Product Spotlight

GF Building Flow Solutions Americas (formerly Uponor North America), a global provider of Uponor-branded products, is launching six new radiant manifold wall cabinets for greater options in residential and commercial projects.

Designed for secure protection, durability, and reliability, the cabinets are available in both recessed or surface mount in various dimensions to meet any residential or commercial radiant application. The entire offering accommodates Uponor Engineered Polymer (EP) and Stainless-Steel Manifolds, but for the first time ever, four of the six new cabinets will accommodate Uponor Commercial Stainless-Steel Manifolds as well.

The recessed styles mount in either a 2×4 or 2×6 stud wall and include a removable door-trim package for a clean look. The surface mounts work on various materials, including concrete block and stud walls, and feature a separable back plate for faster, easier installations. The entire offering includes all necessary fastening hardware for an accurate, efficient install.

“As the pioneer in radiant heating and cooling technology in North America, we are constantly striving to provide more solutions to help our customers design and install efficient, high-performing systems,” says Anna Picchetti, vice president of Marketing and Strategy at GF Building Flow Solutions Americas. “This new lineup of wall cabinets offers professionals a wider variety of options that will accommodate all Uponor radiant manifolds for any residential or commercial project.”

To learn more about Uponor radiant product solutions, visit uponor.com.

Trusted FocusPRO thermostats refreshed with simple design and control, deliver energy efficiency

Resideo Technologies, a leading global provider of solutions for home comfort, energy management, safety and security, recently announced the Honeywell Home FocusPRO^® series: a new enhanced thermostat design and user-friendly interface to elevate home comfort and control. Unveiled at Resideo’s CONNECT 2024 Customer Event, the new Honeywell Home FocusPRO thermostats address HVAC contractor needs, delivering simplified installations with a sophisticated design and feature-rich portfolio.

“Our FocusPRO thermostats have been trusted by HVAC installers for nearly two decades, and our new assortment offers a larger display that’s easy to read from across the room and familiar features our HVAC contractors expect from the Honeywell Home brand,” said Mark Behar, Senior Product Director of Comfort and Indoor Air Quality at Resideo. “Our new smart, programmable and non-programable thermostats bring streamlined installation and equipment compatibility to our FocusPRO line.”

The thermostats feature an easy-to-read display and an air filter replacement reminder that can help with indoor air quality and ensure the system runs efficiently. The series also offers several key benefits for HVAC installers:

• Broad System Compatibility: To meet the needs of the changing HVAC equipment landscape, the new FocusPRO series includes the first Honeywell Home non-programmable thermostats to support dual-fuel and 3H/2C heat pump applications. The FocusPRO series also supports up to 3H/2C heat pumps, 2H/2C conventional systems and single stage 1H/1C models.
• Easy Installation: Each thermostat in the series is outfitted with the familiar Honeywell Home (UWP) wall-mounting plate that ensures installation is easy and future upgrades to another Honeywell Home device are even easier. The installation for the smart model is streamlined by the Resideo Pro app for easy setup.
• Private Label Installation: HVAC companies can order interchangeable, snap-on accent pieces with their logo or contact information to support customer retention and recurring business.

With more ENERGY STAR^®-certified smart thermostats than any manufacturer, Resideo added the new Honeywell Home FocusPRO^® S200 to its portfolio of ENERGY STAR-certified products that are compatible with many local energy programs and can help lower energy costs and balance the electric grid during periods of high demand. Its 4.8 square-inch display is easy to read from across the room, and users can control the comfort, setpoints and schedules via the First Alert app.

“Nearly half of Americans¹ have discovered the benefits of using smart home products, and those looking to upgrade to a smart thermostat want features that help them manage their energy use,” said Behar. “Properties with smart technology can save 18-20% in energy costs.² The Honeywell Home FocusPRO S200 smart thermostat offers these energy-saving benefits at an accessible price point from a trusted brand, making it a win-win for both HVAC professionals and their end users.”

The FocusPRO series is now available in non-programmable, programmable and smart options through participating Johnstone Supply and Ferguson U.S. locations. For more information, visit HoneywellHome.com.

¹ Parks Associates: 45% of U.S. Internet households have at least one smart home device and 18% have six or more smart home devices, April 17, 2024

² Parks Associates: Multifamily properties that have implemented smart building tech report savings of 18-20% in energy costs, July 17, 2024

Multifamily projects can get costly, but identifying affordable, durable and stylish products can help reduce contractor’s overhead costs

Peerless is for the Pros

Construction cost planning is of the utmost importance throughout any multifamily project timeline, and with these projects reaching as high as $700 per square foot this year, effective preparation is essential for any build (RSMeans data).  Keeping a keen eye is essential for plumbing contractors to ensure that projects meet all budget and quality standards.

Identifying affordable kitchen and bath fixtures through brands like Peerless® Faucet, for example, is one way to start reducing spend and finding cost-saving opportunities. For nearly 50 years, Peerless has been providing cost-effective options that are on trend and designed to perform a lifetime, making, it easier for contractors to stay within budget while offering reliable and stylish fixtures for multifamily projects nationwide.\

The Ezra™ Collection for the Kitchen or Bathroom

Launched earlier this year, Peerless® Ezra™ Kitchen and Bathroom Collections are versatile and affordable choices for contractors, all while offering on-trend design. The collection delivers an element of contemporary sophistication with sharp lines and soft curves that deliver long-lasting performance while uplifting any space.

When selecting fixtures by Peerless, contractors and homeowners alike can ensure they’re purchasing a reliable fixture that’s built to last. The Peerless® brand believes beautiful design should always be within reach and is priced with affordability in mind. The brand also offers a Lifetime Limited Warranty (ten years for multifamily and five years for all other commercial uses), each from the date that the product is received by the original purchaser or their authorized representative, installation contractor, etc., providing a sense of security for years to come.

In the bathroom, the Two-Handle Widespread Lavatory Faucet is WaterSense® labeled (like all Peerless® fixtures) which means it uses at minimum 20% less water than the industry standard without compromising performance. Available finishes for this faucet include Brushed Nickel, Matte Black and Chrome.

In the kitchen, the Single-Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet has a 3-function, pull-down sprayer that features POWERinse™ Technology for an extra blast of cleaning power and offers a high-arc, gooseneck design that swivels 360 degrees for easy task management. Available finishes include Stainless Steel, Matte Black and Chrome.

See the full Ezra Collection breakdown below and identify which fixtures work best for your next multifamily project:

• KITCHEN
  • Single-Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet
  • Single-Handle Bar Faucet
  • Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet with Spray
    • Features POWERinse™ Technology
  • BATH
    • Single-Handle Lavatory Faucet
    • Two-Handle Widespread Lavatory Faucet
    • Slide Bar with Hand Shower
    • In-wall Diverter Trim
    • Tub and Shower Trim Kit
    • Shower Only Trim Kit
    • Tub Only Trim Kit

The brand ensures it creates durable, user-friendly fixtures that make installation a breeze. Kitchen sinks, for example, can be installed in six easy steps. In the bathroom, the Delta® Multichoice Universal Valve also offers the flexibility to update shower fixtures without altering the plumbing behind the wall. It also pairs with shower trims across the Delta Faucet Company portfolio. Peerless not only simplifies the installation process, but it also sets up contractors for success by ensuring product life and less maintenance.

Whether you’re designing a series of beautiful, open kitchens or planning a new apartment building’s bathroom space, the Ezra Kitchen and Bathroom Collections from Peerless offers the best functionality, beauty and value.

For more information about Peerless and its multifamily offerings, visit https://www.peerlessfaucet.com/faucet-professionals or follow Peerless on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.

Bosch becomes the first manufacturer to launch a cold climate heat pump developed for DOE Challenge

Bosch Home Comfort, a leading source of high-quality heating, cooling and hot water systems, is unlocking a new product category with the market launch of its latest innovation, the IDS Ultra Cold Climate Heat Pump. Originally unveiled at the AHR Expo and Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2024, the IDS Ultra Cold Climate Heat Pump is advancing HVAC industry solutions with a cold climate heat pump designed for all seasons—even when the temperature falls below zero.

“The IDS Ultra has been carefully designed and rigorously tested to withstand low temperatures while maintaining strong performance,” said Mohamad Nasab, Senior Product Manager. “With this latest innovation, Bosch is proud to be the first to market with an extreme heat system, as well as play a role in making energy-efficient home heating and cooling more accessible across almost all climate zones in the United States. We expect IDS Ultra to fulfill a major need for homeowners living in colder regions who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining the same level of comfort, especially during those harsh winter months.“

One of just a handful of companies to undergo extensive testing, participate and receive certification from the Department of Energy’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge—and the first solution from the challenge to enter the market. In order to meet the DOE Challenge’s criteria, the heat pump solutions had to meet certain heating performance baselines.

Bosch’s IDS Ultra can support climates reaching temperatures as low as -13° F, with a 100% heating capacity down to 5° F. It is also compliant with the new low global warming potential (GWP) A2L refrigerant requirements. The IDS Ultra is the first cold climate heat pump to market that meets these criteria from the DOE Challenge.

Historically, the colder it is outside, the harder it is for heat pumps to extract heat from the air. However, the IDS Ultra is outfitted with an Enhanced Vapor Injection (EVI) compressor that borrows extra heat from the hot side of the refrigerant cycle, redirecting it to warm the home, boosting performance and overall comfort on the coldest days. Additionally, the IDS Ultra features demand response capability, allowing utilities (with the homeowner’s permission) to manage electrical load intelligently prior to peak usage time to avoid outages.

The IDS Ultra qualifies for federal tax credits and state rebates as an Energy Star V6.1 Cold Climate certified product. Homeowners can visit energystar.gov to learn more about the qualifying criteria and how to apply. The IDS Ultra also includes a Residential Limited Warranty and is widely compatible with existing air-to-air systems.

IDS Ultra heat pumps are now available for purchase by HVAC industry professionals in time for the 2024 winter season. For more information on IDS Ultra and Bosch Home Comfort solutions, please visit bosch-homecomfort.us/ultra