This year’s boiler report finds the hydronics industry navigating a confusing mix of electrification goals, consumer demands, economic constraints and jobsite limitations. While the federal government has stepped back from the aggressive efficiency and electrification directives that defined the previous administration, state and city regulators are still enacting laws that outlaw gas connections in new construction, tighten NOx emissions standards and increase energy standards for larger commercial and multi-family buildings. And plenty of consumers don’t really care what the industry is supposed to do; they just want a contractor to tell them how to reduce their carbon footprints.

The market also looks fundamentally different depending on where you’re standing.

“Policies vary — sometimes by ZIP code — but the real separator is application and site constraints,” says Christian Zapata, product manager, AERCO, a Watts brand.

The companies best positioned are those that have built product portfolios broad enough to serve the contractor in New England pursuing a dual-fuel hybrid system, the specifier in California navigating electrification mandates, and the facility manager in the Midwest replacing an aging boiler plant with the best available high-efficiency gas condensing boiler.

Flexibility is now a core product strategy.

As a result, manufacturers are expanding product portfolios to give PHCPPros options to balance performance, emissions and cost that match the demands as well as the constraints found in each and every project.

To understand how the industry’s leading manufacturers are responding, PHCPPros surveyed the following companies for our 2026 Boiler Report: AERCO, a Watts Brand; Ariston (for NTI); ECR International, Inc.; Lochinvar; Navien Inc.; Rheem; Rinnai America Corp.; Thermal Solutions; U.S. Boiler Co. and Weil-McLain.

Our main feature consolidates the answers per each manufacturer to our survey’s first three questions:

• What regulatory changes and market shifts will impact your product development over the next two years?
• How are regional differences in regulations and incentives affecting product demand and innovation across your markets?
• What new products, features or technologies have you introduced this year, and what customer needs or feedback drove these innovations?

Our coverage also includes two sidebars, one on how manufacturers are helping contractors make the transition to installing green sources of energy and another on how manufacturers can help in workforce development. 

Finally, readers will find a list of 2026 Boiler Report Products. 

AERCO, a Watts Brand

Christian Zapata, Product Manager

Zapata says there’s no one federal development currently driving the commercial heating market.

“It’s more of a steady drumbeat toward efficiency, electrification and flexibility,” Zapata says, “tempered by localized, on-the-ground realities like grid limits, ROI and budget.”

For example, take a look at what’s happening in Denver where the city has written hybrid heating system pathways directly into its energy codes, “a pragmatic acknowledgment,” he says, of where the electrical grid and the heating market actually are.

“That’s why we’re doubling down on a diversified portfolio of high-efficiency gas, electric, hybrid and dual-fuel offerings,” Zapata explains, “and designing controls that natively coordinate mixed plants so owners can decarbonize without ripping out infrastructure.”

He says the company’s CFR, Cat I–approved condensing boiler, is a prime example, delivering condensing efficiency without a venting overhaul.

“The bottom line is simple,” Zapata says. “Give contractors and engineers multiple compliant paths — drop-in simplicity, hybrid logic and retrofit-friendly options — so projects pencil out today and stay future-ready.”

On the regional front, Zapata says the focus is more project to project than region.

“Policies vary — sometimes by ZIP code — but the real separator is application and site constraints,” he adds. 

For example, where electrification is mandated in new construction, the company’s Benchmark E and SmartPlate EV combination plants are seeing strongest demand. Where vent upgrades aren’t feasible, AERCO’s CFR works since it “boosts efficiency without opening walls and requiring other major infrastructure upgrades.” And in mission-critical facilities, such as hospitals and data centers, dual-fuel flexibility and hybrid systems become the deciding factor regardless of location.

“Incentives are shifting too,” he explains. “Some utilities are dialing back condensing rebates and favoring electric and heat pump incentives. That nudges choices, for sure, but it doesn’t erase the ROI reality or grid capacity concerns. AERCO’s answer is to offer options that let engineers match technology to site-specific realities, not force the building to conform to a single solution.”

On the product front, AERCO expanded its Sequoia electrode boiler line and released high-flow SmartPlate EV models for larger domestic hot water loads, both driven by customer requests for more capacity without construction headaches.

“Across all launches, customer feedback has been clear: keep footprints familiar, streamline installation and ensure controls are intuitive, including for hybrid systems,” Zapata adds. “That’s why we’ve invested in built-in hybrid logic, not bolt-on workarounds, so hybrid gas-and-electric plants operate cleanly under one unified control strategy.”

Ariston (for NTI)

Dan Torres, Regional Product Director

Torres brought up an unexpected development reshaping demand for hydronics: Changes in refrigerant regulations that don’t directly affect the company’s boiler lines are nevertheless nudging some customers back toward traditional hydronics.

“Also, regionally there are impacts with a push away from fossil fuels and a trend towards electrification or hybrid systems,” Torres says. “This directly affects our product development and the level of investment we make in a fossil-fuel-type product.”

Furthermore, on regional regulations, Torres offers an assessment that a few other manufacturers in this report share by identifying a strategic problem over the timing of regulations on one hand and product development on the other.

“It is very difficult to be impactful in all regions when there are regional differences in regulations,” Torres explains. “For us, these regional differences tend to be slow-moving and take time to gain speed. Due to this, it does give us time to react. However, it also gives time to the stakeholders involved in these changes to change direction and change their minds.”

The result, he argued, is a product development environment in which a manufacturer who starts developing a product today can find that the regulatory landscape the product was designed for has shifted by the time it reaches production.

“This makes it difficult for a manufacturer to ‘keep up’ and trust that if we innovate a new product today — typical product development can take up to two years to launch — it could be obsolete by the time it comes to production,” Torres says.

On the product front, the company introduced its Verta Series air-to-water heat pump, specifically to fill the gap in markets where gas is no longer a permitted option.

“The regions with these requirements still need a means to heat their homes and their hot water,” he explains. “Air-to-water heat pumps are a better alternative to electrical products like electric boilers due to their high efficiency ratings.”

ECR International, Inc.

Joe Langlois, Engineering and Marketing Director 

Langlois argues the industry’s green transition needs a reality check on costs, infrastructure and regulatory timelines. For example, he reads the current federal posture on energy regulation as a practical correction — that the best fuel choice depends on the specific application rather than on a blanket mandate.

“The current federal government administration is moving away from total electrification efforts,” Langlois says. “Not every home is a good fit for an expensive total electric conversion. The consumer costs of operation are higher and the electric infrastructure cannot support these legislated mandates.”

As a result, ECR has ongoing development projects expanding both its condensing boiler and electric heating product lines.

On the regional front, Langlois identifies the challenge with the pace of regulatory changes outrunning the pace of product development. A product development cycle of one to two years means that regulations with aggressive implementation timelines can become effectively impossible to comply with on schedule.

“Constant regional regulation changes require manufacturers to adapt and track these regulations,” he says. “Development does not occur instantly and in some cases regulatory changes and implementation dates are not industry achievable.”

ECR had no new product releases to announce at the time of the survey, but the company does tout its Oneida High Efficiency Condensing Boiler Series in our 2026 Boiler Report Products segment.

Lochinvar

Robert Wiseman, Segment Development Manager

Wiseman says Lochinvar has purposefully built its current product strategy around a regulatory environment pulling in multiple directions simultaneously.

“State, local and federal regulations are continually evolving, which is why we must provide a variety of solutions for our customers who may have differing needs depending on where they are located,” Wiseman says. “We are certainly still seeing strong demand for gas-fired products, but during this transitional period for the industry, we are also seeing continued interest in electric boilers and hybrid solutions.”

Regionally, Wiseman describes applications that are night and day different. In some regions customers are pushing for a “full decarbonization” of the mechanical room, replacing gas-fired equipment with electric alternatives. In other parts of the country, high-efficiency gas-fired boiler technology remains the preference.

“With that in mind, Lochinvar continues to manufacture a variety of solutions that will fit different customer needs,” he adds. 

Wiseman reports that one of Lochinvar’s biggest current focus is with advancing hybrid solutions.

“Incorporating a hydronic heat pump like Lochinvar’s Centrus heat pump with a gas-fired or electric boiler, such as Lochinvar’s Noble gas boiler or Lectrus electric boiler can be an excellent solution,” he explains.

The company’s headline product introduction is the Centrus Residential Hydronic Heat Pump, engineered specifically to address the cold-climate limitation that has historically constrained heat pump adoption.

“This unit is specifically designed to perform in colder climates, expanding access to this critically important heat pump technology,” Wiseman adds. “Lochinvar’s ComfortLoch technology maintains consistent heating capacity at temperatures as low as -4 F, eliminating the need for homeowners in cold climates to oversize their equipment.”

Navien Inc.

Pete Thoenen, Product Manager, Boilers

Thoenen views the federal regulatory picture with a certain irony. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement tax credit — which put up to $600 in tax incentives behind the installation of a condensing boiler installation — ended last year. And at the start of 2025, a proposed federal residential boiler efficiency rule that would have forced the market in the same direction was also shelved. In the span of 12 months, condensing technology went from potentially mandatory, to encouraged, to neither.

“On balance, we don’t expect any new broad regulatory changes at the national level in the near term,” Thoenen says. “Although there has been less focus at the federal level, there are states that are enhancing their energy and regulatory codes.”

Since he adds that Navien always focused on condensing boilers, high efficiency and low emissions, the company expects continued growth based on its boiler features and value proposition. 

“We continue to innovate and refine our boiler line to meet and exceed customer expectations,” he adds.

Regionally, Thoenen adds that high-efficiency boiler incentives have waned in some markets, giving way to heat pump incentives, while some states and municipalities have moved to restrict natural gas in some types of new construction.

These factors, Thoenen said, have slowed — but not reversed — the decline of noncondensing boiler sales in those areas, while the condensing segment has continued to post growth.

“Most states and regions have had robust sales growth in the residential condensing boiler segment for two decades without any state or local incentives,” he explains. “Certainly change is in the wind, and it will be interesting to see if the loss of these incentives at both the federal and state level has an impact on the market. So far our boiler sales continue to grow across our North American market, and we are optimistic this will continue.”

On the product front, the company will be introducing larger condensing boilers this year up to 1 million BTU to provide high efficiency solutions for commercial applications.

The company is planning to enhance its residential boiler line with easier-to-use controls, improved service features and native Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity rather than as an optional kit.

“This has been a request from our customers, both homeowners and installers,” Thoenen adds. “This upgrade will allow us to improve the user experience and provide installers with an easy path to program, monitor and troubleshoot our boilers.”

Rheem

Patrick McLaughlin, Hydronic Product Manager

McLaughlin says Rheem’s game plan involves much more than just keeping up. Recent regulatory changes mean higher efficiency and lower emission requirements and Rheem’s FT Series and ThermaForce boilers — alongside products from the IBC brand — were developed to stay ahead of these changes.

“Some states are prohibiting or limiting gas heating systems, which drive towards higher efficiency, fully electric, or ‘dual fuel’ approaches,” he explains. “As part of Rheem’s hydronics portfolio, IBC brings deep engineering expertise to complement Rheem’s scale and innovation. Rheem’s goal is to provide a range of installation options to accommodate any new construction or replacement need.”

Regionally, McLaughlin notes two truisms for the hydronics market: boilers are naturally concentrated in cold climates and the majority of boiler shipments are for retrofit. 

“Regulatory incentives in these areas prioritize high efficiency condensing products, and Rheem continues to innovate with durable heat exchangers, intuitive touchscreen controls, improved venting flexibility and higher efficiency levels,” he adds.

Meanwhile, in parts of the country where electrification is being adopted more quickly, “we complement our boiler portfolio with electric or heat pump hydronic solutions, while maintaining robust gas boiler offerings where they continue to be the most practical and dependable choice,” McLaughlin says. “These regional dynamics help guide thoughtful, customer-focused boiler innovation.”

Rheem’s major product introduction this year is the FT Series Super High Efficiency Condensing Combi Boiler, which features an intuitive touchscreen control for easy setup, maintenance and troubleshooting, as well as built-in four-zone temperature control. The company also expanded its lineup of electric hydronic solutions and added STID indirect tanks designed to integrate seamlessly with its boilers for enhanced hot water performance.

“These innovations were shaped directly by contractor feedback,” McLaughlin explains. “The result is a Rheem boiler portfolio designed to simplify the contractor experience while delivering the performance and efficiency customers expect.”

Rinnai America Corp.

Rahul Goyal, Senior Director of Product Management

Goyal says the most significant regulatory development on Rinnai’s calendar is the Department of Energy’s mandate on ECM circulator pumps. That goes into effect in May 2028, which, Goyal adds, “for boiler manufacturers is closer than it may appear.”

The ECM mandate is more than just a compliance matter in Goyal’s view. ECM pumps modulate continuously to match real-time system demand, consuming only the energy the system actually needs at any given moment — a meaningful leap in efficiency over conventional fixed-speed circulators.

“The result is measurable reductions in electrical consumption and lower operating costs over the life of the system,” he explains. “It’s an opportunity to deliver a more intelligent, efficient product. Rinnai is already engineering with the 2028 standard in mind, ensuring current and future product lines are fully prepared to meet the requirement well ahead of the deadline.”

On the regional front, Goyal points to the continued momentum of the combi boiler. 

“It’s easy to understand why,” he adds. “Homeowners are increasingly drawn to the elegance of consolidating two systems into one: replacing a floor-mounted boiler and a separate tank water heater with a single, compact wall-hung unit that delivers both home heating and domestic hot water with exceptional efficiency.”

Financial incentives from energy providers and state-level rebate programs are strengthening the value case further.

“It’s no surprise that combi boiler sales continue to outpace those of heat-only systems,” Goyal says. 

Rinnai’s headline product introduction this year is the I-Series Plus, a line of Solo and Combi Condensing Gas Boilers.

“The I-Series Plus was designed around one core philosophy,” Goyal says, “making the installer’s job easier and the homeowner’s experience better.”

The line includes a number of features that benefit the contractor, such as Bluetooth connectivity that pairs with the Rinnai Central that aids setup. The I-Series Plus also includes built-in Smart-Circ Recirculation Control, removing what has historically been one of the most stubborn barriers to combi boiler installation in retrofit and remodel applications.

“Traditionally, adding recirculation to a combi boiler meant additional cost, extra parts, controls and piping, making it impractical for renovations,” Goyal explains. “Smart-Circ accommodates both dedicated recirculation lines and thermal bypass valve setups, simplifying installation — a game-changer for retrofits and remodels.”

Thermal Solutions

Daniel Rettig, Product Manager 

Rettig declined to weigh in on the broader regulatory and regional questions — his company’s focus is squarely on the products and the economic realities that contractors and their customers face in the field, and on the economics of the green transition.

Rettig laid it out plainly. The cost differential between a boiler and a heat pump is real. The energy cost comparison between electricity and natural gas varies significantly by region, and in many parts of the country, it does not favor electrification. 

“You will also hear it is going to cost a lot of green to go green,” he says. “The cost difference in technology — boiler versus heat pump — the energy cost between electric and natural gas in parts of the country, and the installation cost if additional electric service or panels are required are all obstacles for emerging technologies like heat pumps and electric boilers at this time.”

That plain-spoken assessment shapes how Thermal Solutions positions itself with contractors and engineers: providing the information needed to evaluate transition costs honestly and selecting the right heating source for each specific job rather than steering customers toward a technology that may not make economic sense for their situation.

“If there is not a zero-emissions requirement for the job,” Rettig said, “the mechanical equipment cost and installation cost will be an obstacle for the near future.”

On the product front, Thermal Solutions introduced upgraded versions of its AMP boiler and water heater line. The new models include 10:1 turndown ratio, are stackable without a rack, include stainless steel piping and work with its new Boiler Connect app through a Bluetooth connection.

U.S. Boiler Co.

Chris Decato, Product Manager

Decato identifies three forces converging to reshape residential boiler product development over the next two years: electrification policy, labor availability and regional emissions regulation. Each is pulling the market in a somewhat different direction, and U.S. Boiler’s product strategy is designed to respond to all three simultaneously.

On electrification policy, Decato says incentives are driving interest in heat pumps and hybrid systems.

“While boilers remain the primary solution in many hydronic homes, especially in colder climates, manufacturers are increasingly designing products that can integrate with air-to-water heat pumps or operate as part of hybrid heating systems,” he explains.

Meanwhile, the ongoing labor shortage in the trades is pushing manufacturers to simplify installation and commissioning.

“Products that reduce setup time, automate combustion tuning and provide guided diagnostics are becoming critical to help contractors complete jobs efficiently and avoid callbacks,” Decato says.

Finally, low-NOx regulations, particularly in California and certain air districts, are beginning to influence burner and combustion system design.

“Even though these rules are regional today,” he adds, “they often set the technical benchmark manufacturers consider when developing future platforms.”

Decato adds other regional differences across the country are creating two distinct product development tracks running in tandem within the hydronics market. In the Northeast and upper Midwest, “where hydronic heat is common and winters are severe,” he says, demand remains strong for high-efficiency condensing boilers, with incentives favoring modulating condensing equipment and advanced controls. In the West Coast markets, particularly California and Washington, electrification policy and emissions regulations are accelerating development of air-to-water heat pumps and hybrid hydronic systems.

“These regional differences push manufacturers to design flexible platforms rather than single-solution products,” he says. “Increasingly, innovation is centered on systems that can integrate boilers, heat pumps and smart controls so contractors can adapt the solution based on local codes, incentives and climate conditions.”

U.S. Boiler’s headline product introduction for 2026 is the Alta OneVent System, a common venting solution that allows up to four ALTA high-efficiency condensing boilers to share a single exhaust pathway.

“The concept was driven directly by contractor feedback around mechanical room complexity and installation cost in larger homes and light commercial applications,” Decato explains. “Contractors frequently told us that when capacity requirements move beyond a single boiler, particularly in the 200–300 MBH range, the number of vent penetrations, piping layout and control coordination become pain points.”

Weil-McLain

Konrad Witek, Senior Product Manager

Witek says regulations and incentives other than federal are driving the heating market toward greener sources of energy. And consumer preference is also becoming a deciding factor, regardless of rules, regulations and codes.

“Even as the federal government has taken a step back from regulation and from incentivizing investment in efficiency and electrification, consumers, state regulators and local authorities have continued to drive the market in this direction,” Witek adds.

In the commercial and multi-family space, for example, Witek says states and local governments are implementing building efficiency performance standards requiring larger buildings to measure, report and ultimately reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are also seeing a growing trend toward electrification in the residential market,” he adds. “This is driven by the desire for consumer households to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as regulations that limit the installation of gas and gas appliances.”

Furthermore on the residential side, some localities have restricted gas connections in new construction, others are prohibiting new gas appliance installations in existing homes, and discussions are underway in several jurisdictions to strengthen Low NOx standards and require equipment that produces zero emissions. 

Regionally, Witek pointed to the Northeast as the most active market for electrification regulation and incentives, with Vermont, Massachusetts and New York running robust air-to-water heat pump programs.

“We believe that a dual-fuel approach will be critical to support the decarbonization and electric heating solutions for homes in this area,” Witek says. “We’re developing control solutions that provide sophisticated coordination of electric heat pump systems and secondary boiler systems to ensure year-round comfort, reduce carbon emissions and provide fuel flexibility to homeowners and grid operators.”

On the product front, Weil-McLain is releasing updates to both its ECO Tec and Evergreen Pro high-efficiency boiler lines.

“The ECO Tec is getting a revised front panel to improve access for service and installation,” Witek adds. “It’s also receiving updated firmware that enhances the existing zoning and multi-temperature functionality to improve coordination with our ECO HP air-to-water heat pump. 

The Evergreen Pro line is switching to our Unity 2.0 control platform that includes an intuitive touch screen controller, easy-to-use setup wizard, multi-zone and multi-temperature control with three priority levels, and robust integration with our ECO HP heat pump system.  

“We are continuing to develop our ECO Calc application tool that supports contractors in selecting, selling and setting up our ECO Hybrid Dual Fuel Heating system,” Witek explains. The tool provides project specific estimates of operating costs, fuel savings and emission reductions. It allows contractors and homeowners to explore different operating scenarios and fine tune system performance to align with their financial and climate priorities.”

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Regulatory pressure, customer demands and a wave of new technology are pushing contractors away from traditional fossil-fueled boilers, and on to heat pumps, electric boilers and hybrid systems.

We asked manufacturers how they are helping contractors make the transition to green.

Both, not either/or

One consensus from the responses is that the future is not a clean break from the past. In fact, contractors aren’t choosing one power source over another but managing both at once.

“Contractors aren’t choosing between fossil fuel and emerging technologies,” says Christian Zapata, product manager at AERCO (a Watts brand), “they’re juggling both, sometimes in the same mechanical room. Our strategy is to make mixed technology plants easier to design, install and service. We build our own controls so gas and electric equipment work seamlessly together.”

AERCO has shaped its product lineup around what contractors actually face in the field so they can tailor the best heating choice for each project.

“The CFR delivers high efficiency where vent upgrades would blow the budget, while the Benchmark E, Sequoia and SmartPlate EV support electrification in buildings where heat pumps cannot carry the full load,” Zapata adds. “And we reinforce it all with thorough documentation and training — something our reps consistently praise — to make hybrid and electric systems feel familiar, not intimidating.”

U.S. Boiler Co.’s product manager Chris Decato makes a similar case, arguing that the transition is less about simply replacing boilers, but rather offering options for contractors and the needs of their end-users.

“In much of the U.S., heat pumps alone can struggle to meet peak loads, so hybrid approaches are becoming the realistic bridge,” Decato adds. “Manufacturers can help by designing systems that integrate easily with emerging technologies. That includes controls that allow boilers to stage with air-to-water heat pumps, flexible piping and venting configurations, and combustion systems that maintain high efficiency and low emissions when gas is used.”

Decato also stresses reducing the complexity of installation with products that simplify commissioning, automate combustion tuning and provide guided diagnostics to help installers adopt new technologies without increasing risk on the job.

“Ultimately, the goal is to support contractors with flexible systems and clear training,” Decato explains, “so they can choose the right solution for each home, climate and regulatory environment.”

Closing the knowledge gap

One challenge that every manufacturer cited in some form is closing the knowledge gap. Installing a heat pump is not the same as installing a boiler, and contractors who have spent careers mastering one set of skills need real support before they can confidently take on the other.

“Adopting new technologies always comes with a learning curve,” says Robert Wiseman, segment development manager, Lochinvar, “so we always strive to provide our partners with the resources they need to feel well-equipped to sell and work with these units.”

Wiseman says his company has recently expanded its LochinvarU and Lochinvar University platforms specifically to address the additional training heat pumps require. It has also brought the message out of the classroom and onto the trade show floor.

“At this year’s AHR Expo, Lochinvar showcased working examples of hybrid systems, giving contractors an up-close look at how the pieces fit together,” Wiseman adds.

Ariston has taken a similar hands-on approach with the rollout of its NTI air-to-water heat pump line. 

“We have a dedicated trainer who is specific to air-to-water heat pumps traveling across North America training contractors on how to install and service, as well as training our distributors and sales team on how to properly apply these products in those applications,” says Dan Torres, regional product director.

Weil-McLain’s approach leans on the skills contractors already have. Senior Product Manager Konrad Witek explains that the company deliberately uses, where possible, familiar piping layouts, refrigerants and controls that draw on experience contractors gained installing high-efficiency boilers and mini-splits.

“The transition to electric and dual-fuel heating solutions is well underway,” Witek says, “and while many of the technologies that will define the future of hydronic heating have been around for decades, the way we’re applying these technologies and pairing them together is changing.”

Making the transition

Beyond training, manufacturers are also rethinking their product portfolios to give contractors and their customers more options as the market evolves.

Navien has broadened its offerings, including the NAZ heat pump for space heating and recently introduced a stainless steel heat pump water heater designed for straightforward installation and simple control setup. Product Manager Pete Thoenen notes that the water heater and HVAC markets are already more mature than the hydronic boiler market when it comes to heat pump adoption, giving Navien a foothold to build contractor familiarity with the technology.

“Hydronic heat pumps (air-to-water) appear to be gaining traction in some regions, although the regulatory aspect still needs to be finalized,” Thoenen explains. “We have air-to-water hydronic products in some international markets and are watching this market develop here in the U.S. and Canada with great interest.”

Rheem, meanwhile, is emphasizing practical support as much as new products. 

“Boilers remain a dependable backbone of hydronic heating, and Rheem is committed to supporting contractors as technology evolves,” says Patrick McLaughlin, hydronic product manager.

Rheem offers training on installation, proper venting practices, system sizing and integrating boilers into hybrid applications as markets adapt.

“Our approach is practical and focused on real-world success, giving contractors the tools, resources and confidence to deliver high-quality installations,” McLaughlin adds. “Whether they’re upgrading traditional systems or learning new controls, we’re here to make the transition straightforward.”

ECR International brings a different kind of experience to the conversation: The company has produced electric boilers for years and continues to build on that base with ongoing contractor education. Engineering and marketing director Joe Langlois notes that ECR’s depth in electric boiler applications gives it a head start in helping customers understand both the products and the systems they fit into.

Solving comfort problems

Rinnai America’s answer to this question takes a different angle — rather than speaking directly to a fossil-fuel-to-electric transition, the company highlights how it has engineered its way around a longstanding limitation in combi boiler performance.

According to Rahul Goyal, senior director of product management, one of the most consistent homeowner complaints about combi boilers has been the “domestic priority” principle, which forces heating systems to choose between space heating and domestic hot water during peak demand.

“In theory, reasonable; in practice, a real frustration,” Goyal explains. “Households with extended hot water needs such as long showers and busy morning routines were finding their home heating shut down. For a whole-home comfort product, that’s an unacceptable trade-off.”

Rinnai solved the problem with an innovative proportional valve.

“Rather than forcing the system to choose, it uses a sophisticated algorithm to evaluate both demands, allowing them to run at the same time,” Goyal adds.

The result, Goyal says, is that under normal conditions, a homeowner never has to choose between a warm shower and a warm house — a real-world comfort outcome that Rinnai sees as central to any whole-home solution, regardless of fuel source.

Finally, Daniel Rettig, product manager for Thermal Solutions, laid out the economic realities of going green that contractors and their customers still face.

“You will also hear it is going to cost a lot of green to go green,” Rettig explains. “The cost difference in technology — boiler versus heat pump — the energy cost difference between electric and natural gas in parts of the country, and the installation cost if additional electric service or panels are required are all obstacles for emerging technologies like heat pumps and electric boilers at this time.”

If there is not a zero-emissions requirement for the job, “the mechanical equipment cost and installation cost will be an obstacle for the near future,” Rettig says

Help for the Next Generation

The labor shortage in the trades is one of the defining challenges facing the PHCP industry today. We asked our survey respondents to share what role manufacturers should play in workforce development. 

AERCO (a Watts brand)

“Manufacturers need to be more than equipment suppliers — we need to be training partners. New technologies are hitting jobsites faster than most techs encounter them in the field, so it’s on manufacturers to close the gap with hands-on factory training, 24/7 online modules, clear diagnostics and consistent control platforms across product families.

“Whether someone is working on a CFR retrofit, an all-electric Benchmark E plant, or a hybrid gas-and-electric system, they should feel supported. The fact is that workforce development protects system performance, contractor confidence and the long-term health of the industry.”

—Christian Zapata, product manager, AERCO

ECR International

“Manufacturers should be actively involved in the education of the next generation. ECR supports career technical education by donating equipment and providing hands-on training to students entering the HVAC industry. ECR also travels across the country training service mechanics.”

—Joe Langlois, engineering and marketing director, ECR International 

Lochinvar

“What we have heard from a lot of our contractor partners is that there is an education gap that manufacturers can fill. We are working hand-in-hand with them to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed in the field. We also work closely with local universities, like Tennessee Tech University, to help the next generation of contractors and engineers as they come up in the industry. This provides them with real-world experience while also allowing our team to work through common technical questions.”

—Robert Wiseman, segment development manager, Lochinvar

Navien

“We take our responsibility to help address this crisis seriously, as it will affect the success of our business. Our training team is comprised of experienced professionals with literally centuries of collective trades experience, and they work hard to reach the next generation of installers and service techs with our technical trainings, and the ability to review fundamentals beyond our boilers.

“Navien has invested in staffing trainers throughout Canada and the United States, which allows us to actively meet workforce needs by providing training support to contractors switching their business to Navien as well as making sure existing customers are well equipped with the knowledge needed for success.

“Not only can Navien trainers be dispatched as needed, we also work closely with sales representatives throughout Canada and the U.S. to proactively train personnel, including students and apprentices as they enter the field.”

—Pete Thoenen, product manager, boilers, Navien

Rheem

“Manufacturers play an essential role in preparing today’s workforce to install and service advanced boiler systems. Rheem invests in hands-on training, technical education and digital tools that build strong hydronics knowledge, from combustion fundamentals to controls and diagnostics. We partner with trade programs and industry organizations to expand access to real equipment and job-ready skills.

“By strengthening the talent pipeline and supporting continuous learning, we help ensure reliable boiler installations, safer operation and long-term contractor and customer satisfaction.”

—Patrick McLaughlin, hydronic product manager, Rheem

Rinnai America Corp.

“Training has always been a cornerstone of how Rinnai supports the professional community because a well-trained installer is the single greatest guarantor of a great homeowner experience. For those who want hands-on immersion, Rinnai offers in-person training both locally in the field and at our Live-Fire Training Dojo at our headquarters in Peachtree City, Georgia. There’s no substitute for working with live equipment in real-world scenarios to build the kind of confidence that translates directly to the job site.

“For busy professionals who can’t step away, Rinnai’s Learning Management System delivers self-paced, on-demand training accessible on any schedule — between jobs, early morning or after hours. Whether in person or online, the goal is the same: Every professional who touches a Rinnai product has the knowledge and confidence to deliver an installation that performs flawlessly from day one.”

—Rahul Goyal, senior director of product management, Rinnai America Corp.

U.S. Boiler Co.

“Manufacturers have a responsibility to make the industry easier to enter and easier to succeed in. The labor shortage in the trades is real, and manufacturers are in a position to influence both training and product complexity.

“First, we can invest in accessible training programs, working with distributors, trade schools and apprenticeship programs to teach hydronic fundamentals, combustion safety and modern controls. Contractors shouldn’t have to learn new technologies entirely on the job.

“Second, manufacturers should design products that reduce the skill barrier. Guided commissioning tools, automated combustion control and clear diagnostics help newer technicians install and service equipment correctly. For example, modern gas-adaptive combustion systems can automatically calibrate the air-fuel ratio, reducing the manual adjustments historically required during startup.

“Ultimately, workforce development is a shared responsibility. Manufacturers should provide training, tools and product designs that help the next generation of technicians succeed.”

—Chris Decato, product manager, U.S. Boiler Co.

Weil-McLain

“The contractor is the manufacturer’s representative and their ability to apply and install our products successfully is critical to the health of our business. Weil-McLain has a legacy of investing in the development of hydronic professionals through our School of Better Heating. These events are designed to introduce new tradespeople to hydronics system design and instill best practices. It’s also a place for experienced professionals to continue to grow their skill set and learn to apply new concepts and technologies.

“It is also important to support organizations and events that help contractors continue their education and develop the next generation of tradespeople who will deliver safe, healthy and comfortable environments in the coming decades.”

—Konrad Witek, senior product manager, Weil-McLain