Industry News

Watts has announced “Pressure Management for Water Loss Control in Public Water Systems” – an ASPE-accredited webinar worth 0.1 CEUs.

On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 12 p.m. EST, participants will learn how managing pressure in public water systems both improves water efficiency and mitigates water losses.

Attendees will also learn how active management of pressure in Public Water Systems (PWS) helps to meet service needs while extending asset life and reducing instances of infrastructure failure. Through actively managing pressure, a PWS is able to address the EPA’s Intervention step for real water losses.

The webinar will review:

• Providing cost-effective solutions to water loss control.
• Understanding effective control valve features in managing “background” leakage.
• The value of retrofitting existing control valves to mitigate real water losses in public water systems.
• Adding double check control valve stations to mitigate water pressure transients and backsiphonage conditions.

To register, click here.

To promote industry education, Watts has announced its 3rd Annual “Hydrate Your Mind” eLearning campaign for plumbing professionals.

The campaign runs from March 22 (World Water Day) to April 30. By completing select sustainability-focused eLearning modules on Watts Works Online, customers will receive double tokens that can be redeemed for free lifestyle merchandise. Those who complete at least 65 selected modules during the promotion will receive a free sustainable t-shirt.

For nearly 150 years, Watts has been committed to enhancing comfort, safety, and quality of life for people around the world.

Watts aims to provide high-quality products, systems, and solutions for the conveyance, conservation, control, and safe utilization of water.

• Watts’ 150+ modules cover a variety of products and solutions and average less than 7 minutes to complete.
• Double tokens are awarded following each successful eLearning module completion

To register for Watts Works Online training and to participate in the promotion, visit training.watts.com. To explore all training opportunities provided by Watts, go to www.watts.com/training.

Both companies recognize enormous potential to bring efficiencies to the HVAC industry

Bluon, Inc. and Sera Systems, Inc., two of the most innovative software companies in HVAC, announce their plan to join forces to modernize and bring a new level of productivity to the HVAC industry from OEM to distributor to contractor to technician and all the way to the consumer.

HVAC is a well-established $150 billion industry, yet Gallup estimates that on average HVAC businesses are operating at a staggering low 38% efficiency. Together, Bluon and Sera, for the first time, can materially impact these inefficiencies through the combined power of their next-generation platforms, which are both focused on creating far more efficient and effective technicians in the field.

Bluon, home of the largest HVAC community on earth, supports HVAC contractors, and their technicians in the field, while connecting them with their local brick-and-mortar distributors increasing their quality of life, productivity and bottom line. With Bluon, techs finally have a single source that is brand-agnostic for community interaction, equipment documentation, live 24/7 tech support and for acquiring parts and materials from their local distributors. Bluon provides the first data and transactional throughline from OEM to distributor to contractor to technician, providing material value to each.

Sera, the fastest growing field service management software in the industry, partners with contractors to improve their bottom line by optimizing key business levers: time management, tech efficiency, cash flow and membership management. Sera’s unique platform and consultative approach enables small, medium and large contractors alike to see an enormous impact on their business in just a few months. As a result, Sera’s customers are guaranteed to improve their margins by 50% or more within six months.

“From the very beginning, Sera was developed to bring efficiencies to all areas of a contractor’s business. With Bluon, we are realizing efficiencies we never thought possible,” said Billy Stevens, CEO and founder of Sera.

Bluon and Sera plan to integrate their two innovative platforms, which will create the first comprehensive solution connecting contractors up and down the supply chain — bringing material value to all stakeholders, including OEMs, distributors and end user customers.

The power of a Bluon-Sera integration is their combined ability to impact and monetize so many channels connected to the contractor through their interaction and value created with their distributors, customers and even OEMs. This creates a clear and not too distant future, where direct SaaS fees will no longer be needed for a combined offering. The very use of the software creates substantial revenue streams as it provides direct tangible value to the stakeholders paying to connect to the Bluon-Sera next generation ecosystem. This is the future.

“This integration is laying the foundation for a future where contractors, small and large, won’t be charged a penny to have access to a suite of services and best-in-class software tools. The idea of making these services and tools readily available to the small one-to-five-man shops — which make up 65% of the industry! — is truly exciting!” said Bluon CEO and founder Peter Capuciati.

Today, Bluon and Sera announce their plans to begin integration while they encourage each other’s customers to adopt both platforms to gain immediate and meaningful benefit during the 2023 season. This approach will not only bring substantial value to their shared contractor customers, but will provide valuable insights and feedback to inform the full integration of their two innovative platforms.

The international nonprofit recognizes leading manufacturer’s tankless water heaters and ultra high efficiency tank gas water heaters for efficient, green restaurant operation

Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading American manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announces that its Infiniti® GS and GR tankless water heaters and select eF Series® Ultra High Efficiency commercial tank gas water heaters have been certified by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), the leading voice within the Green Restaurant movement, for use in GRA-certified restaurants.

Installation and use of GRA-certified products helps restaurants achieve and maintain Green Restaurant certification, the industry’s highest standard for sustainability.

“Bradford White and the GRA share a commitment to helping businesses reach their operational efficiency goals,” said Carl Pinto, Jr., senior director of marketing communications for Bradford White. “This certification recognizes our innovation in creating high-performing products that reduce energy consumption so businesses can operate with maximum efficiency while making a meaningful difference.”

With stainless steel heat exchangers, optional rack mounts and multiple venting options, the Bradford White ENERGY STAR®-certified Infiniti® GS and GR tankless water heaters combine reliability with flexibility to meet the demands of both residential and commercial applications and accommodate a variety of installations.  The Infiniti® GR boasts an integrated recirculation pump with a dedicated connection.  The Infiniti® GS offers a high-end temperature setting of 180° F and is cascadable up to 16 units.  Both models are available for use with natural gas or propane.

Bradford White’s ENERGY STAR®-certified EF60T125 and EF100T commercial tank gas water heaters feature BMS integration, protective powered anodes, Vitraglas® lining with Microban® antimicrobial technology, thermal efficiency up to 97%, ICON HD® controls, direct spark ignition, three-pass fire-tube heat-exchanger system, and an installed T&P relief valve.

Founded in 1990, the GRA is an international nonprofit organization that encourages restaurants to green their operations using science-based certification standards. The GRA’s certification standards provide a transparent way to measure a restaurant’s environmental accomplishments and offer a pathway for increasing environmental sustainability. Restaurants earn GreenPoints™ toward certification in eight categories, including energy consumption.

For more information about GRA, visit https://www.dinegreen.com/.

For more information about Bradford White Water Heaters, visit https://www.bradfordwhite.com.