RPA Certified Contractors–Only 8 in New York?
Have you heard any of the following statements from your building or heating contractor?
- “You can’t have wood floors if you want warm floors.”
- “Radiant with carpets just doesn’t work.”
- “You always have to install another backup heating system with a warm floor system.”
- “There’s absolutely no way we can work floor heating into your budget.”
- “This white plastic tubing is the only way to go for radiant floor heating.”
- “This control strategy is the only way to go for radiant floors.”
Every one of the above statements is FALSE!
Your contractor isn’t lying to you—he’s well intentioned, but just hasn’t pursued the education required to know the real truth about designing and installing the best heating system for your home.
Buyer Beware
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that New York State does not require a heating system designer or installer to have any sort of training or licensing!
The cities of Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs require plumbing licenses, but not heating. And outside of those city limits, you’re on your own for plumbers as well.
This means it’s up to you as a consumer to make sure that the worker who designs or installs your floor heat is not the proverbial high school dropout who has exhausted every other career opportunity.
Ensure that he’s not the well-intentioned but uninformed individual who fancies himself a professional because he’s got a pickup truck and pipe wrench.
A lot of folks have done their homework and know that radiant heated floors are the most comfortable and least expensive choice (as opposed to cheapest–there’s a difference!).
As a result, heated floors are more and more in demand. So nowadays, most plumbing and heating contractors and builders will say,
“Yeah sure, we install underfloor heat, no problem.”
Smart homeowners want a contractor who has distinguished himself and taken the initiative to pursue a specialized education in radiant floor heat. One who’s qualified to design and deliver the most efficient and cost-effective system for their home.
- Hire an expert and get a masterpiece!
Effective and economical radiant heat is a multifaceted science. Cutting edge materials and innovative techniques are constantly changing the face of the industry.
So how do you go about finding a highly trained and skilled craftsperson who’ll give you value for your dollar?
Radiant Experts Found Here
The Radiant Panel Association was established to help you do just that. It’s an international trade association that establishes industry standards for radiant heating equipment performance and installation.
It publishes documents such as “RPA Guidelines For The Design And Installation Of Radiant Panel Heating And Snow/Ice Melt Systems,” which establishes industry wide standards on designing and installing your radiant heated floor.
Ask any radiant underfloor designer and installer you’re thinking of hiring if he has a copy of these guidelines, and if he understands the principles set out in it.
The Radiant Panel Association bookstore is open to the public. Your non-member contractor can obtain this invaluable information.
Only 64 New York Contractor Members
While you’re on the subject, ask your contractor why he’s not a member. Currently, only 64 dealer/contractors in all of New York State are members of the Radiant Panel Association!
They’ve set themselves apart as technicians interested in improving the quality of their in-floor heating design and installation practices, through the education and instruction provided by the RPA.
Just 8 in 64 Certified NY Installers?
Of the 64 New York contractor members, only 8 to date have passed the rigorous testing for both the Designer and Installer Certification programs.
This gives you an even greater level of assurance that you’ve chosen the right design and install professional to bring your project to life.
The Certification represents more than just bookwork. It involves a combination of experience in the field, previous training, as well as passing the tough exams.
Designer Certification emphasizes applied design theory, accurate heat loss calculation, equipment selection, control strategies, system performance, and the ability to produce technically sound, comprehensive designs.
Installer Certification stresses hands-on field installation and maintenance, the ability to understand properly prepared plans and drawings, assembling a system with quality workmanship, and then documenting and servicing the installation.
And earning RPA Certification isn’t a one-shot deal. All candidates must complete 2 RPA approved Continuing Education Units per year to maintain their Certification status.
Radiant Confidence
Thanks to benchmark-setting authorities like the Building Performance Institute and Radiant Panel Association, you’ll never have to worry about making the right hiring decision again!
You ultimately benefit by choosing from among New York’s educated best in the trades.
Trusted Home Comfort And Efficiency Expertise
“I did plenty of research for the construction of our 9,000 square foot home, and knew that radiant floor heat was the best choice for even temperatures.
When our log home manufacturer heard we wanted underfloor heating, he recommended David Sellers Mechanical right away.
And the radiant floors work very well – as big as our rooms are, we still have even heat throughout the home.
I also like the efficiency of the system.
I prefer Dave Sellers’ systems because they’re well designed. That’s why I recommended him for my brother’s new home, and will recommend him for my son’s upcoming new home project as well.”
George Weinshenk, retired high-rise HVAC engineer, Diamond Point, NY
