By Tim Burge

Recent insights from Bloomberg and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlight a pressing issue within the U.S. economy: a notable shortage of skilled tradespeople, especially plumbers, leading to significant service delays and broader economic concerns. This shortfall is not confined to plumbing alone but spans across all trades, including installation, maintenance, and repair sectors. With an estimated 582,100 job openings emerging annually in these areas, the urgency to bridge this gap cannot be overstated.

Historically, trades careers have been deeply rooted in familial traditions, with expertise meticulously cultivated through years of apprenticeship and where knowledge is passed down from one generation to the next. However, as we surge forward in a digital age characterized by swift technological progress, the traditional charm of trades careers has waned, particularly among younger generations. The consequences of this shift are profound, touching not only on the crisis of labor availability but also on the operational efficiency and enduring viability of essential services.  Simply put, without skilled technicians in trade jobs, critical aspects of infrastructure cannot be maintained.

However, the rise of emerging technologies is beginning to rectify the problems accumulated from a tradespeople shortage in the United States and beyond. These technologies allow for quicker access to information for these workers, as well as easing the managerial issues found by service managers.

AI as a Catalyst for Change

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative tool in addressing the labor shortages within the trades. By simplifying troubleshooting and operational tasks, AI technology makes trade jobs more accessible and appealing to a technologically adept generation. This integration not only aims to fill the current gap but also to ensure the sustainability and appeal of trades careers for the future. The automation of complex diagnostic tasks into more manageable procedures reduces barriers for newcomers, enhancing the trade’s attractiveness and easing the pathway for new talent. In lieu of relying on the knowledge of veteran tradespeople — a group of workers retiring in droves from their trade careers —, AI can take the role of a mentor and copilot for those looking for answers on the job.

The Nature of Trade Jobs is Changing

As AI streamlines technical tasks, there’s a notable shift in the trade job landscape towards a more customer service-oriented focus. Customers are expecting more and more out of those they hire to complete their service jobs. This evolution means that soft skills such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving are becoming increasingly crucial. The role of tradespeople is expanding beyond the technical to encompass customer engagement and service, positioning them as both skilled technicians and valuable customer advisors.

This shift, supported by AI, presents an opportunity to redefine the trades, making them not only about technical proficiency but also about building strong customer relationships. By prioritizing soft skills alongside technical knowledge, tradespeople can better meet the evolving needs of their communities, ensuring the profession remains relevant and respected in an increasingly automated world.

Attracting the Next Generation

The average age of skilled tradesmen in the United States is 55, making the oncoming retiring age of many of those in the trades industries a critical issue. Today’s youth are digital natives, and their integration into the trades requires a shift in perception — viewing these careers as not only hands-on but also technologically advanced.

Demonstrating how AI and other digital tools can enhance job performance, efficiency, and satisfaction is essential. By leveraging technology, we can make these jobs more desirable, highlighting the innovative aspects of trade work that align with the interests and skills of younger generations.

Future-Proofing Through Technology

The adoption of AI in the trades also plays a pivotal role in ensuring the longevity and resilience of these services. With technology, we can optimize operations, reduce errors, and enhance service delivery, thus ensuring that the essential services provided by tradespeople remain robust against future challenges.

Moreover, the financial implications of not addressing this gap are significant. Research from AI and data company Aquant indicates that the cost of poor-performing talent can be up to 80% higher than that of top performers. This discrepancy underscores the importance of leveraging AI to not only attract but also retain and train high-performing talent, ensuring the economic viability of these trades.

What the Future Holds

As we navigate the challenges posed by labor shortages in the trades, AI stands out as a crucial ally. Its ability to simplify diagnostics, attract new talent, and ensure the sustainability of essential services highlights the importance of technological integration in the trades. While the implementation of AI and other digital tools represents a departure from traditional methods, it is a necessary evolution to address current challenges and future-proof these vital industries.

The dialogue on integrating AI into the trades is ongoing, and experts are continuously exploring innovative approaches to leverage technology in addressing the labor gap. By embracing AI, the trades can not only overcome current obstacles but also secure a robust, efficient, and sustainable future.

About Tim Burge

Tim Burge, Director at Aquant, specializes in using advanced technologies to address real-world business challenges. With a strong background in the B2B software industry, his ability to merge technical know-how with business needs has made him a vital asset in driving innovation at Aquant, especially in the field service and contact center sectors.

CPVC is the only residential plumbing material that is immune to degradation or corrosion from exposure to chlorinated drinking water. CPVC is even unaffected by drinking water treated with aggressive methods that can increase the likelihood of premature failure in PEX and copper systems such as chlorine dioxide and chloramines. That means CPVC failures can almost always be traced to one of two causes: installation error or exposure to incompatible chemicals.

The Solvent Weld Process for Copper Tube Size CPVC

CPVC uses a solvent weld process to permanently weld fittings to pipes. When the process is performed properly, the pipe and fitting are fused into a single piece that creates a joint that is stronger than the pipe or fitting on their own. For plumbers who work with CPVC regularly, the solvent weld process gets to be second nature. But if you are new to CPVC, here are a few tips to keep in mind when using solvent cement. The tips provided are specific to Copper Tube Size CPVC (which is typically tan in color) and may not apply to IPS Schedule 80 CPVC (which is typically gray in color). Always consult your manufacturer for specific installation instructions.

• Use the right cement: Copper Tube Size CPVC can use one-step cement, such as FlowGuard® Gold 1-Step Yellow or new High Contrast Green Cement. The use of green solvent cement with CPVC was added to the 2024 codes of all major bodies to make it easier to visually inspect an installation.Because service plumbers often need to make repairs quickly and get to the next job, a specially formulated solvent cement, Oatey® Orange Lava, was developed. It enables one-step cure times as fast as 15 minutes for cold water lines. Always verify code requirements and follow the solvent cement manufacturer’s recommendations for cure times and installation procedures.
• Cut square and chamfer: Before applying solvent cement, the pipe should be cut square, and any tailings and bevel on the pipe end removed by chamfering.
• Avoid dry fits: A dry fit is simply putting a pipe and fitting together without applying solvent cement. This approach can increase the likelihood one or more fittings will not be solvent welded. Welding the system joint by joint is a better practice. You should check the fit of the pipe before assembling the joint. Without solvent cement, the pipe should fit tightly inside the fitting without bottoming out.
• Apply the right amount of cement: A good practice is to apply a heavy, even coat of one-step solvent cement to the outside of the pipe end. Then, using the same applicator without additional cement, apply a thin coat inside the fitting socket. Excess cement should not be allowed to puddle in the fitting assembly.
• Bottom out the pipe in the fitting: The more surface area of pipe that contacts the fitting, the stronger the bond. After the cement has been applied, the pipe should be inserted until it bottoms out against the fitting.
• Watch extreme temperatures: According to manufacturers of one-step CPVC solvent cement, the cement works best in temperatures between 40° F and 110° F. Outside that range, special precautions should be taken. Cements will cure more quickly in high temperatures and more slowly in cold temperatures. Check the can of solvent cement for proper working temperatures.

Expansion and Contraction

All piping materials will expand and contract based on differences between the installation and operating temperature of the system and changes in the temperature of the water flowing through the pipe. FlowGuard Gold CPVC can expand about 1 inch per 50 feet of straight length of pipe per 50°F temperature increase. If expansion and contraction aren’t accounted for in installation, the stress caused by this expansion can rise to 1200 psi. Because of CPVC’s incredible strength, this may not cause immediate failure in the system, but long-term exposure to these extreme stresses can cause failures after years in service.

In many cases, normal changes of direction can be enough to account for expansion and contraction provided the natural movement of the pipe is not restricted and there is adequate spacing between elbows and hangers. Overtightening pipe hangers may also restrict lateral movement of the pipe. For long, straight runs, loops or offsets can be used. If you have any questions, consult the manufacturer’s installation guidelines.

Chemical Incompatibility

If properly installed CPVC pipe experiences a failure, the likely culprit is contact with incompatible chemicals. Depending on the type and amount of incompatible chemical a pipe is exposed to, the failure may happen quickly or could take years to develop. For example, CPVC can be softened over time by the plasticizers contained in some rubbers and flexible vinyl products, so these materials should be prevented from contacting the pipe or fitting.

Service plumbers are most likely to encounter chemical incompatibility under sinks where the pipe can be exposed to surfactant chemicals found in some household cleaners. In these situations, a CPVC-to-copper stub-out should be used instead of stubbing out with a length of CPVC pipe.

The FBC™ System Compatible Program can be used to identify materials that are compatible and incompatible with FlowGuard Gold, BlazeMaster and Corzan CPVC. For other brands of CPVC piping, consult with the specific manufacturer(s) for compatibility information.

Handling Aged Pipe

As it ages, CPVC naturally becomes more rigid and may even show signs of discoloration. These changes do not reduce the expected service life of the pipe when properly installed. In fact, the pressure-bearing capability of CPVC pipes actually increases with age. But aged pipe should be handled and cut differently than new pipe. A C-style tubing cutter, fine-tooth saw or wheel cutter should be used when servicing CPVC. Ratchet cutters or shears are generally not recommended.

The Professional Plumber’s Choice

Professional plumbers appreciate CPVC because it is easy to work with and results in a clean, professional installation that highlights the plumber’s craftmanship and commitment to quality. For more information on CPVC, including step-by-step installation instructions and other resources, visit flowguardgold.com.

Jonathan Simon is the North American residential plumbing manager for Lubrizol Advanced Materials Inc., the parent company for FlowGuard Gold Pipe and Fittings.

Advanced electrode boilers are being installed to replace outdated, inefficient fuel-burning equipment in district heating applications as part of broader effort to meet ambitious International Energy Agency decarbonization goals.

District heating—the generation of heat in a central location and distribution of it to local residences, businesses, and industry at greater economies of scale than individual heating systems—plays an important role in helping the transition to clean energy in the fight against climate change. The challenge, however, is that district heating, used to provide hot water and heat within buildings through an insulated pipe system, must soon pivot from burning fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy.

Electrode boilers can match the heating output of fuel burning boilers while converting almost all the energy to heat.

“District heating networks offer great potential for efficient, cost-effective, and flexible large-scale use of low-carbon energy for heating. However, the decarbonization potential of district heating is largely untapped, as 90% of the heat supplied in district networks is produced from fossil fuels …,” according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization that provides policy recommendations, analysis, and data on the global energy sector. The 31 member countries and 13 association countries of the IEA represent 75% of global energy demand.

Aligning with the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario requires significant effort to rapidly improve the energy efficiency of existing networks, switch to renewable heat, integrate secondary heat sources, and develop new high-efficiency infrastructure.

Fortunately, innovation in the form of the latest, high voltage immersed electrode or jet type electrode boilers makes district heating much greener, particularly when the electricity comes from renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydro power.

The most advanced types of electrode boilers, such as Acme’s CEJS or CEJW, also offer greater safety than traditional fuel burning models.

Municipalities and businesses relying on district heating are already pivoting away from often inefficient, outdated equipment that produces excess carbon emissions in favor of economical electrode boilers that can quickly, flexibly rival the output of large gas or oil-fired boilers in a much smaller footprint, The advanced electrode boilers do not have a high minimum operating level to make them immediately available and offer much faster start-up and shut down time while being safely and easily maintained.

The Renewable Promise of District Heating with Electrode Boiler Technology

District heating systems offer substantial potential for improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and integrating renewable and waste heat sources, particularly within urban centers.

In this effort, an increasing number of district heating plants are turning to high voltage, electrode boilers to absorb excess power production, quickly provide grid service, and cost-effectively balance out fluctuations. A growing number of municipalities are also installing new or retrofit high voltage electrode boilers that are compact, economical, and produce no emissions. The upgrades often entail retrofitting or replacing boilers (the heat source) with cleaner, more efficient electric alternatives, along with the heat distribution network (pipes/ heat exchanger stations).

Electrode boilers utilize the conductive and resistive properties of water to carry electric current and generate steam with great responsiveness and efficiency.

“An A.C. current flows from an electrode of one phase to ground using the water as a conductor. Since chemicals in the water provide conductivity, the current flow generates heat directly in the water itself. The more current (amps) that flows, the more heat (BTUs) is generated, and the more steam produced for use in district heating,” explains Robert Presser, Vice President of Acme Engineering, a manufacturer of industrial and commercial boilers with operations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

When supplying district heating, electrode boilers are much more responsive and flexible than fossil fuel burning units.

“With electrode boilers, the energy input and adjustment are very precise and virtually immediate. In contrast, increasing or decreasing the temperature in a gas fired boiler is a slower process because it takes time for the heat in the boiler to rise or dissipate before reaching the targeted output,” says Presser.

The energy efficiency of electrode boilers is one of their most remarkable characteristics; they are much more responsive and flexible than fossil fuel burning units.

Advanced high voltage electrode steam boilers like Acme’s CEJS also have a 100% turndown ratio, the ratio between a boiler’s maximum and minimum output. Most gas boilers have a ratio of 10:1 or 5:1, which means the units take a significant time to reach full capacity.  The CEJW and CEJS immersed electrode hot water and steam boilers have a minimum output level of 7-8% of rated capacity, still far better than a modern gas-fired boiler.

“With a 100% turndown ratio, you can leave the boiler in standby at low pressure and bring it to full capacity in about 90 seconds as needed, which no other boiler type can achieve today,” says Presser.

“Communities and businesses utilizing district heating also appreciate the eco-friendly nature of electrode boilers. Without combustion, these boilers are clean and emission free. The design also eliminates many environmental issues associated with fuel burning boilers such as fuel fumes, fly ash, and large obtrusive exhaust stacks,” says Presser.

The energy efficiency of electrode boiler technology, however, is one of its most remarkable characteristics.

“For district heating, the extraordinarily efficient power-to-heat generation capability of electrode boilers, in which almost 100% of the electrical energy is converted into heat with no stack or heat transfer losses, combined with an ability to use and balance intermittent renewable energy, makes the technology crucial today,” says Presser.

As an example of energy and design efficiency, Acme’s CEJS electrode steam boiler produces maximum amounts of steam in minimal floor space, with boiler capacity from 6MW to 68MW. The electrode boiler operates at existing distribution voltages, 4.16 to 25 KV and is up to 99.9% efficient at converting energy into heat. The boiler can produce steam in capacities up to 270,000 pounds per hour, with pressure ratings from 75 PSIG to 500 PSIG. All CEJS boilers are designed to ASME Code or EU Pressure Vessels Directive and are certified, registered pressure vessels. Electrical standards meet CSA, UL, or CE requirements.

According to Presser, there are additional reasons for municipalities and businesses to use high voltage, jet type electrode boilers for district heating. “Electrode boilers can match the heating output of fuel burning boilers while converting almost all the energy to heat. Electrode boilers also are much smaller than fossil fuel burning boilers so are easier to use in smaller structures,” he says.

For residential or commercial property owners, electrode boilers also lower costs for installation, operation, and maintenance. Gas-fired boilers require fuel lines, storage and handling equipment, economizers, and emission control equipment. Advanced jet type electrode boilers have a minimal number of components and electrical controls, with fewer parts. Under normal operation, the absence of excessive temperatures and electrode burnout also assures long operating life.

In addition, the units further lower operating costs with automatic controls that reduce the need for operating personnel.

The most advanced types of these boilers, such as Acme’s CEJS or CEJW, also offer greater safety than traditional fuel burning models. “With the electrode boilers, there are no combustion hazards because there are no flames, fumes, fuel lines or storage tanks. There are no problems with heat buildup or electrode burnout even if scaling should occur, and thermal shock is eliminated. Also, there is no low water danger since the current cannot flow without water,” Presser explains.

Unlike fossil fuel burning boilers, electric boilers require minimal maintenance since there is no burner, no material burned, no soot created, no chimney, and no wearing mechanical parts, says Presser. With fewer parts than more complex fossil fuel burning units, electrical boilers are also more compact and simpler to install than conventional systems.

Finally, the electric units are exceptionally quiet compared to fuel fired boilers. Unlike gas-powered burners that throttle like turbine engines almost continually, electric boilers keep operational noise levels down.

With all the advantages of high output jet type electrode boilers, in addition to their value in balancing out the use of intermittent renewable energy in the power grid, it is evident why a growing number of communities and businesses are selecting them for district heating.

As the effects of climate change become more severe, the urgency of switching to clean energy and decarbonizing the energy sector will only increase across the globe. In this effort, district heating paired with electrode boilers will be a vital part of the solution, as member countries strive to meet the IEA decarbonization goals.

By Del Williams, a technical writer based in Torrance, California.

At the Taco Comfort Solutions booth at this year’s AHR Expo, the company had a new twist—a virtual reality (VR) demo and a glimpse into the future of training. Mechanical Hub caught up with Dave Holdorf, Product & Application Instructor – East for Taco. Here is what Dave had to say:

With the success of the Taco training department in the residential and commercial realms, as well as our webinar series of Taco Tuesday and Taco After Dark, what could be next? We have asked customers over the years what can we do to make the training experience better? The number one answer has always been more hands on. I would then ask, “how do we do that, you mean like installing a circulator and zone valves, joining pipe and flanges and tightening bolts … you mean like work on a jobsite you were at earlier in the week?” VR gives us that ability now—building a system, repairing the seals and bearing in a split case commercial pump, things like that.

Imagine maintenance on that split case pump is coming up and you have never, ever taken one apart much less seen one in the wild, but it‘s now your responsibility to do the repair in an effective and allowable timeframe. What are the proper steps … is there a YouTube video you can watch the night before … so much pressure to get the job done right.

Now imagine a call to us and we can meet you in the “mechanical room” with that very pump in front of us. We’re standing right next to each other virtually, but you’re in Walla Walla, Washington and we‘re in Cranston, R.I. rebuilding it with you—greatly improving your confidence level, and ready for the next day. With this capability, you know the sequence, you know the names of the parts, what to look for and what not to do.

In the end, attendees of the show were surprised, but not too much. I mean, the training department has been up to  so much over the last decade bringing content online and in person that it wasn’t surprising that Taco would try to increase out reach even further.

Of course, we’re just scratching the surface of where we can go with this!