Hand Cleaner for Plumbers

Hercules Chemical makes professional-grade plumbing parts and compounds, including plumbers caulk, PVC cement, and pipe joint tape. They also offer the perfect solution for cleaning your hands after a long day on the job. Hercules for Hands Pumice Lotion Hand Cleaner removes the toughest plumbing chemicals, moisturizes with aloe vera, vitamin E, and lanolin, and does not even require water or rinsing. 15-ounce containers are available at SupplyHouse.com.

PEX Press Colors

Viega’s PEX Press fittings are compatible with standard PEX tubing and FostaPEX PEX-AL-PEX. They are a great option for MANABLOC installations. Both PEX Press fittings and tools come color-coded by size:

• 3/8” = Green
• 1/2” = Yellow
• 3/4” = Blue
• 1” = Orange

Flip Hot/Cold Lines on a MANABLOC

MANABLOC manifolds from Viega make it easy to run PEX lines to plumbing fixtures throughout your home. The MANABLOC combines your hot and cold manifolds into a single physical unit. Hot ports are labeled red and cold lines are labeled blue. All MANABLOCs come with more cold lines than hot lines (for toilets, outdoor fixtures, etc.). Stickers in the box let you mark each line with its associated fixture.

Besides possible confusion over the colors, there would be no reason that you couldn’t use the all the blue ports of a MANABLOC for hot lines and the all the red ports for cold lines (unless you must use the second cold supply port to feed your water heater). Although doing this is entirely possible in theory, it is unlikely that it would ever be necessary. Visit SupplyHouse.com to buy MANABLOCs and accessories.

PEX-AL-PEX Bend Radius

PEX-Aluminum-PEX does not have the same dimensions as standard PEX. PEX-AL-PEX’s wider diameter and aluminum layer make its minimum bend radius ratings different from those of standard PEX. See the chart below for minimum bend radius ratings for PEX-AL-PEX tubing. To purchase PEX-AL-PEX, visit SupplyHouse.com.

• 1/2” = 3.20”
• 5/8” = 4.00”
• 3/4” = 5.00”
• 1” = 6.00”

Honeywell AM-1 Mixing Valves

Honeywell AM Series Thermostatic Mixing Valves temper hot water to desired set point temperatures. Use them to prevent scalding in plumbing systems or to achieve proper temperatures in hydronic heating systems. Available in 1/2”, 3/4”, and 1” sizes, the valves can be ordered for plumbing or heating applications. Heating valves have higher temperature ratings, but no ASSE approval. Connection options include NPT, union CPVC, union PEX, union sweat, and union NPT. Safety features reduce flow if the valve loses its cold water supply. See SupplyHouse.com for more mixing valves and Honeywell products.

Taco Hydro Air Fan Control

Taco’s Hydro Air Fan Control links a hydronic air handler to a thermostat. With clearly labeled wiring and a DPDT relay, the control includes an end switch to start the boiler and/or circulator. Both available controls work with single-speed or two-speed air handlers and can operate in cooling mode. Other features include indicator lights and a three-year warranty. Visit SupplyHouse.com to find more Taco products.

Joist Trak Installation Noise

Uponor’s Joist Trak panels allow even and efficient heat transfer in hydronic radiant heat systems in which PEX tubing is installed in a joist bay. Just screw that panels to the joist bay and insulate below to maximize upward heat transfer.

Since PEX expands linearly as it gets hotter, it is possible that there will be noise in Joist Trak installations unless proper precautions are taken. Noise occurs when tubing expands and hits the far end of the hole drilled through a joist at a 90-degree turn at the end of a run. If tubing continues to expand, it has nowhere to move. The manufacturer recommends several methods for combating this noise:

• Drill larger holes in the joist
• Use open-truss span joints so that holes through the joist are not necessary
• Install shorter runs
• Use lower water temperatures when possible
• Install expansion loops for longer runs

Panasonic Mini-Split AC

Panasonic ductless mini-split air conditioning systems are available at SupplyHouse.com, replacing the Sanyo line of mini-splits. Mini-split systems offer a great alternative to window air conditioners and central air systems. They operate quietly and can be zoned with ease. Panasonic models feature inverter motors for energy efficiency. Panasonic offers single-zone, multi-zone, and heat pump models, ranging from 9,000 to 36,000 BTUs.

How to Connect PEX-AL-PEX

PEX-Aluminum–PEX tubing is only compatible with select fittings. Standard PEX-AL-PEX only works with press or compression fittings designed for PEX-AL-PEX. This limited selection can make it difficult to find fittings.

Let’s say you had to connect two pieces of 1/2” PEX-AL-PEX together. You could use Uponor’s D4545050 coupling, but this requires a proper press tool. Without the tool you would need to use two separate compression fittings and a piece to connect them. Try either two PAP-0500M fittings along with a TB1-08 coupling, or two D4120500 fittings and a A4322020 nipple. The particular fittings required differ for other PEX-AL-PEX sizes. Visit SupplyHouse.com to browse our full selection. (*Please note that Viega's FostaPEX tubing does not work with the fittings mentioned above. It requires Viega PEX Press fittings.)

Gallo Gun for Condensate Drains

DiversiTech’s Charles Gallo drain gun uses carbon dioxide (CO2) to clear condensate drain lines. Compatible with drain openings between 3/8” and 3/4”, the CO2 it uses is cleaner than water and more environmentally-friendly than refrigerant. Its flexible hose makes hard-to-reach drains accessible. CO2 cartridges are available separately, but cannot be purchased on SupplyHouse.com due to shipping restrictions.

Watts Onix Tubing

Onix Tubing from Watts Radiant provides several advantages in radiant heat installations. Available in sizes ranging from 3/8” to 1”, Onix tubing is flexible, durable, freeze-resistant, and UV-resistant. Backed by a 25-year warranty, Onix tubing cannot be kinked. It contains an aluminum oxygen barrier and is rated to temperatures up to 180°F. The tubing requires special fittings and clamps, which do not need special tools for installation. Go to www.supplyhouse.com to buy on Onix Tubing and other Watts products.

Radiant Heat: Not Just for Floors

Almost all radiant heat installations use the floor as a heating panel, but it’s also possible to heat a space through its walls or ceilings. Radiant heat can travel in any direction, but there are several advantages and disadvantages to these unusual systems. Although ceiling and wall systems don’t provide a warm floor, they may be necessary in rooms with thick carpet (through which floor heat would have difficulty travelling).

Like floor panels, ceiling and wall panels heat rooms evenly, with minimal noise and air currents. They provide the additional benefits of potentially higher fluid temperatures/heat output and easy retrofitting. Both wall and ceiling radiant hydronic panels use heat transfer plates. To maximize heat transfer to the heated space, they should be more heavily insulated than standard walls and ceilings.

Differential Bypass Valves

Differential bypass valves regulate pressure in hydronic heating systems that are zoned with zone valves and have a fixed-speed circulator pump. Without the bypass valve, problems can arise when certain zone valves close as the areas they control no longer need heat. Differential bypass valves prevent excessively high fluid flow velocity and the noise it can cause. They are installed after the circulator pump’s discharge and use a spring to modify system flow to more acceptable levels. SupplyHouse carries differential bypass valves manufactured by Taco and Bell & Gossett.

Portable Electric Copper Cutter

Cut copper tubing with ease using Milwaukee’s M12 Cordless Copper Tubing Cutter. Compatible with other M12 tools, the 2471-21 kit includes the cutting tool along with a carrying case, rechargeable 12-volt lithium ion battery (capable of up to 200 cuts per charge), and charger. The tool can also be purchased by itself (part 2471-20). The water-resistant tool displays a battery indicator and an LED light to project a straight line on the tubing. It works with copper tube sizes ranging from 3/8” to 1” (1/2” to 1-1/8” OD), and automatically adjusts to the proper size prior to making the cuts.

A.O. Smith Cross-Reference

A.O. Smith makes gas, electric, and oil water heaters in a wide-variety of sizes and configurations. If you need to replace an existing water heater, consider an A.O. Smith. Their convenient and easy-to-use cross-reference tool lets you match any water heater to an A.O. Smith equivalent. SupplyHouse.com carries A.O. Smith water heaters and replacement parts.

Viega FostaPEX Tubing

Viega’s FostaPEX tubing provides a unique option for PEX installations. Its aluminum layer serves as an oxygen barrier, making FostaPEX compatible with closed-loop heating systems. The aluminum also keeps the tubing more rigid and reduces linear expansion. Unlike other PEX-AL-PEX, FostaPEX has the same dimensions as standard PEX tubing. Only PEX Press fittings can be used to make connections with FostaPEX tubing. FostaPEX is lead-free and NSF-approved for use with potable water.

To buy FostaPEX tubing, or other Viega products, please visit SupplyHouse.com.

Hot Water on D'Mand

Domestic hot water recirculation pumps eliminate annoying wait times for hot water. Water sitting in hot water pipes loses heat. This water is normally wasted, as users let it run down the drain until new hot water arrives from the water heater.

Taco’s D’MAND hot water recirculation system gets rid of this waste and the wait time, using a small and quiet circulator to cycle lukewarm or cold water back to the water heater. A push button or motion sensor can be used to activate the pump with the push of a button or when someone enters a bathroom. Visit SupplyHouse.com to find more Taco products and plumbing supplies.

Average Hot Water Usage

When sizing a tank-style water heater, make sure that the unit you install can provide sufficient hot water during the daily period of peak usage (based on recovery rate and first hour ratings). Doing so will ensure that you never run out of hot water. It’s important to determine how much hot water you use. Flow rates at fixtures can vary (especially with very new or very old equipment), but the figures below reflect U.S. government data for average hot water consumption by appliance per use.

• Clothes washer: 7 gallons
• Shower: 10 gallons
• Dishwasher: 6 gallons
• Kitchen faucet: 2 gallons per minute
• Bathroom faucet: .05 gallons per minute

PEX-AL-PEX Dimensions

PEX-Aluminum-PEX (PEX-AL-PEX) is PEX tubing with an embedded aluminum layer. The aluminum acts as an oxygen barrier, keeps the tubing more rigid, and cuts down on linear expansion. It also changes the dimensions of PEX-AL-PEX, making them different from those of regular PEX tubing. See the chart below for the inside diameters (ID) and outside diameters (OD) for each nominal PEX-AL-PEX size.

• 1/2”: 0.490” ID; 0.636” OD

• 5/8”: 0.627” ID; 0.793” OD

• 3/4”: 0.792” ID; 0.990” OD

• 1”: 1.014” ID; 1.266 OD

*These dimensions do not apply to Viega’s FostaPEX tubing

Custom Colors for Runtal Radiators

Runtal manufactures high-quality and stylish hydronic and electric radiators, from traditional radiators to baseboards and towel warmers. White is the standard color for all these items, but Runtal offers a wide variety of color options. To order a Runtal product with a custom color, contact a customer service representative at SupplyHouse.com. Please note that these are special-order items and often require an extended lead time.

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.