John Vastyan

John Vastyan of Common Ground is a trade journalist whose work is focused on the HVAC, hydronic, plumbing and mechanical, radiant heat, geothermal, solar, and broad building systems industry. For more information, call 717-664-0535 or email johnv@seekcg.com.

Guest Column

Inside a 70-Year-Old HVAC Business' Strategy to Build Generational Trust

Three generations operate on the philosophy that relationships come first

John Vastyan

November 10, 2025

Seventy years after its founding, Schlosser & Associates still operates with a simple mindset: treat employees as associates, customers as partners, and every project as a long-term commitment, not a one-off contract.

Outside Sales Associate Frank Edgar at the booth of B. J. Terroni, Taco’s manufacturer representative, at the 2025 APR buying shoe

APR Supply Buying Show 'a Win-Win for All Participants'

John Vastyan

August 21, 2025

APR Supply Co., now in its 103rd year, hosts one of the biggest annual plumbing and mechanical and HVACR wholesale buying shows in the U.S.

Dave Holdorf: Hydronic Industry Icon + Dad Joke Pro

For Taco trainer Dave Holdorf, dad jokes are among his best tools

John Vastyan

April 10, 2025

When it comes to making an impact on the HVAC industry, one veteran instructor found that humor help.

Big or Small, Snowmelt Systems Carry the Load

Snowmelt systems provide convenience, comfort, and sometimes save lives

John Vastyan

January 19, 2023

Hydronic snowmelt systems can bring convenience and comfort to places like zoos, sidewalks, decks, pools, and driveways — but they can also save lives.

PPATEC Substantially Expands Training Facility in Central Pennsylvania

Manufacturers show support for hydronics with equipment donations

John Vastyan

July 27, 2021

To serve the interests of trade professionals, PPATEC has substantially expanded its facility in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area.

Contractors Get a Good Dunking in Hot Water at OESP Seminar

Experts discuss the importance of water treatment when it comes to hydronic system performance

John Vastyan

January 28, 2019

Guest instructors Anthony Reikow, trainer for Bensalem, Pennsylvania-based B. J. Terroni Co., and Eric Grant, regional sales manager for Fernox, made a compelling case for “keeping it clean” when it comes to hydronic system performance and efficiency.

“Humor comes with the expertise and is free of charge,” said Dave Holdorf, trainer with Taco, during the event.

Encouraging Symphonic Perfection in Hydronics Systems

While one titan retires, two more continue his legacy forward

John Vastyan

May 30, 2016

Anyone can buy a bunch of high-quality components, stick them together, keep the water on the inside, and call it a hydronic heating system. It’s not that difficult. The real skill of an exceptional professional lies in understanding what these different components do and then picking the ones that will work together best for each individual system.

Health Care Organization Perfects Repurposed Building

Modulating Boilers, Packaged Rooftop Units Contribute to Makeover

John Vastyan

September 22, 2014

Nobody would argue the building needed a mechanical retrofit, so once the Providence Center raised the funds, Victory Heating and Air Conditioning Co. Inc., Bellingham, Massachusetts, was hired to design and install components that would provide a solution.

For Homeowner, HVAC is Rocket Science

Minnesota Residents Relish Whole-House, High-Efficiency, Mini-Split Solution

John Vastyan

June 30, 2014

Bill Rouner is a physicist who spent much of his career in the aerospace industry. So, it only made sense when he did some research.

HVAC Software Tools Make a Difference

Contractors Choose Packages that Improve Business Operations

John Vastyan

December 30, 2013

With an economy that is still weak in many parts of the country, making the time to choose the right software package is an important step toward improving the bottom line.

On Demand As AI workloads and high-density computing push traditional cooling methods to their limits, the data center industry is accelerating the adoption of next-generation HVAC technologies.

In this webinar, we'll walk you through exactly what to get in place before you add AI to your business. You'll leave with a clear picture of where you stand today and a practical action plan to set yourself up for real results.

John Vastyan

ARTICLES

Inside a 70-Year-Old HVAC Business' Strategy to Build Generational Trust

APR Supply Buying Show 'a Win-Win for All Participants'

Dave Holdorf: Hydronic Industry Icon + Dad Joke Pro

Big or Small, Snowmelt Systems Carry the Load

PPATEC Substantially Expands Training Facility in Central Pennsylvania

Contractors Get a Good Dunking in Hot Water at OESP Seminar

Encouraging Symphonic Perfection in Hydronics Systems

Health Care Organization Perfects Repurposed Building

For Homeowner, HVAC is Rocket Science

HVAC Software Tools Make a Difference

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