What's ahead for 2009?

84 Pages·2009·11.47 MB·English

january 2009
AHR Expo Issue
vol.10, no. 1
A Publication
What’s ahead
for 2009?
Industry experts
discuss where
the industry stands
now and what
they foresee during
the coming year
Section begins on page 35.
GREEN
A solar retrospective . . . . . . .Page 32
SYSTEMS —
SOLAR
Geisel Heating & Air
• Conditioning: A plan • INDUSTRY Experts share prognoses . . . .Pgs. 35
FORECAST
for success
See page 48.
BOILERS &
Walk the AHR Expo floor! . .Pgs. 64-69
WATER
HEATERS
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4 Phc News— JANUARY 2009
On the Cover
Technicians for Geisel Heating & Air plumbing & hydronic contractor news
Conditioning install a Laars Pennant boiler
and storage tanks in a country club. Geisel Departments
www.phcnews.com
takes an intelligent approach to all aspects
of its business, and after 73 years of training
Owner
quality people and installing quality prod-
Tom M. Brown, Jr.
ucts, remains a force in the Ohio market.
Story begins on page 48
ChiefEditor
John Mesenbrink
Managing Editor
Features
James Schaible
Contributing Editors
Mary Jo Martin
35 Industry forecast for 2009
HHeeaatt ffuussiioonn —— ppgg.. 5599 Mark Bruno
In the wake of financial market meltdowns, PHC indus- Richard DiToma
try leaders remain upbeat about the many opportunities Morris R. Beschloss
inherent in the situation — Pg. 35
Columns Paul Rohrs
74 Rovanco celebrates 40 years Dan Holohan
Dan Holohan:Political “change” means
Based in Joliet, Ill., Rovanco Piping Systems has been dollars in your pocket . . . . . . . . .20 Ellen Rohr
manufacturing quality insulated piping systems since Paul Rohrs: Handling nasty,
Production Manager
1969, when two contractor partners figured they could aggressive condensate . . . . . . . .24
Cate C. Brown
make a product as good as anyone else’s and deliver it Bristol Stickney: Solar panels also can
Administrative Assistant
in a much timelier fashion — Pg. 74 help cool the building . . . . . . . .26
Debbie Newberg
Ellen Rohr: Mentors needed . . . . . .28
Richard Ditoma: No bailouts in this
industry so you’ll do it yourself . .30 Editorial Offices
GREEN SYSTEMS — SOLAR
1838 Techny Court
Bob “hot rod” Rohr: What’s old is new
Northbrook, IL 60062
and better than ever . . . . . . . . .32
Phone: [phone]
Field Reports Fax: [phone],
Geisel Heating & Air Conditioning [email protected]
applies forward thinking . . . . . . .48
Heat-fused Climatherm pipe saves the Sales Offices
day in wet environment . . . . . . .59 David Schulte, Publisher
Hybrid water heater meets students’ Midwest, Southeast,
demands in vintage dorm . . . . . .60 Eastern Canada
1838 Techny Court
In the News Northbrook, IL 60062
847/564-1127
PHCC part of water-efficiency group . .6
Fax: [phone]
The Pulse: Material prices still down;
[email protected]
fuel prices on the move; new tech
for old tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Brad Burnside, East
INDUSTRY MOVERS . . . . . . . . . . .12
1838 Techny Court
Exec’s club: Mike Paparone of ECR . .16
Northbrook, IL 60062
Coalition of producers deem natural
847/564-1127
gas fuel of choice . . . . . . . . . . .54
Fax: [phone]
Letter to the Editor: Industry better off
[email protected]
with fewer trade shows . . . . . . . .56
HeatingHelp’s The Wall . . . . . . . . .58
Diane Spangler, West, Texas
Grundfos Pumps strategizes for steady
Diane Spangler
growth, holds fast to course . . . .76
P.O. Box 9802
Product news:
Fountain Valley, CA 92728
Boilers, water heaters . . . . .64 - 69
714/839-6700
Product update . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Fax: [phone]
Tool crib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
[email protected]
From the Editors
Direct subscription
Radio blowhards take shaky aim
inquiries to:
at green movement . . . . . . . . . .82
Cynthia Lewis
Creative Data Services
Grundfos in growth mode — pg. 76
519 E. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
[email protected]
630-739-0900 x203
Fax: [phone]
TMB Publishing, Inc.
Tom M. Brown Jr., President
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6 Phc News—JANUARY 2009
PHCC joins Water Efficiency Research Coalition
In brief
American Water Heaters
FALLS CHURCH, VA. — At a ceremony projects that will aid or assist in the tify plumbers across the nation on the eligible for tax credit
at the U.S. Environmental Protection development of more water efficient environmental impact and technical
ASHLAND CITY, TENN. — The primary
Agency, the Plumbing-Heating- and sustainable plumbing products, aspects of water and energy efficient
focus of 2009 is on two things — the
Cooling Contractors — National systems and practices. Sample poten- technologies.
economy and the environment.
tial research topics include: drainline Working with interested state and
American Water Heaters is proud to
carry research on high-efficiency toi- local groups that are part of its nation-
announce they can help with both of
lets; water re-use systems and safe al chapter network, PHCC will sched-
these concerns in 2009 by offering
applications for re-use water; non- ule and promote the programs to
several models of high efficiency
water consuming urinals; and sizing of members, non-member contractors
water heaters that will allow the con-
water-efficient plumbing systems. The and potential sponsors. This will help
sumer to receive a $300 tax credit.
coalition will seek government grants expand awareness about the already
and private party financing to fund the successful training program to the
NATE Bowl champion announced
research projects. industry and general public.
ARLINGTON, VA. — North American
“The plumbers are on the firing line GreenPlumbers training currently
Technician Excellence (NATE) —
when new technologies come to mar- consists of a five-course, 32-hour,
ket,” PHCC’s Green Construction and accreditation in Climate Care,
Water Conservation Task Force Caring For Our Water, Solar Hot
Mary Ann Dickinson, executive director Chairman Kevin Tindall, Tindall and Water. Water Efficient Technology
for the Alliance for Water Efficiency and Ranson Plumbing & Heating, and Inspection Report Service. Five
Ike Casey, executive vice president, Princeton, N.J., said at the signing elective workshops will be intro-
PHCC, sign an agreement that saw the ceremony. duced in 2009 — Natural
PHCC become part of the Water Wastewater Treatment, Commercial
PHCC forms partnership
Efficiency Research Coalition. Hot Water Systems, Principles in
with GreenPlumbers USA
Pumps, Urban Irrigation Systems
www.natex.org — announced the
Association (PHCC) signed an agree- The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling and Cooling Tower Efficiency — to
NATE Bowl grand-prize winner of a
ment to be part of a new Water Contractors — National Association expand knowledge gained in the core
trip for two to Super Bowl XLIII in
Efficiency Research Coalition. and GreenPlumbers® USA have program.
Tampa, Fla. is BW Service Experts,
The coalition will support research formed a partnership to train and cer- For more info, www.phccweb.org.
Mishawaka, Ind.
Grundfos holds grand opening at Allentown facility The NATE Bowl competition,
ety of working pump displays. The
which kicked off in February, was a
ALLENTOWN, PA. — Grundfos Pumps Grundfos to improve its outreach “trade show on wheels” occupies an
fun and rewarding way to build
Corp. recently held a grand opening among customers in the Northeast. entire 18-wheel truck with bold
interest in getting more technicians
of its substantially enlarged training graphics outside and, inside, a class-
certified and recertified in 2008.
and fabrication facility in Allentown. room for hands-on training and a
The plant was expanded by 64,000 complete movie theater for 40 or
A.O. Smith rep opens
sq .ft. to a total of 104,000 sq. ft. in size more visitors.
energy efficiency showroom
at a cost of $4.5 million. Growth of the
BrassCraft offers online access
ASHLANDCITY, TENN.— Wales-Darby,
facility permits Grundfos to expand
to plumbing product info Inc., one of A. O. Smith’s leading
local assembly operations of commer-
representatives in the Metro New
cial and industrial product, service and NOVI, MICH. — It’s easy to recognize
York/Long Island/New Jersey area,
distribution through Eastern U.S. and the innovation in BrassCraft’s reno-
recently opened an energy-efficien-
Canada. The company also has vated website, www.brasscraft.com.
cy showroom at their Islandia, N.Y.,
increased training activities there for They received facility tours, saw Structured to reflect the company’s
location. Designed as a multipur-
partners on the East coast. assembly and test facility opera- new product strategies, the redesign
pose facility, the Wales-Darby
During the day, manufacturer rep, tions, and also spent time at multi- utilizes rich visuals to reveal breadth
Energy Room provides a setting
OEM partner, commercial engineer- ple product stations within of selection, and to effortlessly guide
dedicated to the display of function-
ing, contractor and wholesale dis- Grundfos’ impressive new Mobile plumbing contractors and whole-
al HVAC/plumbing products and sys-
tributor visitors learned about the Education Center (MEC), a mobile salers through the site. More compre-
tems that present real, energy-effi-
expansion and how it now enables product laboratory with a wide vari- hensive information is coupled with
cient and eco-conscious alternatives
uncomplicated navigation. That
to standard efficiency options.
Taco makes acquisition tem selling. This is another way in makes getting very specific, very easy
which Taco will create value for our — and very quick. Two clicks gets to
Sears Holdings offers
CRANSTON, R.I. — Taco, Inc. has customers, further diversify the Taco all there is to know. online marketplace
announced that it has acquired the product line and continue to move
Sea Tech revamps website Launching this spring,
assets of Innovex Technologies, a away from the industry’s tendency of
ServiceLive.com, from Sears
Lewiston, ME-based manufacturer of simply selling cast iron by the pound. WILMINGTON, N.C.— Sea Tech released
Holdings, is a new online market-
Intelligent Building Systems products “This acquisition will provide Taco its new revamped website www.sea
place for one-stop hassle-free home
(IBS), that include stand alone con- with a technology platform that will techinc.com. The site’s visual naviga-
improvements and repairs.
trol devices and accessories that offer incorporate our existing line of tion and search capabilities were com-
ServiceLive.com offers plumbers
a complete control solution for both pumps, hydronic controls and elec- pletely overhauled to make finding
throughout the country a simple
residential and commercial buildings. tronic control products along with products easier and quicker. The new
and effective way to stay busier
Announcement of the acquisition our unique LoadMatch single pipe detailed product pages include photos,
and fill in open time in their sched-
was made by Taco President and heating and cooling system into a net- descriptions and literature links. The
ules without spending money on
CEO, John Hazen White, Jr. worked controls solution that pro- new Sea Tech website provides down-
marketing. The service connects
White said, “The addition of the vides comfort in an energy efficient loaded literature including specifica-
customers online with various
Innovex Technologies product line is and environmentally friendly man- tion sheets, installation instructions
home projects — including plumb-
consistent with Taco’s strategy to ner. This is a huge opportunity for and sales brochures.
ing services — with local providers
expand its electronics product offer- Taco, its employees and the industry Sea Tech, Inc., is a division of Watts
who can complete the job.
ing and our continued focus on sys- as a whole,” added Mr. White. Water Technologies.
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8 Phc News—JANUARY 2009
NIBCO unveils General Pipe Cleaners
DURA-PEX manifold offers limited-time rebate
ELKHART, IND. — NIBCO Inc. unveils MCKEES ROCKS, PA. — General Pipe
its patent pending DURA-PEX Home- Cleaners makes it easier for plumbing
Run manifold which is now available and drain cleaning pros to get the
from 6 ports through 40 ports. Power-Vee™ hand-held drain cleaner
Molded from high density polyethyl- with automatic feed.
ene then cross-linked into PEX for For a limited time, you can get a $20
high strength and heat resistance rebate. After you get your best deal on
properties, the Home-Run manifold a Power-Vee from your favorite General
is ideal for residential and commer- distributor, just send the original rebate
cial applications. ad (see page 31) with your sales
For more info, www.nibco.com. receipt and warranty card to General.
General will send you $20! The Power-
Vee must be purchased between
Gerber achieves WaterSense certification
January 1, 2009 and March 31, 2009.
Offer expires March 31, 2009.
WOODRIDGE, ILL. — Gerber Plumbing tor of marketing for Gerber. “What’s The Power-Vee with automatic feed
Fixtures’ new high-efficiency decora- more, Gerber’s bathroom faucets pro- is like having an extra hand in tight General’s automatic feed propels
tive bathroom faucets have achieved vide homeowners with both high style spots! General’s Power Cable Feed tough Flexicore® cable at up to 16
certification by the U.S. and superior performance in the power drain cleaner easily unclogs feet per minute. And it handles 1/4",
Environmental Protection Agency’s bathroom. No loss of water pressure is drains from 11/4" to 3" in diameter in 5/16" and 3/8" cables — with no adjust-
(EPA) WaterSense Program. Offering evident with our low flow faucets” sinks, tubs, and laundry drains. ment or additional parts required.
water at 1.5 gpm (gallons per minute) According to the EPA, WaterSense Just squeeze the feed lever, and the Quick-change cartridges make cable
as compared to the industry standard labeled products are about 20 percent cable spins itself into the line. changing clean and easy.
2.2 gpm, Gerber’s latest faucets help more water efficient and perform bet- Retracting the cable is just as easy. For more info, www.drainbrain.com.
ter than their less efficient counter-
homeowners significantly reduce
parts in the same category. Taco announces 2009 factory training schedule
water use and save money on water
and energy bills.
“If every American home installed a CRANSTON, R.I.— Taco has announced Team members.
WaterSense labeled bathroom sink its 2009 Factory Training Schedule of • The Compleat Boiler Room (CBR)
faucet or faucet accessories, we could advanced hydronics training sessions — This course, focusing on the latest
save more than $350 million in water to be held at its Cranston facility. in controls and products, will discuss
utility bills, more than $600 million in Three advanced courses for hydronics sizing and near-boiler piping along
energy costs (for heating water), and installers and designers will be offered with proper sizing/application of cir-
more than 60 billion gallons of water next year. Each class runs for two con- culators and zone valves and zoning
per year,” said Kevin McJoynt, direc- secutive days. To participate atten- strategies. Extensive hands-on oppor-
dees must be registered Taco FloPro tunities are part of the class.
• Strictly Radiant (SR) — This
course focuses on all things radiant:
concepts and theories behind radiant
heating, real-world temperature con-
Introducing our newest energy stars trol strategies, advanced zoning tech-
niques and boiler piping strategies –
all with lots of hands-on opportunities
Baxi Luna HT 380 and Baxi Luna 3 Comfort
included.
• Hydronic Heat Loss & Design
(HHD) — This course focuses on how
Baxi Luna HT 380 Baxi Luna 3 Comfort to conduct an accurate and effective
is a modulating, is a modulating wall-hung
residential heat loss analysis in two
condensing CH & DHW combi boiler (up to 89%
ways – with pencil and paper, the old
wallhung boiler (up to EE) – an ideal companion
fashioned way, and on laptops
98% EE) that produces with a Baxi solar water
3.9 gpm @ 80ºF (cid:54)T. heating system. employing Taco’s newly introduced
Green Builder preferred, Modulates from 105M FloPro Design Software.
this whisper-quiet to 35M Btu/hr, and is Classes are scheduled in three peri-
appliance modulates also popular with LEED
ods beginning at the end of February
fully from 112M down to Builders, – saving
and concluding in mid-June 2009:
32M Btu/hr – cutting fuel fuel, money, emissions
consumption by up to and valuable living • Trimester 1:
60%, and emitting 90% space (closet-install Feb. 26-27 CBR
less carbons, 80% approved). Mar. 12-13 SR
less NOx. Mar. 19-20 CBR
• Trimester 2:
Apr. 16-17 SR
Visit Booth 2157
Apr. 23-24 HHD
at AHR EXPO May 7-8 CBR
• Trimester 3:
Jun. 4-5 SR
Jun. 18-19 HHD
Jul. 16-17 CBR
Circle 6 on Reader Reply Card For more info, taco-hvac.com.
IS A SLOWER MARKET
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ask for Ken, or visit our website
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Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® has moved up from
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February 6, 2009 - Sarasota, FL
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® has moved up from
#423 to #249 in the U.S. by Entrepreneur magazine's February 13, 2009 - Las Vegas, NV
Franchise 500®.**
*Franchise Times Monitor calculates the Fast 55 using the following methodology:1) The brand has been franchising for five years or less.2) They must exhibit positive franchise unit growth for
each year during this period.3) They are awarded a ranking by the fastest unit growth during the last year.Rankings are neither approved nor supported by your applicable state franchise board.
**The source is Entrepreneur magazine and their Franchise 500®rating system, which annually initiates questionnaires to all known U.S.and Canadian franchisors.Judging criteria is financial
strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system, including the number of years in business and length of time franchising, startup costs, litigation, percentage of terminations and
whether financing is provided, and upon audited financials.Based upon the approximately 75% of responses they receive from the franchisors, scores are compiled for the past five years or
less, and those rankings are awarded in January.
Minn.Reg.F-4264 Benjamin Franklin Franchising, L.L.C., 50 Central Avenue, Suite 920, Sarasota, FL 34236.You should not take the franchisor’s statement or their experiences as an inference
that a purchase of a franchise is a safe investment or that failure, loss or default is impossible or unlikely, or that earnings or profits are assured.
© 2008 Clockwork Home Services, Inc.
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TTHHEE
10 Phc News—JANUARY 2009
PPUULLSSEE
Tool Tips
Inside the trade which feeds the bit into the wood
while the fluted shaft ejects the scrap
What we’re hearing wood. When drilling a hole, unfore-
with Hackman
seen nail encounters are often cata-
strophic for an auger bit. The screw
tip and/or cutting edge are damaged
AGC reports materials price plunge continues or broken when it hits the nail.
Recently, bi-metal technology has
been applied to ship auger bits to work
WASHINGTON — According to Ken ISM began tracking the Backlog of through the problem of nail strikes,
Simonson, chief economist of the Orders Index in January 1993. including stainless steel nails and
Associated General Contractors of Manufacturers are reducing invento- sheet rock hardened screws. The bi-
America (AGC), materials prices ries and shutting down capacity to metal technology fuses two premium
continue to plunge following the offset the slower rate of activity.”
Bi-Metal Ship Augers
sharp run-up of the first half of Respondents listed the following
2008. According to its monthly sur- items relevant to construction as
vey of purchasing executives in down in price in November: construc- Tool Tips features trade tips from
manufacturing, the Institute for tion; copper pipe, fittings and prod- Lee “HACKMAN” Breton, market-
Supply Management (ISM) said that ucts; diesel fuel; fuel surcharges; PVC ing services manager for
its index of prices paid by non-man- pipe and fittings; steel and stainless LENOX®, team HACKMAN event manag-
ufacturing purchasing executives steel products and plate. Respondents er and car cutter extraordinaire. Every
fell to the lowest level since the to the manufacturing survey listed month, HACKMAN shares insight from
index began in 1997. aluminum, copper and steel as both his 25+ years in the tool industry.
The survey reported, up and down in price. No items were A ship auger bit is great tool to use
“Manufacturing activity continued to listed in short supply in either survey. when drilling holes through wood. For
decline at a rapid rate during the The Associated General electricians, they are useful for
month of December. The decline cov- Contractors of America (AGC) is the steels together giving the bit extreme
ers the full breadth of manufacturing largest and oldest national construc- durability. Nail encounters are no
industries, as none of the industries tion trade association in the United match for the high speed steel cutting
in the sector report growth at this States. AGC represents more than screw tip and cutting edge of bi-metal.
time. New orders have contracted for 33,000 firms, including 7,500 of When looking for a bi-metal bit it’s
13 consecutive months, and are at America’s leading general contrac- important to look for one designed
the lowest level on record going back tors, and over 12,500 specialty-con- with a parabolic screw tip for fast, easy
to January 1948. Order backlogs tracting firms. For more information. drilling with an over-sized head that
have fallen to the lowest level since www.agc.org. allows the bit to be removed from the
hole easily. Bits are available in two
lengths 71/2" and 18", and range in
Current prices diameters 3/8" to 11/2". They can also
be re-sharpened with a diamond file.
I highly recommend giving the bi-
metal ship auger bits a try, especially
Fuels drilling through studs to run wire. if you are doing remodeling work
Plumbers use them to drill holes for where nail encounters are common.
inserting tubing and pipe. If you have any questions or com-
Gasoline Diesel
Carbon steel ship auger bits are ments for HACKMAN, email him at
available in various sizes and lengths. [email protected] or visit
Area ¢/gal. Change Area ¢/gal. Change They are designed with a screw tip www.lenoxtools.com. (cid:0)
U.S. average fi U.S. average fi
168.4 229.1
Training Center
East Coast fi East Coast fi
164.2 238.0
Leading contractor commits to industry training
New England fi New England fi
166.9 259.6
GAINESVILLE, FLA. — Industrial industry-wide recruitment and
Central Atlantic Central Atlantic
fi fi Specialty Contractors, Baton image campaign is essential to
166.7 249.6
Rouge, La., has agreed to con- the long-term growth of the
Lower Atlantic Lower Atlantic
fi fi
161.6 231.0 tribute funds for workforce devel- industry,” said NCCER president
Midwest fi Midwest fi opment and recruitment initia- Don Whyte.
173.3 227.2 tives by signing a National “Signing the National
Gulf Coast fi Gulf Coast fi Training Service Agreement with Training Service Agreement
154.7 222.8
the National Center for allows us to demonstrate a
Rocky Mountain fi Rocky Mountain fi Construction Education and training commitment to our
149.5 221.5
West Coast fi West Coast fi Research (NCCER). Industrial employees, our customers, and
184.6 227.5 Specialty Contractors is the first the industry,” said Jerry
California fi California fi company to contribute an extra Rispone, president, Industrial
187.4 223.9 cent toward industry recruitment Specialty Contractors.
and image enhancement initia- The National Training Service
Metals
tives for the industry. Agreement is an industry-dri-
“With nearly two million work- ven funding mechanism that
*Copper **Aluminum
fi fi
$1.48/lb. $.71/lb. ers needed over the next seven uses cents-per-hour funds to
years, the broad availability of provide quality training to the
Prices valid as of 1/05/09. Fuel information courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy training and our ability to fund an construction workforce.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp. Arrows indicate change from previous issue.
* Copper prices according to NYMEX.com. ** Aluminum prices according to metalprices.com.