Eemax Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters provide added efficiency, as no heat is lost or wasted from water sitting in a tank. Electric tankless water heaters provide an added benefit that makes installation easier: they require no exhaust venting. Eemax tankless water heaters are available for a wide-variety of applications. To purchase Eemax products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Air Eliminator Sizing

Air Eliminators remove air bubbles from hydronic heating systems before they can cause any disturbances. Normally, an air eliminator that matches the size of the supply and return piping will be installed. Most air eliminators, however, should really be sized based on the flow rate of the liquid in the system. 3/4” Spirovent air eliminators can handle up to 6 gallons per minute (GPM). 1” models are compatible with 10 GPM, and 1-1/4” range up to 15 GPM. Requirements differ by manufacturer and water velocity.

PEX Crimp Ring Cutter

SupplyHouse’s CRCUTTER crimp ring removal tool allows you to disconnect 1/2”, 3/4”, and 1” PEX crimp rings and reuse the fitting. To use the tool, first cut the existing fitting out of the line with a PEX tubing cutting tool. Then, insert the smaller barb at the top of tool (the one on the left, if the HydroPEX logo is facing up) into the fitting on the bottom side (where you just made the cut). At this point, you squeeze the tool to cut the ring. You may need to use a screwdriver and needle-nose pliers to finish the job and salvage the fitting so that you can use it again. The knob should be set to '+' for 3/4" and 1" tubing, and '-' for 1/2". This modifies the distance between the blade and the barb.

Tempra vs. Tempra Plus

Stiebel Eltron offers top-of-the-line options for electric tankless water heaters, ranging from single sink to whole house models. The popular Tempra and Tempra Plus models are the same, with a few minor differences. Only Tempra Plus units include a digital temperature display. In addition, Tempra Plus models contain an automatic flow control throttle. This throttle ensures even temperature output at fixtures by reducing water flow through the heater if capacity ratings are exceeded. Visit SupplyHouse.com to find more tankless water heaters.

Place PEX in New Slabs

When building a new home or pouring a concrete slab in any building, you should consider embedding PEX tubing in the concrete. Even if you have no immediate plans to use in-floor radiant heat or install all system components, the pour is a one-time opportunity to get the tubing in for potential future use. Whether you complete the system in subsequent years or simply use the embedded tubing as a selling point to future owners, installing the tubing is at least worth a thought. SupplyHouse offers Radiant Heat Packages, including some designed for embedded slab applications. They include the tubing, manifolds, and tools needed to get the tubing into the slab and pressure test it prior to the pour.

Sign Up for Discount Offers

Sign up for SupplyHouse’s mailing list to receive our monthly e-newsletter and gain exclusive access to discount and promo codes. To join the list, just submit your email address at the bar running across the bottom of SupplyHouse.com. It’s free and you can remove yourself from the list at any time. Additional discounted items can be found on our sale page.

Reuse Brass ProPEX Fittings

It’s easy to remove ProPEX rings from existing fittings if you have access to a heat gun. Disconnecting the plastic ProPEX ring makes it possible to reuse brass ProPEX fittings. Keep in mind, however, that EP ProPEX fittings can only be used once.

To remove the ring, heat one side of it with a heat gun and cut through this portion with a utility knife. Be careful not to cut the tubing, as doing so could damage the fitting. Then work off the ring with pliers, being careful not to burn yourself on the hot part of the ring. After the ring is off, you can use the heat gun to warm the area of the fitting connection with the PEX-A tubing, making it possible to pull the fitting out. When you follow these steps to make new fitting connection, always ensure that the system is depressurized, that you make the new connection after a clean cut at least two inches away from the existing fitting, and that the fitting has been given sufficient time to return to its normal temperature.

Visit www.supplyhouse.com for access to more Uponor ProPEX fittings, tools, and accessories.

Ultra-Fins for Radiant Heat

When installing hydronic radiant heat in a below-floor joist, several options exist. Suspending pipe in the joist with insulation beneath creates convection currents in the joist bay. Aluminum plates allow direct contact and more even heat distribution. Ultra-Fin plates offer another option, which combines these methods. The plates attach to 1/2” tubing, with their louvers creating even convection in the joist. SupplyHouse carries the Ultra-Fin system, along with all the necessary supplies for radiant heat projects.

MANABLOC: 2 or 3 Supply Adapters?

The Viega MANABLOC manifold for “home-run” distribution of PEX lines to individual plumbing fixtures requires 3/4” or 1” supply adapters. Specially designed threaded, crimp, or PEX Press adapters can be used at the single hot and two cold supply ports. Most installations only require two adapters (one for hot and one for cold), as these installations supply cold water to the water heater by branching off the main line. In such situations, the MANABLOC supply port cap should be used to close off the unused port. A third supply adapter is only necessary when a water heater’s cold water supply runs from the MANABLOC to the water heater. Visit SupplyHouse.com to find MANABLOCs, parts, and accessories.

Bacharach HVAC Products

The Bacharach HVAC tools sold at SupplyHouse.com allow you to perform a wide range of tasks on the job. In addition to basic tools, this selection includes carbon monoxide detectors, refrigerant gauges, refrigerant leak detectors, gas leak detectors, draft gauges, and combustion analyzers.

Repair Kinks in PEX-A

PEX manufacturers create PEX-A grade tubing using the “Engel Method,” whereby polyethylene molecules are cross-linked in the liquid state. In addition to making it more flexible and easier to work with, this process makes it possible for users to fix any kinks in PEX that might be created during installation. Only a heat gun is required. Our new video demonstrates this process in action. Buy hePEX and AquaPEX PEX-A tubing at SupplyHouse.com.

Go Green with the Vertex

The A.O. Smith Vertex water heaters offer efficiency levels over 90%, granting them the Energy Star label and making them eligible for 2011 federal tax credits in the United States. This efficiency allows homeowners to save on utility bills and cuts down on exhaust emissions. Since the units are green for the environment and allow users to save some green, A.O. Smith’s recent change in design makes sense: Vertex units now feature green tops rather than yellow ones.

Not only are Vertex units efficient, but these gas-powered, direct vent or power vent units also provide unmatched amounts of hot water. To purchase a Vertex, or any other A.O. Smith water heater, please go to SupplyHouse.com.

Fix Leaks in Your Boiler

Hercules Chemical’s Boiler Liquid fixes small leaks in steam and hot water boilers. Once it’s added to the boiler’s water supply, the liquid seals small leaks and provides at least a temporary solution. A single quart is sufficient for boilers rated up to 360,000 BTUs. Boiler Liquid is only designed for use in hydronic heating systems. Do not use it for potable water plumbing. SupplyHouse.com stocks a wide-range of Hercules products.

The Honeywell "Winter Watchman"

Honeywell’s Winter Watchman provides an easy way to monitor faulty heating equipment. Perfect for when you're away from home or even for a vacation house, the watchman plugs right into a standard wall outlet. You set the unit between 30°F and 60°F (ideally about 10°F less than the thermostat’s setting). Then plug a light into the outlet on the watchman.

If something goes wrong with the heating system, and room temperatures reach the setting on the watchman, the light (which must be left in the ‘on’ position) will turn on. Place the light near a window and find a friendly neighbor who’s willing to glance at the window/light from time to time. Should the light ever go on, there would likely be an issue with the heating system that requires attention to avoid any freeze-ups in the house.

Save on Thermostats thru 2/17

Looking for a new Honeywell thermostat? Now is the time to buy! Through February 17th, save 3% on select VisionPRO and FocusPRO models with promo code DIGITAL. These low-voltage, digital thermostats carry Honeywell’s quality guarantee and a 5-year warranty. Programmable VisionPROs feature a touchscreen, while the FocusPRO series has both programmable and non-programmable options. To browse more thermostats, go to SupplyHouse.com.

TruFLOW Manifold Extension

Uponor’s TruFLOW Classic Manifolds are the only radiant heating manifolds compatible with ProPEX fittings. The R20 distribution outlets also have Multipress and compression fitting options. Compatible with specially-designed actuators, flow meters, and shut-off valves, the manifolds are perfect for large projects. Should you ever need to add to an existing manifold, a two-loop extension kit can be attached to the R32 threads of the supply and return. For more radiant heat manifolds and Uponor products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Max. Loop Lengths for Radiant Heat

A “loop” or “circuit” in a radiant heat system refers to a single run of tubing and its length before it returns to the manifold. Due to flow restriction and heat loss, each loop must be sized so that it can provide adequate flow of hot water to heat the space before water temperatures drop too much. The maximum recommended loop lengths listed below are not necessarily hard and fast rules. They can be exceeded, but doing so would likely require a circulator pump that is either quite costly or does not exist. When calculating loop lengths, always be sure to create loops that minimize materials costs while providing adequate heat. This includes matching the total amount of PEX tubing needed with the roll sizes offered by manufacturers. Keep in mind that a certain amount of tubing will also be needed between the heated space and manifolds. Known as the "leader length," this must be included in the overall loop length.

5/16” – *250 feet
3/8” – 240 feet
1/2” – 300 feet
5/8” – 330 feet
3/4” – 400 feet

*longer because it's based on 20°F Delta-T for Uponor Quik Trak (all other sizes based on 10°F Delta-T)

The SupplyHouse Video Library

SupplyHouse’s new video page displays all our latest instructional and how-to videos. Learn about all the different methods for making PEX fittings, shopping for MANABLOCs, programming thermostats, and more. Check back frequently for new videos and subscribe to the SupplyHouse YouTube account.

Pressure-Reducing Fill Valves

Under ideal circumstances, closed-loop hydronic heating systems should use the same water year after year. Any oxygen present turns into iron oxide as soon as it reacts with ferrous metals in the system. Once this occurs, the oxygen can no longer cause these metals to rust. Minimal loss of water is normal, and it occurs in valves, pumps, and air vents. To offset these losses over time, systems should be equipped with a pressure reducing fill valve. When the valve senses a drop in system pressure, it restores the pressure with small amounts of fresh water from a connected supply line. A backflow preventer must be installed in conjunction with the valve to stop heating water from re-entering the potable water supply. For more heating supplies and helpful tips, visit SupplyHouse.com.