I had a blast learning from the "superheros of radiant" at last week's REX Show. From new products, such as graphite-based heat transfer sheets (GrafTech International) and push-fit manifolds (Cash Acme), to troubleshooting and selling tips, the presenters and exhibitors had an upbeat energy about the outlook for radiant heating. And the future is a very specific color.

Everywhere you walked, there was talk of green ― even the carpet in the exhibit hall was green! Speaker Dave Yates pointed out that we're in a "perfect storm" of opportunity, and that hi-efficient equipment and low-temp systems are the wave of the future for hydronics. "We're going from code red to code green," Yates told attendees. "Don't look for legislators to help us; it's going to have to be up to us to educate our customers. It's time for us to step up."

John Siegenthaler agreed. In his luncheon keynote address he said our design choices will impact the market, and our customers' ways of thinking. "Radiant is already efficient," he said. "But we can become a deeper shade of green."