically cut their greenhouse gases to combat climate change, the urgency for areas using district heating to similarly reduce their carbon emissions will only grow. In this battle to protect the environment before the global climate hits an irreversible tipping point, municipalities along with state and federal government, and the commercial sector must do their part. Fortunately, advanced, zero-emission electric boiler technology can be a readily implementable part of the solution.
For more info, contact Robert Presser at Acme Engineering rpresser@acmeprod.com; phone: 888 880-5323; or visit our website.