HPAC February 2021

HANDS-FREE WASHROOMS

ONLINE MARCH 30 & 31, 12 - 3:30 PM EST

2021 REFRIGERANT UPDATE

FEBRUARY 2021

Speakers include: Siegenthaler, Bean, Miller, Goldie, Bennett, MacNevin

FAILURE TO IGNITE

Topics include: -

Air-to-Water Heat Pumps Reducing Water Temperature in Existing Hydronic Systems Energy Metering Selling Hydronics to Builders Buffer Tanks Snow and Ice Melt More to come! winners will be announced

by Siggy & the Bean!

MODERN HYDRONICS SUMMIT PREVIEW

SOLVING GAS FURNACE LOCK OUTS

THE

INSTALLATION CONTEST

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CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2021 / VOL. 95 NO. 1

Diagnosing gas furnace ignition lockouts.

10

FEATURES

51

54 HPACMAG.COM

10 COVER STORY

54

HVAC WHAT TO DO ABOUT GAS FURNACE IGNITION LOCKOUTS. Regular cleaning and maintenance goes a long way to ensuring fewer no heat calls and furnace lock outs.

By Ian McTeer

PLUMBING NEXT-LEVEL TOUCHLESS TECHNOLOGY The evolution of electronicallycontrolled hands-free fixtures is leading to the connected Smart Washroom.

By Doug Picklyk

51

58

PLUMBING HELPING HANDS-FREE The pandemic has placed more attention on touchless plumbing fixtures in both public spaces and at home.

By Steve Goldie

REFRIGERATION 2021 REFRIGERANT UPDATE Experts discuss the changing refrigerant landscape and lessons learned from past refrigerant conversions in this second edition of HPAC Magazine’s 30 Mechanical Minutes free webinar series.

By Doug Picklyk CONTINUED ON P4 FEBRUARY 2021 | HPAC

3

CONTENTS ALSO INSIDE

MODERN HYDRONICS 2021 SPRING

B.C. HIGH SCHOOL EMBRACES LOW-TEMP SYSTEM GEOTHERMAL CONTROL ISSUES

FLOW ENERGY ...

DON'T WASTE IT Optimizing design for greater efficiency COVID-19 AND HYDRONICS FLAME-FREE PIPING SOLUTIONS MODERN HYDRONICS SUMMIT PREVIEW

a publication of

FEBRUARY 2021 / VOL. 95 NO. 1

MH4

MH20

SYSTEM ENERGY FLOW ENERGY… DON’T WASTE IT Taking steps to streamline and optimize the flow within a hydronic design adds to system efficiency.

By John Siegenthaler

SUMMIT PREVIEW 5TH EDITION OF MODERN HYDRONICS - THE SUMMIT The session-packed 2021 Modern Hydronics Summit will be held online using a virtual event platform that enables live text and video chat.

By HPAC Staff

MH8 HEAT EMMITERS NEW SCHOOL, NEW HYDRONIC TECHNOLOGY The recently-opened New Westminster Secondary School is operating with a low-temperature hydronic system and efficient heat emitter solutions.

By Cyrus Kangarloo

MH12 DEPARTMENTS 6 UPFRONT 7 NEWS FEATURE Canada’s ‘A Healthy Environment’ plan includes $2.6B for home energy efficiency grants.

8 INDUSTRY NEWS 49 MECHANICAL SUPPLY NEWS 50 PEOPLE 61 THE SOURCE 62 CALENDAR

MH8 4

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

BOILERS BRIDGE TECHNOLOGY Ontario-based iGEN Technologies has developed a residential micro-CHP (combined heat and power) boiler.

By Doug Picklyk

MH16 CONTROLS OVER CONTROLLING After years of experience, it’s time to share my thoughts on geothermal system design and how we can all create better solutions.

By Curtis Bennett

MH12

MH21 EXHIBIT HALL MODERN HYDRONICS SUMMIT PRODUCT PREVIEW

MH24 COVID-19-19 SARS-COV-2 AND MUTATIONS: WHAT IS THE MESSAGE FOR HYDRONICS? During a pandemic, the ability to separate thermal comfort systems from indoor air quality provides an inherent advantage.

By Robert Bean

MH26 PIPING NO TORCHES NEEDED The introduction of materials like flexible tubing and press fittings is revolutionizing and benefiting the hydronics industry in many positive ways—are you on board?

By John Siegenthaler

MH22 HPACMAG.COM

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< UPFRONT COMMUNITY WELCOME TO 2021. As unsettling as last year was for everyone dealing with confusing pandemic guidelines—for both work and our day-to-day lives—it seems now people and businesses have more or less adapted and although we’re not back to normal, we’ve settled into new routines.

Having overcome the first year of living in a pandemic, the battle continues to eliminate the virus and free our country from its grip, but we’re also now able to shift our focus back to some other big-picture topics. One of those issues is the real concern about the aging workforce in the trades and the lack of new apprentices coming behind to fill the gaps.

In a study released by Statistics Canada last fall, examining the period between 2008 to 2016, researchers found that among apprentices who had registered in training across all skilled trades, only 16% obtained their certificate in the expected amount of time, while 64% remained in their program for an extended period and 20% left their programs. Overall, just over one third ever completed their programs.

They identified that working conditions and wages during apprenticeship placements play a role, and the data did show that those who had well-paying apprenticeship positions were also more likely to become certified.

There is something to be said for taking in aspiring young talent and exposing them to positive experiences to learn and grow.

One of our readers recently shared with me that he sees the “generational shift” that’s happening, and as a business owner he’s reading articles about how to "retain", "engage" and "communicate" with the younger generation.

He raises a strong point, that it’s not just attracting people to the industry, but keeping them once they’re here.

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed in my brief time observing the plumbing the HVAC/R industries it’s the strong sense of community among colleagues.

Talk about standing proud and sharing good will. Maybe this is a nod to the “newer” generation, but I’ve found plenty of examples that make me smile on Instagram.

In fact, we here at HPAC have been inspired by the many talented plumbing and heating professionals that make up the hydronics industry across Canada openly sharing project photos, and subsequently receiving praise and scores of “likes” from industry colleagues. Those expressions of community support led to us launch our Sweet Heat contest last Fall. We’ve invited hydronic pros from across the country to send us photos of some of their recent challenging projects, and I have to say we’ve been thrilled with the response. The entries will ultimately be judged by our resident hydronics industry experts John Siegenthaler and Robert Bean, and the winner and runners up will be announced on the final day of our Modern Hydronics Summit (March 30-31).

It’s not too late, and we’re still accepting entries for the Sweet Heat contest until March 12—you’ll find the details at hpacmag.com or you can e-mail me for more information.

It’s our pleasure to be able to promote and expose the great work being done across the country. This is one small way we’re showing our pride in being part of this community. <>

– Doug Picklyk, Editor 6

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

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EDITOR Doug Picklyk (416) 510-5218 DPicklyk@hpacmag.com ASSOCIATE David Skene (416) 510-6884 PUBLISHER DSkene@hpacmag.com MEDIA DESIGNER Emily Sun esun@annexbusinessmedia.com ACCOUNT Kim Rossiter (416) 510-6794 COORDINATOR krossiter@hpacmag.com

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NEWS FEATURE

SEE THE LATEST NEWS @ HPACMAG.COM

CANADA’S ‘A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT’ PLAN INCLUDES $2.6B FOR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANTS

HPACMAG.COM

PHOTO: PI-LENS/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES

The Federal Government has unveiled details on its efforts to promote healthy and energy efficient communities, including grants for home owners and working with the provinces/territories to create a new ‘retrofit’ code for existing buildings.

Overall, the new federal A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy plan includes 64 new measures and $15 billion in investments in addition to the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s (CIB) $6 billion for clean infrastructure announced early last fall.

The federal plan is designed to cut pollution, and create thousands of jobs in construction, technology, manufacturing and sales.

The government plan will: • Invest $1.5 billion over three years for green and inclusive community buildings, and require that at least 10% of the funding be allocated to projects serving First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

• Provide $2.6 billion over seven years to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient. This funding will provide grants of up to $5,000, up to one million free EnerGuide assessments, and support to recruit and train EnerGuide auditors.

• Continue working with and building on successful provincial and territorial lowincome retrofit programs to increase the number of low-income households that benefit from energy retrofits.

• Continue to work with provincial and territorial governments to develop a new model ’retrofit‘ code for existing buildings by 2022, with the goal of collaborating with provinces and territories to have this code in place by 2025.

• Develop a simple, low-cost loan program that integrates and builds on energy audits and grants to finance

deeper home energy retrofits for homeowners.

• Work with the building materials sector and other stakeholders to develop a robust, low-emission building materials supply chain to ensure Canadian, locally-sourced products are available, including low-carbon cement, energyefficient windows and insulation.

• Conduct Canada’s first-ever national infrastructure assessment, starting in 2021, to help identify needs and priorities in the built environment, and undertake long-term planning toward a net-zero emissions future.

• Invest $2 billion in financing commercial and large-scale building retrofits, which will be repaid by energy savings costs. This commitment is part of the CIB’s $10 billion Growth Plan.

The Feds will also expand the supply of clean electricity through investments in renewable and next-generation clean energy and technology, and encourage cleaner modes of transportation, such as low and zero-emission vehicles (ZEV): A 100% tax write off for commercial light-duty, medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs is included, and they will invest an

additional $287 million over two years to continue the ‘Incentives for ZeroEmission Vehicles’ program until March 2022. The program provides a rebate of up to $5,000 on a light-duty zero-emission vehicle.

And to make clean, affordable electricity options more available, the government will: • Invest an additional $964 million over four years to advance smart renewable energy and grid modernization projects.

• Invest an additional $300 million over five years to advance the government’s commitment to ensure rural, remote and Indigenous communities that currently rely on diesel have the opportunity to be powered by cleaner, reliable energy by 2030.

• Work with provinces and territories to connect parts of Canada that have clean hydroelectricity with parts that are currently more dependent on fossil fuels for electricity generation.

The government will also continue elevating the price on carbon pollution, and moving forward it proposes to: • Continue to put a price on pollution through to 2030, rising at $15 per tonne after 2022.

• Leveraging the Government of Canada’s purchasing power to support emerging clean technologies across Canada’s economic sectors, such as technologies to reduce emissions in federal buildings.

The government will also work with small businesses to get their feedback on all potential ways to further support them in taking action to reduce emissions, including through rebates, targeted investments, and other supports. canada.ca/en/environment-climatechange FEBRUARY 2021 | HPAC

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INDUSTRY NEWS SEE THE LATEST NEWS @ HPACMAG.COM

OTTAWA ARENA CONVERTED TO ZERO CARBON BUILDING Modern Niagara, the national mechanical, elecPHOTO COURTESY MODERN NIAGARA trical and integrated building technology contractor, has converted the AMPED Sports Lab and Ice Complex in Ottawa into North America’s first arena to be Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) certified. The project achieved its certification in December 2020 through the Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) Zero Carbon Building Program.

“We believe that what we accomplished at AMPED Sports Lab and Ice Complex represents a step in the right direction towards building a more sustainable future,” said Brad McAninch, CEO of Modern Niagara Group, in a company release. “While converting AMPED into the world’s first arena to achieve the Zero Carbon Building Performance Standard certification did not come without challenges, I see this achievement as a great opportunity for Canada’s infrastructure more generally.”

All fossil fuel consumption related to building energy use was eliminated on-site and converted to electric-based alternatives. Custom-designed and built rooftop units (RTUs) were manufactured with heat pumps and electric heat backup instead of the traditional direct expansion (DX) coil and gas-fired burner to achieve the goal.

Also, the arena dehumidification system was retrofitted with a custom-built liquid dessicant air-conditioned unit, equipped with refrigeration DX system reheat. These custom units provided the highest possible efficiency while helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also, the gas-fired domestic water heaters were replaced with heat pump water heaters.

To better manage building performance, including the icemaking process, an automation and metering system was installed. Used in combination with a real-time analytics software package, it optimizes building and process control and performance, enhances maintenance services, and assists in the continuous commissioning of the facility to ensure energy savings persist.

The chiller system used to make ice for the rink also had an energy optimization automation system installed to ensure run times and sequencing are automatically adjusted to drive efficiencies. Heat reclaim from the Ammonia-based chiller was considered however the ROI was excessive for the low amount of high-temperature heat available.

The lighting systems were also retrofitted to high-efficiency LED, and to provide clean electricity a 136 kW solar photovoltaic array was installed. modernniagara.com 8

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

LETTER TO THE EDITOR RE: ‘Things I Have Seen’ (Dec. 2020) Excellent article by [Ian] McTeer. I liked especially his comment that an approved heating plan, with room air flow values, should be posted (permanently) in every residential installation.

- Don MacMillan, P.Eng., retired and former member of ASHRAE 62.1 Committee MEET SHOW DELAYED TO 2022 Organizers behind the MEET Show have announced its postponement to 2022.

Already rescheduled twice from its original May 2020 date due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the eastern Canada industry event including a trade show and educational sessions will now take place May 4-5, 2022 at the Moncton Coliseum Complex.

“We were optimistic that we’d be able to proceed with the event this May, but the current situation means we’ll need to wait a while longer before we can get everyone together in Moncton,” said show manager Shawn Murphy. “We know that both exhibitors and attendees are excited to get back to faceto-face events and we will provide the environment to do just that – as soon as it is safe to do so.” MEETshow.ca ASHRAE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING AIRBORNE INFECTIOUS EXPOSURE The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force released a new one-page guidance document to address control of airborne infectious aerosol exposure and has also provided specific recommendations for communities of faith buildings.

An infectious aerosol is a suspension in air of fine particles or droplets containing pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus that can cause infections when inhaled. They can be produced by breathing, talking, sneezing as well as by flushing toilets and by certain medical and dental procedures.

ASHRAE’s Core Recommendations for Reducing Airborne Infectious Aerosol Exposure concisely summarizes the main points from the detailed guidance documents produced by the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force. They are based on the concept that ventilation, filtration and air cleaners can be combined to achieve exposure reduction goals subject to constraints that may include comfort, energy use and costs.

“This guidance outlines a clear approach for lessening the risk of infectious aerosol exposure for building occupants that can be applied in a wide range of applications,” said William HPACMAG.COM

INDUSTRY NEWS > CMPX 2022 DATES CONFIRMED Jointly produced by the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), the biennial Canadian Mechanical and Plumbing Exposition (CMPX) returns March 2325, 2022 to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre following the postponement of the 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. cmpxshow.com Bahnfleth, ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force chair. “ASHRAE’s Core Recommendations are based on an equivalent clean air supply approach that allows the effects of filters, air cleaners, and other removal mechanisms to be added together to achieve an exposure reduction target.”

Specific recommendations include the following: Public Health Guidance • Follow all regulatory and statutory requirements and recommendations.

Ventilation, Filtration, Air Cleaning • Outdoor airflow rates guidance for ventilation as specified by applicable codes and standards.

• Recommendations on filters and air cleaners that achieve MERV 13 or better levels of performance.

• Air cleaners usage.

• Control options that provide desired exposure reduction while minimizing associated energy penalties.

• Air Distribution • Promote the mixing of space air.

HVAC System Operation • Maintain temperature and humidity design set points.

• Maintain equivalent clean air supply required for design occupancy.

• Operate systems for a time required to achieve three air changes of equivalent clean air supply.

System Commissioning • Verify that HVAC systems are func-

tioning as designed.

The Epidemic Task Force 18-page ‘Communities of Faith Buildings’ guidance provide a plan for implementing short- and long-term HVAC strategies to reduce the possibilities of virus transmission in places of worship. The document also helps communities move toward a new ‘normal’ operation after the public health emergency ends.

Recommendations for Communities of Faith include the following: • Identify HVAC system characteristics. Compile and review operation and maintenance manuals and schedules.

• Verify HVAC systems are well maintained and operating as intended.

For maintenance, follow ASHRAE Standard 180 – 2018, • Standard Practice for the Inspection

,%33 '2)0%

and Maintenance of Commercial HVAC Systems.

• Consider PPE when maintaining HVAC systems including filters, coils and drain pans.

• Operate HVAC systems, if present, with system fan set to run continuously when building is occupied for services or cleaning.

• Operate the system for a time required to achieve three equivalent air changes of outdoor air (effect of outdoor air, filtration and air cleaners) before the first daily occupancy and between occupied periods, if appropriate. Three equivalent air changes can be calculated using ASHRAE’s Building Readiness Guide.

To view more ASHRAE guidance, visit ashrae.org/COVID-19.

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< HVAC

WHAT TO DO ABOUT GAS FURNACE IGNITION LOCKOUTS

BY IAN McTEER

Regular cleaning and maintenance goes a long way to ensuring fewer no heat calls and furnace lock outs.

CREDIT: DIRECTOR/GETTY IMAGES

T

he gold standard for reliable gas ignition and dependable operation of residential gas furnaces and water heaters, for many decades, was the standing pilot using a thermocouple to prove flame. Service technicians carried replacement thermocouples, a length of aluminum pilot tubing, sometimes a pilot burner assembly or two and a bunch of ferrules as standard truck stock.

Often times, cleaning combustion debris from the pilot burner assembly allowing the flame to properly envelop the thermocouple proved to be all the servicing needed. Service techs could install a thermocouple adaptor into the gas valve millivolt circuit, take a reading with a millivolt meter and determine the performance of the flame proving system based on adequate millivoltage output. Even today, taking the time to confirm the flame signal is always a good insurance policy providing some protection from no heat callbacks.

Although very robust and reliable, the traditional standing pilot ignition system wasted large amounts of natural gas and propane. Just imagine subdivisions full of gas furnaces and water heaters running standing pilots 24 hours per day

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HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

all year. Eliminating such waste in the name of energy conservation and improved efficiency proved to be a wise decision made by governments and manufacturers alike.

Standing pilot equipped furnaces are a thing of the past, but safely igniting an otherwise dangerous hydrocarbon fuel along with proving the presence of a sturdy flame continue to be the most important tasks of any ignition control system.

TYPES OF IGNITION SYSTEMS The two main manufacturers of gas ignition control systems used with modern high efficiency residential gas furnaces are Honeywell and White-Rodgers. Here is a look at the ignition and flame proving characteristics of several types of controls manufactured by one or the other over the years.

Intermittent Pilot: Typical is the Honeywell S8610U Control Module VR8345 gas valve and a spark lit pilot assembly with flame rod. On every call for heat, the pilot is lit, and the pilot flame is proven before the main gas valve can open to feed the burner assembly.

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Honeywell Smart Valve: Like Honeywell’s intermittent product except the pilot flame is ignited by a small hot surface igniter.

Direct Burner Hot Surface Ignition: Both Honeywell and White-Rodgers market this type of ignition system in which the main burner is lit directly by the hot surface igniter and flame is proven by a remote flame rod within a specific timing sequence.

Direct Burner Spark Ignition: A Honeywell system using its S87D ignition control along with a spark unit and a remote flame sensor.

In the example (Figure 1, right), a spark lit pilot plays a flame on the flame rod and on the main burner. Flame is proven and main burner lights off. Pilot stays lit throughout the call for heat.

Furnace manufacturers using White-Rodgers ignition controls, for example, will install a silicon nitride hot surface ignitor at one end of the burner train and mount a flame rod in front of the last burner in the train. Instead of proving a pilot flame, the remote sensor location at the far end of the train will generate a flame signal once the last burner is lit.

“Service technicians need a wealth of information and experience in dealing with ignition lockout problems.”

FLAME PROVING Ignition control modules employing a remote flame sensor rely on a phenomenon known as flame rectification as proof that fuel delivered to the burners is alight. The phenomenal part of flame rectification has to do with the fact that as gas burns, electrons are released from the fuel molecules creating an ionized envelope around the flame rod. The flame then acts as path for electric current.

The remote flame rod is continually powered by the control board and is located within a specified distance from the gas burner. Once enveloped in the gas flame, AC current available at the flame rod can pass through the ionized envelope to ground by way of the burner head. Since the burner surface area is much larger than the flame rod, electron flow is greater in one direction than the other. (Figure 2) In the process, AC current is partially rectified into a pulsing DC signal that travels back to the control board through the chassis ground. Once the control board receives the pulsing DC signal within a specified time limit, it will allow the combustion process to continue.

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HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

Figure 1. Spark lit pilot and burner.

Simply stated: the voltage source is the ignition control board; the “load” is the flame sensing circuitry inside the control board; the conductors are the flame rod and burner head; the flame allows the circuit to be completed.

IGNITION LOCKOUTS The ignition sequence of a typical draft induced gas furnace is a highly regulated process. Once a call for heat has been received by the ignition control, it does an internal self-check (verifies limit switches are closed, pressure switches are open, no flame signal exists) and some boards will “exercise” board mounted relays.

Then, the draft inducer starts, and the board waits for one (or more) pressure switches to close thus proving adequate venting of combustion products will occur. The board then powers the hot surface ignitor, 20 seconds later the gas valve will open allowing fuel to flow to the main burners.

The board will only wait for five seconds to receive the partially HPACMAG.COM

FIGURE 3 PHOTO: TONY JURY

Fig. 2. This White-Rodgers flame rod has approximately 45 volts AC to ground available as long as power is supplied to the furnace. Manufacturers specify the location and spacing of the ignitor and flame rod.

rectified pulsing DC signal otherwise the gas valve will close.

The board will initiate an interpurge period keeping the draft inducer running for 60 seconds clearing out any unburned natural gas or propane from the combustion chamber and venting.

After interpurge is completed, the board will try two more times to establish a flame in the same manner as the first trial for ignition. If no signal is received after the third trial for ignition, the board goes into lockout for 300 seconds (five minutes). LED equipped control boards will typically flash a red LED two times indicating flame failure – retries exceeded.

Many generations of control systems have produced significant changes to ignition control board characteristics, for example, older White-Rodgers integrated furnace controls (IFCs) utilizing silicon carbide hot surface igniters often had 30-second pre-purge periods, and igniter warm-up times as long as 45 seconds in some cases. Some controls lock out for one hour but can be re-set by removing and restoring the 120-volt power supply.

IFC’s also have a “wait” state in which the draft inducer and main blower fan will run, literally waiting, until the problem is fixed. Service technicians need a wealth of information and experience in dealing with ignition lockout problems.

• Cements and glues • Paint remover and varnish • Anti-static fabric softener As these particles and chemicals pass through the combustion process their residues are deposited onto the flame rod, starting a process of electrical insulation that eventually completely disrupts the flame signal (Figure 3, above).

The flame rod should be cleaned with a non-abrasive mateContinued on p14

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WHAT CAUSES LOCKOUTS? I’m going to take a flying leap into the pool of potential noheat issues and say that lack of maintenance is the number one reason for lockouts.

There is no such thing as clean combustion air, even outdoor air contains cosmic dust, thousands of tons of it fall to earth every year. Household air used for combustion also contains dust, sand particles, pollen, dander, furniture and carpet fibers not to mention corrosive chemicals such as: • Permanent wave solutions • Chlorinated waxes and cleaners • Chlorine-based swimming pool chemicals • De-icing salts/chemicals

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< HVAC

Continued from p13

WHAT TO DO ABOUT LOCKOUTS The following images represent some common fault issues, fixes and cautionary tales.

equal increased resistance, which means reduced current, i.e., lower flame signal and potential lockout.

There’s nothing more annoying than a lockout that occurs occasionally, seemingly never while the technician is on site. In this case, at random, the flame rod was not engaged. When it did lightoff on the flame rod, a robust flame signal was generated.

A closer examination on the first visit might have caught the defective pilot burner rather than simply relying on flame signal alone. The replacement pilot burner (right) shows proper gapping.

Better to clean or to replace? If the ceramic and metal components are undamaged, cleaning with fine steel wool or non-abrasive plastic pad should work. Be sure to check the flame signal once the flame rod is re-installed.

Flame rectification circuit: Remember Ohm’s Law? What happens in a circuit if resistance increases and voltage stays the same? Corroded burners 14

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

Placing a DC microamme ter in series with the flame rod. Typically, one DC microamp is enough for the combustion cycle to continue, however, a much stronger signal is a good insurance policy against lockouts.

Newer control boards often provide easier access to the flame signal, such as via these solder pads. Simply touch the pads using a DC voltmeter and read-off the flame signal using this formula: 1 DC volt = 1 microamp.

Note: the manufacturer may warn that the DC voltage measured at the pads will vary depending on the VOM used and the voltage supplied to the furnace. In this case, the acceptable range is 0.75 to 3.0 DC microamps.

Hot surface igniter failures can cause lockouts. Formerly some of the furnace makers used White-Rodgers 80-volt ignitors. Since silicon nitride igniters are reasonably robust, the 80-volt system has become obsolete in favour of 120-volt igniters.

When replacing an igniter or a control board on older units, be sure the component voltages are a match. If a replacement control board comes as a kit including a new HSI, be sure to replace the existing igniter!

rial such as fine steel wool or a plastic scrub pad prior to every heating season.

Using sandpaper is not advised as it etches the surface of the rod creating spaces for more undesirable material to accumulate and may leave debris that reduces signal strength. A flame rod damaged by corrosive chemicals is a sure indication the furnace heat exchanger is in trouble too.

“While some lockouts may be declared a ‘nuisance’, some items also casually related to the IFC must be examined” OTHER ISSUES Although a flame rod may have been thoroughly cleaned by a service technician, or even after a brand-new part has been installed, some gas furnaces may continue to lock out. As usual, the devil is in the details.

IFC’s typically look for a pulsing DC current measuring at least 1 dc microamp for combustion to continue. Some boards will flash a red LED light eight times to indicate the flame signal strength has declined to near minimum strength, a sure indication the flame sensing system needs maintenance.

While some lockouts may be declared to be a “nuisance”, some items also causally related to the IFC must be examined: • The furnace must have a good ground, all chassis ground connections must be tight. The household ground to the furnace must be connected back to the distribution Continued on p16 HPACMAG.COM

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Continued from p14

panel and should not have any voltage on it.

• Input voltage to the IFC should be close to the manufacturer’s requirement, typically 120-VAC +/- 10%. Check voltage at the board Line H and Line N input terminals.

Polarity must not be reversed.

• Gas pressure: Static pressure (should be around 7-in. w.c. before gas valve opens); working pressure (should not drop more than 1-in. w.c. below the static pressure after the gas valve opens); manifold pressure must meet appliance specifications.

Also, the burners must be in alignment, secure and clean.

The burner acting as the ground electrode will not conduct the flame signal if it is oxidized or if any of the cross lighters are rusty or plugged with debris (see Figures 5 and 6)

Figure 4. The pitting on this damaged flame rod means the quality of the combustion air must be examined for corrosive chemicals – normal gas combustion will not cause such damage. Be sure to inspect the flame rod ceramic insulator for cracks or other damage as a short to ground will prevent flame proving

“While it is possible the control board is at fault, it should not be replaced until all other potential faults have been eliminated.”

Figure 5. Severely corroded burner compared to a new one. Cross lighter is plugged with rust preventing proper flame propagation.

RECYCLE LOCKOUT? Because there is such a thing as a nuisance lockout, control board manufacturers (IFC manufacturers) include in the list of potential faults another lockout called “Recycles Exceeded.”

Retries exceeded, as we know, means the IFC tried to light the burner three times but failed. Each time an interpurge was required. However, combustion can be interrupted for other reasons and the control must respond immediately by closing the gas valve.

For example, strong winds blowing across or into the vent terminals could cause a pressure switch (PS) to open for a few seconds, interrupting combustion. Even though the gas valve closes, no interpurge happens as the IFC will have the HSI back on within seconds of the PS re-closing.

Assuming the burners light properly, combustion is restored, and no one is the wiser. This is called a re-cycle. Some IFC’s may allow this to happen up to 10 times in one call for heat; on the 11th time, the board locks out.

Many IFC’s do not distinguish a re-try lockout from a recycle lockout, the warning LED simply flashes the same number of times forcing the busy technician to do more time-consuming testing.

Newer IFC’s can generate a discrete error code or flash code thus differentiating a retry from a recycle lockout.

16

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

Figure 6. Just this much debris in a cross lighter can prevent flame propogation causing failure to establish a flame signal or even a flashback rough start.

In the end, while it is possible the most expensive item in the ignition system is at fault, i.e., the control board, it should not be replaced until all other potential faults have been eliminated as the source of nuisance lockouts. <> Ian McTeer is an HVAC consultant with 35 years of experience in the industry. He was most recently a field rep for Trane Canada DSO. McTeer is a refrigeration mechanic and Class 1 Gas technician.

HPACMAG.COM

MODERN HYDRONICS 2021 SPRING

B.C. HIGH SCHOOL EMBRACES LOW-TEMP SYSTEM GEOTHERMAL CONTROL ISSUES

FLOW ENERGY ...

DON'T WASTE IT Optimizing design for greater efficiency COVID-19 AND HYDRONICS FLAME-FREE PIPING SOLUTIONS MODERN HYDRONICS SUMMIT PREVIEW

a publication of

CONTENTS MH4 SYSTEM EFFICIENCY

MH20 SUMMIT PREVIEW

Taking steps to streamline and optimize the flow within a hydronic design contributes to the system’s overall efficiency.

By John Siegenthaler

The session-packed 2021 Modern Hydronics Summit will be held online using a virtual event platform that enables interactive features including live text and video chat.

By HPAC Staff

5th Edition of Modern Hydronics The Summit

Flow Energy… Don’t Waste It

MH8 HEAT EMMITERS

MH21 EXHIBIT HALL

New School, New Hydronic Technology

Modern Hydronics Summit Product Preview

The recently opened New Westminster Secondary School in B.C. is operating with a lowtemperature hydronic system and efficient heat emitter solutions.

By Cyrus Kangarloo

MH24 COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 and Mutations: What is the Message for Hydronics?

During a pandemic, in a cold-weather climate like Canada, the ability to separate thermal comfort systems from indoor air quality provides an inherent advantage.

By Robert Bean

MH12 BOILERS

Bridge Technology Ontario-based iGENTechnologies has developed a new combined heat and power boiler.

By Doug Picklyk

MH26 PIPING

No Torches Needed The introduction of flexible tubing materials and new press fittings is revolutionizing the hydronics industry in many positive ways.

By John Siegenthaler

MH16 CONTROLS Over Controlling

After years of experience, it’s time to share my thoughts on geothermal system design and how we can all create better solutions with more collaboration up front.

By Curtis Bennett

MODERN HYDRONICS

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MH2

SPRING 2021

MODERN HYDRONICS

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SYSTEM EFFICIENCY

FLOW ENERGY… DON’T WASTE IT Taking steps to streamline and optimize the flow within a hydronic design contributes to the system’s overall efficiency.

BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

A

sk most heating professionals about the energy used by the systems they design or install, and the responses are almost guaranteed to deal with “fuel“ energy (e.g., natural, gas, propane, oil, pellets, etc.) required by their systems.

With the exception of systems using electric boilers or heat pumps as their primary heat source, few heating pros give much thought to the electrical energy used in their systems. Perhaps they view such energy as trivial in comparison to fuel energy. They might regard it as simply a “parasitic” necessity for delivering heat produced by the highefficiency heat sources they install.

That mindset has a historical parallel in the auto industry. Think back to what automobiles looked like in the mid-twentieth century. Many had large exterior “appurtenances” such as out-swinging vent windows, flat-facing mirrors, hood ornaments, chrome trim, massive front ends, and other objects that were part of the auto persona of that time. A 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood weighed more than 5,000 lbs., about the same as a new F-150 pickup. That Cadillac also got about 10.5 miles per gallon.

In that era fuel was relatively cheap and seemingly endless in supply. There wasn’t much concern for increasing mileage by streamlining cars. Those V8 MH4

SPRING 2021

engines with 4-barrel carburetors had the power to overcome the drag. One of the most recognized auto designers of that era, Enzo Ferrari, expressed it well: “Aerodynamics are for people who can’t build engines…”

Today’s cars are very different. Many have streamlined bodies designed to minimize drag. Nearly all are significantly lighter than those of the midtwentieth century. These details are all aimed at increasing fuel mileage.

So why all the discussion of old automobiles? It's because today's hydronics industry, at times, seems to treat the energy used to move heat from where it’s generated to where it’s needed in the building with the same attitude of the mid-twentieth-century car designer.

If the heat isn’t moving along fast enough, or the flow path has high resistance, just use a larger circulator.

SIMPLE MULTIPLICATION Every component that has fluid passing through it dissipates head (mechanical energy) from that fluid. The amount of mechanical power required to push flow through a component, or a string of components in a series, can be calculated using the following formula.

Formula 1.

Where: Pm = mechanical power dissipated (watts) 0.4344 = a constant required by the units in the formula f = flow rate (gallons/minute) ∆P = pressure drop through the component(s) (psi) MODERN HYDRONICS

“We shouldn’t treat the electrical energy used by our distribution systems as trivial.”

The higher the flow rate, and the higher the pressure drop, the greater the mechanical power dissipated.

Here’s an example: How much mechanical power will be required to move 120F water at 10 gpm through 120 feet. of 1-in. type M copper pipe? The flow rate is stated, but not the pressure drop. To get that pressure drop you can turn to several sources: tables, formulas, or software.

I like to use the Hydronics Design Studio software for such calculations because it accurately accounts for the changes in fluid properties based on WWW.HPACMAG.COM

Modern Hydronics

determined to be 10.4 watts) by the wire-to-water efficiency of the circulator, as shown in formula 2.

Formula 2.

We’ll use this value as a baseline for comparison.

DO “SUBSTITUTIONS” MATTER?

temperature, which in turn effects pressure drop. Putting the stated numbers into the software yields a pressure drop of 2.4 psi. The remaining math is easy:

Although the units on the result are in watts, and most of us associate watts with electricity, understand that this is not the electrical input power required to sustain the stated conditions.

It’s the mechanical output power required by the circulator.

We pay for the electrical power input to the circulator, not the output power. To calculate the input power we would need to know the wire-to-water efficiency of the circulator creating this condition.

The efficiency is very dependent on where the circulator is operating on its pump curve. Ideally, the circulator is operating near the middle of its pump curve, where the wire to water efficiency is highest.

If we assume a small circulator with a PSC (permanent split capacitor) motor is operating under favorable conditions (e.g., near the centre of its pump curve), a reasonable value for wire-to-water efficiency is 20 to 25%. Let’s split the difference and assume 22.5%.

To calculate the electrical input power to the circulator in our example, divide the mechanical output power (which we WWW.HPACMAG.COM

How about if we used 1-in. PEX tubing instead of 1-in. type M copper tubing for this segment of the system, and we change the circulator, if necessary, to ensure that the same 10 gpm flow is achieved?

Changing the pipe changes the pressure drop. The Hydronics Design Studio software quickly returns a pressure drop of 6.24 psi for 120 feet of 1-in. PEX operating with water at 120F and 10 gpm.

This change pushes the mechanical power requirement to 27.1 watts, and the circulator input power (assuming the same 22.5% wire-to-water efficiency) to 120 watts. That’s a significant increase in pumping power. It’s the result of the smaller internal diameter of 1-in. PEX (0.875-in.) versus that of 1-in. type M copper (1.055-in.).

You might be thinking I made up this example to dissuade you from using PEX rather than copper for distribution piping.

Not so. Instead, I’m trying to show that what might seem like an “equivalent” substitute (1-in. PEX for 1-in. copper) can have ramifications. In this case it adds significant operating cost over the life of the system.

If we assume that flow passes through this 120 feet of pipe for an average of 3,000 hours per year, and that the electrical energy costs $0.15 per kWh, and that electrical energy costs escalate at 2% per year. The difference in operating cost over 20 years would be $807! That’s just for this 120 feet of 1-in. piping. You won’t pay it, but your customer will.

MOVING FORWARD If you design, install or manufacture hardware for hydronic systems you should be continually thinking about ways to reduce the electrical operating cost of those systems.

Our industry should embrace ways to reduce circulator count. One example would be eliminating “dedicated” primary loop circulators. Those that only push flow through the primary loop, and not the heat source or any load circuits.

Another approach would be using (or creating) heat sources that don’t have high head loss heat exchangers, and thus conserve head energy. In my opinion, a “self-buffering” heat source with very low head loss is ideal. It eliminates the need

MODERN HYDRONICS

Continued on MH6 SPRING 2021

MH5

SYSTEM EFFICIENCY

Do This

Figure 1

for a buffer tank as well as a circulator between that tank and the heat source.

This approach is likely to cost less (materials and labour) and install faster than using a heat source combined with a separate buffer tank and all the piping, fittings, valves, and circulator between them.

The use of variable speed circulators with integral speed control algorithms used in combination with valve-based zoning rather than dedicated zone circulators is another way to reduce the power demand of distribution systems.

Figures 1 and 2 above show several of these concepts.

We should avoid using excessively oversized circulators and then throttling away their excess head with balancing valves.

That’s analogous to driving a car around with the gas pedal pressed down farther than necessary and controlling speed with partially applied brakes.

We should use dirt separators that don’t increase their pressure drop as internal screens load up.

We should use glycol-based antifreeze “judiciously.” The higher the concentration of glycol, the higher the density and viscosity of the solution, and the higher the ratio of viscosity divided by density is, the greater the “drag” as fluid passes through the system.

If your piping layout requires a lot of 90-degree turns, consider using a tube bender to create larger radius bends rather than using standard 90-degree elbows. Larger radius bends decrease turbulence and thus decrease head energy dissipation.

MH6

SPRING 2021

Not This

Figure 2

We should also take a close look at heat emitters such as panel radiators, which can operate with design load ∆Ts in the range of 30-36F rather than 20 F. The higher the ∆T the lower the required flow rate, and thus the lower the head loss for a given pipe size.

We should compare the added cost of using one size larger piping, and thus reduced head loss, against the life-cycle electrical energy savings associated with a smaller circulator.

The science of fluid dynamics has been extensively applied in many technologies where a fluid moves across a surface.

Compare the planes, cars and boats from the middle of last century to those of today. The shapes are very different, and the reduction in energy use due to decreased drag has been remarkable.

If our charge as hydronic professionals is to improve the overall energy efficiency of the methods and materials we assemble, we shouldn’t treat the electrical energy used by our distribution systems is trivial. Energy, as fuel or embodied in flow (e.g., head), is a terrible thing to waste! <> John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a licensed professional engineer.

He has more than 40 years experience in designing modern hydronic heating systems.

Siegenthaler’s latest book is Heating with Renewable Energy (see www.hydronicpros.com for more information).

MODERN HYDRONICS

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EMITTERS

NEW SCHOOL, NEW HYDRONIC TECHNOLOGY The recently opened New Westminster Secondary School in B.C. is operating with a low-temperature hydronic system and efficient heat emitter solutions.

BY CYRUS KANGARLOO, P.ENG.

The $106.5 million New Westminster Secondary School opened its doors January 11, 2021.

C

onsidered one of the largest and most complex school projects in the history of British Columbia, the New Westminster Secondary School opened its doors to students for the first time Monday, January 11, 2021.

It is the second largest secondary school in B.C. and the new educational home for approximately 1,900 students in grades 9 through 12. The facility also serves as a community space for local New Westminster residents.

The project, the largest single school MH8

SPRING 2021

investment in B.C. Ministry of Education history, has been several years in the making. The original high school, built in 1949, was outdated and found to be in need of seismic remediation. Funding for the project was announced in June 2016, and the $106.5-million contract was awarded to Graham Construction and KMBR Architects in Dec. 2017.

Integral Group, a design firm focused on sustainability, was selected to lead engineering and design for the new state-ofthe-art learning facility constructed next to the existing school. Surrey, B.C.MODERN HYDRONICS

based Division 15 Mechanical was the mechanical contractor on the project.

Designed to create flexible learning spaces, the building hosts several multipurpose spaces and modern shops, along with contemporary fine art and performance spaces. The project also includes community maintenance facilities.

DESIGNED WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND Eunice Doroteo, senior engineer with Integral, began working on the project in 2017, designing the mechanical system using a low-temperature heating water loop. This would most effectively allow the project to achieve energy efficiency goals with the ultimate goal of achieving LEED-Gold certification.

“This job is very important to our team,” said Doroteo. “The children and families of New Westminster have been waiting for it for a long time and we are excited to provide them with a building that serves the whole New Westminster community.”

The mechanical system employed uses three large 3,500 MBtu high-efficiency condensing boilers to heat the 16,390-square-metre school. And an air separator removes any air in the system, which serves thousands of feet of hydronic convectors throughout the school.

Low greenhouse gas emissions are very important on this project, and the condensing boilers must be operating with return water temperatures below 100F (38C) to maintain rated efficiencies. Every convector selected for this project was sized with the low return temperature in mind.

There wasn’t an unlimited budget, so the heating solutions also had to be cost effective. The convectors used throughout the school proved to be the answer as they are cost effective while allowing for heat output with low water temperatures.

Continued on p10 WWW.HPACMAG.COM

EMITTERS

Low-temperature convectors along the perimeter of the school’s classrooms with covers to hide the piping.

CLIMATE CONTROL IN THE CLASSROOM All classrooms use the low-temperature convectors along the perimeter, mounted within a casing, including covers so there is no exposed piping.

In addition to reducing the energy consumption, the units react quickly to internal heat loads. So, when students arrive in the morning, the units ramp up until the desired temperatures are reached. Just as with lighting, where you flick the switch and the lights turn on.

It’s the same principle with these lowtemperature convectors in the classroom—there is no reason to heat a classroom when it is unoccupied when you can provide almost instantaneous heat on demand.

HEATING LARGER SPACES In larger spaces, such as shops and the theater, engineers specified unique unit heaters that operate on the existing lowtemperature heating water loop.

“We wanted a product that fits in a space with extremely high headroom, but the challenge is finding a heater that has enough capacity to make sure that occupants at lower levels would be comfortable,” said Doroteo. “We also wanted

Larger spaces like workshops and the theater use low-noise unit heaters.

something with a nice finish.”

The unit heater selected features a technology that generates quick, powerful airflow with even temperature distribution. It does this by reducing the return temperature, which reduces stratification and the amount of cold air build-up at the ground level. This means shorter operational times and greater energy savings.

The product would also need to fit the school’s stringent acoustic requirements. This required all of the mechanical equipment to be less noisy. The use of EC motors in the unit heaters means there is very little fan noise along with 90% less electrical consumption when compared to traditional motors.

“The unit heaters installed are the quietest I’ve ever seen in my career,” said Doroteo. “Even though they are shops, they are still teaching spaces.

That means when they’re not doing any activity, the teacher is still providing instruction. Having a quiet mechanical system reduces the background noise to facilitate better learning.”

In addition to shops, unit heaters were placed in janitorial closets to prevent pipes from freezing, in weight rooms and art galleries throughout the building. A total of 37 units were used,

EFFECT OF CLASSROOM NOISE LEVEL ON LEARNING

The impact of noise on student performance in schools is only beginning to be examined. A study of 500 French primary school students published in the Journal of Urban Health in 2014 revealed that standardized test scores were 5.5 points lower for each 10 dB increase in noise level over the average of 50 dB.

MH10

SPRING 2021

MODERN HYDRONICS

The school’s theatre has low-temp water convectors installed just above the wall panels on the side wall.

which reduced the amount of space required from similar systems.

At entry and exit ways throughout the school, force flow cabinet style heaters provide individualized room temperature controls.

MODERN AND INSPIRING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT The facility was initially scheduled to open in September 2020, but COVIDrelated delays that included general workforce reductions caused setbacks along the way. Despite these challenges, the building opened with minimal delay.

“Students deserve to learn in modern and inspiring learning environments, and I am so excited that will now be the case for secondary school students in New Westminster,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education in a government release a day after the school’s recent opening. “This new school is so important for our community, and I know that families in New West are thrilled to have a new, state-ofthe-art facility that will benefit students for generations to come.” <> Cyrus Kangarloo, P.Eng., is the North American Operations Manager of Jaga Climate Systems, designers of low-temperature HVAC solutions designed for a better indoor and outdoor environment.

For additional information about Jaga visit jaga-canada.com. Kangarloo can be reached at ckangarloo@jaga-canada. com.

WWW.HPACMAG.COM

&

presents...

THE

INSTALLATION CONTEST Here are a few of this years entries.

Get your cameras ready. Be a part of Canada’s first ever hydronic installation contest.

Proud of your work? Better than the rest? It’s time to bring it on!

ENTRY IS SIMPLE – send us pics (before and after shots will work best) of your installation. Include a brief description of the particular challenges that you faced with this installation and how you overcame the obstacles to deliver your customers Sweet Heat. This can be a new installation or a retrofit. Submissions are limited to one per contractor. Remember that aesthetics are only one part of the judging criteria.

Deadline to enter is March 12, 2021. Show us your problem-solving ability too! The winning entry, and two runners up, will be discussed and announced at the end of the Modern Hydronics virtual Summit (March 30 and 31) by none other than our very own John Siegenthaler and Robert Bean. In addition to having your winning entry shared across our social media channels you’ll also be interviewed by HPAC’s editor and featured on the cover of the August edition of Modern Hydronics –

SEND ENTRIES TO DPICKLYK@HPACMAG.COM WITH THE SUBJECT LINE “SWEET HEAT CONTEST”

BOILERS

BRIDGE TECHNOLOGY Ontario-based iGEN Technologies has developed a micro combined heat and power (CHP) boiler to provide a resilient option for home heating.

BY DOUG PICKLYK

W

“

e like to consider ourselves a technology company—not like an Apple or Facebook—but relative to the HVAC industry, we see ourselves on the high-tech side,” says Patrick Lai, one of the co-founders of iGEN Technologies, a company that has developed a unit, about the size of a typical wall-hung boiler, that will provide heat for a modest-sized home and generate enough electricity to be self-sustaining.

The two founders, Lai and Michael Chatzigrigoriou, are mechanical engineers who initially met when working together at a small HVAC consulting firm.

The two joined forces to launch their own HVAC consulting engineering business, which then led to forming iGEN Technologies in 2012. “We literally started in Michael’s garage” notes Lai, the classic high-tech origin story.

The initial driving force for Lai was to create a technology that would enable homeowners to get off the grid. Based on their combined engineering backgrounds and specific HVAC knowledge they wanted to build an appliance that could be practical and affordable.

As air conditioning units have become ubiquitous, Lai explains that if you take the typical components of an air conditioner (compressor, heat exchanger, and refrigerant piping), and you run the process backwards—not reversing the flow MH12

SPRING 2021

Patrick Lai (left) and Michael Chatzigrigoriou, co-founders of iGEN Technologies at their offices in Richmond Hill, Ont.

like a heat pump but actually apply high temperature heat to the process—you can get power out.

He draws a comparison to how large nuclear generating stations operate, where inside you have a steam Rankine cycle and high-pressure steam drives a turbine connected to the generator which outputs electricity. The steam then runs through a condenser, returns to liquid form, and the closed-loop process continues. Essentially, they’ve reproduced the Rankine cycle inside a gas-fed module to produce heat and electricity for a house (see sidebar: “How it Operates”).

From 2012 to 2017 the duo conducted a lot of research and development, moving out of the garage and into an office space in Markham, Ont. After initial gas furnace-like prototypes, they looked at the trends leading towards high-efficient hydronic heating solutions and began experimenting by placing their heat and power module within the casing of a tankless water heater and coupling that with an air handler.

MODERN HYDRONICS

ACQUISITION Then, in April 2018 iGEN Technologies acquired assets of UK based Flowgroup, including patents and inventory related to that company’s micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP) boiler technology.

“It was a deal that made sense for us,” says Lai, “Because they were manufacturing something very similar to what we were doing, the only difference was they had a 10-year head-start on us.”

As he explains it, the Flowgroup’s business model was to maximize the electrical power output of their units, but that solution didn’t take off. Although Lai’s initial drive was to provide home owners with energy independence, now it shifted to generating heat first, power second.

“We’re not going to replace the utility, we’re simply supplementing a home’s power supply,” he explains. What they are offering is a product which will be resilient enough to provide a self-sustaining heat source for homes in the case of power failure, and do it efficiently.

Continued on MH14 WWW.HPACMAG.COM

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accurate BTU measurement up to 105 GPM when the sensors are used in conjunction. The sensors also allow for system balancing, triac output for relay operation, and remote system monitoring and configuration with the Thermolinx Hydronic Network.

BOILERS RESILIENCE “Our solution fills a gap,” says Lai. “Resiliency is a key value proposition, but there are other benefits as well. Because the unit is generating electricity when it’s operating you’re not buying that power from the grid, so depending on where you live there are potential utility savings if you’re using lower-cost natural gas to offset high-priced electricity.”

The unit, called the i2, is attached to a microgrid, consisting of a battery (that is required to start it up), a bi-directional inverter/charger, and a sub distribution panel in the home. The electricity the unit generates, while powering itself can also run hydronic pumps or an air handler while also recharging its battery.

“Resiliency is a key value proposition, but there are other benefits as well.”

- Patrick Lai

As for heating output, the unit is rated for 13 to 14 kW units, which is around 45 kBtu/hr. Lai acknowledges that it’s on the low end of the typical heating output range, saying one unit will suffice in a home that is within a certain square footage and quite air tight, but if you have a 4,000 sq. ft. house, you’re into two units.

As of the fall of 2020 the company had some 20 units installed in a testing capacity with remote monitoring attached. This winter (2020-21) is the second heating season for installed units.

“We’re learning from these early adopters, and that’s what’s allowing us to refine our next generation of products,” says Lai. The next units being worked on are combi heating systems, providing both space heating and domestic hot water (DHW). Those units would provide supplemental electricity MH14

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HOW IT OPERATES

The iGEN Technology i2 unit is a self-powering gas-fueled (natural gas or propane) condensing heating appliance with around 95% optimal efficiency, using PVC or CPVC venting.

It operates a Vapour Expansion Cycle to output heat and generate electric power using four main components (evaporator, expander, condenser and pump) and a refrigerant cycle: • The evaporator takes heat from gas combustion and changes the refrigerant from liquid to vapour.

• In a scroll expander, decreasing the vapour pressure produces the electrical power.

• The condenser changes the refrigerant from vapour to liquid, emitting heat.

• The internal pump uses some electricity and drives refrigerant pressure in the loop.

not only during the heating season, but year-round with the hot water supply.

NEW CLASS OF APPLIANCE While some other companies in the heating market are developing and marketing CHP products, they are primarily for larger commercial or light-industrial applications where the focus is more on the electrical output.

“We see this as an emerging market with only a few small players now, but we believe it will become more important,” says Lai. And as the company tries to broaden its reach, they know there are challenges ahead. “We understand it’s a premium product, and it’s going to be priced higher than even your most high-end boiler, because it’s doing more,” he says.

One of their challenges is educating the market on what they have. They’re working to educate home builders on the product, and they’ve co-authored a standard with UL because it is a whole new class of appliance.

Another potential challenge going forward is the long-term market shift towards electrification. Across the country, governments are promoting heat pump technologies and moving away from fuel-burning units. But this is where Lai MODERN HYDRONICS

An inside view of the gas-fueled self-powered iGEN i2.

believes iGEN can help the market.

“We know for temperatures below -15C or so heat pumps require additional electric resistance heating, which drives up cost and decreases efficiency. Yes, we are a gas-burning appliance, but we can replace inefficient water heating and provide supplemental heat for a heat pump that can’t keep up on colder days.

“The people we’re speaking with, whether it’s the government, utilities or even other HVAC appliance manufacturers, we’re saying, ‘We’re a bridge technology, an enabling technology between where the industry is today and where it wants to get.”

He believes that as a small company, iGEN has a good sense of where the market is headed and what people want. “We just need the big boys to recognize that we’re on to something, and to see how we can help.”

In addition to its micro-CHP appliance, the company is also a Microsoft partner and is working to develop an HVAC IoT platform. They're working on cloud-based algorithms to optimize and bring advanced intelligence to many HVAC platforms. This Canadian company is working on solutions it believes will eventually elevate the entire HVAC industry into the high-tech field. <> WWW.HPACMAG.COM

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CONTROLS

OVER CONTROLLING After years of experience, it’s time to share my thoughts on geothermal system design and how we can all create better solutions with more collaboration up front.

BY CURTIS BENNETT

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GEOTHERMAL COMPLEXITY I have said many times before that I am no expert in controls, but I have been around them long enough to have seen some issues that may help out some people in the future. Many times, in the world of geothermal (otherwise known as ground source heat pumps) I have seen some “overkill” when it comes to controls. Sometimes simple is good, MODERN HYDRONICS

and most of the time bigger is not better when it comes to these controls.

I have found over the years that geothermal systems tend to be the worst offenders when it comes to over complication. I do believe that the over control situation often comes from the fact that it is a geothermal system and there is a tendency to want to ‘wow’ the customer.

Now there is nothing wrong with doing that, I try to do it all the time, but sometimes it’s the controls that suffer.

Geothermal by its nature is trying to gain efficiency in a system, so I think we tend to put a few more things in than might be needed. Once again, I never write to poke or prod anyone or pretend like I speak gospel. So just keep that in mind as you continue.

Over controlling is not done on purpose, at least not for the most part. I think it’s a gradual process that tends to come out of necessity in geothermal.

Geothermal systems have more “parts” to them than a traditional boiler system.

Another reason for the over controlling WWW.HPACMAG.COM

CREDIT: LYULKAMAZURKEV/ADOBE STOCK

W

hen I told my wife that I was writing an article for this issue she asked what it was about. I said, “Over controlling.” Her and my daughter both laughed and said “That should be easy for you!”

I think they were talking about something else. Lol. I love controls. I eat and breathe controls. They’ve been my life for 20 years now. Controls are a subject that can be written about from at least two ways. The first would be how to keep projects simple and inexpensive, and the other extreme would be developing

building management systems (BMS) that are controlling every aspect of a complex system. Either way still takes skill and knowledge to achieve an end goal. That end goal is not to have controls installed on the wall; the end goal is a happy home or building owner.

There is something to be said about the simplicity of an aquastat—yes, there really is. They can be easily installed and just as easy to troubleshoot if something is going wrong. Today’s topic is not that “simple”. We are going to look at what has been done on the other end of the spectrum.

Modern Hydronics

“Geothermal by its nature is trying to gain efficiency in a system, so I think we tend to put a few more things in than might be needed.” is the longing for every bit of efficiency—the big COP (coefficient of performance)—trying to squeeze every Btu out of the system with the least energy possible. I sometimes think that if the house being installed into had a few extra hamsters in it, some installers would try to hook them up to a wheel to get some extra heat.

SMART DESIGN The number one problem I see in over controlling comes from necessity, but not the good necessity. Too many times I have seen a full mechanical system designed, AND THEN the controls are designed in. This creates a huge problem. If you don’t design mechanical systems to be controlled with controls that are available then this is the start of the downhill slide.

Too many times we get this call: “Here is the mechanical system, what controls do we need?” Now don’t get me wrong, I do understand why it’s done this way, especially on big projects. Projects that are engineered are always done mechanical first and then controls are added after, and even with that the controls may need to be DDC or BMS. The problem with adding controls after is that usually the controls cannot do everything that needs to be done in one control. So more controls are added, and then they have to communicate with each other, and that poses more problems. Relays get added to interlock and turn off pumps and heat pumps while other devices are running, and so on. This is what I mean by necessity.

The way the mechanical system was designed did not take into account how to control it properly. We tend to add more controls when the system seems to not be working correctly.

When I think we should step back and try to see where the real problem lies.

Ok, tell me I’m not the only one out there that has seen a system where you know they just keep adding controls to fix issues because some things are not working, until you have this mess that is way too out of control (ironic, I know). The more complex a control design the harder it is to tie everything together.

drome” is the one that comes when we try to do too much right from the start. Way too much. Like I said above, I understand that we want to make the most efficient systems—that’s why we keep evolving controls—but the issue is at what point do we start gaining very small amounts off efficiency at a higher cost. That desire for ultimate efficiency is why I think this happens in geothermal systems more than traditional boiler systems. I do caution at this point that the home owner is the one left with the system at the end of the day.

One of the biggest problems I see, well ok there are two.

First is the infamous single tank for heat and cool water, when there should be two tanks. One for hot and one for cooling. We so often get calls to help out with a system that won’t work properly. Of course they blame the controls first (or maybe I just hear that more because that’s where my head is). After some quick deduction of the system and the needs of the installer you can see that they want heating and cooling at the same time, but that is not possible with a single tank. So then we start adding relays to interlock heating and cooling systems out of each other, and then add a winter and summer switch-over thermostat for the homeowner.

Continued on MH18

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INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS The other more notorious version of over controlling “synWWW.HPACMAG.COM

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CONTROLS

CREDIT: KANGESTUDIO/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES

Not installing a large enough field system, either holes drilled or a horizontal field system, can present big issues that require more controls.

These systems are installed to be efficient, but as soon as you heat up the tank to satisfy the heat load and then when that finishes it must cool the tank all the way down to satisfy the cooling load, and then vice versa all the time. Not good, not good at all.

The second big problem is when there is not enough field system. Either not enough holes drilled or not enough horizontal field system made. This presents some big issues with over heating or freezing the field system. Then we have to add more controls to alleviate this underlying issue. You also guessed it, these controls need to talk with all the other controls.

BAND AIDS Now don’t get me wrong, I like controls, a lot, and I like to make sure systems run correctly, but I don’t like it when they have to add up because the mechanical system was not designed correctly. We definitely do our best to fix issues with controls, but sometimes we do end up over controlling things.

And then we end up putting band aids on a compound fracture. It may stop the bleeding if we put enough on, but the arm is still broken underneath.

The final problem I see are people adding controls just to add controls. Most often the goal is efficiency, but the real loser is the homeowner. They become tied to the controls contractor, because the system is so complex anytime something is weird they need to call. Some of these over controlling items are extra set points for extra tanks, switchover thermostats for summer and winter, or just adding relays to interlock sysMH18

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In my experience, one tank can’t do the job of two.

tems that don’t need it. It seems good at the time, but these additions become complex at the end of the day. Remember, the goal is to have a happy homeowner.

Designing geothermal systems with the controls in mind from the beginning is a good start. Controls are evolving with more capabilities to make the necessary adjustments needed to help systems to be more efficient, and these built-in extras it will make it easier for the installer as well as the homeowner. When homeowners are happy then contractors are happy. And that helps our industry. <> Curtis Bennett C.E.T is product development manager with HBX Control Systems Inc. in Calgary. He formed HBX Control Systems with Tom Hermann in 2002. Its control systems are designed, engineered and manufactured in Canada to accommodate a range of hydronic heating and cooling needs commonly found in residential, commercial and industrial design applications.

MODERN HYDRONICS

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ONLINE MARCH 30 & 31, 12 - 3:30 PM EST Speakers include: Siegenthaler, Bean, Miller, Goldie, Bennett, MacNevin Topics include: -

Air-to-Water Heat Pumps Reducing Water Temperature in Existing Hydronic Systems Energy Metering Selling Hydronics to Builders Buffer Tanks Snow and Ice Melt More to come! winners will be announced

by Siggy & the Bean!

THE

INSTALLATION CONTEST

SPONSORED BY

FREE REGISTRATION! Courtesy of

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SUMMIT PREVIEW

5TH EDITION OF MODERN HYDRONICS - THE SUMMIT The session-packed 2021 Modern Hydronics Summit will be held online using a virtual event platform that enables live text and video chat features.

BY HPAC STAFF

S

ince 2013 the team at HPAC Magazine has been hosting our one-day Modern Hydronics Summit every two years in the fall—with the event getting bigger and attracting larger crowds every time. With the worldwide pandemic placing all live industry events on the sidelines since the spring of 2020, this year our team has pushed the calendar forward and will be hosting the largest-ever Modern Hydronics Summit on March 30 and 31 as a virtual event.

Hosting the Summit online allows us to deliver more programming than our traditional one-day events, and also makes attendance accessible to a much greater audience of hydronic industry professionals from across the country.

Knowing how busy the industry is at this time of year, we have split the event into two half-days. Attendees will be able take in the educational sessions and also visit the online exhibit hall and network with colleagues.

SESSIONS

The 2021 Modern Hydronics Summit includes nine educational sessions from the largest cast of hydronic experts we’ve ever assembled.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30 (all times Eastern)

NOON – 12:50 PM: Reducing Water Temperature in Existing Hydronic Systems Part 1 (John Siegenthalter)

1: 20 – 2:00 PM (concurrent sessions): Air-to-Water Heat Pumps (Mike Miller) Snow and Ice Melt Solutions (Lance MacNevin)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 Noon – 12:50 PM: Reducing Water Temperature in Existing Hydronic Systems Part 2 (John Siegenthalter)

1: 20 – 2:00 PM (concurrent sessions): Energy Metering (Curtis Bennett) Update on NRCan’s Energy Efficiency Policy (CHC)

2:30 – 3:15 PM: 2:30 – 3:00 PM (concurrent sessions): Buffer Tanks (Steve Goldie) Selling Hydronics to Builders (Murray Pound)

Siggy and The Bean: Things We’d Like to See (John Siegenthaler & Robert Bean)

3:15 – 3:30 Sweet Heat Award Presentation (John Siegenthaler & Robert Bean)

THE VIRTUAL EVENT EXPERIENCE Although nothing can replace the interactions at a live conference, our virtual event platform recreates some of the experiences, and instead of footsteps, clicks on the mouse will move you from place to place.

The Exhibit Hall offers attendees the opportunity to view and download literature from manufacturers and service providers, and networking features will allow attendees to strike up conversions, via email, live chat or even video MH20

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All of the sessions will be recorded and available to all registrants for on-demand viewing for two months following the event, so nothing will be missed. And courtesy of event sponsor Resideo, registration to the 2021 Modern Hydronics Summit is free.

chat with manufacturers and suppliers at the virtual booths.

A Networking section allows attendees to scroll through the list of attendees and start private chats at any time with colleagues, either texting or via video link. And a Group Chat section will enable like-minded hydronic pros to MODERN HYDRONICS

drop in on chats with their colleagues.

During the Sessions, while following along with the presentation, we encourage attendees to participate in the Public Session Chat that will appear on the right side of the screen. Instead of raising your hand to ask a question, just type it into the ongoing dialogue in the Chat.

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Modern Hydronics

“Hosting the Summit online allows us to deliver more programming than ever.”

Session speakers will be on-hand and able to address your questions and react to your comments on the spot.

The experience will be what you make of it. We encourage all registrants to visit the platform early and “walk” or click through the different features available.

find the Sweet Heat Contest entry form and send it in. The entry deadline is March 12th. Submissions are limited to one per contractor, and it can be a new installation or a retrofit.

The winning entry, and two runners up, will be discussed and announced by John Siegenthaler and Robert Bean at the end of the Summit (March 31).

In addition to having the winning entry shared across our social media channels, the winner will be interviewed by HPAC’s editor and featured on the cover of the Fall 2021 edition of Modern Hydronics.

THANK YOU SWEET HEAT Last Fall we launched the first ever Sweet Heat contest, inviting hydronic contractors across Canada to get their cameras out and share their creativity, artistry and resourcefulness in delivering “Sweet Heat” to their customers.

The response has been great, and the entries have been rolling in, but we’re looking for even more.

Entry is simple – send us photos (before and after shots) of an installation completed in Canada. Visit hpacmag.com to

EXHIBIT HALL SHOWCASE

TECA’s updated hydronic systems design software is integrated into the TECA Heat Loss & Heat Gain software to automatically start hydronic designs for: radiant floor design and layout; baseboard layout; fancoil CFMs; indirect water tank sizing; and pump sizing. The software is available for download. teca.ca WWW.HPACMAG.COM

The 2021 Modern Hydronics Summit wouldn’t be possible without the support of sponsors and exhibitors. As of press time: registration sponsor – Resideo, is making the event FREE to register; lunch and coffee sponsors – Amvic and Roth; keynote speaker sponsor – Caleffi; session sponsors – Arctic Heat Pumps, Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada, NTI, and Viessmann.<> To register for the 2021 Modern Hydronics Summit visit: modernhydronicssummit.com, it's FREE.

When visiting the Modern Hydronics Summit online March 30 & 31, be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall for more details on these products and much, much, more.

The FTVN series from NTI are high efficiency, wall hung boilers using a durable, vertical down-fired stainless heat exchanger. They also include 10:1 modulation and 96% AFU, an integrated ECM pump and DHW diverter, quick connect components, and WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring and alert notifications. ntiboilers.com

The Armstrong Compass R is an energy-efficient, variable speed, dry-rotor circulator available for heating and cooling, and potable water applications. It’s equipped with standard flange connections and large front-mounted wiring chamber and controls for easier and faster installation. armstrongfluidtechnology. com

MODERN HYDRONICS

Climaveneta NX-N hydronic heat pump units are available in 14 different sizes from 45250 kW heating capacity, and are available with optional desuperheater for heat recovery function. Part of Mitsubishi Electric, the NX-N units can be used in combination with any hydronic equipment and can reduce a building's carbon footprint. climaveneta.ca SPRING 2021

MH21

MODERN HYDRONICS EXHIBIT HALL

Amvic’s Ampex hydronic radiant panel combines rigid insulation, a vapor barrier and PEX tubing locking mechanism into a single solution that reduces installation time for both residential and commercial applications. The large, four-sided interlocking shiplap connector system makes for a quick, easy and secure installation of the panel, and the mushroom nub technology allows for easy walk-in pipe installation enabling increased job-site efficiency. amvicsystem.com

The next generation of the KNIGHT XL commercial boiler product family is here and available in five models, ranging from 399,000 to 1 million Btu/hr. The advanced units feature a 97% thermal efficiency, a 10:1 turndown ratio and extended venting up to 150 feet. Features also include a stainless-steel water tube heat exchanger and a 7-in. touch screen operating control. aquatech-canada.com MH22

SPRING 2021

Arctic Heat Pumps are efficient monobloc low temperature air-to-water heat pumps capable of operating to -30C (-22F). Using enhanced vapor injection as well as DC inverter compressors and DC fan motors, the cold weather COPs are good for any hydronic heating system. The single system monobloc design means no refrigeration mechanical work is needed.

Wi-Fi, with intelligent back-up are standard on all models. arcticheatpumps.com

BELIMO’s PIQCV offers the advantages of a pressure independent control valve (PICV) in an ultra-compact size. The valve performs the function of a balancing valve and control valve. The pressure independent valve technology maximizes the energy savings of variable flow pumping systems while alsoaddressing unique control challenges for complex hydronic systems. belimo.ca

The Roth RSS Manifold, constructed of non-polished stainless steel, is available in 1-in. and 1-1/4-in. trunk sizes, with 2 to 12 loop connections.

Sets include: straight isolation ball valves on trunk supply and return connections with temperature gauges; fill/drain/vent tees with ¾-in. garden hose thread, ¼-turn valve and manual (coin) vent; flowmeters on supply manifold outlets with 0 – 2 gpm scale; and flow regulator valves on return manifold outlets with manual multi-turn operators. roth-canada.com

Adding the Resideo Hydraulic Separator to hydronic installs and retrofits, users can more easily balance source-side and load-side circulator flows, minimizing air turbulence while protecting components from backflow and debris. It’s a safeguard to help ensure a smooth-running system. Units come standard with insulation and magnet. Available in 1-in. to 2-in. union (NPT, sweat, press) and 2-in. to 6-in. flanged. www.resideo.com

MODERN HYDRONICS

Viessmann’s Vitocrossal 300 is a compact, floor-standing, high mass, gas-condensing boiler, a solution for residential and light commercial applications – including high temp heating, cast-iron boiler replacements, and multizone systems. Rated input is 19 to 199 MBH (single)/1,592 MBH (cascade up to 8 boilers). There is no need for low-loss header, dedicated boiler pump, or primary/secondary piping, and it includes the Vitotronic 200 KW6B boiler & system controller. viessmann.ca

The Caleffi DIRTMAG magnetic dirt separator removes both ferrous and non-ferrous impurities continuously, featuring powerful removable magnets that remove up to 100% of the ferrous impurities, including magnetite, that can form in a hydronic system. The DIRTMAG has 2-½ times the removal performance of a standard dirt separator. caleffi.com WWW.HPACMAG.COM

Modern Hydronics

The SensorLinx Sensor System from HBX Control Systems is designed to measure and record the thermal energy used in a residential or commercial heating or cooling system for accurate Btu measurement—now with EN 1434 Certification. hbxcontrols.com The AltSource highvolume electric boiler is a combination boiler-storage tank for residential use serving as a back-up energy source to the primary system in order to maximize output. Complete with its T2UltraSmart controller, the boiler provides improved comfort through precise temperature control. The AltSource comes with a limited 15-year warranty. thermo2000.com

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provide space heating and up to 5.4 GPM of domestic hot water at a 70F rise. Features include a durable stainless steel fire tube heat exchanger, four thermostat inputs, built-in ECM circulator, and it can power and control up to five circulators. weil-mclain.ca

Used in residential and commercial projects, dry panel systems like REHAU RAUPANEL or RAUBOARD offer an easyto-install radiant heating option without pouring concrete or the need for structural reinforcements. The low thermal mass of the system components promote high heat conductivity, resulting in a fast response time to thermostat temperature changes. rehau.com Weil-McLain Canada’s new ECO Tec high-efficiency condensing boiler for residential applications, delivers up to 95% efficiency in seven sizes. Available in both heating and combi versions, it can

MODERN HYDRONICS

HeatLink's pre-fabricated commercial 4-way mixing panels include the components necessary to control a building’s radiant heating system supply water temperature. The panels may be used with a dedicated heat source or a nondedicated heat source with a heat exchanger. All panels include a 4-way mixing valve and motor, pump, circuit setter, thermometers, isolation valves, and cover. www.heatlink.com

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COVID-19

SARS-COV-2 AND MUTATIONS: WHAT IS THE MESSAGE FOR HYDRONICS? During a pandemic, in a cold-weather climate like Canada, the ability to separate thermal comfort systems from indoor air quality provides an inherent advantage.

BY ROBERT BEAN

S

evere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCov2) is the virus responsible for starting the 2019 pandemic that continues today with no foreseeable end in sight. The virus does NOT travel independently; instead, it is a respiratory particle guest originating from the respiratory pathways’ infected areas within infected individuals. The number of particles with the virus depends on the infection location(s) (nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and alveoli) and exhalation intensity (breathing, talking, coughing, sneezing, singing, shouting). This is important for general understanding, but it has little bearing on building design and operation and HVAC systems.

As we know, COVID-19 is a disease caused by the virus resulting in shortand long-term illnesses and death.

Despite the emphasis on personal and building hygiene, there remains little evidence that the virus’s spread frequently occurs from touching surfaces (fomite). That is not to suggest that one should not maintain good hygiene.

Close range inhalation of droplets and aerosols and inhalation of airborne parMH24

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POSITION

DOCUMENTS

COMMITTEES

ENERGY RECOVERY

MAINTENANCE

TRAINING

& J O U R N A L PA P E R S

SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY

OUTDOOR AIR

F I LT R AT I O N

S TA N D A R D S &

M U LT I F A M I LY

L I T E R AT U R E

GUIDELINES

STATEMENTS

BAS

TECHNICAL

CONFERENCE

ASHRAE

H E A LT H C A R E

REVIEW / SCIENTIFIC

UV LIGHT

HANDBOOKS

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has dedicated pages on its website with guides, technical resources and recommendations for addressing COVID-19 concerns in the built environment: www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/ resources.

ticulates of some distance beyond the infected person(s) are the dominant transmission paths. The airborne vectors carrying the host particles with a virus is not magic; it is standard particle dispersion theory 101—that is…where the air goes – so goes the virus.

Suppose one person’s infected exhalation can become another person’s inhalation. In that case, there is a high probability of transmission if no protective measures are taken. That is why distancing and a proper mask appropriately worn indoors and, in some cases, outdoors is essential. These are two tactics in the overall strategy to reduce transmission.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE HVAC INDUSTRY Members of the international Indoor Environmental Quality General Alliance (IEQ-GA.net), including member organizations such as ASHRAE, believe there MODERN HYDRONICS

is sufficient evidence to suggest that airborne transmission cannot be ignored.

David B. Resnik noted in discussing the Precautionary Principle and Medical Decision Making, “One should take reasonable measures to avoid threats that are serious and plausible.”

ASHRAE’s most current position is “ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems can reduce the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and thus the risk of transmission through the air.

Unconditioned spaces can cause thermal stress to people that may be directly life-threatening and that may also lower resistance to infection. In general, disabling of heating, ventilating, and airconditioning systems is not a recommended measure to reduce the transmission of the virus.”

As I have said, “If satisfying a thermostat setting destroys the process of decontamination, deodorization and WWW.HPACMAG.COM

Modern Hydronics

dehumidification of ventilation air, the HVAC system is dysfunctional.”

How many HVAC systems do you know where ventilation and filtration are disabled when the thermostat has been satisfied? Think about that for a second, given the current situation. This is one of the significant benefits of hydronic systems; they enable the separation between indoor air quality systems and thermal comfort systems.

These systems are symbiotic under the umbrella of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) but independently serve the occupants without reducing effectiveness. When trying to manage an airborne pathogen’s transmission, we do not want to allow it to hang around. It is imperative to keep the ventilation and filtration systems operating ALL the time…and that lends itself perfectly to

hydronic-based systems.

My advice to readers; there is no safe definitive social distance nor exposure time. SARS-CoV2 does not come with a timer or an onboard navigational system; wherever the air goes, so goes the virus…it doesn’t know one metre from two metres from 10 metres. It doesn’t know what 10 seconds is, nor 30 seconds nor 15 minutes.

Wear proper masks properly in the presence of any uncertain risk. Personal and building hygiene is good but not a surrogate for air hygiene, resulting from appropriate ventilation and filtration.

Vaccines are essential, but they are not the long-term solution to preventing transmission inside buildings. Counting on vaccines is a game of whack-a-mole.

Preparing buildings and people for pandemics is a forever solution. <>

Public service announcement: if you must create an isolation room in your home, condo or apartment, see this link: www.healthyheating.com/2021.COVID. Residential.Isolation.Rooms/2021.

Residential.Isolation.Room.htm

REFERENCE: Resnik. 2004. The Precautionary Principle and Medical Decision Making. Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, 29(3):281-299.

Robert Bean is director of www.healthyheating.com, and founder of Indoor Climate Consultants Inc. He is a retired engineering technology professional (ASET and APEGA) who specialized in the design of indoor environments and high performance building systems.

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1

MODERN HYDRONICS

SPRING 2021 10:07 MH25 2021-01-21 AM

PIPING

NO TORCHES NEEDED The introduction of flexlible tubing materials and new press fittings is revolutionizing the hydronics industry in many positive ways.

BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

F MH26

SPRING 2021

Figure 1. Typical residential fin-tube baseboard systems connect multiple baseboards into either series or “split series” circuits.

wider foundation walls relative to the typical 2x4 studs used in many 20th century homes.

It was common to use eight 90-degree soldered copper elbows to connect each baseboard in such systems. Much of that soldering had to take place in the cramped spaces between floor joists, and above foundation walls. The joints were often made in close proximity to wood, as evidenced by plenty of “char scars,” which to me scream of unprofessional workman-

MODERN HYDRONICS

Continued on MH28 WWW.HPACMAG.COM

CREDIT: VLADIMIRFLOYD/ADOBE STOCK

ew would argue that fin-tube baseboard was the “flagship” heat emitter in North American hydronic heating systems through much of the 20th century. It’s origins go back to the 1930s where it represented a radical departure from the status quo of cast-iron radiators. Since then fin-tube baseboards have maintained their place in residential hydronic systems, despite the fact that its fundamental construction hasn’t changed much.

A typical residential fin-tube baseboard system connected multiple baseboards into either series or “split series” circuits as shown in figure 1.

In many systems the fin-tube elements in the baseboards used ¾-in. copper tubing. Baseboard elements were connected by soldering lots of copper elbows to short “stubs” of copper tubing. These piping assemblies routed flow down through the floor deck and offset it horizontally to account for

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PIPING ship. Lots of time was required to measure, cut, ream, clean, flux, solder and wipe all those joints.

Once these series or split-series systems were put in operation there wasn’t much that could be done to adjust heat output on a room-by-room basis. It was not uncommon to hear complaints that the heat output in the room at the end of a series baseboard circuit was a bit “light.”

This was usually caused by sizing the baseboards based on the average water temperature in the circuit, rather than the actual inlet temperature at each baseboard.

“It was not uncommon to hear that the heat output at the end of a series baseboard circuit was a bit 'light'.”

SO LONG SERIES There weren’t many choices for materials when fin-tube baseboard was the standard for residential hydronic heating.

Most installers just soldered ¾-in. copper tubing, elbows and baseboard elements together to form series circuits.

Some used diverter tees to allow some of the baseboards to be bypassed.

The latter technique could be used to limit heat output of each baseboard— provided some type of valve was installed in each branch piping path.

However, because a single circulator provided flow to all baseboards, this approach still didn’t allow each baseboard to independently call for heat. It also suffered from the same sequential temperature drop characteristic associated with any circuit with series-connected heat emitters.

Parallel piping methods such as “twoMH28

SPRING 2021

baseboard #6

baseboard #5

baseboard #4

baseboard #3

baseboard #2

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) outdoor sensor

boiler reset control

Baseboard #1 1/2" PEX or PEX-AL-PEX tubing Variable-speed pressure- regulated circulator

supply sensor

manifold station

Figure 2. The flexibility in connecting fin-tube baseboards in parallel rather than series with a manifold and a “home-run” distribution system.

pipe” reverse return, were understood by mechanical system engineers, and often used on commercial fin-tube applications, but seldom applied in residential systems.

The arrival of PEX tubing in North America in the early 1980’s did not immediately affect how the fin-tube baseboard was installed. Instead, when first introduced to North America PEX was viewed with a degree of skepticism by MODERN HYDRONICS

many heating pros who had spent years working with rigid metal pipe.

Today, most heating pros view PEX, or similar tubing such as PEX-AL-PEX or PE-RT as a “universal” hydronic tubing.

They have confidence that it can work in a wide variety of systems including many types of radiant panels as well as with panel radiators, fan-coils and even fin-tube baseboard.

Continued on MH30 WWW.HPACMAG.COM

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PIPING PARALLEL PRAISES

FLAMELESS

PEX tubing makes it possible to connect fin-tube baseboards in parallel rather than series. Figure 2 (previous page) shows this concept as a “homerun” distribution system.

Each baseboard has two ½-in. PEX tubes routed to it from a central manifold station. That tubing can be easily pulled through holes in floor framing or up through studded walls. In most cases it’s possible to install this tubing without any joints between the manifold station and the baseboard. The parallel piping circuits provide several benefits not possible with series piping.

First, each baseboard receives essentially the same supply water temperature. The sequential temperature drop associated with series piping or diverter tee systems is eliminated. This makes it easier to size the baseboards to their respective room heating loads.

Second, it’s possible to regulate flow rate through each parallel circuit. This can be done using valves built into the manifold station, or with valves at each baseboard.

Third, even though it’s possible to operate all parallel circuits as a single zone, it’s very easy to go one step further and set up each baseboard as an independently-controlled zone.

It’s now possible to connect PEX tubing to the copper tubing in a baseboard element without soldering the latter.

Figures 3a and 3b show two fittings designed for this purpose.

The elbow in figure 3a transitions from an ASTM F1960 “cold expansion” connection for ½-in. PEX tubing, to a press connection on ¾-in. copper tubing.

The fitting in figure 3b transitions from an ASTM F1807 crimp connection for ½-in. PEX tubing to a press connection on ¾-in. copper. This fitting also has two 1 ⁄8 -in. FPT tappings, one of which can be used for an air vent. The other is simply plugged.

The brass sleeve shown in figure 3b is a tube stiffener that allows a press connection on the thin wall copper tubing used in modern fin-tube baseboard. Both of these fittings are ideal for “flameless” connections to fin-tube baseboard.

No more char marks or messing around with multiple copper elbows and short tube stubs in those tight confines between floor joists.

Flow through each baseboard can be controlled using “wireless” thermostatic radiator valves mounted at the inlet of each baseboard, as shown in figure 2.

No wires, no batteries, no programming, just simple, reliable and accurate room comfort control.

Another option is to mount the radiator valve and actuator head inside the baseboard enclosure, or under the floor, and use a remote setting dial connected to the valve’s actuator head by a capillary tube. This is nice in situations where occupants don’t want to bend over to adjust the room comfort setting.

MH30

SPRING 2021

IMAGES COURTESY OF WEBSTONE

WIRED OR “WIRELESS”

Figure 3a. Elbow connection for ½-in.

PEX tubing to a press connection on ¾-in. copper tubing.

Figure 3b. A fitting for transitions from an ASTM F1807 crimp connection for ½-in.

PEX tubing to a press connection on ¾-in. copper.

If electrical thermostats are preferred just mount 24VAC valve actuators on the manifold station and connect them to the thermostats using a multi-zone relay center.

When the system is zoned use a variable-speed pressure-regulated circulator. Set it for constant differential pressure operation. As the thermostatic radiator valves or manifold valve actuators open and close the circulator automatically ramps its speed up and down to keep the flow rate in each parallel branch nearly constant.

This type of circulator also eliminates the need for a differential pressure bypass valve, and significantly reduces electrical power consumption relative to fixed speed circulators.

MODERN HYDRONICS

PRESSING AHEAD From a single zone series circuit constructed using 100-plus solder joints, to multi-zone systems using zero soldered joints and low-power variable speed circulators. The methods and materials available for installing fin-tube baseboard have come a long way in the last few years. Are you taking full advantage of them? <> John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a licensed professional engineer. He has more than 40 years experience in designing modern hydronic heating systems. Siegenthaler’s latest book is Heating with Renewable Energy (see www.hydronicpros.com for more information).

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40 YEARS

IN CANADA

MECHANICAL SUPPLY NEWS MANUFACTURERS • DISTRIBUTORS • WHOLESALERS

AD FORMS CANADIAN BUSINESS UNIT AD, the North American contractor and industrial products wholesale buy- Rob Dewar ing/marketing group, has established AD Canada as a distinct business unit, serving the more than 150 members of its three Canada-based divisions.

Rob Dewar has been promoted to president of AD Canada, responsible for supporting AD’s Canada Plumbing & Heating, Electrical and Industrial & Safety divisions, as well as the AD Canada warehouse and meeting centre that opened last summer.

“Establishing the AD Canada business unit is a very clear signal that our leadership and board of directors are committed to the continued growth of our members and supplier partners in the Canadian market,” said AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg.

Dewar, based in Mississauga, will report directly to Weisberg. adhq.com MECTRA ACQUIRES LAMBERT & BÉGIN As of January 1, 2021, Terrebonne, Que.-based Mectra Sales, manufacturer’s representative and distributer serving the plumbing and heating industry, has acquired fellow Quebec-based manufacturers agent Lambert & Bégin.

The founders of Lambert & Bégin, Stephan Lambert and Daniel Bégin, along with partner Philippe Jolicoeur, will continue to lead their team while adding the representation of Mectra’s product lines. www.mectra.com BARTLE & GIBSON STRIKES RELATIONSHIP WITH TOTO Bartle & Gibson, the Western Canadianbased wholesaler, has announced a HPACMAG.COM

new regional partnership with TOTO. The wholesalers will offer: residential and commercial toilets, WASHLETs, eco power flush valves and sensor faucets, bath sinks, residential lav faucets, commercial fixtures (i.e., urinals) and more across its 31 branches. bartlegibson.com RECTORSEAL ACQUIRES TRUAIRE RectorSeal has acquired TRUaire, a manufacturer of grilles, registers, and diffusers for the residential and commercial HVAC market. The combined organization will operate with a unified market approach giving distributors access to RectorSeal and TRUaire products.

The TRUaire brand will become the largest brand within the RectorSeal family. rectorseal.com

NEW YEAR, NEW LOGO FOR NAVIEN Navien has introduced a new logo and visual identity for the brand which has been in North America for over 14 years.

The logo make-over that was revealed to welcome in the new year, and will be followed by two live virtual product launches: boilers on Tuesday, February 16th at 4 pm (eastern time), and water heaters on Tuesday, March 16th at 4 pm (eastern time). navieninc.com BRADFORD WHITE ACQUIRING KELTECH Bradford White reached an agreement with Bradley Corp. to acquire the assets of Keltech, Inc. Bradley acquired the company in December, 2012. The acquisition launches a new partnership with Bradford White supplying certain Keltech electric tankless water heaters to Bradley under the ‘Bradley powered

by Keltech’ brand. www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com

ANNIVERSARIES >> Bibby-Ste-Croix celebrates 100 years in 2021. The company has two foundry locations: Foundry Ste-Croix in Ste-Croix, Que. where cast iron drain, waste, and vent (DWV) pipe is manufactured; and Foundry Laperle in St. Ours, Que., manufacturer of municipal road castings including manhole covers, valve boxes, waterworks fittings and tree grates. “As we celebrate our first 100 years, it is truly gratifying to be surrounded by many of those who played such a significant role in the company’s success” said Tom Leonard, company president. bibby-ste-croix.com >> Barclay Sales, servicing plumbing and HVAC markets in Western Canada, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021. barclaysales.com >> Canadian Aqualine Sales also enters its 50th year of business in 2021 serving the needs of the plumbing and heating industry in Western Canada. can-aqua.com

NEW LOCATIONS >> The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) welcomed the New Year with a move to its new headquarters at 2680 Matheson Blvd. E., Suite 100, Mississauga, ON, L4W 0A5. hrai.ca >> In Western Canada, HVAC/R wholesaler Refrigerative Supply Ltd. has opened its 16th site, located at 101 2480 Mount Lehman Road, in Abbotsford, BC. rsl.ca >> Noble has recently opened its latest Ontario location in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. The new site is located at 663 Colby Drive, units 1-4, Waterloo, ON, N2V 1C2. noble.ca

FEBRUARY 2021 | HPAC

49

< PEOPLE Taco Comfort Solutions has promoted Mike Miller to vice president of sales for Canada. An industry veteran of almost 30 years and a regular contributor to HPAC Magazine, most recently Miller was director of sales, commercial, with Taco Canada. Miller In his new role he will be responsible for the sales, marketing and customer service teams for Taco’s Canadian wholesale, commercial and industrial businesses. Miller takes over the role from Jim Garrett, who has stepped down as general manager and will officially retire at the end of May, 2021. Prior to joining Taco, Miller held positions at Uponor Canada and Tekmar Control Systems.

Mike Boudreau has joined CB Supplies as the vice president of sales and marketing. Boudreau was most recently with Armstrong Fluid Technology as wholesale manager – Canada and regional manager – Atlantic Canada. With over Boudreau 30 years in the industry, his previous stops include Xylem Inc and IPEX Inc, as well as director of sales and operations at Northeast Equipment Ltd. A professional engineer, Boudreau currently sits on the Board of Directors for the CIPH Canadian

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Hydronic Council as 2nd Vice Chair. In addition, Michel Bond will be retiring from CB Supplies in February 2021.

Greg Butt has joined Daikin North America as division vice president-Canada. Butt was previously with Emerson commercial and residential solutions.

Weil-McLain Canada welcomes Patrick Skuse as its new territory sales manager in the KitchenerWaterloo and Niagara Peninsula regions. Skuse brings more than 20 years of experience in the plumbing and heating industry, and certifications Skuse for pipe fitting, HVAC and hydronic product training.

Master has appointed Keith Strachan as senior vice president of distribution. Strachan joined Master in March of this year as the regional director for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Previously he served as general manager for Strachan Wolseley in Western Canada.

REHAU promoted Dr. Thomas Troeger from CMO to CEO of the Americas region. Troeger will lead the regional executive board of REHAU Americas.

Theo Haast, who headed the region as president and CFO since January 2019, will refocus as CFO. Troeger With REHAU for 14 years, Troeger joined the regional executive board in January 2019.

Shashwat Nath has joined Watts as senior product manager, shut-off valves. He has overall responsibility for product management of ball Mirza valves and butterfly valves, and se- Nath lect plumbing system fittings. He brings experience in product management and IoT systems.

Nadeem Mirza has joined Watts as senior product manager, backflow and risers. Mirza is responsible for the strategy, product development, and product management of Watts, Ames Fire & Waterworks, and FEBCO brand backflow and riser solutions.

Armstrong Fluid Technology announced Simon Allan has been named global director, standard building products. Allan joined Armstrong in 2018 responsible for UK and European wholesale strategy and development of the circulator market. Allan Located in the UK, in his new role he will provide global general management for Armstrong's circulator business.

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

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HPACMAG.COM 2021-02-08 2019-02-26 11:37 11:27 AM

PLUMBING >

HELPING HANDS-FREE The pandemic has placed more attention on touchless plumbing fixtures in both public spaces and at home. BY STEVE GOLDIE “Out of adversity comes opportunity.”

- Benjamin Franklin

W

ell I think few if any of us would dispute that 2020 was a year of adversity; “good riddance” or some similar phrase was perhaps the most common tweet, text or phone message this past New Year’s. Sadly, the challenges of the pandemic did not cease as the year ended, and we can be sure that 2021 will also see its share of adversity. And if we are to believe old Ben Franklin, opportunity also awaits.

Let’s look at one opportunity that may seem obvious in the midst of the worst pandemic the world has seen since the 1918 Spanish influenza outbreak: touchless plumbing fixtures.

TRAVELARIUM/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES

LIST OF BENEFITS Touchless plumbing fixtures are not new; they have been with us since the 1950’s. Originally appearing in medical institutions, where eliminating the need to touch a fixture to operate it had obvious and potentially life saving benefits.

Reducing the spread of germs and viruses is not a benefit that is exclusive to medical facilities however, and by the 1990’s motion detecting, sensor operated fixtures were becoming widely used in many public washrooms.

Not only did they become more widely used, but they became more varied. In addition to touchless faucets and flush valves, we now see touchless towel dispensers, soap dispensers, hand dryers and showers in communal gym and pool change rooms.

Sanitary and health advantages have not been the only benefit driving the deHPACMAG.COM

velopment and widespread adoption of touchless fixtures. Touchless faucets and flush valves use far less water making them a good choice for the evergrowing environmentally conscious and aware demographic.

Less touching means reduced wear and tear, requiring less maintenance.

This results in a longer life cycle and further savings in operational costs.

User convenience is also a factor.

Fixtures that do not require hands to operate means those hands are free to hold onto shopping bags and personal items that most of us really don’t want to put down anywhere in a public washroom. Small children also benefit from the ease of use, as do those who struggle with arthritis or mobility issues.

Studies show that when it is easier and quicker to do so, more people are inclined to wash their hands.

When you consider all of the benefits it is not difficult to see why the touchless fixture market has seen steady growth. One major manufacturer reports this segment had been growing

at a steady pace of 20% annually since 2018, and with the arrival of COVID-19, sales have jumped over 100%.

An acquaintance of mine, a successful general contractor in the GTA, recently started a new company to meet the demand to retrofit commercial bathrooms with touchless fixtures. He saw an opportunity and came up with a plan to capitalize on it.

RIGHT AT HOME Although the vast majority of touchless fixtures are used in commercial applications and public spaces, opportunities are growing in the residential market.

Pretty much every manufacturer seems to be introducing or expanding touchless offerings targeted for homes.

It makes sense when you think about it since the benefits in commercial applications still apply to residential use.

The water savings, particularly when shaving and brushing teeth, are one example, and I would definitely appreciate a hands-free kitchen faucet when Continued on p52 FEBRUARY 2021 | HPAC

51

< PLUMBING

Continued from p51

preparing dinner and my hands have been handling raw beef or chicken.

Psychologically most of us probably still feel germs in public are somehow more contagious than “our own” germs, but contact transfer can occur just as easily in our own homes.

One poll in the U.S. recently reported that 85% of Americans said they are “more interested than ever” in touchless bathroom products with most indicating hands-free fixtures would be essential components of future upgrades. The industry clearly expects the trend towards touchless fixtures will continue, as is evidenced by the breadth of products available.

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY The touchless product offering is not just getting larger and more diverse; it is also much more sophisticated and

reliable than some earlier versions. I am sure most of us have experienced the frustration of standing in front of a sink in a public washroom, waving our hands at every possible angle, finally giving up and walking away only to have the water turn on as we turn away.

Today’s touchless fixtures still use the same motion or proximity sensors, but either the sensors are more accurate or the manufacturers have learned how to better apply them.

Not only are they more reliable, but they do more than just turn a faucet on and off, there is technology that can adjust water temperature and flow without touching any part of the faucet.

I expect we will see voice activated features and WiFi connectivity, a completely overused and unnecessary addition in my opinion, but that’s a rant for another day.

I am not sure what old Ben Franklin might have thought of these things, but I have to agree with his belief that opportunities can be born out of times of adversity. We are all seeing more than our share of adversity these days, so let’s also look for the opportunities. Let us especially look for opportunities to work together, to cooperate and make this world a safer more hospitable place. <> Steve Goldie learned his trade from his father while working as a plumber in the family business. After 21 years in the field, he joined the wholesale side of the business in 2002. His expertise is frequently called on to troubleshoot and advise contractors. Find him at sgoldie@nextsupply.ca.

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< PLUMBING

NEXT-LEVEL TOUCHLESS TECHNOLOGY The evolution of electronically-controlled hands-free fixtures is leading to the connected Smart Washroom. BY DOUG PICKLYK

W

ith increased awareness and focus on individual hygiene and societal pressure to reduce the public spread of germs and viruses, a renewed focus has been placed on touchless fixtures for the washroom—especially in high-traffic venues like healthcare, airports, education facilities, office buildings and any public gathering spaces. Beyond the function of convenience and safety, today’s hands-free fixtures are also providing enhanced energy and water efficiency benefits, and the addition of networked connectivity to the electronics in these faucets and flush valves is driving these plumbing fixtures to the onramp of the Internet of Things.

DEMAND RISING The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated the immediate retrofit of many common points of contact in commercial venues, from automatic doors and contactless payments, to plexiglass dividers in retail and restaurant settings to ensure safe distancing.

Of course the washroom, a prime location for cross-contamination, has attracted additional attention and demand for hands-free fixtures.

“For sure, demand has been skyrocketing,” says Marlon Thompson, senior marketing manager, American Standard brand, for Lixil Canada. “Wherever you can eliminate touchpoints, especially in a commercial washroom environment, that’s the key.”

The company has a broad range of touchless fixtures for the commercial 54

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

American Standard’s new Studio Touchless Toilet with wave sensor. The 2-1/2-in. sensor module can be placed up to three feet away from the toilet.

market, but its most recent innovation has been on the residential side.

“We’ve had touchless on the tank of toilets, and we’ve just released a product based on radio frequency, so now you can place the sensor up to three feet away,” says Thompson.

Moving from infrared (line-of-sight) on the tank to touchless radio frequency provides greater accessibility for some users. “It helps people with mobility issues, enabling placement of the activation where it’s most convenient for the user,” he explains.

“Right now we’re launching this in the residential market, but we’re working on taking this technology into the commercial segment.”

He could foresee applications in assistive living establishments, places where the elderly and/or handicapped individuals call home.

For high-volume public spaces, manufacturers are also improving their sensing technology for more reliable service.

Proximity sensing technology from Delta commercial faucets is designed for facilities that require hands-free operation, vandal resistance and ease of maintenance. The entire faucet body acts as a sensor, so there are no sensor windows or optical parts to maintain on the fixture.

Recent enhancements to the platform include improved resistance to electrical signal noise and power fluctuations; a redesigned control box that is modular and more compact; and expanded power options including plug-in and “less power” models for more costefficient ganging applications.

POWERED Some form of electrical power is required to drive the operation of handsfree fixtures. In commercial spaces the faucets and flush valves are now often hard wired when installed, but batteryoperated fixtures are also in demand.

“It just doesn’t make sense to use battery-operated, especially in highfrequency areas like airports,” suggests Thompson. Although American Standard does offer its PWRX 10-year battery system (at 4,000 uses per month) for selected commercial urinal and toilet flush valves.

Zurn offers a broad selection of senHPACMAG.COM

PHOTO COURTESY DELTA

Delta’s Proximity faucet senses without optical sensors.

The new PlumbSmart platform from Zurn sends fixture data to the cloud.

sor faucets and flush valves for the institutional, commercial and industrial (ICI) market, including both battery and hardwired options.

While new builds favour hard-wire installation, the flexibility of batteries is seeing more interest. “There are a lot of buildings that are transitioning to touchless now—for the obvious health and hygienic reasons—and it’s much easier to do a retrofit or convert a washroom to touchless if you don’t have to break tiles, call an electrician and run wire,” says Adam Findlay, digital sales manager with Zurn Canada

Manufacturers are working to make their touchless technology even more eco-friendly. In January, at the virtual 2021 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), TOTO shared details of its ECOPOWER technology that harnesses the energy of the running water to power its smart-sensor faucets and flush valves, eliminating the need for hard-wiring or routine battery replacement.

The self-powered hydroelectric flush valve systems and touchless faucets generate power every time water turns Continued on p56

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saniflo.ca 2021-01-22 10:1355 AM FEBRUARY 2021 | HPAC

< TOUCHLESS

Continued from p55

PHOTO COURTESY TOTO

PHOTO COURTESY ZURN

PHOTO COURTESY SLOAN

Sloan Connect introduces Bluetooth connectivity to the company’s touchless fixtures.

Zurn’s connected platform also monitors a building’s backflow valves.

Elements of TOTO's ECOPOWER system include: A) sensor; B) solenoid valve; C) turbine; and D) electricity.

their internal turbine. Toto says no daily usage minimum is required.

Other eco-friendly features built into many touchless fixtures on the market include pre-set control of flow rates, temperature and precise run times. These automatic setting make the faucets and flush valves water saving devices.

saves them time and is far more convenient than working under a sink to change parameters/settings. The diagnostic capabilities through Sloan Connect also save time in determining the health of a product. For example, plumbers know the battery power percentage. They can now change the batteries when they need to be replaced instead of on a time basis.”

The improved visibility is also key for facility managers to monitor the health of their systems, and the app allows facilities to schedule an automatic line flush to run faucets or flush toilets (activate flushometers). “This helps to keep the water in the lines fresh and helps prevent stagnant water issues” adds Badger.

“Automatic line flush ability is particularly important now as many buildings are not being used due to COVID-19.”

Zurn recently introduced its new connected platform called PlumbSmart to the Canadian market. According to Findlay, who is charged with leading the roll out, the platform has been operating in the U.S. for over a year, providing a great benchmark for user experiences and positive case studies.

“The connection process is quite simple,” adds Findlay. A small transmitting endpoint is installed with each fixture, including a full complement of battery or hard-wired products including touchless flush valves and faucets as well as backflow protection valves.

The connected products communicate with a local gateway in the building, which then relays the data, via an

ethernet or wireless internet connection to the cloud where the PlumbSmart application harvests the data and then relays the information to the end-user’s computer, iPad or cell phone.

The connected fixtures use a low-frequency signal able to penetrate walls and floors in multi-level buildings, and it’s also fully encrypted and secured for safety. The range of the gateway is roughly 1,000-feet.

“There are very few products like this in the market,” notes Findlay, adding that the benefits for building owners and facility managers include more targeted maintenance routines, real-time alerts—especially critical for backflow valves—and greater insight into water consumption and usage patterns.

“For maintenance companies, they can see at a glance how many restrooms are operating, or if there are any issues,” says Findlay. And based on experience so far, Zurn indicates buildings can see up to 30% improvement in reduced maintenance and operational costs, and up to 25% improvement in eco-friendly savings.

“Further product development and growing the list of connected products is top of mind for us,” adds Findlay, “The platform will grow as we find what’s applicable for our customers and how we can help them.”

The trend towards connected fixtures for the commercial and residential washroom markets adds a new layer of high-tech into the ever-evolving plumbing industry. <>

CONNECTED The next step in fixture automation is leading to the ‘smart’ washroom.

“Everyone in the industry see’s the connected washroom as a big opportunity,” says Thompson from American Standard.

Sloan, recognized for its commercial products and focus on sustainability, has introduced wireless communication to its product line.

“One of the great things about wireless technology like Sloan Connect is that there are no special requirements to install the products,” says Mark Lawinger, Sloan senior product line manager, flushometers and fixtures.

“The one incremental step is to download the Sloan Connect app and learn how to communicate with the Bluetooth-enabled products. This is also simple and intuitive and only requires the user to wave their hand in front of the sensor three times to initiate the connection.”

The connectivity also provides convenience in the set up. “Once the product is installed, plumbing contractors can change settings and run diagnostics through the app,” notes Faye Badger, Sloan product line manager, IoT. “This 56

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

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< REFRIGERATION

2021 REFRIGERANT UPDATE Experts discuss the changing refrigerant landscape and lessons learned from past refrigerant conversions in this second edition of HPAC Magazine’s 30 Mechanical Minutes free webinar series.

BY DOUG PICKLYK

O

n Wednesday, December 2, HPAC Magazine hosted its second free 30 Mechanical Minutes educational webinar. The “2021 Refrigerant Update” featured regular HPAC contributor Dave Demma sharing lessons learned from refrigeration system conversions done in in the past. Also on the webinar was Jeffrey Zimmerman, district sales manager with Emerson commercial and residential solutions, and Chair of the HRAI Refrigerant Landscape Task Team.

Zimmerman outlined the historical aspects of the refrigerant phase downs and the trend towards refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP).

International concerns about the thinning ozone layer initially led to the Montreal Protocol in 1987, signed by 197 countries worldwide. That agreement has ensured an international ban on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) through a multi-year phase down approach.

As Zimmerman explained, the next step in refrigerant regulation has been to quantify the GWP of refrigerants and move towards reducing the volumes of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). This is central to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, a treaty which Canada has ratified and is driving our current phase-down schedule.

58

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

2021 Refrigerant Update webinar participants (top to bottom): Jeffrey Zimmerman, Dave Demma and Doug Picklyk. Here, Zimmerman outlines the refrigerant phase-down timelines for countries adhering to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

Figure 1. Dave Demma’s list of factors to consider when undergoing a refrigerant conversion on an existing system.

CONVERSION CONSIDERATIONS Environmental impact is leading the demand for system conversions today, noted Demma. “Some high-volume retailers and grocers are very concerned with their environmental appearance … that may be the primary driver for which refrigerant they choose.”

For organizations seeking to convert existing systems, Demma outlined a number of things to consider (see Figure 1). He emphasized from the outset: “There are no drop-in replacements for

any refrigerant. Each refrigerant has its own specific thermodynamic properties which then determine system capacity, oil requirements, as well as the price and availability of the conversion refrigerant.”

He explains that the complexity of the conversion is a result of the properties of the refrigerant selected and if it’s significantly different from the refrigerant that’s being replaced.

“You may be faced with replacing control valves, possibly upsizing piping and things like that.”

HPACMAG.COM

SOURCE: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

Figure 2. Canadian HFC phase-down quotas and application limits.

He warns all refrigeration contractors to beware of the marketing talk. “Don’t believe everything you read. There’s so much information available online it really would behoove anybody considering a refrigerant conversion to do some re-

The

TRUTH about the original HVAC/R press fittings and jaws.

search on your own.”

With respect to complex conversions, and issues around control valves and control devices like refrigerant distributors or expansion valves, he explains that part of a components’ capacity is based on the mass flow requirement for the given refrigerant.

“The basic thing to remember is that if you’re doing a conversion, take a look at the existing expansion valve and see how its capacity fares with the new refrigerant.”

His discussion then led to refrigerant leaks after conversions due to changes in the seal swell rate. “The industry recommendation is that any neoprene seal needs to be replaced during a conversion, otherwise you run the risk of seeing a refrigerant leak.”

He also spoke about the importance of making sure that filter dryers, suction filters and oil filters are changed (if they’re being used), and inspect a system a couple of days after a conversion and take a look at the oil in the crankcase and make sure it’s clean.

Demma then insisted to remember to label equipment after a conversion. “This might seem like a relatively unimportant step in a conversion, but it could actually be quite costly for a contractor if the system is not labeled correctly.”

Continued on p61

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REFRIGERATION >

SOURCE: J. ZIMMERMAN

Continued from p59

Figure 3. Refrigerant alternatives trending toward lower GWP

PHASE DOWNS Zimmerman picked up from there, showing how countries around the world have set their timelines for phase downs related to the Kigali amendment. In Canada, our first phase down step in 2019 was 10% from an established baseline figure (see Figure 2, previous page). Our next step down, to be reached by 2024, will put us at 60% of the original baseline value. The final phase down will be 2036, when we’ll be down 85% from baseline.

“It’s important to know that equip-

ment that’s being installed now, or previously, that uses [high GWP] fluids will continue to have refrigerant available,” said Zimmerman.

He also shared a detailed chart broken up horizontally into three levels (see Figure 3). On the top are highpressure refrigerants (like R-410a), in the centre are medium-pressure refrigerants (like R-404a) and low pressure refrigerants like R-134a on the bottom.

The chart also includes a colour code referencing ASHRAE refrigerant classes (A1, A2L, A3, and B2L), and the bottom

indicates GWP levels, from zero on the left to 2,000 on the right.

“Way out on the right is R-404a and R-507, the GWP of those refrigerants is almost 4,000,” noted Zimmerman.

The chart also has four yellow boxes, numbered 1, 2, 3 and Legacy. The Legacy indicates where we’re at today.

“We’ve got R-410a, and if we move to the left into box two, there are no air conditioning refrigerants listed. In box three, the next phase, we can see R-32 and R-452b and 454b. Some of these refrigerants, shaded pink, are A2L or mildly flammable,” he said.

“Our industry needs to get ready and prepare for these refrigerants. Our industry codes and standards and our building codes need to be updated. We need to understand how to work safely with these refrigerants.”

He then shared information developed by HRAI’s Future of Refrigerants Task Team addressing flammability that's available online (hrai.ca) along with more information to help guide the industry through this transition. <> Demma and Zimmerman also answered live questions. To see the video visit: hpacmag.com/tech-pulse.

THE SOURCE ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE

Adrian Steel..................AdrianSteel.com......................................p.9

Mitsubishi Electric......Climaveneta.ca......................................p.47

Amvic.............................amvicsystem.com................................. p.25

Navien............................NavienInc.com/live...............................p.19

Aqua-Tech.....................aquatech-canada.com..........................p.41

Nudura...........................nudura.com/hydrofoam........................p.31

Bell Mobility.................bell.ca/pushtotalk...................................p.5

Olimpia Splendid..........olimpiasplendidusa.com......................p.15

Bradford White.............bradfordwhite.com............................... p.43

RLS Fittings.................rapidlockingsystem.com...................... p.59

Caleffi............................caleffi.com............................................ p.23

Saniflo...........................saniflo.ca.............................................. p.55

Canplas.........................endurainterceptor.com........................ p.63

simPRO Software........simprogroup.com/ca..............................p.2

Electric Eel...................electriceel.com..................................... p.53

Thermo 2000...............thermo2000.com................................. p.45

HBX................................hbxcontrols.com................................... p.29 Inner-Cool Systems.....inner-coolsystems.ca............................p.13

Thermostat Recovery Program.......hrai.ca/trp............................................. p.50

IPEX...............................ipexna.com........................................... p.64

TSI.................................tsi.com/Q-Trak-HPAC..............................p.11

Liberty Pumps..............LibertyPumps.com................................p.57

Viessmann....................viessmann.ca....................................... p.48

Master Group...............master.ca.............................................. p.60

Zurn...............................zurn.ca.................................................. p.52

HPACMAG.COM

FEBRUARY 2021 | HPAC

61

CALENDAR

FOR THE LATEST EVENT NEWS, SEE HPAC'S NEWSLETTER @ HPACMAG.COM

2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic visit event websites for the most current information.

ISH – International Trade Show Modern Hydronics Summit 2021 for Water and HVAC March 30-31 March 22-26 The 5th edition of Modern Hydronics – The The world’s largest exhibition for the HVAC sector held in Frankfurt, Germany showcasing an array of leading-edge solutions.

Summit will run over two half-days online with educational sessions, vendor exhibits and live interaction.

www.modernhydronicssummit.com

ish.messefrankfurt.com

MCEE 2021 CANCELLED Due to COVID-19 the Mécanex/Climatex/ Expolectriq/Éclairage (MCEE) 2021 trade show to held in Montreal, April 7-8, 2021 has been cancelled. The next MCEE will be held in 2023.

www.mcee.ca

Retrofit Canada Conference May 12-13

2021 ASHRAE Annual Conference June 26-30

Ventilation 2021 August 15-18

The first Retrofit Canada Conference held in Vancouver will focus on innovation to achieve greater sustainability and energy efficiency through retrofitting Canada’s infrastructure and buildings.

The conference will be held in Phoenix, Arizona with the technical program and committee meetings taking place at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown and the Phoenix Convention Center.

Held every three years, the 13th International Industrial Ventilation Conference for Contaminant Control is taking place in Toronto at the Sheraton City Centre.

ashrae.org/conferences

www.ashrae.org/conferences

Building Performance Analysis Conference (ASHRAE) September 22-24

CIPHEX West 2021 November 3-4

www.retrofitcanadaconference.com

Canadian Hydronics Conference September 14-15 The conference will bring hydronics industry professionals together in Saskatoon to connect in person and share knowledge and business building ideas.

www.ciph.com/page/chc2021

The theme for this three-day ASHRAE conference in Denver, Colorado is “Design and Operation for Resilient and Healthy Buildings”.

ashrae.org/conferences

Western Canada’s plumbing, hydronics, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and water treatment show is being held at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver.

2022

www.ciphexwest.ca

AHR Expo January 31-February 2

CMPX 2022 March 23-25

MEET Show 2022 May 4-5

The Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating (AHR) Expo returns in 2022 to the Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The annual showcase will reveal the future of HVAC/R technology along with plenty of educational and networking opportunities.

Held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, CMPX returns in 2022 as one of North America’s largest trade shows for the mechanical and plumbing industries.

Postponed to 2022, the biennial Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic Technology trade show in Atlantic Canada returns to the Moncton Coliseum Complex.

www.cmpxshow.com

www.meetshow.ca

ahrexpo.com

Planning an event?

Be sure to let us know. Send the details to dpicklyk@hpacmag.com 62

HPAC | FEBRUARY 2021

HPACMAG.COM

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