Robert Mader

Editor in Chief, Penton Media

Bob Mader is the editor of CONTRACTOR magazine, Green Mechanical Contractor magazine, and Radiant Living magazine. He has been writing about plumbing, mechanical, green building and HVACR topics for more than 25 years.

Posts by Robert Mader

May. 14, 2012

How to spend millions on a dubious DOE program

It has long been the opinion of many within the HVAC industry that BPI “standards” related to HVAC industry did not adequately address the rigorous....More
May. 12, 2012

PILC — bad acronym, stellar group to watch

“The real purpose and value of our coming together is that I don’t want anyone else creating our industry’s future for us,” Russ Chaney said. “It’s....More
Apr. 10, 2012

What about science and engineering?

I recently got a book in the mail from the conservative Heartland Institute entitled Roosters of the Apocalypse. In addition to being one of the....More
Apr. 10, 2012

IAPMO is exactly the right home for the new RPA

When IAPMO stepped in to salvage what was left of the RPA, we were relieved especially since the words “plumbing and mechanical” are part of its name....More
Mar. 5, 2012

Why George Brazil is important to all of us

I owe an immense debt to the Frank Blau's, the George Brazil's, the Mike Diamond's, and, more recently for me anyway, the David Heimer's and Matt....More
Feb. 29, 2012

U.S. Water supply will need $1 trillion in improvements

Investment needs for buried drinking water infrastructure total more than $1 trillion nationwide over the next 25 years (between 2011 and 2035), if....More
Feb. 21, 2012

Why is everything crammed together on water heaters?

A Utah plumbing contractor, Ted Keane, wrote to me recently with a beef about tank-type water heaters. Ted feels that all of the components on tank....More
Feb. 13, 2012

Will a solar dumping finding make a difference?

WHEN I ATTENDED the Solar Power International Show last fall, the people from the Solar Energy Industries Association seemed a little gun-shy about....More
Jan. 20, 2012

Send well wishes to ailing George Brazil

Service Roundtable member Kenneth D. Goodrich, president of the Western Zone for ARS/Rescue Rooter in Las Vegas, informs us that industry icon George....More
Jan. 11, 2012

Forecast is cautious but at least it’s up

Associated Builders....More