Xylem Bell & Gossett recently reopened the Little Red Schoolhouse, the company’s suburban Chicago training center for professionals dedicated to the plumbing and hydronic HVAC industries. Xylem Bell & Gossett’s Little Red Schoolhouse in Morton Grove, Illinois, has been an industry icon in education for over 60 years, having trained more than 62,000 engineers, contractors Read more
HVAC
Xylem Bell & Gossett recently reopened the Little Red Schoolhouse, the company’s suburban Chicago training center for professionals dedicated to the plumbing and hydronic HVAC industries.
Xylem Bell & Gossett’s Little Red Schoolhouse in Morton Grove, Illinois, has been an industry icon in education for over 60 years, having trained more than 62,000 engineers, contractors and other hydronic HVAC and plumbing professionals have been educated in the proper design, installation and maintenance of hydronic and steam systems.
The Little Red Schoolhouse offers training covering a wide range of seminars tailored to different occupations within the industry, and is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
“Industry professionals recognize the value of in-person training, and we are happy to welcome them back to the Little Red Schoolhouse,” said Mike Licastro, director of training. “Whether it’s manufacturers’ representatives, engineers or contractors, our goal is for training to provide a knowledge base that makes them better equipped to perform their daily job duties related to hydronic and steam product application and system design.”
Instruction at the facility is well known for taking a systems-based approach that teaches students not only about individual components, but also how those components work together once installed in a complete plumbing and HVAC system.
Xylem Bell & Gossett, through the Little Red Schoolhouse, has a long history of providing industry professionals with the in-depth hydronic system design knowledge they need to confidently and expertly help their customers. The learning center was updated in 2019 to ensure Bell & Gossett’s mission of education continues to add value to and advance the industry.
Along with cutting-edge technology, Bell & Gossett has reinforced its emphasis on hands-on training with dedicated space for three new demonstration areas that feature functional displays of equipment for a variety of commercial and industrial applications, including variable speed controller technology, plumbing products and service and maintenance.
Little Red Schoolhouse second quarter schedule
- Design and Application* (April 26-29)
- Modern Hydronic Heating Systems – Basic Seminar* (May 10-12)
- Large Chilled Water System Design* (May 24-26)
- Plumbing System Design (June 7-9)
* Seminar approved by GBCI to provide credit toward the credential maintenance requirements of the LEED Associate and LEED AP certifications
To learn more about the Little Red Schoolhouse, enrollment, course descriptions and online courses, please visit www.bellgossett.com.
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) announced today that Eddie Goodwin, senior vice president, president of Lochinvar, will retire July 1, and Stephen O’Brien, chief operating officer, has been named the successor. “Since joining the company over 40 years ago, Eddie’s vast experience and steadfast leadership has helped shape Lochinvar into the industry-leading, high efficiency boiler and Read more
A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS) announced today that Eddie Goodwin, senior vice president, president of Lochinvar, will retire July 1, and Stephen O’Brien, chief operating officer, has been named the successor.
“Since joining the company over 40 years ago, Eddie’s vast experience and steadfast leadership has helped shape Lochinvar into the industry-leading, high efficiency boiler and water heater manufacturer it is today,” said Kevin Wheeler, chairman, president and CEO. “He has built a strong team committed to designing, manufacturing and selling high quality, innovative products that meet our customer’s needs. We thank him for his vision and commitment to our customers, our employees and the A. O. Smith values over the past four decades.”
Eddie Goodwin
In his new role, O’Brien will build on the strong foundation Goodwin and his team have established, by implementing the strategic vision for the organization and further expanding Lochinvar’s innovative product lines. O’Brien has served as chief operating officer for Lochinvar since August of 2021 and is uniquely qualified to assume the role of president going forward. O’Brien joined Lochinvar from Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS) and prior to that, worked for A. O. Smith Electrical Products Company for 14 years before the company was sold to Regal Beloit Corporation. He holds an MBA from the University of Dayton in Ohio and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from State University of New York at Potsdam.
Stephen O’Brien
“With his extensive experience in the HVAC industry, his strong leadership skills and focus on customer satisfaction, Steve is the ideal person to lead our Lochinvar business unit going forward,” Wheeler added. “I am confident the transition will be seamless, and Steve’s extensive background and business development skills will further strengthen Lochinvar’s channel partnerships and our presence in the market.”
Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business to Co-Host March Workshop on Business Cash Flow Management The Home Depot® is launching a series of virtual workshops designed to help Pro contractors manage and grow their businesses. The retailer is hosting free, interactive livestreams offering expert lessons taught by industry experts. The workshops will run every other month Read more
Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business to Co-Host March Workshop on Business Cash Flow Management
The Home Depot® is launching a series of virtual workshops designed to help Pro contractors manage and grow their businesses. The retailer is hosting free, interactive livestreams offering expert lessons taught by industry experts. The workshops will run every other month.
Built exclusively to help Pros run their businesses more efficiently and profitably, each virtual workshop takes a deep dive into topics that Pros want to hear. Themes include best practices in social media for business, managing business expenses, home improvement industry trends and more.
The March 8th workshop “Money in. Money Out. Manage Your Cashflow to Boost Your Business’ Success” is focused on managing expenses and maximizing net operating income. Dr. Jonathan Clarke from The Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business and The Home Depot Credit team will discuss cash flow management tips to boost business success.
The Home Depot began its in-store workshop programs in 1997 with the launch of its Kids Workshop program. Currently, there are three different virtual livestreams for DIYers including Homeowner 101, DIY Workshops and Seasonal Workshops.
In addition to the new Pro Virtual Workshops, The Home Depot helps Pros through its Pro Xtra™ loyalty program which offers members-only benefits including credit offerings, volume pricing, exclusive product offers, paint rewards, perks and more.
Pro contractors with a Home Depot Pro Xtra membership can register for upcoming workshops by visiting https://www.homedepot.com/c/pro_workshops.
For more information on Pro Xtra, visit www.homedepot.com/ProXtra or by visiting the Pro Desk at a local Home Depot store.
The air filters in homes play an important part in capturing dust, debris and other particles such as mold and pet dander from the air keeping your indoor space clean and pollution-free. There are many advantages to regularly changing the air filters in a home, and this article will outline some of the reasons why Read more
The air filters in homes play an important part in capturing dust, debris and other particles such as mold and pet dander from the air keeping your indoor space clean and pollution-free. There are many advantages to regularly changing the air filters in a home, and this article will outline some of the reasons why this should be at the top of the list of home improvements projects.
Better Air Quality
Air filters are designed to improve your indoor air quality by filtering out particulates such as spores, dust, dander, smoke and smog. Regularly changing your air filter will keep your home cleaner, ensuring the air you breathe is fresher and healthier. This is especially important for pet owners as well as children and elderly people in your household.
Cleaner air within your home can also help allergy and asthma sufferers, especially during the hay fever season. Regularly changing your air filter can make it easier to breathe and reduce indoor allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose or congestion.
A dirty air filter will also accumulate build-up from the air it draws in which can cause mold, fungus and bacteria to grow in it. This can have a counter effect of introducing harmful particles and pollutants into the air in your home causing potential health problems.
Greater HVAC Efficiency
One of the most common reasons why heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment breaks down is due to dirty air filters.
Changing your air filter every 90 days or more will keep it from clogging up and preventing air from passing through. A dirty air filter can place undue strain on your HVAC system as the heating and cooling equipment must work harder to draw in air causing it to expend more energy in maintaining a comfortable temperature. This can also cause malfunctions in your HVAC system, resulting in overheating or freezing when set to air conditioning mode.
Regularly changing the filter will ensure your HVAC system is performing at its optimum efficiency, helping to reduce the cost of your energy bills. It will also ensure that it lasts longer and needs less repair and maintenance.
Your air filter’s main job is to protect your home’s HVAC system. An air filter that has a MERV rating that is too high can cause damage to its heat exchanger, compressor and air conditioning coil. It is best to use an air filter with a lower rating such as a MERV 11 air filter or below, which is fine for residential use.
Cleaner Environment
The more efficiently your air filter is working the more dirt, debris and dust it is able to capture. This can greatly reduce the accumulation of dust on indoor surfaces such as shelves, books and tabletops.
Regularly changing your air filter will ensure there is less airborne dust. A cleaner indoor environment means you do not need to spend so much time and energy cleaning your house.
Follow the guidance in this article to ensure your air filters and HVAC system are working optimally at all times, creating a clean and healthy environment for you and your family throughout the year.
Second-annual grant program helps launch, grow, and strengthen home service businesses across the U.S. and Canada Jobber, the leading provider of home service management software, today announced that Jobber Grants, the first program of its kind designed to support and shine a spotlight on the hard-working entrepreneurs within the home service sector, is now accepting Read more
Second-annual grant program helps launch, grow, and strengthen home service businesses across the U.S. and Canada
Jobber, the leading provider of home service management software, today announced that Jobber Grants, the first program of its kind designed to support and shine a spotlight on the hard-working entrepreneurs within the home service sector, is now accepting applications through May 26, 2022.
New and experienced business owners alike are invited to apply for free grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. Applicants are asked to share what sets their businesses apart in the areas of excellent service, leadership, business acumen, and community support, and how they would further impact their local communities with funding. Twenty-five home service businesses across 50+ industries, including lawn care, plumbing, residential cleaning, and painting, will be awarded $150,000 in total. Finalists will be announced in August 2022.
“Home service entrepreneurs help keep our homes and offices running smoothly, provide meaningful employment to millions of people, strive for the highest standards in all areas of their businesses, and give back to the communities where they live and work,” said Sam Pillar, CEO & co-founder of Jobber. “Jobber Grants continues our company’s tradition of supporting and celebrating this well-deserving yet underserved segment of the small business community. For all you do, this $150,000 is for you.”
Branden Sewell, owner of Seal Pro Painting and a 2021 grant recipient, is committed to paying his employees a higher than average salary and providing them with the right equipment to do their best work. His existing team was booked two months in advance and he needed to hire more people to accommodate the jobs that were coming in.
“We allocated our funds toward growth,” said Sewell. “Now as a team of seven full-time employees, we’re also starting a new marketing department, launching a podcast and creating an internal series of training videos for all employees. On top of all that, we were able to acquire our first physical location for an office. We are incredibly thankful for our partnership with Jobber and all they have done to help us achieve our mission of making a positive impact.”
Jobber Grants are organized into categories that reflect various stages of company growth, from ideas on paper to recently launched ventures and established businesses. Categories include:
- Almost-entrepreneurs (pre-business): Entrepreneurs who have the drive to start and run a home service business.
- New business owners (0-3 years): Entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of building their team, client list, and services.
- Experienced business owners (3+ years): Entrepreneurs who are ready to scale their mature business to its next growth stage.
Recipients have the freedom to choose how to use the grant to support their ambitious business goals and innovative ideas. Whether a company is looking to purchase new equipment, increase its marketing investment, launch a new service, or train their teams, funds from the Jobber Grant program are designed to help small business owners be more successful.
Meaghan McVicker, owner of Green Clean Machine and a previous Jobber Grant recipient, organizes beach cleanups and contributes to several local business boards and councils when she’s not busy running her business and working on a franchise plan.
She shared the impact of this grant on her plans to expand her service area: “It was instrumental in the progression of my business. I was able to afford new equipment, supplies, and I saved up enough to give my crew an extra treat for Christmas! Being able to show my employees that I want to give back to them and support them in the ways they needed was relieving.”
The Jobber Grants program is one of many initiatives within Jobber’s ecosystem dedicated to supporting the home service entrepreneur, whether it’s through the company’s award-winning business management software, free resources such as Jobber Academy and the Jobber Home Service Economic Reports, events such as Jobber Professional Development Day, and more.
To learn more about Jobber Grants or to apply, visit: www.JobberGrants.com.