Hydronic Piping Systems

How Single-Pipe And Integrated Piping Design Can Make Hydronics More Competitive

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

You can enjoy the best comfort, the lowest energy costs and a competitive first cost. That may sound too good to be true, but with creative hydronic system design it is more than possible — and it has been demonstrated for more than 50 years with proven results.

Right Part, Wrong Place

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

You’re standing at the back of your truck making sure you have everything for the boiler install today.

Why Consider a Hybrid Boiler Plant?

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

While teaching a class on hybrid boiler plants at the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers’ conference for university facility managers, I noticed one attendee sitting in the back of the room with his arms folded and a skeptical look on his face.

APM Steam Offers Unparalleled Heat Exchanger Assessment and Testing Services for Healthcare, Universities, and Beyond

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:48:00 -0400

APM Steam’s Heat Exchanger Assessment and Testing Service helps facilities identify leaks, prevent costly failures and optimize energy efficiency through proactive inspection, pressure testing and maintenance.

RPA Is Where Water Energy Goes Next

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When I was first given the charge to help bring the Radiant Professionals Alliance back into a more active role, I knew right away that the timing was right. Honestly, it has become a labor of love.

2026 Heating Season Preview

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Fall heating season is here. What market forces are changing how we do business? What does the future business and technical climate look like for the PHC contractor?

Why Four Small Boilers Often Beat Two Large Ones

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The first modular boiler room I walked into had four small boilers. My immediate reaction was, “Why would anyone buy four boilers when two larger ones would do the same job?”

First Five Minutes in a Boiler Room

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Within the first minute, I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t anything I could smell, hear or see; it was something I felt. After nearly 40 years working in boiler rooms, I’ve come to trust what I call my “Spidey Sense.”

Beyond the Boiler Room: Leading Through the 2026 Integrated Transformation

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Discover how evolving hydronic systems and data-driven "brainware" are transforming boiler rooms into intelligent command centers, requiring PHCP pros to shift toward integrated system leadership.

Avoiding Disaster When Using Closely Spaced Tees

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Have you looked long enough at a job to realize that despite how much pride was put into appearance, it wasn’t going to work well or at all?

Hybrid Heating: Why Heat Pumps and Boilers Make a Great Team

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Discover how pairing an air-to-water heat pump with a traditional boiler cuts energy bills, lowers emissions, and extends equipment life.

Eastern State Hospital Completes Extensive Hydronic Retrofit

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Discover how Eastern State Hospital transformed its century-old infrastructure with a state-of-the-art hydronic retrofit, significantly improving patient comfort and operational efficiency.

Always Begin with the Ending

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Prevent costly callbacks and homeowner frustration by mastering the art of managing expectations and educating clients before the installation even begins.

Designing With Hydraulic Separators

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Proper hydraulic separation is essential for modern, high-efficiency hydronic systems, but achieving peak performance depends on mastering flow-based sizing and avoiding common piping pitfalls.

Nominate a Woman In PHCP for Our Annual Feature!

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:52:31 -0500

Across age groups, job titles, locations and more, we want to showcase "Women In PHCP."

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

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

The Case for Sealed Combustion

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Tracking Trends of Success

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

What separates thriving mechanical contractors from those barely getting by? Tom Soukup breaks down six key traits that define long-term success in the HVAC industry—from innovation and training to passion and people.

Switching Lanes

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Dan Scher, a contractor based in New York, successfully navigated the complexities of converting an aging 18-unit apartment building in Norwalk, Connecticut, from oil to gas heating.

Understanding Hydraulic Separation

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Hydraulic separation is a crucial concept in hydronic systems, allowing multiple circulators to operate independently without conflict.

A Leaky Ceiling, Huh?

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In his column, Tom Soukup of Patriot Water Works Co. recounts a challenging boiler installation at a century-old farmhouse.

The Big Picture

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Dual NTI boilers provide radiant heat and snowmelt for New York mansion.

New Mexico’s Radiant Renaissance

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

This is a tale of two radiant heating professionals in New Mexico: the first a radiant pioneer, and the second a radiant perfectionist.

High-End Homeowner Solves Heating Hiccups

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Dillon Fraioli faced a tall order in a recent installation in one of New York City’s most exclusive suburbs.

Getting Technical: Antifreeze in Hydronic Systems

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

When designing a long-lasting antifreeze system for a customer’s hydronic system, you must consider that propylene glycol has a lower BTU carry capacity and is more viscous, than water. Also, regular maintenance is critical for optimal performance of the antifreeze.

Defeating Snow, Ice and No Parking

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Hydronic snow and ice melting systems using PEX tubing are ideal for projects with demanding winter requirements. Read on to discover how an NYC car dealership turned its roof into a vehicle storage area.

Livin’ On a Prayer

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Tom Soukup explains the importance of carefully reviewing contracts before signing and pushing back on unfair terms; stand firm on your prices and prioritize your bottom line.

Designing Hydronic Snow and Ice Melting Systems

Mon, 06 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

These hydronic systems keep outdoor residential and commercial surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways and stairs clear of snow and ice, a safety and liability issue. Lance MacNevin from the Plastics Pipe Institute explains how they also can reduce energy costs, thus lowering the operational costs of a building.

Uponor Joins Contractor Rewards Program

Thu, 02 May 2024 11:20:00 -0400

The newly formed partnership underscores Uponor’s commitment to delivering value to its customers and developing deeper customer relationships.

Uponor Wins Two Supplier Awards

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:13:00 -0400

Uponor North America has been named the 2024 Plumbing – Rough-In Vendor of the Year by Winsupply, and the 2023 Mechanical Supplier of the Year by DSG.