Industry News

Pfister® Faucets, a trusted leader in the plumbing industry since 1910, is kicking off Season 4 of American Plumber Stories, a popular docuseries that features the lives of plumbers throughout the U.S. A new generation is seeing the plumbing trades with new eyes. Now, in its fourth season, the wildly successful American Plumber Stories docuseries will highlight stories of building the workforce, told by young plumbers whose lives are being changed in phenomenal ways by the plumbing trade.

‘Young Guns,’ featuring Fulmer Plumbing out of South Carolina, premiers September 5.

American Plumber Stories aims to promote the plumbing trade to the next generation of professionals. The show highlights the stories of plumbers around the nation including how they got started in the plumbing trade and the passion they have for their profession. These stories show how they built a career that allows them to lead financially rewarding and fulfilling lives.

Over the past year, the docuseries built up a large following in the plumbing industry who passionately supports the mission that Pfister® Faucets, the creator of the docuseries, is pursuing. From plumbing businesses, plumbing product manufacturers to industry associations, many were inspired to join forces to turn American Plumber Stories into the movement it has become today.

‘Plumb Market,’ featuring Petri Plumbing out of New York, premiers September 25.

RIDGID, who has been instrumental as a partner since Season 2, will be joined by four new partners in Season 4, manufacturing leaders Oatey, Cintas, A. O. Smith, and State Water Heaters. These partnerships provide a tremendous footprint to distribute American Plumber Stories episodes on their high-reach social media platforms and to promote the docuseries at their trade show booths across the country.

“RIDGID is celebrating our 100-year anniversary this year, and we’ve had a lot of fun sharing stories with plumbers from the past, present and future. American Plumber Stories, and the work Pfister® Faucets is doing with this program, have helped a wider audience hear stories like these, and get to know and appreciate the hard work that goes into this profession. We’re excited to continue to support this show and its mission,” says Becky Brotherton, Director of Brand & Engagement Marketing, RIDGID.

Mechanical Hub, the largest independent plumbing-focused online resource platform, is collaborating with Pfister®Faucets to distribute American Plumber Stories episodes through its media platforms to nearly 1M social and digital media followers. Plumbers who are featured in the episodes will also appear on the Appetite for Construction podcasts that go into more depth about each of the inspiring stories in Season 4.

“After hearing the feedback from our listeners, as well as from our digital and social media audiences, we highly anticipate another year of partnering with Pfister® in supporting the American Plumber Stories docuseries on YouTube. We’ve seen in recent years just how important and essential the men and women that make up our plumbing family are to the health of the country,” says John Mesenbrink, President, Mechanical Hub.

“We feel that the American Plumber Stories series highlights and shines a bright light on the plumbers and organizations who help build the backbone of our nation, while encouraging the next generation of workers to join the trades,” says Mesenbrink.

The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors — National Association (PHCC), the premier trade organization for plumbing and HVAC professionals, has teamed up with American Plumber Stories and supports its message on a national level to its members, as well as in state and local chapters throughout the country.

One of the most visible faces of American Plumber Stories is its host, Craig Morgan. The country music icon is a TV personality (Beyond the Edge on CBS and others), celebrated outdoorsman, member of the Grand Ole Opry and Army veteran. Morgan has charted more than 25 songs on Billboard Top 100.

While Season 1 entertained with a look into the lives of ordinary plumbers with sometimes extraordinary lifestyles, Season 2 emphasized education in the trade and the opportunity this rewarding profession has to offer. Season 3 highlighted some of the most inspiring stories, told by plumbers whose lives were changed forever by the trade and Season 4 will share the stories of job creation, workforce development and solutions for those getting into the trade.

Season 4 Episode Release Week, Title and Participants

• September 5^th, Young Guns, Fulmer Heating, Plumbing & Cooling (South Carolina)
• September 25^th, Plumb Market, Petri Plumbing (New York)
• October 16^th, Roping the Future, Big Sky Plumbing (Utah)
• November 6^th, Royal Flush, Universal Plumbing (Nevada)
• November 27^th, Influence-HER, Deluxe Plumbing (Pennsylvania)
• December 18^th, Plumbing to Perform, Louisville Plumbing Company (Kentucky)

New episodes of American Plumber Stories can now be watched on www.AmericanPlumberStories.com.

Interested plumbers who would like to share their own story can do so here: https://www.americanplumberstories.com/pages/i-am-an-american-plumber

Propane Council expands program funding aimed at reducing greenhouse gases while increasing a homebuilders bottom line. 

Residential homebuilders can apply now for the Propane Construction Incentive Program and take advantage of money for installing propane appliances. Supported by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), the expanded program amplifies efforts to install propane appliances in new homes and remodels.

“Homebuilders are being told that electric or solar are the only clean-energy options for homes, but this simply isn’t true,” said Bryan Cordill, director of residential business development at PERC. “Propane—a clean energy option that works in tandem with other energy sources or on its own—should be considered when building or remodeling.”

The Propane Construction Incentive Program encourages the installation of propane appliances by offering a baseline incentive of up to $1,000 to builders or remodelers who upgrade to propane appliances in a new build or a remodel. To qualify, at least one of these propane appliances must be installed: 

• $500 Incentive: Boiler, Furnace, Hydronic Air Handler, Combi Boiler (not a heat pump).
• $300 Incentive: Water Heater (tankless or storage tank).
• $300 Incentive: Hybrid Heat Pump with propane emergency heat.

Additional propane applications:

• $100 Incentive (Per Appliance): Cooktop or Range, Clothes Dryer, Standby Generator, Fireplace or Gas Log Set, and/or Propane Gas Piping for Outdoor Equipment.

Applicants can also earn a $500 bonus for installing a propane appliance specific to their region of the country. 

The 2022 incentive program helped eliminate more than 18 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalent from the environment. Last year, PERC awarded $1 million in funding to construction professionals who provided data from the Energy Planning and Analysis Tool comparing the emissions of the propane appliances in their new build and remodeling projects to their electric alternatives. Installations included propane furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, cooktops, ovens, clothes dryers, outdoor grills, and standby generators.

“Participants are not only creating a competitive advantage for themselves, but they are also helping decrease greenhouse gas emissions,” said Cordill. “Propane is available right now and its use is having an immediate and positive impact on the environment. I’m excited to see how many pounds of greenhouse gases we reduce with the help of the expanded program. ”

Learn more about the additional incentive program funding and qualifications, and complete an application at Propane.com/ConstructionIncentive.

What: 

A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment, will use its September and October A. O. Smith University classes to educate professionals on its broad line of gas and electric water heating solutions. A. O. Smith University will continue to offer its monthly virtual classes in addition to its popular in-person training.

The September in-person class will take place Sept. 12–14 at the A. O. Smith training center in Ashland City, Tennessee. The course will cover installation, maintenance and installation-related troubleshooting for commercial gas, commercial electric and tankless gas units. Individuals can register online for in-person classes, but please note registration is not guaranteed until participants receive a confirmation from A. O. Smith. For more information on virtual and in-person training classes, visit                          www.university.hotwater.com/virtual-campus/.

When:              

Sept. 5, 8:00 a.m. CDT                  Residential Heat Pump Contractor Training

Sept. 6, 8:00 a.m. CDT                  Tankless Contractor Training

Sept. 12, 8:00 a.m. CDT                In-Person Contractor Training

Sept. 13, 8:00 a.m. CDT                In-Person Contractor Training

Sept. 14, 8:00 a.m. CDT                In-Person Contractor Training

Sept. 19, 8:00 a.m. CDT                VOLTEX AL Heat Pump Water Heater Contractor Training

Sept. 20, 8:00 a.m. CDT                Commercial Gas Contractor Training

Oct. 3, 8:00 a.m. CDT                    Residential Gas Contractor Class

Oct. 4, 8:00 a.m. CDT                    Tankless Single Heater Installations

Oct. 17, 8:00 a.m. CDT                 Residential Gas Power and Power-Direct Vent

Oct. 18, 8:00 a.m. CDT                  Commercial Electric Contractor Class

Oct. 31, 8:00 a.m. CDT                 Residential Electrical Contractor Training           

Where:             

A. O. Smith Customer Care Facility

106 Adkisson St

Ashland City, TN37015

Following the catastrophic Maui wildfires, which are among the deadliest in US history, and with the state of Washington now grappling with its own destructive blazes, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) is urging governments, communities, and individual property owners alike to take science-backed steps to prepare for wildfire, reduce risks, and support more robust firefighting efforts at the local level.

“The recent tragedy in Maui and the ongoing fires in Washington underscore the vital need for collective action,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of outreach and advocacy.  “From local homeowners to the highest government levels, we must embrace mitigation strategies to protect our communities.”

Nearly 45 million homes are in the wildland/urban interface (WUI). According to the National Interagency Fire Center, approximately 71.8 million properties in the U.S. are at some risk from wildfire. Each year, some of the largest-loss fires occur in the WUI. In the past five years alone, wildfires have destroyed nearly 63,000 U.S. structures, most of which were homes, not including the recent losses in Maui.

The U.S. Forest Service estimates that less than 10 percent of at-risk communities have developed community action plans to reduce loss from wildfire.

“These alarming statistics point to the urgent need for a comprehensive response to the wildfire crisis. NFPA’s Outthink Wildfire™ initiative provides a policy framework and recommendations to prepare for, mitigate, and fight wildfires,” Carli said.

The Five Tenets of Outthink Wildfire:

1. Require all homes and businesses in the wildland/urban interface (WUI) to be more resistant to ignition from wildfire embers and flames. Assistance by way of guidance, incentives, and clear requirements is vital in helping property owners reduce ignition risk. With tens of millions of homes and businesses in wildfire-prone areas, risk reduction must be undertaken at a speed and scale that matches the problem’s severity. Outthink Wildfire policy initiative position paper.
2. Current codes and standards and sound land use practices must be in use and enforced for new development and rebuilding in wildfire-prone areas. Governments are strongly encouraged to use and enforce current fire codes, building codes, and land use practices proven to mitigate risks. NFPA provides essential guidance and documents to aid this effort: Using Codes and Standards to Reduce Risk in Wildfire-Prone Areas.
3. Fire departments for communities in the WUI must be prepared to respond safely and effectively to wildfire. NFPA research reveals a critical need to provide local fire departments with the necessary training, protective clothing, and equipment. Most departments respond to wildfires but lack sufficient resources for safe and effective action.
4. The government must increase resources for vegetative fuel management on public land. The Outthink Wildfire policy initiative highlights the importance of fuel treatments on federal, state, and tribal lands, emphasizing methods such as cultural burning, prescribed burning, mechanical treatments, and restoration practices.
5. The public must understand its role and take action in reducing wildfire risk. Individual homeowners play a vital role in wildfire preparedness. Effective measures can be taken to prepare homes and families for the dangers of wildfires. Resources available at www.nfpa.org/wildfire

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.