
Blue Monster Faucet Grease (B.M.F.G), a premium silicone grease designed to lubricate faucet valves, stems and cartridges, is now available from Clean-Fit Products, a division of The Mill-Rose Company. Unlike conventional greases that oxidize or carbonize under heat, Blue Monster Faucet Grease maintains stability and performance over extended service intervals reducing component wear. Formulated for extreme performance, it delivers long-lasting lubrication and protection in high-temperature, high-load, and chemically demanding environments. Blue Monster Faucet Grease resists breakdown across a wide temperature range while remaining inert to most plastics, elastomers, and metals. Its non-carbonizing formulation prevents the formation of hard deposits and varnish, ensuring smooth operation and reliable sealing even after prolonged exposure to heat.
Clean-Fit Products, a division of The Mill-Rose Co.
www.cleanfit.com

By In the last edition of the magazine, we explored why heat loss calculations are critical for heat pump retrofits — highlighting emerging empirical heat loss calculation methods that use utility billing data as a simple option for contractors. The logic is straightforward: energy use rises and falls with a home’s heat loss, so billing data can be used to infer heat loss. This follow-up article reviews ongoing research validating these methods, practitioner insights, and early case study results from real homes. A national validation effort for empirical heat loss methods is already underway. Jérémie Leger, project lead with (NRCan) local energy efficiency partnerships (LEEP) team, explains, “Leveraging real-world data for heat loss and heat gain calculations presents a significant opportunity to improve the sizing and selection of heat pumps in Canada’s retrofit market. We have recognized its potential and are now conducting a large-scale research study on Canadian homes to assess th


By You cannot underestimate the importance of a strong team. It takes more than one person to ensure that the end result meets the expectations of all those involved. We’ve all heard a version of a saying emphasizing the importance of teammates. A jobsite is no different. A team of industry experts came together on one particular jobsite in Lethbridge, Alta, aiming to solve the issue of an ageing hot water system on its last legs. The team of experts, comprising , , and , helped ensure that the project ran smoothly and the customer was satisfied. At A-1 Truck & Car Wash, they had relied on a conventional hot water system powered by two large, two-stage boilers, each delivering two million BTUs. This lead-leg configuration meant that one boiler was operating to meet the demand, with the second only activating when needed. There were concerns from the owners of A-1 regarding a failure — if the primary boiler failed, then only one unit remained to shoulder the full demand, leaving the


New research revealed that 78% of plumbers and heating installers believe that apprenticeships are vital to encourage the next generation into plumbing and heating. The study was conducted by City Plumbing, part of Highbourne Group. It found that those who hire apprentices are largely motivated by experience and professional values. A total of 41% said they enjoy training and mentoring new talent, while 37% previously completed an apprenticeship themselves and understand how valuable the route is. Another 37% said apprentices help their business grow. The findings are part of the plumbing and heating merchant’s Taking the Temperature research, which surveyed 500 UK plumbers and heating installers. The study revealed that 74% of installers currently employ, or have previously employed, apprentices. City Plumbing said the results also point to a generational divide in apprentice hiring. More than 80% of installers aged under 35 said they work with or hire apprentices, compared with half


National Clients Can Utilize NYPA’s AGILe to Assess New Technologies The New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) Advanced Grid Innovation Laboratory for Energy (AGILe) has been added to the U.S. Electric Grid Test Bed Inventory managed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The designation recognizes AGILe as the only test bed nationwide with full system-level functionality that hosts models and digital twins of multi-regional large-scale electric power grids. The unique assets at AGILe are available to assist transmission and distribution technology developers, integrators, electric utilities, grid operators, and other industry stakeholders in assessing promising new technologies that will help modernize the electric grid. “This recognition is a testament to NYPA’s foresight and the hard work of the AGILe team, and other staff who have worked on the AGILe effort,” said Daniella Piper, NYPA EVP and chief innovation officer . “It also validates our vision of AGILe as a tool for derisking eme


Blue Monster Faucet Grease (B.M.F.G), a premium silicone grease designed to lubricate faucet valves, stems and cartridges, is now available from Clean-Fit Products, a division of The Mill-Rose Company. Unlike conventional greases that oxidize or carbonize under heat, Blue Monster Faucet Grease maintains stability and performance over extended service intervals reducing component wear. Formulated for extreme performance, it delivers long-lasting lubrication and protection in high-temperature, high-load, and chemically demanding environments. Blue Monster Faucet Grease resists breakdown across a wide temperature range while remaining inert to most plastics, elastomers, and metals. Its non-carbonizing formulation prevents the formation of hard deposits and varnish, ensuring smooth operation and reliable sealing even after prolonged exposure to heat. Clean-Fit Products, a division of The Mill-Rose Co. www.cleanfit.com


a wholly owned subsidiary of CDM Smith—is accelerating its growth trajectory with a strategic expansion into real-time asset and geospatial intelligence. This move underscores CDM Smith and Trinnex’s commitment to providing next generation digital solutions and helping clients achieve seamless digital transformation. Trinnex has already demonstrated remarkable success, achieving double digit growth fueled by data and AI consulting, introducing six new commercial software solutions in the water sector and pioneering data science-as-a-service for the industry. Now, by doubling the resources of Trinnex and broadening its data and digital consulting services with the integration of the industry-leading GIS and asset management team from CDM Smith, the company is positioned to deliver end-to-end solutions that maximize value across the entire lifecycle of infrastructure assets. “We’re not waiting for the future—we’re building it now. Together, under the Trinnex brand, we will deliver unmatc


Access Solutions Leader is Poised for Substantial Growth under Quanex NEW HAVEN, CT – From its inception as a small iron shop to manufacturing the first metal basement door to worldwide expansion as the industry leader in specialty access products, BILCO’s first 100 years have demonstrated innovation and engineering excellence. As it enters its second century in business, the long-term horizon for BILCO, based in New Haven, Conn., promises more of the same along with renewed emphasis on growth, modernization and expanded market presence. Quanex, which acquired BILCO in 2024, is committed to solidifying BILCO’s role as a high-performing, innovative leader that sets the access solutions standard for quality, reliability and responsiveness. “Our ability to provide safe, engineered access solutions in a wide range of sizes, for roof and underground applications, has allowed us to diversify our product portfolio,’’ says Mike Toohey, BILCO’s General Manager since 2017. “Our commitment to ada


Ideal Heating has announced its partnership with HPIN. The company stated that its work with HPIN helps it to put installers first by removing the paperwork, complexity and costs. This makes installing heat pumps less complicated while also ensuring access to government funding, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, it noted. With HPIN, Ideal said its installers gain access to a complete support package. This includes MSC accredited heat pump installations without the need to be MCS accredited, full system design support, expert installation support and comprehensive training. Ideal reported that every heat pump is backed by its nationwide network of engineers, along with a comprehensive parts-and-labour warranty.


ST. LOUIS (Feb. 5, 2026) Lawrence Group recently designed a new, cutting-edge behavioral health inpatient unit that supports SSM Health’s commitment to advancing the accessibility and availability of mental health resources in the St. Louis region. Located on the renovated fifth floor of Bordley Tower at the SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital Campus in midtown St. Louis, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital’s new 42 bed/bath Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit thoughtfully repurposes aging infrastructure into a modern, comforting environment centered around therapeutic, safe healing and recovery. Designed by Lawrence Group’s Healthcare Studio, the renovated 26,884-sq-ft space, formerly utilized as inpatient Med Surg and ICU units, employs high level behavioral health compliant design elements and custom, nature-inspired murals to create a healing atmosphere for patients and caregivers alike. “Our goal for the overall design of this unit was to create an environment for heali


fast installs, zero guesswork. Fort Wayne, IN – February 2026 – Franklin Electric Co., Inc . (NASDAQ: FELE) announced the launch of its next-level VersaBoost™ Pro series constant pressure boosting system. The compact solution gives water professionals, homeowners and businesses the ability to enhance water pressure consistently throughout a property, even as demand changes on the system. The proprietary design is engineered to deliver reliability from installation through daily operation. “We’ve all experienced low or inconsistent water pressure, whether it’s a weak shower or a slow-running sprinkler system,” said Shukri Elmazi, global product manager. “The VersaBoost Pro series overcomes those frustrations with a product that has the quality and dependability that only Franklin Electric could engineer. We combined our extensive experience engineering water pumping systems with field-proven customer feedback to ensure these units deliver our trusted capabilities in an all-in-one soluti


The GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) is proud to announce that Arup and JMT Technology Group have been selected as the 2025 GISCI Organizations of the Year, recognizing their exceptional support for GISP certification and their sustained commitment to ethical geospatial practice, professional development, and the public good. The GISCI Organization of the Year Award honors organizations that actively promote and support GIS Professional (GISP®) certification while demonstrating leadership in areas such as workforce development, open data, privacy protection, and public participation in governance. Following a competitive nomination process, a three-member judging panel appointed by the GISCI Board of Directors determined that both Arup and JMT Technology Group exemplify the values and standards this award is intended to recognize. “Arup and JMT Technology Group have each demonstrated a deep and sustained commitment to empowering GIS professionals and advancing the responsible use of


A new Aspen National Water Strategy , published today by the Aspen Institute’s Energy & Environment Program, provides a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen water security across the United States and ensure that communities, economies, and ecosystems can thrive amid growing water-related challenges. The effort is co-chaired by Martin Doyle of Duke University and Newsha Ajami of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. The strategy emphasizes that securing America’s water future goes far beyond managing shortages or surpluses. True security depends on well-functioning, trusted, and affordable water systems; resilient communities able to withstand floods, droughts, and wildfires; and institutions capable of adapting to changing climates, economies, and social conditions. "Water connects us all. Our economies, communities, and ecosystems thrive only when we treat water as an interconnected system and work collectively to achieve water security,” said Newsha Ajami of the Lawrence Berkeley N


Talon will be making face-to-face college visits to support National Apprentice Week, which is set to take place from 9 to 15 February. Jade Summers, a regional manager at Talon, is set to visit colleges and give apprentices the chance to get closer to the products they are learning to install on site. According to a company statement, the sessions are built to be practical, engaging and useful, with product talks, live demonstrations and installation guidance together with Talon merchandise giveaways. Apprentices also have the opportunity to ask questions, handle the products and see how they are designed to perform in real working environments. Mike Morris, marketing manager at Talon, said: “Alongside the college visits, Talon is continuing its sponsorship of the HIP Learner of the Year award, which brings together some of the best emerging talent in the sector for installation challenges, putting skills, accuracy and working knowledge to the test. “Finalists compete in a realistic i


is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization providing water professionals with the latest in education and training. WEF is leading the transformation to the Circular Water Economy: reducing waste, recovering resources, and regenerating ecosystems. Founded in 1928, WEF's mission is to inspire its 31,000 members and 75 affiliated member organizations and the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being. WEFTEC, WEF’s premiere event, is the largest annual water quality exhibition in North America, attracting a diverse, global audience. More than 20,000 registrants and 1,000 exhibitors convene at WEFTEC to experience innovative solutions and gain expert insights that positively impact the future of water. For more information, visit wef.org.


enabling U.S. power grid engineers to save an estimated 19 million hours annually San Diego, CA — (Distributech) — Looq AI, a global leader in geophysical reasoning, today announced the launch of qPole. The AI-enabled solution is designed to make the power grid more reliable and resilient by training AI models to understand utility poles the same way experienced engineers do, based on physical structure, geometry, materials, and real-world context. The U.S. power grid consists of an estimated 180–200 million distribution poles—some aging, some in areas where extreme weather conditions exist. Utilities face growing pressure to comply with state mandates for wildfire risk reduction and storm hardening. Accurate pole data has become a critical foundation for grid reliability. Yet it is still largely collected and processed using a slow, manual, and inconsistent workflow. Currently, thousands of utility contract companies work around the clock to complete detailed Pole Load Analysis (PLA).


- Gill Instruments , award-winning designer and manufacturer of meteorological and environmental measurement instruments, today announced the launch of TruMet PW100 , its new infrared optical rain gauge. For decades, rainfall measurement has relied on mechanical tipping bucket gauges. While trusted, these systems are prone to clogging, mechanical drift (requiring frequent calibration for reliable data), and under-counting during high-intensity rainfall, leading to maintenance demands and data uncertainty when accuracy matters most. Gill’s TruMet PW100 Optical Rain Gauge is meticulously engineered to overcome these long-standing challenges, ensuring true reliability and precision. A new approach to rainfall measurement The TruMet PW100 uses a solid-state optical measurement principle rather than mechanical collection. LEDs (light-emitting diodes) create a beam of light across a defined sensing area, and a receiver monitors interruptions in the beam caused by rainfall. By analysing the s


2026 Young Professionals Summit March 22-24, 2026 | Charlotte, N.C. Registration is officially open for the WEF/AWWA Young Professionals (YP) Summit . Take advantage of Super Saver rates by registering early for YP Summit 2026. This event brings together peers from drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, academia, engineering, consulting, and more to build leadership capabilities and foster lasting connections. Under the theme The Next Wave: Navigating Water Sector Currents , participants will develop practical leadership and communication skills, learn from innovative sector professionals, expand their national network of young professionals, and gain the confidence to lead through change, preparing them to shape the future of the water sector. Space is limited and the YP Summit sells out every year. Don’t miss your chance to join this one of a kind experience. Register Early to get a Discounted Rate!


high solids, sand, fiber, bedding material, and debris—SEEPEX Easy Maintenance solutions reduce downtime and extend component life. Smart Conveying Technology (SCT) features a patented two-piece stator and rotor design that allows maintenance without removing pipework, cutting downtime by up to 85 percent. The integrated re-tensioning mechanism adjusts the sealing line as wear progresses, often doubling component life and lowering operating costs. SCT retrofit kits support economical upgrades of aging facilities. NEW: Expanded BN and BTEX Pump Sizes for High-Volume RNG Operations SEEPEX now offers flow capacities of 20–90, 40–180, 80–360, and a new high-capacity model delivering 180–700 gallons per hour at 60 to 120 psi. These pumps provide stable, high-capacity transfer even during seasonal peaks or intensive feed cycles, making them ideal for large dairy digesters, food-waste co-digestion projects, and municipal sludge operations with fluctuating feedstock volumes. The robust design


World’s largest heavy lifting and transport company to load out heaviest three substations bound for the North Sea. Mammoet has signed an agreement with Seatrium to execute the load-out of three substations for TenneT’s 2GW Program, which will connect large-scale offshore wind farms to the European mainland. The innovative project will install a total of 15 (eight in the Netherlands, seven in Germany) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore grid connection systems in the North Sea by 2032 - each with a capacity of two gigawatts (2GW). Installing higher capacity connection systems at sea will significantly contribute to Dutch, German and wider European climate targets, and also reduce environmental impacts, as fewer offshore facilities will be needed overall. Seatrium, leveraging its One Seatrium Global Delivery model and international footprint, will be undertaking topside fabrication across its key yards. Each topside is expected to weigh above 30,000 tonnes. Mammoet will be on si


MP Katie White visited Vaillant’s UK heat pump production facility at Belper, Derbyshire. This comes as the UK government has published the details of its £15bn Warm Homes Plan. The scheme includes £5bn earmarked for home upgrades, alongside grants of up to £7,500 for households transitioning from gas boilers to heat pumps. The MP toured Vaillant’s heat pump production line, which opened in 2021. During the visit, she saw the manufacturing line in operation and discussed future plans with Vaillant’s senior management team. Vaillant stated that they focused on how production capacity can continue to scale in line with the rollout of the Warm Homes Plan nationwide. Katie White also met with some of Vaillant’s apprentices, including its Low Carbon Heating Apprentices, Engineering Apprentices and Business Apprentices. She learned more about their training and development pathways and answered questions on the future of heating and the role of apprenticeships in building the skills pipeline
