August 2025

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2025 Heating Season Preview

A look at trends affecting the hydronics and HVAC markets.

August 4, 2025

Dan Foley shares his annual industry forecast, covering the rise of air-to-water heat pumps, refrigerant shortages, the fading solar thermal market, and how private equity continues to reshape the HVAC landscape.

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Cross-Linked Polyethylene: The First 40 Years in North America

With its flexibility, durability and efficiency, PEX has become a dominant piping material, supported by evolving standards and extensive industry collaboration.

August 4, 2025

Lance MacNevin PEng

Launched alongside cultural icons like The Terminator and Purple Rain, ASTM F876 quietly marked the beginning of PEX tubing’s four-decade transformation from a European innovation to the dominant piping material across North America.

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Q&A with Ed Moran, President of Omega Flex, Inc.

As Omega Flex, Inc. celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, Moran reflects on the flexible metal hose and piping products, manufacturer’s values, culture and mission.

July 1, 2025

Amalia Deligiannis

Omega Flex marks its 50th anniversary with a legacy built on innovation, safety, and U.S.-manufactured flexible piping systems. Under President Ed Moran’s leadership, the company continues to expand globally, enhance core products like CounterStrike and DoubleTrac, and invest in new technologies while maintaining a strong focus on training, customer support, and industry education.

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SupplyHouse Launches Second Annual Track to the Trades Scholarship Program

Company will award $25,000 in scholarships to support the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

August 4, 2025

Steve Smith

Now in its second year, SupplyHouse’s Track to the Trades Scholarship program is expanding its $50,000 commitment to support both trade students and schools, spotlighting the growing importance of skilled trades through financial aid, community partnerships, and a deep respect for the industry's future.

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Q&A with Steve Turner, Founder, and Shana Brunye, Executive Director, Bring Back the Trades

‘Teachers and counselors are starting to recognize that college isn’t the only path, and for many students, it’s not even the best path.’

July 22, 2025

Steve Smith

Bring Back the Trades hosts a series of interactive Skills Expos and awards scholarships to reshape the perception of the trades within the educational system and highlight the immense value of these careers.

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How to Fix a Marketing Mistake Costing Contractors Thousands

When you know where your calls are coming from, you can double down on what’s working and cut loose what’s not.

August 4, 2025

Call tracking helps plumbing and HVAC businesses identify which marketing efforts drive real leads, enabling smarter spending and better ROI decisions.

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Mile High Marvel

New Denver apartment building delivers efficient water heating solution.

August 4, 2025

Apartment construction soared in 2023 in Denver. More than 12,500 new units opened last year, according to a report, which was good news for renters. The new rental units helped absorb the demand for housing, and after years of skyrocketing rents, the price of an apartment stabilized in 2024.

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Legal Pipeline

Lessons Learned from Differing Site Conditions Claims

A recent case highlights the importance of thorough contract review, site inspection and leveraging prior project experience to mitigate risks.

July 1, 2025

Steven Nudelman

Unexpected conditions below the surface can lead to major disputes. A recent case between Skanska Civil USA and the U.S. Navy reveals the high stakes of differing site conditions and the importance of thorough pre-bid review and due diligence.

MOMENTUM BUILDING MARKETING

Don’t Let Your Social Media Hurt Your Chances at Scoring Earned Media Opportunities

Avoid pitfalls by managing your online presence professionally and strategically to amplify positive attention while mitigating risks.

August 4, 2025

Heather Ripley

While social media can elevate a home service business’s visibility and attract earned media, it also opens the door to public scrutiny—making a strategic, professionally managed approach essential for amplifying credibility while mitigating risks.

Contractor Profit Advantage

Another Contractor Agrees

Properly documented paperwork and honest, legal and moral business procedures help deliver excellence to consumers.

August 4, 2025

Richard DiToma

A thoughtful reader email sparks a deeper look into how customer feedback — both good and bad — can guide contractors toward excellence, while offering smart strategies for dealing with difficult clients and protecting your business.

CONTRACTOR STORIES

The Case for Sealed Combustion

With features such as high turndown ratios, quieter operation and space-saving designs, condensing boilers are a smarter choice for modern heating systems.

August 4, 2025

Tom Soukup

A catastrophic boiler failure during a brutal cold snap serves as a chilling reminder of why sealed combustion and modern condensing boilers are vastly superior to outdated atmospheric systems.