CONTENTS FEB 2011


COVER STORY


Radiant Retrofit: In with the new


Randy and Deanna Steffy’s outdated electric baseboard heat was letting them down. Here’s how they got a new radiant-floor system that never leaves them in the cold.


On the cover: Bill Aller (standing) and Tavi Nistor of Haldeman Mechanical Inc. set up a radiant manifold.


p 46 www.phcnews.com 32


BUSINESS RESOURCES + TOOLS


20 Ellen Rohr Letters, we get letters.


24 Video future Tomorrow’s video pipe inspection here today.


26 TOOL CRIB PLUMBING


28 Richard Ditoma Don’t give your expertise away.


Pump Specification Choosing the correct grinder pump.


36 Backflow tech The old field of backflow prevention heats up.


FASTER


FEWER LEAK PATHS


REPLACES:


• One-piece valve replaces 7 individual components


• Simultaneously drain, fl ush and refi ll any hydronic system


• Eliminates 6 leak paths & saves nearly an hour of labor


• T-pattern fl ow path quickly and easily isolates the fl ow between the two hose thread valves


• Flow is diverted in one hose thread valve and out the other hose thread valve


www.webstonevalves.com Tel: (800) 225-9529


G U AR AN T EE D F O R e Circle 3 on reader reply card L I F E 52


46 Radiant makeover Neighborhood role model gets radiant retrofit.


48 Condensing tankless PVC venting makes installation far easier.


50 Geothermal Exchange Organization GEO links industry, government.


51, 59 PRODUCTS


MECHANICAL CONTRACTING


Morris Beschloss Construction in doldrums but 2011 looking up.


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39 Copper Habitat Habitat homes get copper sprinkler systems.


40 PRODUCTS INSTALLATION HYDRONICS


42 Dan Holohan The Rodney Dangerfield of radiators.


44 John Barba Do you really know how to figure heat loss?


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