JB Warranties July 2024 Round-Up

Nationwide barbecues and firework displays, the start of the summer Olympics — the month of July certainly started (and ended!) with a bang. So, it goes without saying that it’s been a busy season for HVAC and plumbing technicians, too. Whether it’s keeping families cool from the summer sun or ensuring drains and disposals are in top shape, July service calls are seemingly never-ending.

You know what else has been constant this summer? The nonstop industry news! Looking back at JB Warranties June Round-Up, we explored a variety of recent HVAC and plumbing industry topics, including ASHRAE’s celebration of World Refrigeration Day 2024, the EPA’s recent one-year extension for VRF systems using high-GWP HFCs, and Carrier’s new partnership with the DOE. 

Now, let’s catch up on what occurred over the month of July. 

1. NY Governor Hochul Announces Empire Technology Prize Competition Finalists

In mid-July, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced seven finalists for the $10 million Empire Technology Prize. The competition, which is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, aims to advance the development of technologies for low-carbon heating system retrofits in multifamily buildings and tall commercial buildings across the state. 

Prize finalists will now be matched with various New York real estate portfolio owners who are open to piloting these technologies within their properties to help combat climate change and reduce emissions. From startups to well-established HVAC equipment manufacturers, the selected finalists and qualifying technologies include but are not limited to:

• Johnson Controls and their steam and HTHW heat pump using water source heat.
• Clean Heat Technologies and their steam heat pump using water source heat.
• AtmosZero and their heat pump using water or air source heat.
• Hydronic Shell Technologies and Cycle Retrotech and their distribution solution.

Each of these Empire Technology Prize finalists will also receive an initial $250,000 to jumpstart their efforts, with the potential to receive an additional $750,000 as their work progresses. After the one-year mark of the program hits in June 2025, the finalist with the greatest cumulative carbon emissions reduction potential will be awarded an additional $1 million.

2. Registration Opens for PMI24 Manufacturing Success Conference

This past month, Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) opened registrations for its 2024 Manufacturing Success Conference, marking the event’s 70th anniversary. The four-day event will feature various keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and countless programs and presentations, and will be held November 4-7 at the InterContinental Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.

Day one will commence with the PMI24 Inspiring Leaders Program, "Strategic Doing – 10 Skills for Agile Leadership," hosted by Dr. Scott Hutcheson, PdD, a senior lecturer and professor of strategy and complex collaboration. The program will educate PMI members on a new management approach developed at Purdue University to help craft more effective, action-oriented collaborations.

This year’s conference will also feature expert conversations surrounding the various challenges the plumbing manufacturing sector is currently facing. These discussions will include thought leaders in artificial intelligence (AI), water management, and PFAS remediation, who will dive into a collection of complex industry topics and answer questions participants may have.

3. Carrier University Unveils New HVAC Training Center in Charlotte, NC

Leading HVAC manufacturer, Carrier, announced this month that they’ve officially opened the doors to a new 16,000-square-foot training center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Located at the Carrier University headquarters, the $4 million investment aims to train the next generation of HVAC professionals and plans to host more than 1,200 in-person students each year.

In support of their applied training courses, the new Charlotte facility will offer classrooms as well as a product lab that will feature many of Carrier’s leading systems. Carrier University’s curriculum is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and meets the requirements necessary for continuing education credits. 

Out-of-state professionals who are interested in Carrier coursework also have the opportunity to receive virtual online instruction. These courses cover a complex variety of HVAC equipment focuses, including technical skills, controls, design, service, and even sustainable building solutions. Those interested in enrolling should visit the Carrier University website for more information. 

4. Rheem Announces Significant Impacts on Sustainability

Atlanta-based HVAC and plumbing manufacturer, Rheem, recently announced the release of their fifth annual Sustainability Progress Report in part of the company’s ongoing A Greater Degree of Good initiative. This annual progress report is used to highlight Rheem’s sustainability efforts, ranging from reimagining product design to working with local governments. 

Across the many focus areas of the Sustainability Progress Report, some notable Rheem accomplishments included:

• Avoided 31.95M metric tons of CO2e through higher-efficiency product sales.
• Reduced 720 metric tons of CO2e emissions since the formation of the Energy Management Program in 2022.
• 76% of manufacturing plants are now qualified as Zero Waste to Landfill.
• 55% increase in employee sustainability training from 2022 to 2023. 

As 2024 progresses, Rheem continues to shoot for even bigger impacts on sustainability through a collection of initiatives. These include ongoing material research, completing global waste audits, and managing their sustainable packaging task force. With 2025 marking Rheem’s 100th anniversary, the company states they are on track to meeting additional sustainability goals. 

5. American Society of Plumbing Engineers Opens Registration for CPDT Exam

It’s not just HVAC technicians who can advance their education this month. For plumbing professionals looking to enhance their certifications, the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) announced they have opened registration for their Certified Plumbing Design Technician (CPDT) exam.

To be eligible for the CPDT exam, plumbers must have one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering with one year of experience designing plumbing systems.
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a field related to engineering and a minimum of two years of experience designing plumbing systems.
• Minimum four years of plumbing design experience.

The APSE created the CPDT program to provide a special designation for professionals to highlight their skills in plumbing system design to customers and employers. The CPDT is also a necessary component of the CPD (Certified in Plumbing Design) certification. The test will be held remotely from October 28 to November 8 at a cost of $225 for ASPE members and $450 for nonmembers. 

Summer is Still Heating Up for HVAC and Plumbing Pros

We might be heading into August, but summer is still in full swing — not only for our fellow HVAC and plumbing technicians, but for the manufacturers and government entities fueling industry innovations. As you continue to answer service calls and advance your business operations, discover how you can turbocharge your seasonal profits with extended warranty plans.

Here at JB Warranties, we offer four extended warranty plans built for parts, labor, or both, with multiple pricing tiers designed to meet the needs of contractors in commercial HVAC, residential HVAC, ductless mini-splits, plumbing, and geothermal-based applications. While you await the latest round of industry updates, heat up your August by contacting JB Warranties to learn more today.