Celebrating Women's History Month and Women in Construction Week, Plumbing & Mechanical shines a spotlight on ten influential women reshaping the plumbing industry. Challenging stereotypes, they demonstrate that gender doesn't determine skill in this field. Their stories inspire inclusivity and highlight the importance of attracting more women to the trades.

Attracted to the industrial sector and craving tangible proof of work, Lisa Lyon found fulfillment at Webstone after leaving a dissatisfying job with a grueling commute. Seeing tradespeople making a meaningful impact each day, she was drawn to manufacturing and knew Webstone was the right fit for her.

Amy Hart of Continental Plumbing Services got into plumbing after her husband needed help with his business. She's passionate about apprenticeship programs and believes that representation is important to attract more women to the field. Her advice for women is to be confident and get involved in the industry.

Meet Alayna Chavez, plumber at Parker & Sons. She took advantage of free trade school opportunities and took the chance at plumbing. That was seven years ago and she hasn't turned back since.

The future for young women in this industry is now as bright as anyone wants it to be. If a young woman wants to work her way all the way up to the C-suite, the opportunities are there, and that is so exciting to see.

Meet Katie Byrd, CEO of Clarksburg Plumbing. Formerly a pharmacy technician, she decided to stay home to raise her twin boys and help out with her family business.  The rest is history.

Heat pumps are growing in importance due to climate change. Extensive investment in heat pump technology has led to higher heating capacities and smaller equipment sizes.

The skilled trades industry is booming, and a new generation of passionate individuals is eager to join the workforce. Let's support and guide them to become the leaders of tomorrow. With my optimism and ideas, we can pave the way to their success. So, let's dive in and explore these ideas together!

The AHR Expo was held in Chicago's McCormick Convention Center from Jan. 22-24, 2024. Over 48,000 attendees interacted with 1,875 exhibitors across the North and South Halls, with 527,520 sq. ft. of space for products, technologies, and skill demonstrations.

There is a growing interest in adding air-to-water heat pumps to existing hydronic heating systems. While I support their use, I do not recommend replacing a perfectly good cast-iron boiler that still has a long service life.