Latch and Finish Information

The latch on Acudor Fire Rated Access Doors features universal self-latching bolt, operated by either a knurled knob or flush key. When master keying is required, doors can be prepared for rim cylinder locks or mortise cylinder locks. The steel finish is 5-stage iron phosphate preparation with prime coat of gray baked enamel and the stainless steel has #4 satin polish.

Acudor Access Doors and Fire Rated Access Doors can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How did polyethylene get its start?

Polyethylene was invented in the early 1930s and played an important role for the Allied Forces in World War II. British scientists took polyethylene and used it as an insulator allowing British pilots to have radar on their planes for the first time in history. Airborne radar was a great technical advantage for battles fought through clouds with low visibility and for long-distance warfare. Polyethylene has come a long way, as it is now cross-linked and used for plumbing and heating water lines all throughout Europe and North America.

Cross-linked Polyethylene, or PEX can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How to open and use your PEX Ratchet-Style Tube Cutter

First, push the handles together to slide the metal lock off. Then, pull the handles apart as far as they will go (you may need to pull further than you would think!). This will release the mechanism and free the blade, allowing you to easily cut your PEX Tubing.

PEX Tubing and Ratchet-Style PEX Tube Cutters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How to fix a slow draining tub

Most tubs today have a lift and turn type drain. To remove it, twist the textured knob counter-clockwise while the drain plug is in the down (closed) position. Remove the hairy buildup and replace. The tub should drain much faster now. If the drain is still slow, a quick replacement with a new bath drain should solve your problem.

Gerber bath drains can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Spacing your Air Separator

You need at least six inches of pipe on either side of your Air Separator before you place any circulation pumps or other equipment in your heating system.

Taco Air Separators and other Air Eliminators can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How to stop a sump pump from shutting off so much

If water runs back into the pump from the line, this could be causing the pump to shut off when you don't want it to. Installing a check valve (or replacing the check valve if it's been there a while) would likely solve this problem.

Sump pumps, Sharkbite Fittings and Check Valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

A tip when installing floor sensors

Use some left over PEX tubing as a conduit for the sensor. That way, if the sensor goes bad down the road, you can just pull the sensor out and replace it with ease.

Radiant Heat thermostats and floor sensors can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Straight stop or angle?

If the vertical run of the supply line is 8" to 10", you can install a straight stop as your shut off valve. If the run isn't that long, it is best to install an angle stop. Attach the angle stop to the horizontal pipe and then run the supply line vertically.

Straight stops, angle stops and other PEX fittings and valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Selecting mounting position and location for a Honeywell HEPA Air Cleaner

The F500 can be suspended from exposed ceiling joists or the ceiling surface, or it can be floor-mounted.

1. Install the F500A in a conditioned space or the F500B in an unconditioned space using these guidelines.

2. Plan the unit location to minimize duct lengths.

3. Locate an existing electrical outlet with the appropriate current rating to plug in the power cord. (If an outlet is not available, have a qualified electrician install one.)

4. Choose a location that is readily accessible for checking and replacing the filter. (Allow at least 26-1/2 in. (673 mm) clearance in front of the unit.)


Honeywell Whole House HEPA Air Cleaners can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

What thermostat should I use to control my electric baseboard heat?

The Honeywell Line Voltage Electric Heat Thermostats are double pole thermostats ideally suited to control the heating for electric baseboard applications. You can choose from programmable or non-programmable, and both thermostats are digital showing both the time and the temperature.

Honeywell Thermostats including Honeywell Thermostats for Baseboard Heat can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

What is the warranty on Stiebel Eltron Tempra Heaters?

Stiebel Eltron offers proven reliability which is backed by a Three Year Warranty. Stiebel Eltron has a track record of engineering excellence and high product quality. The three years parts warranty means that you can depend on the Tempra unit for many years to come.

Stiebel Eltron Tempras as well as a variety of other tankless water heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Beat the heat with a Schaefer fan

In addition to using it for our own comfort, a Schaefer fan can also help the vegetation in your life! All greenhouses large or small, whether naturally ventilated, mechanically ventilated, cooled, and/or heated, will benefit from horizontal airflow. Plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables, shrubs and trees thrive when provided with horizontal airflow gained from a fan such as the Schaefer Versa-Kool.

Schaefer Fans & Coolers can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Uses for PEX-Aluminum-PEX

Mr. PEX brand PEX-Aluminum-PEX (PEX-Al-PEX) has an oxygen barrier and is most typically used in heating applications. However, Mr. PEX has also been approved for potable water and can be used in plumbing applications as well. So if you're looking for a sturdy PEX that holds the shape you bend it to in plumbing or heating applications, Mr. PEX could be just what you were looking for.

Mr. PEX, PEX Tubing, and PEX-al-PEX can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Wiring for Taco Zone Valves

While two circuits (each with its own transformer) touch at terminal #2, they do not communicate or interfere with each other in any way. Each circuit flows only in that circuit. This occurs because the transformer in either circuit cannot cause a voltage or current driving force to be realized in the other circuit when joined only at one point to that circuit.

Zone valves including Taco Geothermal Zone Valves, Taco 570 Zone Valves and Honeywell Zone Valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

What do you use to attach a ProPEX Manifold?

To hook up your ProPEX Copper Manifold, you will need a Wirsbo Expander Tool and 1/2" ProPEX Rings.

Manifolds, tools, and other supplies for PEX Plumbing Systems can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Can heat exchangers be used in salt water?

FlatPlate MPN Series Marine & Swimming Pool Heat Exchangers are designed to be used with sea water, swimming pools, brackish water, Low PH water, ground water, river water, fish tanks, treated steams & condensate and select acids.

FlatPlate Heat Exchangers can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

What is a flow switch?

A flow switch is a simple device that monitors the flow and sends a signal to another device, such as a pump. Common uses for flow switches include protecting pumps, protecting cooling circuits and serving as an alarm for high and low flow rates.

McDonnell & Miller Flow Switches can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

The ease of repairing PEX

With copper pipe, a small leak can easily turn into a big disaster. If there's a kink or break in your PEX Tubing, it's a quick fix. All you need to do is cut the tubing on either side of the problem area and use a PEX coupling to re-attach the pieces.

If you're looking for how to install PEX, check out www.supplyhouse.com

How does the Honeywell thermistor work?

The Honeywell thermistor (found in the Honeywell VisionPro Thermostat with Dehumidification Control TH8321U1006) senses the humidity in the air and lowers the thermostat a few degrees to reach your desired humidity level.

Honeywell thermostats including the Honeywell VisionPro Thermostats can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Help making a ProPEX connection

ProPEX rings should sit about 1/8" off the edge of the tubing. Make sure to rotate the expander head so that you won't burn the expansion grooves of the tool into the PEX tubing.

ProPEX rings, ProPEX Fittings, the Wirsbo Expander Tool and PEX Tubing can all be found at www.supplyhouse.com