HPAC June 2023

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CONTENTS

FEATURES 12

HVAC

THE INVERTER COMPRESSOR ERA: ARE WE READY?

Compressor technology has been evolving since the earliest days of air conditioning; the time has come to embrace the latest generation.

By Ian McTeer

19

30 MECHANICAL MINUTES

HEAT PUMPS: WHAT EXACTLY IS INVERTER TECHNOLOGY?

Ian McTeer and Gerry Wagner sit down with HPAC to discuss the facts behind inverter technology and how it is making heat pumps better.

By HPAC Staff

22

DUCT-FREE ZONE

INVERTERS IMPROVE CAPACITY

When considering installation of multizone ductless heating and cooling systems, inverter compressors often allow more indoor capacity than you might think.

By Gerry Wagner

24

HYDRONICS

THE RIGHT MIX

Taking a look at many common mixing techniques used to keep closed-loop water temperature at optimal levels for increased comfort and to ensure greater operating efficiency.

By John Siegenthaler

CONTENTS

30 CONTROLS

HEART OF THE HOME

Advancements in zone controls for hydronic systems are leading in the right direction with more integration opportunities, including forced air.

By Curtis Bennett

38 COVER STORY

QR CODES

QR CODES: AT YOUR SERVICE

Digital technology is bringing convenience to the job site and can also help contracting companies attract more business.

By Doug Picklyk

40

PLUMBING PUMPED

Guests of SFA Saniflo Canada experience an immersive factory tour in France, as the company looks to grow its reach back home.

By Doug Picklyk

42 PROFILE

FROM LEGACY TO EXPANSION

Three brothers step up to lead Norm’s Plumbing and Heating business into the future.

By Doug Picklyk

46

MANAGEMENT

GET YOUR SERVICE BUSINESS

WORKING FOR YOU

For owner/operators working in the trades, a business manager can help keep the operations on track.

By Mathew Pottins

48

REFRIGERATION

WHAT IS ADIABATIC COOLING?

A form of evaporative cooling, adiabatic condensers can improve the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial refrigeration applications.

By Dave Demma

48

THE NEXT GENERATION FLEXIBLE SHAFT MACHINE

General has rethought high-speed, exible shaft machines. The stronger, stiffer shaft lets you clean a wider range of drain lines, up to 75 feet long. It’s exible enough to negotiate 2" lines yet tough enough to clear roots in 4" lines.

General’s unique ClogChopper ® cutter in combination with the carbide tipped chain cutter makes a formidable combination, capable of clearing the toughest stoppage.

The built-in variable speed motor with foot pedal control makes the machine easier to operate. And the shaft is eld repairable. It’s everything a exible shaft machine should be.

To learn more, visit www.drainbrain.com/Flexi-Rooter, or call the Drain Brains ® at 800-245-6200

Flexi-Rooter ®

with ClogChopper

THE AI AGE

IN THIS DIGITAL AGE, THE INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IS QUICKLY AFFECTING VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND THE HVAC WORLD IS NOT IMMUNE.

HVAC and plumbing companies, those who service and replace systems in homes and large buildings, can possibly benefit from the implementation of AI in some of the latest to technologies on the market designed to enhance efficiency and deliver improved services for clients.

One advantage of AI for service companies is the ability to implement predictive maintenance. By analyzing historical data and real-time sensor inputs, AI algorithms can identify potential system failures or malfunctions before they occur. These smart systems enable proactive maintenance, reducing the risk of breakdowns, and minimizing downtime for customers.

Montreal-based BrainBox AI has been developing and deploying its HVAC monitoring technology that leverages AI to make buildings smarter and greener since 2019. Another company in this same space is called 75F, and there are likely many more that will be making their mark on the market.

These companies aren’t replacing HVAC service providers, but their predictive maintenance abilities work to enhance reliability and allow service companies to optimize their schedules and allocate resources more effectively.

These AI-powered systems can be trained to detect and diagnose faults within HVAC systems. By analyzing data, algorithms can identify anomalies, deviations, or patterns that indicate problems. This capability enables technicians to pinpoint and address issues before they occur, reducing troubleshooting time and enhancing efficiency.

This smart fault detection can allow remote troubleshooting, so techs can provide guidance to clients from their offices, potentially minimizing visits.

The technology is also designed for improved energy consumption, lowering utility bills for customers. Endorsing these AI-driven solutions could help service companies demonstrate their commitment to their customers’ environmental responsibility.

These are just a few ways AI technology can assist service companies, not replace them. Plus, if you’re a business owner wondering if ChatGPT, the AIpowered language model that was introduced last year, could help with your business, I would recommend you set up a free account and ask it yourself.

You may be surprised by the response.

For starters, how does this sound: 24/7 customer support through automated chatbots and virtual assistants, basic troubleshooting guidance and intelligent scheduling.

I have a feeling these AI services will be popping up in the most common field service business management software—if it isn’t already.

This is truly emerging technology, so it’s worth making the effort to investigate what it can do to help keep your company from falling behind. <>

– Doug Picklyk, Editor

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INDUSTRY NEWS

TWO MORE SHOPS JOIN RIGHT TIME GROUP

Right Time Group of Companies now has 25 locations across central and western Canada with recent acquisitions of Thomson Industries Ltd. of Port Coquitlam, B.C. and Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning of Guelph, Ont.

Both companies provide residential heating, cooling, and air quality services and following the acquisitions both groups’ management and employees joined the Right Time team.

Right Time, majority-owned by San Francisco-based private equity firm Gryphon Investors, has operations in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and B.C. right-time.ca

ENWAVE BUILDING NEW LOW-CARBON HEATING PLANT IN TORONTO

Enwave Energy Corp. has broken ground for a new three-storey low-carbon heating facility using heat pumps at their Pearl Street Energy Centre in downtown Toronto. The new facility is part of an expansion and updating of their existing 60-yearold building at 120 Pearl St. which provides low-carbon heat to Toronto’s district energy grid.

The new facility will include the installation of new assets that recycle district waste heat to produce hot water via electrification using heat pumps, electric feeds, and generators. The technology is optimized due to the scale and magnitude of buildings connected to Enwave’s heating and cooling district.

The company states that when fully utilized, the new heating facility will provide enough low-carbon heating to reduce emissions in Toronto by approximately 11,600 tCO2e, which is the equivalent of converting over 10 million sq. ft. of office space to net zero.

“The addition of a low carbon heating facility to our Pearl Street Energy Centre is a significant milestone for us and Toronto’s district energy grid, because it allows us to provide decarbonization at scale,” said Carlyle Coutinho, CEO of Enwave Energy Corp. in a media release.

MCEE EXPO 2023 ATTRACTS CLOSE TO 7,000

Held for the first time at the Palais des congrès de Montréal (Montreal Congress Centre), the 2023 MCEE Expo, held April 19th and 20th, attracted 7,000 visitors.

“It was great after a four-year absence that the MCEE tradeshow is still proof that our industry members can come together for a common cause to create meaningful partnerships that increase the quality of tradeshows for exhibitors, visitors and for the industry associations,” says Ralph Suppa, president of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH).

The biannual show was last held in Spring 2019 (the pandemic forcing the cancellation of the 2021 edition). More

For nearly 20 years, Enwave has provided district energy to Toronto’s downtown hospitals, campuses, and office buildings through its Deep Lake Water Cooling system. Now the organization is building out new district systems that use other technologies and sources, such as wastewater heat recovery and geoexchange, to service communities in the GTA.

Last year the company launched Enwave GeoCommunities, a platform using geoexchange to provide low-carbon energy to buildings.

The new Energy Centre expansion and renewal project is supported financially by a grant from Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund and a $600 million loan commitment from the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) to accelerate the scale and build-out.

The new facility is anticipated to be in service by late 2024. enwave.com

than 300 exhibitors occupied 65,000 sq. ft. featuring new products and technologies, and the New Products Showcase, a regular feature of the MCEE Expo, showcased 58 products this year.

The MCEE Expo, organized by the corporation des maîtres mécaniciens en tuyauterie du Québec (CMMTQ), CIPH, the

corporation des maîtres électriciens du Québec (CMEQ), and the corporation des entreprises de traitement de l’air et du froid (CETAF), in collaboration with Électro Fédération Canada (EFC), will return on April 24 and 25, 2025 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. mcee.ca

SOURCE: GLOBENEWSWIRE

Left-right: Sashen Guneratna (managing director, Canada Infrastructure Bank), Carlyle Coutinho (CEO, Enwave), and Todd Smith (Minister of Energy, Ontario).

NEW COMMERCIAL TOILETS & ECOPOWER® FLUSH VALVES

HIGH-PERFORMANCE MEETS EASY MAINTENANCE

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HEAT PUMP SYMPOSIUM A SOLD OUT SUCCESS

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) in cooperation with the Ontario Geothermal Association (OGA) attracted over 600 people to its inaugural Heat Pump Symposium held April 4 at the International Centre in Toronto.

The sold-out event included some 60 exhibitors and over 25 speakers addressing political will and government policies encouraging heat pump adoption in Canada along with technical sessions addressing both residential and commercial heat pump applications.

The day also included international flavour with a presentation on Sweden’s early adoption of heat pump technology, and also plenty of local insights with heat pump advocates representing contractor, manufacturer and property developer perspectives.

heatpumpsymposium.ca

ERIC ELLEFSEN WINNER OF 2023 AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN APPRENTICESHIP EDUCATION

Eric Ellefsen, refrigeration and air conditioning instructor at New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) St. Andrews, has been selected by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) as the recipient of the 2023 Award for Excellence in Apprenticeship Education.

The award honours educators and training instructors who deliver innovative and top-quality instructional programming to apprentices in Red Seal Trades.

ASHRAE PUBLISHES ZERO ENERGY AND ZERO CARBON BUILDING EVALUATION STANDARD

ASHRAE has released a new standard to measure zero net carbon and energy goals in buildings.

The new ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 228-2023, Standard Method of Evaluating Zero Net Energy and Zero Net Carbon Building Performance, sets requirements for evaluating whether a building, or group of buildings, meets a definition of “zero net energy” or a definition of “zero net carbon” during building operation.

The standard draws from ASHRAE Standard 105, among others, to address energy and carbon flows across a site boundary, their measurement and their balance.

“Achieving a zero energy building has been viewed by many as a difficult goal to meet, with unforeseeable roadblocks and differing guidance,” said Keith Emerson, P.E., chair of the Standards Project Committee 228.

“Standard 228 provides a consistent method for determining whether new and existing sites have reached zero energy. We hope this standard will become a helpful resource for building professionals in strategic decarbonization planning.” ashrae.org

Ellefsen has been teaching NBCC refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic (RACM) apprentices in St. Andrews for more than 36 years.

He has pioneered various training technologies in course delivery, including 3D virtual training and hybrid in-person/ online classes. And he participates in the refrigeration and air conditioning technician trades exploration program for underrepresented groups, and mentored and inspired the first female Red Seal refrigeration and A/C technician in New Brunswick.

He is an Educational Advisor for the RACM trade on the New Brunswick Provincial Advisory Committee for PostSecondary Education, Training and Labour; a team member of the Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization project for the Atlantic Apprenticeship Curriculum Standard; and a regular contributor to the development of Red Seal Occupational Standards (RSOS) and examinations for RACM.

FEDS ANNOUNCE $4B FUND AIMING TO BUILD MORE HOMES, FASTER

The federal government has launched a $4 billion initiative aimed at helping Canadian municipalities build more housing.

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), first announced in Budget 2022, will launch this summer and run until 202627, and it aims to provide funding for local governments to fast track the creation of 100,000 new homes across Canada.

The fund will help cities, towns, and Indigenous governments unlock new housing supply by speeding up development and approvals, like fixing out-ofdate permitting systems, introducing zoning reforms to build more density, or incentivizing development close to public transit.

The fund will provide upfront funding to support implementation of initiatives that accelerate project timelines, allow for increased housing density, encourage affordable housing units, and more. cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Eric Ellefsen

On the right is a 2 inch MJ Cast Iron Pipe manufactured in China supplied to a professional contractor by a plumbing distributor in Canada.

These low price products DO NOT CONFORM to the CSA B70 standard, as the wall thickness is below the minimum requirement of 3mm.

Pipe like this will have a shorter life span and is difficult to cut as can be seen below, resulting in cracks and splinters of iron that will break and pose safety issues for workers and will also significantly increase the cost of installation and possible risk to the owners long term.

Beware of products at a reduced price with appearances of quality equal to those manufactured in CANADA.

Make the smart choice, support Canadian workers and buy Canadian Cast Iron soil pipe.

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THE INVERTER COMPRESSOR ERA: ARE WE READY?

It was one spring day in the mid1970’s that I tagged along with an experienced refrigeration technician on a residential service call. My task that day, as a neophyte helper, was to carry tools and equipment in and out of a fabulous mansion located just north of downtown Toronto.

In those days, residential air conditioning consisted mainly of table fans, strategically opened windows and, for some, the emerging window air conditioner market helped to provide relief from Toronto’s notorious summertime heat and humidity.

When I first entered the mechanical room of this home, I stood in awe at the size and complexity of the equipment.

An enormous oil furnace had two slab cooling coils installed in series in the hot air plenum, both on a 45-degree angle with each controlled by an adjustable TXV.

The furnace had a massive two-speed motor running in continuous mode yearround. Part of our job was to lubricate the motor, change the drive pulley and belt, and electrically switch the motor into continuous high speed for the summer cooling airflow requirement.

I really fell in love with the two watercooled serviceable hermetic compressors mounted on springs attached to heavy steel I-beams. Next to them, mounted on the side wall, were two huge motor starters containing a bunch of capacitors and other controls; I couldn’t wait to learn all about it.

THE RECIPROCATING ERA

An era is often defined as a period of time marked by distinctive character. Never again did I see a serviceable or semi-hermetic compressor in a residential application, because shortly after that fateful day the first residential split

system air conditioning units arrived in my expanding HVAC world.

Several of the earliest splits I encountered used rotary compressors; these are positive displacement compressors using a rolling piston or rotating vane that have the advantage of providing constant flow of suction and discharge gases and are still used today in various applications.

Positive displacement reciprocating compressors, also known as piston compressors, are essentially pumps that provide—as all refrigerant compressors do—a pressure differential allowing refrigerant to flow.

By adding heat during the pumping process vapour pressure is increased to the high side condition. Hermetic compressor manufacturers developed several reciprocating designs for use in residential applications. One such de -

Continued on p14

Compressor technology has been evolving since the earliest days of air conditioning; the time has come to embrace the latest generation. BY IAN McTEER

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Continued from p12

sign had four opposing pistons arranged on a flat plane.

Another design incorporated capacity control by using two pistons. Under low load only one piston pumped, and when greater capacity was required the motor would reverse and engage the second piston thus providing full pumping capacity.

In the 1950’s, General Electric developed a reciprocating compressor meant for cooling and heat pump applications. The compressor had a unique valving system allowing for a minuscule clearance volume: on every discharge stroke of the piston almost all the charge was pushed out of the cylinder thus improving pumping efficiency. The over-sized hermetic shell served as a refrigerant accumulator featuring a loop of discharge tubing running through the bottom of the shell.

The hot discharge line would vaporize any liquid refrigerant finding its way back to the compressor during operation. The all-aluminum frame, motor housing, piston and connecting rod components were designed to reduce thermal stress and to help the compressor to run cooler by dissipating heat away from bearing surfaces. Truly a unique concept, many reciprocating compressors of this type are still in use today.

THE SCROLL ERA

By 1987, the Trane Company had introduced its 3D Scroll compressor to the commercial marketplace, although Trane was one of the last manufacturers to use scrolls in residential products. While reciprocating compressors continue to enjoy an excellent record of reliability, the improved efficiency, reduced noise levels, and the much lower cost of production inevitably convinced split system manufacturers to fully embrace scroll compressors in most of their product offerings.

Scroll compression volume is formed

by the orbiting relationship between the two involutes that compress the refrigerant gas in a continuous circular motion. As the orbiting scroll moves, it creates a decreasing volume between itself and the stationary scroll. Refrigerant gas is drawn into the pockets between the two scroll involutes, and as the orbiting involute continues to move the pockets become smaller and smaller eventually forcing the compressed gas through the center port and along to the condenser coil.

Without having to worry about a piston colliding with the cylinder head or valve assembly, there is no clearance volume to reduce compression efficiency.

The scroll set incorporates mechanisms that allow for radial and axial conformance: the involutes can move up and down or side to side just enough to allow a small amount of liquid to pass through without damaging the assembly. (Note: small amount!)

In the early 2000’s, scroll compressors with a modulation ring incorporated into the scroll set (Figure 1) were introduced into the premium equipment segment and became known as twostep compressors having pumping capacity reduced by 35% in first step. Two-step scroll outdoor units connected to variable speed air handlers not only

offered some energy savings, but consistent temperatures and better humidity control.

THE INVERTER DRIVE ERA

Intense governmental scrutiny of energy using appliances such as gas furnaces, refrigerators, air conditioners and heat pumps (to name just a few) pushed manufacturers to find more substantial ways of reducing watts consumed by these products while delivering the same level or even better performance.

Partial capacity control offered by two-step scrolls was bettered by the introduction of the variable frequency drive, also known as the inverter drive, to residential HVAC over a decade ago.

Inverters control the speed of the compressor by adjusting the frequency of the supplied electrical power rather than using mechanical unloading devices to deliver improved low load efficiency and better humidity control all while using fewer watts while only partially loaded.

An inverter drive takes the incoming AC voltage and converts it to DC using a rectifier. The resulting DC voltage powers the inverter circuit that produces an AC voltage at variable frequency.

The compressor motor speed is controlled by the AC hertz delivered to it

Scroll compressor with a modulation ring incorporated into the scroll set.

PHOTO SOURCE: COPELAND

depending upon the heating or cooling load conditions. Inverter drives, combined with the recent introduction of dense vapour injection, or flash injection, of refrigerant directly into the scroll set made the cold climate heat pump a truly revolutionary advancement in our industry.

IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING

Early scroll compressors tended to vibrate a bit too much, and some were

even noisier than recips of the day.

I remember reading an article published by one manufacturer in the early days saying that scroll compressors were unsuitable for use in residential applications less than 42K Btu/h. Although those teething problems were eventually satisfactorily attenuated, scrolls have another tendency that some electricity distribution utilities in Canada are very upset about.

It has to do with rapid voltage changes

caused by high current consumption during the start-up of residential heat pumps having compressors with lock rotor currents capable of drawing more than 100 amps (Figure 2).

Too many large conventional air conditioners or heat pumps starting a cycle at roughly the same time will create a significant voltage drop that can affect the stability of the electrical grid. Homeowners recognize this voltage drop as light flicker, one utility reported that 7% of their customer complaints last year resulted from light flicker.

You often hear comments portraying our electric distribution grid as old and creaky; no doubt, many improvements must be made to support the level of electrification so many of us want.

Utility engineers are working toward fortifying the distribution system by increasing secondary network conductor size, increasing service conductor size,

Continued on p16

Note the starting lock rotor amperage (LRA) printed on this compressor name plate.

Continued from p15

and increasing transformer size among other things.

However, larger transformer installations must be balanced with demand because transformers work most efficiently at ~80% capacity. Thus, utilities are looking for appliance manufacturers to improve the electrical/electronic characteristics of residential and commercial HVAC/R equipment that can potentially pollute the grid with transients, harmonics, voltage sags and surges.

Inverter driven compressors typically require only 30% to 40% lock rotor current at start-up. Inverters often incorporate an automatic function that supplies active power factor correction designed to boost DC output voltage to the compressor when power demand is high.

Such power correction improves the power factor for the local electrical utility by reducing current draw and, at the same time, limiting harmonic distortion that may lead to the utility transformer overheating.

But inverter driven compressors can also be the victims of power quality issues, the very same voltage fluctuations and surges potentially caused by their neighboring conventional compressors creating mayhem on the grid.

Inverter controls can be more susceptible to overheating or heat-driven component failures when poor design or low-quality components such as microprocessors, capacitors and semiconductors fail to properly regulate the compressor speed and control system functions.

Even the best components will generate heat during operation, and without adequate cooling mechanisms such as fans, heat sinks or refrigerant cooled heat sinks (see Figure 3), or, if the inverter is installed in an area with poor ventilation, the heat generated by said components will build up and cause potential premature component failures.

As the inverter compressor era be -

comes better established in the HVAC/R marketplace, there are several outstanding issues making widespread adoption less likely in the near future.

For one thing, the initial cost of cold climate inverter driven compressors featuring dense vapour injection make them less attractive to budget conscious homeowners and builders who continue to prioritize cost over longterm energy savings.

Another potential Achilles Heel is complexity. The process of adjusting compressor speed to maintain consistent indoor temperatures and superior humidity control means more sophisticated sensors and advanced control systems combined with line after line of proprietary software codes making diagnostics and repairs that much more challenging in the event of a malfunction.

Technicians and installers must learn to work with high DC voltage. Line set sizing requires strict adherence to manufacturer specifications related to tubing run and rise maximums, otherwise, oil management systems designed to ensure adequate amounts of oil is returned to the compressor sump will be impaired and will result in disastrous compressor failures.

The potential for considerably higher repair and maintenance costs does exist and cannot be ignored.

Our industry needs no more warnings about the shortage of qualified installers and technicians needed to make the inverter era work as advertised. Only a steady and ample stream of trade school graduates deciding to embrace a career in HVAC/R every year will make a difference in furthering the advance of the inverter era.

Added to the skilled labour challenge, manufacturers intend to introduce residential equipment charged with low global warming potential (GWP) “mildly flammable” A2L refrigerants by early 2025. Another round of training to familiarize the trade with A2L refrigerants coupled with the introduction of new safe handling techniques and new tools approved for use with A2Ls suggests contractors should start early; get your staff up to speed as soon as possible and continue remedial training into the future.

The multiple thorny issues of high initial cost, lack of competent HVAC/R technical staff, linked to an electrical infrastructure not nearly ready for full scale electrification means that the inverter era will, figuratively speaking, stagger into its own rather than take off like the scroll compressor era.

And it’s too bad, because as there are advantages and disadvantages to both inverter driven and conventional compressors, the benefits of comfort, durability, noise reduction, and energy efficiency are surely making inverter driven compressors a better choice for most residential heat pump and air conditioner applications. <>

Ian McTeer is an HVAC consultant with over 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. Questions? Ian can be contacted via email at: iMcTeer@outlook.com.

Note the refrigerant cooled heat sink keeping this unit’s electrical components cool.

PHOTO: L COTTON

HEAT PUMPS: What exactly is inverter technology?

STAFF

Interest in heat pumps is growing rapidly as homeowners are learning more about the technology through government incentive programs and exposure through mainstream media. Being on the front lines, HVAC contractors are doing their part to educate consumers about what heat pumps are and why they make sense for efficient space heating and cooling.

The latest installment of HPAC magazine’s 30 Mechanical Minutes, our free educational webinar series, turned its focus on getting into the specifics of the latest generation of cold climate heat pump technologies. Joining HPAC editor Doug Picklyk in this episode were two regular magazine contributors, Ian McTeer and Gerry Wagner. This edition of 30 Mechanical Minutes was sponsored by Olimpia Splendid.

To begin, McTeer explained how the industry has been trying for years to improve comfort while reducing electrical consumption on air conditioners and heat pumps using mechanical processes, such as two-step compressors, where the unit is only partially loaded to conserve energy when possible. “The mechanical method worked reasonably

well, but an inverter does a much better job,” says McTeer.

HOW DOES AN INVERTER WORK?

As McTeer explained: an inverter drive takes incoming A/C voltage and converts it to DC using a rectifier. The resulting DC voltage powers the inverter circuit that produces an A/C voltage at variable frequency, so the compressor motor speed is controlled by the A/C Hertz delivered to it. A combination of sensors and smart thermostats control the logic and decide what speed the compressor should run at based on the load condition at the time.

“I'd have to say that the inverter drive compressor is probably one of the most significant advances in the HVAC industry, especially residential products,” says McTeer.

And Wagner has stated many times that the inverter compressor is “the greatest invention in the HVAC industry in my lifetime.” He points to heat pump products now having seasonal energy efficiency ratings (SEER) in the high thirties. “I never thought I’d say that in my lifetime. And that’s all a result of the inverter compressor bringing low ambient

heating down to negative 5F (-20C),” says Wagner.

He also credits the inverter compressor for allowing multi-zone mini-split systems, something that wasn’t possible prior to the inverter compressor. And he welcomes the introduction of soft start technology—inverter compressors don’t start at 3,600 rpm and work their way down, they start slowly and work their way up. “Once it finds that sweet spot—the set point temperature—it’ll go into what I call cruise control. It’s a compressor with a gas pedal,” says Wagner.

Ian McTeer and Gerry Wagner sit down with HPAC to discuss the facts behind inverter technology and how its making heat pumps better. BY HPAC

HPAC editor Doug Picklyk (left) is joined by Ian McTeer (centre) and Gerry Wagner to discuss the technology in cold climate heat pumps.

Figure 1. Illustration of two-stage vapour injection compressor.

FLASH INJECTION

There are a few different methods manufacturers use to further enhance the capabilities of heat pumps, and one is flash injection technology, sometimes also referred to as enhanced vapour injection. It’s this technology, when combined with inverter compressors, that is allowing heat pumps to perform at much lower temperatures, creating the ‘cold climate’ heat pump category.

As Wagner explains: It's commonly called the two-stage vapour injection compressor. Referring to an image (see Figure 1), he points out the two suction ports and the single discharge. When vapour changes pressure energy is produced, and that’s what is happening here. He explains how that second injection port has a vapour injection valve which, based upon outdoor air temperature and some other criteria, will open and ultimately provide that added heating capacity.

“That’s how we’re getting heat out of outdoor temperatures like -33F (-36C).”

LIVED EXPERIENCE

McTeer has connected a cold climate heat pump to the centrally-ducted air handler in his home in the Ottawa area, and he revealed some ‘balance point’ charts to show the difference between a conventional multi-stage system compared with his inverter-driven cold climate technology.

“This chart [see Figure 2, above] is something we used to do in the early days of conventional heat pumps. My outside design temperature is minus -13F (-25C), and the load at design is 34,399 Btu/h.”

So he drew a line from minus -13F (-25C) across and down to 65F (18C), the theoretical point where no heating or cooling is required—that’s the ‘load line.’

Then he created an ‘equipment line’ using data from a conventional twostep heat pump, where at 47F (8.3C) the unit would put out 27,600 Btu/h, and at 2F (-16.6C) its output would be 11,900 Btu/h. The balance point, where the equipment line crosses the load line, is 22F (-5C). That’s the point where second stage is going to call.

Data from his own installed 2.5-ton cold climate heat pump shows that at 47F (8.3C) it’s producing 32,000 Btu/h, and at -13F (-25C) its output is 25,600 Btu/h. Now the balance point, using the same load and the new equipment line is down to 0F (-18C).

“So at -18C I'm going to get a bit of my back up electric resistance heat coming on to supplement, so both units will be running together,” says McTeer. “We’ve been through two winters now and it’s just been absolutely delightful.”

MULTIPLE BENEFITS

Among other benefits, Wagner explained how inverter technology actually improves the capacity of multi-zone mini-split systems. Since the inverter compressor matches the load, whichever zones are calling, or not calling, the output of the compressor matches the load at that moment in time.

Also, when looking at different multizone possibilities, he insists that contractors don’t just look at model number of Continued on p20

Figure 2. Balance point charts created by Ian McTeer based on his home.

the outdoor unit and assume that is the highest output capacity. For example, an 18,000 Btu/h outdoor inverter multi-zone compressor can, in many cases, give you as much as 22,000 or 23,000 Btu/h of cooling and heating. “So it’s always best to look at the capacity chart, not the model number,” he says.

Today’s cold climate heat pumps are premium products, so cost could be a barrier to acceptance, and McTeer shared other concerns regarding market adoption of the technology.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Following the live webinar, here are a few of the questions posed by the attendees:

Where is the flash injection line taken from in the refrigerant circuit? And how is the quantity taken?

Wagner: There is a vapour injection valve, which is really, quite frankly, nothing more than a motorized bypass valve, coming off the suction. And again, only activating when the outdoor air temperature drops below where vapour injection is required.

McTeer: Some manufacturers divert a little bit of liquid coming back from the condenser and run it through a plate heat exchanger. And then they have a solenoid valve that allows them to inject that dense vapour as needed. It looks like they’re injecting it into the scroll set or into the suction line just upstream of the compressor. Others use a system where they dump a little bit of a hot gas into a flash tank where it immediately becomes a dense vapour that’s injected into the compressor. The manufacturer could use a solenoid valve controlled by the inverter board in conjunction with an engineered metering device that will create and thus control the flow of dense vapour to the compressor as the conditions demand.

Why do heat pumps take longer than fossil fuel equipment to get set point?

Wagner: I would disagree with that statement in general. In fact, I may even suggest just the opposite, at least up against a hydronic system. I think that question suggests there is a trade-off for efficiency and comfort, and there absolutely is not.

“If everyone on my street converted to a heat pump like mine tomorrow, there’s not enough electricity on the street to run all those heat pumps and the required electric furnace back up on the coldest days.”

For Wagner, who has been traveling across Canada educating wholesalers and others about heat pump technology, the future looks bright.

“We have gone through a number of winters with the inverter technology, and even with the vapour injection technology, and we are just thrilled to be getting reports from coast to coast, and in northern Canada as well, where systems were performing as designed. The technology is working. It’s tried and true, and it’s nothing to be afraid of at this point.” <>

To view this entire episode of 30 Mechanical Minutes and to re-visit past editions of the series visit our website hpacmag.com/tech-pulse or go to our YouTube channel (@hpacmag).

McTeer: Well, in the early days of conventional heat pumps, there was a lot of truth to that. We used to advise people to never set back in the winter time, because the heat of a conventional heat pump coming out of setback would take hours to bring the temperature up. But the newer heat pumps have changed that. I set mine back 2C at night, and there's absolutely no problem in the morning coming out of setback.

How do you size an inverter unit? Do you size for heating or cooling load?

Wagner: Start with a proper heat gain/heat loss calculation. It’s 2023, and we have to apply science to this. There are no more excuses for guess work.

McTeer: I sized for the heating load. I got the manufacturers specifications, and I saw the heating output. And then I looked at my load calculation and saw my cooling load, and of course there’s quite a difference there. I wanted the Btus on the heating side. In the old days they used to say, size for the cooling load and add half a ton. Which was probably the worst advice I have ever heard, because cooling equipment was often oversized, and then adding half a ton to it to try to take advantage on the heating side just left systems working very poorly, in my in my opinion. And quite often the air handling side wasn’t adequate either. So, in the case of a of a cold climate heat pump, you want to look at the heating output.

Are the inverter heat pumps quieter starting?

Wagner: Absolutely. I think that goes without saying, and I can actually throw some numbers at you. A typical 4-ton system outdoor unit is about 58 decibels. In comparison, a normal conversation between two people standing next to each other is somewhere between 60 to 70 decibels. So it’s quieter than a normal conversation.

The questions and answers have been edited for clarity. To view the entire webinar visit hpacmag.com/tech-pulse or @hpacmag on YouTube.

“The technology is working ... and it's nothing to be afraid of at this point.”

INVERTERS IMPROVE CAPACITY

BY GERRY WAGNER

“The inverter compressor is the greatest invention in the HVAC industry in my lifetime.”

Ihave made that statement many times in this column as well in my mini-split and central-ducted training events. I remain committed to it and offer the following as further evidence to support it.

There is a feature of the multi-zone mini split system I represent that I had been apprehensive to use myself in a residential application when I was still contracting, and it’s one that as a trainer I had a difficult time describing objectively.

The feature is the ability to install more indoor capacity than outdoor capacity.

In my training events I almost have a hard time completing that sentence because on the surface, it seems so wrong.

However, like most features and components of the inverter mini split, we need to scratch below the surface a little bit to uncover the true advantage.

If you look at the chart of approved standard multi-zone combinations I’ve included above (Figure 1, outdoor unit models in the top bar and capacity of the multiple indoor units below), you will notice that 73 of the 123 approved combinations actually add up to more indoor capacity than outdoor capacity.

How can that be?

Well, clearly you are always limited to the capacity of the outdoor unit, but when you look closely at the capacities of these standard multi-zone outdoor units (Figure 2), you see that the 18K, 24K and 30K outdoor unit capacity range in brackets exceeds their capacity stated in their model number for both cooling and heating.

You will also notice that the 36K and 42K exceeds their capacity stated in their model number for heating.

So, when we look at the approved combination of 9+9+9 for the 24K unit, at first glance it appears we have 3K more indoor capacity than the 24K out-

Figure 1. Chart of approved standard multi-zone combinations, outdoor unit models in the top bar and capacity of multiple indoor units below.

When considering installation of multi-zone mini-split systems, inverter compressors often allow more indoor capacity than you might think.

door unit. However, a closer examination reveals that the 24K unit has a capacity in cooling to 33K and in heating to 28K, more than enough to handle the 27K of indoor units!

Please note that not all of the approved combinations work out this way. Many still represent more indoor capacity than outdoor, and in these instances, should all indoor units call simultane -

ously the system is limited to the overall capacity of the outdoor unit and may result in the indoor units de-rating.

My example of the 9+9+9 with the 24K exemplifies how instead of moving up to the 34K outdoor unit, you can keep your equipment cost down yet still maintain necessary capacity.

Note this also applies to enhanced multi-zone units as well (Figure 3).

I love that even after all my years with these products, I still find revelations like this to excite me and cause me to rethink previous concerns. <>

Gerry Wagner is vice president business development for Bathica, and he can be contacted at gerrywagner@bathica.com

Figure 2. Capacities of standard multi-zone outdoor units, variable range in brackets.

Figure 3. Capacities of enhanced (cold climate) multi-zone outdoor units.

THE RIGHT MIX

Taking a look at common mixing techniques to keep closed-loop water temperature at optimal levels.

BY JOHN SIEGENTHALER

There are many hydronic heating systems where the temperature of water from the heat source is (or might be) well above the temperature required by the heat emitters. Radiant floor heating supplied from a “conventional” boiler is probably the most common example. Although some installers might assume the solution is to turn down the high limit temperature setting of the boiler, that’s not the answer.

The North American hydronics industry learned this lesson the hard way when radiant floor heating began its “resurrection” in the early 1980s. Many boilers along with their venting systems were trashed due to sustained flue gas condensation caused by operation at low water temperatures. Turning down the heat source temperature also doesn’t apply to “wild” heat sources such as thermal storage tanks heated by solar collectors, pellet boilers or cordwood gasification boilers.

Fortunately, there are many proven methods of interceding between higher temperature hydronic heat sources and low temperature distribution systems. They are all based on mixing hot water from the heat source with cooler water returning from the heat emitters.

The proportions of that blend can range from 0 to 100% of the hot water. In most cases the blended supply water temperature is between these two extremes.

TWO OBJECTIVES

The “primary” objective of mixing is to create a suitable supply water temperature for the heat emitters. However, when any type of conventional boiler (e.g., one not intended to operate with sustained flue gas condensation), serves as the heat source, the mixing assembly must also protect that boiler against conditions that would cause that condensation.

The only consistent way to prevent sustained flue gas condensation is to sense and react to the temperature of water entering the boiler.

The sensing part of this requirement is easy - just add a sensor to the pipe leading into the boiler.

The “reaction” part of the requirement is a bit more involved. It requires piping design that allows the boiler to be thermally “uncoupled” from the load when necessary. I like to describe this function as a “thermal clutch.” To understand the clutch analogy, think about the function of a clutch in a vehicle. It al -

lows the engine to be mechanically uncoupled (fully or partially) from the drivetrain when necessary.

When fully uncoupled, the engine can quickly increase its power output, and not be “lugged down” by a significant mechanical load, such as starting to move a five-ton truck up an inclined road. Once the engine’s power level has increased, the vehicle’s clutch is slowly actuated to begin transferring the engine’s power to the drivetrain. Those who drive vehicles with clutches quickly learn how to control the clutch pedal so as not to overload the engine.

Mixing assemblies that act as a thermal clutch must have the “intelligence” to allow heat to move from the boiler to the load, but not at a rate that would thermally overload the boiler, causing its temperature to drop and creating conditions that cause sustained flue gas condensation.

BUILDING BRIDGES

The best way to understand different approaches to mixing is to consider a generalized piping design that’s adaptable to several mixing hardware configurations. Figure 1 shows this “mixing assembly” concept that creates a bridge between a boiler (or other heat source) and the distribution system.

Figure 1. This example of a “mixing assembly” creates a bridge between a boiler and the distribution system.

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The mixing assembly is the only path for heat to move from the heat source to the load. As such it can prevent heat flow, allow heat to cross at the maximum output, or regulate heat transfer between those two limiting conditions.

The mixing assembly is “informed” by two temperature sensors. One on the supply side of the system and the other near the boiler inlet.

Figure 2 shows several hardware configurations that would fit into the conceptual box called the mixing assembly. Each configuration connects to the boiler loop at two points (labelled A and B), and also to the distribution system at two points (labelled C and D).

There are several hardware groupings that can be used as the mixing assembly (also shown in Figure 2).

All of these mixing assemblies can

provide supply temperature control as well as anti-condensation protection for a conventional boiler. However, some are more “practical” than others.

Of the six mixing assemblies shown we’ll discuss 2-way, 3-way- and 4-way motorized valves, and variable speed injection mixing.

TWO-WAY MOTORIZED VALVES

A two-way motorized valve, piped as shown in assembly #5, allows for injection mixing. The motorized valve meters hot water from the boiler loop into the distribution system. Mixing occurs in the tee downstream of the valve.

The amount of flow passing through the valve is regulated by an electronic controller that monitors both the supply water to the distribution system and the water returning to the boiler.

When the latter is low enough to allow sustained flue gas condensation (typically below 130F), the controller operates the motorized valve to limit the amount of hot water passing into the distribution system.

This monitoring and adjustment continues as long as the distribution system is active. It keeps the boiler inlet temperature at or slightly above some minimum temperature setting on the controller whenever possible.

The globe valve shown between the tees near points C and D is adjusted so that the 2-way motorized valve is fully open while yielding the required supply water at design load conditions.

Notice that the supply temperature sensor for the mixing assembly is located downstream of the tee where the hot and cool fluids mix.

Figure 2. Several potential mixing assembly configurations.

That sensor should be at least four feet downstream of the tee. This is an important detail that ensures the hot and cool water streams are fully mixed by the time the flow passes the sensor.

Although not shown in Figure 2, locating the supply temperature sensor downstream of several fittings, or the distribution circulator when possible, further ensures complete mixing before temperature sensing.

Most controllers that operate a twoway motorized mixing valve output either a “3-wire floating” signal, or a 2-10 VDC modulating signal, depending on the type of actuator used on the valve.

These controllers would also be able to adjust the valve to supply the distribution system with either a fixed setpoint supply temperature, or a temperature based on outdoor reset.

THREE-WAY MOTORIZED VALVES

One of the most common and long-es -

tablished mixing methods used in lower temperature hydronic systems is based on a three-way motorized valve.

These valves combine hot water from the heat source with cooler water returning from the heat emitters to create a supply water temperature based on either setpoint or outdoor reset control.

The controller operating the valve could be identical to that used for a twoway motorized valve. That controller would also monitor boiler inlet temperature and reduce the hot water entering the valve, when necessary, to prevent sustained flue gas condensation.

Figure 3 (next page) shows an example of the rotary type valve used for three-way mixing. The valve is shown with a manually adjustable knob which would be replaced with a motorized actuator for automatic control.

The valve has an internal spool that rotates with the shaft. The spool’s position determines the proportions of hot

water and cooler return water that enter the valve and mix together.

One extreme position allows no return water into the mix, and the other extreme position allows no heat source water into the valve.

The full range of rotation between the two extreme positions is 90 degrees. Most actuators used to rotate the valve shaft require from 1.5 to three minutes to move the shaft through its full range of travel. Although this probably seems slow, it allows for smooth, stable, and accurate control of the supply water temperature.

Assembly #2 shows how a three-way motorized valve would be combined with other fittings and a purging valve to form a mixing assembly.

FOUR-WAY MOTORIZED VALVES

These valves are specifically designed to create two mixing points within a single

Continued on p28

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ent, eliminating the boiler circulator saves first cost and life cycle cost.

Figure 4 shows a four-way mixing valve with attached motor actuator.

VARIABLE SPEED INJECTION PUMPS

The concept of using a circulator to inject hot water from a heat source into a circulating lower temperature distribution system goes back into the 1960s. The use of a variable speed injection circulator is a contemporary variation on the concept, and it’s been used with conventional hydronic circulators (those with permanent split capacitor or shaded pole motors) for about 30 years.

Variable speed injection mixing often has a cost advantage over mixing with three-way or four-way valves in larger systems that would require mixing valve bodies of 3-in. pipe sizes or larger.

When applied as shown in Figure 2 (assembly #6), variable speed injection mixing can provide setpoint or outdoor reset control functions as well as anticondensation protection.

valve body. One mixing point regulates the supply water, the other boosts the water temp. entering the boiler.

Figure 2 (assembly #3) shows how a four-way mixing valve is piped. In many ways a four-way motorized valve is functionally equivalent to a three-way motorized valve. However, there’s one important distinction. If the four-way valve is used with a low flow resistance boiler (such as one made of cast iron sections), AND if the valve is mounted close to the boiler, AND if the boiler is operated at a relatively high temperature (such as 170-200F), it’s possible to eliminate the heat source circulator.

The momentum of the flow returning from the load circuit is sufficient to carry the necessary flow through the boiler. When these unique conditions are pres -

The path ahead for variable speed injection mixing is unclear because most currently available controllers for this mixing method are designed for use with permanent split capacitor or shaded pole motors, whereas the circulator world is quickly transitioning to ECM-based motor technology.

DIG DEEPER

This article provides an overview of common mixing techniques. Readers are encouraged to dig into the details and create systems that provide the “right mix” for years to come. <>

John Siegenthaler, P.E., has designed hydronic systems for over 40 years and has written Modern Hydronic Heating (4th Edition). Visit hydronicpros.com.

Figure 3. Example of a manual rotary type valve used for three-way mixing.

Figure 4. An example of a four-way mixing valve with attached motor actuator.

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HEART OF THE HOME

No one has ever told me that I am a quiet person. Literally no one. Ever.

It’s actually one of my goals in life to try to be quieter. Be a good listener— slow to speak and quick to listen. Unfortunately, I have not quite made it there yet. So just to warn you, I have an opinion in this article that may seem counter intuitive. You might agree, or you might disagree, but just remember we can still be friends.

Zoning and zone controls are a big part of the hydronics industry. The good old “relay box” as it used to be called has been transforming over the decades. I can say that because I have been here for over two.

Zone controls came out of a need to clean up some wiring. You know what I’m talking about—we’ve all seen the jobs where someone thought they could get away with a couple relays to do the job. That was probably true, but they forgot about how many wires it would take

to get everything working properly.

Then just as they were finishing, the homeowner told them they would also like to control the hot water tank. We can laugh about this because we’ve seen it happen, probably firsthand. This is exactly why zone controls have found a niche in our world.

Zone controls, in my opinion, are the heart of the home. No, this is not the opinion I was talking about earlier; you will know it when you see it.

Zone controls are designed to take inputs from thermostats (mainly) and decide where to push some heat. Generally, when a thermostat ‘calls’ the controller will maybe turn on a “system pump” in that zone, or for that zone it could be a valve or a pump. The original “relay boxes” did only this much.

Now I am simplifying this somewhat but stay with me. This was a big step, as the wiring that these “relay boxes” cleaned up was remarkable. Inputs in one side, outputs on the other. Even the

high voltage for pumps was taken care of. They had big relays; they even went as far as to be replaceable relays. This was just the start of a long relationship with zone controls.

The next evolution brought in more inputs. I think the reason for some of the changes was that boilers started to offer more options. To clean up even more wiring it was “easy” to add some more features to these boxes. DHW priority with a timer was available when a small CPU was added to the boards. It was no longer a “relay box” but it had morphed into a zone control at this point.

Thermostats in our industry have also gotten smarter so they can make more relevant decisions. But at the end of the day, the movement of water is controlled by the zone control. The addition of a CPU to zone controls was a good step. It allows designers to add features that you just can’t add in the hardware— decision-type additions. I do however

Continued on p32

Advancements in zone controls are leading the in right direction. BY CURTIS BENNETT

HYDRONICS CONTROLS

Continued from p30

think the biggest change has been the onset of Wi-Fi in zone controls.

Wi-Fi on zone controls is a blessing and a curse. It is great to be able to program and monitor the zone control, like the thermostats, from your phone. It really is. Now keep in mind this type of functionality is not available on all zone controls. Insert shameless plug here. :)

Adding Wi-Fi also allows contractors to see what’s happening and trouble shoot remotely, which is a bigger deal than it seems. The reason I say that is, when the homeowner has access to the temperature, settings, and everything the controls are doing, it creates its own set of issues.

I am all for the adage, information is power. It really is, but it can also create issues. I have found that homeowners monitor their system way more when they have the information on their phone. Way more!

They should be able to; they paid for it. But sometimes it does create questions about the system, about the inner workings, that can become a bit of a pain for contractors.

I see it all the time. It can create a new set of headaches.

ZONE OVERLOAD

Most of the technology for our industry originates in Europe. When it comes to zoning in Europe, radiators are king. They are a different animal than heated floors. They are a set it and forget it approach. Zone controls do not really exist in Europe, well at least until recently with the onset of wireless valves for radiators, but that is not our topic today.

The reason I bring this up is because there are a lot of “zones” in a European system, but you wouldn’t know it. Each zone does not have a thermostat and a possible associated pump or valve. If it did it would seem to get a bit chaotic. At least in my opinion. Now here it comes. Keep in mind I love zone controls. We

make a lot of them and sell them for all sorts of different applications. But I think we may have an over zoning problem.

There, I said it. You can stop reading if you like.

AIR FORCE

Why the heck would I say that. Well, I was told a long time ago that other hydronic heating companies were not my competitors. It was a Robert Bean quote that took me by surprise and stuck with me forever. His next statement: “The forced air guys are the competitors. They have all the heating system market share.”

cost, more pumps, more valves. The homeowner begins to be uncomfortable because his or her wallet is getting too light. We sell comfort, but with that should not come a bunch of complexity.

INTEGRATION

Back on topic. Sorry about the “rant”.

The newest generation of zone controls have added even more features, including the control of forced air. Air systems are a part of our industry, they are not going away, so why have they always been treated separate.

The radiant system had no idea what the air was doing and vice versa. Now, by adding the air controls to the radiant zone systems we have full control over everything. Bwahahahaha (my ominous laugh).

This is a good thing. The more we know about the whole system improves the decisions the control is able to make. Taking control of the air system does not make more complications, it makes less in the end.

I had never thought about it like that. I was young at the time, but the perspective shift that gave me was huge. The goal became not competing with the other companies in our space, but how can we all gain market share from the air guys.

Putting 60 zones in a house is not the way to do that.

If we are to ever compete with a furnace, we need to bring the cost of radiant heating down. The way to do that is not to add more zones. I am actually very passionate about this topic.

I see it all the time. We often get asked for help on a system that is just too complicated.

When did we throw K.I.S.S. (keep it simple, stupid) out the window.

Each zone we add to a system not only adds cost in controls, thermostats, and wiring but in distribution cost, pipe

I have been seeing over the last few years more and more fan coils built into hydronics systems. Yes, I know they have been around for a long time, I’m just seeing more built in, and I like it.

So how do I wrap up this zoning mess. I’ll do it by leaving you with some math.

If the air industry has 93% of all installations in North America and the “wet guys” have 7%, how much can we gain by just ticking our number up to 8%?

We are all in this together, and I am a high tide rises all ships kind of guy. <>

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.

“The newest generation of zone controls have added even more features, including the control of forced air.”

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CARRIER TO ACQUIRE VIESSMANN FOR 12B EURO

In late April, Carrier Global announced a proposed acquisition of Viessmann Climate Solutions, the largest segment of Viessmann Group, in transaction valued at 12 billion Euro ($18B).

“The acquisition of Viessmann Climate Solutions is a game-changing opportunity,” said Carrier Chairman/CEO David Gitlin in a company release.

“Climate change, sustainability requirements and geopolitical factors are driving an unprecedented energy transition in Europe. Viessmann Climate Solutions is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this opportunity with its premier brand, highly differentiated distribution channel and innovative product offerings,” said Gitlin. “We look forward to welcoming its 11,000 team members to the Carrier family and Max Viessmann, CEO of Viessmann to the Carrier Board of Directors at closing, which is expected around the end of 2023.”

Within the announcement, the company notes that Viessmann’s sales and EBITDA have grown over 15% on a compounded annual growth rate basis since 2020, with double-digit growth expected to continue through 2030.

“Following the closing of the transaction, the Viessmann Group will remain committed as a significant, long-term shareowner of Carrier, reflecting our family’s high confidence in the superior value to be created by this combination,” said Max Viessmann.

Viessmann Climate Solutions will continue to be led by current CEO Thomas Heim, and its headquarters will remain in Allendorf, Germany. Both parties also agreed on long-term guarantees which

DISTRIBUTION

>> Bartle & Gibson has established a new regional partnership to distribute Bradford White’s full line of residential, commercial and industrial products across Western Canada. bartlegibson.com

>> Visionary Sales, a Toronto-based manufacturer’s representative, has partnered with Ecoer North America heat pump systems for Eastern Canada and is introducing AquiSense Technologies’ PearlAqua line of UV-C LED water disinfection products to the Canadian market. visionarysales.ca

>> Wolseley Canada has opened a new 21,000-sq. ft. store and showroom at 377 Fairall St. in Ajax, Ont. wolseleyexpress.com

>> Master Group has expanded to Sudbury, opening a new Northern Ontario branch at 180 National St. master.ca

include: refraining from terminations for operational reasons (three years), site guarantees for all main manufacturing and R&D locations (five years) as well as the headquarters in Allendorf (10 years). corporate.carrier.com viessmann.family

FRANÇOIS DESCHÊNES

ELECTED TO AD BOARD

AD, the member-owned organization of independent distributors across North America, has announced that François Deschênes, president/ CEO of Montreal-based Deschênes Group has been elected to the AD board. One of three Canadian-based representatives on the 11-member board.

Martin Deschênes, vice chairman, Deschênes Group Inc., is departing his post after serving since 2016.

François Deschênes has been chairman of AD Plumbing & Heating – Canada, and of the buying group Canaplus LP. He is also on the national board of directors of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH). adhq.com

BOSCH RENAMES HVAC DIVISION

Bosch Thermotechnology has been renamed to Bosch Home Comfort Group.

As a manufacturer of heating, cooling, and hot water systems, in a media release the company indicated that the new name embraces the global megatrend toward electrification. And earlier this year, Bosch announced an investment of $737.6 million in electrification to further accelerate its heat pump ramp up. bosch-homecomfort.com

HARGASSNER SETS UP NORTH AMERICAN HQ

Biomass boiler manufacturer Hargassner has celebrated its 20th anniversary in North America with the establishment of Hargassner North America Inc. and the opening a North American headquarters in Toronto.

The company has also invested in local warehousing as part of its commitment to meet the needs of Canadian and U.S. customers and distribution partners. hargassner-northamerica.com

>> Next Plumbing and Hydronics Supply has opened its first location outside the GTA with a warehouse and counter at 136 Ottawa St. S. in Kitchener, Ont. nextsupply.ca Continued

François Deschênes

NOBLE LAUNCHES AUTOSTORE

Noble, the wholesaler serving the plumbing and heating trade for over 30 years in Ontario, officially launched its AutoStore, a fully automated warehouse system operated by autonomous robots.

Now fully operational at Noble’s Jane Street branch, the picking and fulfillment system is designed to maximize warehouse space and minimize inefficiencies through automated robots programmed to collect orders from thousands of storage bins.

PEOPLE

Noble is the first in the industry to implement such a solution.

“AutoStore is faster, more accurate and will help us offer a wider range of products to the trades,” said Jim Anderson, general manager at Noble, in a media release. “The volume of products you can stock in a small footprint with AutoStore far exceeds anything else on the market. In our case, we can fit 21,000 SKUs in less than 5,000 sq. ft., dramatically impacting the amount of inventory our teammates can quickly supply to our clients.”

The company will also be launching a new e-commerce platform later this year, so the new automated warehouse will deliver greater efficiencies to that platform as well. And the AutoStore grid is scalable and can grow as demand increases. noble.ca

Rheem Canada has announced that Martin Rego, P.Eng., is now the director of product management for the company. Rego has held multiple leadership roles within the industry and has participated in the development of codes and standards with the Canadian Standards Association and technical committees with the TSSA.

Mestek has promoted Kevin O’Rourke to vice president of sales – wholesale products. O’Rourke, with the organization since 1998, was serving as the national sales manager, North America, for residential comfort group products. In his new position, he will work with sales representatives, wholesale distributor partners and contractors in North America, and in Canada he will also be responsible for the Slant/Fin Baseboard brand.

NTI Boilers has named Rohit Nair as technical trainer supporting Ontario contractors. Nair has spent three years working with NTI’s technical support team, and now he will provide installation, maintenance and troubleshooting training on the company’s full line of boilers and water heating equipment.

PARADE OF PRODUCTS

Desco celebrated the return of its annual Parade of Products on May 4th at the Bingemans Conference Centre in Kitchener. It was the first opportunity for the group to host local contractors and its manufacturer partners since the pandemic. desco.ca

Uponor North America has named Anna Picchetti as the new vice president of marketing and strategy. Picchetti brings 20 years of experience to the role, having worked across industrial, technology, and medical device industries. The company has also announced Jon Sillerud, vice president, operations, is now also leading the supply chain function for the company. Having led operations since 2017, Sillerud took on the supply chain role on an interim basis and will now add that to his portfolio. His new title is vice president, integrated supply chain.

John Doughty has joined Armstrong Fluid Technology as director, global sales enablement. Based in the UK, Doughty will work with sales teams worldwide. Previously he was a global director of sales excellence with Honeywell, where he spent 23 years.

After 40 years working in the heating industry Rob Brennan has announced he will be retiring. Brennan has spent the last 20 years with Flexmaster Canada, most recently serving as Ontario regional sales manager.

Rego

O’Rourke

Nair

Doughty

Brennan

Sillerud Picchetti

EMCO AND BATHICA CO-SPONSORING RACE CAR

EMCO and Bathica have announced a cooperative sponsorship of the RGC Sports #59 Dodge Challenger NASCAR Pinty’s Series race car participating in the WeatherTech 200 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ont. on Sunday, September 3, 2023.

The car will be driven by Gary Klutt, a past race winner on the track and the holder of a lap record there as well.

As sponsors, EMCO and Bathica will have VIP opportunities on race day for its guests.

“We had guests at the F1 event in Montreal … and our customers really appreciate high performance cars, and I think to be able to sponsor a car is taking that to another level,” says Guillaume Caillé, CEO Bathica.

“We’re in a mechanical industry and we’re partnered with some great customers that for the most part are ‘gear heads’, and having seen the car at Gary’s shop and … knowing the experience our customers are going to get, it’s just going to be an unforgettable day for everybody,” says Bruce Passmore, eastern regional manager for HVAC/R with EMCO. emco.ca

GERRY PRICE TO RECEIVE ORDER OF MANITOBA

The formal investiture ceremony is scheduled to be held on Thursday, July 20.

Price Industries was founded in 1946 as a sales company by Gerry’s father and began as a manufacturer’s agent for Hart & Cooley, Farr, and Maid-o-Mist, as well as its own line of fill and vent caps for oil furnaces.

Gerry Price has become an accomplished business executive and philanthropist, as he and his family support charities and capital campaigns in Manitoba across many areas including children and families, youth mentorships, education and scholarships, health care and other community-led initiatives. priceindustries.com

WOLSELEY EXPO CROSSING CANADA

The first of five scheduled Wolseley Expo tradeshows in 2023 kicked off in Edmonton on April 4th, inviting plumbing and HVAC/R professionals to join the national wholesaler and manufacturer part-

ners to view the latest technologies and participate in technical training sessions. Formerly called the Wolseley One Tradeshow, the nationwide tour also made a stop in Toronto on May 11th at the Toronto Congress Centre (photo above). Due to wildfires, the Halifax Expo scheduled to take place June 1 has been postponed to the fall. And the other remaining dates include Vancouver’s Cloverdale Agriplex (Sept. 12), and Montreal at the Sheraton Laval (Nov. 7). wolseleyexpress.com

Gerry Price

Gerry Price, the chair and CEO of Winnipegbased Price Industries, manufacturer of air distribution equipment and noise control products for the commercial HVAC industry, will be one of 12 Manitobans to receive the Order of Manitoba, the province’s highest honour.

The Wolseley Expo national tour stop in Toronto.

QR CODES AT YOUR SERVICE

Digital technology is bringing convenience to the job site and much more.

BY DOUG PICKLYK

The quick response (QR) code has become ubiquitous in modern society. The square black-and-white pattern, resembling a maze or puzzle, has replaced restaurant menus and business cards, and can be found on airline tickets, event tickets and many other places, including plumbing and heating products.

What is a QR Code? In simple terms, a QR code is simply a link that can provide information or lead users to a website. QR Codes were invented in Japan in 1994 as an improvement on the bar code. Made publicly available in 2002, adoption began in Japan, and it wasn’t until 2011 that they gained more mainstream attraction worldwide. But adoption was slow, as us-

ers needed to download and launch spe cific apps to scan the codes.

Things changed in 2017 when Apple iPhones and the Android operating system both added native QR code reading to smart phone cameras. It’s a feature that not everyone was aware of, and applications were still slow to jump onboard. (If you’ve never tried it, scan the codes on this magazine’s cover and see where they take you, and remember digital files are instantly shareable.)

The COVID-19 pandemic helped drive adoption as the demand for contactless interactions was elevated, and QR codes allow a fast and touchless way to access information, perform transactions and even make payments.

The codes have become popular in advertising campaigns, as a quick snap with a smart phone brings the user immediately online with a brand. The printed codes bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds where companies can provide interactive experiences, discounts, or even offer users exclusive content.

QR codes are being integrated into various platforms, such as magazine advertising (take a look through the pages of this issue), posters, flyers, packaging and outdoor advertising.

For manufacturers in the plumbing and heating industry, the QR codes are proving attractive for marketing to con -

PHOTOS: DOUG PICKLYK/STEVE GOLDIE

The code on this Watts pressure relief valve leads to rich product information.

Introduced in 2017, Caleffi includes links to installation tip videos on its packaging.

tractors as well providing a true utility.

“What’s special is how companies are using it to weave different pieces of media together,” says Chris Rock, director of sales and marketing with Watts. Recognizing that customers are receiving messages in many different ways, whether in a magazine ad, a sign in a tradeshow booth or at a wholesaler’s counter, the QR code is taking the user from a physical to a digital experience, and once the customer enters that “digital dialogue” the conversation can get more personalized.

Generating QR codes has very little cost, but as Rock points out, “The investment is what you do with it. It’s the work the company does behind the code.” And that goes beyond creating a marketing experience and leads to providing real utility. He notes that Watts directs contractors to the information that’s most critical for specific parts through a QR code printed on its packaging, or with bigger valves it’s attached to the product itself.

INDUSTRY ADOPTION

Many manufacturers in the industry have made the investment in QR the codes. An early user is Caleffi, who in 2017 introduced its Installation Tip videos, brief product-specific videos accessed by a QR code on their product boxes identified with a bright-yellow label.

QR Code Advantages

Product information: printed on product labels and packaging for instant installation instructions, specifications, warranty details and more. Marketing: link to new product information, promotional offers and discounts. A tool for contractors to advertise and track effectiveness. Training and support: access to a video tutorials or online manuals for troubleshooting instructions.

Inventory: codes can be used internally to track equipment and improve inventory management systems.

Contactless Payment: technicians can use QR codes to accept payments from customers.

In 2021, Viega stopped including printed instructions inside the packages of most of its ProPress, MegaPress and PureFlow products made in the U.S., replacing them with QR codes on the label. The company claimed it would eliminate “more than 6 million pieces –or 32 tons of paper – a year.”

To find more, we joined HPAC writer Steve Goldie to stroll the aisles in search of QR codes at the Leaside warehouse at Next Supply in Toronto.

As Rock advised, the boxes with the Watts products had printed QR Codes on the packaging which led to productspecific information.

Goldie himself was not aware of how practical the QR codes on the packaging could be. “We get calls all the time with

contractors looking for spec sheets. This can save a lot of time,” he says.

Our search revealed a dozen manufacturers with QR codes on labels. For some, the code led to PDF pages of instructions, while others simply led to a company website homepage.

A flexible gas piping manufacturer had two QR codes, an installation guide and one for warranty information.

And some packaging had QR codes that led nowhere. It’s possible they are intended for inventory management only, not information for the end user.

It’s clear the adoption is not yet industry wide, but the potential is real.

CONTRACTORS AND QR CODES

Aside from helping on a jobsite, QR codes can be used for a contracting company’s own marketing. Static QR codes can be generated for free and printed on flyers or signs to direct customers to a company website. Dynamic QR codes, which will cost a fee, can allow tracking and statistics to show how many are clicking and where they are coming from.

Overall, QR codes are helping plumbing and heating technicians to work more efficiently and effectively, while also providing an opportunity to grow their business and enhance their customers’ experience.

As Chris Rock from Watts says, “QR Codes are nothing to be intimidated by. They are a tool.” <>

Viega introduced codes on its packaging to replace printed instructions.

This circulating pump includes a link to installation instructions.

PUMPED

SFA Saniflo Canada has a story to tell. While the brand is widely recognized for its macerating toilet solutions that enable versatile washroom placements, there is much more to discover about how the company has leveraged its pumping technology to develop an array of products catering to both domestic and commercial needs. And as a manufacturing company, SFA Saniflo upholds a commitment to design and quality, exemplified by its dedication to manufacturing its products in France.

In early April, SFA Saniflo Canada welcomed customers to Paris—home of its parent company SFA Group—to foster a deeper understanding of the global organization and shed light on the growing Canadian operation.

The guests represented companies ranging from sales agents and wholesale partners to mechanical contractors, all of whom had experienced business growth in their partnership with Saniflo over the last five years. Phil Warren, the mastermind behind the excursion and managing director of SFA Saniflo Canada, expressed his delight at finally being able to showcase the strength of the global group to its Canadian partners. “We are thrilled to have had this opportunity to share our worldwide capabilities with them.”

FACTORY TOUR

The feature event was a tour of SFA Group’s manufacturing plant in Brégy (an hour northeast of Paris). The factory is a multi-building integrated pump manufacturing facility producing finished packaged products.

Upon arrival, visitors experience a working showroom featuring the breadth of the SFA Group offering including products distributed across Europe and other parts of the world. Display areas showcase categories including macerating toilets, drain pumps, lifting stations, condensation pumps, large water storage, grease interceptors and much more.

Warren, who has been with the company for a decade and has led the Canadian operation since January 2020, hosted the tour groups along with Regis Saragosti, CEO of SFA Saniflo North America.

A stairway from the showroom leads to the motor manufacturing division, an area which produces upwards of half-amillion motors per year for residential and lifting station pumps.

While people operate on the periphery, up to 85% of the manufacturing is automated. A conveyor transfers raw iron stator cores into a caged station where robotic arms lift, turn and manipulate the iron cylinders.

The process travels from station to station delivering a near finished product. Workers complete final connections and inspections before the motor is charged and tested.

In the same building, a recently added clean room manufactures circuit boards. An automated process picks and places the small components on the board before feeding it through a specialized welding machine. The boards are manually tested and programmed before moving to final assembly.

A separate building houses a com -

plete plastic injection molding operation. The plant receives totes of raw pellets for over 40 types of plastics. An overhead highway of tubes delivers the granules to the necessary molding machines where the parts are formed.

A vault of over 400 moulds, some weighing up to 6 tons, allow the company to reintroduce parts into production when necessary. Plastic casings, fittings and gaskets used in pump products are all produced in this factory.

Final assembly of the products and testing is done by hand in another building. An on-site laboratory is consistently cycling finished products to ensure durability and quality.

The factory also hosts a major warehouse for finished products. Logistics and shipping around the world begin in Brégy.

MADE IN FRANCE

The Canadian customers on the tour were pleasantly surprised by the selfcontained production of SFA in France.

Bryan Richardson, president of Centon Sales, was astonished to discover that SFA manufactures the majority of their products in-house, surpassing his expectations. The company’s control over their processes left a lasting impression on him and others on the tour who shared similar sentiments.

Guests of SFA Saniflo Canada experience an immersive factory tour in France. BY DOUG PICKLYK

While the tour participants appreciated the sights and historic monuments of Paris, Steve McCrary (Lambert & Bégin) expressed his amazement at the factory tour. Witnessing the dedication placed into crafting high-quality and reliable products bolstered his confidence in conveying the SFA story to distributors and contractors.

Pierre Houle (J.U. Houle) described the trip as fantastic, being treated with royal hospitality. Frederic Boucher (Plomberie EPF) was particularly impressed by the “amazing factory and assembly plant.” He marveled at the quality of Saniflo products and the meticulous testing of each part.

Warren emphasized the message they convey to customers, highlighting SFA’s status as a manufacturing company rather than an assembly company. This distinction allows SFA to stand behind their products, ensuring their performance. The SFA Group prioritizes manufacturing pumps as their core business, investing every dollar into developing and perfecting their pumping business.

SFA SANIFLO CANADA

The SFA Group was founded in 1958 in Paris with the invention of the macerating pump, and after establishing itself across Europe, the company’s entry to North America began by setting up a Canadian office in 1988 and the USA office in 1998. The Canadian operation continues to operate independently while working very closely with SFA Saniflo USA.

“The corporation is investing a lot in North America, giving me the power and support to develop the market,” says Saragosti, who adds that the Canadian operation has been a growing and dynamic force under the current leadership.

“The growth we’ve had in Canada has been the result of hiring

the right people, developing better programs in the marketplace for our partners, and creating more awareness in the industry,” says Warren. In the past year, the operation has grown in headcount; adding three business development managers, two regional sales managers and increasing its expertise in its after sales division, including projects to cover the entire country.

The broad message Warren reinforces is the diversity of potential applications with the Saniflo product line. “We’re not just a toilet company, we’re a pump company offering solutions for people with industrial, commercial and residential applications. You can add or relocate any drain and plumbing fixture anywhere you want—not many companies can say that!”

Warren has been evangelizing the applications of the product range for years, and has uncovered opportunities in the hydroponics market, restaurants, and when the pandemic struck, creativity led to applications within temporary field hospitals.

STAY TUNED

The depth of the Saniflo product line in Canada covers residential and commercial bathroom needs through its existing line-up of macerating and grinding pumps, above floor plumbing solutions with is various drain pumps and lift stations, as well as its condensate pumps for HVAC applications. Yet opportunities for expansion still exist as the company has more products in the pipeline in Europe.

“Our ultimate goal in the next 10 years is to be able to bring as much product as we can to North America,” says Saragosti.

“We weren’t ready five years ago to begin introducing more of the SFA Group products into Canada because we were really known for our toilet and macerating pump application,” admits Warren, adding, “Now we’re ready to come to the market with new products and new technologies, so stay tuned.” <>

PHOTOS: SFA SANIFLO CANADA

The tour groups were also able to experience Paris at night.

One of two groups of SFA Saniflo Canada customers touring the manufacturing plant in Brégy, France.

FROM LEGACY TO EXPANSION

In 2021, Norm’s Plumbing and Heating in Nanaimo, B.C. celebrated its 50th year under Orville Wagar’s ownership. It was a time for celebration and transition, as Wagar, now in his 80s, was also passing control of the company over to his grandsons, and business is booming.

The company was originally founded by Norm LaBurge as Norm’s Mobile Service, offering in-home sewing machine repair and oil burner maintenance. Wagar, an experienced tradesman, worked with LaBurge and ultimately took over the business, placing the focus on plumbing and heating. In the early 80s his son-inlaw, Dave Rush, learned the trade and began working for the company, and now three of Dave’s sons have taken over.

Carson (31), Travis (29) and Malcolm (26) Rush all grew up around the business, starting to apprentice as early as

15. “We’ve done everything in the company from being the runner and passing tools to technicians, to eventually doing installations, quoting jobs and now running the business,” says Malcolm.

All three are journeyman plumbers and gas fitters, Carson and Travis completing their apprenticeships after high school, while Malcolm pursued a bachelor’s degree in marketing before completing his apprenticeship.

SUCCESSION STORY

As Malcolm recalls, it was over for dinner one night about seven years ago when the brothers were asked if they’d be interested in taking over the company. “We all agreed, and the next step was going to the lawyers and working through the process.”

It’s been a multi-year transition. A business transfer that started in 2017

and was completed earlier this year. The three brothers are all equal partners.

“Like lot of family-owned companies out there I would say, get professional help. Hire a company that specializes in succession of family-owned businesses,” recommend Malcolm.

As the brothers’ responsibilities for the business have evolved, their roles in the company have also changed. Carson manages all aspects of the HVAC department. Travis is on the tools and maintains the shop area and company vehicles, while he also acts as a mentor for the younger techs in the field. Malcom takes care of business operations and leads the company’s marketing efforts.

“We all have a really good niche, and I definitely could not do it without them. And I know they couldn’t do it without all of us together,” says Carson.

Continued on p44

PHOTOS SUPPLIED BY NORM'S PLUMBING & HEATING

Three brothers step up to lead Norm’s Plumbing and Heating business into the future. BY DOUG PICKLYK

Team photo at Norm’s Plumbing and Heating in Nanaimo, B.C.

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SUCCESSION

Continued from p42

Reflecting on the transition, the brothers realized the strong emotional attachment their grandfather has to the business, and gaining his trust was a challenge.

Despite growing around 30% year over year, Orville still questions some of their decisions. “He definitely knows we’re doing a good job, but it’s really hard for him to change,” says Carson. “There’s a huge generational difference. In the old school way, you had lots of time and little money. Nowadays, it’s easy to get money, and you have no time.”

GOING PAPERLESS

Streamlining the operation has been a priority. “We were 100% paper when we took over,” says Malcolm. “We still paid employees by cheque every second Friday.” They’ve set up direct deposit and installed business management software designed for field service companies. Scheduling, invoicing, dispatching and more is now digitized and they’re seeing the difference.

“Our invoicing now is done on cell phones or iPads in the field,” says Travis, adding that going digital has improved efficiency in the office and on the road.

Incorporating new procedures has been a learning process for everyone. “I did a course on change management in university and that helped a lot in understanding why people have certain fears or reservations,” says Malcolm. He’s put those lessons into practice.

MARKETING

Another major shift has been in how the company promotes itself. They’ve stopped using the Yellow Pages, rebuilt their website and are investing in search engine optimization (SEO), Google ads and social media promotions. And over just a couple years they’ve seen the business grow with about half the advertising budget. “We really evaluate where we are spending our money and are doing it wisely,” says Malcolm.

In just a couple years they have accumulated over 1,500 Google reviews, and this year they are investing in a bus ad.

In addition to more traditional marketing, the company also launched two unique ‘Norm’s Cares’ community outreach programs. In 2020 they partnered with the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation with their Tanks for Lunch program, donating a percentage of every water heater installed. And in 2021 they launched the HVAC For Hospice program, where any HVAC install includes a donation to the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society.

AWARDS AND PROFILE

For the past three years Norm’s has been recognized in the local newspaper’s ‘Best of the City’ awards, winning in both plumbing and heating categories.

And after signing on as a Bryant dealer about 10 years ago,

this last year Norm’s was awarded the Bryant Medal of Excellence in its region, one of only 15 dealers across North America to win the honour. The award is based on a scorecard system rating business quality, satisfaction, and performance. According to Carson, Norm’s is the first Canadian company to receive this distinction.

MAINTAINING CULTURE

What’s important for the brothers is maintaining the reputation Orville created for Norm’s, and that includes a focus on customer service and having integrity.

Industry-wide, finding and keeping workers is a struggle. “We’re lucky to have and to keep good employees, but I think we really operate like a family here,” says Carson. “If somebody’s kid is sick, we’ll move the world so they can have the day off.”

Around 10 years ago the company had about eight employees and now they’re at 23, and maintaining camaraderie among the team is important.

The current office is located on their grandfather’s property, and each morning the workers come in, stock up, and catch up. “I think that’s a large part of our family-like culture that other companies don’t have. And that’s something I want to keep when we do get our new building,” says Carson.

NEXT STEPS

Home to over 100,000 people, Nanaimo (also known as the Harbour City) is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country, growing over 10% between 2016 and 2021. The brothers see more opportunities ahead and they want to keep growing the business.

As part of the expansion plan, the company has purchased a property in an industrial area where a new 7,000 sq. ft. headquarters will be located. And they anticipate growing their service area beyond the city limits.

Together the brothers will continue to build Norm’s on the foundation their grandfather created. <>

The Rush brothers (l-r) Travis, Carson and Malcolm, of Norm's Plumbing and Heating, at the Bryant Medal of Excellence ceremony.

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GET YOUR BUSINESS WORKING FOR YOU

For owner/operators working in the trades, a business manager can help keep the operation on track.

BY MATHEW POTTINS

You’re a great technician. You have all of your necessary licenses: a red seal plumber; a gas fitter 2; and you have your 313A refrigeration license. You’ve spent years working, learning, developing your craft and honing your skills. Now it’s time to take the next big step … business ownership.

Becoming an owner-operator means you run all operations, sales, marketing, accounts receivable, account payable and you’re doing all the installation and servicing of equipment. Once things start rolling, you will begin making a little more money and need to hire a technician in order to take on additional work and grow. Now you’re an owner-operator with an employee and a second truck.

Here’s where the “fun” begins. Being a business owner is hard—it’s really hard—and being an HVAC/R business owner can seem near impossible. There are a million moving parts literally and figuratively. This is why getting some extra help is a great option.

Hiring a business manager or a company to help manage your operations can be a scary thing, but when we break it down and look at what a business manager can do for you, it might be the easiest decision you make.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND GOAL SETTING

A business manager will help in setting the long-term goals and creating a stra-

tegic roadmap for the company’s growth. Essentially, if you are working with the right team they will operate as a sounding board and help put together that business plan that you don’t have the time to do. A manager can help analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to stay ahead of the competition. By working closely together, as a team, you make sure that every decision made contributes to the overall success of the business.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Maintaining healthy finances is essential for the growth and sustainability of any business. Managing cash flow and expenses is one, if not the biggest, chal -

PHOTO: WASAN TITA/GETTY IMAGES

lenge operations will face. Hiring a manager that can handle the financial aspects such as budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis and general expenses can help grow the bottom line and profitability. This type of advice can help to optimize pricing structures and identify areas where cost savings can be achieved.

Accountants alone are not always financial managers, they are not analyzing monthly numbers and guiding the business in the most profitable direction, and financial management is a key ingredient to success.

MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Promoting a plumbing/HVAC company and attracting new customers is needed for sustained growth. A business manager should develop and execute effective marketing strategies tailored to your specific target market and geography. In today’s world, that involves overseeing digital marketing campaigns, managing the online presence, and leveraging various channels to generate leads and increase brand awareness. Don’t drive across the city if you can sell projects in your backyard.

Additionally, a business manager can explore business development opportunities such as partnerships with suppliers, manufacturers and help expand the business into different verticals to increase revenue potential.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH SUPPLIERS

As mentioned, developing strong relationships with suppliers to negotiate favourable terms and discounts is an important business strategy. These days the competition is so fierce that it takes more than just a handshake and a cup of coffee to get the red carpet treatment.

You need to have actionable and concrete plans (see strategic plan and goal setting) to get the right pricing and payment terms. This helps you lower your

material costs and improve your margins. Additionally, prompt payment to suppliers can lead to better credit and overall health of your company.

COMBAT SEASONALITY

For the longest time the industry has spoken about the “off season” of HVAC, but here’s a secret: the companies that have the right business systems in place don’t have an “off season”.

A business manager can help put programs in place to prevent the fluctuating demand typically experienced during the year. Yes, of course, peak heating season and peak cooling season should always generate more revenue, but that doesn’t mean spring and fall can’t be a huge success for you as well.

I’m sure you’ve heard the term monthly recurring revenue, this is where a business manager can help implement monthly recurring revenue streams.

These few points provide a very broad

overview of the areas any new or existing business owner needs to work on in order to succeed. I’ll dig a little deeper into each of the above subheadings in future articles (where space permits).

There is a reason that private equity money is making its way into the HVAC industry. It’s because the people with the money realize they can acquire HVAC companies, create efficiencies to scale the businesses and multiply their investment. Instead of that happening, let’s do it ourselves. <>

Mathew Pottins has worked with HVAC manufacturers and suppliers for over a decade, and his passion is in growing the industry. Pottins recently launched a manufacturer’s representative company (Laylan Hydronics and HVAC Sales). He’s also a partner in an HVAC business management services team and can be reached at mathew@ laylanhvac.com

WHAT IS ADIABATIC COOLING?

A form of evaporative cooling, adiabatic condensers improve the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial refrigeration applications.

Although I usually write about cooling topics that only involve refrigerants, today I’m going to touch on evaporative coolers that use water as a cooling medium, a system that can work in tandem with refrigerant systems to improve capacity and efficiency.

First, let’s begin with describing evaporative coolers, also commonly known as swamp coolers. While there are several thoughts as to where that term came from, the most common is that if an evaporative cooler isn’t cleaned regularly, algae will begin to grow, bugs will begin to appear, and the resulting odour is reminiscent of a swamp.

To operate, typical evaporative coolers use a fan, a water supply to maintain a level in a sump, a water pump, and a membrane or pad (see Figure 1). Water in a sump is pumped to a water diffuser, which saturates the membrane (pad) with water. The fan draws warm outside air into the unit, forcing it to pass through the membrane, and supplies cool humid air to the conditioned space.

Units can be fixed to the roof of a building, or beside a structure, and some smaller portable evaporative coolers in residential applications can be placed indoors.

The cooling takes place though two simple heat transfer processes: 1. A liquid undergoing a change of state is a great vehicle for transfer-

Continued on p50

BY DAVE DEMMA

The TrilliumSeries adiabatic condenser from Baltimore Aircoil Company, example of a system that combines evaporative and dry cooling for both energy and water savings.

Figure 1. Illustration of an evaporative cooler (swamp cooler)

ring heat, as it requires a substantial amount of heat for the change of state to occur. Heat content from the incoming warm air is transferred to the water in the saturated membrane. Some of the water undergoes a latent heat transfer process (water evaporating…changing state from a liquid to a vapour).

2. While the transfer of heat from the air to the water facilitates the latent heat process described above, the removal of heat content from the air results in a sensible heat transfer process…a reduction in air temperature.

The heat transfer capacity of an evaporative cooler is dependent on two factors:

1. The heat content of the incoming air: since this provides the means for the latent heat transfer process, the less available heat content, the less water undergoing a latent heat transfer process.

2. The humidity level of the incoming air: at a given air condition (temperature and density), there is a finite amount of water vapour that can be held in the air. As the humidity level of the incoming air increases, it reduces the amount of additional water vapour that can be added, meaning that the higher the humidity level of the incoming air there will be a reduced ability to remove heat

from the air via latent heat transfer.

As such, evaporative coolers are most effective in high temperature (85F or more) and low humidity (below 50% relative humidity) situations, think the Southwestern U.S. (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, California). Evaporative coolers are least effective in lower temperature (below 75F) and high humidity (above 60% relative humidity).

Additionally, the fact that the newly formed water vapour is now contained in the air exiting the membrane explains why the supply air from an evaporative cooler has a higher humidity level than the outside air.

ADIABATIC COOLING

Now, let’s look at a relatively new application for evaporative cooling, the adiabatic condenser.

ad·i·a·bat·ic: relating to or denoting a process or condition in which heat does not enter or leave the system concerned.

With that simply understood definition, what exactly is an adiabatic condenser?

Take a standard air-cooled finned-tube condenser, and then add a pre-cooler section. The pre-cooler’s function is to

reduce the incoming air temperature to something below the ambient air temperature.

The pre-cooler is not a separate component, but an integral part of the adiabatic condenser (see figure 3). Think air-cooled condenser meets evaporative cooler, and the beauty is that a system can now operate at a lower than expected saturated condensing temperature in the heat of summer.

The pre-cooler (evaporative cooler portion of the adiabatic condenser) reduces the incoming air temperature as described in the evaporative cooling process above. This cooler air becomes the supply air to the air-cooled finnedtube portion of the adiabatic condenser.

Why bother with this?

There are several factors which determine a compressor’s capacity, one of them being saturated condensing temperature (SCT). The chart for a Copeland 4D compressor (on page 53) shows the reduction in compressor capacity as the condensing temperature increases.

Assume a warehouse freezer operating at -10F (-20F SST), requiring a capacity 150,000 Btu/hr:

SOURCE EVAPCO

Figure 2. Illustration of the adiabatic cooling process.

Figure 3. Example of an adiabatic condenser unit.

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Continued from p50

At a 70F SCT, three of the 4D compressors would be adequate to meet the load demand.

At a 120F SCT, five of the same 4D compressors would be required to meet the load demand.

That’s a 67% increase in motor horsepower (and electrical consumption) to achieve the same cooling capacity.

What more reason would one need to consider this alternative?

INTRODUCTION OF R-744 (CO2)

Well, here’s another reason.

R-744 (CO2) has seen increased demand as a refrigerant due to its global warming potential (GWP) of 1. However, R-744 becomes transcritical at temper-

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atures above 87.8F (refer to March 2022 and May 2022 issues of HPAC, where I explain issues around using CO2 as a refrigerant). In the transcritical phase there is no direct correlation between temperature and pressure, and vapour does not condense into a liquid.

The system component normally referred to as a condenser in a standard vapour compression system is now called a “gas cooler” in R-744 systems. This is because when the ambient conditions are such that the SCT is less than 87.8F, the CO2 vapour will indeed condense into a liquid. In this condition, the system will operate similarly to a typical vapour compression cycle, with the liquid leaving the gas cooler flowing into the receiver, and supplying the liquid header as needed.

But for those times when the SCT is above 87.8F, the gas cooler transfers heat from the discharge vapour without a change of state taking place. This “neither liquid nor vapour” mixture enters the flash tank, where the “flash tank bypass valve” will vent the high pressure to the suction manifold of the MT compressors.

This allows sufficient reduction in pressure/temperature to move the refrigerant below the critical point and allow the CO2 to revert to a saturated condition, with both liquid and vapour phases present. From here, the liquid is supplied to the liquid header, supplying liquid to the various liquid feeds to each evaporator system as needed.

“An adiabatic gas cooler can delay a system from entering into transcritical mode”

COPELAND 4DA3F47KL-TSK

Due to the extra load imposed on the compressors when venting the high pressure in the flash tank to the system low side, transcritical operation is less efficient than subcritical operation. While there are various system components that can increase the efficiency of transcritical operation (which are not the subject of this article), an adiabatic gas cooler can delay the system from

THE SOURCE

ADVERTISERS IN THIS ISSUE

entering into transcritical mode. When the ambient temperature reaches about 72F, a water solenoid valve is energized, allowing water to saturate the adiabatic pads. Pre-cooling the ambient air with the evaporative cooling process to a temperature that prevents transcritical operation allows the R-744 system to overcome its major deficiency as a refrigerant. <>

Dave Demma holds a degree in refrigeration engineering and worked as a journeyman refrigeration technician before moving into the manufacturing sector where he regularly trains contractor and engineering groups. He can be reached at ddemma@uri.com.

This chart for a Copeland 4D compressor reveals the reduction in compressor capacity as the condensing temperature increases.

PHOTO: EVAPCO

An eco-Air adiabatic series condenser from Evapco.

2023

CIPH Annual Business Conference

June 18 – 20

CIPH is celebrating its 90th year in 2023 and is holding its annual business conference in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. ciph.com

ASHRAE Building Performance

Analysis Conference

September 11 – 13

This year marks the tenth consecutive ASHRAE modeling conference and it will be held at the Hyatt Regency Austin, in Austin, Texas. Industry professionals will address the practices of energy modeling and building performance simulation. ashrae.org

Modern Hydronics Summit

September 21

Following sold out events in Ontario since 2013, the 2023 version of the Modern Hydronics Summit will be visiting a new part of Canada, the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam, B.C. modernhydronicssummit.com

CIPHEX West

October 18 – 19

CIPHEX West 2023 brings a full plumbing and heating tradeshow and conference to the BMO Centre at Stampede Park in Calgary. ciph.com

ASHRAE Annual Conference

June 24 – 28

The ASHRAE Annual Conference is heading to the JW Marriott in Tampa Bay for its yearly event. Virtual registration options are also available for anyone who can’t make the trip. ashrae.org

AIM/R Annual Conference

September 12 – 15

AIM/R, the Association of Independent Manufacturers Representatives, will hold its 51st Annual Conference at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, Florida. This year’s theme is “Future’s So Bright!” aimr.net

IAPMO Business Conference

September 24 – 28

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) will hold its 94th annual Education and Business Conference in San Antonio, Texas. This group works with government and industry for the delivery of safe, sanitary plumbing and mechanical systems. iapmo.org

MCAC Annual Conference

October 18 – 21

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) is heading to wine country this fall as it will be holding its Annual National Conference at the Silverado Resort in Napa Valley, California. mcac.ca

World Refrigeration Day

June 26

World Refrigeration Day is an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump sectors and focus attention on the significant role that the industry and its technology play in modern life and society. #coolingmatters worldrefrigerationday.org

HRAI Annual Conference

September 17 – 19

The 2023 version of HRAI’s Annual Conference will take place in Montreal. Along with a series of topical panel discussion sessions, the event will also include a variety of social and networking events. hrai.ca

Geothermal Rising Conference

October 1 – 4

This is an annual conference bringing together people in industry, academia, government and the general public to consider all aspects of geothermal solutions. The event being held in Reno, Nevada, features an exhibit hall, technical panels and the opportunity to network. geothermal.org

The Buildings Show

November 29 – December 1

Canada’s leading event for the broad construction industry returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and incorporates a trade show and extensive conference program. thebuildingsshow.com

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