Industry News

• Listing Evaluation Criteria (LEC) certification designed to enable “novel” and highly innovative products gain standing in the North American market.

• Unique technology, proven effective in the U.K. hydronics field, eliminates the need for pumps and RPZ valves, saving energy and maintenance costs.

Mikrofill Systems Ltd. (Mikrofill), part of the U.K.-based Stuart Turner Group, has announced that its Mikrofill 3 hydronic system pressurization unit has been fully certified by ASSE International through a special LEC to the standard ASSE LEC 2009-2021. The certification, formally awarded on May 26 of this year, clears the way for this innovative device to now be specified and installed on hydronic heating and cooling applications throughout North America.

Proven effective in the United Kingdom for more than two decades, the unique Mikrofill 3 is the most advanced, “direct-type” pressurization unit available for sealed, low-pressure hot-water (LPHW) and chilled-water (CHW) commercial and multifamily residential applications. Able to fill any heating or chilled water system from empty without the use of a pump, the product also delivers commercial backflow protection with no RPZ valves, while also providing comprehensive electronic pressure management.

Having introduced the technology last winter at the 2022 AHR Expo in Las Vegas, Stuart Turner and Mikrofill management have been working to forge distribution partnerships with selected, stocking representatives in both the United States and Canada.

“We are aggressively seeking well-established, seasoned reps with a track record of pioneering new and innovative technologies for commercial applications,” explains Stuart Martin, National Business Development Manager for Stuart Turner. “We have had numerous productive discussions in recent months, and we expect to be announcing a number of partnerships in the near future.”

What is an LEC? When there is no readily applicable standard for an innovative, “novel” product, ASSE (American Society for Sanitary Engineering) can create a Listing Evaluation Criteria (LEC) technical document that is specific to the product. The ASSE will test the product so that the maker can demonstrate third-party certification, enabling it to gain traction in the North American marketplace.

The sale/installation of this LEC-approved product is accompanied by a technical document referencing the LEC test and ASSE approval. Both are recognized by the vast majority of regulatory and code-making entities and water purveyors (local water utilities) in the United States and Canada.

As noted on the ASSE website, “An LEC is valid for 5 years from publication date. At that point, the ASSE Product Standards Committee (PSC) will observe its market acceptance and decide the appropriate route for it in partnership with the original requester.”

What is the Mikrofill 3? The Mikrofill 3 offers three key functions —

• Fills any commercial or multifamily heating/chilled water system.
• Provides commercial backflow protection. And…
• Delivers electronic press management.

Unlike conventional pressurization installs, the Mikrofill 3 connects directly to a commercial building’s incoming water supply (main or boosted), leveraging that line pressure to fill any heating or chilled water system — again, completely dispensing with a conventional circulating pump. By eliminating the pump, the Mikrofill 3 not only helps building owner-managers avoid the expense and hassles of periodic maintenance, but it also saves them substantial energy costs.

The most energy-efficient unit of its kind, the Mikrofill 3 consumes only 30 watts per hour when filling a LPHW/CHW system and only 10 watts per hour when monitoring the system while on standby. That performance results in an energy savings more than 95 percent, compared with pump-type pressurization units.

The wall-mounted Mikrofill 3 weighs only 11 lb. and measures 9-3/4 inches wide x 10-1/2 inches high x 4-1/2 inches deep. This compact design facilitates installation by a single, trained technician. No onsite commissioning by the manufacturer is required.

For more information on the Mikrofill 3 or technical assistance, visit mikrofill.us or telephone 312 761 5826.

Industry leader provides hot water solutions to affordable housing community in historic South Carolina neighborhood

A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment, announces the donation of 26 heat pump water heaters to Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County in South Carolina. This donation will support the creation and growth of affordable housing by providing reliable access to hot water in the historic Nicholtown neighborhood.

Recent development in the area has led to a reduction in affordable housing. The city donated a five-acre plot of land to Habitat for Humanity Greenville County to build new housing options to preserve this historic community. Habitat Homeowners pay no more than 30% of their income at the time they buy their house. A. O. Smith’s heat pump water heater donation will help homeowners keep utility costs down throughout their homeownership.

“Because of generous donors like A. O. Smith, we will be able to ensure current and future generations of Nicholtown residents continue to have a home here,” said Nöel Brooks, director of development for Habitat for Humanity Greenville County. “A. O. Smith’s thoughtful donation of heat pump water heaters will have a tremendous impact on the long-term affordability of our homes by providing residents with utility cost savings.”

A.O. Smith chose to donate heat pump water heaters because of their cost savings and efficiency benefits. A. O. Smith heat pump water heaters can save a family of four an average of $300 per year on their electric bills — an enormous impact for regions like the southeast, where electric bills typically run high. Heat pump water heaters are 75% more efficient than traditional water heaters, using significantly less energy.

 “One of our core guiding principles at A. O. Smith is to serve our communities, and we are incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to provide water heating solutions to the Greenville community,” said Bill Hosken, A. O. Smith national market development manager. “While heat pump water heaters aren’t necessarily new technology, they’ve become the most efficient solution on the market to meet and exceed homeowner’s water heating needs while keeping costs low.”

Construction in the community officially began earlier this year and the community’s first residents are expected to move into their new homes later this year. The entire community is estimated to take three years to complete, and by the end of construction, there will be more than 20 new homes for community members in need.

To learn more about A. O. Smith’s product offerings, visit www.hotwater.com.

Kitchen and Bath business projected to contract but still projected to be 16 percent higher than 2021

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)– the world’s leading association for the kitchen and bath industry has released its midyear 2022 Kitchen & Bath Market Outlook. While both inflation and mortgage rate increases have impacted the segment, the overall annual forecast still represents a double-digit increase over 2021.

“This new Market Outlook report provides revised market size estimates and 2022 forecasts in the Kitchen and Bath Industry, as well as gauges the economic and housing market shifts that continue to impact our market,” said Bill Darcy, CEO of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). “Despite some economic headwinds, kitchen and bath remodeling demand remains strong. Residential kitchen and bath spending is anticipated to grow by 16% to $189 billion in 2022.”

NKBA’s 2022 Kitchen and Bath Market Outlook Midyear Report Top Takeaway

• Resilient Revenues. Full-year kitchen and bath spending is expected to reach $189 billion, 16 percent higher than 2021, yet $10 billion lower than the initial 2022 forecast.
• New Construction Strength. New construction is projected to represent over 60 percent of industry revenues, driven by a record number of new home builds.  The report forecasts 21 percent YOY new construction growth, unchanged from the initial report in January.
• Larger Projects Gaining Momentum. Higher-end activity has been revised upward due to rapid home appreciation and client movement on deferred projects.  With upwards of 20 percent gains, mid-range projects are expected to register the biggest YOY increases based on growth in new construction.  Lower-end work projection has been sharply scaled back due to higher inflation causing many to put their projects on hold.
• Numerous Remodel Drivers. Nearly three in four homeowners are locked into mortgage rates below 4 percent, making it more cost-effective to remodel than to move. This, along with record-high homeowner equity per household and a high number of homes in prime remodeling years, bodes well for the second half of 2022.
• Normalization of Housing Starts/Completions. While builders are working through the substantial backlog of homes in various stages of completion, the number of new housing starts are falling due to high mortgage rates and home prices. This combination has led to a shrinking gap between home starts and completions.
• Recession Concerns. The Fed has tried to control inflation with three interest rate hikes this year, the latest in June. Of note: The last three times the Fed initiated a cycle of rate hikes, a recession ensued within a year.

“We anticipate moderate declines in kitchen and bath spending in the event of a recession next year,” said Darcy. “Our view is informed by improved housing and consumer fundamentals and a likely less severe recession, relative to recent history if one were to occur.”

To learn more about the key findings and to access the full 2022 Kitchen & Bath Market Outlook: July Update, contact Brittany Loeffler at bloeffler@whitegood.com.

A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, Greenlee hosted a day of hands-on STEM learning

Greenlee®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its second “We Love STEM Day” on July 15th for 13 students in grades three through eight. The event was designed to support local schools and engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It also helped Greenlee demonstrate the role these vital subjects play in manufacturing.

“Our second annual ‘We Love STEM Day’ was a success in encouraging a love of learning STEM subjects in the next generation of creators, innovators and inventors,” said Jennifer Hoang, event chair of Greenlee’s “We Love STEM Day” for Emerson. “The excitement and energy students had for learning about STEM and the way it is used in the work we do was inspiring.”

Students participated in a variety of hands-on activities that strengthened their problem-solving skills, including Lego® maze coding, building towers out of pasta, egg drop competitions and hydraulic claw building.

Greenlee is a proud supporter of local programs and education-based initiatives throughout Winnebago County where Greenlee is based, including Northern Illinois University’s STEMfest and Academy Expo. Greenlee also participates in National Manufacturing Day, where local high school students are invited to tour the Greenlee headquarters and learn about manufacturing careers. Greenlee additionally partners with current and future trade professionals by regularly donating its products for educational purposes.

Emerson’s professional tools business includes Greenlee, as well as the RIDGID® and Klauke® brands and 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.

Greenlee®, RIDGID®, and Klauke® are trademarks of Emerson or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.