Stephen Minnich

Stephen Minnich has nearly 40 years of experience in the heating industry, primarily installing and servicing hydronic systems. He most recently operated Minnich Mechanical Design, based in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village. Minnich is currently an HVAC consultant for Elevate Energy, Chicago.

Contractor Stories

Paying It Forward

These well-organized notes help me keep information at the ready; I’d like to share them with you.

November 1, 2021

Stephen Minnich

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I’d like to share them with you. I hope they help you as much as they helped me.

Contractor Stories

Demystifying Flame Rectification

The pilot flame’s only role is to be an electrical conductor that acts like a switch with a short time delay.

September 3, 2021

Stephen Minnich

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Over the last couple of years, I’ve sold most of the remaining HVAC parts and components I had. Sometimes, I wish I hadn’t, but there’s only so much you can store in a 410-square-foot shop.

Contractor Stories

Fewer and Fewer Men like Scott

He’s a serious guy with a heart of gold and a hydronic mind oozing with knowledge he doesn’t mind sharing.

August 9, 2021

Stephen Minnich

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Scott Fewer is a serious guy with a heart of gold and a hydronic mind oozing with knowledge he doesn’t mind sharing.

Contractor Stories

The Future is Bright

The hydronic industry is in good hands; the young men and women I see on Instagram are crushing it.

July 2, 2021

Stephen Minnich

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The hydronic industry is in good hands; the young men and women I see on Instagram are crushing it. They’ve put in the work to not only learn the trade but to be hydronic professionals.

Contractor Stories

Summer-Time Boiler Guy

The hunt for cool air started in April and led to frustration before leaning on some industry friends.

June 1, 2021

Stephen Minnich

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My plans were set. It was still the night before, but I was already getting excited about it. It had been at least a year since I’d been in a venue like this.

Contractor Stories

Spring Training: Back to Basics

Now that winter is in our rearview mirror, it’s time to review some of the core basics of an efficient, trouble-free hydronic system.

May 7, 2021

Stephen Minnich

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Now that winter is in our rearview mirror, it’s time to review some of the core basics of an efficient, trouble-free hydronic system — starting with the concept of pumping away from the point of no pressure change.

Contractor Stories

Schools of Thought

We have choices — and working in the trades has been the gift that keeps on giving for me.

April 2, 2021

Stephen Minnich

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Choosing a career path isn’t the easiest decision when you spent the better part of high school doing everything but studying.

Contractor Stories

Buffer Tanks

These under-used components of today’s hydronic systems virtually eliminate boiler short-cycling and premature failure of other parts.

March 8, 2021

Stephen Minnich

These under-used components of today’s hydronic systems virtually eliminate boiler short-cycling and premature failure of other parts. Every time I look at one of these multizone projects on social media or upfront and personal, I’m looking for the buffer tank and wondering: Is the boiler short-cycling? Does this system need a buffer tank?