Op-Ed Forum
You vote to elect legislators, not regulators
In early 2011 when the PHCC Board of Directors began to develop a new strategic plan, it noted the current Administration’s shift to move its agenda through the regulatory process instead of the legislative process....
Hydronics left behind: Can the trend be reversed?
We don't want to hear it, but the reality is that hydronics are on the endangered species list of space heating. Hydronic heating systems (hot water and steam) have only one third of the market share they held in 1973, according to the Census Bureau. The industry’s share in spec homes is down 80% from 1973. ...
PERC, ASFlow provide drainline carry research update at WaterSmart Innovations
The Plumbing Efficiency Research Coalition, known as PERC, provided an update presentation on its activities and those of their partner organization, the Australasian Scientific Review of Reduction of Flows on Plumbing and Drainage Systems (ASFlow) Committee at the 2011 WaterSmart Innovations Conference in October. Both organizations are working on research programs that seek to investigate the impact of reduced water flows in sanitary drainage systems resulting from reductions in water use from plumbing fixtures and fittings, appliances and commercial and institutional equipment....
PHCC's National Grassroots Network System a true player on Capitol Hill
PHCC is providing expanded grassroots services to its members. This includes monitoring and tracking industry issues on a daily basis, and if need be, mobilizing members to advance a piece of legislation or regulation....
Will you have the right to exist?
It is said that you can put a frog in a pot of water and put it on the stove to boil. The frog will die without moving not knowing that he can jump out and not realizing the water is hot until it is too late. That might be a metaphor for the HVAC service industry. The independent contractor is the frog in the pot of water and the stove is on....
We need efficient systems, not just products
The challenge, I believe, lies in changing the thought process from an efficient component to an efficient system. Ideally, I would submit, an efficient system utilizing the most efficient components available. ...
More than ever, p-h-c industry must get back to grassroots
Now more than ever, members of Congress are reaching out to "the people." They want to hear directly from their constituents in their districts and states and especially from small businesses. It is vitally important to remind lawmakers of the significant contributions small businesses make to local, state and national economies. ...
Be aware of issues and risks of green buildings
As a risk advisor to leading firms around the world, my firm sees a variety of issues and risks emerging for contractors and owners of green buildings. This article outlines some of the issues and practical steps to deal with these new challenges....
Energy Star criteria changes for gas storage water heaters
The first planned increase in Energy Star water heater criteria went into effect on Sept. 1, 2010, increasing the minimum Energy Factor (EF) for gas storage water heaters from 0.62 to 0.67. The criteria for all other Energy Star water heaters remain unchanged....
Let's really do whole home energy improvements
Why is Home Star worth watching? Home Star is a $5 billion package intending to create new jobs and improve American homes through point-of-sale rebates to encourage homeowners to make energy efficiency upgrades. It's easy to support the purposes of Home Star. Serious concerns lie in implementation. ...
OSHA to 15,000 employers: 'Ready or not, here we come'
In early March 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent a letter to approximately 15,000 U.S. employers who had reported higher rates of and more severe workplace injuries than the national average in their respective industries. In most cases, the employers had DART rates (rates of injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activities or job transfers) at twice the national average. ...
Our future will not look like our past
Editor's note: This is a portion of outgoing Mechanical Contractors Association of America President Lonnie Coleman's address to his members at MCAA's recent convention in San Francisco....
Think you recognize a recordable work injury? OSHA may disagree!
The Obama Administration is determined to toughen enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA's new head, David Michaels, said flatly to the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections in March 2010, "Safe jobs exist only when employers have adequate incentives to comply with OSHA's requirements. Those incentives are affected, in turn, by both the magnitude and the likelihood of penalties." ...
Some (easy) ways to use social media to drive business
There are a number of reasons that contractors and other professionals don’t use social media as part of their business. The most common reasons are...
New green codes are powerful tools
Developed by the International Code Council and the cooperating sponsorship of the American Institute of Architects and ASTM International, the highly anticipated Public Version 1.0 of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) offers many exclusive benefits for plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas professionals. But when the IGCC was augmented with ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IEC Standard 189.1, the result is a green construction code that far and away offers the most extensive and superior sustainable building provisions. ...
Code Council ‘plunges’ into World Plumbing Day
Everyone in the building industry knows that plumbers play a huge and critical role to protect public health and safety. But many consumers take for granted what the plumbing industry does to provide ever-better plumbing solutions while being mindful of conserving resources. The World Plumbing Council seeks to change that. ...
Be cautious about HETs in applications
There are two primary concerns related to the proper operation of toilet fixtures flushing performance and drain line carry. While it is fairly easy to...
A Contractor Shares Green Views with Congress
Since I was appointed chair of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors - National Association's Green Plumbing and Water Conservation Task Force last Fall, I have been emphasizing the need for plumbing and HVACR contractors to have a voice in the “green” movement. Well, I got a chance to state my opinions to some really influential people when I testified before Congress on behalf of PHCC on July 10. ...
Bring back consumer energy tax credits
There is no question that today's economy is in peril. Both consumers and small businesses are feeling the financial squeeze. In an effort to stimulate...
Does water conditioning hurt septic systems?
The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) has been formally seeking to understand the influence of water softeners and water conditioners on septic systems....
Energy Law Will Expose Contractors to Potential Liability
Despite major setbacks and opposition from both parties, just before Christmas, Congress overcame all obstacles and passed The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, a massive piece of legislation meant to create and promote energy efficiency and independence across the nation. President Bush signed the legislation into law on Dec. 18, 2007. At first glance, it would not appear that p-h-c contractors will be impacted by this new law; unfortunately, this is not the case. ...
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