The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of our 2023 scholarships program. Fifty-seven students were selected to receive scholarship awards totaling $139,000. Applicants must be plumbing or HVAC apprentices or trade school students, or college students pursuing studies directly related to the plumbing-heating-cooling industry. The Foundation extends our congratulations Read more
State Water Heaters
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation is proud to announce the winners of our 2023 scholarships program. Fifty-seven students were selected to receive scholarship awards totaling $139,000. Applicants must be plumbing or HVAC apprentices or trade school students, or college students pursuing studies directly related to the plumbing-heating-cooling industry.
The Foundation extends our congratulations to all our winners and our thanks to the contractor donors and corporate sponsors who make these awards possible. Sponsorships are provided by A.O. Smith, Bradford White Corporation, Delta Faucet Company, InSinkErator, RIDGID, Scorpion Home Services Marketing, State Water Heaters, Sterling (a Kohler brand), SupplyHouse.com, Viega, the Texas and Massachusetts PHCC Auxiliaries, the PHCC Past National Officers, Bill Jones, and Gerry Kennedy, with additional funding from the generous donations made by PHCC contractors.
The 2024 PHCC Educational Foundation scholarship program will open for applications in January, with all submission materials due by May 1st. Information on the scholarship program can be found at https://phccfoundation.org/scholarships.
2023 PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarship Winners
- Thomas Langer of McKean, Pa. is studying Business Management at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by A.O. Smith.
- Ryan Welte of Roscoe, Ill. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Blackhawk Technical College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by A.O. Smith.
- Noah Gonzales of Beaumont, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
- Justin Hendrix of Reno, Nev. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of Nevada and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
- Nathaniel Sanchez of Allentown, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of Lehigh Valley LCTI and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
- Matthew Toohey of San Diego, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC of San Diego Academy and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Bradford White.
- Sarosh Ahmed of Sylvania, OH is studying Mechanical Engineering at The University of Toledo and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
- Cameron Barton of Amarillo, Texas is studying Construction Engineering at Texas Tech University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
- Todd Daskalov of Costa Mesa, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
- Kyle Girard of Westford, Mass. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at The Peterson School and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
- Lane Prindle of Navarre, Fla. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Locklin Technical College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
- Andrew Shields of Bryan, Texas is studying Mechanical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Delta Faucet Company.
- Grant Styers of Gastonia, N.C. is studying Business Management at NC State and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by InSinkErator.
- Matthew Dineen of Glendale, Wis. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at Waukesha County Technical School and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
- Andrew Jacobs of Cypress, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
- Eliuth Perez Gonzalez of San Jose, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
- Cameron White of Trabuco Canyon, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship plus $1,500 in tools sponsored by RIDGID.
- Ricardo Amezquita of Lynwood, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
- Chase Fenner of Granger, Ind. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
- Ashley Trester of New Orleans, La. is studying Business Management at Tulane University and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Scorpion Home Services Marketing.
- Sadiq Evans of Atlanta, Ga. is studying Mechanical Engineering at Alabama A&M and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by State Water Heaters.
- Garrett Crabb of Cameron Park, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
- Matthew Emig of Springville, Iowa is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair in the PHCC of Iowa Online Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
- Jacob Mellen of Leeds, Maine is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at Central Maine Community College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
- Tatiana Sicard of Mansfield, Mass. is studying Construction Management at Wentworth Institute of Technology and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Sterling, a Kohler Brand.
- Mario Alvarado Jr. of Moreno Valley, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
- Joseph Brehm of El Dorado, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
- Hannah Keller of St. Petersburg, Fla. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair with PHCC of Florida and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
- Anna Kurtz of Bethlehem, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC Academy and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
- James Mantsch of Sacramento, Calif. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair in the Sacramento City College Mechanical Electrical Technology Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
- Lamonte Wright of Murrieta, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC Academy of San Diego and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by SupplyHouse.com.
- William Broas of Oxford, Conn. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Lincoln Technical Institute and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
- Aubree Carr of Stanwood, Wash. is studying Business Management at George Fox University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
- Chase Carrico of Lakeville, Ind. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
- Joseph Christensen of Lathrop, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC-GSA Plumbers UAC Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
- Samuel Gutierrez of Fullerton, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
- Erik Licona Perez of San Bernardino, Calif. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at San Joaquin Valley College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
- Elijah Patterson of Coxs Creek, Ky. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Bluegrass Community and Technical College and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
- Erin Perez of Richmond, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair with PHCC of Alameda & Contra Costa Counties and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by Viega, LLC.
- Helen Tallulah King of Tallahassee, Fla. is studying Business Management at University of Alabama and was awarded a $10,000 Charles Hiley Memorial Scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Anthony Cacciotti of Millstone Township, N.J. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC of New Jersey Academy and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Kadyn Campeau of New Richmond, Wis. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at Chippewa Valley Technical College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Luke Ciaffaglione of Plantsville, Conn. is studying Construction Management at Central Connecticut State University and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Marley Colville of Coats, N.C. is studying Business Management at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Peter Diaz of Pomona, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Aiden Divelbiss of Youngstown, Ohio is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at University of Northwestern Ohio and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Jake Dunlap of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Zachary Hulin of Huntington Beach, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Nathan Telander of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Cole Trautman of San Luis Obispo, Calif. is studying Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC Educational Foundation.
- Cody McManus of Dedham, Mass. is studying Business Management at Williams College and was awarded a $3,000 scholarship sponsored by PHCC of Massachusetts Auxiliary.
- Nicholas Graves of San Antonio, Texas is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Antonio Apprentice Program and was awarded a $1,500 scholarship sponsored by PHCC of Texas Auxiliary.
- Joshua Fletcher of Knox, Ind. is studying HVACR Installation, Service and Repair at JATC Local 172 Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
- Jason Fornito of Springfield, Pa. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC of Philadelphia Suburban Apprentice Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
- Victor Pacheco of Whittier, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair in the PHCC-ORSB Plumbing Apprenticeship Program and was awarded a $3,000 Need-Based scholarship sponsored by PHCC Past National Officers.
- Timothy Portnoy of Vista, Calif. is studying Plumbing Installation, Service & Repair at PHCC of San Diego Academy and was awarded a $3,000 Patty Jones Memorial Scholarship sponsored by William Jones.
- Hunter Styers of Gastonia, N.C. is studying Construction Management at University of Alabama and was awarded a $3,000 Gerry Kennedy Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Gerry Kennedy.
2023 PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarships Corporate Sponsors
About PHCC Educational Foundation
The PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was founded in 1987 to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry by preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a constantly changing marketplace. Students interested in pursuing a career in the plumbing or HVACR professions are invited to visit phccfoundation.org/scholarships for information on 2024 scholarships.
State Water Heaters, a leading manufacturer of commercial and residential water heaters, today announced it will partner with Jeb Burton and Our Motorsports for the 2022 NASCAR season. State has worked with Burton for more than a decade, but this will be the first season in partnership with Our Motorsports out of Massachusetts. This year Read more
State Water Heaters, a leading manufacturer of commercial and residential water heaters, today announced it will partner with Jeb Burton and Our Motorsports for the 2022 NASCAR season. State has worked with Burton for more than a decade, but this will be the first season in partnership with Our Motorsports out of Massachusetts.
This year, Burton will be racing the 27 Chevy Camaro and will compete for a full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the second consecutive year. The season kicks off Feb. 19, with the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 at the Daytona International Speedway. During the 2021 season, Burton scored his first career Xfinity Series win at Talladega Superspeedway in the spring.
“After last year’s big season, I’m looking forward to carrying that momentum into 2022, and making our fans proud,” Burton said. “I’m incredibly grateful to have a continued partnership with a brand like State Water Heaters, which places a high value on many of the qualities I aim to exemplify through my racing career. It’s exciting that we also get to bring on a new partnership this season with the addition of Our Motorsports. We’re ready to make history this year.”
Burton will drive the 27 car in a State Water Heaters paint scheme the following races this season:
- It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 19, 2022
- Texas 250 at Texas Motor Speedway, May 21, 2022
- Alsco Uniforms 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Oct. 15, 2022
- NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Race at Martinsville Speedway, Oct. 29, 2022
State has been involved with the Burton family since 2007 when it started working with Ward Burton, Jeb Burton’s father. The brand decided to continue its relationship with the Burton family when it began sponsoring Jeb during his debut NASCAR season in 2012. State will also remain a sponsor of Burton’s TV show, Crossroads with the Burtons, which chronicles Jeb’s and Ward’s work on the track and in wildlife conservation. The show can be found on the Sportsman’s Network.
“We’re proud of what Jeb continues to accomplish on the track, and we’re also incredibly proud to sponsor someone who so closely aligns with our values here at State Water Heaters,” said Jeff Storie, State Water Heaters marketing director. “Jeb’s resilience, consistency and reliability are just a few of the reasons we’ve continued to work with the Burton family for more than a decade.”
Aside from cheering on Jeb, contractors can get involved with the racing season by participating in the when “Jeb Wins. You Win.” Contractor Rewards® promotion, which begins Feb. 10 and runs through Nov. 5, 2022. To participate in the promotion, State Contractor Rewards members can enter the code JEB27WIN2022. They will receive 100 bonus points for entering, and each time Jeb wins a race, members will qualify for additional chances to win.
To learn more about State Racing, visit www.statewaterheaters.com/racing/.
Ward Burton is one of the most acclaimed drivers in NASCAR history with a victory at the 2002 Daytona 500 and multiple wins at Darlington, considered the toughest course on the NASCAR circuit. Burton knows it takes solid, dependable equipment to succeed on the track, and he applies that principle to his home life too. Read more
Ward Burton is one of the most acclaimed drivers in NASCAR history with a victory at the 2002 Daytona 500 and multiple wins at Darlington, considered the toughest course on the NASCAR circuit.
Burton knows it takes solid, dependable equipment to succeed on the track, and he applies that principle to his home life too. He began his relationship with State Water Heaters in the 1990s when he selected a large State gas unit to handle the hot water needs of his Halifax, Virginia home.
A believer in State durability, Burton partnered with the company as an official ambassador for the State brand. He uses State products not only at his primary residence and vacation homes, but also at all facilities operated by the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation. Continuing in his father’s footsteps, Ward’s son Jeb is now part of the State racing team in his #8 Chevy.
When it was time to update the water heater in his North Carolina vacation home, Burton took advantage of the opportunity to select a unit that would reduce both energy usage and his utility bills by installing an 80-gallon ProLine® XE hybrid electric heat pump.
“It’s the best water heating technology on the market today if you want to start seeing immediate savings,” said Dwayne Kincaid from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Wilmington, NC, the company that installed Burton’s new State unit.
Burton chose heat pump technology because it’s more than twice as efficient as a standard electric water heater. It will lower water heating costs by 70 percent or more, paying for itself in 2-3 years. “That’s just one of the many reasons why I have State water heaters in all my homes and foundation properties,” said Burton.
Created for the way people live and use hot water, the ProLine® XE heat pump’s four operating modes; efficiency, hybrid, electric, and vacation, will allow for Burton to customize the water heater’s performance to his lifestyle. With just one touch, the heat pump can go into vacation mode, maintaining tank temperature at 60° F during vacations or extended absence to reduce operating costs and provide freeze protection. “It gives owners of vacation or rental properties the peace of mind of knowing that they’re not throwing money down the drain,” says Kincaid.
“Over the years, I’ve done a lot of events with State dealers and contractors,” he said. “They’re great people who make and maintain great products.”
For more information, visit www.statewaterheaters.com.
State Water Heaters has launched the new iCOMM Connectivity Platform, breaking down old barriers surrounding remote monitoring and hot water management, placing control firmly in the hands of commercial plumbing contractors and facility managers. The new iCOMM Connectivity Platform is available via the State Water Heaters app on iOS- and Android-ready mobile devices. All State Read more
State Water Heaters has launched the new iCOMM Connectivity Platform, breaking down old barriers surrounding remote monitoring and hot water management, placing control firmly in the hands of commercial plumbing contractors and facility managers.
The new iCOMM Connectivity Platform is available via the State Water Heaters app on iOS- and Android-ready mobile devices. All State ULTRA FORCE® SUF® models now come standard with onboard Wi-Fi, which makes remotely connecting and interacting with ULTRA FORCE water heaters easy and free.
Another benefit of the iCOMM Connectivity Platform is flexibility. According to Jeff Storie, director of marketing for State Water Heaters, commercial water heater customers ranging from small businesses to chain operations could benefit from the system’s real-time data and alerts.
“The iCOMM platform makes it easy to monitor and maintain commercial hot water systems from virtually any smartphone or tablet,” Storie said. “Commercial contractors and facility managers will appreciate the app’s ability to show them their customers have the hot water they need to run their businesses.”
Installers will find the latest iCOMM system easy to set up. Connecting and registering an iCOMM-compatible ULTRA FORCE water heater involves updating or installing the State Water Heaters app, connecting to the building’s Wi-Fi network and completing the step-by-step app sign-up process. Once connected, users can interact with one or multiple heaters on the app, adjusting temperature and differential, viewing status and fault history, and setting custom alerts.
State Water Heaters first unveiled iCOMM for water heater connectivity in 2009. The system operated through a desktop application that monitored a water heater hardwired to the Internet, said Matt Schulz, the product manager leading the new iCOMM rollout.
“State Water Heaters’ new iCOMM platform is designed for commercial applications, such as institutions, multi-family housing, restaurants and hospitality spaces that will benefit from its ability to provide mobile two-way communication. These services come all at no cost for hardware, subscriptions or any other fees,” Schulz said. “The new iCOMM service provides total transparency into water heater usage, remote adjustability and convenience that will allow our customers to save time and gain peace of mind.”
Installing a commercial hot water system is rarely an easy task. Each business has its own distinct challenges: Setups and infrastructure are different. The amount of hot water a business needs varies. Commercial building rules must be closely followed. Oh, and if the installation is not performed properly, the system may not work or, worse Read more
Installing a commercial hot water system is rarely an easy task. Each business has its own distinct challenges:
Setups and infrastructure are different. The amount of hot water a business needs varies. Commercial building rules must be closely followed. Oh, and if the installation is not performed properly, the system may not work or, worse, fail prematurely.
Now, add the pressure of a can’t-miss deadline, a looming inspection that has to be approved and television cameras recording every move of the installation.
Jason Wandrey and his team at Cal-West Construction never choose to work under these circumstances, but this was an unusual project. This renovation would be featured on SPIKE TV’s Bar Rescue.
For those who have never seen the docu-reality series “Bar Rescue,” here’s how it works: In each episode, host Jon Taffer, a nightlife consultant who has started and flipped more than 600 bars, revamps a struggling bar business.
In this episode, Taffer’s team embarked on making over The Tradewinds, a neighborhood establishment in charming, downtown Cotati, California, near Sonoma wine country. As part of The Tradewinds transformation, “Bar Rescue” sought to expand food service capabilities, which requires more food preparation space, more cleaning area and more hot water.
Wandrey, president of Santa Rosa, California-based Cal-West General Construction, Inc., agreed to perform the kitchen upgrades, which would have to be completed in a tight timeframe to match the show’s production schedule. The bar would close on Thursday and need to be ready for customers on Saturday evening.
With 120 minutes to go before a scheduled inspection with the health department, his contractors had completed installing new sinks and connected the existing water heater to the system. But they ran into a problem.
“The existing 50-gallon natural gas hot water system was functioning, but it couldn’t keep up with new demand, and we had none of the parts and pieces you need for a water heater installation,” Wandrey said. “The challenge was that the health inspector was coming in two hours, and we had to have their approval so the bar could reopen.”
Acting fast, the team specified a commercial water heater to support The Tradewind’s two three-pot sinks, one two-pot sink, a dish washer and bathroom sinks. Wandrey chose a commercial gas State Water Heaters ForceTM 90+, a light-duty power direct vent heater with 96 percent thermal efficiency and a rapid recovery rate.
During the accelerated but smooth installation, Cal-West easily upgraded the gas line from ½-inch to a ¾-inch supply line to feed the 100,000 BTU input into the tank. The water heater fit in the location, and there was no conflict with sizing the pipe.
The 50-gallon Force 90+ is designed to generate a constant flow of 4 gallons per minute, more than enough hot water for this bar. It’s an ideal option for small businesses looking to save space and reduce energy costs.
“They pulled a rabbit out of their hat at the last minute when they showed up with a new water heater,” Wandrey said. “It was an extreme circumstance, but our crew kept a clear head and pushed through to get it done.”
The water heater upgrade didn’t make the director’s cut, but it has made a difference for management and employees providing hot water for cleaning dishes, glassware and cutlery.
The food service program made possible by the Force 90+ has helped The Tradewinds increase the bar’s sales by 25 percent, according to Bar Rescue.
Eric Loria, one of The Tradewinds owners, told cameras: “I feel more like a proud owner than I’ve ever felt.”
Location:
The Tradewinds
Cotati, California
Products Used:
· State Water Heaters ForceTM 90+
· 50-gallon commercial gas light-duty power direct vent heater
· 96 percent thermal efficiency
ENERGY STAR® qualified
Helical internal heat exchanger for maximum heat transfer and energy savings
· Commercial-grade glass lining, protected by two anode rods
· Uniform Energy Factor of 0.88
· Rapid recovery rate of 129 gallons per hour (90°F temperature rise)
· 6-year limited warranty
· Meets Ultra-Low NOx emission requirements