Industry News

Drawing on its nearly 100 years of expertise, Rheem®,  a worldwide leader in the water heating industry, will showcase its comprehensive suite of consulting services and wide range of products at the 2024 ASPE Innovations in Plumbing Trade Show in Columbus, Ohio from Friday, Oct. 18 – Wednesday, Oct. 23.

At booth 825, Rheem will take center stage highlighting its Applications Consulting Team. This expert team offers invaluable services such as sizing, crossover, and piping guidance, making them an essential resource for consumers, contractors and engineers.

Throughout the show, Rheem will provide insights into its capabilities using cutting-edge simulation technology for attendees of ASPE. Using a virtual reality system, Rheem will deliver an immersive experience, allowing participants to understand installation processes and learn about heat pump operations, including operational modes of Rheem’s Light Duty Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters. This engaging experience highlights the company’s commitment to its approach which is “Every Step of the Way, From Design Through Commissioning, We’ve Got You Covered.”

“Having an opportunity to connect directly with plumbing engineers, designers, specifiers, and contractors is invaluable,” stated Annette Finnigan, Senior Marketing Manager with Rheem Commercial Water. “We are looking forward to taking advantage of all that the 2024 ASPE Expo will have to offer while reinforcing our role in shaping the future of plumbing engineering.”

Beyond offering attendees an opportunity to meet with Rheem spec specialists and the Applications Team, Rheem will have a trio of innovative products on display at the show, which include:

Rheem® Air to Water Commercial Heat Pumps: Offered in a variety of install options, the line of Rheem Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters reduces energy use and operating costs for businesses, while delivering dependable hot water. Unlike gas, the heat pump can draw air from and discharge within the surrounding area, so it is not limited by venting. With the ability to be installed both indoors and outdoors, Rheem’s Commercial Heat Pump Water Heaters provide the flexibility necessary to cater to the needs of all commercial properties. On average, commercial heat pump water heaters (HPWH) equal to 25% of the operating cost of an electric water heater and increase a building’s efficiency, as well as offering an opportunity to qualify for LEED points. Additionally, Rheem Commercial HPWH’s are a sustainable solution suitable for most mild climates and the units contribute to decarbonization goals. Rheem’s HPHD135 models are ENERGY STAR^® certified and many commercial HPWH are applicable for rebates, incentives and tax credits. Visit the Rheem booth (825) at the ASPE show to explore details on Rheem’s next generation heat pump.

Rheem® Commercial Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: Available in 40, 50-, 65-, and 80-gallon models, the Commercial Hybrid Electric line features built-in Rheem EcoNet® Wi-Fi (on select models) for real-time alerts, leak detection, access to energy and water usage reports and more. Additionally, there is the ability to program the water heater to match demand throughout the day, meaning higher production during high use times to ensure there is never a lag in hot water available. Uses 75% less energy than a standard electric water heater to help minimize impact on the environment and reduce overall energy consumption. Additionally, all models are ENERGY STAR^® certified.

Rheem® Triton® Light Duty: Perfect for small businesses that need a smarter, more robust solution than standard units. As part of the Triton Family, Triton LD offers built-in smart monitoring technology and the industry’s most accurate leak detection and prevention system. Business owners can now manage and prevent water heater problems before they occur – and avoid costly downtime. Guided and influenced by plumbers and perfected by Rheem Engineers, Triton Light Duty provides more durability, more hot water per hour, and more intelligence to keep any business up and running.

Eemax Pro Series XTP: ProSeries XTP™ tankless electric water heaters are designed for applications that require superior thermal performance and stability. Using breakthrough Adaptive Stability Technology™, ProSeries XTP models provide exact thermal performance in demanding conditions. ProSeries XTP is an ideal solution for diverse commercial and industrial applications requiring water temperatures up to 180°F and specified flow rates from 0.5 to 20 gallons per minute. The units’ range in power from 16 to 54 kilowatts and operate on three phase delta power. The series is comprised of 10 models in either three or six heating chamber configurations.

“We’re excited to engage with ASPE attendees, offering them in-depth insights, live demonstrations, and personalized consultations to ensure they leave with a comprehensive understanding of how Rheem solutions can enhance their projects,” added Ryan Atherley, Application Consulting Manager with Rheem Commercial Water. “We look forward to delivering an immersive and well-rounded trade show experience.”

For more information on Rheem Commercial Water’s comprehensive portfolio and commercial water heating solutions, visit www.rheem.com/commercial-hot-water/.

The Fed’s recent interest rates cut could be just the beginning of a downward trend 

Ed Sullivan, the Chief Economist and Sr. Vice President of Market Intelligence for the Portland Cement Association (PCA) — which represents America’s cement manufacturers — says the Federal Reserve’s recent move to lower interest rates coupled with easing inflation signals a significant retreat in interest rate levels by the end of next year … all to the benefit of construction activity.

At PCA’s annual Fall Meeting held in Aurora, Colorado last week, Sullivan shared the industry’s economic forecast for 2025 with cement company leaders. Key points highlighted include:

• It will take time for the impact of the Fed’s policy pivot to materialize in the economy and construction. Near term, construction activity is expected to be burdened by oppressively high interest rates. As more rate cuts transpire, construction loan rates are expected to decline — spurring new life into the construction market. This is expected to begin by mid-2025.
• Mortgage interest rates are expected to decline to 5.5% by mid-2025 and to 5.0% by year-end 2025. This is likely to usher in favorable home affordability and a surge in consumer demand.
• Lower rates will also usher in a significant increase in the supply of existing homes on the market. This is expected to more than offset the increase in demand and lead to a reduction in new and existing home prices. This further enhances affordability.
• Nonresidential construction will also benefit from lower interest rates. Unfortunately, it will take time to improve occupancy rates and a higher Net Operating Income. These will come as the economy gains momentum next year. Given this, nonresidential is not expected to see recovery until 2026.

Public construction activity is expected to benefit from increased spending associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Portland Cement Association (PCA), founded in 1916, is the premier policy, research, education, and market intelligence organization serving America’s cement manufacturers. PCA supports sustainability, innovation, and safety while fostering continuous improvement in cement manufacturing, distribution, infrastructure, and economic growth. For more information, visit www.cement.org.

Watts is excited to announce its next big step in their smart & connected journey with the launch of Nexa, the intelligent water management solution for facilities. This system’s advanced sensing technology and robust software platform are designed to uncover hidden water system insights and risks, empowering building managers to enhance building performance and occupant experience. Nexa is system agnostic with many facilities experiencing a 3x return on their initial investment in the first year of usage.

Nexa offers real-time monitoring, alerts, and insights to prevent costly water-related incidents and reduce water and energy consumption. Its intuitive interface features a system schematic, customizable alerts, and detailed analytics, enabling teams to quickly identify and address issues.  When used in conjunction with Nexa compatible equipment, like water heaters, digital mixing valves, or shutoff valves, facility managers can get even more insights into their water system and remotely manage specific equipment operations. Nexa is available in desktop and mobile app format.

For more information, visit NexaPlatform.com.

Industry sales experts Candy and Mike Cunningham will lead four in-depth live virtual workshops designed to help members navigate the sales landscape and implement a strategic vision for growth

Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, announces the return of its Trailblazer Sales Academy, an ongoing sales development program specifically for territory managers and distribution sales teams.

Trailblazer Sales Academy helps participants develop sales skills, leadership agility, and a strategic vision for territory growth through four live virtual workshops with additional tools and resources for continuing learning. The program is led by BDR trainers Candy Cunningham and Mike Cunningham and is based on their combined four-plus decades of experience as top-performing territory managers.

“We’re preparing territory managers and distribution sales teams to blaze their own trails and make their dream territories a reality,” said Matt MacArthur, Senior Vice President of Training and Marketing for BDR. “Trailblazer Sales Academy equips members with all the tools they need to build and implement the strategies and processes that will help them reach their goals by taking ownership of their sales results.”

Trailblazer Sales Academy kicks off in January 2025 and runs through May. Each four-hour training session teaches participants the best practices for top-performing territory managers. Sessions for the academy include:

• Drive Sales and Help Dealers Win in Q1 (Jan. 7): Discover how to drive first-quarter results and help your dealers check pricing and costs to ensure they are well-positioned for the year.
• Build Your Strategic Sales Call Process (Feb. 11): Learn how to build a checklist to prepare for a sales call and develop a strategic sales process to follow before, during, and afterward.
• Find the Right Dealer Through Targeted Prospecting (April 3): Learn the knowledge and skills to effectively identify and engage with high-potential prospects to maximize your results.
• Help Dealers Install More Jobs Through Labor Leverage (May 8): Discover proven methods for helping dealers install more jobs through leveraging labor and optimizing their workforce effectively.

The academy also includes self-paced courses to help participants continue to develop their skills in between the live sessions, along with targeted podcasts episodes to prepare academy members for their next workshop.

Learn more about the Trailblazer Sales Academy at https://www.bdrco.com/trailblazer-academy/.