Most of our clothes come in small, medium, large and extra large. Contractors have the very same options for the size of their businesses, but unfortunately they can't simply make their selection from the shelves of a department store.

We've talked about the implications of long radiant floor circuits in the past. They do cut down on hardware, such as manifold connections. They also speed the installation. But what about thermal performance? Can the use of a “high head” circulator correct for the potential thermal degradation due to an extra long circuit?

Is there anyone reading this who doesn't rank hiring, retention and training as among the thorniest business issues?

Fire safety. Now there's a merit badge in the making! We are surrounded by heating appliances that rely on a flame to work, but we take for granted that they'll all work safely.

I was fortunate enough to be born into a construction family and work my whole life among the proud people of this great industry. Just as so many of these industrious people helped me become successful, I have dedicated my life to helping everyone I could in any situation.

When I first moved out to Phoenix, I brought the souvenirs of my career with me - a bad back and bad knees. My wife suggested that I sign up for a yoga class, which I did for stretching and such.

For most of my life, I've been on wheels of some sort. After the typical wheeled walkers and tricycles, I graduated to a real 20-inch Schwinn with a coaster brake.

If I'd been born a boy, I probably would have been an engineer. I was born a girl, and I'm so glad, because I get to use a toy pink pig and stickers to teach the black-and-white, no-frills subject of electricity.

Last fall the PM columnists were all challenged to write about their “secret life” for their January columns. The idea was to write about something they do or enjoy that's a bit outside their normal monthly specialty.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 85 percent of the United States has to cope with hard water - water with excessive levels of calcium and magnesium. While hard water is not considered to be unhealthy for people to drink, it can be very unhealthy for household plumbing, cleaning processes and water-using appliances.