How does a reverse osmosis faucet work?

The process of reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane and forces the water to flow from one side of the membrane to the other. This blocks anything that is larger than a water molecule between the membranes and will not allow it into your drinking water. With a reverse osmosis faucet, bacteria, chemicals, contaminants, chlorine, and all other particles will be left behind the membrane to drain away, leaving only pure, pollutant-free water coming out of your tap.

Reverse osmosis faucets as well as a wide selection of other faucets can be found at www.supplyhouse.com.

Using dampers for zone temperature control

Mechanical zone dampers can be used with a single furnace to direct airflow in your home through the ductwork. This allows you to manage the temperature in different areas of your home based on your needs (alternative for a programmable thermostat).

Dampers and other zone temperature control products can be found at www.supplyhouse.com.

How to replace the power head on your zone valve

If just the power head is broken or damaged on your Honeywell Zone Valve, it is easy and inexpensive to change. To do so, loosen the two screws securing the head in place and pull the broken or damaged head off. Replace with your new head and tighten the screws, connecting each wire to the same spot as in the old head. To avoid injury or other issues, be sure to turn off the power before moving the wires.

Honeywell Zone Valves, zone valve parts and zone valve replacement heads can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Attaching multiple female threaded fittings

Black nipples have NPT (National Pipe Thread) on each side. With a nipple, you can thread anything with female NPT threading of the same size (1/2" fitting for a 1/2" nipple, 3/4" fitting for a 3/4" nipple) and create a secure connection.

Plumbing nipples and other plumbing supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Burnham Alliance Indirect Water Heaters feature easy installation and easy access for service

A top mount removable heat exchanger with double o-ring design eliminates the need for welds between the piping and the tank and allows for easy installation and quick service calls. The coil comes already installed and can be easily turned to line up with the boiler and domestic water piping on replacement installations. And, all connections are located on the top of the tank and all of the controls are located on the front of the tank for easy service and installation. The heat exchanger can be removed without having to drain the tank.
Burnham Water Heaters and Indirect Water Heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Replacing the cartridge instead of the pump

If just the cartridge in your Taco Pump is no longer working, you can replace that part instead of purchasing a whole new pump. This is especially useful for bronze pumps, where the casing is the most expensive component. Taco makes their pumps with easy-to-remove cartridges, and often, with a new cartridge, your pump will run like new.

Taco pumps and Taco replacement cartridges can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Transporting Ridgid Tools

Avoid damage to your Ridgid XL-C Rings with a Ridgid Carrying Case. This 7.6 pound carrying case will definitely pass the test of time and keep your tools safe as you take them to a job site or store them. Maintaining the integrity of your tools is one of the best ways to keep them in good shape for many years, and carrying cases such as this one will allow you to keep your tools free of dents, rust, and damage.

RIDGID Tools and other plumbing tools can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Baseboards vs. baseboard covers

What's the difference between a baseboard and a baseboard cover? The baseboard heater comes with copper pipe inside of it, ready to be installed and for hot water to flow through. The baseboard heater cover comes with everything that the baseboard unit comes with except for the copper pipe. End caps, filler sleeves and other accessories are all sold separately.

Slantfin Baseboard Heaters, Fine Line Baseboard and Base Line Baseboard can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

HydroPEX Connections

HydroPEX connections are made using the HydroPEX CinchClamp Ratchet Tool and stainless steel clamps. To make a 90 degree bend in your PEX Tubing in a tight spot, you can use a HydroPEX Elbow. To make the connection, slide the clamp over your PEX Tubing and then slide the elbow inside of your PEX. Take the clamping tool and secure the clamp down, tightening the tubing around the fitting and keeping it in place.

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

Save energy with tankless

Tankless water heaters help to cut down your bills by reducing overall energy consumption. Instead of keeping a set amount of water constantly hot, a tankless water heater allows you to only heat the water that you need when you need it. Paloma Tankless Water Heaters have passed rigorous tests and all have an Energy Factor of .80 or higher.

Tankless water heater units and accessories can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Gallon Capacity of Grease Traps

Grease traps are sized by the gallons per minute (GPM) that they process, not by the gallon capacity that they hold. When deciding which grease trap is right for your application, the important factor is how much fluid will be flowing through the grease trap at any given time, not how much grease will sit in the steel box. If your grease trap holds a smaller amount of grease, you will have to clean it out more frequently, but it will still function properly. However, if your grease trap cannot handle the flow coming through it, it will not work.

Zurn Grease Traps and Grease Interceptors can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Energy Efficient Boilers

Viessmann Boilers, some of the most popular boilers in the world, are also some of the most energy efficient boilers available on the market. These condensing modulating boilers are 94 % efficient and come with a stainless steel heat exchanger. These boilers are also incredibly quiet with almost silent operation. A standard refridgerator makes more noise than a Viessmann Boiler.

Boilers, hot water heaters and energy efficient products can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Specifications of a SlimLine Hy-Vent

The Taco SlimLine Hy-Vent features a bubble breaker. The SlimLine can withstand conditions up to 150 psi and 240 degrees F. The maximum venting pressure is 115 psi.

Air Valves and Taco Air Vents can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How to keep the wiring neat from your thermostat to your pump

Most thermostats are 24 volt, while most pumps use 110 volts. You will need some type of relay to join these units together without a mess of wiring in between. So, even if you only have 1 zone, you will still need a switching relay to make the wiring easy, neat and clean to always know what is what.

Taco Switching Relays including the SR501-4 1 Zone Switching Relay can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Placement of your water feeder

To determine the location for your McDonnell Miller Water Feeder, you can use this rule of thumb: the feeder is usually mounted one third (1/3) of the way up from the bottom of the tank. This provides two thirds (2/3) of the tank for return condensate.

Water Feeders can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Sealing your PEX Tubing in place

The following products can be used when sealing PEX tubing and slab-penetration protection devices:

Latex caulk
Latex foam
Silicone sealant
Polyurethane expanding foam

The misapplication of these products could result in pooling or puddling of the products around the PEX tubing, a practice that is prohibited.

PEX Tubing for radiant heat can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Installing a submersible sewage pump

Follow these steps to install a sewage pump. First, secure a male adapter to the pump and attach about 3 to4 feet of 2" PVC pipe. Glue the PVC into the male adapter and let it stand to dry. Then, set the pump on the bottom of the pit and install the pit lid with the discharge pipe approximately 2 feet above the lid. Then, you can install the check valve in the system and finish running your discharge pipe to your sewer line. A vent line must also be installed if one is not already there. To do this, run a 2" line from about 6" from under the pit lid to a vent line in your sewer system.

Zoeller sewage pumps and Little Giant sewage pumps can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

What pressure should I test my radiant heat system at?

Every radiant heat system needs to be pressure tested before, during, and after you lay out your PEX tubing. When performing a pressure test, you should set the system to 60 psi. In standard heating system operation, you will never go much above 30 psi, but it is good to test at a higher psi so that you are prepared for all worst case scenarios.

PEX Tubing for radiant heat and other radiant heat supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Save on fuel with an air valve

Each time that your thermostat calls for heat, a Gorton Air Valve will save a bit of energy, and money on fuel. Gorton's valves make radiators heat faster with their fast venting action. Each time the radiator is turned on, vapor will do the initial heating so that there will not be fuel wasted by the boiler firing to build up pounds of pressure.

Gorton Air Valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Kitchen faucet repairs

When replacing or repairing a kitchen faucet, the first step should always be to turn off the water at the fixture shutoff valves or at the main shutoff valve. You can then open the faucet to drain the pipes before beginning the repair or replacement.

Kitchen faucets including Delta Kitchen Faucets, Kohler Kitchen Faucets, and Moen Kitchen Faucets can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How a differential bypass valve works

The Taco Differential Bypass Valve maintains a regulated path of flow to prevent velocities that are too high or too low from being pumped through the zones (these zones remain open during reduced demand periods). This eliminates the noise caused from the velocity in standard valves while maintaining the designed heat transfer of each zone, which works to boost the overall system performance. Differential Bypass Valves should also be used to prevent dead heading of the circulator pump in systems where parallel piped heat emitters are controlled by thermostatic radiator valves.

Taco Pumps and Pressure Valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

The Twelve YAY!'s of SupplyHouse

For the 12 YAY!'s of SupplyHouse any DIY would love to recieve:

12 Hoffman Air Valves
11 Boiler Controls
10 Rolls of ThermaPEX
9 VisionPro Thermostats
8 Thermal Actuators
7 Zurn Grease Traps
6 Grundfos 3 Speed Pumps
5 Expansion Tanks
4 Kohler Faucets
3 Air Eliminators
2 Male Adapters
and a Brand New Takagi Heated Toilet Seat!

Plumbing Supplies and Heating Supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Joining PVC Pipes

As with any pipe connection, make sure to have straight, clean cuts before attempting to make a fitting. Apply PVC Primer to the hub of the fittings and the end of the pipe. Wait for the primer to dry, then apply PVC Cement to the fitting and glue to the end of the pipe. Push the pipe into the fitting while turning the pipe approximately 1/4 turn. Hold the parts together for a minute or so until the glue has dried. Wipe off the excess glue from around the joint and wait another 2-3 minutes for the connection to dry before putting it to use.

PVC fittings and other plumbing supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Boilers or furnaces

A boiler and a furnace are not actually the same thing. A boiler is used for hydronic heating systems while a furnace is used for hot air systems. If you have a furnace, it means that your heat is through air, and the furnace will heat the air before sending it off to different parts of your home. If you have a boiler, you are using hot water to heat your home. The boiler will store the hot water and then send it through pipes to heat your home.

Boilers & Heaters and Weil Mclain Boilers can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Pump sizing

When sizing a pump for a radiant heat application, you will need to take the loop length of your runs of tubing into consideration. By determining the pressure loss in your system, you can size the correct pump for everything to run smoothly. Other factors that affect pressure loss include types and materials of the other components and the outside temperature and desired inside temperature.

Pumps & Flanges, Taco pumps and other radiant heat supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Can towel warmers be left on all day?

Amba Towel Warmers are made to be on all day and night. The units have a built in thermostat and internal thermal cutout, so the unit will cycle itself to an average temperature of 154 ° Fahrenheit. The towel warmers will switch themselves on and off just like a hot water tank. If for any reason one of the units overheats, there is a safety cutout switch and the unit will shut itself off.

Towel Warmers and Amba Towel Warmer can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Loop length in radiant heat systems

There are some common guidelines that people follow when running PEX tubing, one being to keep loop length under 300 feet. While this is a good rule of thumb, it is not always true. If (after finding the Heat Loss Report for your home) you have a heat loss higher than 15 BTU's per square foot, you should keep your loop length under 225 feet. The higher the heat loss, the shorter your loops must be to accommodate for more rapid cooling. The difference in water temperature between the water leaving your pump and the water returning after it has circulated through the loop should be no more than 20 degrees.

PEX Tubing for radiant heat and other Radiant Heat supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Fittings and rings for the Viega tool

When using the Viega PEX Press Tool, you will need to use the Viega PEX Press Fittings and Viega PEX Press Sleeves. To install, first slide the PEX Press Sleeve over your tubing (1/2" for 1/2" tubing, 3/4" for 3/4" tubing, etc). Insert the PEX Press Fitting and then use the tool of the corresponding size to tighten the sleeve onto your tubing with the fitting inside. Upon tightening, the tool will create two circular grooves in the stainless steel PEX Press Sleeve.

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

Tekmar 369 Control

From the Tekmar Catalog- The Tekmar Controller 369 is designed to control the temperature in up to six heating zones using Room Temperature Units (RTUs) or indoor sensors. The 369 zone control allows one stage heating zones, two stage heating zones, or a combination of one stage and two stage heating zones. PID zoning logic allows for staggering and synchronization of multiple zones in order to minimize boiler short cycling. The 369 is capable of operating a single cooling output and can provide automatic or manual heat / cool change over. When the 369 is used with a tekmar Reset or House Control, the 369 provides indoor temperature feedback that automatically adjusts the supply water temperature in order to satisfy the zone with the highest heat load. A large Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is incorporated in order to view system status and operating information. The LCD and user key pad are used to set the adjustments and to monitor zone running times, outdoor high and low temperatures, minimum zone temperatures, and many other useful items.

Tekmar controllers, and the 369 Tekmar control can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Measurement of tees

Tees are named end - end - middle, so a 1" x 1/2" x 1" is 1" on one end, 1/2" on the other end and 1" in the middle. a 1/2" x 1" x 1" tee is exactly the same as a 1" x 1/2" x 1" tee- if you just flip the tee in your hands, the ends will swap.

Copper Fittings and copper tees can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Underground sewage

If you are adding a new toilet (or laundry sink, etc) in a basement below your current sewage line, you will need a sewage pump. Sewage pumps will force the liquids and solids up toward your main line. The further the distance, the more powerful you will need the pump to be (with higher horsepower). The Grundfos sewage pumps also vary based on cord length and voltage.

Little Giant pumps, sewage pumps, and other plumbing pumps can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Boiler Reset Controls

Boiler Switching Relays are designed to improve performance in your hot water heating systems by regulating the supply water temperature of a single boiler based on outdoor temperature. The control utilizes a heating curve to set the relationship between outdoor temperature and supply water temperature to provide optimum control and comfort. Thanks to its integral microprocessor, it is able to continuously adjust the boiler differential to avoid boiler short-cycling and large temperature swings. Standard functions include warm weather shut down, minimum boiler supply temperature setting, and a starting water temperature setting.

Boiler Switching Relays, Boilers & Heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Sending cooler water to faucets and fixtures

Your boiler (or tankless water heater) might produce water at a higher temperature than what you want flowing to your faucets and fixtures. If this is the case, you will need to install a mixing valve. A mixing valve will take your hot water on one end and take cold water in on another end. A dial is set to the temperature you desire, and the valve will mix the hot with the cold to produce water of that temperature.

Tekmar Mixing Valves, Taco Mixing Valves, and other mixing valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Thermostat Height

When mounting a thermostat, it is best to place it at chest level. Since heat rises, placing the thermostat too high will make it read a higher temperature than what you feel. If the thermostat is placed too low, it could read too low, raising the heat more than you had planned for and wasting energy. Placing your thermostat at chest level will provide optimal comfort in your home.

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

Viega Snap Panels

Viega Snap Panels can be used for easy installation of PEX Tubing. Simply snap the PEX into place and it will stay down securely. Viega Snap Panels also act as a vapor barrier, but do not have an R value and thus cannot be used as insulation.

Viega Snap Panels and other Radiant Heat Panels can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Sharkbite Adapters

Sharkbite Adapters have one end with a SharkBite connection and the other end with pipe threads. A Pipe to Female Pipe Thread Connector (example: U072) has female threads and will thus connect to a male pipe fitting while a Pipe to Male Pipe Thread Connector (example: U120LF) has male threads and will connect to a female pipe fitting. Put simply, an adapter with female in the name has threads on the inside while an adapter with male in the name has threads on the outside. To make a connection, you will need one of each of these adapters.

SharkBite Fittings can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Filling small baseboard gaps

If you only have a few inches of space to fill between pieces of baseboard, a filler sleeve is the perfect solution. Made to join two baseboard units, a filler sleeve is a 7" piece that will seamlessly create one long unit of baseboard against your wall. Be sure to match your filler sleeve to the style of baseboard that you are using- Fine/Line with Fine/Line 30A Baseboard Heaters, Baseline with Baseline 2000 Baseboard Heaters, etc.

Slant/Fin Baseboard Heaters and Runtal Baseboard Radiators can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Sweat flanges

Most flanges come with threaded connections to thread onto your pipe. If you need sweat connections to attach your pump, you will need to use Webstone sweat isolator flanges. These flanges are available in 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" and designed for residential or commercial use.

Pumps and flanges including Taco pumps and Webstone Isolation Flanges can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make-up of Rhinoflex Tubing

Rhinoflex Pre-Insulated PEX pipe consists of three parts. The inner layer is PEX-a quality tubing with an oxygen barrier. The PEX is surrounded by a layer of high thermal-efficiency flexible urethane foam insulation. The outer layer is covered with a corrugated polyethylene outer jacket that combines strength with flexibility.

Pre-insulated PEX Tubing can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Fittings for PEX-Aluminum-PEX Tubing

Since the aluminum layer of PEX-Al-PEX tubing makes it thicker than standard PEX tubing, PEX-Aluminum-PEX Tubing is not compatible with HydroPEX Fittings, ProPEX Fittings, or Sharkbite Fittings. You will need to use either the PEX-Al-PEX Compression Fittings or MultiPress (MLC) Fittings with this type of tubing.

PEX Tubing for PEX Plumbing and Radiant Heat can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Replacing a toilet flush ell

If a flush ell leaks, the first step to replacing it is to carefully undo the nuts with a pipe wrench. Then, clean the threads thoroughly and wrap them with Teflon sealant tape before tightening the nuts in place on the new tubular flush ell. When tightening the nuts, be sure to hold on to the ell firmly to avoid cracking it.

Tubular plumbing supplies and flush ells can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Adjustability for Hoffman Air Valves

The Hoffman 1A Adjustable Angle Air Valve features 6 settings. Ports 1 and 2 are the "slow" settings, meant for radiation located nearest the boiler or areas that overheat. Ports 3 and 4 are the "medium" settings, meant for normal venting of radiation under normal conditions. Ports 5 and 6 are the "fast" settings, meant for radiation located farthest from the boiler or areas that are hard to heat.

Hoffman Air Valves and other heating supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Low voltage vs line voltage thermostats

Most thermostats come either low voltage, (24v, where the wire is very thin like doorbell wire) or line voltage (110v or 240v, where the wire is much thicker). Most line voltage thermostats are on very old systems or elecrtic baseboards. Looking at the wires is the fastest way to know which kind of thermostat your system needs.

Honeywell Thermostats can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Safe heating for your home

The QMark HBB Liquid Filled Electric Basboards are a safe model of baseboard if you have pets or children. The sheathed electric heating element is totally immersed in a heat-transfer liquid and sealed in a heater-length copper tube. The large diameter reservoir maximizes the volume of heat storage fluid to prolong the thermal constant of the entire heater. Gentle heat keeps radiating even after the thermostat turns off because of the hydronic element's heat retention qualities.

Baseboard heaters and QMark heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Securing copper fittings

Most copper fittings can be attached by melting solder (a tin and antimony mixture) and using the molten metal to permanently secure the two pieces of copper to each other. Other fittings include threads, which can be screwed onto each other as long as the two pieces have a common thread size.

Copper tubing, copper fittings and solder can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Setting up your Amtrol Expansion Tank

Amtrol Fill-Trol Expansion Tanks are typically set up using an air scoop and air vent. The product image for these units shows how these parts fit above the expansion tank. Neither the air scoop nor the air vent come with the Fill-Trol Expansion Tank and must be purchased separately.

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

Water temperature for 007 pumps

Taco's 007 circulator pumps can operate with water up to 240 degrees Farenheit. Some Taco Pumps include a built-in IFC (Integral Flow Check). This IFC prevents gravity flow and eliminates the need for a separate, in-line check valve.

Pumps & Flanges, and Taco Pumps such as the 007-F5-7IFC can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Sizing of Multi/Pak 80 Baseboards

The height of the baseboards are measured from the bottom plate to the top and the depth is the amount that your baseboard will stick out from the wall. The face plate of a Multi/Pak Baseboard (the piece in front that faces your room) measures 5 and a quarter inches from top to bottom.

Baseboard heaters including Slant Fin Baseboard Heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Energy Efficient Options to Save Money

Installing a programmable thermostat will lower your energy bills each month, putting money back into your pockets. Lux Programmable Thermostats are especially cost efficient, starting at only $29.99. For maximum energy (and money) savings, you can set your thermostat to a lower temperature while you are at work and sleeping than for hours you will be awake and in your home. You can even set these thermostats to come on at a different time during weekends when hours at home are typically different than those during the work week.

Programmable thermostats including Lux Programmable Thermostats can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

pH of Water Through PEX

AquaPEX Tubing has been tested to handle water with pH ranging from 5 (slightly acidic) all the way to 10 (basic). Pure water is a 7 on the pH scale, but your water can range in pH due to a variety of reasons. No water coming from public sources should have a pH lower than 5 or higher than 10.

PEX Tubing for PEX Plumbing can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Fitting your Air Separator in small spaces

Vortech Air Separators measure 7-1/2" from top to bottom. Air separators remove the air from your hydronic heating system, removing any gurgling noises and allowing your system to run smoothly and reliably for years to come.

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

Re-doing a fitting

If you are using the HydroPEX Cinch-Clamp Ratchet Tool, it is easy to remove a fitting you no longer want. Whether the fitting was put in an incorrect place or improperly secured, just attach the HydroPEX Clamp Removal Tool to a socket wrench and remove the stainless steel clamp from around your PEX Tubing. To reinstall the fitting somewhere else, you will need a new (unused) stainless steel clamp but are able to use the same fitting that you have just removed.

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

Voltage of Radiant Thermostats

Wirsbo Radiant Heat Thermostats use 24 volt power. Most radiant heat systems use low voltage (24 volt), but if you need your thermostat to run on line voltage, you will need a Honeywell Thermostat or a Lux Thermostat in line voltage.

Thermostats and Radiant Heat supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Tubing for QuikTrak

Wirsbo hePEX 5/16" Tubing is the tubing to use when installing QuikTrak Panels. The 5/16" tubing fits into the panels and is used for radiant heat applications where you cannot raise the floor more than a half inch.

hePEX Tubing and Quick Track Panels can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Voltage of circulator pumps

The Taco Cast Iron Circulator Pumps come standard at 110 volt power. If you need a heat pump to work with 220 volt, these can be special ordered. The Taco 007-F5 is a good example of a standard 110 volt circulator pump.

Heating Pumps and Flanges can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Sizing a Copper Fitting Reducer

Copper Fitting Reducers are sized with the first number connecting to a copper fitting and the second number connecting to an actual copper pipe. For example, the 3/4" x 1/2" FTGxC Reducer connects to a 3/4" copper fitting and a 1/2" copper pipe.

Copper Fittings can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

When to pressure test your radiant system

When installing radiant heat under a slab, you should pressure test your system before, during and after the slab is poured. Pressure test before you pour the slab to find and fix any defects before the work is done. Pressure test during the pour so that if there is something wrong, you can fix it before the pour is complete. And pressure test after you complete the pour just to be sure that everything is still working properly before you begin using the radiant heat system to heat your home.

Pressure test kits, radiant heat manifolds and other radiant heat supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Connecting a ProPEX Manifold

Wirsbo ProPEX Manifolds can only be connected using a Wirsbo Expander Tool. The connections on the end of the manifold are too large for PEX pipe to fit over without first being expanded. To do so, insert the head of the Wirsbo Expander Tool into your PEX Tubing (with ProPEX ring slid over the edge of the tubing) and squeeze the handles together 5-10 times. This will make the tubing expand, allowing the tubing to slide over the manifold. The tubing will then shrink back to it's original size, creating a secure fitting over the manifold.

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

Tubing compatible with SharkBite Fittings

SharkBite Fittings work with a variety of materials including PEX pipe, CPVC, and copper pipe. However, due to differences in the OD between these pipes and PEX-Aluminum-PEX, SharkBite Fittings are NOT compatible with PEX-Al-PEX tubing.

PEX Tubing and SharkBite fittings can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Where is the sealant placed in a QuikTrak install?

When installing radiant heat using the QuikTrak system, you will first lay out all of your QuikTrak panels. Then, apply QuikTrak sealant in all of the grooves where the tubing will go. Carefully lay out the tubing and push it down into the grooves. The sealant will act to adhere the tubing to the panel, keeping it in place.

Quick Track Panels, and other Radiant Heat Supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Features of the Honeywell HEPA Air Cleaners

Honeywell HEPA Air Cleaners meet American Lung Association Health House guidelines. These Honeywell air cleaners feature a unique three-filter system with activated carbon, a pre-filter, and a HEPA filter. Maintenance is easy with the free AIRWATCH Indicator that reminds you when to change filters. These units also feature a 5-year manufacturer's warranty. (Source: Honeywell)

Honeywell HEPA Air Cleaners and other Air Quality Products can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Heat source for Modine Heaters

All of our Modine Hot Dawg Heaters come ready for use with natural gas. If you need it to use liquid propane, please call our Customer Service representatives at 888-757-4774.

Hot Dawg Heaters and other Unit Heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com.

Relieving pressure in your heating system

The relief valve is set to open at a specific pressure to prevent the pressure in the system from getting too high. When the pressure setting is exceeded, excess fluid or air will flow through the relief valve. As the fluid is diverted, the pressure inside the vessel will drop. Once it reaches the valve's re-seating pressure, the valve will re-close.

Relief valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Securing your tubing

When installing PEX Tubing for your Radiant Heat System, you will want to lay out wire mesh or rebar, then attach your tubing in loops no longer than 300' and pour the concrete on top. To attach the tubing to the wire mesh, you can use either fixing wire or zip ties.

Radiant heat materials such as those listed above can all be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How much baseboard do I need?

Slant/Fin Baseline 2000 Baseboards will typically produce about 600 BTU's of heat per foot of baseboard with 180 degree water. When determining how much baseboard you need to heat your room, you will need to determine how many BTU's are needed and can divide by 600 to get how many feet of baseboard to install.

Slant/Fin Baseboard Heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Copper pipe adapters

Copper pipe adapters get sweat onto copper pipe, whereas copper fitting adapters get sweat onto a copper fitting (which is usually connected to the copper pipe). If you want to take PEX straight to a copper pipe with no copper elbow, copper coupling or other copper fitting in between, you will need a PEX Copper Pipe Adapter. Be sure to use the PEX fitting that works with your PEX tool.

Copper pipe, PEX fittings and PEX adapters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Polyethylene grease trap sizing

Though steel grease traps (GT2700 series) and polyethylene grease traps (GT2702 series) are both made by Zurn, they have slightly different sizing. For example, a GT2700-50 has a 4" inlet and outlet while a GT2702-50 has a 3" inlet and outlet. To be sure of the dimensions of your grease trap, check the product detail page for that individual grease trap.

Grease traps and grease interceptors can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

How does a mixing valve mix water?

A mixing valve takes water from 2 different sources and combines to send out a mixture of the two. You can set the mixing valve to a desired temperature between 80 and 120 degrees F for the outgoing water. The valve will then take the incoming water and combine them to create the desired temperature. For example, if you have 180 degree F water and 60 degree F water coming in, and you have set the valve for 80 degrees F, it will use more of the colder water and less of the hot to create the proper outgoing temperature. The percentages of each water source used will vary depending on the temperature of each and the set outgoing temperature.

Mixing valves and thermostatic mixing valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Thermostatic Radiator Valves

A thermostatic radiator valve works in hot water heating systems to self-regulate the temperature by regulating the flow of hot water to the radiator. Thermostatic radiator valves are subject to swings in temperature and are thus best used in large spaces where the temperature does not to be precise within a few degrees.

Thermostatic radiator valves and other heating supplies can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Regulating the pressure

Without an expansion tank, the pressure in your boiler will not be regulated and you run the risk of reaching dangerous pressure levels in the boiler. The most commonly used expansion tank for a home is the Extrol #30 made by Amtrol.

Expansion tanks can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Type K Copper Tubing

Type K Copper is a strong copper tubing most typically used in direct burial for main water lines and is also used in dentists' offices to transport nitrous oxide and other gases.

Copper pipe and copper tubing can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Energy efficient does not have to be expensive

You know that you will save money in the long run with energy efficient products like programmable thermostats. But with the Honeywell PRO Series, you do not have to spend much now to get those savings right away! Programmable thermostats allow you to turn the temperature down when you are not home, saving money and energy on heat when you will not even be around to miss it.

Programmable thermostats and Honeywell thermostats can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Rings and fittings for the Watts Clamping Tool

Clamping tools use different rings than crimping tools even though both types of tools use HydroPEX (or crimp-style) fittings. All clamping tools use stainless steel rings with a small tab jutting out the side. The jaws of your clamping tool are placed over the tab and the handles of the tool are squeezed together to secure the fitting. With a crimping tool, the rings used are circular and made of copper. The crimping tool's jaws are placed around the entirety of the copper ring and the handles get squeezed together to secure the fitting.
To recap- for clamping tools, use stainless steel clamps and for crimping tools, use copper crimp rings.

PEX Clamp Tools and PEX Crimp Tools can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Bringing PEX up a wall

To take PEX Tubing vertically up a floor (usually done in commercial applications), you will need a Stand-Up Bracket. Install your tubing in the stand up bracket and secure it every 3-4 feet up the wall until you reach the desired level.

Stand up brackets and other Radiant Heat Install Parts can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Blanketing your water heater saves energy

Water heaters are insulated, but you can always add to that. For a small investment, you can significantly reduce the amount of heat lost by the unit, particularly if your water heater is located in an unheated area. Make sure not to cover burners and to only insulate where it is safe and efficient.

Water heaters and Weil McLain Indirect Heaters can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Condensing Boilers

Condensing boilers feature much higher efficiency than standard boilers. Condensing boilers are designed to recover the energy normally lost through the vent. When water vapor builds up, a condensing boiler condenses this vapor instead of allowing it to escape, bringing it back into the boiler for use. Condensing boilers can function with up to 99% efficiency.

Buderus Condensing Boilers and Weil McLain Condensing Boilers can be found at www.supplyhouse.com

Poppet style relief valves

Adjustable, direct-acting relief valves block the flow through the valve until the force of system pressure on the poppet overcomes the adjustable spring force and downstream pressure. Poppet style relief valves are available in 1/2" or 3/4".

Relief Valves and Watts Poppet Style Relief Valves can be found at www.supplyhouse.com