Taco now is now offering more professional development opportunities for plumbing and heating contractors. The company’s FloPro Factory Training returns in 2010 with a new course and several new locations throughout the U.S., making it easier for contractors to participate in advanced hydronic systems training.
This Factory Training is available only to members of Taco’s FloPro Team, their free contractor training and development program. Contractors who are not already members of the FloPro Team can learn more about the program and register at www.floproteam.com.
Training to Grow Your Business
According to John Barba, Taco’s nationally-recognized hydronics trainer, participants will learn to grow their hydronic expertise and boost profitability.
Taco returns with its most popular courses – the ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room, and Hydronic Heat Loss 7 Design – and adds an new course, Hydronic Control Strategies, all of which now happen at five locations nationwide beginning in February. All classes are NATE-Recognized and NORA Approved.
Tuition for all Taco FloPro Factory Training courses is $289 and includes two days of training, hotel accommodations for two nights, ground transport, meals and extras (though airfare to the host city is not included).
The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
Taco's 2-day ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room training shows installers how to boiler rooms outstanding in every way. “We'll discuss sizing and near-boiler piping for both cast iron and modulating-condensing boilers,” says Barba.
“We'll discuss the proper sizing and application of circulators and zone valves, and discuss zoning strategies with a heavy dose of hydronic electronics thrown in for good measure.” It’s an advanced training program covering the latest in controls and products, with extended hands-on opportunities.
Hydronic Heat Loss & Design
Any good hydronics system begins with a heat loss calculation. Taco's program, Hydronic Heat Loss & Design, will show installers how to conduct an accurate, effective residential heat loss analysis using a pencil, paper and calculator. Attendees are then given an opportunity to use Taco's state-of-the-art FloPro Design Software. Using laptop computers in their training lab, Taco trainers will provide attendees with valuable, hands-on experience with the advanced design software. Basic computer skills are required.
Hydronic Control Strategies
Recognizing that the boiler may be the brawn behind any hydronic system, it’s the control strategies at work that form the brain. “Today’s high efficiency boilers come with their own on-board reset controls, but there are many ways to fine tune these systems for even greater performance and efficiency,” says Barba.
This two-day program covers a wide variety of hydronic controls that includes adding reset controls to existing, cast iron boilers and adding motorized reset valves to modulating-condensing boilers. Attendees will also learn about the various ways to mix water temperatures for radiant systems, as well as advanced zoning and variable speed pumping techniques that can simplify any heating application.
Participants will also be introduced to Taco’s new iWorx web-based system controls for residential applications.
Hydronic Control Strategies is an advanced training program, with extended hands-on opportunities. Taco’s “The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room,” or comparable program, is a recommended prerequisite.
Course Schedule
Location: Taco, Inc., Cranston, RI
Feb. 11-12 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
Feb. 25-26 Hydronic Heat Loss and Design
March 11-12 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
March 25-26 Hydronic Control Strategies
April 8-9 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
April 22-23 Hydronic Control Strategies
June 24-25 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
July 8-9 Hydronic Heat Loss and Design
Sept 23-24 Hydronic Control Strategies
Oct. 21-22 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
‘Factory’ Training on the Road
Minneapolis (location to be announced):
April 15-16 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
May 13-14 Hydronic Control Strategies
May 20-21 Hydronic Heat Loss and Design
June 17-18 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
Denver (location to be announced):
June 10-11 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
August 5-6 Hydronic Control Strategies
Sept 9-10 Hydronic Heat Loss and Design
New Jersey (location to be announced):
July 29-30 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
August 19-20 Hydronic Control Strategies
Philadelphia (location to be announced):
Oct. 7-8 The ‘Compleat’ Boiler Room
Registration and Tuition
• Tuition only, hotel accommodations not included: $119.00
• Tuition plus one night's hotel accommodation: $209.00.
• Tuition plus two nights' hotel accommodation: $289.00
• Tuition plus three nights' hotel accommodation: $379.00
Hotel arrangements will be made by Taco. For training in Cranston, RI, the price includes ground transportation between Providence Airport, Taco and the hotel, breakfast and lunch on Thursday and Friday, as well as dinner and entertainment Thursday evening. Airfare is not included. For training in other locations, the price includes similar arrangements. Please call for details.
Please contact Rae Aldrich at Taco, 401/942-8000, with any special requests. Taco will be paying for your hotel room, tax, etc. but you should be prepared to present a credit card at check-in for any incidentals.