Washington — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is celebrating the second annual National Propane Day on October 7, 2023. National Propane Day is an opportunity to celebrate all the ways propane keeps America running and to highlight all the benefits propane offers to users everywhere, including homeowners, businesses and construction professionals. “Propane is Read more
Industry News
Washington — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is celebrating the second annual National Propane Day on October 7, 2023. National Propane Day is an opportunity to celebrate all the ways propane keeps America running and to highlight all the benefits propane offers to users everywhere, including homeowners, businesses and construction professionals.
“Propane is energy for everyone, ensuring resiliency, energy equity, and reducing carbon emissions in communities throughout the nation,” said Tucker Perkins, president and CEO of PERC. “On October 7, we are celebrating National Propane Day by reminding people about the benefits of propane—it’s a clean, reliable, available, and versatile energy source.”
Millions of Americans use low-carbon propane for heat, hot water, cooking, and power generation at home and at work. It is also a popular energy source for school buses, emergency first-responder equipment, high-end restaurants, agriculture operations, and numerous other applications.
As a highly efficient and reliable energy source, propane is also an ideal choice to ensure homes, businesses, and construction crews stay resilient. Propane generators ensure homes and businesses can power essentials when weather strikes or the electric grid goes out. For construction crews, portable propane generators ensure energy is always within reach to power tools and lighting.
As part of National Propane Day, PERC is also celebrating the continued growth and production of renewable propane—an ultra-low carbon option that further moves the propane industry down the path to zero carbon emissions. Renewable propane is made primarily from plant and vegetable oils, animal fats, or used cooking oil. It offers the same great features as conventional propane—reliability, portability, and power—with the added benefit that it introduces no new carbon into the environment.
To learn more about how propane can help construction professionals, visit Propane.com.
San Antonio — During a formal signing ceremony at their co-located 19th Annual Meeting and 94th annual Education and Business Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) officially joined the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®). ARCSA will be renamed “ARCSA International,” allowing the organization to maintain its Read more
San Antonio — During a formal signing ceremony at their co-located 19th Annual Meeting and 94th annual Education and Business Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) officially joined the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO®). ARCSA will be renamed “ARCSA International,” allowing the organization to maintain its identity while becoming a discrete business unit of The IAPMO Group.
In June, ARCSA’s Board of Directors and membership voted in favor of joining The IAPMO Group, with the co-located annual events providing an ideal backdrop for the finalization.
Formed by the merger of two Texas-based professional rainwater catchment associations—the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association and the Texas Rainwater Catchment Systems Association—with the mission to “provide resources and information on rainwater and stormwater collection to promote the advancement of rainwater conservation and to work with government at all levels in promoting rainwater and stormwater management,” ARCSA in 2016 was reorganized as a 501(c6) organization and the original ARCSA became the ARCSA Foundation, a 501(c3) organization.
“We believe IAPMO’s sharp focus on water conservation and water security will enable ARCSA to advance the cause of rainwater harvesting on the national and international stages more effectively,” said ARCSA President Roman Feher. “We came here a lone wolf and now we’re part of the wolfpack.”
Founded in Los Angeles in 1926, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has grown to be recognized the world over for its Uniform Codes. Through its various business units, The IAPMO Group participates worldwide in product testing and certification, codes and standards development, management systems certification, and education, training and personnel certification.
“IAPMO and ARCSA have long worked toward common objectives from unique positions in the water conservation industry,” said IAPMO CEO Dave Viola. “Consolidating our work makes both organizations far more capable stewards of this vital natural resource and the means to capture and utilize it safely.”
In 2012, IAPMO and ARCSA signed a memorandum of understanding to “enhance the wellbeing of people everywhere through the provision of safe, efficient, and affordable rainwater harvesting and plumbing systems and equipment.” The product of this cooperation, ASSE/ARCSA/IAPMO/ANSI Series 21000 was first published as an American National Standard in 2017 to address the increasing number of residential, commercial, and industrial rainwater and stormwater systems being installed nationwide. Updated in 2022, Series 21000 establishes best practices and uniform minimum requirements for qualified designers, installers, and inspectors of viable alternative water systems utilizing captured rainwater or stormwater.
After Successful Connected Home Pilot, Resideo Solutions now Available to all USAA Members Through its PERKS Program Resideo Technologies Inc. (NYSE: REZI), a leading global manufacturer and developer of technology-driven products and components that provide critical home comfort, energy management, and safety and security solutions, has been added to USAA’s PERKS program to help its Read more
After Successful Connected Home Pilot, Resideo Solutions now Available to all USAA Members Through its PERKS Program
Resideo Technologies Inc. (NYSE: REZI), a leading global manufacturer and developer of technology-driven products and components that provide critical home comfort, energy management, and safety and security solutions, has been added to USAA’s PERKS program to help its members protect against water damage and optimize home efficiency. USAA members can purchase Resideo’s Honeywell Home smart thermostat and its First Alert® WiFi Water Leak & Freeze Detector at a discounted price through the PERKS program and eligible Homeowner policy holders can enroll those devices for a connected home discount.
“Resideo has been honored to help USAA Homeowner Policy Holders protect what matters most since 2018,” said Linsey Miller, Senior Vice President Business Development & Services at Resideo. “With our inclusion now in the PERKS program, we can provide all of USAA’s 13 million members with access to a safer, more comfortable and efficient home that can optimize resources. Our connected insights can help inform USAA’s ongoing analysis of property claim concerns, and together we can help pioneer the future of the insurance and connected home industries.”
In the U.S., water-damage claims are among the most filed residential property insurance claims and represent an estimated $26 Billion1 in damages for single-family homeowners. Previously, USAA offered Resideo’s WiFi Water Leak and Freeze Detectors to its Homeowners policy holders in select markets through its Connected Home Platform, a technology-enabled loss prevention program. The Water Leak and Freeze Detector is installed near appliances and if a leak is detected, the user is alerted. After the success of the initial program, USAA has extended the offerings to all USAA members, who can then control the comfort of their home and be informed of water leaks through the Resideo app.
“USAA is committed to providing industry-leading connected home devices to help our members in their everyday lives,” said Ryan Rist, USAA Assistant Vice President Innovation. “We have worked closely with Resideo Technologies to help launch USAA’s Connected Home Program so our members can adopt new protective technologies, like the First Alert WiFi Water Leak & Freeze Detector, to help secure their homes against water damage.”
Resideo’s Honeywell Home smart thermostat and First Alert WiFi Water Leak & Freeze Detector are now available to USAA PERKS members. USAA members can view additional products and discounts here.
1 Based on occupied housing, claim frequency and claim severity.
Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, announced today a strategic training partnership with PipeDreams, an innovative, tech-forward home services provider. The collaboration with Interplay will accelerate PipeDreams’ ability to acquire, integrate, and grow new partnerships by offering tech-forward training, including hands-on 3D simulations. With a focus on building meaningful trade careers, this Read more
Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, announced today a strategic training partnership with PipeDreams, an innovative, tech-forward home services provider. The collaboration with Interplay will accelerate PipeDreams’ ability to acquire, integrate, and grow new partnerships by offering tech-forward training, including hands-on 3D simulations. With a focus on building meaningful trade careers, this partnership will empower 100+ valued technicians of all levels with the tools to rapidly hone their technical skills, elevate safety standards, and reliably serve customers across partner companies.
One of the pivotal aspects of this collaboration is PipeDreams’ vision to establish an apprenticeship program through PipeDreams University, with Interplay’s online courses at its core. The training approach will encompass 3D simulations, videos, quizzes, and hands-on learning, providing PipeDreams’ technicians with a well-rounded and engaging educational experience with pathways to industry certifications like EPA 608 and NATE.
“Our commitment to developing our service team has been a driving force throughout my journey with the company,” said Grace Underdahl, Training Program Lead at PipeDreams. “We’re creating a holistic training platform that supports development in every role, from general managers to HVAC service technicians. Interplay Learning’s technology perfectly matches our vision to be technology-forward and empower our technicians in a safe and scalable format.”
Given the growing skills shortage, PipeDreams also sees Interplay’s training as a powerful recruitment tool. By making trade careers more accessible, they can attract more technicians eager to embark on a journey of learning and growth within their local markets.
Isabel Sopoglian, Head of Business Operations at PipeDreams, underlined the significance of training on company growth, stating, “Training is a key component of attracting and retaining our employees and increasing the quality of work we deliver. We want our employees to feel our investment in them. It’s a very important aspect of our growth, and our collaboration with Interplay Learning is crucial to this strategy.”
In addition to supporting recruitment and retention efforts, Underdahl and Sopoglian anticipate Interplay’s training to enhance existing operations, equipping technicians with more effective troubleshooting skills and improving ramp time and callbacks for new technicians.
“Interplay is proud to partner with PipeDreams, a mission-aligned company leading with technological innovation and transforming how training is done in the home services industry,” said Doug Donovan, CEO of Interplay Learning. “Our shared mission is to foster successful business partnerships and empower PipeDreams’ workforce with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their careers.”
PipeDreams offers a range of residential HVAC and plumbing services through a growing partner network, including Albert Nahman Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, Wighton’s Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, Perry Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing, TNT Home Services, Clout Home Services, Ace Pelizon Plumbing, Paso Robles Heating and Air and Plumbing the Bay.
Successware, a field service management software company for the home service industry, has introduced new eBook resources for plumbing, HVAC and electrical business owners. Available now at Successware.com under “Resources,” these eBooks contain valuable insights that educate business owners on getting the most out of their business software. From case studies to questions to ask and features to consider Read more
Successware, a field service management software company for the home service industry, has introduced new eBook resources for plumbing, HVAC and electrical business owners. Available now at Successware.com under “Resources,” these eBooks contain valuable insights that educate business owners on getting the most out of their business software. From case studies to questions to ask and features to consider, they provide actionable steps that will help business owners manage and grow their business.
“Today’s leaders in the home service contractor industry have many helpful tools to assist in making day-to-day operations more streamlined and efficient, but the choices involved in running a business can become overwhelming,” said Paul Carmody, President of Successware. “By sharing these eBook resources, Successware has distilled the most common questions and concerns into roadmaps that guide these business owners in their decision-making process. Our goal is to help them improve productivity, save time and increase revenue.”
Three eBooks currently available from Successware include:
- Benefits of Running Your Business in the Cloud – more and more of today’s business owners are ditching traditional self-hosting in favor of a cloud-based platform software. This eBook shares the benefits cloud-hosted software can provide such as efficiency, productivity and security, that can lead to increased revenue.
- Increase Top-Line Revenue by Digitizing Your Business – the world of technology is constantly evolving, and it’s easy to feel left behind. This eBook helps to explain making the jump from running your business on paper to running your business in a digital environment, so businesses can grow and scale like never before. It also features a case study from one of Successware’s largest customers in California and the steps they took to digitize their business.
- How to Choose the Right Field Service Management Software – many business owners are evaluating the different solutions available to them and trying to make the best decision for their business. This eBook covers the need for field service management software, initial steps to take before reaching out to software providers and what to consider when making that all-important selection.
Successware continues to post helpful articles on these topics and more on the company’s blog and will be publishing additional eBooks in the future geared to assist HVAC, electrical and plumbing business owners with their growth and success.