A recent Plumbing & Mechanical survey finds the I=B=R Schools remain a well-known brand name in hydronic education.

We sent surveys to 1,500 respondents, split basically down the middle between PM subscribers and contractors who had attended an I=B=R seminar in the past year.

Regardless of actual attendance, almost 100 percent of respondents recognized the “I=B=R Schools” name for hydronic heating education. Likewise, a strong majority indicated that the I=B=R designation would influence their likelihood of attending an I=B=R course. Knowing that the Hydronics Institute Division of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association developed the I=B=R Schools also got high marks in influencing decisions to attend a course.

The survey indicated that control selection and boiler sizing, wiring, and zoning were popular topics. The months of February, March, April and May were the best months to attend. A two-day course - which is how long each I=B=R School lasts - were the ideal length of time. Weekends and nights were not popular times to attend.

Here are the dates and locations for I=B=R Schools in March and April 2005. To register online, visit www.bnpmedia.com/conferences, or call 888/530-6714:

    March 15-16, Bridgeport, Ct.
    March 17-18, Springfield, Mass.
    April 5-6, Grand Rapids, Mich.
    April 7-8, Saginaw, Mich.
    April 19-20, Utica, N.Y.
    April 21-22, Buffalo, N.Y.
In related news, contractor Dennis Sommers, Scaran Heating & Cooling in Staten Island, N.Y., won a free registration to an I=B=R School. Sommers name was picked at random from those who responded to the survey.