The Radiant Professionals Alliance (RPA) was established for the purpose of providing superior leadership and fostering the awareness of innovative technology, which it accomplishes via a comprehensive menu of educational activities, products, codes and standards, and public awareness initiatives. In addition, the RPA serves as a clearinghouse of experience, ideas and information to further the objectives and sustain interest on behalf of the RPA membership.
RPA members can take advantage of the great benefits the alliance has to offer, such as codes and standards advocacy, job center networking, obtaining and creating valuable education, annual Radiant Comfort Guide, newsletter subscription, discounts on IAPMO products and services, access to webinars, and much more. RPA members include professionals from all facets of the radiant profession including manufacturers, installers, engineers, architects, students, apprentices, inspectors, and more. Members automatically receive the quarterly newsletter that contains the latest news, events, and the RPA-hosted educational sessions from this year’s AHR Expo and previous years.
The RPA offers the most complete education on radiant and hydronics available anywhere in the industry. From contractors, installers, engineers or distributors who are installing and designing the systems, the RPA provides engaging and practical courses taught by experts that can help anybody become a better radiant and hydronics professional. Turn to the RPA for training that is cost effective, interactive, and presents the most up-to-date information. For more information on how to attend a seminar or any other education-related inquiries, please contact RPAeducation@radiantprofessionalsalliance.org.
Welcoming New and Returning Members
The RPA’s diverse group expanded within recent months. The organization would like to recognize our new members who will not only take advantage of all the RPA offers, but also assist in advancing the hydronics industry. In recent months, the RPA welcomed Closed-Loop, Viega, Keller Supply, Tunstall Corporation and Surge Digital Marketing. In 2023, the RPA welcomed Design-Aire Engineering, Inc., JB Plumbing, and Energy Environmental Corporation. In 2023, the RPA also welcomed returning members: All Island Radiant, Heatmeister Group, LLC, and Radiant Floor Inc.
AHR Expo
The RPA has a tradition of offering educational sessions during the ASHRAE/ AHR Winter Expo. This year, the event was held in Chicago and the RPA hosted six educational sessions. We encourage the industry to attend the RPA presentations at every AHR Winter Expo to obtain information on the latest trends and technologies impacting the radiant, hydronics and geothermal industry.
A list of the sessions that were offered during the AHR show follows. All the events were well attended, and the recordings of the presentations are available on the RPA website or can be obtained through the quarterly newsletter.
- Decarbonization to Use Less Electricity: Presented by Rick Bostian, Water Furnace
- Some Like it Hot, an Overview and Analysis of Market Opportunities for Solar Thermal: Presented by Will Giese, Solaray Corp.
- BEST Net the Energy: Presented by Greg Cunniff, P.E, Egg Geo
- Leveraging Radiant & Hydronics to Achieve Decarbonization Goas: Presented by Hailey Mick, Uponor
- Design of Hydronics Snow & Ice Melting Systems to Optimize Performance & Efficiency: Presented by Lance MacNevin, Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI)
- How Cities Can Use Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) to Cut Pollution: Presented by Jay Egg, Egg Geo
RPA Committees
The RPA has determined areas of interest such as the formation of an Advisory Committee that will focus on areas that will advance the industry. The Advisor Committee will be responsible for reviewing and updating educational content such as the RPA Hydronics Manual and the ASSE 19000 (Hydronic Systems Professional Qualification Standard), as well as updating the RPA Guidelines for Design and Installation of Radiant Panel Heating and Snow/Ice Melt Systems.
RPA members can apply to one of these committees by emailing john.mullen@ iapmo.org.
Partnerships
IGSHPA: The RPA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA®). Both organizations will support the geothermal industry in providing opportunities to participate in codes and standards development, guidelines, policies, and position statements developed on technical subjects as they relate to geothermal and radiant/hydronic developments. The RPA and IGSHPA will collaborate in the development of research related to the design and construction of radiant systems for geothermal applications and promote research in areas where results will add to the body of knowledge in the conservation of natural resources, increasing energy efficiencies and sustainability, and improving public health and safety.
The RPA also demonstrated its support for IGSPHA by speaking at its June town hall webinar, debuting the talk “Alliance in Action – Partnerships Driving Progress.”
Geothermal Rising: RPA signed an MoU with Geothermal Rising, one of the oldest geothermal advocacy groups in the country. The RPA and Geothermal Rising will support the geothermal and thermal energy network (TENs) industry on providing opportunities to participate in codes and standards development, guidelines, policies, and position statements developed on technical subjects as they relate to geothermal energy. The IAPMO Government Relations team supported Geothermal Rising’s successful Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
Upcoming Events and Speaker Opportunities
The RPA is now collecting abstracts for speaker opportunities at the 2025 AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida. The RPA will host business meetings and educational sessions at one of North America’s largest expos for our trade. The team is preparing panel sessions and educational talks to benefit our members and the AHR audience. Please contact John Mullen at john.mullen@ iapmo.org if you or someone you know is interested in speaking on behalf of the alliance.
Due to the dedication of the RPA members, the radiant industry has an advocate and a voice to speak on important matters that affect the industry. Thank you to all RPA members for being that voice that speaks on behalf of radiant professionals.
Join the RPA
If you would like to know more about becoming part of the alliance, please feel free to contact Cathy Burks (Membership client support coordinator) at cathy.burks@iapmo.org or John Mullen (RPA technical liaison) at john.mullen@ iapmo.org. If you are not a member of the RPA, you should join. Please visit the RPA member page to join the alliance: https://www.iapmo.org/rpa/membership/ join-online
Hugo Aguilar, P.E.
Last modified: September 3, 2024