Industry News

Contractors can help Homeowners play a large role in helping conserve water

While a vast majority (89%) of the earth’s water is used and consumed for agricultural and industrial sectors (for example farmers for livestock and crops, and key players in food production), there are still steps each of us can take at home to help limit our water waste.

FOUR WAYS TO MINIMIZE UNNECESSARY WATER USE

There are certain elements relating to water that are out of our control – such as droughts or aging underground pipes. But we do have a direct impact on how we use water in our own homes. Homeowners can play a large role in helping conserve water in these four ways:

• Invest in a water management system.  If a smart water management system detects a leak, the user can minimize water loss and damage through app alerts. For example, the user is notified and can either: 1.) turn off the water manually to, or; 2.) use a customized routine that would automatically turn off the water to the home. In 2021, Resideo water leak detectors helped stop an estimated 2.4 million gallons of water leaks and prevented $2.6M in insurance claims. That’s roughly enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool 3.6 times!
• Check for a leaky faucet. A faucet that drips once per second wastes 3,000 gallons annually. It can be caused by a multitude of things, such as corrosion or a loose O-Ring. These leaks are typically small and can be an easy, DIY fix.

• Consider your laundry and dishwasher. Use ENERGY-STAR and High Efficiency products in the kitchen and laundry room. These can save you money on your water bill by using two times less water. Also, washing dishes by hand uses 3.5 times more water than using a dishwasher.
• Re-use where you can. Capture rainwater by adding a rain barrel to the end of your gutters, which can conserve and hold 65-85 gallons of rainwater for your plants or outside cleaning. In your home, try reusing your cooking water for more plant watering!

With a few small changes to your daily lifestyle, you too can make a big impact on Earth’s most precious resource. More information about Resideo water solutions at Resideo.com/water.

Three Keys to Hydronic System Protection

Maintaining the health of water-based fluids circulating within hydronic systems is paramount in protecting components and maximizing efficiency. Proper air, dirt and magnetic separation are three keys for optimal system performance. Designers and installers might hang their hats on using high-performance separators, however, best practices for hydronic systems may call for a more complex approach.

Rest assured!  Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, Cody Mack and Max Rohr will cover the basics of these devices and then treat our audience to a lively debate.

You’ll learn:
→ What is the difference between baseline and high-performance air, dirt and magnetic separation?
→ Why do I still have an air issue?
→ What is the best method for replacing fluid that leaves a system?
→ Shop Talk Showdown: Do you leave the AutoFill on? Yes or no?

Don’t know “Hot Rod“? A 2020-2022 Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence honoree, he travels from sea to shining sea for Caleffi North America, sharing his 40+ years’ of experience as a plumbing, radiant heat and renewable energy contractor. He is a regular contributor to industry magazines where Hot Rod brings his rubber-to-the-road experiences to life.

Cody has 20 years’ experience as installation contractor, service technician, application engineer and serves as national training manager for Caleffi. Our audience will appreciate his thoughtful yet humorous content delivery combined with his practical, common sense product approach.

Max is Caleffi education and industry engagement manager leading interactions with trade associations, committees, industry initiatives and collaborative manufacturer partners. He has 20+ years of work experience in installation, distribution, manufacturers’ representative and manufacturing roles. Max is a self-described “energy nerd.”

Coffee with Caleffi technical training webinars are free and intended for contractors, engineers, designers and wholesalers. By submitting your webinar registration, you are consenting to email communications to keep you up-to-date on industry news.

It’s easy to join us!  Simply register today.

A Certificate of Attendance is emailed to attendees following the webinar equivalent to 1.0 PDH for continuing education.   Please verify with your state/province for fulfillment compliance.

Central Florida plumbing and HVAC company to celebrate rapid expansion, company culture.

Mechanical One, a leading HVAC, gas and plumbing services provider, will change lives when it awards mortgage-free homes to two employees this holiday season. The winners will be picked in a lottery during an event on December 3 at the Hard Rock Live at Universal Orlando Resort. More than a thousand people are expected at the event, which will include a speech from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

At the time of the home giveaway announcement in December 2021, there were 65 employees working at the company. That number has grown more than 500% in just the past nine months. With demand for HVAC, gas and plumbing services growing to meet housing needs in Central Florida, Mechanical One is meeting builders’ needs with its expanding workforce.

“We build communities at work, but we want to better communities during that time outside of work. Investing in our employees has been one of our top priorities. We see each employee as a family that our company is supporting, rather than an individual who is coming to work each day,” said Mechanical One President Jason James.

The company offers day one health insurance options that also include coverage for mental health. Mechanical One also gives employees access to free financial education tools. In order to qualify for the free home giveaway, employees must be employed at Mechanical One for a year, take a financial education course and complete 20 hours of community service.

Mechanical One first opened its doors in July 2021. The company serves top homebuilders, such as Pulte, Lennar and Taylor Morrison. With a presence throughout Central Florida and the Treasure Coast, employees work on HVAC, plumbing and gas for thousands of homes each year.

To learn more about Mechanical One, visit their website.

Leading water heating and storage manufacturer’s Vitraglas® tank lining is now infused with Microban® antimicrobial technology, setting a new industry standard for protection.

Ambler, Pa. —Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading American manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces that its proprietary Vitraglas® tank lining will now incorporate Microban® antimicrobial technology to provide additional protection against the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface of the interior tank lining.

“We’re delivering unprecedented protection that no other water heater manufacturer can offer,” said Louise Prader, senior director of product management for Bradford White. “Microban® antimicrobial product protection* enhances the premium protection of our Vitraglas® technology and offers our customers an additional layer of protection.”

Bradford White water heaters are the only water heating products that offer residential and commercial customers this additional level of tank protection at no additional charge. This innovation is a direct outcome of Bradford White’s ongoing research and development efforts in response to a wide range of market, technology, regulatory and environmental trends.

Vitraglas® tank lining with Microban® antimicrobial product protection is now a standard feature on tank-type water heaters from Bradford White. Vitraglas® prolongs the life of the water heater by keeping corrosive elements from reaching the steel of the tank and other components. The addition of Microban® antimicrobial technology protects the Vitraglas® tank lining against the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew on the surface of the lining.

The Microban® antimicrobial technology is integrated into the Vitraglas® formula and then applied to the inside of the tank, coils and/or flue tubes during the manufacturing process. After application, the Vitraglas® lining is baked on at approximately 1,600 degrees for a hardened, long-lasting finish. Through this exclusive manufacturing process, the Microban® antimicrobial technology becomes a permanent part of the coating that continues its protection for the lifetime of the water heater.

Antimicrobials have been safely used for many years. The Microban® antimicrobial technology used in Bradford White products is silver-based, which has been used for decades in a range of applications, and carries both the EPA and European Union approval for direct food contact.

Microban® has been a trusted brand and leader in antimicrobial technologies since 1984. Their technologies can be found in thousands of consumer and industrial products around the world, including a variety of plumbing fixtures and household appliances.

For more information about Microban®, visit https://www.microban.com.

For more information about Bradford White Corporation, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.