HPAC February 2015 by Annex Business Media

Ice Machine Basics

HOT WATER SYSTEMS: DESIGN FOR SAVINGS

Relays & Design Strategies

Meeting COnsumer Expectations

Electric Motor Essentials

It is not Rocket Science Or is it?

Putting comfort in the heat loss/gain calculation

www.hpacmag.com PM 40069240

february 2015

Also in this issue:

The reality of snow melt operating costs MODERN HYDRONICS 2015 SPRING

The financial reality of

OPERATING SNOW AND ICE MELT SYSTEMS

RADIANT FLOORS

DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO MEET CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

CLOSED HYDRONIC SYSTEM PROTECTION

Understanding expansion tanks and system pressure TECHNOLOGY PUMPS OUT SAVINGS RELAYS: HOW DO THEY FIT INTO DESIGN STRATEGIES A PUBLICATION OF

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FEBRUARY 2015

Vol. 89 No. 1

tents

DEPARTMENTS 6 Upfront

8 Industry News 56 60 68 68 70

Mechanical Supply News People Training The Source Calendar

Products 53 Plumbing 62 HVAC/R 64 Gizmos & Gadgets

Heat loss/heat gain considerations

MH4 WHY DON’T MY FLOORS FEEL

MODERN HYDRONICS 2015

WARM?

SPRING

The financial reality of

Simple solutions to avoid the dilemma of unfulfilled customer expectations.

OPERATING SNOW AND ICE MELT SYSTEMS

BY ROBERT BEAN

RADIANT FLOORS DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO MEET CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

CLOSED HYDRONIC SYSTEM PROTECTION

18 H VAC/R

Understanding expansion tanks and system pressure

Electric Motors: Operation and Troubleshooting – Part I

TECHNOLOGY PUMPS OUT SAVINGS RELAYS: HOW DO THEY FIT INTO DESIGN STRATEGIES A PUBLICATION OF

MH2015_21_OFC.indd 1

PRODUCT SHOWCASE TAPPING INTO THE AGRICULTURAL MARKET

MH8 A LITTLE MATH GOES A LONG WAY

15-02-10 10:21 AM

By Dave Demma

20 P lumbing

What you need to know about the financial reality of operating snow and ice melt systems. BY LANCE MACNEVIN

TIPS FOR RESTAURANT HOT WATER SYSTEMS Warming up to a new design perspective–Part I By Amin Delagah

MH12 ONES AND ZEROS

How to incorporate relays into your design strategy. BY CURTIS BENNETT

66 R efrigeration

MH16 Product showcase MH22 PRESSURE AND HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY

Ice Machine Basics By Mark Masterson

How the expansion tank protects closed hydronic systems. BY CLIFF MCNEILL

MH24 EXPLORING THE AGRICULTURAL MARKET

Biofuel heating system raises profits for organic poultry farmer. BY BILL BOSS

MH28 SELF BALANCING TECHNOLOGY PUMPS OUT SAVINGS

@hpacmag hpacmag.com

Precise flow and pressure garner savings in constant and variable systems. BY MIKE MILLER FEBRUARY 2015 | HPAC

< UPFRONT training challenges at the fore For many years the mechanical industry has focused on the shortage of skilled trades people, which is expected to become much worse as the workforce ages. More recently though, I have seen a shift to concern about the skill level of trades people already in the field. Developments in technology, customer demands and regulatory requirements have put an increasing strain on technicians out in the field. Industry associations and other stakeholders are taking notice and are becoming proactive in their efforts to find a solution to the problem. Make no mistake, the skills and capability issue is not limited to one sector of the industry. The following Comment posted by a reader on HPAC's website reflects that. Hydronic installations and who does what creates dilemma for regulator Posted online: 1/22/2015 8:08 PM (HPAC E-xpress: January 22, 2015) As a recipient of all the tremendous work and education by CIPH, CHC and others such as TECA BC, I am now a heating technician. This is a modern trade that covers the design of hydronics or forced air systems, depending on endorsement or both, gas fitting, controls (electrical endorsement of BC Safety Authority) pipe fittings skill and methods, ventilation basics, all aspects of energy source integration, such as solar heating, etc. It is a trade requiring an apprenticeship and is administered through the Industry Training Authority BC (ITA) as the authority for all trade programs. I hope that the efforts of CIPH will subsequently lead to a nationwide recognition (Red Seal) of this much needed trade. Plumbers, gas fitters, refrigeration technicians and other related trades may expand their opportunities by adding this new trade to their portfolio. Please also note that Europe has been training people in this specific trade for decades. The works of John Siegenthaler, Modern Hydronic Heating, have been a shining example of meeting the need for Canadian and American tradesman and designers that want to be reflective in their work and application of todays' technology. Franz Bergendahl 1/16/2015 Our thanks to Franz for his insights. We invite you to share your experiences with training and its subsequent portability to the field. Editor

CORRECTION The combustion analysis article in December 2014 (p22) incorrectly stated that the ambient level of CO "is typically around 400 PPM." Health Canada's Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline for carbon monoxide recommends maximum exposure limits of: short-term exposure: 25 parts per million (ppm) based on a one-hour average, and long-term exposure: 10 parts per million (ppm) based on a 24-hour average. Thank you Rick Weaver of Metal Air Mechanical for bringing it to our attention. 6

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2015

HPAC Magazine 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto, ON M3B 2S9 TEL: 416.442.5600 FAX: 416.510.5140 www.hpacmag.com Editor Kerry Turner (416) 510-5218 KTurner@hpacmag.com Sales & Marketing Kim Rossiter (416) 510-6794 Coordinator KRossiter@hpacmag.com Associate David Skene (416) 510-6884 publisher DSkene@hpacmag.com Account Stephen Kranabetter (416) 510-6791 Manager skranabetter@hpacmag.com Art Director Sandy MacIsaac (416) 442-5600, ext. 3242 SMacisaac@bizinfogroup.ca Market Production Barb Vowles (416) 510-5103 Manager 800-268-7742, ext. 5103 BVowles@bizinfogroup.ca Circulation Manager Selina Rahaman (416) 442-5600, ext. 3528 SRahaman@bizinfogroup.ca PUBLISHER Peter Leonard (416) 510-6847 PLeonard@hpacmag.com

Annex business media East Vice President Tim Dimopoulos (416) 510-5100 tdimopoulos@canadianmanufacturing.com President & CEO Mike Fredericks mfredericks@annexweb.com

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240, Registration No. 10815 Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning (established 1925) is published 7 times per year by Annex Business Media East. HPAC Magazine is the leading Canadian business publication for the owner/manager of mechanical contracting businesses and their supply partners. ISSN: 0017-9418 Contents Copyright © 2015 by Annex Business Media, may not be reprinted without permission. Subscriber Services: To subscribe, renew your subscription or to change your address or information please visit us at www.hpacmag.com. Subscription Price per year: $40.00 CDN; Outside Canada per year: $80.00 US; Single copy Canada: $5.00 CDN. Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning is published 7 times per year except for occasional combined, expanded or premium issues, which count as two subscription issues. Mail Preferences: From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Tel: 800.387.0273, Fax: 416.442.2191; E-mail: jhunter@ businessinformationgroup.ca; or by mail: Privacy Office, 80 Valleybrook Dr., Toronto, ON M3B 2S9. HPAC Magazine receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. HPAC Magazine, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, re-publish, distribute, store and archive such unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. Notice: HPAC Magazine, Annex Business Media, their staff, officers, directors and shareholders (hence known as the “Publisher”) assume no liability, obligations, or responsibility for claims arising from advertised products. The Publisher also reserves the right to limit liability for editorial errors, omissions and oversights to a printed correction in a subsequent issue. HPAC Magazine’s editorial is written for management level mechanical industry personnel who have documented training in the mechanical fields in which they work. Manufacturers’ printed instructions, datasheets and notices always take precedence to published editorial statements. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

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Industry News

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Code amendments impact plumbing fittings and backflow in BC

CIPH and HRAI present the big economic picture

The Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA) reports that British Columbia has updated standards for the CSA B64-11 series. Amendments in the BC Building Code Regulation BC Reg. 264/2012 update a number of referenced standards, including low lead in plumbing fittings and backflow requirements. These changes mean that where applicable, the severity of hazard for some water treatment systems and chemicals have been downgraded and can be assessed using the CSA B64.10-11 standard. It also means that updated MSDS sheets must be attached to any operating binders assembled for small regulated treatment systems. Section 3 of the Building Code contains transition rules for construction projects for which a permit was applied for before December 19, 2014. Existing projects that already have a permit are grandfathered. The Minister's Ruling came into force on December 19, 2014. www.cwqa.com

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) have released their January 2015 co-branded economic review titled The Outlook. Produced in conjunction with Altus Economics, the review provides economic insights, housing market data, commentary and analysis of trends in non-residential and infrastructure investment by region in Canada. www.hpacmag.com (see Daily News, Jan. 9, 2015)

continued on page 10

Canada Apprentice Loan program open for business Prime Minister Stephen Harper circulates among BCIT students following his announcement that the Canada Apprentice Loan initiative was operational.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced January 8, 2015, that the Canada Apprentice Loan initiative was accepting applications. He made the announcement at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Vancouver. An expansion of the Canada Student Loans Program, within Employment and Social Development Canada, the program offers apprentices registered in Red Seal trades the opportunity to apply for up to $4,000 per period of block-release technical training. Canada Apprentice Loans will be interest free up to a maximum of six years, and no payments will be required until an apprentice completes or terminates their apprenticeship training program. The loan is available in all provinces and territories except Quebec, where alternate support is available. The Canada Apprentice Loan online service account is a secure portal that allows qualified apprentices to apply for a Canada Apprentice Loan, check the status of their loan, and more. Polytechnics Canada, of which BCIT is a founding member, issued a press release (shown in part here) following the announcement: As the lead proponent for this new initiative, Polytechnics Canada knows that this new funding will help alleviate the financial burden faced by apprentices when they have to return to the classroom while maintaining all their monthly payments and financial obligations. "We heartily endorse the objective of the Canada Apprentice Loan to help more trades trainees complete their apprenticeship and become certified journey persons. The new Loan shows that the Government of Canada places equal value on vocational education and training, alongside Canadian university and college education," said Nobina Robinson, CEO of Polytechnics Canada. At least 26â&#x20AC;&#x2030;000 apprentices per year are expected to apply for over $100 million in loans. The estimated net cost of these loans to the Government would be $25.2 million over two years and $15.2 million per year ongoing. www.esdc.gc.ca/en/support_apprentices/loans.page 8

HPAC | February 2015

hpacmag.com

< Industry News

continued from p8

Tankless gas water heaters recalled due to risk of fire

Hydronic installations and who does what creates dilemma for regulator

A joint recall issued by Health Canada, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) and Daesung Celtic Enersys involves all models of singleand dual-purpose Coaire and Quietside brand tankless gas water heaters. The words "S-Line Condensing" are on the top front and brand names "Coaire" or "Quietside" are on the bottom front of the Korean-made water heaters. Daesung has received 40 reports of the units overheating in the U.S. No injuries have been reported. Neither Health Canada nor Daesung has received any reports of consumer incidents or injuries to Canadians related to the use of these products. Approximately 2200 of the recalled water heaters were sold in Canada from July 2008 through August 2014 by independent dealers nationwide and on websites. For more information, contact the North American distributor, Challenger Supply Holdings, at tel. 800.729.6118 or visit www.challengersupply.com (click on "Product Recall"). www.regcen.com/waterheater/Canada

A forum led by the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) on January 15, 2015 at the Mississauga Convention Centre in Mississauga, ON, was directed to those who may be impacted by the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), particularly those working in hydronics. Bob Onyschuk, directorcompliance and enforcement division, explained OCOT's powers of enforcement over the skilled trades and what liabilities and responsibilities fall on to the compulsory trades. The Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) has been meeting with OCOT to try to resolve the ongoing issue of who does hydronics. According to OCOT, a plumber must do the work. "Our main goal is to protect the public interest," said Onyschuk. "We are trying to modernize the skilled trades. The plumbing that was done 30 years ago isn't what you're doing today. Onyschuk asked, "How do we square the circle, the work that you do that I may see as plumbing but you see as something else? I would like to have a permanent solution to your problem. This has not been done before. We can't change things [snap]. That public interest is a big thing for me." As Jeff House, training manager with Jess-Don Dunford, told HPAC following the event, "If OCOT is saying and enforc-

Strong showing for inaugural Buildings Show Over 35 000 attendees headed to Toronto's Convention Centre for The Buildings Show.

All sectors of the international building industry were on display at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from December 3 to 5, 2014 for The Buildings Show. Produced by Informa Canada, the show featured more than 500 speakers, 1600 exhibits, and attracted over 35 000 attendees. New this year, seven individual shows − IIDEX Canada, Construct Canada, PM Expo, Concrete Canada, Home Builder & Renovator Expo, Construct International and The Real Estate Forum − were combined under one roof to fill both the MTCC's north and south buildings. The Buildings Show's educational seminars included a presentation by Anastasia Rentzos, a certified master kitchen and bath designer and president and CEO at Andros Kitchen & Bath Design. She emphasized the increased role of technology in both key areas of the home. From automation and efficiency to smaller appliances and tap or touchless features, the industry is undergoing a significant transformation and there is more demand than ever for high-end plumbing products. "Hands free faucets used to be a luxury, now they are in both the kitchen and bathroom," said Rentzos. "Consumers want more comfort in their homes and are willing to pay for it." In his seminar on building harmony between the HVAC system and the building envelope, Peter Adams, a senior building envelope designer for Morrison Hershfield, said the better the building envelope is at preventing heat, air and moisture flow, the less work the HVAC system has to do to condition the space. He also explained the importance of planning, and the need to engage mechanical and envelope designers early on in the building process. "HVAC and the building envelope will be forever intertwined. HVAC can generate significant risks that need to be mitigated," said Adams. The Buildings Show 2015 will take place from December 2 to 4, once again at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. www.thebuildingsshow.com 10

HPAC | February 2015

hpacmag.com

Left: CIPH Ontario Region Business Meeting guest speaker David Miller discussed the GTA's winning bid for the Pan Am Games. Right: Mike Miller, CHC chair, introduces Bob Onyschuk (l), director-compliance and enforcement division of the Ontario College of Trades.

ing that only plumbers and pipe fitters can do hydronics, and hydronics is really a separate but not recognized trade or sub-trade, a good number of plumbers and pipe fitters have not been exposed enough to the opportunities of hydronics, nor were they trained and had a chance to hone their skills in hydronics. Hydronics is a skill learned over time with training outside of the licence, provided by many different sources." Until the situation is resolved, Onyschuk advised attendees to "be nice" and "don't be too quick on the trigger," and perhaps most importantly, to contact him directly if there is an issue. In a letter from CIPH to Onyschuk following the event, CHC program manager Matt Wiesenfeld noted that the intent is to continue the dialogue between the organizations "on the evaluation and recognition of the national hydronics installer certification program as a pathway to either a new trade, sub-trade or alternate solution that makes it possible for those competent in the installation of hydronics." The letter also stated CIPH's intent to have a representative on the most relevant OCOT board. "To this end we will be putting a name forward and seeking guidance from your staff in the interim whether we can observe at these meetings to educate ourselves and to understand the scopes and mandates of the organization." Other concerns raised by the audience included alarm companies getting involved in controlling HVAC systems, and the handling of complaints. It was suggested that complaint reports should be anonymous, given a file number, to eliminate bias by the committees appointed to deal with complaints and discipline. Onyschuk emphasized the opportunity for members of CIPH and CHC to get involved with the governance of OCOT. "Because of this system you have no one else to blame. We have put the process in place, all you have to do is get engaged." This event followed the Ontario Region Business Meeting at the same location. Guest speaker David Miller discussed hpacmag.com

the GTA's winning bid for the Pan Am Games and the preparations for that event. In his opening Miller commended CIPH for handling the Federal government in the right way: "walking softly and carrying a middle-size stick." In the presentation, which focused on Toronto venues, Miller noted that the reasons to bid included job creation but really it was about the athletes. "This is really about young Canadian athletes who never get to perform in front of Canadians." When asked about the successful Games bid being a precursor to another Toronto Olympic bid, Miller noted that: "It's all politics we should have won Atlanta. You need to check out the politics to see if Canada has a chance, otherwise, I wouldn't waste the money." The next Ontario Region business meeting will be held March 5, 2015. www.collegeoftrades.ca

Correction In HPAC December 2014 (print edition) it was stated that the Combating Counterfeit Products Act (Bill C-8) became law on October 2, 2014. In fact, that was the date the Act received a third reading by the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology and was passed by the House of Commons with all party support. Bill C-8 was passed into law on December 9, 2014. A fact sheet is available from Industry Canada at www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/064.nsf/eng/07282.html.

canadians prepare to align with harmonizied chemical classification and labelling The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is changing as Canada aligns with the Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS). Products with new Data Sheets and Hazard Symbols may start appearing on construction sites as soon as this Spring. To help educate workers about the upcoming changes, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has released an e-course, in partnership with the Workplace Hazardous Materials Bureau of Health Canada and funded by Health Canada. It is offered free of charge to the first 100â&#x20AC;&#x2030;000 participants, for up to one year, and is available in English and French. www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/whmis_workers/

Heat pump growing pains in New Brunswick The heat pump (HP) market in Eastern Canada has seen significant growth recently, particularly the sale of ductless mini-split systems. As a proportion of all Canadian sales of this product, the region's share has grown from less than one per cent to over 18 per cent over the past five years. continued on p12 february 2015 | HPAC

< Industry News

continued from p11

While the growth has been generally good for the local HVAC/R industry, it has also raised some new challenges. One of these is the complete lack of enforcement of existing trades training regulations which require that installers be certified as refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics. The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) committed earlier in 2014 to working with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and Nova Scotia Power to address this same concern in that province. More recently, HRAI reached out to representatives from New Brunswick Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification to discuss the almost complete absence of trade certification enforcement in New Brunswick. The problem is virtually identical to Nova Scotia: growth of the ductless HP market has attracted many unlicensed people into the HP installation business and the absence of trade certification enforcement hurts legitimate contractors and suppliers. At a meeting in early December with HRAI, the New Brunswick government's representatives were sympathetic to industry concerns but, having almost no budget for enforcement, they felt powerless to effect any change. In Nova Scotia, one of the solutions identified was to work with the provincial utility to promote directly to consumers the benefits of dealing with qualified tradespeople. Nova Scotia Power has committed to supporting this message in its own marketing. In New Brunswick, however, a new and different challenge has emerged. Late in October, New Brunswick Power issued a "Request for Expressions of Interest" for the provision of a ductless heat pump rental program. The request was sent to HVAC/R equipment suppliers in the province. Members immediately expressed concern about the utility stepping

over the line that separates the regulated monopoly energy market from the competitive HVAC/R market. On December 3, 2014, Martin Luymes, HRAI director of programs and relations, met with representatives from NB Power who provided assurance that "no decisions have been made" as to whether such a program would proceed. A meeting was then held with members in Moncton to get their perspective on the possibility of the utility setting up a rental program. Members at the meeting were united in their call for action from HRAI in resisting NB Power on this program. Following on this direction, HRAI prepared a letter to NB Power president Gaetan Thomas, requesting a face-toface meeting to discuss these concerns in more detail. The goal will be to ensure NB Power is an ally in the promotion of properly installed systems, rather than an active market participant. For more information contact Luymes at tel. 905.602.4700, ext. 235. (From HRAI's January 2015 E-Insight)

Hat trick for Martino Contractors The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) recently recognized Martino Contractors Ltd. as the “Trade Contractor of Year.” The award was presented at BILD's annual general meeting in December 2014. Martino Contractors is a family-owned company that supplies and installs residential HVAC equipment for new homes and retrofit applications. With locations in Toronto and Ottawa, the company has installed approximately 70 000 furnaces and air conditioners all across Ontario since it was established in 1987. This is the third time Martino Contractors has received the award, previously winning in 2010 and 2011. www.bildgta.ca <>

INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS >> ISH, the international trade fair for water and energy technologies, will be held in Frankfurt am Main from March 10 to 14, 2015. Show organizer Messe Frankfurt expects around 2400 exhibitors from around the globe to occupy 260 000 square metres of exhibition space. Comfort meets Technology is the theme of the event. https://ish.messefrankfurt.com >> RSES Canada has announced a change of dates for its 2015 conference. It will now run from May 21 to 23 at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), located at 1301 16th Ave. NW in Calgary, AB. All training sessions will be held at SAIT except for industry tour training sessions. RSES is not using a hotel or conference centre, therefore there is no local room rate. The RSES Canada board of directors is planning on staying at the Costal Plaza about 20 minutes from SAIT. www.rsescanada.com >> The Canadian Oil Heat Association’s 32nd annual Symposium is being held in Halifax, NS, from June 16 to 18, 2015 at the Harbourfront Marriott. HEAT 2015 CLEANER THE FUTURE Cleanerheat 2015 will have a different format, with a golf tournament on BURNS BRIGHT June 16 and two full days of seminars and exhibits on June 17 and 18. The event wraps up with a dinner on June 18. For more information, e-mail admin@coha.ca. www.cleanerheat.ca HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA

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HPAC | February 2015

CANADIAN OIL HEAT ASSOCIATION 2015-01-30 2:19 PM

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< design

Heat loss/heat gain considerations BY ROBERT BEAN

hen I joined ASHRAE in 1990 I did not imagine that 25 years later HVAC equipment would be selected and installed in the absence of a heat loss and gain calculation. It is like bad reruns on late night television; the Btu guessing continues even as the new CSA F280-12 is launched across Canada. To put the guessing into perspective, imagine the confidence level of airline passengers if ground crews and pilots guessed what fuel weights were needed to get from departure to arrival points; or how about the confidence level of train commuters if bridge crossings were designed by hunches rather than structural engineering calculations? Simply stated, calculating heat loss and gains is a fundamental exercise required in HVAC before other design sequences can begin. This is why. Load calculations drive three not-to-be ignored elements of plant capacity: fluid and air flow rates, and operating temperatures. No one who is paying the utility bill should tolerate the selection of a heating/cooling plant based on sizing clichĂŠs. The installed power drives energy input and its conversion drives health, safety and IEQ factors, and affects environmental emissions plus capital and operating costs. Figure 1 Heat loss/heat gain process and factors

HPAC | february 2015

Fluid/air flow rates and pressures which influences pipe/ duct sizes and mechanical characteristics are established from load calculations. These are tied back into health and safety considerations, as well as capital and operating cost. The selection of pipes and ducts based on flow, drives velocity and establishes the friction load and thus circulator and blower motor horsepower requirements. To run those motors is going to take electricity and money all the while contributing to green house gas emissions. There is the potential for parasitic heat gains, noise, and vibration and erosion corrosion while running those motors to move Btus around. Since loads influence operating temperatures they are intimately connected to IEQ, health and safety factors and energy efficiency, which is attached to economic and environmental issues; and yes (again) capital and operating cost. The following is not an exhaustive study of heat loss and gain but rather a commentary on items that designers ought to consider when performing calculations.

RADIATION Whether you are using an ASHRAE methodology or CSA Standard to do a load calculation, the least understood but most influential element in load calculations is the transfer of energy via short and long wave radiation. Notice the term "transfer of energy" instead of "heat transfer." Unlike conduction and convection (including infiltration and exfiltration), there is no heat in radiation only electromagnetic waves of energy which are converted to heat energy when absorbed (resulting in a rise in temperature at the surface); or converted from heat energy to electromagnetic waves when emitted (resulting in a drop in temperature at the surface). Changes in surfaces temperatures due to radiation affect the conductive flow rate of heat through the materials bound by the surfaces. The direction of that travel inwards or outwards from the enclosure will determine whether the radiant energy is accounted as a heat loss or heat gain (and why the radiation process is often referenced as thermal radiation). Some key points designers should know about radiant transfer is that short wave solarâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;high intensity electromagnetic hpacmag.com

Table 1. Heat Loss/Gain Paths (all paths are typical ) 1

short wave solar energy (electromagnetic waves)

transmission of short wave solar energy through glass

short wave solar energy transmitted to and absorbed by interior surfaces and converted to heat

exterior long wave low intensity radiation (electromagnetic waves) absorbed/emitted

absorption/emittance of longwave radiation, energy conversion (to and from heat), conducted to/from inside surface

interior long wave radiation absorbed/emitted

conduction of heat to and from slab and grade

conduction of heat in/out through walls

conduction of heat in/out through roofs

infiltration/exfiltration of heated and cooled air (typ)

heating and cooling convection at exterior walls

heating and cooling convection at interior walls

heating and cooling convection at floors

heating and cooling plane

heating and cooling convection at exterior roof plane

tdb

dry bulb temperature

surface temperatures

convection at interior ceiling

waves (Figure 1, item 1) can pass through glazing systems (Figure 1, item 2); an amount dependent on the glass and film characteristics but long wave radiation cannot (Figure 1, item 4 and 6). In this regard windows are like check valves in that they will let short wave radiation in but the resulting long wave length radiation will not be transmitted back out through windows. This energy is absorbed and conducted (Figure 1, item 5). Solar loads (short wave) on opaque exterior surfaces (solids), are absorbed (sans discussion on colours and reflectance) and converted to heat, which is conducted through and released as interior long wave radiation. This long wave radiation is then exchanged with other interior surfaces depending on their thermal optical characteristics. There are of course radiant losses from building enclosures to the outside. You can see this with infrared cameras but those losses originated in part as the absorption of long wave radiation on interior surfaces (and heat transfer through convection next to interior surfaces). It is then ultimately conducted as heat through the enclosure (Figure 1, item 8) and at the exterior surface it is converted and emitted as long wave electromagnetic energy (Figure 1, item 4) ; Together with losses due to convection (Figure 1, item 11) and exfiltration (Figure 1, item 10), these are accounted for as heat losses. There is also the case where shortwave radiation

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february 2015 | HPAC

< Design

continued from p15

(Figure 1, item 3) is absorbed by slabs on grade (a heat gain) and through conduction to ground (Figure 1, item 7) also partially accounted for as a conductive heat loss. This can also occur where short wave radiation lands on the interior side of an exterior wall where the solar gain is partially converted to a heat loss via conduction, and long wave radiation and convection at the exterior surface.

Conduction Conduction losses and gains occur through all sides of the enclosure (Figure 1, items 5, 7, 8 and 9) based on the temperature differentials across the wall, windows, floor/slabs and roof/ceiling; and the combined weighted U-value of the panel. The operative phrase is "weighted U-value" meaning a wall constructed with R-20 insulation is in fact not an R-20 wall after considerations are made for the area, and the R-values of framing members and window and door areas. For typical framing factors of 15 per cent to 20 per cent an R-20 wall is actually an R-12 to R 14 wall. Also the type and thermal performance of insulation materials is affected by temperature changes, which is why climate driven R-values should be used for greater accuracy in performing load calculations. Insulation is rated at 75F (23.9C) but deviations up and down from this value result in decreasing R-values as much as one to two R-values at typical design conditions. This means a designer may be using the rated R-value of the insulation of say R-20 when in fact adjusted for framing and temperature could potentially drop the wall to an actual R-10. It is this author's experience that many software programs used by HVAC designers do not account for the consideration of U-value weighting and climate on actual enclosure performance.

Infiltration (exfiltration) Many seasoned designers agree that the estimation of infiltration/exfiltration has been more of an art than a science in the past. But understanding of air leakage through buildings has advanced over the past decade. Some load calculation programs account for measured input values from blower door tests. Where these test are not required or not performed, it is still possible to more accurately estimate air leakage using such references as ASHRAE Standard 62.2 or procedures that consider construction materials and assembly techniques, building geometry including building heights, approximation to exterior wind/pressure barriers (other buildings, trees and so on) and orientation to prominent wind direction. Today, infiltration and exfiltration are not generally seen as acceptable means to ventilate a building. We now understand that this process is a source of contamination in the form of particulates, gases, odours, moisture and sound. Also, the air leakage process introduces an essentially uncontrollable latent load to the interior space. Along with other interior latent loads from people, cooking, cleaning and mechanical ventilation these additional loads must be accounted for in the calculation procedure.

FINAL THOUGHTS Our ability to accurately predict loads is increasing with our understanding of building systems and how people operate their spaces and appliances. However, software does not always accurately reflect reality. Designers and their clients ought to understand clearly that performing load calculations is a first step but by no means the final step in establishing thermal comfort and energy efficiency. In the case of thermal comfort, this separate calculation is the natural follow up. Unfortunately, the exercise to determine comfort from load calculations is rarely done, much to the annoyance of yours truly. <>

Convection Many software programs simplify the transmission calculation from and through the enclosures by using a combined heat transfer coefficient which includes the convective air flow across the surface (Figure 1, items 11-15). Designers should note that programs often use a still air coefficient, which does not accurately represent the air flow typically created by all air systems or higher velocity dedicated ventilation systems. The still air coefficient would likely be an accurate representation for spaces conditioned with systems such as radiant. As noted in Figure 1, the convective coefficient is different for vertical surfaces, and is dependent on horizontal surfaces facing up or facing down and whether that plane is an interior or exterior surface. 16

HPAC | february 2015

Robert Bean, who is president of Indoor Climate Consultants Inc., is a Registered Engineering Technologist in building construction through the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta and a Professional Licensee in mechanical engineering through the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta. He has served two terms as an ASHRAE distinguished lecturer, serves on ASHRAE committees TC 6.1 (Hydronics), TC 6.5 (Radiant), TC 7.4 (Exergy) and SSPC 55 (Thermal Comfort) and is a recipient of ASHRAE's Lou Flagg Award. See Robert at Modern Hydronics-Summit 2015 on September 10, 2015 (see pMH10 for more information). hpacmag.com

< HVAC/R

Electric Motors: Operation and Troubleshooting – Part I BY DAVE DEMMA

magine a world without the electric motor: No elevators, no DVD players, no computer hard drive, no electric clocks, no Toyota Prius',no washing machines or dryers, no conveyor belts at the supermarket checkout stand, no manufacturing plants of any kind, no power tools, no electric windows in your car and back to hand cranks to start the engine, no hair driers-the list goes on and on. And of course: no HVAC/R systems whatsoever. Three of the four major HVAC/R components rely on electric motors; two for air movement, and the third to drive a compressor. Yes, I suppose it is within the realm of possibility to use large convection condensers and evaporators, and even a gas driven compressor. But the idea is beyond impractical. We need electric motors to provide comfort cooling and refrigeration. Without them we would be taking a huge step back to pre-industrial revolution times. We are all familiar with the sixth grade science experiment where a steel nail is wrapped with several turns of copper wire. When the wire is connected to an electric power source

(typically a battery) the steel nail becomes a magnet. Since the nail only operates as a magnet when the coil is connected to an electric power source, it is given the name "electro-magnet". A motor is nothing more than a series of electro-magnets, aligned such that the physical movement between the magnets resulting from the normal attraction between the north and south poles, and the normal repelling between like poles, is transmitted into movement via a rotating shaft. The two major parts of any motor are the stator and the rotor. Stator – It has been given this name because it is the "stationary" electromagnet in the motor. It consists of one or more individual coils located on the stator, which when supplied with power become electro-magnets. Each coil (electro-magnet) is configured such that its north and south pole are spaced 180º apart from each other on the interior of the stator. For example, in a three-phase motor there would be three electro-magnets (or poles), each with its own north and south, you would have six individual poles situated inside the motor housing. They would be

Figure 1 Three-phase Stator

Figure 2 Copper Core Rotor

HPAC | february 2015

spaced 60º apart from each other, with the north/south orientation of the magnets consistent (see Figure 1). Rotor – The rotor is the "rotating" electro-magnet of the motor, with the motor shaft being an integral part of the rotor. As the rotor rotates, the shaft rotates with it. The rotor of an induction motor consists of an iron core having longitudinal slots around its circumference in which heavy copper or aluminum bars are embedded. These bars are welded to a heavy ring of high conductivity on either end. The magnetic field generated when the stator is powered produces an induced current, which runs through the copper/aluminum bars in the rotor, resulting in the rotor becoming an electro-magnet. The composite structure is sometimes called a squirrel cage, and motors containing such a rotor are called squirrel cage induction motors (see Figure 2). Once the motor has started, the natural attraction/repelling between the stator electro-magnet and the rotor electro-magnet will produce a rotating movement. The three windings in a three-phase motor are powered with a three phase voltage supply. The phases are 120º out of phase with each other (see Figure 3). With a 60 Hz power supply, power is supplied to coil one 60 times per second. Likewise, power is supplied 60 times per second for coil two and coil three. However, due to the 120º phase shift, the power supplied to coil two is delayed with respect to coil one, and power supplied to coil three is similarly delayed with respect to coil two. The three phase power hpacmag.com

feeding the stationary coils in the stator produces a rotating magnet field. Picture a small playground wheel that children play on. Strategically placed 120ยบ apart around the circumference of the wheel are three parents. In a timed fashion, parent one pulls/ pushes the wheel in a clockwise direction. One second later parent two does likewise, and parent three follows one second later than parent two. This is similar to the effect generated by the rotating magnetic field in a three-phase motor. Unlike a three-phase stator, single phase motors have an inherent problem starting in that the magnetic field they produce is not a rotating magnet field. It is a pulsing magnetic field, alternately getting larger, then smaller, but always pulsing in the same direction. This pulsing magnetic field produces no starting torque. There are several methods used to produce starting torque in single phase motors: Split Phase: This arrangement utilizes an auxiliary winding in the stator, typically fewer turns of smaller

wire, and electrically placed 90ยบ apart from the main winding. This winding has higher resistance (lower inductance), and produces an approximate 30ยบ-phase difference from the main winding. The auxiliary winding is disconnected from the motor circuit by means of a centrifugal switch, which opens at approximately 75 per cent of the motor's full speed. This method will provide moderate starting torque in smaller motors (1/3 HP or less) without the need for a capacitor (see Figure 4).

Permanent Split Capacitor: One method in solving the lack of starting torque problem inherent with singlephase motors is to add a second motor winding (two phase motor). The two windings would be spaced electrically 90ยบ apart. The permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor offers low starting torque, and is typically used in two HP or smaller applications. The main advantage of the permanent capacitor is

Figure 5 Permanent Split Capacitor

Figure 3 Sine Wave of Three Phase Power Supply

Figure 6 Capacitor Start Motor

Figure 4 Split Phase Motor

Figure 7 Permanent Split Capacitor

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that it offers the flexibility of operating at different speeds such as blower motors (see Figure 5).

Capacitor Start: This method also uses an auxiliary winding, but typically larger wire and more turns than the split phase winding motor. In addition to the physical separation between the main and auxiliary windings, the addition of the capacitor in the auxiliary winding circuit will produce a 90ยบ-phase shift. This provides excellent starting torque. Again, the auxiliary winding will be disconnected from the motor circuit by either a centrifugal switch or current/ voltage relay (see Figure 6).

Capacitor Start Capacitor Run: This is a variation of the capacitor start motor described above. The auxiliary winding is wired with a start capacitor and a run capacitor in parallel. The large start capacitor provides excellent starting torque. It is removed from the circuit using either a current or voltage relay as the motor reaches approximately 75 per cent of rated motor speed. A smaller run capacitor remains in the circuit, providing improved running conditions without drawing excessive current (see Figure 7). This provides a basic overview of the common motors used in the HVAC/R industry. In an upcoming issue part II will cover motor failure troubleshooting and methods for preventing motor failures. <> Dave Demma holds a degree in refrigeration engineering and worked as a journeyman refrigeration technician before moving into the manufacturing sector where he regularly trains contractor and engineering groups. He can be reached at ddemma@uri.com. february 2015 | HPAC

< plumbing

TIPS FOR RESTAURANT HOT WATER SYSTEMS Warming up to a new design perspectiveâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Part I BY Amin Delagah

oday restaurant designers or engineers must use innovative strategies that will deliver the service of hot water as efficiently as possible, while meeting the increasingly challenging regulatory codes and user expectations. This is fundamentally a four-step process: (1) reducing hot water use of equipment and faucets while maintaining performance; (2) increasing the efficiency of water heaters and distribution systems; (3) improving hot water delivery Design Path for Savings Specify efficient hot water using equipment and fixtures. Specify branch and twig sizing and pipe insulation to meet plumbing codes and satisfy water flow requirements including: time to tap, volume, temperature, and water velocity. Optimize position of hot water using sinks and equipment in kitchen, restroom, bar, etc. Size and optimize the layout of distribution (trunk) line(s) based on the type of distribution system chosen. Specify and centrally locate high-efficiency water heater(s) and, if applicable, point-of-use tankless heaters. Consider pre-heating (free heating) technologies like solar and waste heat recovery. Track hot water use by placing a water meter on the supply line to the water heater. Commission hot water system and set thermostat to meet restaurant requirements.

HPAC | february 2015

performance to hand washing sinks; and (4) incorporating "free-heating" technologies like waste heat recovery and solar pre-heating. Through highefficiency system design and equipment specifications, the potential exists to cut the energy use for water heating restaurants in half. Hot water is the life-blood of restaurants. Therefore, it is essential to design the water heating system to meet the needs of hot water using equipment under peak operation. Restaurant operators expect: unlimited access to hot water; immediate hot water delivery to faucets and equipment; a system that is reliable; and minimal investment and operating costs. Unfortunately, owners' expectations are rarely met. Designing in a reverse direction, starting with the hot water using equipment and moving back to the water heater, is an effective thought process to achieve high system efficiency and performance in restaurant applications. Reducing hot water consumption not only results in lower water and sewer costs; it is the most effective way to reduce water heating energy. This simple tactic is overlooked as operators do not receive a dedicated bill for hot water use. Step 1: Designers should start by specifying high-performance equipment and accessories that use less hot water. The best location in the kitchen to achieve savings is the dish room. Reducing the water use per rack of the dishwasher and flow rate of the pre-rinse spray valve is the foundation of an optimized hot water system.

Step 2: The distribution system is the second target. Delivering hot water more efficiently yields permanent energy savings and improved system performance. Once the fixtures and the sanitation equipment are specified, the placement of sinks and equipment in relation to the water heater is a key factor to the efficiency and performance of the distribution system. Step 3: The heart of the system is the water heater. If natural gas is the energy choice, specifying high-efficiency condensing units, either storage or tankless, is imperative. Step 4: Before the hot water system design is finalized, consider integrating pre-heating technologies. Step 5: Proper installation and simple monitoring equipment can play an important role in commissioning and maintaining the system. Verify that the blueprints enable the contractor to build to the specifications. Requiring that digital photographs be taken of the entire hot water distribution system (before it is concealed by drywall) is one way to secure pipe layout and insulation specifications. Look for Part II, which will deal with distribution systems, in HPAC March. <> Amin Delagah is a project engineer at the PG&E Food Service Technology Center (FSTC). He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a M.S. in Renewable Energy Engineering with a minor in Environmental Management. Highlights of his research include the completion of a Design Guide on Energy Efficient Heating, Delivery and Use. Material for this article is extracted from that document. www.pge.com/fstc hpacmag.com

MODERN HYDRONICS 2015 spring

The financial reality of

operating snow and ice melt systems

Radiant Floors

Design Solutions to meet customer expectations

Closed hydronic system protection

Understanding expansion tanks and system pressure TECHNOLOGY PUMPS OUT SAVINGS RELAYS: HOW DO THEY FIT INTO DESIGN STRATEGIES a publication of

PRODUCT SHOWCASE TAPPING INTO THE AGRICULTURAL MARKET

All Vitodens, all the time: Smart, compact space heating and DHW

The Vitodens 222-F and the new generation Vitodens 200-W – featuring advanced Viessmann technology and performance in a small footprint. Both gas-fired condensing boilers feature a new easy-to-use Vitotronic control. VITODENS 222-F Floor standing configuration and zero side clearance requirement 2 models with input ranges from 12 to 125 MBH DHW heating system comprised of plate heat exchanger and storage tank DHW 10-minute peak flow of 60 gallons with continuous draw of 3.3 GPM* (model B2TA-35 only). VITODENS 200-W Extended application range with increased capacity up to 530 MBH 9 models with input ranges from 12 to 530 MBH Combine up to eight boilers in a single prefabricated cascade system.

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Contents MH4 WHY DON’T MY FLOORS FEEL WARM?

Simple solutions to avoid the dilemma of unfulfilled customer expectations. by John Siegenthaler

MH8 A LITTLE MATH GOES A LONG WAY

What you need to know about the financial reality of operating snow and ice melt systems. by Lance MacNevin

MH12 ONES AND ZEROS

How to incorporate relays into your design strategy. by Curtis Bennett

MH16 Product showcase MH22 PRESSURE AND HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY

How the expansion tank protects closed hydronic systems. by Cliff McNeill

MH24 EXPLORING THE AGRICULTURAL MARKET

Biofuel heating system raises profits for organic poultry farmer. by Bill Boss

MH28 SELF BALANCING TECHNOLOGY PUMPS OUT SAVINGS

Precise flow and pressure garner savings in constant and variable systems. by Mike Miller

MODERN Hydronics a supplement of Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning Magazine

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HPAC Magazine receives unsolicited materials (including letters to the editor, press releases, promotional items and images) from time to time. HPAC Magazine, its affiliates and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, re-publish, distribute, store and archive such unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensation of any sort. Notice: HPAC Magazine, Annex Business Media, their staff, officers, directors and shareholders (hence known as the “Publisher”) assume no liability, obligations, or responsibility for claims arising from advertised products. The Publisher also reserves the right to limit liability for editorial errors, omissions and oversights to a printed correction in a subsequent issue. HPAC Magazine’s editorial is written for management level mechanical industry personnel who have documented training in the mechanical fields in which they work. Manufacturers’ printed instructions, datasheets and notices always take precedence to published editorial statements.

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spring 2015

| MH3

>> Radiant

Why don’t my floors feel warm? Simple solutions to avoid the dilemma of unfulfilled customer expectations.

adiant panel heating has matured from the darling of the hydronics industry in the 1990s, into a respected technology that can provide excellent comfort in a range of applications. Most of you reading this have probably designed and/or installed several radiant panel systems. In many cases those systems involved covering an entire floor area with some type of radiant panel construction detail: slab-on-grade, thin-slab, tube and plate, and so on. This has become standard practice in the industry and it works well when radiant floor heating is installed in houses with average heating loads. However, as the design heating load per unit of floor area decreases, so does the average floor surface temperature. In a very well-insulated house, the average surface temperature of a heated floor may only be a few degrees above the room air temperature. The reason is that the floor does not need to get any warmer to satisfy the heating load as determined by the setting of the room’s thermostat. For example: Consider a room with a design heating load of 3000 Btu/hr and a corresponding air temperature of 70F. The room measures 20 ft. by 15 ft. If the entire floor area was covered with radiant panel, the upward heat flux requirement at design load would be:

The average floor surface temperature can be estimated using the following formula:

Where: Tsurface = average floor surface temperature (ºF) q = upward heat flux (Btu/hr/ft2) Tair = room air temperature (ºF) Thus, for the stated example:

This temperature is a few degrees lower than normal skin temperature for hands and feet. The infrared thermograph of a thermally comfortable hand in Figure 1 shows fingertip temperatures in the low to mid 80s. MH4 | spring 2015

Figure 1 Infrared thermograph of thermally comfortable hand

A floor surface at 75F surface would feel slightly cool to the touch of this hand, even though that floor is releasing sufficient heat to maintain the room at a 70F. Forcing the floor to operate at higher temperatures would quickly overheat the space and likely lead to energy waste due to occupants opening windows or otherwise replacing overheated interior air with cooler outside air. Also, keep in mind that the 75F average floor surface temperature would only exist on a design day, when outside temperatures are at or close to their lowest values. This average floor surface temperature will be even lower under partial loading conditions. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE Even though a heated floor in a low energy use building may not be as warm as a heated floor in a more energy wasteful building, it will still be warmer than unheated floors in rooms heated by forced air systems or fin-tube baseboard. Furthermore, from the standpoint of thermal efficiency of the heat source, lower surface temperatures are a good thing. Heat sources such as a condensing boiler, hydronic heat pumps and solar thermal subsystems, will all operate at high efficiency in combination with low water temperatures. The lower the water temperature is, the higher the efficiency of the heat source. A floor with a surface temperature just a bit warmer than the room air is also less susceptible to overheating due to unpredictable internal heat gains, such as those caused by sunlight, or gatherings of people. The potential “fly in-the-ointment” is that the owner’s expectation of warm-to-the-touch floors may not be realized. As most of you can attest, unfulfilled customer expectations are

MODERN HYDRONICS

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Modern Hydronics

a problem, even when the heating system is working at peak efficiency. If the customer was informed that the floors would not feel warm, even though interior setpoint temperature would still be maintained and if they understood and agreed to this operating condition, there should not be any unfulfilled expectations. However, if the customer cannot think past all those cozy barefoot advertisements for radiant floor heating and still expects warm floors regardless of load, the result is likely to be serious disappointment. The retort “but I paid for warm floors…” will surely be heard and the prospects for a good customer relationship are headed south. The fact that the mod/con boiler you installed is operFigure 2a Radiant design involving partial floor space

Figure 2b Strategic placement of radiant panel

ating at 97 per cent rather than 92 per cent thermal efficiency is probably not going to smooth things over. I recommend having a serious conversation with clients who are considering the use of floor heating in a low energy use building. Be sure you explain why the floors often do not feel warm to the touch and be sure you listen carefully to any concerns they may have regarding this. If the client’s primal instincts for warm surfaces are very evident, consider offering them some of the following alternatives. WHEN LESS IS MORE There are several alternatives to “full coverage” floor heating systems that provide a reasonable balance between heat source efficiency and the owner’s desire for warm surfaces. One is to make the surface area of the radiant panel smaller by not covering the entire floor area with tubing. If the size of the radiant panel in the previous example were cut in half, the necessary upward heat flux would increase from 10 to 20 Btu/hr/ft2. This would bring the average floor surface temperature under design load conditions from 75 up to 80F. This warmer floor surface temperature is more likely to appease those looking for “barefoot-friendly” floors. Reducing the panel area to one third of the room’s floor area would boost the average floor surface temperature under design load conditions to about 85F, a recommended maximum for floors on which there is prolonged foot contact. The design approach of not covering the entire floor area with tubing was common in the days when copper tubing was used for radiant floor heating installations (see sidebar). Each radiant panel was sized to the room load assuming a specific upward heat flux and specified supply water temperature. A room with half the heating load of another room would get half as many square feet of panel area. Assuming floor coverings of comparable R-value, this approach allows the system to work with a single supply water temperature and eliminates the need for multiple mixing devices. Another option that integrates well with low energy use continued on pMH6 Figure 3 Low mass radiant ceiling construction

RADIANT PANEL SIZING BASED ON SUPPLY WATER TEMP I used the design approach of not covering the entire floor area with tubing when designing the floor heating system in my own house in 1979. Figure 2a and Figure 2b show images of the floor heating panel in our dining area. The panel was constructed using 3/8-inch copper tubing because PEX tubing was not available in North America at the time. We installed the radiant panel under the eventual location of the dining table, right where our feet rest on the floor. It feels great on a cold winter morning.

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MODERN HYDRONICS

spring 2015

| MH5

>> Radiant continued from pMH5 Figure 4 Panel radiator operating at a relatively low water temperature

buildings is radiant ceiling heating. Most heated ceilings deliver 95+ per cent of their heat output as thermal radiation. They “shine” thermal radiation down into the room much as a light fixture shines visible light downward. Low mass radiant ceilings, such as the construction shown in Figure 3, can quickly warm up following a cold start. They are ideal in rooms where quick recovery from setback conditions is desirable. Low mass also means they can quickly suspend heat output when necessary, which helps limit overheating when significant internal heat gains occur. For a ceiling panel constructed as shown in Figure 3, an average water temperature of 110F can deliver a downward heat output of about 28 Btu/hr/ft2. Consider this panel installed in the low energy use building with a design heating load of only 10 Btu/hr/ft2. The panel would only have to cover about 36 per cent of the ceiling area to deliver the required heat output. This significantly reduces materials and installation labour costs. It also allows low temperature heat sources to achieve high thermal efficiency. Another option is a system using panel radiators rather than site-built radiant panels. Panel radiators are available in a range of sizes and shapes and a correspondingly wide range of heat output ratings. The most common design approach is to size a single panel radiator to the design load of a typical room such as a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen. Larger spaces may require more than one panel radiator piped in parallel. My suggestion is to size each panel radiator in the system to

provide the design heating requirement of its assigned space, while operating at a supply water temperature of no higher than 120F. This keeps the operating efficiency of low temperature heat sources high. It also increases the percentage of radiant versus convective heat output and eliminates any safety concerns about occupants touching excessively hot surfaces. A panel radiator with a surface temperature in the range of 100 to 115F will inevitably have people cozying up to it in cold weather. It will be a place where damp mittens, gloves and hats get placed for a quick drying. Perhaps most importantly, it provides a solution for those times when you just want to put your chilled hands, feet, or derrière against a warm surface. Figure 4 is an infrared image of a panel radiator operating at a relatively low water temperature. Notice the temperature gradient from top to bottom and how it is relatively uniform across the face of the radiator. That is evidence of a welldesigned product. NO WORRIES I will leave you with a final thought on lower surface temperature heated floors. It comes from seeing how people that I have accompanied over the years have reacted when first told they are in a space with a heated floor. Many will squat down, put their hand on the floor and then stand up with a confused look on their face. They then say something like “the floor doesn’t feel warm.” The question I then ask is: “Are you comfortable?” To which most answer “Yes,” or maybe even “Yes, I’m very comfortable.” The final advice I then offer is: “If you’re comfortable, don’t worry about how the floor feels.” Try it the next time you introduce someone to radiant floor heating. <> - John Siegenthaler John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a licensed professional engineer. He has over 34 years experience in designing modern hydronic heating systems. He is also an associate professor emeritus of engineering technology at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY. Editor's Note: See John at Modern Hydronics-Summit 2015 in Toronto on September 10, 2015 (see pMH10 for more information).

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free subscription to HPAC Magazine. MH6 | spring 2015

MODERN HYDRONICS

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>> Snow and Ice Melt

A Little Math Goes A Long Way What you need to know about the financial reality of operating snow and ice melt systems.

ydronic snow and ice melting (SIM) systems have been around for decades, but some building owners are missing out on the benefits of these systems because they assume operating costs will be too high. Many are surprised to find that the annual operating costs for a SIM system can be less than for mechanical snow removal, using snowblowers or snowplows. This article tackles the delicate topic of trying to estimate operating costs based on historical weather data, energy costs and some math. We will walk through the estimating process using a specific example. Note that we use “estimate,” not “predict.” Until weather forecasters guarantee the weather, operating costs cannot be guaranteed. The process to estimate SIM system operating costs involves three steps: 1. Determine annual energy usage in Btus or kWh. 2. Calculate the cost of energy in $/Btu for the specific fuel available. 3. The annual operating cost is simply Annual energy usage x cost in $/Btu. If this seems too simple, let’s look at an example. The location of this example is anonymous, but the parameters chosen correspond with many Canadian locations. MH8 | spring 2015

step 1 Here is the method to determine annual energy usage with some design details left out, and all assumptions stated: A. Operating load: Size the system output for the correct design load. • The example uses 150 Btu/ft2 per hour (many operational hours will not even need this many Btus). • This article is not focusing on sizing the system, but typical values across applications range from 75 Btu/ft2-hr to 225 Btu/ft2-hr. B. Melting time: Research how many hours per year the system is expected to operate. • Environment Canada has some of this data available; look for hours of snowfall. • It could be 150, 200, or more, depending on the location. C. Pick-up energy: Know the typical “cold-start” temperature for the heated area, and the specific heat of the thermal mass type. In many regions, the coldest days are not the snowy days. • A common snowfall temperature is -10C (14F), sometimes warmer. • For poured concrete 15 cm (6 in) thick, the concrete requires 15 Btu per ft2 per ˚F to warm up, based on the “specific heat” of concrete of 0.23 Btu/lb-˚F.

MODERN HYDRONICS

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Modern Hydronics

D. Number of events: Estimate how many snowfalls per year will occur, as energy may be required to warm the heated area each time, depending on the controls scenario (coldstart versus idling versus always-on). E. Calculate annual energy demand: • First, for pick-up loads (i.e., warming the slab X times) • Then, for operating (i.e., melting and evaporating) • Add these together (energy for idling will be addressed later).

Table 1 Comparison of energy costs for common fuels (expressed as net cost per million Btus of heat energy)

Sample Project

A commercial building has a 90 m2 (1 000 ft2) parking garage ramp, which is made of poured concrete 15 cm. (6 in.) thick embedded with 3/4 in. diameter PEX pipes at 20 cm. (8 in.) spacing. 1. The designer selects a system that requires an output of 150 Btu/ft2 per hour including reverse loss and edge losses to the cold ground. • The total SIM operating load = 150 000 Btu/hr (simply 1 000 ft2 x 150 Btu/ft2-hr) • Assume no standby losses due to well-insulated pipes carrying fluid to the manifold, and simple math 2. Location’s estimate for snow or ice is 200 hours per winter. 3. Typical temperature at start of snowfall is -10C (14F), though some days are warmer. • E ach time the concrete is warmed, it will take approximately 400 000 Btu of energy (math not shown) 4. This snowfall will occur over 25 events through the winter. • System will turn on 25 times. • System will run for an average of eight hours per activation (200 ÷ 25 = 8). 5. Now we add things up: • Annual pick-up load is 25 x 400 000 Btu = 10 million Btu/year for ramp warming. • Annual operational load is 150 000 Btu/hr x 200 hrs/year = 30 million Btu/year for melting • Total annual load is 10 million + 30 million = 40 million Btu/year This sounds like a lot, but how much does it actually cost to produce and deliver 40 million Btus? This brings us to Step 2. step 2 Here are the steps to calculate the cost of energy in $/Btu, with all assumptions stated: 1. Decide what type of fuel (natural gas, fuel oil, and so on) will be used and its cost. Research the energy content of that fuel (see Table 1). 2. Determine the efficiency of the heat source, if there is one (some SIM systems use waste heat). 3. Use the equation below to get the net cost per million Btu delivered.

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Sample Project

1. Fuel: Select natural gas @ $0.30/m3 net fuel cost – be sure to know the local fuel cost 2. Energy: 1 m3 natural gas contains 36 000 Btu (this is fixed) 3. Heat source: We will use a condensing boiler running at 93 per cent combustion efficiency on average 4. Net cost per million Btu = $9.00/million Btu step 3 Calculate the annual operating cost by multiplying the annual load by the net cost per million Btu: 40 million Btu/year x $9.00/million Btu = $360/year That is an annual operating cost of $360 and this is a fairly capable system, suitable for most residential and many light commercial applications. Obviously, each system must be designed and estimated individually. The annual operating cost will be higher for more expensive fuels, but this can be determined using the same process. IDLING ENERGY If the SIM system used an idling strategy to keep the slab warm in between snowfalls, be aware that the extra energy continued on pMH10

selling the system Imagine you are talking with a client about hydronic snow and ice melt as a winter maintenance option. Compare $360 with an annual snow removal contract estimate of $100 per snow fall ($2,500 per year) for plowing with a truck-mounted scraper, which may damage outdoor surfaces. Afterward, someone must do the salting and sanding. And where do you put all the snow? In this example, the hydronic SIM system is more than 80 per cent less expensive to operate over the winter than relying on mechanical snow removal. In other words, the SIM system costs roughly one-seventh as much each winter to operate while providing convenience, safety and protection of outdoor surfaces. And with an advanced control system, it is fully automatic and starts working at the first snowflake.

MODERN HYDRONICS

spring 2015

| MH9

>> Snow and Ice Melt continued from pMH9 consumed between snowfalls could increase operating costs by a factor of four, five or six, depending on the location. However, this could still be less expensive than $2,500 for mechanical removal.

projects. Among these are: convenience of automatic snow and ice removal; increased safety for residents and visitors with reduced liability exposure; minimized environmental impact with no de-icing chemicals entering waterways; reduced mainteUSING WASTE HEAT nance costs on both outdoor and Some facilities generate waste heat indoor surfaces; and the freeing up of that needs to be rejected using chillbuilding maintenance staff and buders or geothermal heat pumps durgets for more productive tasks. With advanced controls the SIM system ing portions of the year. Examples When all of the factors are considis fully automatic. include office buildings, factories, ered and presented effectively, many hockey rinks and car dealerships with waste-oil boilers. In facility managers will appreciate that the benefits of hydronic these applications, an always-on SIM system can be an effiSIM systems greatly outweigh the costs. <> cient and effective solution for rejecting the excess heat, - Lance MacNevin while providing all the benefits of a hydronic SIM system. Lance MacNevin is the manager of REHAU Like most things in the hydronics industry, using some math Academy where he is responsible for training removes a lot of mystery. In this case, the math clearly shows across North America. With over 20 years of that snow and ice melting systems are economical and affordhydronic experience, he is on the technical comable uses of hydronics technology. mittee for CSA B214. He can be reached at Beyond the math, there are many other reasons to consider lance.macnevin@rehau.com. using hydronic SIM in residential, commercial and institutional

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MODERN HYDRONICS

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>> Controls

Ones and zeros How to incorporate relays into your design strategy.

Since this is the introductory Ones and Zeros article, it is best to go back to when the controls world started to get a little more interesting with the introduction of the electromechanical switch, or the relay as it is better known. It is a device that really did change the world. While simple, it can still make or break your control strategy. Generally, if you know the details of how something works you are better able to visualize when you design with it. The same is true of relays.

making ones and zeros into words, moving them back and forth, turning those words into decisions and running Google. None of this would have been possible without relays. Figure 2 Energized is a term that means we have applied power to the coil and the switches are in the ON position. Un-energized is the opposite, meaning the switches are in the OFF position and there is NO power applied to the coil.

ove it or hate it, the relay is here to stay. Binary code, which is just a series of ones and zeros, is the base language of all computers and can be done with relays. In fact, the first computers were built with only relays. Scientists would use thousands of relays turning on and off to do simple calculations such as adding and subtracting. Computers at their very essence are just billions of tiny relays Figure 1 Electromechanical switch

MH12 | spring 2015

MODERN HYDRONICS

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Modern Hydronics

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a device that really did change the world. While simple, it can still make or break your control strategy.â&#x20AC;? BASIC BUILDING BLOCKS The relay is an electromechanical switch with two sections. In its simplest form, a coil and a switch. When the coil is energized the switch moves, creating a contact closure moving the electrical signal from one point to another. The coil is the portion of the relay that is the electrical and the switch is the mechanical part. When voltage is applied to the coil it creates a magnetic field, which pushes or pulls the switches (see Figure 1). Think of the coil as that experiment that we all did in grade three science; the one in which we wrapped a nail with wire and connected each end of the wire to a battery. By doing this we created an electromagnet that could be used to pick up pieces of metal. The metal pieces would fall off when the battery was disconnected. The coil of the relay works with these same principles. When we apply power the switch moves one way and when we take the power away the switch moves back to where it started. THE INNER WORKINGS Relay coils can be made to energize from DC voltage or AC voltage. DC voltage relays are generally used on circuit boards. AC coil relays are the main choice in our industry. The primary reason is that those voltages are readily available in the boiler room. These voltages are 24VAC and 120VAC. The next section of the relay is the poles and throws. I am sure you have been in a boiler room and heard the expression double pole double throw. That is a very common relay type and refers to the relay having two switches, each having a normally open (N/O) and normally closed (N/C) connection on each switch (see Figure 2).

Pole basically means the number of common terminals there is on the relay or the number of switches it has inside. Throws mean the number of directions the switch can move. If it is a single throw, the relay switch can only move in one direction and generally only has an N/O terminal. If it is a double throw the switch can move in both directions and the relay has an N/O terminal and an N/C terminal. There are different reasons that we would use the N/O terminal and not the N/C terminal. We will elaborate on that but this gives us a good understanding of the inner working of the relay. HOW WE USE RELAYS If you take away only two tidbits from this article let it be these. Firstly, coil voltages can be different than pole voltages and that can create some confusion. Secondly, remember that a relay can have different voltages on different poles. To clarify, start with a 24VAC double pole double throw relay. Remember that the 24VAC is the coil voltage rating. When we apply 24VAC the relay energizes, closing the N/O terminal and completing the circuit from the common terminal to the N/O terminal. At the same time the N/C connection opens stopping the connection from the common terminal to the N/C terminal. The pole can only connect to one terminal at a time. Either the common connects to the N/O terminal or the N/C. A pump could be running on the first pole, which would use 120VAC and a valve could be running on the second pole, which would use 24VAC. This is also a very good reason why more than one pole relays are used so the same coil can be used to push and pull multiple switches inside the relay. Otherwise we end up with a real mess of relays in the boiler room. continued on pMH14

Figure 3 Relay used to take 24 VAC Coil Voltage

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Figure 4 Control output to energize the coil

MODERN HYDRONICS

spring 2015

| MH13

>> Controls continued from pMH13 Figure 5 DHW application

Figure 6 Heat pump application

So, where do we use relays? Relays can be used to take a 24VAC coil voltage to make a pump turn on. They can be used when the pump output on the control is not big enough to run either that pump or you are trying to run two pumps at the same time. As mentioned previously, coil voltages do not have to be the same as pole voltages. So, in this case we can apply 24VAC to the coil and run 120VAC through one of the poles to make a pump turn on when we energize the coil. There may be many devices to energize the coil, like an endswitch on a valve, because in that case the end-switch would not be able to handle the current needed to run the pump so a relay is used (see Figure 3). Relays are also used in cases where we may need to turn on a valve with 24VAC and a pump on with 120VAC at the same time. We could take the coil signal from a control, but the control only has one output. In this case, we would use the control output to energize the coil to turn both the valve and the pump on at the same time. This is where most of the “slip ups” in relay logic occur (see Figure 4). The most difficult part of relays would be using them for interlocking or, in other words, turning one device on when the coil energizes but at the same time turning another device off. An example of this might be in DHW. Keeping in mind that in different regions system designs differ, but in situations where both the system pump and the DHW pump are able to pump through the boiler some controls can do this automatically, while most non-condensing boilers cannot. This control scheme must be done externally. In this case the system pump would be normally on if the control needed it on but if the DHW calls it will turn off the system pump and run only the DHW pump, essentially prioritizing it (see Figure 5). This is a little more complicated than it looks. The line voltage for the system pump actually comes from the pump output on the control. Two things have to happen for the system pump to be able to come on. Firstly, the system pump output from the control must turn on and secondly the aquastat cannot be calling. You will notice that we are using the N/C terminal for the system pump. This is because we want the system pump to “be able” to come on when the aquatsat is

not calling. If the aquatsat calls, the N/C terminal will open, turning off the system pump and the N/O terminal of the second pole will close, turning on the DHW pump. In the heat pump world there are complicated strategies that always require relays. An example of this is where an installation has only one heat pump and one boiler. In winter there is generally no need for cooling, so using the heat pump and the boiler together is easy. In the summer when the heat pump is used for cooling the heat pump cannot do both heating and cooling at the same time. While the heat pump is cooling there is no way to make hot water. In this case a relay would be used from the reversing valve or cooling contact on the thermostat, to direct the heating call to the boiler. In the summer or when the heat pump is cooling and we get a heat call, the relay will turn the boiler on instead of using the heat pump in heating. To add another twist, the boiler needs dry contact so the 24VAC signals have to be isolated from the boiler. A relay will be necessary to accomplish this as well. A dry contact is essentially just using the switch of the relay without adding 24VAC or 120VAC to the common terminal. We would use the common and the N/O terminal so that the device we are connecting to sends its own voltage or signal through the relay. In this case we would most likely either blow the transformer on the boiler or the transformer feeding the thermostat if we did not isolate and make a dry contact (see Figure 6). At the end of the day control options are getting better at offering solutions and outputs for all applications but there are always those contractors who like to push the envelope and do something slightly different. For that, luckily we have relays. <> - Curtis Bennett

MH14 | spring 2015

A graduate of Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Curtis Bennett, C.E.T., is operations manager and a product developer at HBX Control Systems in Calgary, AB. He can be reached at curtis@hbxcontrols.com. Look for more electronics and controls articles by Curtis in future issues.

MODERN HYDRONICS

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Navien innovation. Now available in a boiler. Introducing the Navien NHB condensing boilers As the leader in condensing technology, Navien has already reinvented the water heating industry with the award-winning NPE tankless water heaters and the NCB combi-boilers. The new NHB boiler series is the next in line of innovations from Navien. All NHB boilers have Navien’s advanced burner system, an AFUE of 95% and turn down ratios up to 15:1. Now available in four sizes: NHB-55, NHB-80, NHB-110 and NHB-150. Reinvent your thinking about boilers at BoilersMadeSmart.com or Navien.com.

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>> Products Sterling HVAC's Xcelon system is a rooftop make-up air unit that combines hydronic condensing boiler technology with advanced air distribution and heat recovery methods, for levels of efficiency up to 98 per cent. Available with a 800-1200 MBH heating capacity, Xcelon uses a factory charged, closed loop 35 per cent glycol mix for freeze protection with no separate water supply required. It can offer airflow of 4501-10 000 CFM. www.xcelonhvac.com

Eco King Supreme Boiler and Combi boiler is an extremely user and installer friendly hot water heating boiler. Made in the NethCrown Boiler Co. has launched the Phantom, a

erlands there are two models and sizes ranging from 100 to

stainless steel, condensing boiler with a water

200 000 Btu. Both models provide space heating and domestic

tube heat exchanger. Available in five wall-mount

hot water either via an external indirect tank or on demand hot

sizes - 80, 100, 120, 150, and 180 MBH - with

water with the Combi model. Integrated pump, expansion tank,

four more sizes (210, 285, 399 & 500 MBH)

self regulating gas valve, outdoor sensor, and automatic air vent

available as floor-mount boilers in the Phantom-

make the Supreme an easy to install and service boiler.

X line, the boiler comes with a touch screen

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user interface. Features include a modulating burner with a five-to-one turndown ratio, an intelligent boiler control and standard outdoor reset function. www.CrownBoiler.com

Caleffi’s Discalair is a high discharge and high performance automatic air vent. It has a unique and rugged pin-guided float for reliability in tough vertical installations. The Discalair is 100 per cent serviceable; the internal float/vent assembly can be replaced if it

REHAU's Smart Controls SIM Module is a weather-sensing con-

becomes damaged. Vent cap choices offer additional

trol option developed for use with its hydronic snow and ice

flexibility. A high venting capacity of 1.8 scfm at 20 psi

melting (SIM) systems. Automatic pre-idle of the slab based on

and 3 scfm at 50 psi with ½ in. fnpt connection make

Environment Canada forecasts allows for a range of idle tempera-

it best suited for medium-to-large installations.

tures to be established based on the confidence interval of the

www.caleffi.us

forecast. An unlimited number of snow melting zones enables the system to scale to handle the demands of large commercial projects. Zone priority scheduling, based on real-time boiler capacity, enables crucial areas to be cleared first. Individual slab melt-point temperature settings for each zone accommodate various slab constructions. Secure remote access through the Web provides full user control at any time from any Internet-enabled device. The SIM module can be used independently or integrated with a REHAU Smart Controls indoor comfort control system. www.na.rehau.com/controls

Aermec's water to water chiller is designed to meet simultaneous heating, cooling and domestic hot water production demands in commercial and institutional applications. Designed for two and four-pipe systems, NXP models are available with a built-in hydronic kit and are offered in capacities ranging from 31 to 142 tons. The automatic microprocessor control offers automatic rotation of scroll compressors and pumps based on operating hours. A programmable time-clock continuously adjusts operation to reduce energy consumption. NXP also allows serial connection with BACNET, MODBUS and remote control through a standard PC with Ethernet connection. www.aermec.com MH16 | spring 2015

MODERN HYDRONICS

continued on pMH18 www.hpacmag.com

>> Products continued from pMH16

An electronic tempering valve control with Safeguard from Heat-Timer Corporation is packaged with a stainless steel valve body and an electronic actuator. When the temperature

Viega's new line of control products includes

reaches a critical point, the control activates

the compact 0-10V DC Powerhead (shown

an optional solenoid valve to close the hot wa-

here), 0-10V DC Actuator, a Zone Valve and

ter supply. In addition, it can trigger two alarm

thermostat. The powerhead, which provides

outputs. The ETV-Plus connects to an existing

short response times and self-calibrates ev-

Heat-Timer control equipped with the Internet.

ery 24 hours, features a plug-in connection

An optional Internet Communication Module is

cable and 360-degree installation position.

required. System critical alarms may be sent

The actuator provides short response times

Camus has introduced the Advantus boiler a

by e-mail or text message. With the optional

for improved control response for radiant sys-

two-pass counter-flow fire tube heat exchanger.

BACnet Communication Module, the control

tems. Viega ProPress and PEX Press adapters

Designed to offer thermal efficiencies of up to

connects to the BACnet MSTP networks giving

are supplied with the zone valve. A thermal

99 per cent in low water temperatures, it has a

you the capability to change settings and moni-

electric motor allows for simplified wiring in

turn down ratio of up to 25:1. The unit is avail-

tor sensors. www.heat-timer.com

two- and four-wire applications. The thermo-

able in 13 models with inputs ranging from

stat has intuitive, menu-driving programming

450â&#x20AC;&#x2030;000 to 4.0 mil. Btu/hr.

and icons for easy use. The thermostat inte-

www.camus-hydronics.com

grates with a variety of equipment and mounts to drywall or junction box with colour-coded wire connections. www.viega.us

The Beckett GeniSys intermittent pilot gas ignition control is a 24 Vac primary safety control designed for use in residential and light commercial gas heating applications that use an intermittent pilot for lighting the main burner. It includes an integrated spark ignition coil for lighting the pilot and uses flame rectification

Webstone's lead free Pro-Connect ProPush

International Environmental Corp. has intro-

principles to prove the presence of the pilot

products have a 10 for 1 guarantee, meaning

duced its Vertical Classic (F*C) Series, featur-

flame. Designed for use in single rod and dual

that if the product fails as a result of a manu-

ing flexibility and customization capabilities,

rod applications, the units feature four LEDs

facturing defect, the manufacturer will replace

while providing key new elements that improve

for improved diagnostics, continuous retry

the unit tenfold and reimburse the installing

indoor air quality, enhance system performance

standard (single or multiple trials for ignition is

contractor up to an additional $50 towards

and minimize maintenance. Offering a 65- to

optional), mounting using screws or fasteners,

their labour. The solder-free line is offered in

85-per cent efficiency range, Vertical Classic

selectable ignition and pre-purge timing, and

bulk or individual packaging and is compatible

Series fan coil units include an Eco-telligent

selectable relight or recycle operation. The mi-

with copper, PEX, or CPVC systems. Forged

ECM motor. The units' high-performance

croprocessor is checked for proper operation

from dezincification resistant brass and cUPC

hydronic coils also average 25-per cent greater

before each cycle. Model 7586C has a manual

certified to NSF/ANSI 61-8, the line is suited

AHRI-reported capacity than those of the previ-

reset button and non-volatile lockout.

to potable water and hydronic heating systems.

ous-generation Vertical Series from IEC.

www.beckettcorp.com

www.webstonevalves.com/proconnect

www.iec-okc.com

continued on pMH20 MH18 |

spring 2015

MODERN HYDRONICS

www.hpacmag.com

TA SERIES 7CP PRESSURE INDEPENDENT BALANCING AND CONTROL VALVE

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victaulic.com/balancing

Victaulic is the exclusive North American representative for IMI Hydronic Engineering’s IMI TA product brand.

8603 REV A 01/2015 Victaulic and all other Victaulic marks are the trademarks or registered trademarks of Victaulic Company, and/or its affiliated entities, in the U.S. and/or other countries. The terms “Patented” or “Patent Pending” refer to design or utility patents or patent applications for articles and/or methods of use in the United States and/or other countries. © 2015 VICTAULIC COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

>> Products continued from pMH18

The Stiebel Eltron Accelera 300 heat pump water heater can extract up to 80 per cent of its energy requirements from the energy in the air around it. The compressor and fan consume one kWh of electricity to generate the heat equivalent of three to five kWh. The low power consumption (500 W heat pump, 2200 W including back-up element) makes The

Creek

the unit a viable option for connecting to a photovol-

boiler from Su-

taic system. It is Energy Star certified for Canada.

perior is part of

www.stiebel-eltron-USA.com

the Creek condensing boiler family and starts at 2 000 000 Btus, up to 5 500 000 Btus. The boiler offers a high water volume for easy adaptation to

Available in 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 million

existing piping systems and multiple piping configurations. Due to its

Btu/h sizes, and delivering up to 96.1

high mass, the boiler has a low waterside pressure drop which helps

per cent combustion efficiency, Weil-

reduce electrical consumption from the system pumps. The boiler

McLain's SlimFit boiler is a compact

design has two return connections making it suitable for multi-loop

unit with an aluminum heat exchanger.

systems. Access to the furnace is provided by a hinged front door.

Designed for commercial applications,

Models also feature a second front door at the bottom for increased

the boiler is fully-factory assembled.

access. Waterside inspection points are also provided.

Features include a fully customizable

www.superiorboiler.com

outdoor reset curve, lead/lag capability with up to eight boilers with lead boiler rotation, remote modulation through BAS using Modbus or BACnet and high limit temperature control with manual reset. www.weil-mclain.ca Lochinvar, LLC has expanded its line of Crest condensing boilers to include three new models with 750 000, 1.0 million and 1.25 million Btu/hr inputs. Featuring Wave fire-tube design and advanced combustion technology, the boiler models deliver 96.2 per cent thermal efficiency and up to 20:1 modulation turndown. Designed with a top-mounted micro-metal fibre burner, the system modulating combustion from as low as five per cent of the maximum firing rate up to 100 per cent as heating load increases. The boiler's Smart Touch control can be integrated directly into a building automation system through BACnet MSTP, ModBus and other communication protocols using a gateway device. www.Lochinvar.com

MH20 | spring 2015

MODERN HYDRONICS

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>> System Design

Pressure and high school chemistry How the often misunderstood expansion tank protects closed hydronic systems.

SIZE MATTERS he residential expansion tank is In the age of modern hydronics, expansion one of the most important and tanks come in many sizes and shapes. How least understood components of do we make sure that we have the right exa properly functioning hydronic pansion tank for our system? What does it heating system. We speak about it indimean to have the “right” expansion tank? rectly and by now everyone in the industry Essentially “right” in this case is not wrong, can repeat the following in their sleep: “aland the only wrong tank is an undersized ways pump away from the expansion tank. So size does matter. As for shape, tank” and “the expansion tank is the point of no pressure change.” But how many of that comes down to personal preference. An expansion tank typically comes with us truly understand the expansion tank instructions, which describe what type and how it relates to system pressure? And where does high school chemistry Expansion tanks come in many shapes and size of system that it is suitable for. There may be a table that shows some come in? and sizes. typical system types such as radiant floor, We will come to high school chemistry in a bit, but first, let’s start by asking a few questions such as: baseboard, or radiators along with typical boiler sizes (see Table 1). Now here is the interesting part. This table could Why do we need an expansion tank and what size of tank do have been put together by a group of high school chemistry we need? students. Here are some basic answers. When water or a glycol/waThink back to when you were sitting in your high school ter mixture is heated it expands. If a liquid expands in a conchemistry class while your teacher rambled on about guys by fined space, such as a closed hydronic system, the pressure in the names of Boyle, Charles, Gay-Lussac and Avogadro, along the confined space will increase and it will increase drastiwith a couple of things called the Ideal Gas Law and the cally. The increased pressure will look for the easiest path Combined Gas Law. Do not worry if you can’t remember all of for release. Hopefully, this will be a pressure relief valve and this stuff. I didn’t either, until I walked past my son as he was not a weak component in the system that may be of vital studying his high school chemistry and suddenly realized that importance. some of that stuff was actually useful in real life. (I also stopped We use expansion tanks to prevent this drastic build up of to take a look because it is such a rare sight to see a high school pressure in closed hydronic systems. But every once in a while, student actually studying.) it does not seem to work the way we expected it to. Sometimes, There may have even been a question in your textbook that the pressure still changes more than we think it should. This is read something like this. “If you have a closed system with 15 when we need to take a look at the expansion tank and try to gallons of water and two gallons of air separated by a rubber understand it better.

Table 1 Sample expansion tank sizing chart

MH22 | spring 2015

Finned Tube Baseboard and Radiant ZHT8 ZHT8 ZHT18 ZHT18 ZHT18 ZHT18 ZHT24 ZHT24

MODERN HYDRONICS

Cast Iron Baseboard ZHT8 ZHT18 ZHT24 ZHT24 ZHT24 ZHT50 ZHT50F ZHT50F www.hpacmag.com

Table: Zilmet

Boiler Net Output (1000's of BTU/Hr) 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200

Type of Radiation Convection and Cast Iron Unit Heaters Radiators ZHT8 ZHT8 ZHT8 ZHT18 ZHT18 ZHT18 ZHT18 ZHT24 ZHT24 ZHT24 ZHT24 ZHT50 ZHT24 ZHT50F ZHT24 ZHT50F

Modern Hydronics

diaphragm at room temperature with an initial pressure of 15 psi, what will be the final pressure in the system if the temperature is raised to 180 degrees Fahrenheit?” That is right, this question is a cleverly disguised hydronic heating system with an expansion tank. At age 16, we had no clue. At age 16 plus a lot, it now makes sense. Go and dig out your old chemistry text and find the right formulas − you will find that the end pressure is about 22 psi. If you were to increase the volume of air in the system from two to six gallons, the end pressure would be only about 17 psi. So the larger the expansion tank, the smaller the change in the pressure of the system as it heats up. If we increase the volume of water in the system from 15 to 30 gallons, the two-gallon expansion tank would have an end pressure of 35 psi. At which point, the typical 30 psi relief valve would have opened to relieve the excess pressure. The six-gallon expansion tank would have a final pressure of 20 psi. All of this can be figured out using a high school chemistry text.

Photo Crown Boiler

WHAT ABOUT THE PRE-CHARGE? Now that we can see how the volume of our expansion tank, the volume of the system and the change in the temperature are all related, let’s take a moment to look at the pre-charge of the expansion tank. How many installers actually check or adjust the pre-charge of the expansion tanks in their systems? I would say probably not very many. The good news is that for the majority of the residential systems that are installed, you do not need to adjust your expansion tank. Fortunately, the expansion tank makers, the boiler fill makers and the glycol feed makers are all on the same page. In a typical installation, the boiler fill or glycol feed is connected to the system piping at almost the same point as the expansion tank. Expansion tanks typically come with a “pre-charge” of 12 to 14 psi and the boiler fill makers and glycol feed makers also pre-set their equipment to about 12 psi. Now 12 psi is good for hydronic systems in which the highest point in the system is up to 20 feet above the expansion tank. If the highest point in the system happens to be more than 20 feet above your expansion tank, then you will need to consider increasing the fill pressure of your system and increasing the pre-charge on the expansion tank accordingly. The biggest thing to remember when changing the pre-charge on an expansion tank is to do it before it is connected to the system. If you increase the system pressure while the expansion tank is connected, system fluid will be forced into the expansion tank, effectively reducing the tank’s overall capacity. LONGEVITY Here is a question that I have heard in the past. Why don’t expansion tanks last as long as they used to in the good old days? This is an excellent question since the basic design of an exwww.hpacmag.com

The residential expansion tank is one of the most important components of a hydronics system.

pansion tank has not changed since the good old days so here is something to think about. Let us take a look at how a system operated back then and how a system operates today. Systems used to operate hot. We turned them on in the fall, the boiler came up to temperature and then cycled up and down 10 or 20 degrees for six, eight or 10 months at a time. The expansion tank would make one big flex when the system turned on and heated up from room temperature to its operating temperature. It would then move slightly back and forth with the small changes in temperature. In essence, the expansion tank did not have to flex very much. In today’s systems, we use outdoor reset controls, cold start boilers, priority for DHW, load shedding and a number of other energy saving features. These developments are great for our utility bills, but the expansion tanks have to flex a lot more. To avoid that increased flex, consider moving to a larger-sized expansion tank. As we continue to change how we operate systems, it may be time for us to revisit some more of our high school textbooks. Who knows what useful tidbits we might find. <> - Cliff McNeill Cliff McNeill is with Equipco Ltd. at its Calgary, AB office. He joined the manufacturers rep firm in May 2008, bringing with him an extensive background in hydronics, heating, controls and plumbing. A graduate of UBC, McNeill has been a speaker at trade shows across Canada.

MODERN HYDRONICS

spring 2015

| MH23

>> Renewables

Exploring the agricultural market Biofuel heating system raises profits for organic poultry farmer.

oultry and livestock products are big business. Canada’s red meat industry had annual shipments worth $16.3 billion in 2013, with poultry and egg products contributing $4.0 billion in the same year.1,2 In 2011, Canada had 205 730 census farms.3 Opportunities to utilize hydronics within this segment are plentiful. Heating systems in this market must be reliable and provide consistent temperatures. Chickens in particular require precise temperatures as they need to keep gaining weight to go to market as fast as possible. Precise temperature balancing is critical in each of the 45 x 500 ft. (14 x 152 metre) houses Zimmerman uses for broilers, chickens specifically raised for meat production. “Chickens are affected by temperature,” observed Matt Aungst, co-owner of the firm that engineered a heating system for organic poultry farmer Earl Ray Zimmerman. “A change of just a few degrees affects the birds’ eating habits. And if they don’t eat, they don’t put on weight. Missing the growth schedule for thousands of birds for just one day stretches a farmer’s time to market and cash flow, something poultry producers want to avoid at all costs. “Each building is wide open,” added Aungst. “So each area has a different heat loss profile depending on the location in the building. The goal is to keep the entire building at 93F (34C) at the beginning of every flock.” To achieve that goal, his firm utilized an air handler system designed specifically for chicken houses. The system uses a centrifugal fan to circulate air through the mixer’s coil into the chicken house to maintain even temperature throughout the living area. Each building employs eight of the units suspended from the ceiling. A heating coil in each unit is supplied by a hot water circuit, which is regulated by its own pressure independent temperature control and system-balancing valve. PRECISE TEMPERATURE CONTROL On warm days, to eliminate stratification the mixer pulls hot air from the ceiling level and expels it in a 360-degree circular flow just above the floor. On cold days, a boiler supplies hot water to the internal heat exchanger inside each air handler unit. The system uses an unusual fuel source − dried chicken waste − to fire the 1.5 million Btu boiler, which can handle 100 per cent of the heat load. “The water flow to each coil is based on the heat load," explained Aungst. "At full load, the system supplies 180F water at 11 gallons per minute to each unit. But conditions seldom call for that much heat." That is why Aungst is using eight pressure independent temMH24 | spring 2015

A heating coil in each air handler unit is supplied by a hot water circuit that is regulated by its own PICV.

perature control and system-balancing valves along the main piping circuit that runs near the peak of the roof in each building. One valve is used to control the water flow to one coil. The valve increases or reduces the flow of hot water supplied to the coil depending on whether the zone temperature sensors call for more or less heat. Because 100 per cent flow is usually not needed, a variable-frequency drive (VFD) incorporated into the circulating pump motor can reduce pump speed as flow is reduced, which cuts electricity consumption. However, changing the flow also changes pressures, which creates problems for the system. Aungst determined that alternatives to the pressure independent control valve (PICV) design would not provide sufficient stability or controllability at low loads in this application. The control valve would have to do double duty: to provide water at the required flow rate

MODERN HYDRONICS

continued on pMH26 www.hpacmag.com

All Glycols Are NOT Created Equal CHEM-FROST Safe For All Systems

Including Aluminum and Solar

Premier Inhibitors Higher Temperature Rated Low Viscosity For more benefits ask your local wholesaler or visit chemfax.com

>> Renewables continued from pMH24

Temperature balancing is critical in the 45 x 500 ft. buildings.

The system is providing consistent temperatures across the 22 500 sq. ft. area.

to the air handler coil and to maintain that exact flow by eliminating the effects of pressure fluctuations on the valve as system loads change.

thermistors are all within one degree F,” concluded Aungst. For Zimmerman, getting temperatures that consistent over an area about half the size of a football field is impressive. “Some days require just a little heat. The chicks like an even temperature. So the valves open a little to provide heat without temperature swings. I’m very happy with how things are working,” said Zimmerman. <> - Bill boss

REMOTE MONITORING The PICVs and the variable speed drive pump work in harmony. Redundant pumps circulate the hot water to the circuits. The valve matches the flow to the exact load. And at lower loads, the pump reduces speed to save electricity. The pump only needs to produce the minimum required differential pressure for the valves to operate. The valve actuator is controlled by a proportionalintegral-derivative (PID) loop in a programmable logic control (PLC) system that uses inputs from a thermistor located in each zone. The control network runs over Ethernet. Local control can be done on the PLC’s colour touch-screen. The system can also be monitored remotely from the comfort of Zimmerman’s home, combining convenience and reliability. The biofuel system has been delivering. “Across a 22 500-square-foot floor area, the readouts on the eight

With over 40 years in the hydronic industry, Bill Boss is responsible for the sale of Danfoss’ hydronic heating and cooling controls, and oil burner components throughout North America. www.danfoss.com 1 A griculture and Agri-Food Canada, Government of Canada, Canada’s Poultry and Egg Industry Profile (2013-05-24) www.agr.gc.ca 2 A griculture and Agri-Food Canada, Government of Canada, All About Canada’s Red Meat Industry, (2013-05-24) www.agr.gc.ca 3 Statistics Canada, Government of Canada, Farm and Farm Operator Data (2015-01-08) www.statcan.gc.ca

Integrated design:

The next frontier for manufacturers, licensed architects, HVAC engineers/technicians and certified designers. Professionals recognize the strong correlation between buildings, environment, and human health – but are your designers capable of collaborating to develop and market integrated products, systems, and programs? On March 2, 2015, join veteran building and HVAC lecturer and long-time HPAC contributor, Robert Bean, R.E.T., P.L.(Eng.) in a live on-line registered thirty-three hour professional development program. You will have personal access to Robert during the 14-week course and you will receive over 2300 slides from Bean’s master library on indoor environmental quality, building science and hybrid radiant-based HVAC systems; plus you receive over a dozen Excel tools and numerous IEQ, architectural and HVAC design resources.

For more information and advance discounted registration, visit www.healthyheating.com. MH26 | spring 2015

MODERN HYDRONICS

www.hpacmag.com

Coming Soon!

>> Circulators

Technology pumps out savings

ariable speed pumping has brought new levels of energy efficiency to the HVAC industry. While many larger buildings utilize system pumps operating on variable frequency drives (VFDs) with the guidance of pressure differential sensors, pumps that do not require external pressure sensors are an alternative. Before discussing the specifics behind this pump technology, a review of some basics behind system design, pump operation and selection is in order. Let’s start with a 150-ton cooling system. The example shown in Figure 1 has five equal loads of 30 tons of cooling each, serviced by a chiller. Two-way control valves are used in four of the fan coils, but one of them is fitted with a three-way control valve that ensures a minimum amount of flow can remain in the system, even if all loads are satisfied. When an engineer designs a hydronic system, he starts with the load calculations. He then selects the delta T for the system design, calculates the flow in GPM for both hot and chilled water, lays out the system, and calculates the pressure drop. For the example in Figure 1, a 12F delta T was chosen, which equates to two gallons per minute (GPM) per ton for a total of 300 GPM. Next, we calculate the system pressure drop based

Figure 1 150-ton cooling system

Figure 2 System curve data table

MH28 | spring 2015

on the actual piping layout and total system resistance based on length and size of distribution piping, as well as the resistance of all other components in the system, including the heating/cooling source and terminal unit, valves and fittings. In this example, it is approximately 53 feet of head. Now that we have the design pressure drop and the design flow in GPM, we establish the design operating point. SYSTEM CURVES As shown in Figure 2, a system curve data table can be generated using the formula shown. Basically, a system curve references the head pressure generated within the piping if nothing physically changes other than the flow (for example, head pressure generated in the system shown in Figure 1 with all valves wide open). Some engineers may never actually draw the system curve but the system curve is implied in all designs. In most cases a system curve is generated by pump selection software. It is the interaction of the system curve with the pump curve that establishes the actual design operating point. As valves in the system begin to close, the system curve responds to those changes as shown in Figure 3. PERFORMANCE DATA Most pump manufacturers test each of their constant speed pump models on a test stand in order to generate the pump’s performance data and do this for each impeller size. An example of such a setup is shown in Figure 4. Proper testing would typically require the following components: • Pressure gauges before and after the pump • Flow meter • Control valve/throttling device Figure 3 System curve responds to valve closure

MODERN HYDRONICS

www.hpacmag.com

Modern Hydronics

• Interconnecting pipe • Storage tanks • Input electrical power • Tachometer to confirm pump speed (not shown) • Torque cell to measure HP (not shown) • Data acquisition console (not shown) Sample test data is shown for a constant speed pump in Figure 5. Please note that far more test points would be recorded. For clarity purposes, only six test data points are shown in this example for a pump with an eight-inch impeller. The same test is usually performed for each pump model with minimum and maximum impeller diameters, as well as three or four diameters in between. Each constant speed pump can only operate on its pump performance curve. As the system curve changes based on added resistance in the system with zones shutting off, the flow would decrease. At this point, the pumps operating efficiency is reduced. In order to maintain highest operating efficiency, variable frequency drives (VFDs) can be added that can change the frequency provided to a pump’s motor and therefore alter the pump’s performance capacity. Just as constant speed pump curves are generated, the same can be generated when operating the pump motors on different frequencies or speeds. As shown in Figure 6, using the same four-inch pump as was used earlier, new performance curves were generated using lower frequencies. This figure shows the performance curves overlaid with the mechanical example system curves. Figure 4 Pump test stand

Please note that pumps should not be operated below 20Hz. At that point the minimum flow threshold is reached in order to lubricate the seals. Using VFDs allows a pump performance to be matched to the system without physically changing its impeller diameter and continually maintaining the pumps most optimal operating efficiency. This results in significant energy savings. CONTROL CURVE The last remaining piece of the puzzle for this pump technology is the control curve as shown in Figure 7. The control curve sets the direct relationship between the system curve and the pump curve for each frequency between the minimum and maximum frequency limits. This is the curve on which the VFD will self-regulate. pairing pump and drive Head, flow, power and speed information, as well as a resulting control curve, are programmed into the VFD. The pump and VFD are now paired and operate as a unit. A typical self-sensing pump VFD has received at least 50 data points. It can now operate at any flow and head within the collected data table simply by monitoring the power consumption and frequency matched to the recorded data. Figure 8 shows the combined action that a drive can now take advantage of. It continuously adjusts the speed of the pump and the performance curve to meet the dynamics changing in parallel with that of the system. The drive can provide a digital read-out of the changing dynamics at any time. The information may also Continued on pMH30 Figure 6 Performance and mechanical system curves

Figure 5 Sample test data – constant speed pump

Figure 7 Control curve

continued on pMH6 www.hpacmag.com

MODERN HYDRONICS

spring 2015

| MH29

>> Circulators Figure 8 Pump adjusted according to demand

“These pumps can be used for any application, including traditional operation with changing loads.”

be provided to a larger building or energy management system through a drive's building automation system (BAS). As the demand in the system decreases, the pump rides to the left on the pump curve. The pump automatically responds by controlling the frequency provided to the motor and keeps the pump on the control curve. As the system demand increases, the opposite will occur and the frequency provided will increase, keeping with the dynamics of the system. These pumps can be used for any application, including traditional operation with changing loads (as discussed previously), but also to provide a match for any constant volume or constant pressure applications, as highlighted in Figures 9 and 10. While drives with this technology can be provided loose, several pump manufacturers offer these pumps with the drives directly mounted, which provides some labour savings on the installation side as well. <> - Mike Miller

Figure 9 Control curve for a constant pressure application (such as pressure booster applications)

Figure 10 Control curve for a constant flow application (such as process applications)

Mike Miller is chair of the Canadian Hydronics Council (CHC) and director of commercial sales, Canada with Taco Canada Ltd. He can be reached at hydronicsmike@taco-hvac.com. See Mike at Modern Hydronics-Summit 2015 on September 10 in Toronto (see pMH10 for more information).

GET IT FASTER! • Product Recalls • Code Changes • Industry News • Events • New wholesaler locations • And much more…

Stay connected with Visit hpacmag.com and click on MH30 | spring 2015

MODERN HYDRONICS

www.hpacmag.com

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plumbing products

As part of its Builder Light faucet offerings, Matco-Norca now offers lead-free single-handle pull-down faucets in three styles: chrome,

Watco’s Flex924 offers a solution for misalign-

Bosch now offers its Therm and Greentherm

stainless steel and oil-rubbed bronze. These

ment between the bathtub overflow and the

tankless water heaters (TWH) in a new colour

faucet offerings come with metal lever handles

bathtub drain connection. It has flexible PVC

scheme: Bosch White. These formerly silver-

and ceramic cartridges. All have a quick con-

tubing that connects the overflow to the sani-

gray painted products are visually consistent

nect feature and can be installed using one or

tary tee of the bathtub. It also comes stan-

with Bosch’s Greenstar boiler and Greensource

three holes. An optional deckplate is included.

dard with a test membrane at the overflow and

heat pump residential product lines. Bosch

These faucets contain less than 0.25 per cent

test plug for that drain that is testable up to

Therm and Greentherm products with this

weighted average lead content on wetted sur-

five floors. The snap-on, Innovator overflow

white color scheme will be shipped as the for-

faces, and all have a maximum flow rate (aer-

plate assembles by hand, requires no screws

mer inventory of silver-gray products becomes

ated and spray) of 1.8 gpm at 60 psi.

and installs easier than one- or two-hole over-

depleted. Bosch offers gas-fired Therm and

www.matco-norca.com

flows. www.watcomfg.com

Greentherm TWHs with energy factors ranging from .82 up to .95.

The Clog Boss Professional Toilet Plunger is

www.boschheatingandcooling

equipped with the Universal Toilet Tip. It compresses into any toilet drain, sealing it tight. High pressure forced through the tip is used to break up tough clogs and force them down the drain, which can be completed in seconds without splashing or making any mess. The Universal Toilet Tip is composed of a plastic pipe with waterproofed polyurethane foam surrounding it. It is highly flexible and resilient, and able to respond to the wide variety of

T&S Brass and Bronze Works’ ChekPoint line

toilets in use. www.clogboss.com

of electronic sensor faucets, including new models with above deck electronics are suited

hpacmag.com

Bradley Corp.’s HS-Series Terreon Solid Surface Under-

to commercial kitchen applications. T&S elec-

mount Basins feature a flat bottom design with clean, con-

tronic sensor faucets are made of chrome-plat-

temporary lines. The basins can be specified either as a

ed brass, require no sealants and are ADA-

seamless, prefabricated Bradley Omnideck Lavatory Sys-

compliant.

tem packaged ready to install, or basin only with Terreon

temperature control mixing valve; adjustable

solid surface countertops ready for field fabrication. There

automatic time-out; adjustable water shut-off

are 32 Terreon colours and three contemporary basin

delay; check valves for cross-flow prevention in

shapes available – rectangular, square or oval. HS-Series

all models; and troubleshooting LED indicator

Undermount Basins are suited for healthcare applications

lights and low battery indicator light. EC_HARD-

such as exam rooms, patient rooms and nursing stations,

WIRE and EC-EASYWIRE installation options

as well as a number of commercial hand washing applica-

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tions, including laboratories, high-rise offices, airports and

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more. www.bradleycorp.com

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They

feature

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continued on p54

FEBRUARY 2015 | HPAC

Plumbing PRODUCts continued from p53 Gessi North America has The Woodford Model RHY2 commercial

introduced

roof hydrant provides a reliable, year-

cets in six finishes includ-

Fascino

fau-

round water source for rooftop water

ing an Italian copper. The

needs. It features a heavy-duty cast iron

bath collection is made of

mounting system that can be installed

solid brass, in single-han-

by the roofer; the hydrant can be installed later. The freezeless hydrant auto-

dle or widespread models

matically drains when shut-off – even with a hose attached. Hydrants are back-

for bath sinks, tubs and

flow protected with an ASSE 1052 double check backflow preventer that is

showers. Other finishes

field testable. The hydrant is easy to repair; all repairs can be made from the

are chrome, brushed nickel, polished nickel and black metal. All

top of the unit without removing the hydrant. www.woodfordmfg.com.

products are manufactured in Italy. www.gessi.com

The Bonomi 100712LF Series sweat-end lead-free brass

Unico, Inc. offers the iSeries outdoor

check valves feature a spring-loaded soft seat and bub-

inverter operating in conjunction with

ble-tight shutoff at both high and low pressures. They

the eMix indoor unit for high-efficiency

install without special handling or high-temperature sol-

domestic hot water production. The

ders because the valve bodies are made without lead-substitute additives such

eMix takes waste heat from Unico’s iS-

as bismuth or silicon. The 100712LF features a forged lead-free brass body that

eries heat exchanger and heats water

is stronger and lighter than sand-cast valve bodies with zero porosity. All brass

year-round for domestic use including

components are made from brass alloy CW510L/ASTM C28500, which contains

potable water. The indoor unit produces

no bismuth and prevents stress cracking. Sizes from ½ in. to 2 in. FXF sweat can

domestic hot water up to 176F/80C. During summer, when the sys-

accommodate a range of system requirements. Maximum working pressure is

tem is in cooling mode, domestic hot water service costs are greatly

200 WOG. www.bonominorthamerica.com

reduced due to the heat recovery process. www.unicosystem.com

One Choice. One Zurn. Solving the puzzle of true paired performance.

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Sloan hits a home run for the plumbing industry Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is undergoing a transformation that will showcase sustainable plumbing systems from Sloan.

Sloan Valve Company and the Chicago Cubs have announced that Sloan has joined the Cubs organization as a Legacy Partner and the team's Official Water Efficiency Partner. As part of this agreement, the Cubs Spring Training facility in Mesa, AZ, will be named Sloan Park. The Cubs will utilize Sloan's products in the newly-named Sloan Park in Mesa and target integration inside Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL, and its surrounding facilities as part of the 1060 Project construction. Sloan's brand presence at Sloan Park and Wrigley Field will include designated areas to showcase its products and water saving technologies, along with fixed signage on the visiting team's bullpen. "We are a global organization founded in Chicago, so partnering with another iconic Chicago brand is a natural fit. Sloan products have been in Wrigley Field since 1914, and this exciting new partnership with the Chicago Cubs helps Sloan tell its story on a major league level," said Jim Allen, president of Sloan. The agreement makes Sloan, which is headquartered in Franklin Park, IL, the sixth Legacy Partner of the Chicago Cubs, joining Anheuser-Busch, ATI Physical Therapy, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Under Armour and Wintrust. www.sloanvalve.com

RectorSeal acquires specialty plumbing products manufacturer RectorSeal Corp. acquired selected assets and the SureSeal brand from SureSeal Manufacturing (SSM) of Tacoma, WA, on January 2. SSM manufactures and distributes SureSeal waterless floor drain trap seals. Moving forward the company will be known as Specialty Plumbing Products Manufacturing LLC (SPP). "SureSeal is established as the premier brand in this category, therefore it's a natural fit that provides RectorSeal with an outstanding growth opportunity," said David Smith, president, RectorSeal, Houston, TX. The SSM product line consists of ASSE-1072-certified SureSeal floor drain trap seals (also known as waterless trap primers) and two soon to be released products.

The SureSeal acquisition is the second transaction between RectorSeal and the team responsible for creating SureSeal, Don Huber, vice president of manufacturing and product development, and Al Stakset, who has since retired. Huber and Stakset co-invented the Hubsett product line of test couplings that was sold to RectorSeal in 2001. SPP will continue manufacturing the product line for RectorSeal from its Tacoma production facilities. SureSeal's former national sales manager, Rick Ensley is now product line manager. The acquisition also contracts both Huber and Jorge Duque, CFO, to remain in three-year-long advisory roles. www.rectorseal.com

Innovative, energy-saving fluid technologies take Armstrong to the winners' circle Charles Armstrong (l), chairman of Armstrong Fluid Technology accepts the 2014 European Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Leadership from Jeff Frigstad, senior global vice president, best practices, Frost & Sullivan. Frost & Sullivan's inaugural Growth, Innovation & Leadership (GIL) Canada event was held in Toronto, ON, in December 2014, in conjunction with the global growth consulting firm's Best Practices Awards gala. Frost & Sullivan recognizes companies demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development with Best Practices Awards in a variety of regional and global markets. Armstrong Fluid Technology was awarded the 2014 European Frost & Sullivan Award for Customer Value Leadership at the event. Frost & Sullivan identified Armstrong's solution portfolio, which includes pumps, hydronic systems, controls and aftermarket services (including training), as key to its position as a one-stop shop for fluid technology solutions. The company's focus on developing novel, high-quality, low-energy products was also cited. In 2013, Armstrong went through a global rebranding initiative, resulting in the creation of the brand "Armstrong Fluid Technology." Frost & Sullivan also noted that Armstrong's brand equity is enhanced by customers' trust in its skill in developing products and associated intelligent controls based on its core competencies ww2.frost.com http://armstrongfluidtechnology.com continued on p58

HPAC | february 2015

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continued from p56

Danfoss announces EnVisioneer award; doubles warranty Danfoss presented its fifth annual EnVisioneer of the Year award to Daikin Applied for its Magnitude water-cooled chillers, which use Danfoss Turbocor compressor technology. From left to right is Ricardo Schneider, president and CEO, Danfoss Turbocor; Mike Schwartz, CEO, Daikin Applied Americas; John Galyen, president, Danfoss North America; and Lisa Tryson, director, corporate communications and PR, Danfoss.

Daikin Applied is the winner of the fifth annual Danfoss EnVisioneer of the Year award competition. The award recognizes North American end users, municipalities, building owners or original equipment manufacturers that have introduced a new product, opened a new facility or invested in a building or system upgrade within the past 18 months using Danfoss products or solutions to realize significant energy and/or environmental savings. Daikin Applied is using Danfoss Turbocor variable speed, oil-free, magnetic bearing centrifugal compressors in its watercooled Magnitude chillers. In other Danfoss news, the company has extended the warranty on all cables and mats for electrical heating from 10 to 20 years. In case of failure on cables or mats, Danfoss will also cover the cost of installation and repairs due to repairing or exchanging the heating cables or mats up to five times the amount. www.lx.danfoss.com

Seresco Technologies doubles operation capacity

Seresco Technologies, a manufacturer of indoor pool dehumidifier HVAC equipment, has doubled its space with an expansion into a new Ottawa-based manufacturing, warehousing and office headquarters. The expansion follows Seresco's 25 per cent annual sales increases over the last three years and allows the 12-year-old company to increase its workforce. Seresco's Protocol NP-Series dehumidifier and the WebSentry control system have driven sales growth. The larger, automated manufacturing plant will help Seresco increase production capacity by 100 per cent and add a second shift, which will reduce lead times for commercial dehumidifiers ranging up to 140-tons in size and 70â&#x20AC;&#x2030;000 cfms. www.serescodehumidifiers.com

Viega launches rewards program

The Viega Rewards program gives professional installers the opportunity to earn points for each Viega purchase they make. Qualifying Viega products include ViegaPEX Barrier tubing in sizes 5/16 in. and 1/2 in. The products have a product number and a QR code for easy entry into a mobile device. Rewards include electronics, home and outdoor gear, travel opportunities, and more. www.viegarewards.us 58

HPAC | february 2015

hpacmag.com

NTI sets its sites on training in Western Canada

DISTRIBUTION

NTI (NY Thermal Inc.) expects to have its new Western Canadian Training and Sales Centre at 9000 Bill Fox Way, Unit 104, in Burnaby, BC, open for the beginning of March 2015. Training will be provided for the manufacturer's entire product line, as well as development of sales staff on the wholesale and contractor level. www.nythermal.com

>> Danfoss has announced that Thomas Industrial Sales Ltd. is its new sales representative organization covering New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

CLIPS >> Nordyne, a subsidiary of Nortek, recently received a patent for its defrost process on split-system heat pumps with Micro-Channel condensing coils. With the Micro-Channel heat pump, the coil is rotated 90 degrees so that the headers are on the top and bottom, not the sides. www.nordyne.com

>> Allan Forrest Sales has successfully represented HeatLink in Southern Alberta for the past four years and recently expanded its territory to include the entire Alberta market, as well as the southeast and northeast British Columbia regions, and the Territories. Darrell Hannon transitioned from his role at HeatLink to Allan Forrest Sales on January 1, 2015, as an integral part of the territory expansion. Wolseley opens one-stop shop in Hinton

>> The Sporlan Division of Parker Hannifin Corp. recently celebrated the grand opening of its refrigeration system training centre in Missouri. The training centre, which will also serve Canadian customers, is designed to facilitate technical training on modern refrigeration systems by offering both classroom and hands-on activities. Sporlan offers a specialist program, a three-day course that includes tours of the manufacturing and test lab facilities, as well as product selection, application, teardown, rebuild and refrigeration system troubleshooting. www.parker.com >> Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing Inc. has launched its new website: www.aquatech-canada.com. The company has also modified its existing e-mails. To contact Aqua-Tech staff, use their first name and first initial of their last name followed by @aquatech-canada. >> Rinnai has begun assembly of its commercial Tankless Rack System (TRS) at Rinnai America's Headquarters in Peachtree City, GA. Introduced in 2012, the TRS makes multiunit condensing tankless water installations easier and more flexible for commercial contractors. www.rinnai.us/commercial >> Unico has manufactured more than 27 000 miles of flexible HVAC ducting since 1985. That is enough to go around the world once, plus an additional trip from New York to Los Angeles. www.unicosystem.com >> Noble has a new location in Toronto at 100 Sunrise Ave., Unit 132, tel. 416-701-9440. www.noble.ca

SEE PEOPLE ON P60.

The team at Wolseley Canada’s Industrial Express Branch and Field Service Centre in Hinton (l to r): Samantha Wheaton, warehouse shipper and receiver, Phil Blackstock, branch manager, and Sarah Siroski, inside sales representative. Not shown is James Krause, valve technician.

Don Ziesman, general manager, Wolseley Industrial, Western Canada, recently announced the opening of Wolseley Industrial’s newest Express Branch located at 122 Hampshire Rd. in Hinton, AB. The Hinton location is one of several branches Wolseley Industrial will open in 2015. The second phase of the branch, a Field Service Centre, opened shortly after on February 2. “Our new Express Branch and Field Service Centre provide two significant offerings to local contractors,” said Ziesman. “By combining these two offerings, we’re creating a one-stop shop to meet all of our local customers’ needs.” Hinton branch manager, Phil Blackstock, has spent the past 20 years working in industrial positions across Alberta. He was most recently with Stream-Flo Industries. www.wolseleyinc.ca continued on p61

hpacmag.com

february 2015 | HPAC

< PEOPLE New president/COO to manage Taco Taco president and CEO John Hazen White Jr. (r) with Wil VandeWiel, the new president and COO of Taco Rich

Taco president and CEO John Hazen White Jr. introduced Wil VandeWiel as the new president and COO of Taco at employee meetings held on December 11, 2014 at the company's facilities in Cranston, RI and Fall River, MA. VandeWiel will oversee daily operations of Taco and work with White Jr. and his board of directors in steering Taco's growth. White Jr., the third generation of the White family to lead Taco, will remain as company CEO but will refocus his responsibilities on building new partnerships and strategic acquisitions. A native of the Netherlands and a U.S. citizen, VandeWiel was most recently president/CEO of DORMA GmbH, a global access control company located in Pennsylvania. Under his leadership, four acquisitions were added to DORMA Americas, all service efforts were merged into one nationwide platform, and new sales channels were added. VandeWiel holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands and an advanced degree from MIT. He also holds a Master Black Belt in the application of Six-Sigma and Lean Enterprise techniques. VandeWiel will report directly to White Jr. www.taco-hvac.com

Ruel

Andre Ruel has been named vice president of business development with Magnus’ Water Management Group. He is a specialist in corrosion control and the prevention of deposits in industrial systems.

HPAC | february 2015

Danfoss has named Joseph Rich as senior director of sales and marketing for its North American VLT drives business. Rich will focus on growing the VLT drives business in the North American market.

Camfil Air Pollution Control (APC), a manufacturer of dust, fume and mist collection equipment, has promoted four members of its sales management team. John Dauber Caulfield Dauber, who joined the company in 1998 and most recently headed up the U.S./Canada sales team, is taking on the role of Handte product manager for the Americas. Schreier Kreczmer Camfil APC acquired Handte, a German manufacturer of dust collectors, oil and emulsion mist collectors, wet scrubbers and ancillary items in 2014. Matt Caulfield, a seven-year veteran of Camfil APC, has been named director of sales–USA/Canada. Caulfield brings several years of sales management experience to this role, having most recently led the growing northeast U.S. territory and Canadian sales team. He will work closely with Dauber on the Handte product integration and will also have involvement in key OEM accounts. Rick Kreczmer, an eight-year veteran of Camfil APC, has been promoted to director–aftermarket sales and corporate training. In this expanded role, Kreczmer will continue to manage the aftermarket filtersales group while having global responsibility as cartridge product manager. Additionally, Kreczmer will supervise the corporate technical and sales training program for company employees. Greg Schreier, who has served for three years as Camfil APC metalworking market manager with 13 prior years as a sales representative, will now have a dual role as director– OEM accounts/metal and thermal spray market manager. All four managers will report to Thomas Frungillo, who was recently appointed vice president, Camfil APC Americas. KNIPEX Tools LP has promoted two industrial team members. Todd Shumate, formerly the vice president of sales, North America, was promoted to execuBooth Shumate tive vice president. Shumate has been with the company since 2008 and has lead the KNIPEX Tools U.S. and Canadian distribution team in strong sales growth and market share gains, including record growth in 2014. Randy Booth, who was most recently sales manager, was promoted to channel sales manager, distribution. He has been with KNIPEX since 2010 and will have two sales managers and more than 100 manufacturer’s representatives reporting to him. <> hpacmag.com

< MSN

continued from p59

the longer term phase down of HFC refrigerants and foam blowing agents should only be considered if adequate implementation timelines are included in the regulation. These timelines must be established to provide equipment manufacturers with adequate time to determine viable alternatives for their equipment. HRAI is in discussions with Environment Canada staff in preparation for consultations on the proposed regulations. The first consultation for all stakeholders is February 19 in Ottawa, ON. Contact HRAI president Warren Heeley at tel. 800.267.223, ext. 227 or e-mail warren.heeley@hrai.ca for more information. <> December 2014 December 2014

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Phase down versus phase out The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) has submitted comments to Environment Canada on behalf of HRAI and the AirConditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) in the U.S. in response to Environment Canada's Publication of the Notice of Intent to regulate hydrofluorocarbons, which was released on December 5, 2014. The two associations have agreed to provide consistent industry input to regulators on both sides of the border because of Canada's desire to harmonize with the HFC regulations being proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The comments address the approach being taken for commercial refrigeration equipment and the potential negative impact on the equipment and the industry that services it. Of particular concern is Environment Canada's intent to adopt the path the EPA has proposed, which is to restrict the use of certain HFC refrigerants. The proposed regulation includes prohibition of the manufacture and import of specific HFCs (134a and those with a higher global warming potential, i.e. 507 series and 404a) with use being phased out in condensing units and supermarket systems, stand-alone units and vending machines. Another measure in the notice is the prohibition of the manufacture and import of specific HFCs (245fa, 365mfc, 134a, 143a) in most foam end uses. HRAI and AHRI suggest that a better alternative from the industry's perspective would be to consider a regulation that is based on the North American Amendment Proposal to the Montreal Protocol, which calls for a gradual phase down of HFCs. This phase down (as opposed to phase out) was specifically conceived to allow for the development of low GWP alternative technologies. In addition,

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february 2015 | HPAC

HVAC/R products

Daikin Applied’s Trailblazer air-cooled scroll chillers offer low cost of ownership from installation throughout the course of its life cycle.

Warm Tiles Elite underfloor heating mats from

Its factory installed options and custom pump

EasyHeat are less than 1/8 in. thick and con-

The Malco FDS1 flexible duct support is de-

packages decrease engineering and design ef-

sist of heating cable interwoven into a durable

signed to reduce airflow restrictions and in-

forts, as well as speed up contractor installa-

fabric. They are available in standard rectangu-

crease efficiency to improve heated or air-con-

tion times and commissioning. All-aluminum

lar sizes, as well as in made-to-order, custom

ditioned room comfort. A properly supported

microchannel heat exchanger technology and

layouts for areas with irregular shapes. The

90-degree duct elbow can improve airflow effi-

compressor equipment means the Trailblazers

mats come in either 120V or 240V with a pow-

ciency from 10 to 40 per cent. The FDS1 de-

require minimal maintenance and overall effi-

er output of up to 15W per sq. ft. Installation

sign uses either 36- or 48-in. nylon cable/zip

ciency is improved. These chillers are avail-

involves a three-step process.

ties to accommodate 4- to 16-in. diameters of

able in sizes from 30 to 180 tons, with 190-

www.warmtiles.com

flexible fiberglass wool duct, as well as un-in-

240 ton capacities coming this winter.

sulated flexible duct. www.malcotools.com

www.daikinapplied.com

Developed by International Comfort Prod-

Fujitsu offers new lit-

ucts (ICP), the KeepRite Deluxe Air Purifier

erature for both lines

uses patented capture and kills technolo-

of its ENERGY STAR-

gy to remove airborne viruses and bacte-

qualified,

ria. As particles enter the purifier they are

ciency, floor-mounted mini-split heat pump systems. Heating operates

electrostatically drawn to the charged fil-

at ambient temperatures as low as -15F (RLFFH line), or -5F (RLFF

ter fibers and pulled out of the air. The

line). Efficiency ratings are as high as 26 SEER. The small indoor units

captured particles are held tightly to the

were developed specifically for residential and light commercial retro-

filter fibers, and then the air purifier kill

fit applications, ideally to replace standing radiators or any space with

deactivates the captured particles by

limited upper wall space like a kitchen or sunroom. They are less than

electrocuting the germs and viruses. An

24 in. high and 30 in. wide. Heating capacity at low outdoor tempera-

electrical charge breaks the cell wall of the germs to inactivate them, provid-

tures is achieved through the use of a large heat exchanger and a

ing cleaner, healthier air. www.keeprite.com

high-capacity compressor. www.fujitsugeneral.com

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2015

high

effi-

hpacmag.com

Berner International has introduced a patented Venturi-style heater design that offers an aerodynamic, electric heated air curtain with improved air performance efficiency. The VTH electric heater combines a hemispherical heating element array with a mounting strategy at the blower inlet. The design uses the Venturi effect to draw air through the heating element via the blower inlet before it enters the discharge airstream. The VTH is available in Bernerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industrial VS Series and In-Ceiling Mount Series air curtains. It comes in a range of eight kW to 70kW and voltages of 208V, 240V, 480V and 575V. www.berner.com The Greenheck Model EAD-635, an adjustable blade louver in a 6-in. deep frame, incorporates a drainable head member and adjustable drainable blades to channel water to the jambs that guide the water through vertical downspouts for escape at the sill. When open, the drainable blades provide resistance to water penTjernlund Products is offering a solution for homes

etration and high volume intake and exhaust ventila-

with hot upper level bedrooms in summer or chilly

tion. When closed, the optional dual durometer vinyl

basements in winter. The Balance Booster revers-

blade-edge gaskets and stainless steel jamb seals

ible transfer fan consists of a high performance fan

minimize air leakage and water penetration. The ad-

and an Easy Flip chassis that are installed in-line

justable blades can be controlled with manually oper-

with the duct. The system requires installation of

ated hand-cranks, pull chains, and electric or pneumat-

owner-supplied 4-in. metal or PVC duct from the

ic actuators. www.greenheck.com

basement to the upper level through an existing chase, backs of closets, framed and dry walled corners, exterior chases or other between-floor passageways. The chassis permits airflow direction to be changed seasonally. The fan can be activated with a wireless remote from anywhere in the home. www.tjernlund.com

Johnson Controls is bringing Simplicity Smart Equipment (SE) controls to its York brand of commercial packaged and split system products. Soon to be standard on all 3- to 40-ton packaged units, the updated Simplicity SE controls make equipment easier to install, operate and service, and provide information that ensures an HVAC system is performing to specifications. An easy-to-read, built-in LCD display and navigation joystick provide quick access to menus displaying unit status, options, current function, supply, return and outdoor temperatures, fault codes and other information. www.johnsoncontrols.com hpacmag.com

FEBRUARY 2015 | HPAC

Gizmos & Gadgets Bosch Measuring Tools

The CAT 2000 Peak Amp Professional Jump Starter de-

combines the precision of

livers 1000 instant starting amps to quickly power most

laser measures with Blue-

12-volt batteries without the need for another vehicle.

tooth wireless technology

The jump starter will start multiple vehicles on one

with the launch of its GLM

charge and can recharge the internal battery up to four

100 C Laser Measure.

times faster with the built-in, two-amp, high frequency

Featuring

extended

charger. The high-density 21aH AGM sealed non-spill-

distance,

able battery delivers professional grade power and al-

measuring

memory storage and an-

lows for safe storage in any position. www.cat.com

gle measurement in two axis, this product allows

Milwaukee Tool has introduced a charging radio to bring

users to make accurate

the power of Bluetooth to the jobsite. The M18 jobsite

measurements that are

radio/charger lets users stream sound wirelessly from

transferred to smart de-

more than 100 ft. away. The USB port charges most

vices via the free Bosch

portable electronic devices and works off battery pow-

Measurement mobile app. Measurements also can be

er. This gadget comes with an AM/FM tuner with a digi-

superimposed on jobsite photographs, allowing users

tal processor, customizable equalizer, optimized speak-

to create and share detailed quotes containing pic-

er orientation, and an on-board bottle opener.

tures and comments. www.boschtools.com

www.milwaukeetool.com

The Fluke 805 vibration meter is designed for mechanical troubleshooting teams that need repeatable, severityscaled readings of overall vibration and bearing condition. A meter measures overall vibration as well as specific variables such as bearing condition and temperature. The combination vibration and force sensor tip compensates for user variance (force or angle). Sensor sensitivity can read a range of frequencies (10 to 1000 Hz and 4000 to 20 000 Hz). http://en-us.fluke.com

Adrian Steel’s P2TCS14 features all steel panels that safeguard the cab area against mov-

Dexter + Chaney, developer of Spectrum Construction Soft-

ing and shifting cargo. The recessed design

ware, has designed the Field Tech service management ap-

allows for maximum adjustability of the front

plication for technicians and other field operations staff to

seats and provides storage space for a six-foot

remotely access, create and update work orders in the field.

stepladder in the back of the long wheelbase

Using a tablet device, technicians can access the app on

transit connect. The perforated window pro-

Spectrum’s dashboard, log in and see work orders or jobs

vides visibility of the cargo area and rear win-

they have been assigned. All of Field Tech’s functionality, in-

dows. The steel header and full perimeter

cluding login, work order creation, and data entry, are inte-

wings provide security, climate control and

grated and synchronized with Spectrum applications. www.dexterchaney.com

sound deadening. www.adriansteel.com

Motion Computing’s CL920 tablet platform is

ECHOtape has launched

10.1 in. and weighs less than 2 lbs. It runs Win-

a line of repair tapes for

dows 7 or Windows 8.1 and features the latest

building contractors to

Quad Core Intel Pentium processor. The CL920

provide an alternative to

is 69 per cent faster than the previous CL model

duct tape. The all-pur-

and 4G LTE ensures rapid connectivity, while

pose repair tape, all-

SnapWorks by Motion image capture software increases efficiency and productivity. The

weather repair tape and heavy-duty all-leak repair tape are

tablet is MIL-STD-810G and IP52 tested, built around an internal magnesium frame and

each designed to provide solutions for repairs, sealing

fortified with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. www.motioncomputing.com

and waterproofing needs. www.echotape.com

HPAC | February 2015

hpacmag.com

Stainless steel grinder blade

• Cost effective solution for above the floor bathroom installations • Access cover for easy maintenance • Only 3/4” or 1” diameter discharge pipe • Pre-assembled 1 HP unit with two extra inlets for the addition of a sink, tub or shower.

↑ 25 ft. ↑ and/or ←150 ft.→

1-800-363-5874 saniflo.ca

• Available in round front and elongated (ADA compliant) bowl styles

A PUMP COMPANY SINCE 1958

1.28 GPF

< refrigeration

Ice Machine Basics BY Mark Masterson

here are many choices of commercial ice machines on the market today. While you might think that the technology for making ice has changed little over the years, this is actually not the case. Technology has advanced and so have commercial ice machines. Now machines are more energy and water efficient than ever before, and ozone-depleting refrigerants have been phased out.

TYPES OF MACHINES Ice machines are classified in four main ways: by profile, by capacity and ice production, how they are cooled and by the type of ice they make. Profile – Refers to the type of space into which the ice machine goes, such as under a counter or on top of a soda machine. Capacity and Ice Production – How much ice (in pounds) can the machine hold, whether there is a storage bin, and how much ice can it produce in a day. Cooling Mechanism – You have the choice between air cooled and water cooled. Types of Ice – Full cubes, half cubes, nuggets, and flake ice are predominant, though there are many others. 66

HPAC | february 2015

PROFILES Under the Counter - Under the counter ice machines find applications in both residential and business settings. Units can range in price from $350 up to $2,000 depending on capacity, how fast it can make the ice, and the ice type. It is important to measure the space that the machine will go into, remembering that most ice machines operate best with six to eight inches of clearance. Other ice machines require no side or rear clearance. Stand Alone Ice Dispensers - By far the most common ice machines in a commercial setting are freestanding units. These are suited to restaurants, institutional applications and other settings where a substantial amount of ice is needed for day-to-day use. These can come in several different varieties. Some are all-in-one cabinets that include ice storage. Others just produce ice and must be attached to a separate storage bin. Very large units are sometimes split into separate condenser and ice making components. Portable ice making unit - These machines are an option for those who require less than approximately 35 pounds of ice in a day. The best part about these machines is that they make ice within a matter of minutes. They are priced between $150 and $300. hpacmag.com

“Capacity, energy use and the amount of ice made each day are the major factors.” TYPES OF COMPRESSORS There is some debate over which type of compressor in an ice machine is more energy and/or water efficient. In general, air cooled compressors use more energy and water cooled compressors use more water. Nowadays, water conservation is more important than ever and those of us with access to clean water would be mindful not to waste it. Water cooled ice machines keep their condensers cool by using water and running it over the condenser and then purging it from the ice machine. In a single day, the largest water cooled ice machine may run through over 5000 gallons of water or more when operating at maximum effort. That number adds up very quickly, especially if the ice machine is in use every day. Some businesses simply have no other option and must use a water cooled ice machine to keep ice production consistent. Water cooled systems have an advantage if you need ice in a very hot environment, since they can work at a higher temperature range. Air cooled machines use less water, but are higher in overall energy cost and require certain ambient temperature ranges around the unit. Some units split the compressor and ice making components to draw cooler air from outside or within the building toward the ice maker. In some locations this is vital to avoid heating up the space where the ice machine will be used, such as in a cafeteria. These split machines are also quieter. Study manufacturers’ literature carefully and look at overall cost comparisons when specifying a machine. Capacity, energy use and the amount of ice made each day are the major factors. Since there are hundreds of machines on the market, the ENERGY STAR (www.energystar.gov) website is a good place to start.

ICE TYPES Most ice types can be divided into four main varieties: cubes, nuggets, flakes, and gourmet. Different types of ice are for different uses. Cubes and nuggets are mostly used for cooling drinks. Cube ice is preferred in bars, though some are turning to specialty gourmet-shaped cubes for effect. Machines that make gourmet cubes can be quite expensive. Nugget ice is much easier to chew and is a favourite of some fast food restaurants and in health settings. Flake ice is used in snow cones and in display cases. The ice that is used to cool fresh fish on display is an example of flake ice. With literally hundreds of commercial ice machines on hpacmag.com

Flaker ice machine for supermarket meat and fish displays.

the market at any given time, nothing replaces careful consideration about what type of ice machine is best for your clients’ needs and what size and type of machine is suited to the application. <> Mark Masterson is with www.IceMachinesPlus.com, where he provides information and advice to contractors and purchasing managers about best practices when choosing ice machines.

february 2015 | HPAC

Training

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS CANADA LEED Canada

NAIT

Canada Green Building Council workshops include LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation, Net Positive Energy Buildings, and Introduction to the LEED-v4 Rating System, tel. 866.941.1184. www.cagbc.org

The North Alberta Institute of Technology is offering a Hydronic Designer Core I (HDRO370) continuous intake distance learning course. Students have nine months to complete six modules: heat, boilers, heat loss, blueprint reading, building construction and system design factors.

Dollars to $ense Energy Management Workshops

www.nait.ca/course_hdro370.htm

The Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada has workshops focused on energy management, recomissioning, energy monitoring and financing. A workshop schedule is available online.

CSA Learning Institute

www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca

The CSA Learning Institute course calendar of classroom, on-site and online training is available at www.csa.ca/cm/ca/en/training

Canadian Hydronics Council

TECA Quality First Training

The Art of Hydronic Fundamentals course is a starting point for those interested in installing hydronic-heating systems. The Essentials of Hydronic System Design intermediate level program helps practitioners understand key design principles and the different options and solutions required to meet client needs. Course descriptions and training schedules are available online. www.ultimatecomfort.ca

To register for the Quality First hydronic, forced air and ventilation training courses offered by the Thermal Environmental Comfort Association, tel. 604.594.5956. www.teca.ca

Canadian GeoExchange Coalition The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition provides training for commercial and residential system designers through its academic network in seven provinces.

www.geoexchange.ca

HRAI SkillTech Academy This education division of HRAI offers residential and commercial courses, including Radiant Hydronic Design, Air System Design and Mechanical Ventilation. For more information contact Dorothy Allen by e-mail: dallen@hrai.ca.

www.hrai.ca/skilltechtraining.html

See p 70 for calendar

THE SOURCE

Advertisers in this issue A.O. Smith......................................................www.hotwater.com.................................................................. page 4 Adrian Steel...................................................www.adriansteel.com............................................................ page 58 Amvic............................................................www.amvicsystem.com........................................................page MH3 Bardon Supplies............................................. www.bardonsupplies.com...................................................... page 17 Brant Radiant Heaters.................................... www.brantradiant.com........................................................... page 63 Caleffi............................................................www.caleffi.us.....................................................................page MH7 Chemfax........................................................ www.chemfax.com............................................................page MH25 Daikin............................................................www.daikincomfort.com........................................................page 2, 3 Delta..............................................................www.deltacommercialfaucets.ca............................................... page 7 HBX Control Systems.....................................www.hbxcontrols.com........................................................page MH31 Hilmor............................................................www.hilmor.com/swage........................................................... page 9 Insulation Solutions........................................www.insulationsolutions.com.............................................page MH20 IPEX..............................................................www.ipexinc.com................................................................... page 13 Liberty Pumps................................................ www.libertypumps.com.......................................................... page 71 Lochinvar.......................................................www.lochinvar.com............................................................page MH32 M&G Duravent................................................www.duravent.com................................................................ page 15 Master Group.................................................www.master.ca..................................................................... page 57 MCEE............................................................www.mcee.ca....................................................................... page 69 Navien............................................................www.navien.com...............................................................page MH15 NTI................................................................www.nythermal.com..........................................................page MH27 Saniflo...........................................................www.saniflo.ca...................................................................... page 65 Switch the 'Stat.............................................www.switchthestat.ca............................................................ page 62 Taco..............................................................www.taco-hvac.com...........................................................page MH11 Uponor...........................................................www.uponor.ca..................................................................page MH17 Victaulic........................................................ www.victaulic.com/balancing.............................................page MH19 Viega............................................................. www.viega.ca........................................................................ page 55 Viessmann..................................................... www.viessmann.ca..............................................................page MH2 Watts.............................................................www.watts.ca........................................................................ page 72 Wilo...............................................................www.wilo-canada.com........................................................page MH21 Zurn............................................................... www.zurn.com....................................................................... page 54 68

HPAC | february 2015

MCEE MÉCANEX/CLIMATEX/EXPOLECTRIQ/ÉCLAIRAGE

Canada’s largest trade show for plumbing, HVACR, hydronics, electricity and lighting.

Free Registration up to April 21 2015 120,000 square feet of new products, new technologies and new ideas.

APRIL 22 & 23 2015 Place Bonaventure Montréal, Québec

www.mcee.ca Produced by:

In collaboration with:

Calendar 2015

FOR THE LATEST EVENT NEWS SEE HPAC'S NEWSLETTER @ hpacmag.com MCAA Annual Convention March 8-12

HVACR & Mechanical Conference March 9-11

ISH March 10-14

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America’s annual convention will be held at the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Maui, HI.

The HVACR & Mechanical Conference for education professionals will take place at the Conference Center at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, MD.

ISH is the world’s leading trade fair for water and energy. The event will take place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

www.mcaa.org

www.instructorworkshop.org

www.ish.messefrankfurt.com

ACCA Conference & IE3 Expo March 16-19

NEBB Annual Conference April 16-18

MCEE April 22-23

The ACCA 2015 and IE3: The Indoor Environment & Energy Expo will take place at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, TX.

The National Environmental Balancing Bureau will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa in Honolulu, HI.

Canada’s largest exhibition for plumbing, HVAC, hydronics, electricity and lighting will take place at Place Bonaventure in Montreal, QC.

www.acca.org

www.nebb.org

NFSA Annual Seminar and North American Fire Sprinkler Expo April 30-May 2

RSES Canada Conference May 21-23

CIPH Ontario Region Conference May 22-24

The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (Canada) will hold its conference at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, AB.

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating will hold its Ontario Region conference at Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls, ON.

The National Fire Sprinkler Association will hold its annual seminar and expo at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL.

www.nfsa.org

www.rsescanada.com

CIPH Annual Business Conference June 14-16

OPIA Annual Meeting & Educational Seminar June 14-16

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating will hold its 83rd annual business conference at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, QC.

www.mcee.ca

www.ciph.com

CleanerHeat Symposium June 17-18

The Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association is holding its 85th annual meeting at the Kempenfelt Conference Centre in Innisfil, ON.

The Canadian Oil Heat Association will hold its annual symposium at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax, NS.

www.coha.ca

www.ciph.com

www.opia.info/members

ASHRAE Annual Conference June 27-July 1

HRAI Annual Meeting and Conference August 26-29

Modern Hydronics-Summit 2015 September 10

The annual ASHRAE conference will be held in Atlanta, GA. It will have a strong focus on the design, construction and operation of high performance buildings.

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada will host its 47th annual meeting and conference at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, ON.

The second hydronics-only event will be held at the International Centre at 6900 Mississauga Rd. in Mississauga, ON.

www.ashrae.org

Green Building Festival October 1

CIPHEX Roadshow October 15-November 18

The Green Building Festival, presented by Sustainable Buildings Canada, will take place at Daniels Spectrum in Toronto, ON.

The CIPHEX Roadshow will make stops in Burnaby, BC on October 15; Edmonton, AB on October 20; Regina, SK on October 22; Brandon, MB on October 28; and St. Johns, NL on November 18.

Construct Canada December 2-4 The 27th annual event will be held concurrently with PM Expo, HomeBuilder & Renovator Expo and Concrete Canada in the South Building, and Construct International and IIDEXCanada in the North Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

www.constructcanada.com 70

HPAC | february 2015

Greenbuild International Conference & Expo November 18-22 Greenbuild, the world’s largest annual conference and expo dedicated to green building, will take place in Washington, DC. Venue TBA.

www.greenbuildexpo.org

www.ciphexroadshow.ca

2016

www.sbcanada.org

www.modernhydronicssummit.com

www.hrai.ca

CMPX March 16-18 The Canadian Mechanical & Plumbing Exposition (CMPX), Canada’s national show for the mechanicals industry, will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, ON.

www.cmpxshow.com

hpacmag.com

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