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Radiant from the Ground Up
Radiant heating is one of the fastest-growing and potentially lucrative types of work a plumbing contractor can do. A contractor who possesses the knowledge of the systems and who spends a little time marketing them to homeowners, property managers, homeowners' associations and the like, stands to generate a pretty serious amount of scratch. As always, though, successfully installing a radiant heating system isn't quite as simple as slapping down some tubing and pumping hot water through it. Over the past few years, the technology has advanced as have the types and methods for receiving the education required to successfully design and properly install a
radiant heating system, whether electric or hydronic. So, leading into the annual Reeves Journal Radiant Bonanza in the print edition of Reeves Journal coming to your mailbox next month, here is a brief summary of the results of the first-ever Reeves Journal radiant heating survey as well as a quick look at some of the premier places to receive radiant education. We hope this whets your radiant appetite and wish you all have a happy holiday season.
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Radiant Survey
Western contractors don’t differ much from the rest of the country when it comes to radiant projects. An online survey by Clear Seas Research of subscribers of three BNP publications, including Reeves Journal, found that most radiant projects were residential, hydronic and growing in demand.
Those surveyed reported that more than half of their radiant projects were strictly radiant, while one in four combined radiant with other hydronic heating, and the majority used a boiler as a heat source. Western contractors, on average, worked on 19 radiant related projects in the last 12 months. About half of them cited customers’ desire for added comfort and the trend toward cost-effective heating as reasons for the rising demand. The survey found contractors put product quality at the top of their list when selecting a radiant product manufacturer. Product availability was second, followed by ease of installation, product warranty and ease of
maintenance/service.
According to the report, Western contractors turned to trade magazines first to learn about radiant heating products. Two thirds of respondents rated current available education good to excellent, one third saw room for improvement.
This is just a sample of the report’s findings. For more information, visit the site at
www.clearseasresearch.com. The complete study is available for purchase. Call Beth McGuffin at (248) 786-1619 or shoot her an E-mail at
mcguffinb@clearseasresearch.com.
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Radiant Education is Key
Radiant heating systems—whereby an embedded heating element in the floor, wall or ceiling warms an area via steam, electricity or hot water—are catching fire with consumers. You know they want it, but first you have to learn it. So, where does a contractor get a proper education about radiant heating? Reeves Journal asked around, and got some recommendations. Here they are in no particular order:
Robert Bean’s site
http://healthyheating.com gets glowing reviews. Bean does course development and instruction for a number of associations in North America, guest lectures at monthly webinars for the Radiant Panel Association
and wrote the professional development course for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. He has recently begun working with the American Society of Interior Designers on the issue of indoor environmental quality. “Radiant cooling is really the buzzword right now, in the world of radiant education,” Bean said. “There are major benefits, as much or more so than the radiant heating, actually.” His not-for-profit “Educational Resource Site” lists 16 classes scheduled for 2008. They include a residential radiant hydronics design certification course, a lecture on snow melting and
numerous webinars that include radiant floor finishes and indoor air quality systems.
"The Wall" is a lively forum on http://www.heatinghelp.com
that offers real-time discussions on projects that confound contractors. A recent search turned up 10 radiant-related questions up for discussion and advice. The site also lists recommended reading and offers books for purchase.
The
Radiant Panel Association
has beginner and advanced courses on installing radiant heating systems. Studies can be done at a school, online, or with a CD. The Radiant Outfitters Personal Education Series lets students learn the “R.O.P.E.S.” of the industry one session at a time with downloadable books available in the Store section of RPA's Web site.
Or you can go to the heating source. Manufacturers like
Watts Radiant,
Burnham Hydronics and
Viessmann, among others, offer training for current and prospective installers of their products. Dan Holohan, the man behind HeatingHelp.com, recommended John Barba, the residential product training and trade program manager for
Taco. “He’s the best I’ve ever seen at radiant education,” Holohan said, “because he makes it fun, easy to understand, and he has a way with contractors.”
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Good Enough to Drink?
Do
you know where this is? Email your answer to wendy@reevesjournal.com. Correct entries will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a Ridgid PC-1375 Pipe Cutter
from Ridge Tool Company. The Big winner will be posted on our Web site shortly after the drawing.
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PEOPLEChairman and CEO Ronald C. Katz retired Dec. 1 from
Elkay Manufacturing Company and assumed the position of executive chairman of the
Board of Directors. Katz, who has served as CEO since 1985, began his
employment with Elkay nearly 55 years ago as a product inspector at the
company’s Cicero, Ill. plant. He is the grandson and son of the co-founders of
Elkay Manufacturing Company.Dec. 1 also marked the retirement
of John P. Edl, Elkay president and COO. Edl will continue to serve on
the company’s Board of Directors and takes over as vice chairman. In this position, he will serve as an
advisor to Ron Katz and to Elkay's newly appointed president and CEO, Timothy
J. Jahnke. Edl joined Elkay in 1982 as vice president of marketing.On Jan. 1, Jim Scott, president of Elkay's Plumbing Product's Division, retired after more than 30 years of service. In addition to
managing the PPD, Scott also served on Elkay's Corporate Executive Council.Steve Rogers is the new president of Elkay's PPD. Rogers joined Elkay
in 2004, serving as the vice president of engineering for the PPD. Rogers will
also become a member of Elkay's Corporate Executive Council and will report
directly to John Edl.MJSI, Inc., maker of the HydroClean water fill valve, has
hired Jim Coretti as its national sales manager. In this newly created position, Coretti will
be responsible for developing and implementing key
account strategies and for managing the company’s wholesale and retail sales
teams . Coretti comes from Suncast Corporation where he worked as
national sales manager, managing accounts with major hardware retailers. He will report directly to Rich Katzmann, vice president
of marketing and sales, to ensure cohesive and dynamic sales and
promotional activity and materials.Sioux Chief Mfg Co., Inc., has five new hires on its
payroll. Chase Wagner is the new marketing manager. Wagner was
previously an account supervisor for a national marketing agency based in the
Midwest. Tegan Stuart, Nick Rew and Lisa Swartz were hired
as sales staff. Stuart has commercial contracting experience. Rew has prior
sales experience. Both will be regional inside sales representatives. Swartz is
a graduate of Avila University where she also was previously the Alumni
Director. She will be the retail inside sales representative. Sara Carr
was also hired as a customer service representative. She has experience in
banking, customer service and account management.
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RADIANT
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
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Grundfos offers three new circulator models in 13 variations. The new cast stainless steel 
pumps are ideal for use in areas where code restrictions dictate the use of low lead-content fixtures with potable water systems. The pumps are offered with a single-speed pump or multi-speed operation. All models are available in 115v, with a standard union or two-bolt flange connection. Pump performance ranges from 0 to 18 feet of head, and from 0 to 25 gpm and all have excellent starting torque. The broad range of options and available pump curves make the stainless steel series ideal for reducing truck and warehouse inventory.
Precision Hydronic Products’ new PHP Pro-Modular secondary loop modules are a fast,
flexible, cost effective way to add secondary loop components to any of the family of PHP primary loop modules. The exclusive modular Slip Fit "J-Bend" and "U-Bend" kits allow for a fast installation in just a few minutes. These parts also allow the secondary pumping and zoning modules to be installed horizontally or in a space saving vertical orientation. This patent pending system is available in pumping, mixing and zone valve configurations.
 REHAU
has made improvements to its PRO-BALANCE Manifold system for hydronic radiant heating and cooling as well as snow and ice melting systems. Two mini-thermometers offering instantaneous supply and return water temperature readings will be included as standard with every manifold, allowing users to easily monitor and calculate heat input into the system. PRO-BALANCE manifolds can also now carry up to 2 GPM per circuit, with a maximum flow of 20 GPM for the entire manifold. Available with 2 to 12 outlets, the manifolds are installation-ready and have a slim 3 1/4-inch deep profile.
LoadMatch thermostats from Taco provide exceptional control of LoadMatch systems employing either heat pump or fan coil units. Versatile, all-in-one LoadMatch Thermostats
come with an easy-to-read interface and large backlit display and are available in BACnet, Echelon-Lontalk and non-communicating versions for use with virtually any system. Preprogrammed and LoadMatch-ready, they require little or no configuration before use. They are available in stand-alone and network versions.
A new solution for radiant installations comes in the form of Universal Multi-Run Panels by Viega. Supplying tubing for up to three circuits while occupying a minimum amount of floor space, Universal Multi-Run Panels are most useful in jobs where there is no option to drop lines. Sold in individual sets of five, or packages consisting of five Universal Multi-Run Panels and six access pieces, one set is designed to supply approximately 330-sq.ft.
Watts Radiant’s PEX aluminum line is a multi-layer pipe consisting of an inner and outer
layer of high temperature-resistant polyethylene with an aluminum core. The aluminum core prevents oxygen and gases from permeating into the pipe, making it a non-corrosive pipe. RadiantPEX-AL holds its shape and is flexible enough to bend around obstacles without the use of fittings. It is recommended for snowmelting steps and artful mechanical room arrangements. The line is available in large diameters and is also sold in 20’ sticks.
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| PVF e-News PVF e-News
is a new, twice-monthly newsletter edited by Supply House Times editor Jim Olsztynski. Contact him with any requests, complaints, compliments or information you think might be worth reportage in PVF e-News.
1050 IL Rte. 83, Suite 200
Bensenville, IL 60106
(630) 694-4006
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