PHCPPros: Stories From the Mechanical Room With Dan Foley and Steve Smith

This month, Dan and Steve are joined by ACCA President and CEO Barton James! Tune in as the trio discuss what ACCA is doing to help contractors on Capitol Hill and improve workforce development efforts  — as well as the latest regulations and the importance of trade associations in general. Plus, get a preview of ACCA 2024, an annual education and networking event for HVACR contractors taking place this year from March 11-14 in Orlando!

Dan and Steve kick off their first episode of 2024 with Richard Trethewey of "This Old House!"

The trio discuss how Richard has been an integral part of the "This Old House" team since the home improvement show’s debut in 1979 and Dan's recent behind-the-scenes visit to the set. Plus —  why Richard became a licensed master and journeyman plumber; how he helped popularize radiant floor heat; the "ultimate training center" he established in Boston through his manufacturer’s representative company,  RST Thermal; electrification trends, and more!  

Thank you to MrPEX Systems for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about the company at https://mrpexsystems.com/

In our latest episode, Steve and Dan are joined by MrPEX Systems President Jan Andersson! Tune in as the trio discuss how Jan has journeyed through the radiant industry since his start in 1988, the beginnings of PEX and when it became more accepted in the industry, the unique rooftop snowmelt project Dan and Jan previously collaborated on, and more!

Learn more about MrPEX at https://mrpexsystems.com/. 

This month, Dan and Steve are joined by Robert O’Brien, the director of education for the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA)! Tune in as the trio discuss Robert's journey through the industry, his role at NORA and the mission of the organization, the difference between biofuels and fossil fuels, the renewable energy transition, NORA's  partnership with SUNY Morrisville, and more!

About Robert: O’Brien is responsible for NORA’s education and training initiatives, including NORA’s Bronze, Silver and Gold technician certifications and continuing education. His impressive resume includes in-field experience as an oilheat technician and service manager, owner and principal of Technical Heating LLC, Mt. Sinai, New York, and instructor for Oilheat Comfort Corp.

In this month's episode, Dan and Steve sit down with Larry Drake! The trio discuss how Larry entered the industry after working in aviation, his 15-year tenure as executive director of the Radiant Panel Association, the  “simple” design philosophy he swears by, the RadPad radiant floor heating system sizing tool and other innovations Larry has created, and more! 

Thank you to MrPEX Systems for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about the company at https://mrpexsystems.com/

In this month’s episode, Steve and Dan interview Steve “wheels” Wieland, the Mid-Atlantic Sales Manager for NTI Boilers! Steve has been teaching contractors and engineers how to install and repair hydronic heating, radiant heat and snowmelt systems since 1985, and he is a registered master plumber, past wholesaler and a former manufacturers' rep. 

Tune in as the trio discuss boiler maintenance and technology, what the future looks like for the boiler industry, the labor shortage, Steve's passion for skiing and homebrewing, and more! 

Thank you to NTI Boilers for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about the company at https://ntiboilers.com/. 

In this month's episode, Dan and Steve interview John Siegenthaler, P.E.! Tune in as the trio discuss the evolution of hydronics from the 1980s to the present, the "brotherhood" of the old RPA days and kicking off the hydronics wave in the '90s, why it's a great time to enter the hydronics industry now, and more! 

John is a consulting engineer and principal of Appropriate Designs, in Holland Patent, New York. In partnership with HeatSpring, he has developed several online courses that provide in-depth design-level training in modern hydronic systems, air-to-water heat pumps and biomass boiler systems. 

Thank you to Cintas for sponsoring this episode!  To tackle tough jobs, you need tough workwear, like the new Cintas ComfortFlex Pro line of pants and shirts. Learn more at cintas.com/PHCNews

This month, Dan and Steve are joined by John Barba, North American Director of Training for Taco Comfort Solutions! Tune in to hear the story of how Dan "won" John for a day, as well as John's early days as a trainer, his No. 1 advice for contractors and students, the latest developments at Taco, and more!

About John: John has been in the heating industry most of his life, growing up in his family’s plumbing and heating business outside of Boston. Since 1995, he has trained over 125,000 contractors in person and online on the fine art and subtle science of hydronic heating design and installation. John is the 2012-2014 winner of the Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence and was named the Industry’s Best Instructor & Trainer in 2015 by AHRI. 

Thank you to Cintas for sponsoring this episode!  To tackle tough jobs, you need tough workwear, like the new Cintas ComfortFlex Pro line of pants and shirts. Learn more at cintas.com/PHCNews

In this month's episode, Dan and Steve sit down with their old friend Ingrid Mattsson, Director - Brand & Corporate Social Responsibility for Uponor. Tune in to hear the trio discuss Ingrid's early days with Uponor in the '90s when it still went under the name Wirsbo, as well as her favorite industry memories and friends, her experience receiving the Carlson-Holohan Award of Excellence in 2018, her passion for radiant and sustainability, and more! 

In this month's episode, Steve and Dan sit down with Brian Stack, president of Stack Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric! Brian grew up in the family business working weekends and summers as a kid before starting at the company full time in 1993. Discover how the business has grown from three to 68 employees, and why it eventually expanded its initial focus on hydronic systems to also add forced air, electrical and plumbing services. Plus — the trio discuss radiant vs. forced air, A2L refrigerants and Brian's experience with ACCA, including his role as board chair 2021-22 for ACCA National.

To learn more about this episode's sponsor, U.S. Boiler Company, visit www.usboiler.net. 

Gary Hayden, P.E. is a mechanical engineer who has been involved in forensic engineering for the past eight years. With more than 100 cases under his belt, tune in to learn about some of his most memorable investigations! 

Gary is also a Class A mechanical contractor. His engineering career spans over 40 years and also involved working with manufacturers. Gary was the first engineer behind the development of the REHAU plumbing and heating systems, and he did the same work at Burnham Boilers as well.