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RLS (Rapid Locking System), manufacturer of the original flame-free press fittings for HVAC and refrigeration applications, recently visited a jobsite to document a typical day in the life of an HVAC contractor doing a new system installation.

The featured contractor was Jamie Christensen and his team at Elevated Mechanical, LLC located in Seattle, Washington. Jamie’s firm was in the middle of installing a 26-ton Mitsubishi CITY MULTI VRF system, featuring 2 branch boxes, 19 heads and plenty of piping.

With much of piping work being done on a lift, the Elevated Mechanical crew took advantage of the fast, easy, flame-free copper tube connections offered by RLS press fittings. By avoiding the pain of hauling torches and tanks up and down on the lift – and the difficulty of brazing while working overhead – the job went much smoother using the press tool and fittings. You can watch the video here:

Jamie got his start in the HVAC industry in 2002 after attending Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix, AZ and obtaining an associate degree in HVAC/R. He returned to the state of Washington and honed his skills for over 10 years before deciding he wanted to work on bigger and more complex equipment. He was accepted into the Sheetmetal Workers Union in 2014, and has since worked on all kinds of HVAC equipment, from VRF and hydronic systems to furnaces and heat pumps. In 2021, he decided to start his own company and Elevated Mechanical was born.

Jamie is very passionate about HVAC and the trades, and regularly shares his knowledge and experiences on Instagram, where he has more than 30,000 followers. You can follow Jamie @northwest_hvac.

Plumbing systems are essential to every building project as they allow owners to provide clean water and standard sanitation for their occupants. One of the most crucial components of plumbing facilities is the valves which regulate the flow of water and ensure that everything runs smoothly.   

However, valves can be challenging to access and maintain, which is where access panels, specifically the removable flush valve panel come in. These panels grant quick entry points to valves, making maintenance and repair much more straightforward.  

In this blog post, you’ll learn how detachable flush valve access panels revolutionize plumbing. Moreover, we’ll share various removable flush valve panels you can consider installing in your commercial or industrial structure projects.  

How do removable flush valve panels transform today’s plumbing system?  

Below are the four revolutionizing ways that detachable flush valve access panels bring toward your client’s plumbing systems:  

1. Increased Efficiency: Traditional plumbing systems usually demand substantial effort to upkeep and repair, particularly for flush valves. It often requires the removal of the entire toilet or urinal, which is a time-consuming and costly process. But with removable flush valve panels installed, plumbers can quickly and smoothly reach the valve without disassembling the entire system. Besides saving time and money, this equipment also reduces the risk of damage to other plumbing system components.
2. Improved Hygiene: Removable flush valve panels not only increase the efficiency of plumbing systems but also enhance the hygiene of these facilities. These panels make it easier to access and clean the inside of the flush valve, hindering the buildup of bacteria and other contaminants. By improving the hygiene of the plumbing system, removable flush valve panels help reduce the risk of infection and disease transmission. This feature is vital in public restrooms, where the spreading of germs is one of the significant concerns. In addition, detachable flush valve panels enable your clients to comply with regulations regarding the cleanliness of plumbing systems, assuring that establishment owners and operators avoid fines or penalties.  
3. Greater Flexibility: Removable flush valve panels make replacing or upgrading flush valves as simple as possible without dismantling the entire toilet or plumbing system. Plumbers can easily remove and attach a new valve with a detachable flush valve panel installed, reducing downtime and minimizing costs. This flexible characteristic is fundamental in commercial buildings where plumbing facilities often change due to renovations or upgrades. 
4. Enhanced Sustainability: By making maintenance and repairs more manageable, removable flush valve panels can boost the plumbing system’s life and lessen the need for regular replacements. It can aid in reducing waste and support more sustainable practices. 

Four common types of removable flush valve panels  

Several types of removable flush valve panels are available on the market today. These panels can give your client and their personnel seamless access to flush valves, making maintenance and repairs simpler and more efficient. Here are a few examples of the removable flush valve panels types you can consider installing in your project:  

• Snap-in access panels: The snap-in panel types are one of the industry’s most common removable flush valve panels. It typically consists of plastic and product experts designed it to snap into place over the flush valve. You can install and remove them effortlessly, making them a popular and practical choice among commercial, industrial, and home applications.  
• Screw-in access panels: On the other hand, the screw-in panels require attaching screws to keep the access panel in place over the flush valve. It’s often made of metal, causing it to be more durable than snap-in panels. They are an excellent and reliable component to attach to high-traffic areas where the panel is vulnerable to more wear and tear.  
• Hinged access panels: As its name suggests, the hinged panels exhibit a hinged open design, giving maintenance personnel and repair technicians easy access to the flush valve. They are commonly built with metals also, making them ideal for applying in areas that demand frequent flush valve access.  
• Lockable access panels: Lastly, product experts devise the lockable panels to be locked in position, granting additional security for the flush valve. These metal-built panels are the perfect choice for building areas where clients worry about vandalism or tampering.  

The Bright Future of Plumbing System With Removable Flush Valve Panels  

Removable flush valve panels can benefit plumbing systems, improving your building project’s efficiency, hygiene, flexibility, and sustainability. These particular panel types can help support more reliable and cost-effective plumbing systems for various structure projects simply by making it more effortless to maintain and repair the flush valve.  

The new Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits offer Complete Indoor Air Quality and Comfort Control

Resideo Technologies, Inc., a leading global provider of solutions for home comfort, security, and safety, today launched its Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits.

Resideo has enhanced its popular ENERGY STAR® certified Honeywell Home T10 Pro Smart Thermostat that launched in 2019. The new Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits with RedLINK® 3.0 offer additional control over three types of indoor air quality (IAQ) equipment simultaneously. Resideo’s proprietary RedLINK® 3.0 technology and Equipment Interface Module enables simple set up and a customizable solution for each customer from a single device.

“Balancing IAQ is complex, and our new T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits can help our professional HVAC installers quickly and easily customize humidification, dehumidification and ventilation – in addition to heating and cooling,” said Scott Ziffra, Senior Vice President, Engineering & Product Management at Resideo. “The additional IAQ capabilities can help professionals drive add-on sales and increase profitability, and the additional accessories can be installed in minutes.”

The Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat Kits are available through U.S. distributors and work smoothly with the Resideo Pro app to support ProIQ™ Services, which launched earlier this year. The kits include, or can work with various accessories, such as the following:

• Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat offers complete and customizable control of a home’s IAQ, heating and cooling and can be managed via the Resideo app;
• Equipment Interface Module (EIM) allows for easy professional installation of humidification, dehumidification, and ventilation systems – without running new wires;
• Wireless Smart Room Sensor extends the reach of the thermostat beyond one hallway to detect temperature, humidity and occupancy in rooms, and automatically adjusts the smart thermostat based on preferences and schedule;
• Wireless Outdoor Sensor provides real-time, outdoor temperature and humidity readings to help balance IAQ inside the home;
• Return and Supply Air Sensor offers real-time temperature readings in ductwork for equipment protection; and,
• Floor/Slab Sensor monitors the floor temperature for radiant, in-floor heating applications (sensor not included in the kits).

Later this summer, individual elements of the kits, including the smart thermostat and accessories, will be available separately through distributors in the U.S. and Canada.

“I recently installed the Honeywell Home T10+ Smart Thermostat kit in my home and was very impressed with the ease of installation,” said Caleb Corken, Manager of One-Hour Heating and Cooling in Lee’s Summit, Mo. “From connecting my whole home humidification system to the thermostat to setting up the Resideo app, I was very pleased with the entire installation process. My company recommends the T10+ Smart Thermostat kit to our customers to help meet their IAQ needs.”

The combined water leak control technology of the L Series water control products gives your customers the ability to stop leaks before damage may occur. The L1 WiFi Water Leak and Freeze Detector alerts customers of water leaks, temperature drops and humidity spikes. Pair with the L5 WiFi Water Leak Shutoff Valve to help stop potential water damage at the source. Extend home coverage with additional Resideo WiFi Water Leak and Freeze Detectors.

To find more infmroation on the combined water leak control technology of the L Series water control products, visit here.