Industry News

Trusted manufacturer enhances commitment to customers with acquisition of leading manufacturer of stainless steel indirect water heating solutions

Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers and storage tanks, announced today the acquisition of Heat-flo, a leader in stainless steel indirect water-heating and hydronic storage tanks for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

The acquisition of Heat-flo results in the broadest portfolio of indirect water-heating solutions in the industry and affirms Bradford White’s unwavering commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of its customers.

“Heat-flo is a perfect complement to our existing product portfolio,” said Bruce Carnevale, president and CEO of Bradford White Corporation. “For both companies, our customers live at the center of all we do every day. Together we will continue to deliver upon the shared values of a customer-first approach.”

Bradford White’s subsidiary Laars Heating Systems will be supporting Heat-flo. “We are excited to build on the hard work demonstrated by the entire Heat-flo team,” said Domingo Mohedano, VP and GM, Laars Heating Systems. “Their dedication and reputation for building the highest quality stainless steel water heater products in our industry will allow us to achieve long-lasting success in the market.”

Heat-flo’s expansive heating system solutions and indirect stainless steel product portfolio will allow the company to expand its capabilities to meet the rapidly evolving regulatory environment in the water heater industry.

“I am very excited that Heat-flo will become part of Bradford White Corporation,” said George Celorier, founder of Heat-flo. “I selected Bradford White because of the alignment of our core values, and our unwavering commitment to our customers, employees, professional plumbers and wholesalers.  I am confident that the company we built is in good hands.”

“With this acquisition, we’ll be able to ensure Heat-flo continues to have the resources and support necessary to continue to grow and thrive well into the future,” Carnevale said.

Heat-flo offers a range of solutions, from multi-energy/solar and electric-based water heating systems to hydronic and radiant heating applications. Operations will continue at the Uxbridge, MA factory.

Carrier and Bryant have announced the recipients of the Distributors’ Education Foundation scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year. Carrier and Bryant are part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.

Since its inception in 1981, the Distributors’ Education Foundation, established to honor the late William A. Blees and his many years of service as an advisor to Carrier and Bryant distributors, has provided over $500,000 in assistance to more than 400 students working towards their undergraduate or vocational degrees. The scholarship is awarded to children and grandchildren of Carrier and Bryant contractors who demonstrate academic excellence, community service, and participate in extracurricular activities. This year, scholarships will be going to students in 25 cities from 11 states coast to coast.

“For over 40 years, Carrier and Bryant distributors have significantly contributed to the growth of the HVAC industry by funding the Carrier and Bryant Distributors’ Education Foundation,” said Spencer Atkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Weathertech Distributing and President, Scholarship Program Board of Directors. “Since inception, the Foundation has provided over $500,000 in scholarships and we plan to continue our support. This scholarship program is a crucial element in developing future leaders for our industry.”

“The Distributors’ Education Foundation scholarship is a unique way for our distributors to give back to their contractors’ families,” said Nick Arch, Vice President and General Manager, Residential HVAC Solutions, Carrier. “We’re honored to support this outstanding initiative and wish all recipients luck in their academic endeavors.”

To learn more about Carrier and Bryant, visit www.carrier.com/residential and  www.bryant.com respectively.

Company’s prototype enabled 15-20% average energy bill savings

Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator, today announced its successful completion of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump (CCHP) Challenge for high-efficiency heating in extremely cold temperatures.

After surpassing DOE laboratory tests, the Trane® high-efficiency, Cold Climate Heat Pump prototype, installed at a Boise, Idaho residence, successfully warmed the home for two winters by extracting heat from the air – relying on its backup electric heat strip only 10% of the time. During field trials over two full summer and winter seasons of cooling and heating, the prototype delivered the homeowner 15-20% average energy bill savings.

“We were confident going into the Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge in our ability to deliver cutting-edge, highly-efficient climate control solutions – the results were outstanding and we’re proud of our performance,” said Dwayne Cowan, president, Residential HVAC, Trane Technologies. “Backed by our purpose-driven strategy and relentless investment in innovation, we are ready to continue scaling today’s technology for a sustainable tomorrow.”

“Our modeling was spot on with how the prototype functioned in the field, and we were thrilled to hear of the homeowner’s outstanding reviews as well as their energy savings,” said Katie Davis, vice president of engineering and technology, Residential HVAC, Trane Technologies. “We are excited to advance electrification of heating in homes while maintaining both comfort and efficiency for its occupants.”

Trane Technologies is one of the first companies to successfully complete the CCHP challenge. The company’s prototype has been relocated to its Tyler, Texas manufacturing facility, where it will continue to undergo robust performance evaluations at the site’s new state-of-the-art psychrometric testing labs – used for new product development programs and capable of withstanding temperatures as low as negative 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

The company will complete the design for its new Trane residential Cold Climate Heat Pump, with additional comfort and efficiency enhancements, in 2025. The Cold Climate Heat Pump will be compatible with advanced, connected comfort solutions including Trane Link, enabling seamless integration with Trane’s comprehensive ecosystem of smart home technologies. Additionally, all heat pumps 15 SEER and higher in the company’s newly-announced residential portfolio meet the requirements for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit and incentives and rebates available through the Inflation Reduction Act – significantly reducing upfront costs and achieving long-term energy bill savings for homeowners.

Through bold, industry-leading action and innovation, Trane Technologies is advancing its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer emissions by a billion metric tons and its pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company’s emissions reduction targets have been externally validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

As part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, Watts has announced the winners of the May “Beer Bundle” sweepstakes. This month-long event – one of several opportunities available in 2024 –  has successfully concluded with five lucky winners.

Watts also kicks off the “Aqua Escapes” sweepstakes, beginning July 1. Plumbing industry professionals are invited to learn about Watts’ differentiated products and solutions by attending Lunch & Learn sessions, through in-person training at Watts Learning Centers, or by completing eLearning through Watts Works Online, where they earn tickets to enter the sweepstakes. The “Aqua Escapes” theme offers an array of prizes available to dozens of winners this summer:

• Elite all-terrain adventure wagon (Qty: 5)
• Premium inflatable stand-up paddleboard (Qty: 3)
• BOTE inflatable hangout chair (Qty: 6)
• BOTE inflatable dock (Qty: 3)
• Cornhole boards with bags (Qty: 12)
• YETI trailhead camp chair (Qty: 4)
• YETI Tundra 65 hard cooler (Qty: 4)

“We look forward to another sweepstakes and the continued celebration of our 150th year in business,” said Greg Gyorda, Watts Director of Training. “If you haven’t explored our world-class training program yet, now is the perfect opportunity to start.” Visit watts.com/training to learn more.

For more details and to participate in the Watts 150th anniversary sweepstakes, visit watts.com/150sweepstakes or contact your local Watts representative.