For the first time, the Radiant Professionals Alliance will be a part of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors – National Association CONNECT 2018, Oct. 10-12, Albuquerque, New Mexico

“We’ve been associated with the AHR Expo for a number of years,” says Les Nelson, vice president of the RPA. “While most of our manufacturer members exhibit at the Expo, a lot of our contractor members don’t attend the show.”

Although Nelson is quick to add that his group will remain a part of the AHR Expo, the RPA started working on this year’s partnership with the PHCC at the conclusion of this year’s Expo.

“We want to draw in more of our members to a venue where they can interact better than they could at the Expo given the sheer size of that show,” Nelson explains.

Beyond networking opportunities, Nelson says the RPA will also hold the following education track at CONNECT 2018:

• Residential Smart Pumps - Application, Operation, Myths and Realities

John Barba, National Training Manager, Taco Comfort Solutions

Wednesday, Oct. 10,  9:30-10:30 a.m.,  Apache Room

Variable speed ECM circulators are wondrous things that do more – much more – than just save electricity, but they're not "magic." While we call them "smart pumps," they don't do the thinking for you, nor do they take the thinking out of pump selection. It's important to know what you're holding in your hands and why.

In this fast-paced, fact-filled session, you'll learn how variable speed circulators really work, what they really do and the real benefits they bring to overall system performance and installation. Conversely, you'll also learn what they don't do, as we'll discuss the many myths circulating the industry about "smart" pumps.

• Hydronic Flooring Installation Practices and Guidelines

Bill Werthman, Senior Technical Advisor, Legend Valve

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-12 noon,  Apache Room

This presentation will explore many types of hydronic flooring systems, including wet systems, both slab and over pour, as well as above and below-floor dry systems. We will wrap up by looking at tubing circuits and manifolds.

• Providing Safety, Efficiency and Value with Hydronic Snow Melting

Lance MacNevin, P.E., Director of Engineering, Plastics Pipe Institute

Bo DeAngelo, Manager of Technical Training, Viega LLC

Oct. 10, 1:30-3:45 p.m., Apache Room

Hydronic snow and ice melting (SIM) systems are often the first thing to be value-engineered out of a project, long before the viability and costs are truly evaluated.  Often, the true cost is much lower than perceived and the operating cost even more so. SIM systems are often specified where a building's physical plant is already in place; simply adding additional piping and controls will provide years of reliable, low cost, and efficient snow removal.

In this course, Lance and Bo breakdown:

• What is hydronic snow and ice melting (SIM)?
• How to set expectations for success!
• Design strategies and methods that don't take a physics degree to understand.
• Installation techniques and best practices for SIM systems, including drainage and waterproofing.
• The true economics of SIM systems, including case studies.
• How to sell the value of a system and avoid the dreaded value engineer.
• Hydronic piping strategies, glycol solutions, latest design software, and more.

“I think we will lay the groundwork this year for a great partnership with PHCC in the years to come,” Nelson adds.

To register, click here.

For more information on other events at CONNECT 2018, click here.