| Plumbing & Mechanical

The January 2025 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical features our cover story on duel-fuel solutions that offer the best of both worlds. Read additional features including busting myths about CPVC fire sprinkler systems, featured columns, and much more!

Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric work truck as a backdrop for a marketing video.

Editor's Note | Nicole Krawcke

Why plumbing contractors must embrace video in 2025

Google is prioritizing video content for ranking results.

Nicole Krawcke

January 15, 2025

Video marketing is crucial for plumbing and HVAC contractors to stand out and build credibility. Using smartphones for easy video creation and sharing on platforms like YouTube helps contractors become trusted industry experts.

Man has a plumbing mishap with the kitchen sink as water gushes from the broken tap.

Guest Editorial | Roland Ligtenberg

Transform emergency plumbing services with smarter technology solutions

Make emergency services seamless, transparent and reliable.

Roland Ligtenberg

January 14, 2025

Homeowners in plumbing emergencies prefer hassle-free service. Companies excelling in seamless booking and reliability use technology and CRM systems to automate tasks and enhance customer service.

Man in a business suit holding virtual digital marketing words and icons.

Guest Editorial | Katie Donovan

Preparing for 2025: Strategies to navigate rising costs and evolving customer behavior in home services

How contractors should handle the rising costs to acquire leads.

Katie Donovan

January 13, 2025

As 2024 ends, the home services industry is seeing rising lead costs and more complex customer journeys. In 2025, businesses should focus on generating quality leads, leveraging data and AI for optimization, and mapping customer journeys to enhance profitability.

Black chess pieces in a line behind one yellow chess piece over white background.

Serving Plumbing Pros | Matt Michel

8 ways to stand out from your competitors

Make the difference the difference

Matt Michel

January 10, 2025

Most plumbing companies tend to look alike, making it difficult for them to stand out. The challenge for owners is to identify a unique difference from competitors and promote it effectively.

Illustration of a businessman holding up a large orange arrow with a rope.

The Blue Collar Coach | Kenny Chapman

Cultural resilience: Is your home services business ready for change in 2025?

Ensure your company is culturally healthy and resilient, inside and out.

Kenny Chapman

January 9, 2025

In Europe, businesses emphasize their external impact over internal corporate culture, as seen in the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This highlights the growing importance of cultural resilience, blending community and sustainability with traditional values. Companies should therefore balance internal practices with their external footprint.

Heating Perceptions | Scott Secor

Low-pressure steam boiler piping gets much-needed replacement

71-year-old piping failure at an apartment complex resulted in many challenges.

Scott Secor

January 8, 2025

We tackled issues at a 1953 apartment complex with a failing steam system, repairing pumps and leaks. This year, we discovered significant deterioration in the 6-inch steel steam main while preparing for its replacement, highlighting the poor condition of the aging infrastructure.

Contractor's Corner | Dave Yates

Staying safe in extreme weather

Baby, it’s cold outside!

Dave Yates

January 6, 2025

In January 1979, a plumber dealt with severe winter emergencies, including a radiator explosion and frozen pipes. Reflecting on past experiences like a romantic evening turned dangerous by extreme cold, he faced unpredictable challenges in his trade.

HVAC Technician Installing Large Modern Heat Pump

Hydronics Workshop | John Siegenthaler

Adding functionality to heat pump systems

Expanding a concept — part one.

January 2, 2025

Standardized piping layouts for air-to-water heat pumps can improve acceptance by facilitating a basic heating system that uses a monobloc heat pump with a 30% propylene glycol solution for freeze protection.

Keefer Rader, owner of Outlaw Mechanical.

Duel-fuel solution offers best of both worlds

Hydronic electrification leverages residential solar.

Dan Vastyan

January 7, 2025

Keefer Rader of Outlaw Mechanical integrated hydronic heat pumps into a solar-powered home, using a dual-fuel system with U.S. Boiler Co.'s products to manage temperature needs and isolating oxygenated radiant loops with a heat exchanger, completing the retrofit in five days.

Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) installed on a roof

Feature

Why heat pump water heaters are the smart choice for businesses

Three reasons to choose a heat pump water heater.

Ryan Atherley

January 16, 2025

As businesses embrace sustainability, commercial heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) stand out as a smart investment. By utilizing ambient heat and optimizing energy use, these systems significantly cut operational costs and carbon emissions.