Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Valves for a tankless heater

When installing a tankless water heater, you will need a pressure relief valve to regulate pressure through the system and assure that the pressure never climbs too high. A stop valve is also important as it allows you to easily shut off the water supply if there is ever a problem in the system. Takagi Isolation Valve Kits combine both the pressure relief valve and the stop valve, giving you the functionality of two valves in one convenient kit.

Takagi tankless water heaters and tankless water heater accessories can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Replacing a humidifier pad

Make sure that the humidifier pad you purchase matches the humidifier that you currently have. The GA10 Honeywell Humidifier Filter works for Honeywell Humidifier models HE220 & HE225. And, the GA35 Honeywell Humidifier Filter works for Honeywell Humidifier models HE260, HE265, HE360, &HE365. When you have the proper pad, simply pull out the used pad and replace it with the new one. Pads should be replaced every 3 to 6 months depending on usage. And do not throw away your old humidifier pad- just brush it off and the aluminum is recyclable.

Honeywell humidifiers and humidifier pads can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Monday, November 24, 2008

Male or female adapters

Male adapters have threads on the outside, while female adapters have threads on the inside of the fitting. In order to successfully secure a threaded fitting into place, you will need both a male and a female adapter using the same thread size (most use NPT, which stands for National Pipe Thread). Place the male fitting inside of the female, and twist until the threads are secure.

HydroPEX fittings, ProPEX fittings, and Sharkbite fittings can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Friday, November 21, 2008

HydroPEX Clamps

HydroPEX Stainless Steel Clamps (or SSC Clamps)can only be used with the HydroPEX Clamping Tool. This tool has special jaws that will only grab onto the tab of the stainless steel clamp and squeeze down, securing the ring onto the tubing with your fitting inside. If you have a crimping tool, you will need to use circular copper crimp rings instead of the stainless steel clamps.

Clamping tools, crimp tools, and other PEX tools and PEX fittings can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Keypad lockout on programmable thermostats

Three security settings are available for keypad lockout on White Rodgers 90 Series Thermostats. "Keypad Lockout and L" = Total Lockout. Total Lockout locks all keys. "Keypad Lockout and P" = Partial Lockout. Partial Lockout allows only the or buttons to operate within your set temperature limits. "Keypad Lockout and Limit" prevents changing the temperature limits in the Configuration Menu. Press Menu after selecting the type of lockout. For each lockout mode, you will need to select a password to override the lock and allow you to make changes to the settings on your thermostat.

White Rodgers Thermostats and Thermostats can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Peace of mind during installation

To assure that no wires are damaged or not functioning properly during installation, you can use a Suntouch LoudMouth Meter. This meter will produce a loud noise if anything is wrong with the wiring during the installation process. If there is no noise, you will know that the wires are good and can continue with the installation of your warm floors.

Suntouch Mats and other electric radiant heat products can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Stock up to save stress

The only way to open and close the valves on your MANABLOC Manifold is with a Valve T-Handle. At less than a dollar each, it's usually recommended to pick up an extra or two. This way, you can save the stress of looking all over for this small, plastic piece if you happen to lose the one that comes with your manifold.

PEX Manifolds and other parts for PEX Plumbing can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Monday, November 17, 2008

Electrical Ratings of McDonnell & Miller Mechanical Water Feeders

McDonnell & Miller Mechanical Water Feeders have different motor switch ratings (amps) at different voltage. At 120 Volts, a full load can handle 10.2 amps and a locked rotor 61.2 amps. At 240 Volts, a full load can handle 5.1 amps and a locked rotor 30.6 amps.

McDonnell Miller Low Water Cutoffs can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Friday, November 14, 2008

Closing off a PEX loop

If you need to close a loop of tubing either temporarily or permanently, you can use a PEX Plug. HydroPEX Brass Plugs can be installed and used with either the Watts Crimping Tool or the HydroPEX Clamping Tool.

PEX Fittings and PEX Tools can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Takagi Outdoor Tankless Water Heaters

Takagi Outdoor Tankless Water Heaters should be installed in mild climates only. When installed outdoors, T-K4-OS-NG's and T-K4-OS-LP's should be wall mounted in an open, unroofed area.

Takagi Tankless Water Heaters and other tankless water heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wiring for QMark Heaters

QMark Electric Baseboard Heaters get hard wired into your system and are controlled by a line voltage thermostat. Wiring must be done in order for these baseboards to work properly as there is no plug-in option available.

QMark Heaters and other baseboard heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

No hub cast iron couplings

No hub couplings can be used to connect cast iron, steel or plastic pipe. The no-hub replaces the traditional hub and spigot joint common in many plumbing jobs. No hub couplings are used in a variety of above-ground applications including sanitary drains, vent piping and grease trap installation.

No hub couplings and other plumbing supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Monday, November 10, 2008

Replacing a zone valve

If you have a defective zone valve, the problem could be in the unit, or isolated just in the head. As a less expensive alternative to replacing the entire zone valve (if your problem is in the head, of course), you can purchase a Zone Valve Replacement Head, a twist on part which is easy to install and maintain.

Zone Valves and other Taco Heating Products can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Friday, November 07, 2008

Sizing an expansion tank based on BTU output of your boiler

Based on the BTU output of your boiler, the following is an approximation on which expansion tank to choose for your heating system.

BTU Output Under 50,000: #15
BTU Output 50,000 - 150,000: #30
BTU Output 150,000 - 200,000: #60
BTU Output 200,000 - 400,000: SX-30V
BTU Output 400,000 - 600,000: SX-40V
BTU Output 700,000 - 900,000: SX-60V
BTU Output Over 900,000: SX-90V

Expansion Tanks and Extrol Tanks can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Regulating Gas Pressure

All systems using gas require a gas regulator in order to assure proper gas pressure levels. Most gas fired units have a regulator built in, but it is best to check before completing your installation. Without proper gas regulation, the pressure in your system can build to dangerous levels. To size your gas regulator, you will need to know what pipe size it will be connecting to, the BTU load of your system, gas pressure coming into the system, and which style you prefer.

Maxitrol Gas Regulators can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Making cuts in Pex-Al-Pex

A standard PEX tube cutter will not make a clean cut in PEX-Aluminum-PEX Tubing. After cutting the PEX-Al-PEX with a tube cutter, you will need to use a chamfering tool to smooth the edges and get a clean line on your tubing in order to make secure connections.

PEX Tubing and PEX Tools can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Securing a bolt

A pair of slip-joint pliers are the best way to secure the tool down to the bolt and make a fast and tight fitting with minimal effort. Instead of repositioning your pliers, the slip joint mechanism in slip joint pliers allows you to keep the tool in tightly around the bolt while making the connection.

Slip joint pliers and other PEX Tools can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Monday, November 03, 2008

The best place to read temperature may not be your thermostat

Sometimes where your Honeywell thermostat is located is not the best place to read the temperature and regulate the heat in your home based on that. If this is your situation, and you cannot move the thermostat, the best thing to do is get a remote sensor. Honeywell makes remote indoor sensors that are wired to connect to the thermostat up to 250 feet away. This way, you keep your thermostat where it is, but get temperature readouts from somewhere else in your home where the temperature is more constant (or more representative of the rest of the home, or just where you want the temperature to be read from).

Honeywell thermostats and remote sensors can be found at www.supplyhouse.com