Industry News

Washington, D.C. — The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) strongly supports The Healthy Drinking Water Affordability Act, or The Healthy H₂O Act, which would provide grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals, nonprofits and local governments in rural communities.

Introduced by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), The Healthy H₂O Act would provide grants for water quality testing and the purchase and installation of point-of-use or point-of-entry water quality improvement systems that remove or significantly reduce contaminants from drinking water. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would provide the grants directly to individuals and nonprofits or local governments to help people go through the process of water testing and then finding and installing a water treatment product to address their situation.

Communities across the United States face threats to their drinking water from a number of contaminants, including lead, arsenic, nitrates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PFOA, PFOS, hexavalent chromium-6, and others. While public water systems monitor for these threats and treat water before it is distributed to points of use, nearly 43 million households primarily in rural communities rely exclusively on groundwater delivered through private wells for their drinking water. This water is not subject to the same regular oversight and testing for contamination, which can delay identification of and response to health threats. The Healthy H₂O Act would provide grants for rural communities to increase access to the many technologies for testing and water treatment at the point of use.

Every Wisconsin community deserves access to clean drinking water and an environment free of toxic chemicals. Across our state, communities are struggling to identify and treat known and emerging chemicals that endanger our health, especially for children,” Baldwin said. “My legislation will cut costs and expand access to water testing and treatment for families in rural communities so that when we turn on the faucet, we can be confident our drinking water is safe.”

Through its Community Plumbing Challenges (CPC), IAPMO’s nonprofit organization, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH), collaborates with local governments, nonprofit organizations and volunteer tradespeople to identify and address water and sanitation-related issues in rural areas where access to clean, safe water and sanitation is limited or compromised. Baldwin invited IAPMO Director of Workforce Training and Development/IWSH North America Project Manager Randy Lorge, who has been integral to the success of CPCs in South Africa, Indonesia, and the United States, to be her virtual guest for President Biden’s State of the Union address March 2.

“IAPMO believes that everyone should have access to clean water and sanitation. This is why we support the introduction of The Healthy H₂O Act and applaud Senator Baldwin for her leadership on this issue,” said Dain Hansen, IAPMO’s executive vice president of Government Relations. “IAPMO has long championed solutions around the globe that lead to lasting quality water and sanitation services. Today, many communities across the United States face challenges with their drinking water — an issue that is only compounded in underserved neighborhoods. Water filtration technologies play an important role meeting those challenges immediately. We recognize this as an essential piece of legislation that helps our country take a critical step in closing the clean drinking water access gap in the U.S.”

The Healthy H₂O Act is also supported by The Water Quality Association (WQA), The National Ground Water Association (NGWA), The Water Council, NSF International, American Supply Association (ASA), Water Systems Council, Water Well Trust, and The Groundwater Foundation.

The 2022 AHR Expo traveled to Vegas with a strong return to in-person events, a critical need in the industry as HVACR continues to be on the front lines of many major world challenges. Discussions across the industry include energy efficiency, environmental changes, air quality, and a sense that the world has undoubtedly changed in recent years with HVACR being no exception.

“One of the immediate challenges in our industry is gaps in the workforce across all roles. This is a potential roadblock to the work we have in front of us. The good news is we are aware of it and the industry is in agreement that we need to work together and build career-driven experiences for all those coming into the industry,” said Mark Stevens, manager of AHR Expo.

The show is uniquely positioned to offer an introduction to HVACR that highlights how one can aspire to build a lifelong career in HVACR. Each year, professionals gather to discuss issues and create solutions, and to showcase the very best of what’s to come. It is in this spirit the AHR Expo recognized an opportunity to widen the reach and purpose of some of the show’s key elements – access to professionals, new markets, products and technology as well as the cutting-edge development via the Innovation Awards.

“We’ve felt a shift for many years as innovation in our industry grows and the world wakes up to what HVACR currently offers and what it must succeed in for the future,” continued Stevens. “Inside the industry, we understand the immense responsibility to grow our workforce to maintain the demands of the future. We have a deep understanding of the way HVACR is a part of nearly every human experience in our built environment. The show is a unique opportunity to see everything all at once and connect with a broad audience within our community. With workforce growth being a focus in every corner, we sought to add value with our unique offering.”

The Need for a Growing Workforce

One thing of rising concern among all stakeholders is the need to strengthen the future workforce across all channels to support a growing industry.

The HVACR industry, like many, was already heading into a workforce deficit, as noted in prior years’ trend reports. With the onset of the pandemic, the industry took an even bigger hit with employee burnout, early retirement decisions and those drawn to the Great Resignation.

“The changes that this industry is going to be seeing over the next several years is immense – something that we’ve never seen,” said Stephen Yurek, president and CEO of AHRI while participating in a state of the industry panel at AHR Expo 2022. “Number one is just getting people into the industry. We’re going to be seeing a huge amount of retirements like we have already. Just getting people into the workforce and trained and ready to go.”

What’s more, HVACR became a vital effort in the return to normal after COVID19. Today, indoor air quality is discussed mainstream as an important mitigation factor for health and safety inside our built environment – something the industry has been raising awareness of for years. With this new spotlight, demand for HVACR solutions has increased tremendously. Likewise, the need for a motivated workforce to sustain and continue to grow the industry to meet demands.

Innovating the Innovation Awards

The AHR Expo introduced a workforce development initiative to expose potential industry professionals to HVACR in a moment when the industry shines brightest – all together under one roof with miles and miles of products and tech on display. The program is a means to honor the innovation that our professionals are bringing to market through the Innovation Awards while simultaneously supporting future innovators through mentorship and leadership.

In its inaugural year, AHR Expo invited Western High School, a local area high school with a dual academic program that graduates students certified and ready for hire as technicians in HVAC. The soon to graduate class was invited for a special field trip at the 2022 AHR Expo.

“We are humbled by the warm welcome from the surrounding communities that host our industry for the AHR Expo, and it is always our goal to give back in as many positive ways as we can during our visit,” stated Stevens. “Coming into Vegas, we married the initiatives of strengthening our industry as well as the hosting city community by supporting the growth of the local Las Vegas workforce.”

The AHR Expo set the goals of showcasing what the industry has to offer and how an individual can build a strong lifelong career in HVACR. The manufacturing community, industry associations, and training-focused professionals were eager to share in this experience. Manufacturers curated experiences in their booths for the students to ask questions, interact with experts and demo products; associations offered mentorship; and individuals offered personal experience and insight into the possibilities offered in the industry.

“While all the booths and presentations were amazing, I was most taken by how personally invested each of the presenters was in our students as the future of the HVAC industry. They genuinely wanted to support our students and direct them to a sustainable career,” Michelle Dillmann, Counselor, Western High School.

Welcoming the next generation

During their visit, students were welcomed by ambassadors eager to guide them on a planned tour through the show floor. Colleen Keyworth and Angie Snow from Women in HVACR, and Bob Rohr and Mary Olsen from Caleffi North America guided 23 students – 6 women and 17 men– for in-booth visits, Q&A sessions and a scavenger hunt/trivia of HVACR knowledge.

The students had time to meet with members of the Podcast Pavilion, including a group discussion led by Rich and Kevin of The HVAC Jerks where they answered questions about career development, how to be more involved in the industry and general advice to begin their career.

“The AHR Expo was definitely inspirational and gave me more courage to continue in this field,” Geraldine Avila, an 11th-grade student.

After spending a few hours on the floor, the students were hosted by Mike Mayberry (hvac_refer_guy) for a special presentation on resume building and expectations for joining the workforce. Mike covered topics such as skills and qualities employers look for in their team and how to market yourself as an attractive employee candidate. Mike also shared practical tips and advice to sustain a successful career, and the many ways one can grow a career through experiential gain and networking. Mike, a well-known industry champion of HVAC and the trades, extended his mentorship to each student in attendance, and in doing so demonstrated the strong community that HVACR offers to its professionals.

The students were engaged in his presentation, eagerly participating in the conversation, and enthralled with the practicality of information being presented. Lunch service chatter revealed excitement in having met so many professionals dedicated to introducing them to the real HVACR experience and the warm welcome that was not expected but enthusiastically welcomed.

“The AHR Expo was a tremendous experience for the HVAC students of Western High School. Not only was the red carpet rolled out for our students, but they made great connections and now have a deeper understanding of industry opportunities. To be sure, this experience has greatly enhanced their career trajectory,” said Antonio Rael, Principal of Western High.

Looking to the future

At the close of their visit, students were surprised by a wealth of generosity from industry manufacturers and exhibitors of the AHR Expo.

• Veto Pro Pac gifted the students with their MB3 meter bag.
• Ridgid gifted each student with a custom hat and a heavy-duty pipe wrench, as well as many items collected in the booth demonstration.
• Klein Tools prepared a package with a full brim hardhat, their Pro Pack 6-piece apprentice toolset and an HVAC clamp meter.
• Fluke, a 2022 Innovation Award Winner, gifted each student a VoltAlert 1ACII non-contact voltage tester.
• DiversiTech equipped each student with a hilmor tool package consisting of a tool bag, a quick-engage flare & swage kit, a tube bender, a 2-valve aluminum manifold, a dual readout thermometer, and various items to complete an apprentice toolset.

The well-rounded experience was a highlight of the AHR Expo’s return. It served as an empowering addition to all the show aims to offer.

“The AHR Expo was a great place to see what HVAC students will do and achieve in the future,” Jose Cortez, an 11th-grade student.

AHR Expo offers a unique opportunity for the full industry to come together and experience HVACR by seeing what’s new, what’s to come and what is needed. Inviting career candidates at the student level sets the stage for a true understanding of their potential and to see themselves as a part of the industry with realistic expectations and experiences, rather than a cold introduction. What’s more, it gifts awareness to the size of the community available to them, as opposed to only networking with a small set of members on their team.

“We are continuously looking to evolve the best experience for the industry and the professionals that work within it,” continued Stevens. “We observe the trends and needs of the industry and build strong partnerships to strengthen the foundation not only of the AHR Expo experience but also for a thriving industry for years to come. We are privileged to have made the connection with the Western High School community and we look forward to supporting HVACR in more exciting ways such as this experience in the future.”

The industry is poised to thrive but will require dedication to building and maintaining a strong workforce. Curating experiences that showcase career opportunities, the inspiring and dedicated community and the ability to fulfill purpose can support this. The AHR Expo is honored to play its part.

“To recruit people, we need them to see not only a career but also an impact. Because that’s what most humans are looking for. They want to make a difference. They want to make things better. They want to be good stewards, whatever it happens to be. Most people come wanting to make things better. Let’s share what we do to make things better.” Mick Schwedler, 2021-2022 ASHRAE president.

The AHR Expo plans to continue the expansion of this initiative in the years to come, working to develop similar experiences for engineering students, sales and marketing within the supply chain and anyone looking to build a lifelong career in HVACR.

“We are so inspired by the nurturing support of our industry’s community,” concluded Stevens. “The number of people who have reached out looking to help us grow and connect our next generation audiences with established professionals is inspiring. This industry is like none other and we look forward to assisting where we can to close the workforce gap by working together with our strong partnerships.”

You can view a full video recap of the 2022 AHR Expo student visit here.

To learn more about Western High School and its dual HVAC program, visit the school website. For more information on the AHR Expo and the Innovation Awards, visit the AHR Expo website.

The 2023 AHR Expo will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. Registration will open in the summer of 2022.

ABOUT THE AHR EXPO

The AHR Expo is the world’s essential HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year. The show provides a unique forum where manufacturers of all sizes and specialties, whether a major industry brand or innovative start-up, can come together to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology under one roof. Since 1930, the AHR Expo has remained the industry’s best place for OEMs, engineers, contractors, facility operators, architects, educators and other industry professionals to explore the latest trends and applications and cultivate mutually beneficial business relationships. The next show, co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI, will be held Feb.6 – Feb. 8, 2023, in Atlanta, GA, and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference.

For more information, visit ahrexpo.com and follow @ahrexpo on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Niagara Honored with 10 National Recognitions for Water Conservation Efforts in the last year 

Niagara®, the leader in high-performance, high-efficiency, water-saving toilets, is honored to be awarded a 2022 Bronze Edison Award in the Water Conservation category for the launch of their new Niagara Pro product line and three Bronze Stevie® awards in The 20^th Annual American Business Awards® recognizing Niagara’s Pro product line as well as the product development team and its executive vice president, Carl Wehmeyer, who oversaw the development of the new product line that features over 100 SKUs designed with advanced technology, high performance and water efficiency.

The Edison Awards™ recognized over 150 companies from all over the world that are shaping the rapidly evolving world and building new industries with “game-changing” products and services. Started in 1987, the Edison Awards are named after Thomas Edison whose inventions, new product development methods, and innovative achievements changed the world. Awards are determined by a panel of judges composed of over 3,000 senior business executives and academics from across the globe, whose votes acknowledge excellence in meeting the award criteria. Niagara joins a prestigious group of previous Edison Award winners including 3M, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, Nike, and SpaceX.

The American Business Awards, the premier business awards program in the U.S., awarded Niagara’s product development and management team, David Jones, Kevin Kennedy and Kathy Liu, a Bronze Stevie Award in the category of Product Management Department/Team of the Year. Carl Wehmeyer, Niagara’s Executive Vice President, received a Bronze Stevie Award in the category of Product Management/Development Executive of the Year and Niagara’s Pro product line received a Bronze Stevie award in the category of Business-to Business Products. More than 3,700 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration. More than 230 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.

“We are honored to be recipients of an Edison Award and three Stevie Awards and to join such an incredible list of industry change-makers,” said Wehmeyer. “Our mission is to bring new technology to our customers that conserves water without sacrificing performance. Launching our new suite of products in 2021 was a huge accomplishment for our entire team and a giant step in continuing to fulfill our mission.”

As of today, Niagara has received 10 awards or accolades in the last year that recognize the company’s ingenuity in water conservation technology and products. Previously, Niagara was awarded the 2021 EPA WaterSense award for Excellence in Promoting WaterSense Products, the Sustainability, Environmental Achievement & Leadership (SEAL) Business Sustainability Award under the Sustainable Product Award category for its Sabre product line, a Bronze Stevie® Award in the Female Executive of the Year category and Niagara is a finalist for the 2022 International Green Product Award in the Interior and Lifestyle category. Niagara’s Shadow 0.8 GPF toilet also was recognized as one of the 2022 Sustainable Products of the Year and Niagara was ranked first in the plumbing category as a brand leader by Greenbuilder magazine.

In 2021, Niagara launched four new toilet product suites designed specifically to save water with features and benefits for builders, remodelers, plumbing professionals, and everyday homeowners. At its core, Niagara’s goal is to create the greatest water-saving products in the market. The new Niagara Pro product suite takes this undertaking up a notch with characteristics that make this Niagara’s most revolutionary and water-saving line of toilets yet.

“The 2022 Edison Award winners are not only innovators, but also leaders in their field and community.  We award this honor for the technological advances and the impact on industry.  We know that their innovations will have long lasting effects on the world,” said Frank Bonafilia, Executive Director of the Edison Awards.

“We are so pleased that we will be able to stage our first ABA awards banquet since 2019 and to celebrate, in person, the achievements of such a diverse group of organizations and individuals,” said Maggie Miller, president of the Stevie Awards.

The complete list of Edison winners is showcased at www.edisonawards.com. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2022 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.   

To learn more about Niagara’s high-performing, water-saving products, please visit niagaracorp.com.

Leading construction design solution joins suite of online specifying tools available from top water heating and storage product manufacturer

Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading American manufacturer of residential, commercial, and industrial water heating and storage products, announces that specifiers can now use RIB SpecLink, a leading cloud-based solution connecting design and construction professionals with building product manufacturers, to explore and connect with the company’s wide range of top-performing products.

“With SpecLink, our customers have immediate, 24-7 access to key information that empowers them to identify the right Bradford White Water Heaters product for new construction, replacement, or an update to an existing system,” said Aaron Siegel, director of sales – commercial at Bradford White Water Heaters. “SpecLink provides not only critical specifications but also tips and features so Bradford White professionals can ensure they always have the right size and application of any of our products for any project.”

SpecLink joins a powerful suite of online and digital specifying tools available to Bradford White professionals that includes Bradford White’s RightSpec® Product Sizing Tools, Revit, and Deltek Specpoint.

More than 23,000 users rely on SpecLink as an essential solution to enhance the full construction process, from design to facility management. In addition to connecting specifiers and contractors with manufacturer product data, SpecLink helps construction and design professionals streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and increase productivity.

Bradford White’s investment in SpecLink reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to providing enhanced value to its contractor and specifier customers through best-in-class industry partnerships and professional development opportunities such as the Bradford White For the Pro® Training Academy platform and Industry Forward®, the company’s charitable giving initiative to promote strategic workforce development and increase public awareness of the value of the plumbing and HVAC industry.

For more information, visit https://www.bradfordwhite.com.