Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Pex Tools for Crimping

PEX tools are designed for installing PEX Plumbing and Radiant Heat systems. These tools include Cutters and chamfering tools to work with PEX Tubing as well as the Expander Tools and the Clamping Tool.

The Wirsbo Expander Tools are required for use with ProPEX fittings. These come in several different models including the manual and air expander tools. Different size heads are attached to the tools in combination with PEX rings of different sizes to make connections with PEX Tubing. The Wirsbo Expander Tool is one of the most widely used PEX tools. The Wirsbo Manual Expander Tool comes with one bottle of lubricant; it may also be purchased separately.

The Wirsbo Clamping tool is required when using SSC Fittings. It is used in PEX Plumbing and Radiant Heat applications. Different size clamps are used for each size of PEX Tubing. This Wirsbo PEX Tool is gaining in popularity due to its ease of use. This tool is also referred to as a PEX Crimping Tool. When used with the proper clamps, The SSC PEX Tool for Crimping can make 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and 1" PEX Tubing Connections.

For more information on Pex Tools for Crimping visit our website www.supplyhouse.com

Monday, October 30, 2006

Pex Plumbing Supplies

Pex Plumbing Supplies include the parts that might be needed to install a plumbing system. These parts include chemicals, faucets, valves, and many more.
Hercules Chemicals including Block, Furnace Cement, Pro Dope, Soldering Paste, Boiler Liquid, Grit Cloth, Root Destroyer, TFE Tape. Boiler liquids used for Seals and repairs cracks and leaks in stem and hot water systems. This liquid formula will not clog hot water coils, controls, valves, or vents. They form a tough seal that expands and contracts with heat.

Furnace cement is used to seal and repair boilers, furnaces, flue pipes, stoves, ducts, kilns, chimneys, combustion chambers, and many other furnace and refractory applications. Unique patented clean'n friendly formula meets OSHA's requirement of less than 0.1% of crystalline silica content.

Grit cloth is used for cleaning and preparing copper pipe and fittings for soldering. Can be used in wet environments, and is easily cleaned with water for continual use. Made with resin-bonded 180-grit aluminum oxide for a sharper cutting face, both sides are equally effective in cleaning pipes. It’s non-clogging and long lasting packaged in a dispensing box.

For more information on Pex Plumbing Supplies log on to www.supplyhouse.com

Friday, October 27, 2006

Relief Valves

Watts is one of the leading manufacturers for relief valves at very affordable prices. The following are some of the more popular relief valves:


  1. Series 100XL Temperature and Pressure Watts Relief Valves- used in water heater and hot water storage tank applications to provide automatic temperature and pressure protection to hot water supply tanks and hot water heaters up to 100,000 BTU/hr.
  2. Watts Series 40L, 40XL Automatic Reseating Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves- used in commercial water heater applications to provide automatic temperature and pressure protection to hot water supply tanks and hot water heaters.
  3. Series 140S, 140X Automatic Reseating Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves.
  4. Watts Series 174A Boiler Pressure Relief Valves are used in hot water heating and domestic supply boiler applications to protect against excessive pressures on all types of hot water heating supply boiler equipment.
  5. Watts Series 530C Calibrated Pressure Relief Valves are used in commercial, residential and industrial applications to protect against excessive pressure in systems containing water, oil, or air. This Watts Relief Valve consists of a bronze body construction with NPT threaded male inlet and NPT threaded female (drain) outlet connections, stainless steel spring, brass bonnet, Buna-N disc, and Buna-N O-ring.

For more information on Relief Valves visit our website www.supplyhouse.com

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Radiant Heat Panels

Radiant Heat Panels improve the efficiency of a radiant heat system. These panels include Wirsbo Quik Trak that can be used above a sub floor, and Wirsbo Joist Trak that should be placed in between the joists below the space to be heated.

Uponor Wirsbo manufactures joist Trak Panels. These Wirsbo Joist Trak Radiant Heat panels are made from thick aluminum alloy and provide excellent heat transfer to the space above. They are attached beneath the wood sub floor in Radiant Heat Systems.

The 1/2-inch Wirsbo Quik Trak plywood panels are attached to an aluminum heat transfer sheet. Use Quik Trak with Wirsbo 5/16” hePEX plus only. Cut your labor in half with Wirsbo’s pre-assembled Quik Trak Panels, which consist of six panels fastened together with strapping tape. The panels are staggered (2 inches) on both ends to aid alignment. Use with Wirsbo 5/16” hePEX plus only. One package includes six panels.

Quik Trak Return Panels are designed with a “U” groove to complete tubing turns. The half-moon grooves are attached to the panels. Each return panel is shipped with a separate aluminum sheet for installation beneath the panel. Use Quik Trak with Wirsbo 5/16” hePEX plus only. Quik Trak Return Panels measure 7” wide x 48” long.

For more information on Radiant Heat Panels visit www.supplyhouse.com

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Pex Pipe

PEX Pipe is widely used for plumbing applications. PEX Plumbing uses PEX Tubing for supply lines in place of traditional copper tubing. The PEX Tubing for plumbing we sell includes Rifeng, Aquapex and Viega PEX Tubing. The tubing is color coated for hot/cold line water line distinction.

Aquapex is the leading brand of potable water PEX Tubing. Uponor Wirsbo manufactures this brand of PEX Tubing. Aquapex may be used in radiant heat applications where there are no ferrous components. However, Wirsbo Aquapex is more commonly used for PEX Plumbing applications. Aquapex meets ASTM F876 and F877, and is certified to NSF standards 14 and 61. It is rated by the PPI: 200°F at 80 psi, 180°F at 100 psi, and 73.4°F at 160 psi. Aquapex Tubing comes in white, red, and blue. The tubing is exactly the same just color coated for installation purposes for hot and cold lines.

For more information on PEX Pipe visit our website www.supplyhouse.com

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

SSC Pex Fittings

PEX Fittings make connections for radiant heat applications. supplyhouse.com offers three types of PEX Fittings. These are the Wirsbo QS-Style Fittings (compression), the Wirsbo SSC PEX Fittings (Clamp style), and the Wirsbo ProPEX Fittings (Expansion style). Each of these systems has advantages over the other. Also included in PEX Fittings are Fitting assemblies. These allow you to connect PEX to a manifold, or to use compression fittings to connect PEX to copper or NPT.

The valves included in this category include PEX Ball Valves, PEX Stop Valves, and PEX Washing Machine Boxes & Ice Maker Boxes. These valves are designed for use in PEX Plumbing and Radiant Heat systems.

The Wirsbo SSC Clamp Style Fittings require the SSC Clamping Tool and Clamps. These fittings are barbed and can make connections to copper, or ips. These are also referred to as PEX Crimp Fittings.

SSC Brass PEX Fitting Adapter transitions PEX tubing to copper fitting connections. SSC Ratchet Tool is required. SSC Clamps must be purchased separately. SSC Brass Copper Fitting Adapters connects PEX to Copper Fittings and Ratchet Tool & Clamps are required.

For more information on SSC Pex Fittings visit www.supplyhouse.com

Monday, October 23, 2006

Pressure Valves

supplyhouse.com offers Pressure Valves from the leading manufacturers including Watts, Taco, and Bell & Gossett. The following are some of the prominent ones:

  • Series 1156F High Capacity Feed Water Pressure RegulatorsThese are a type of Watts Pressure Valves and are for use in commercial and residential hydronic heating systems to fill the boiler and piping system with water, and to maintain water pressure in the system at all times. It also provides make-up water to the system in the event of system leaks. It consists of an iron and bronze body construction with NPT threaded inlet and outlet connections, a tight seating check valve, purge lever for manual purging, and a stainless steel strainer.
  • Watts Series 25AUB-Z3 Water Pressure Reducing Valves
    These are used in commercial and residential applications to reduce incoming water pressure for protection of plumbing system components and to reduce water consumption. It consists of a bronze body construction, union inlet connection, integral stainless steel strainer and high temperature resistant reinforced diaphragm for hot water.
  • Taco Pressure Reducing Valves
    Taco Boiler Feed Valves automatically feed water to a system whenever pressure in the system drops below the pressure setting of the Taco valve. Taco Valves are respected as being the finest in the plumbing and heating industry.

    For more information about Pressure Valves visit www.supplyhouse.com

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Flo Control Valves

supplyhouse.com offers competitive prices on Taco Flo Control Valves, which can be used in forced hot water heating systems to prevent gravity circulation during periods when the boiler is hot, but the space-heating zone is not wanted. Taco Flo-Checks come in several sizes and connection types.

For more than 40 years, designers and installers have used Taco Flo-Checks in forced hot water heating systems to prevent gravity circulation during periods when the boiler is hot, but the space-heating zone is not wanted. The Taco Flo Control Valves therefore makes it possible to use the heating boiler to maintain domestic hot water year-round.

Flo-checks permit summer-winter operation of indirect water heaters. Flo Control Valves come in NPT sizes ¾” to 2” and are made in combination straight-angle patterns permitting installation in either horizontal or vertical pipe lines. Larger sizes may be furnished in either straight or angle patterns. Removable top cap allows easy cleaning and service without removing pipe connections. Manual operating position for vertical lift disc permits gravity circulation.

For more information on Flo Control Valves visit http://www.supplyhouse.com.

Honeywell Thermostats

SupplyHouse offers a wide variety of thermostats from some of the world's leading manufacturers. These include Wirsbo Thermostats, Honeywell Thermostats, and Lux Thermostats at competitive prices. Honeywell is the world's leading manufacturer of Thermostats. SupplyHouse.com offers a large selection of Honeywell Thermostats at competitive prices.

The T8500 Honeywell Deluxe Digital Thermostat provides temperature control for 24V HVAC systems and is available with automatic or manual changeover configurations. It has a one touch backlighting and set-point retention in case of power failure. Honeywell offers a variety of mechanical non-programmable thermostats that provide 240 VAC control for Electric Heat systems. These thermostats offer comfort, simplicity and accuracy at affordable prices.

The Honeywell PRO 3000 non-programmable digital thermostat offers a basic thermostat with the convenience of an easy-to-read digital display. Best of all, it's backed by the Honeywell name. The T87 Round is Honeywell’s most recognizable temperature control. It has been keeping homes comfortable for over 50 years. Its reliable performance, classic styling, and convenience makes it the industry’s standard thermostat.

The Honeywell thermostats are classic, simple, and have accurate comfort control. There is a wide variety of thermostats to choose from. From The Honeywell Round thermostat that just celebrated its 50-year anniversary, to the latest Digital Round thermostat, and many more.

For more information on Honeywell Thermostats at www.supplyhouse.com

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Honeywell Zone Valves

Honeywell Zone Valves are now the most widely used devices for zoning a hydronic heating system. A zone valve eliminates the need for a Flow-Check valve and relays, and simplifies the piping required for a hydronic heating system. Because zone valves are compact they permit great flexibility of location in any heating system. In most zoned heating systems, especially when there are more than 2 zones, zone valves have a definite cost advantage over using a hydronic/water circulator in each zone. A single hydronic/water circulator in the system can supply many zone valves.

supplyhouse.com offers a large selection of Zone Valves, including Taco Zone Valves, Honeywell Zone Valves, Taco Zone Valve Controls and more. Zone Valves can be used to control the flow of water to a given zone in a Hydronic Heating System. Some of the most popular Honeywell Zone Valves include the V8043 line of Honeywell Zone Valves. Taco also makes a variety of zone valves including the 570 Series Taco Zone Valves and the ESP and Geothermal Taco Zone Valves.

Honeywell Zone Valves are some of the most commonly used Zone Valves in the industry. These Honeywell Zone Valves are designed for hydronic heating systems. ON-OFF and two-way low voltage valves consist of an actuator and valve assembly for controlling the flow of hot water and some models for steam. Zone valves control the flow of water to a specific zone in a hydronic heating system

For more information, visit our website www.supplyhouse.com

Radiator Valves

Radiator Valves and Thermostatic-Radiator Steam Traps are vital in all heating installations. They are located on the pipework at the top or bottom of your radiator, they include:

  1. Hot Water Angle Valves - (FIP x Male Union)
  2. Radiator Steam Traps - Series G, GH, MG, MGH Thermostatic Radiator Steam Traps are designed to remove condensate, air and non-condensable gases from heating systems, while still sensitive enough to close tightly in the presence of steam. Available in choice of various body patterns including angle, straightway, left hand corner, right hand corner, vertical and vertical double union.
  3. Radiator Union Elbows - (FIP x Male Union)
  4. Steam Angle Convector Valves - (Female Union x FIP)
  5. Steam Angle Radiator Valves - (FIP x Male Union)
  6. Steam Radiator Gate Valves - (FIP x Male Union)

    These radiator valves give you greater control over the heat from each individual radiator. Each valve can be set to a temperature to suit you, so you can have different temperatures in different rooms. It's best to set your valve to a middle setting and see if the room is warm enough. A middle setting corresponds to approximately 20ÂșC (68F).

    To know more about radiator valves visit our website http://www.supplyhouse.com/


Monday, October 16, 2006

ThermaPex Pex Tubing

Thermapex PEX Tubing is used to distribute water in PEX Plumbing, Radiant Heat, and other Hydronic Heating Systems. When using PEX Tubing for heating purposes, Oxygen Barrier PEX such as ThermaPEX, Wirsbo hePEX, Mr. PEX-al-PEX, and Multicor PEX-al-PEX Tubing should be used.

ThermaPEX is PEX-Tubing with an Oxygen Barrier for Radiant Heat. It is manufactured by LK PEX the second largest manufacturer of PEX in Europe. This tubing is designed for use in Radiant Heat and Snow Melt Systems. ThermaPEX meets ASTM F876 & F877 and is certified by the NSF. It is rated by the PPI: 200°F at 80 psi, 180°F at 100 psi, and 73.4°F at 160 psi. ThermaPEX tubing also meets DIN 4726. ThermaPEX is a high quality PEX Tubing with a competitive price and is available for same day shipping for orders received before 2 pm EST.

supplyhouse.com offers several types of PEX Tubing designed for radiant heating. However, if ferrous components are present, Wirsbo Aquapex should not be used. The combination of strength, flexability, and memory make PEX the perfect product for Radiant Heat Installations. Oxygen Barrier PEX Tubing such as Uponor Wirsbo HePEX, LK PEX's ThermaPEX, Wirsbo's Multicor, or Safelink's PEX-Al-PEX should be used unless no ferrous (metal) components are involved in the system. If the system is free of metal components then Wirsbo Aquapex may be used as an alternative to the PEX Tubing.
For more information on Thermapex Pex Tubing visit ouer website www.supplyhouse.com

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Expansion Tanks

Amtrol manufactures Extrol Tanks and Therm-X-Trol Tanks. The Extrol Expansion Tanks are designed for hydronic heating systems. The Therm-X-Trol Tanks are used in Radiant Heat Systems.

Extrol Tanks are designed for closed loop hydronic heating systems, including radiant heating. Amtrol manufactures these expansion tanks. Amtrol is a respected name in the hydronic heating industry. These Extrol expansion tanks may accompany a hydronic heating system.

The Extrol tanks come in #15, #30, #60, and #90; the larger numbers have larger capacity. Amtrol expansion tanks can play a pivotal role in any hydronic heating system. The Extrol and Therm-X-Trol lines of expansion tanks are designed specifically for these systems. The Amtrol expansion tanks therefore make a great fit for Radiant Heat systems.

Therm-X-Trol expansion Tanks are designed for use in potable water systems and open loop heating systems. Amtrol manufactures them. These expansion tanks come in two models, the ST-5 and the ST-12, with the ST-12 having larger capacity.
For more information on different expansion tanks visit our website www.supplyhouse.com

Aquastats

Aquastat Controllers are immersion type devices for limiting or regulating the temperature of liquids in boilers, storage tanks, and other applications where temperature control is required
  • Totally enclosed Micro Switch+ snap-acting switches operate on temperature rise to set point.
  • Visible control point scale and external adjustment screw permit easy setting.
  • Horizontal or vertical insertion of the sensing element.
  • Direct or well immersion of the sensing element.
  • Models available for strap-on mounting.
  • Remote bulb model may be used to sense air temperature in ducts and in outside air sensing applications.
  • TRADELINE models include heat-conductive compound.
  • Select models have wells.
For more information on Aquastats visit our website http://www.supplyhouse.com/

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Pex Plumbing Pipe

Pex Tubing is widely used for plumbing applications. Pex Plumbing uses Pex Tubing for supply lines in place of traditional copper tubing. The Pex Tubing for plumbing includes Wirsbo Aquapex and Zurn Pex Tubing. The tubing is color coated for hot/cold line water line distinction.

Aquapex is the leading brand of potable water Pex Tubing. Uponor Wirsbo manufactures this brand of Pex Tubing. Aquapex may be used in radiant heat applications where there are no ferrous components. However Wirsbo Aquapex is more commonly used for Pex Plumbing Pipe applications.

Aquapex meets ASTM F876 and F877, and is certified to NSF standards 14 and 61. It is rated by the PPI : 200°F at 80 psi, 180°F at 100 psi, and 73.4°F at 160 psi. Aquapex Tubing comes in white, red, and blue. The tubing is exactly the same just color coated for installation purposes.

For more information on Pex Plumbing Pipe visit our website www.supplyhouse.com

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Taco Circulator Pump

Pumps or circulator pumps are an integral part of any Hydronic system. The pumps are used to send water to an area of the hydronic system when it is called for, or to keep the flow of water in the system. For proper installation the pumps should be purchased with a pair of flanges to connect to the water line.

Taco Pumps are the best selling pumps on SupplyHouse.com. These pumps include the Taco Cast Iron Pumps, the Taco Cast Iron IFC Pumps, and the Taco Bronze Pumps. Taco Pumps are ideal for radiant heat systems. The may be used in the primary loop, or for zoning purposes they may be used along with a swithing relay and thermostats. The best selling Taco pump is the Taco 007 Cast Iron Circulator Pump.

Taco Circulator Pumps are designed for use in Hydronic and Radiant Heating Systems. The Cast Iron Taco Pumps are the signature green color. They include the IFC Pumps (Taco Pumps with Integral Flow Check). The Taco 007 Cast Iron Pump is our best selling pump. Taco Cast Iron Pumps should be used with the Cast Iron Pump Flanges. These flanges are sold in pairs; come in several different sizes, and should be selected based on the pipe size you are using. Replacement cartridges are made to replace the cartridges for Taco Pumps. These are a good option, however they are expensive relative to the cost of the pump, and often times not as readily available as the pumps themselves.

For more information on Taco Circulator Pumps Visit our website www.supplyhouse.com

Pex Tools

Pex Tools are used to install Pex Tubing in a Radiant Heat System. These tools include the SSC and Wirsbo Expander tools to make Pex Connections, a PEX Tubing Uncoiler, Pex Tubing Cutters, and many more.

The Wirsbo Hand Expander tool comes in two models, a complete set with 1/2", 3/4", & 1" heads or just the tool itself. The heads can be purchased separately (they start with sku number Q631). The Wirsbo Expander Tool is one of the most widely used Pex tools. The Wirsbo Manual Expander Tool comes with one bottle of lubricant; it may also be purchased separately. The Propex battery Expander Tool is designed for professionals making connections more than once a week. The Wirsbo Expander Tool kit comes with batteries, a battery charger, lubricant, and a carrying case. H-series expander heads are required.

Wirsbo Tube Cutters are used for cutting Pex Tubing. There are two types of cutters, the plastic Pex cutter and the ratchet style Pex cutter. The Pex Tube Uncoiler makes Pex Tubing installations easier. It simplifies installation and reduces the cost of labor. The uncoiler holds Pex Tubing from 5/16" - 1". Wirsbo makes this Pex Tubing Uncoiler.

For more information visit our website www.supplyhouse.com

Friday, October 06, 2006

Radiant Heat Manifolds

Manifolds play an important role in Radiant Heat applications. Manifolds are the place where supply water from the heat source is separated into smaller lines and dispersed throughout the Radiant Heat System. It comes with Supply and return manifold, End Caps, End Cap w/ Vent, Mounting Bracket, and Loop Adapters for 1/2" PEX and 1/2" PEX-AL-PEX. Not included are the Supply/return adapters, PEX Tubing, and Controls.

The entire radiant floor heating manifold & control packages comes with the control panel and the pump wired with plug-in cords attached. This allows you to plug the heating system into a small generator during power outages plus it allows you to replace the circulating pump without rewiring. In case of a control panel or zone valve failure the pump can be plugged into the wall to bypass the controls. These solid manifolds are self-purging and the insert/compression style fittings require no special tools for making your connections.

  • Manifolds won't tarnish or corrode, they are made of solid cast brass. We customize your manifold and control assembly per your project requirements.
  • Each loop has its' own flow control adjustment for balancing and can be isolated if necessary.
  • Connections are simple and require no specialized tools. Simply insert the PEX and tighten the compression nut.
  • Manifolds are self-purging.
  • Actuator valves are low voltage and slow to open. This eliminates noise from water hammer and reduces power consumption.
  • High-Efficiency, High-Head, High Quality Pump features an easy to replace cartridge for easy future maintenance. It's virtually silent and pre-wired to simplify your radiant heating installation.
  • Wednesday, October 04, 2006

    Pex Manifolds

    PEX Plumbing Manifolds are used to ease the installation of PEX Plumbing systems. These manifolds include the Wirsbo Aquacenter manifolds and copper manifolds. Be sure to select the right fittings and adapters to go along with these manifolds.

    Wirsbo’s Aqucenter Valved Manifold comes with three or four NPSM or ProPEX outlets. The Aquacenter is made from EP, suitable for hot and cold-water distribution systems. The manifolds can be joined to other Aquacenter Valved Manifolds using manifold couplings, and can be supplied with 3/4- or 1-inch ProPEX inlets. The kit includes manifold, red and blue valve clips, labels, valve-turning tool and installation instructions. Valved manifold inlets, couplings, caps, swivel adapters and assembly/mounting brackets are purchased separately.

    Wirsbo 1" Copper Valved Manifolds (type "L" copper) feature 1/2" ProPEX outlets is a soldered valve connection that allows simple and easy isolation of individual loops. Copper Manifold Sections can sweat together to extend the number of outlets using a standard 1-inch copper coupling. Do not exceed accepted flow rates for 1-inch nominal copper. Both 1-inch ends of this PEX Manifold are copper pipe size and require a copper end cap, coupling or transition fitting to make the proper system connection. ProPEX Tool is required as well as ProPEX Rings that are purchased separately.

    For more information on Pex Manifolds visit supplyhouse.com

    Tuesday, October 03, 2006

    Pex Fittings & Pex Valves

    PEX Fittings are used for connections in Radiant Heat applications. supplyhouse.com has three types of PEX Fittings. They include: the Wirsbo QS-Style Fittings (compression), the Wirsbo SSC PEX Fittings (Clamp style), and the Wirsbo ProPEX Fittings (Expansion style). Each of these systems has advantages over the other.

  • Wirsbo QS-Style Fittings (compression): are designed and tested for use with Wirsbo AQUAPEX and the PEX plus tubing.

  • Wirsbo SSC PEX Fittings (Clamp style): They require the SSC Clamping Tool and Clamps. They are barbed and can make connections to copper, or ips.

  • Wirsbo ProPEX Fittings (Expansion style): manufactured by Uponor, formerly known as Wirsbo. The fittings are widely used throughout the US and Europe for PEX Tubing connections. Each PEX Fitting connection requires the use of a ProPEX expansion tool and a ProPEX ring.

    Also included in PEX Fittings are Fitting assemblies that allow you to connect PEX to a manifold, or to use compression fittings to connect PEX to copper or NPT. The valves included in this category include PEX Ball Valves, PEX Stop Valves, and PEX Washing Machine Boxes & Ice Maker Boxes. These valves are designed for use in PEX Plumbing and Radiant Heat systems.

    For more information on PEX Fittings, visit http://www.supplyhouse.com/