Watch SupplyHouse on YouTube

SupplyHouse's YouTube Channel currently features over a hundred videos that are full of useful information for plumbing and heating jobs. The channel contains both original videos and clips produced by manufacturers, many of which can be found on the SupplyHouse website and Resource Center. Among our most popular videos are the PEX connections videos that demonstrate the various options for PEX fittings in plumbing and heating applications. The latest selections give information on pipe insulation, MANABLOC supply adapters, and our radiant heat design service.

Air Ventilators: ERV vs. HRV

Air ventilators improve indoor air quality, maximizing clean and healthy air while minimizing contaminants and moisture. There are two types of in-line ventilators: Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) and Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs). Both contain a supply and exhaust motor in one unit, bringing in fresh air from outside and pulling stale air from the living space. The unit’s recovery core ensures incoming air is not too cold during the winter or too warm in the summer.

The core in an ERV unit transfers heat and moisture to outgoing air, making ERVs perfect for the warm and dry Southeastern United States. They clean air and reduce the load on air conditioners.

HRVs are recommended in all cold climates, in addition to warm areas that are dry. They bring in an amount of air equal to that which they exhaust, transferring heat from warmer to colder air. HRVs also use defrost protection that allows year-round operation. Visit SupplyHouse.com to browse Fantech and Honeywell ventilators.

DIY Baseboard Wall Brackets

The DIY Baseboard Heater covers available online exclusively at SupplyHouse.com resist rust and install easily. They feature a unique design that modernizes any room. The covers replace most standard-sized baseboard covers in retrofit designs by snapping to existing back plates. When there are no back plates, specially designed wall brackets support the covers. The brackets must be screwed to wall studs 7” above the floor.

The wall brackets are black (rather than the white of the actual covers). This allows them to be invisible when looking down at the covers. The area inside the covers appears black after installation. White wall brackets would stand out, diminishing the attractive look of the covers.

Grease Trap Installation

Grease traps should be installed as close to the grease source as possible. This protects the maximum amount of pipes and keeps incoming water at the highest temperature possible. High temperatures are conducive to optimal grease separation. Although grease traps usually go underground, they may also be placed on the floor, partially recessed, or positioned so that the cover is flush with the floor. Keep in mind that grease traps are not designed to bear heavy loads or deal with consistent foot traffic.

A flow control device regulates flow of waste material from incoming fixtures, ensuring water is not flowing too rapidly (or too slowly) for appropriate separation of the fluid to take place. A single grease trap should only be hooked up to multiple fixtures when they are located close together. It is recommended that a separate grease trap be used for every commercial dishwasher.

Sump Pump Discharge Hose

All sump pumps require a discharge line, generally one that’s 1-1/4” or 1-1/2” in size. Little Giant’s Sump Pump Discharge Kits contain everything necessary to connect to the pump: 24’ corrugated polyethylene hose, an adapter, and a galvanized steel clamp. Visit SupplyHouse.com for more Little Giant products, including condensate pumps and complete assemblies.

Vibration Pads for Less Noise

The anti-vibration pads available on SupplyHouse.com cut down on vibrations and noise from machines and equipment. Generally used with air conditioners, vibration pads are useful with many other types of household and industrial equipment, including washing machines. Rubber pads, like DiversiTech’s E.V.A. Anti-Vibration Pad, resist the damage that oil and other liquids can cause on cork pads. The E.V.A. pad comes in 2”, 3”, and 4” square sizes and withstands up to 50 psi.

Control Thermostats Online

Honeywell’s new RedLINK Internet Gateway provides remote access to any Honeywell RedLINK system. It is compatible with all Prestige and Wireless FocusPRO thermostats (previous models included) and E-Connect electric heat controls. The gateway plugs directly into a router and allows users to control thermostats online using Honeywell’s Total Comfort Connect website and apps. The service requires no monthly fees.

Users can create personalized names for different zones and locations, configuring up to six email alerts (backup contacts, contractors, etc.) and adding multiple users with various levels of access to the system. Total Comfort Connect and the Internet Gateway give authorized users the ability to modify system (heat, cool, off, etc.) and temperature (by zone) settings from computers, tablets, and smart phones. The internet portal also displays outdoor temperature and humidity, if a proper sensor is installed at the location.

Get a FREE Milwaukee Tool

Through the end of the year, Milwaukee Tool is offering a free M12 Rotary Tool with the purchase of select products. The seven products SupplyHouse.com sells that qualify for the promotion are 2205-20 (Fork Meter), 2206-20 (Fork Meter), 2217-20 (Digital Multimeter), 2236-20 (Clamp Meter for HVAC/R), 2237-20 (Clamp Meter), 2266-20 (Laser TEMP-GUN Thermometer), and 2280-20 (Laser Distance Meter). U.S. Customers who order these products between October 1, 2011 and Decemebr 31, 2011 will receive a mail-in form that can be used to obtain the free tool (part 2460-21, limit 5 per customer).

Monoflo Tees & Kick-Space Heaters

Monoflo tees are important parts of many kick-space heater installations. Also known as a diverter tees or venturi tees, these fittings move some of the flow in a hydronic system to a secondary loop. Kick-space heaters only require monoflo tees if the units are installed on a secondary line that splices off the main baseboard line. In these cases, since water follows the path of least resistance, monoflo tees allow sufficient flow to reach the kick-space heater. If the heater is positioned on the same straight line between two baseboards, for example, a monoflo tee is not necessary. SupplyHouse.com stocks kick-space heaters from Beacon-Morris and Slant/Fin.

Black Magic Asphalt Paint

Hercules Black Magic Asphalt Paint keeps products looking new. Perfect for painting rusted pipes or covering problem-spots on driveways, the paint also works on railings, boilers, storage tanks, and wood. Black Magic paint resists rust completely. It is waterproof and weather resistant. One gallon of the paint covers approximately 100 square feet or 400 square feet of pipe. Visit SupplyHouse.com for more Hercules plumbing products.

Methods of Heat Transfer

Heat travels from warmer areas to colder areas through three modes of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction transfers heat by physical contact, as warmer molecules shift their energy to colder ones. Convective heat transfer occurs in fluids (liquids and gases), such as air. Warmer air is less dense than cooler air and rises above it. The cycle operates continuously and creates convection currents. In radiation, waves of heat energy travel through space from a warmer surface to a colder surface. Radiation occurs on a daily basis whenever anyone feels the rays of the sun.

Forced air and baseboard heating systems take advantage of convective currents. Systems with radiators or in-floor tubing (radiant heat) primarily use radiation. See SupplyHouse.com for heating products for any type of heating system.

Triangle Tube Zone Control

Triangle Tube’s Optima Series Zone Control Panel controls up to five zone valves or zone pumps, serving as a switching relay and a zone valve control simultaneously. Compatible with Triangle Tube’s Prestige boilers, the control is expandable up to 10 zones. It features priority for domestic hot water and an easy-to-read digital display. For more information, as well as a larger selection of Triangle Tube products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Spears PVC Fittings

SupplyHouse.com now carries a large selection of PVC fittings. Schedule 40 and DWV (drain, waste, vent) fittings can be found on the PVC Fittings page. They include couplings, elbows, tees, wyes, caps, crosses, and p-traps. Spears Manufacturing, an American company founded in 1969, produces all these high-quality fittings. We also carry PVC ball valves (threaded and solvent, 1/2” to 4” in size) made by Matco-Norca, and PVC cement from Hercules.

MANABLOC Supply Adapters

Viega’s MANABLOC PEX Plumbing manifold includes all fittings for the distribution ports. It is available with PEX press, crimp, and compression connections at these ports. The MANABLOC does not include any supply adapters for its three supply ports. This is because the MANABLOC can be fed with either 3/4” or 1” supply lines. Viega produces PEX press, crimp, and male NPT (threaded) supply adapters. SupplyHouse.com’s MANABLOC packages include two 3/4” supply adapters, along with mounting straps, an extra valve adjustment handle, and an end cap for the third supply port.

The third supply port remains unused (and should be capped off) unless the water heater’s supply line runs to the MANABLOC before it goes to the water heater. Generally, the water heater has a separate supply, making the third supply port unnecessary.

Test your Water Pressure

The Boshart PG25 Water Test Gauge measures water pressure in your system. Its 3/4” hose thread allows the gauge to connect to outdoor hose bibbs, boiler or water heater drains, and lawn faucets. The gauges record up to 200 or 300 psi, depending on the model. They can be used to determine the need for a pressure reducing valve, find problems in the system, or simply determine the highest water pressure in the system. To see more temperature and pressure gauges, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Can PEX Tubing Freeze?

PEX tubing can expand and return to its original shape. This makes PEX more freeze-resistant than traditional rigid pipe, such as copper. Still, PEX is not freeze-proof. Freezing is a concern particularly when PEX is used for plumbing, as no glycol can be used for antifreeze. If water is allowed to freeze in the line, PEX can burst. When running it as an outdoor water line, PEX should be buried below the frost line. Insulation can guard against freezing as well (it’s also a must when running any hot water outdoors to prevent heat loss).

IFC Circulator Pumps

Flow-Checks prevent heat from moving into areas of a hydronic heating system that are not in need of heat at a given time. In the past, flow-checks had to be installed in-line, close to, but separate from circulator pumps. Today, many pumps include an integrated flow-check. Any Taco pump marked as ‘IFC’ contains an integral flow-check. Many Grundfos pumps contain a flow-check that can be easily removed if it’s not needed. Pumps with internal flow-checks speed up installations and minimize fittings in-line. They can be found on SupplyHouse.com, along with a huge selection of other heating supplies.

Grundfos ALPHA: Power-Saving Pump

The Grundfos ALPHA circulator pump delivers strong performance while minimizing energy consumption. These 3-speed pumps are available in cast iron or stainless steel, with either a terminal box or a line cord for wiring. The ALPHA regulates its power consumption by modifying performance based on system conditions. Using this AUTOADAPT feature can allow up to an 80% reduction in energy consumption by circulator pumps. The ALPHA is able to operate on as few as 5 watts, with the wattage constantly visible on the LED display. The Grundfos ALPHA circulator pump is available at SupplyHouse.com.

The Peerless PUREFIRE Boiler

The Peerless PUREFIRE gas boiler sets high standards for state-of-the-art, efficient operation. This condensing boiler can operate at efficiencies up to 97.3% and meets all Energy Star and United States federal tax credit requirements for 2011. Its LoNOx ratings make it legal for use in the State of California. The compact PUREFIRE boiler can be mounted on a wall with the included brackets. It also comes standard with a condensate neutralization system, float switch, and outdoor reset control. An advanced control board and LCD display further set the PUREFIRE apart from the competition. This boiler is made in the United States and has been tested extensively. Use the BTU Calculator at SupplyHouse.com to see which PURFIRE boiler would work for any application.

Zoning = Maximum Comfort

Uneven temperatures and cold areas throughout the house are common complaints homeowners make when asked about their heating systems. Zoning a heating system can solve this problem by breaking it into multiple areas, each controlled by an individual thermostat. It may be a necessity in large homes and spaces, because the temperatures in rooms located far away from the thermostat cannot be accurately monitored and maintained. Heating systems that are zoned provide the heat that is needed to maintain set temperature levels everywhere, leading to maximum comfort and efficiency.

Hydronic heating systems can be zoned either by circulator or by zone valve. Circulator-zoned systems have a separate circulator pump for each zone that only pushes water through a given zone when that zone calls for heat. Systems that are zoned by zone valve typically only use one circulator. Each zone’s valve opens when that zone needs heat (if it is a normally-closed valve). Forced-air heating systems zone with dampers that block air from moving to areas that don’t need heat. To find a large selection of zoning and heating products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Vibration Pads for Less Noise

The anti-vibration pads available on PexSupply.com cut down on vibrations and noise from machines and equipment. Generally used with air conditioners, vibration pads are useful with many other types of household and industrial equipment, including washing machines. Rubber pads, like DiversiTech’s E.V.A. Anti-Vibration Pad, resist the damage that oil and other liquids can cause on cork pads. The E.V.A. pad comes in 2”, 3”, and 4” square sizes and withstands up to 50 psi.

Sump Pump Discharge Hose

All sump pumps require a discharge line, generally one that’s 1-1/4” or 1-1/2” in size. Little Giant’s Sump Pump Discharge Kits contain everything necessary to connect to the pump: 24’ corrugated polyethylene hose, an adapter, and a galvanized steel clamp. Visit PexSupply.com for more Little Giant products, including condensate pumps and complete assemblies.

Grease Trap Installation

Grease traps should be installed as close to the grease source as possible. This protects the maximum amount of pipes and keeps incoming water at the highest temperature possible. High temperatures are conducive to optimal grease separation. Although grease traps usually go underground, they may also be placed on the floor, partially recessed, or positioned so that the cover is flush with the floor. Keep in mind that grease traps are not designed to bear heavy loads or deal with consistent foot traffic.

A flow control device regulates flow of waste material from incoming fixtures, ensuring water is not flowing too rapidly (or too slowly) for appropriate separation of the fluid to take place. A single grease trap should only be hooked up to multiple fixtures when they are located close together. It is recommended that a separate grease trap be used for every commercial dishwasher.

DIY Baseboard Wall Brackets

The DIY Baseboard Heater covers available online exclusively at PexSupply.com resist rust and install easily. They feature a unique design that modernizes any room. The covers replace most standard-sized baseboard covers in retrofit designs by snapping to existing back plates. When there are no back plates, specially designed wall brackets support the covers. The brackets must be screwed to wall studs 7” above the floor.

The wall brackets are black (rather than the white of the actual covers). This allows them to be invisible when looking down at the covers. The area inside the covers appears black after installation. White wall brackets would stand out, diminishing the attractive look of the covers.

Watch PexSupply on YouTube

PexSupply's YouTube Channel currently features over a hundred videos that are full of useful information for plumbing and heating jobs. The channel contains both original videos and clips produced by manufacturers, many of which can be found on the PexSupply website and Resource Center. Among our most popular videos are the PEX connections videos that demonstrate the various options for PEX fittings in plumbing and heating applications. The latest selections give information on pipe insulation, MANABLOC supply adapters, and our radiant heat design service.