December 2018

COVER STORY: Cannistraro’s Lean Approach to Modular Construction. Among many accomplishments, the mechanical contractor opens 157,000-square-foot prefab center.

Feature

The Secrets to Increasing Back-Office Efficiency

How plumbing businesses use GPS tracking to save time and money.

December 5, 2018

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In order to reach the highest level of productivity, it’s imperative to do away with manual process back at the office, as well as with being effective out in the field. Using GPS-tracking technology to automate processes and implement new fleet management methods allows plumbing businesses to work more effectively than ever before.

Contractor of the Year

Cannistraro’s Lean Approach to Modular Construction

Among many accomplishments, the mechanical contractor opens The FID, a 157,000-square-foot multitrade prefab center.

December 5, 2018

Steve Smith

No Comments

Among many accomplishments, the mechanical contractor opens The FID, a 157,000-square-foot multitrade prefab center.

Feature

How Caring for Customers Can Increase Ticket Sales

Train CSRs and technicians in the art of upselling.

December 5, 2018

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Money is the name of the game in the home service business. But are you winning every dollar you can? Every service call represents an opportunity to increase ticket sales beyond the original job. Tack on $50 or $100 in additional services or products per ticket and it adds up quickly.

Feature

Commercial PEX Plumbing and Heating Q&A with REHAU

A conversation with Ryan Westlund, REHAU Building Solutions Division, on the growth of PEX for commercial plumbing and heating.

December 5, 2018

Steve Smith

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We spoke to Ryan Westlund, a senior manager of radiant heating and cooling with the Building Solutions Division, to find out more about the commercial market for PEX.

Feature

2018 CONNECT Attracts More than 800 to Albuquerque

This year, RSES and RPA members also took part in the PHCC’s annual conference and trade show.

December 5, 2018

Steve Smith

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A total of 817 members from not only PHCC, but two other trade groups traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico to attend CONNECT 2018 and Product & Technology Showcase, Oct. 10-12.

Feature

Aquatherm Hosts First BIGGEXCHANGE

International crowd from Germany, the United States, South Korea, China, Finland, and New Zealand gained the perspectives of 16 world-class experts from architecture, industry and science.

December 5, 2018

Steve Smith

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More than 270 architects, planners, engineers, contractors and suppliers from around the world accepted Aquatherm GmbH’s invitation to gain insights into the latest trends in commercial and industrial construction at the company’s inaugural BIGGEXCHANGE.

Backflow Prevention Assembly Testing

Is it necessary, and how important is it?

June 26, 2018

Sean Cleary

No Comments

Testing of backflow prevention assemblies is a vital and necessary part of protection the public health and welfare of everyone.

Legal Pipeline

Forget the Forum, Forget the Arbitration

Insight into how a court might deal with an incomplete arbitration agreement.

December 5, 2018

Steven Nudelman

No Comments

Every now and then a case with national implications pops up right here in my own backyard (New Jersey). No, we are not talking about a case affecting immigration policy, gun control or the midterm elections. Instead, we are talking about the less glitzy subject of arbitration agreements.

Alternative Energy

The Curious Case of Florida

Our perspective on climate change is like seeing your kitchen on fire and arguing about what caused the fire and the cost of using an extinguisher, while your house burns down.

December 5, 2018

Max Rohr

No Comments

Florida is an interesting place at an interesting time in history.

Geothermal HVAC

St Patrick’s Geothermal Cathedral in NYC

Using standing column wells keep the aesthetics of this historic church.

December 5, 2018

Jay Egg

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You would be surprised at the places that have adopted geothermal solutions. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City is one of those amazing stories.

Contractor Stories

Wired for Success

Best practices for setting up the electrical in the mechanical room.

December 5, 2018

Stephen Minnich

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The electric is typically one of the last things you do on an installation but you can’t treat it like a political conversation over Thanksgiving dinner. It can’t be avoided. Here are some tips for giving your clients professional-looking wiring.

Business Uncomplicated

The Power of Tidy

A cleaned and organized shop makes you feel lighter — and gives your business a professional look.

December 5, 2018

Ellen Rohr

No Comments

Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned up your shop, there’s a transformative moment with the power to change your behaviors.

Contractor Profit Advantage

Your Employees Are Your Partners

Implement a performance review process to evaluate your team and compensate accordingly.

December 5, 2018

Richard DiToma

No Comments

One of those realities is your employees are actually your partners since they must conduct their duties in the best interest of your business for it to succeed.

Your Business

Coywolf Goes Viral

A hit video is great, but don’t stop dreaming up creative ways to market your business.

December 5, 2018

Sean McCormack

No Comments

Construction Technology

The Future of Construction Automation

Fabrication shops provide ideal circumstances to test automation technologies.

December 5, 2018

Brian Antonsen

No Comments

Fabrication shops are an ideal testbed for automation technologies as long as you can identify a problem, assess what’s possible, start slow and build over time for future growth.

Radiant Insider

A Number to Know and Trust

As boring and redundant as it may sound, the very first step of every hydronic job should always be determining the actual load, as accurately as possible.

December 5, 2018

Bob "Hot Rod" Rohr

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As boring and redundant as it may sound, the very first step should always be to determine the actual load, as accurately as possible. The load should include the heat as well as domestic hot water (DHW), if the boiler or heat source supplies both.

The Future is Now

Capturing Heat from Ice

Leading hockey arenas reduce emissions with heat reclamation.

December 3, 2018

BF Nagy

No Comments

What do the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, St Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes have in common? They’re National Hockey League teams and their arenas are getting greener. For St Louis it was their game rink; for the others, it was the practice sheets.

Taco 006e3

May 10, 2018

No Comments

The product provides high-efficiency hot water recirculation.

HeatLink New Smart System

October 26, 2018

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Products in the HeatLink Smart System line include thermostats, zone modules, actuators and relays to wirelessly control a heating system.

SharkBite EvoPEX System

November 21, 2018

No Comments

Each fitting has a green visual indicator to let the installer know that a sound and permanent connection has been made.

Dunkirk DMG Condensing Hot Water Boilers Series

February 8, 2018

No Comments

The two competitively priced boilers do not sacrifice features.

A. O. Smith Product Preservers Powered Anode System

October 3, 2018

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The new anode system is designed to be easy to install, complete with a control module fitting any standard 120-volt wall outlet, power supply, and a wiring harness.