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ContentS 57Cover Story

canadian indycar Star at 26 years old, James hinchcliffe is Canada’s top race car driver. a multiple IndyCar winner and a true high performer, he’s the latest in a string of elite Canadian pilots to grace the world stage. Bruce Meacock

Back to basics 20the cooling report

Contractors will need to promote and sell products without relying on grant- and incentive-fuelled prices, which means finding the right buttons to push with consumers.

Andrew Snook

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PERFORMANCE 34Sun, Storage and ICe

PERFORMANCE

Bob “hot rod” rohr

50aChIevIng pump, and Under the

EuropEan influEncE

38CommerCIal vehICle revIew – vanS

last ast year we talked about the coming of the european uropean sourced vans; this year they are here. howard oward J. elmer

SyStem, Bep Adam Freill

64maIntaInIng and uSIng reClaImed water chris thompson

90ChIlled BeamS:

KeepIng Cool on the CommerCIal SIde John nodson

104varIaBle

Speed: taKIng geothermal effICIenCy hIgher Michael ridler

on the cover: at the end of the first IndyCar race of the year, James hinchcliffe emerged from his car in the winner’s circle draped in a Canadian flag. In an instant, he was vaulted into the public eye and onto front pages across Canada. photo: Courtesy of LAT Andretti Autosport.

t a b l e f e a t u R e s 28PluMbInG

Selling the WaterSense story as provinces and states continue to up the ante on water saving, building codes and standards are following suit. so too are manufacturers.

Denise Deveau

33eVent In PICtuRes MCee 2013

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48ConfeRenCe PReVIeW CIPH abC 2013

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Zoning and zone control the key to a good zoning system is to deliver the conditioned air to the calling zone as fast and quietly as possible. Richard Foster

72tool tIP

Talking test and measure

74RoaD WaRRIoR: Adam Freill

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Getting the jump on a snow-free winter It pays to educate clients, and to plan a snowmelt system appropriately.

Eric Riml

84eVent In PICtuRes Rses Canada 2013

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Water heater efficiency explained Is there an easy way for the savvy contractor to explain just what water heater efficiency levels really mean?

Andrew Snook

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Keeping cool on the commercial side. John Nodson

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solaR tHeRMal sun, storage and Ice Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr the Holy Grail for solar thermal is, and always has been, storage.

How can we park, or flywheel, this abundant energy so that we can use it to provide heating, DHW and cooling, when we want and need it?

RefRIGeRatIon Matching capacity control to system demands Phil J. Boudreau options for controlling the capacity of a compressor can range from a simple on-off switch to a much more complex inverter system, or several other options that land between.

HIGH-PeRfoRManCe HVaC Ventilation and cooling loads Gord Cooke HVaC professionals across Canada would be well served to recalibrate their thinking with respect to the role of ventilation and its impact on air conditioning loads.

MaRKetInG the brand is in the details Doug MacMillan today, every touch point, every exposure, every reaction contributes to our experience with a brand. asK RoGeR Changing with the times Roger Grochmal are we using digital technologies in ways that keep us in touch with our customers? and are we meeting our customers’ expectations?

108 WoRlD VIeW Heading for the bathroom Jeff Patchell travelling through the IsH show in frankfurt, marvelling at all that is new in the world of toilets.

D e P a R t M e n t s 06from the editor’s Desk 08news 18Profile: Garth Denison 106the Info Page 107Calendar 110by the numbers

P R o D u C t s 20,26,105HVaC/R 36,102Hydronics 66,100Plumbing 98oil-fired 99stuff you need CHECK US OUT ONLINE

Cleaner Heat 2013

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From Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 CANADA Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com May/June 2013 Issue Published 6 times per year.

Editor: Adam Freill, ext. 224 adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com Associate Editor/Web Editor: Andrew Snook, ext. 225 andrew.snook@mechanicalbusiness.com National Accounts Manager: Laura Goodwin, ext. 221 laura.goodwin@mechanicalbusiness.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Art Direction: JJM Graphic Ltd. davem@jjmgraphic.com Circulation Manager: Shila Naik (905) 272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, ext. 222 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com PM:41536047 ISSN 1916-0674 MB (Print) ISSN 1906-0682 MB (Online)

Postmaster – Please send all address changes or undeliverable copies to: Mechanical Business, 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road, Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

the

editor’s

desk

Welcome to our High Performance edition One of the guilty pleasures that I have as an editor is the opportunity to see new technologies, often before they come to the marketplace. Some of those technologies make their way into production and distribution, but even for those that don’t manage to grab a foothold in our part of the world, it’s always interesting to see engineering in action.

This past March, I was fortunate enough, along with several of our contributors, to visit the ISH show in Germany, a veritable hotbed for engineering advancements, and a favourite for the mechanically curious, like myself.

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Look for the mark HIGH

What’s that High Performance emblem mean on some of our articles this issue?

PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE That mark identifies articles about systems and technologies that are at the top of their field – either by taking innovative approaches to a project, or by pushing the boundaries of efficiency.

So when it came time to gather up topics to work into this, our High Performance edition of Mechanical Business, I welcomed the opportunity to revisit some of the innovative products and systems that our team has checked out over the past little while, whether at ISH, or the AHR Expo in the U.S., or even closer to home at events right across Canada.

One of the topics that seemed to be quite prevalent coming out of this year’s AHR Expo in Dallas was the concept of variable speed, which has a great efficiency story to tell, whether in pump, motor, fan or compressor applications. This led to some interesting discussions about the technology, and how it is set to take ground source heat pump efficiency to a whole new level (see page 104).

While checking out some of the neat products from hydronic manufacturers at ISH, our resident hydronics columnist Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr and I couldn’t help but marvel at some of the energy storage solutions on display. Be sure to check out his column on page 34 for more on that front.

And one of the more interesting tasks that we set our plumbing friend Jeff Patchell on for this issue was to find some innovative toilet advances, and he definitely delivered. He shares some of what he found on the show floor in Germany on page 108.

Submissions: Copyright in material submitted to the magazine and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Mechanical Business and its licensees may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. Mechanical Business also reserves the right to edit said submitted materials to suit the editorial needs and mandate of the publication.

Notice: Mechanical Business is published for owners, managers and decision makers with mechanical contracting firms and the sector’s supply chain partners in Canada. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Mechanical Business, Content Media Group Inc., its staff, directors, officers and shareholders (‘The Publisher’) assume no liability, obligation or responsibility for advertised claims, for errors and/or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Manufacturers’ instructions take precedence over published editorial. The publisher reserves the right to publish a printed correction in a subsequent issue for editorial errors, omissions and oversights.

Subscriptions are available for $90 plus taxes in Canada and the U.S. Single copies are $15.00. Outside Canada and the U.S., the rates are $150.00 (annual) and $25.00 (single copy).

So I hope you enjoy the issue, and all of the great new technologies within it. And feel free to drop me a line if you have any great new technologies or systems that you’d like to discuss. I’m always up for learning new things.

Until next time,

From time to time, Content Media Group Inc. makes subscribers’ names available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to readers. If you would like your name excluded from these mailings, please notify the publisher.

Adam Freill, Editor

© Copyright 2013. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher.

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Get ready to ride The fourth annual Ride for Habitat will take place on June 8 in Ontario. All funds raised during the event will go toward Habitat for Humanity Canada. Last year’s event had over 60 riders and raised more than $17,500. Riders will have the option of several starting points, including Vaughan, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Milton, Belleville and Peterborough. The ride will end at Centennial Park near the town of Innisfil, Ont. Registration is $50 per motorcycle, which covers registration for the rider and a passenger. Riders will receive a free 2013 Ride for Habitat T-shirt, lunch and prizes at Centennial Park. For more information, contact Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Matthew Gustafson at mgustafson@habitat.ca. rideforhabitat.com

Copycat chat Lorne Lipkus, education committee chair for the Canadian AntiCounterfeiting Network and founding partner of law firm Kestenberg Siegal Lipkus LLP, discusses anticounterfeiting measures during HRAI’s product section meetings held in Mississauga, Ont., in April.

Other topics discussed during the product section meetings included: residential depressurization, the national and provincial building codes, furnace filter performance ratings, the next generation of refrigerants, B.C.’s extended producer responsibility program and updates from AHRI. hrai.ca cacn.ca

From left: Piero Cherubini, Mohawk College dean of Skilled Trades and Apprentices; Wayne Joudrie, president of the Mohawk College Foundation; Simon Feddema, president Grundfos Canada; and student John Cameron with the cheque presented to the school as part of the Grundfos Technical School Initiative.

Grundfos aiding apprenticeships Grundfos is offering apprenticeship schools a helping hand through its Grundfos Technical School Initiative program.

The program is designed to invest resources in apprenticeship schools across Canada. In April, Mohawk College in Stoney Creek, Ont., became the first school to receive funding under the initiative. The college’s skilled trades campus will receive $25,000 over five years for the purpose of funding new equipment, establishing an annual bursary and supplying educational materials to apprentices in Mohawk’s plumbing program. ca.grundfos.com

Online education Brian Bluff, president of Site-Seeker Inc., discusses ways to manage email and other digital media in the workplace while speaking at CIPH Ontario’s business meeting held at the Holiday Inn Kitchener-Waterloo Conference Centre in March. He suggested using apps for organizing email, and showed examples of search engine shortcuts and proper email etiquette that will help streamline business communications efforts. ciph.com

Follow Us on Twitter! It’s MB’s Twitter Roundup Caught the twitter bug? We’ve got you covered with tweets about everything that matters to the mechanical trades in Canada. Follow us @mechbusiness.

HRAI

CIPH news

Calgary Hydronics

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(@HRAI_Canada)

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(@WeFixBoilers)

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#HRAI Choose the Right Size of Air Conditioner, Furnace, Heat Pump or Boiler to Fit Your Home – It is Essential!

Congratulations to Winners of the Gallery of New Products at MCEE!

Boiler upgrades and replacements are not cheap.

Do your homework before calling in professionals. There are no cheap band aid fixes.

It’s National #HugAPlumberDay! Just don’t be awkward about it.

Happy Thursday folks!

April 23, 2013

April 25, 2013

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A Master-ful meeting Alain Fournier, executive vice-president for The Master Group L.P., tells the crowd a little about his company during his Word of the President speech at the Coleman/Master Group 2013 Annual Dealer Meeting. The event took place at La Gondola banquet hall in Vaughan, Ont., in March. Master Group began distributing the Coleman line in December and now covers the Coleman and the JCI family of brands (excluding York) across Central and Southwestern Ontario.

OPIA coming to St. Catharines The Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association’s 83rd Annual Meeting & Educational Seminar will take place from June 23 to 25 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Centre in St. Catharines, Ont. The conference will feature the ever-popular Cracker Barrel session, a trade show, code technical panels, seminars, the 12th annual Gary Greig Golf Classic tournament and the OPIA’s annual business meeting. opia.info

master.ca

Head of the Class

Changing hats (again)

Shawn Crompton (right), a sheet metal apprentice with Local 397 in Thunder Bay, Ont., was recently recognized with a Malco Products prize package for being the top graduate at the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers Training Centre in Oakville, Ont. Presenting the award to Crompton are Mark Stanley, superintendent of the training centre (far left), and Dave Shaw, sales manager with E.S. Gallagher Sales, Malco’s representative agency for the Mid-west and Eastern Canada.

Senator Don Plett (middle), who was a plumber prior to joining the Senate, received a special hardhat from CIPH chairman John Hammill (right) and MCAC chairman Brad Diggens during the Day on the Hill event, which took place on April 30 in Ottawa.

The event, sponsored by Sen. Plett, was designed to raise awareness of the trades, as well as issues related to counterfeit products and code harmonization.

Mechanical Business got a special shoutout from Senator Percy Mockler during an Upper Chamber meeting the same day: “Honourable senators, the cover story of the March/April 2013 Mechanical Business magazine entitled ‘In the House with Don Plett: The plumber’s politician’ makes a good read.”

(Thanks for the shout-out Senator, much appreciated.)

malcoproducts.com osmwtc.com

In the FAST lane More than 300 people came out to check out the latest products at Wolseley Frontier’s (HVAC/R) FAST trade show, which took place in Vaughan, Ont. in May. Attendees had the opportunity to check out products showcased by 45 vendors, as well as take in several training seminars, including a session from Mechanical Business refrigeration columnist Phil Boudreau.

Attendees check out a product demonstration during Wolseley’s FAST trade show.

ciph.com mcac.ca

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Wolfgang Schroeter honoured Wolfgang Schroeter, founder and CEO of Napoleon Heating and Cooling, was presented with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for his business and corporate philanthropy at a recent council meeting in Barrie, Ont. The Schroeter family has supported numerous local causes over the years, including a donation of $100,000 in furnaces to Habitat for Humanity.

Napoleon Heating and Cooling founder Wolfgang Schroeter (right) was recently presented a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal by Barrie, Ont. mayor Jeff Lehman.

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Allied and Noble share knowledge

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Joe Leonard, service manager with Allied Air Enterprises, discusses gas furnace pressure switches during an Allied Air dealer meeting for Noble customers.

The event, which was held in April in Vaughan, Ont., featured presentations on products and technology, as well as outlines of available training and marketing programs.

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Thinking safety in Toronto “We need to have safety at the forefront of our minds,” said Allan Lis, senior inspector in charge of training with the Electrical Safety Authority, during the HRAI Greater Toronto Area Chapter’s meeting in Vaughan, Ont., on April 30. He shared stories of jobsite accidents and discussed the need for proper training, procedures and personal protective equipment in the industry.

Also on Lis’ discussion list was the fact that the Ontario College of Trades will be examining the work being done by tradespeople, including checks on whether licensed tradespeople are doing work that is outside of the bounds of their licence. hrai.ca 0 6 . 1 3

APP AleRt HRAI educating consumers on door-to-door sales

A catalogue, and more

HRAI recently started an awareness campaign to educate consumers on the potential pitfalls of purchasing long-term contracts for major appliances, such as water heater rentals, from door-to-door salespeople.

“Investing in a long-term contract, such as a water heater rental agreement, should not be handled in the same manner as purchasing Girl Guide cookies,” said Warren Heeley, president of HRAI. “Much like any major home appliance, water heaters require a detailed contract and proper installation by a qualified contractor.”

HRAI recently commissioned a survey, where 57 per cent of Ontarians admitted to making at least one purchase from a doorto-door salesperson. Thirty-five per cent of those people regretted the purchase.

The Wolseley Express iPhone mobile app from Wolseley Canada allows users to find the closest branch location, view ordered products from the past six months, create purchase lists of commonly ordered items and search the company’s product catalogue for availability of more than 100,000 SKUs. wolseleyinc.ca

A motor-picking app Regal Canada’s free MotorAID cross-reference app is designed to allow contractors and technicians to find replacement motors and locate distributors while in the field.

Its features include a cross-reference for HVAC motors, the option to upload photos via email to help identify correct motor replacements and the ability to locate distributors based on location. The app is available in the Apple and Android stores, as well as Google Play. regalbeloit.com

hrai.ca

Picking winners in Kitchener Desco’s western sales manager Brian Ruetz and Melissa Ragno, the company’s sales and marketing coordinator, pick a winner for one of the many draw prizes up for grabs at the Desco Parade of Products at Bingeman’s Park in Kitchener, Ont. on May 2. More than 1,250 people were in attendance for the biennial event, which included over 60 vendors showcasing the latest industry products.

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Run for wellness in B.C. The Mechanical Contractors Association of B.C. has formed the “Run for Well-ness” team, which will participate in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K on June 23. The money raised will go to Operation Eyesight, an organization dedicated to eradicating blindness in developing countries caused by unsanitary water reservoirs and living conditions.

Tank inspection list revised Members of COHA’s technical committee have made revisions to the association’s tank inspection checklist originally created for the “Retire Your Tank” program in 2011. The checklist is designed to function as a risk management tool for improving tank inspection quality by COHA members and GreenTech certified technicians. To order the checklist, contact COHA’s national office at admin@coha.ca. coha.ca

Looking for industry leaders HRAI’s Contractors Division is currently accepting nominations for the Craig McCarty Memorial Award for industry service and the Gerald Inch Award for chapter leadership. Award winners will be recognized at HRAI’s annual conference taking place at The Westin Bayshore from August 21 to 24 in Vancouver. The deadline for nominations is July 1. For more information, contact Scott Papp at 905-602-4700, ext. 233, or email: spapp@hrai.ca. hrai.ca

Loop requirements clarified The Ontario Ministry of the Environment recently updated its technical bulletin, Earth Energy Systems in Ontario (March 2013). The bulletin replaces MOE’s Constructing Earth Energy Systems in Ontario, published in September 2009. The updated bulletin provides an updated overview of the province’s environmental legislative framework governing the outside loop components of an earth energy system.

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ASPE and ASSE International sign MOU The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and ASSE International have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help advance and promote the organizations’ mutual interests related to regulations, codes, standards, design, specifications, installation, and inspection of plumbing systems. They also plan to jointly develop technical publications, standards, educational programs, conferences and trade shows. aspe.org asse-plumbing.org

Assisting Algonquin Franklin Electric and The Rideau Group recently donated $6,000 of pumps and supplies to the plumbing apprenticeship program at Algonquin College in Ottawa.

Here at the front row, program coordinator Don McMullen (left), poses with Scott Meriau, sales associate from The Rideau Group, Sean Welsh, national sales manager, Canada commercial, for Franklin Electric, and Chris Hahn, Algonquin’s academic chair of construction trades and building systems. franklin-electric.com algonquincollege.com

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No Bubbles, No Troubles Patented Pall Ring technology assures effective air removal.

Taco’s 4900 Series Air Separators deliver complete and effective air removal from heating and cooling systems.

The presence of air can lead to irritating noise and reduced efficiency. But even worse, air can cause corrosion of boiler and radiator parts - plus the erosion of impellers and other internal system problems.

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Employ a Taco 4900 Series Air Separator to avoid all the troubles that come with unwanted air bubbles.

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Uponor named manufacturer of the year The U.S.-based Manufacturers Alliance recently named Uponor its 2013 Manufacturer of the Year in the large company category. The Wolseley recently opened a plumbing and hydronics company was chosen for various branch in Brampton, Ont. The new location is part of lean and operational efficiencies. the company’s Greater Toronto Area region and will be This past May, Uponor broke headed up by general manager Craig Dunford and branch ground on the expansion of its manager Darren Wright. The branch is located at 56 headquarters in Apple Valley, Bramsteele Rd., Unit 2A. Hours of operation are 6 a.m.

Minn. The project will add 17,500 to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Tel: 905-453-4374. sq. ft. of manufacturing space to wolseleyinc.ca help meet forecasted growth for crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing for plumbing, fire sprinkler, and radiant heating and cooling systems, and will bring the facility’s total space to 230,000 sq. ft. The addition is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

Wolseley branches out in Brampton

uponor.ca

Navien turns 35

Expanding a vision On May 1, Vision Parts & Accessories opened a second shipping location in Delta, B.C., to help reduce shipping lead times in Western Canada. The new warehouse is at the company’s local agency, Canadian Aqualine Sales Inc., located at 160 – 7391 Vantage Way. Tel: 604-946-4811. The contact is Elaine Woof.

Navien celebrated its 35th year in business on April 30. The company, whose name comes from the words navigator, energy and environment, recently received the International Forum Award for Product Design and the Plumbing Innovation Award at AHR Expo for its NPE series gas water heater. navienamerica.com

visionparts.com

Emerson Swan comes to Canada

Bigger Burnaby branch

Emerson Swan recently expanded its operations into Canada, under the name Emerson Swan Canada, ULC. The company will serve the mechanical engineering and contracting community within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and will initially be representing products from Taco Commercial, Flow Design and Twin City Hose. They are located at 8450 Lawson Road, Unit 3, Milton, Ont. L9T 0J8. Contact numbers are Tel: 855-664-6723 and Fax: 905-864-0156.

Ecco Supply’s Burnaby branch has relocated to 7959 Enterprise St., Burnaby, B.C., V5A 2Z6. The new branch is 30 per cent larger than the previous location. The Burnaby office can be reached at 604-420-4323 or 800-663-7684. eccosupply.ca

emersonswan.ca

Tremcar buys Robica Forman Tank Tank trailer manufacturer Tremcar recently purchased London, Ont.-based Robica Forman Tank, a manufacturer of truck tanks and tank trailers. tremcar.com

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New facility for M&G DuraVent M&G DuraVent opened a new location in Albany, N.Y. in April. The facility is located at 10 Jupiter Lane, Albany, N.Y. 12205. duravent.com

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People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com

RICK LITTLE was recently hired as the director of marketing for ClimateCare, a co-operative of HVAC contracting firms in Ontario. Rick has almost 20 years of senior management experience in HVAC marketing, finance and operations. His main role will be to develop and execute comprehensive marketing plans for all ClimateCare activities in the marketplace.

IPEX has promoted GORDON LEFORT (left) to the position of national sales manager, mechanical. The company has also appointed TRAvIS LUTES (right) as its vice-president of innovation.

Wilo Canada has named HANS KIRCHER its director of sales and marketing. Hans has more than 30 years of experience in the North American pump and HVAC industry. He will be responsible for directing, leading and executing the company’s Canadian sales strategy.

DUNCAN CURD has assumed the role of general manager and vice-president of sales for the Americas with Nortec Ltd., a supplier of humidification and evaporative cooling equipment. Part of the Walter Meier Group, Nortec has global operations, including a facility in Ottawa.

Wolseley Canada has named KEvIN FULLAN (1) its general manager for the company’s Ontario and Atlantic plumbing business. Kevin has 35 years of experience in sales, general management, business analysis and performance improvement.

He is a past-chairman of CIPH and the Industrial Pipe, Valves & Fittings Council. DARREN WRIGHT (2), previously the branch manager of Wolseley’s Milton location, is now managing the company’s Brampton 3 branch. Joining Darren’s team are CHERYL DEvLIN (3), counter sales; PATRICK BROWN (4), inside sales; and ALLAN MASTERS (5), driver.

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American Standard recently expanded the role of JOE ANILE, director of Canadian wholesale sales. He is now responsible for all sales managers across Canada for the company. Anile has been with the company since 1985 and has been director of wholesale sales since 2009.

Trane Canada recently appointed DANIEL THERRIEN manager of direct sales for its Montreal office. The company also recently hired JEFF THORPE for the position of branch manager at its Burnaby, B.C., Trane Supply store.

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Goodman Company Canada has promoted JOSEPH GULLUSCI (top left) to the position of commercial sales support for Central and Eastern Canada. Also at Goodman, GREG JOHNSON has been named territory sales manager in the London area.

Ontor Limited recently added three new employees to its HVAC sales team. NELSON LIMA (1) is now the regional sales representative for Alberta. HEATHER HENDRY (2) is the sales representative for the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan and AURELE ST-GERMAIN (3) is now the sales representative for the Quebec region.

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BARRY OSMUN has been hired as the director of sales and marketing for Newmac Manufacturing.

Barry’s previous experience includes several years as the director of sales and marketing for a brick manufacturer and a concrete products company.

Novanni has hired RAY DUPUIS for the position of commercial business manager. He will be responsible for the continued development of the AMI and Elkay Commercial and Food Service products in Canada.

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Profile Learning never gets old for Garth Denison

Now retired from the refrigeration industry after a career that spanned some 48 years, industry consultant Garth Denison can still be found at events and answering questions about one of his favourite topics, refrigeration. Well, that and woodworking. “I keep saying ‘no,’ but they keep saying ‘yes,’” he says with a chuckle during a recent interview from

Q A

Q A

How did you get introduced to refrigeration?

Q A

As a kid at home, a neighbour gave my father a water cooler because they were revamping their office.

I took it apart and something sprayed on my hand, and my hand went numb. I hopped on my bicycle and pedalled down to the library to read about this stuff that made my hand numb.

Q A

Where did you get your start in the industry?

I ended up working for a meat purveyor after I finished high school. I got involved in refrigeration at the packing house. I got involved with RSES through a wholesaler.

Q

What’s one of the highlights from your years in the trade?

A

When the new refrigerants came out, I was right in the thick of the introduction of new gases, providing technical support.

his home in Brampton, Ont., where he was getting ready for a pair of presentations for this year’s RSES Canada conference (check out page 84 for details from that event). A life-long learner, he’s been sharing knowledge at conferences and in classrooms for decades, so we hit him up for a bit of wisdom for the pages of Mechanical Business.

Tell us about a project that you enjoyed being a part of.

The Daily Bread Foodbank. It was a joint venture between RSES Toronto Maple Leaf Chapter and DuPont.

When the new gases came out, we converted all of their walk-in coolers and freezers to new gases. It was a nice one to do.

Q A Q

Are there any topics that you never tire of talking about?

What’s one of the more important topics to learn about?

Pressure enthalpies. You can analyze a whole system over the telephone if you just ask questions and plot it out on a P-h diagram.

What words of advice can you offer our readers?

A

Stay abreast of what’s going on in the industry. There’s so much out there to learn.

Chillers and the larger equipment. I developed a nomograph for R-410, so by answering just a few questions you can do your line sizing in just a few minutes.

BIo

Q A

18

What do you enjoy most about the industry?

The challenges. The people are great. And it is such a diverse field. If you are interested in it, you can go from medical to food preservation to comfort cooling to process cooling.

One of the most interesting machines I ever worked on was a popsicle machine.

M e c h a n i c a l

FAST FACTS • Garth enjoys reading, especially technical things.

• He has a comprehensive woodworking shop in his basement.

• Garth’s wife enjoys NASCAR, and is a Jeff Gordon fan.

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Name: Garth Denison Title: Retired, industry consultant Age: 72 Born in: Edmonton, Alta.

Resides in: Brampton, Ont. In the industry for: 48 years Association Involvement: RSES Canada, RSES International, ASHRAE Hobbies: Woodworking Family: Wife Marilyn, two daughters and three grandchildren.

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The cooling RepoRT

B y A n d r ew S n o o k

Back to basics Contractors will need to tap into sales skills to make the most of the year’s cooling season.

W

hen trying to upsell higher efficiency A/C units to consumers, government grants and incentives can be a big advantage. But what happens when those grants and incentives dry up? It’s time to get back to basics.

Mike Cantin, Canadian regional sales manager for Napoleon, says higherend residential A/C units aren’t likely going to be a big sell this cooling season.

“Bottom, low-end products are going to be the biggest part of the market because there are no grants to get people to generate more money,” he said.

Cantin adds that some contractors may be at a disadvantage in the post-incentive era.

“When the grants came out, contractors just told consumers to buy the higher-end unit to get the grant,” he said. “Then the grants disappeared.”

He says contractors will need to re-learn how to promote and sell products themselves without relying on grant- and incentive-fuelled prices.

Unitary rooftop system Trane IntelliPak I unitary rooftop systems offer efficiency up to 14.2 EER and are available in 20- to 130-ton capacities.

The units feature direct-drive plenum fan technology, variable-speed compressor technology, an all-aluminum microchannel condenser coil, double-wall construction and can accommodate MERV 14 filters.

“People believe if they pay a little more they might get better quality,” says Cantin. “Consumers are willing to spend more money if they know they’re getting a better product. That has to be sold by the contractor.”

Another factor that could affect this year’s cooling season is the impact of the previous grants and incentives on the number of units sold in recent years.

Homeowners with access to incentives were not necessarily waiting until their system failed to replace it.

“The market has been drawn forward maybe two or three years,” said Jonathan Fox, residential and commercial product manager for Carrier Enterprises Canada. “We’ve replaced a lot of systems over that time.”

Split-system A/C

Single-stage heat pump

Goodman’s DSXC18 18 SEER split-system air conditioner is available with cooling capacities ranging from 34,000 to 56,000 BTUH. The unit is built with a two-stage scroll compressor and a two-speed condenser fan motor. It comes with a highdensity foam compressor sound blanket and uses R-410a refrigerant.

KeepRite’s Constant Comfort SXC singlestage heat pump is available in 1.5- to 5-ton capacities and offers efficiencies up to 9.0 HSPF, 15.5 SEER and 12.5 EER. The unit features a galvanized steel cabinet, a single-stage scroll compressor and a selfdiagnostic system.

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Selling on SEER Consumers are looking for more features in their units – like ECM motors and quieter operation.

However, selling based on SEER isn’t currently a big driving force in the Canadian A/C marketplace, reports Fox. “We aren’t what I would call a SEER market, there really isn’t a payback discussion… where SEER becomes a discussion is with government and utility rebates like the Ontario Power Authority program,” he said.

Of course, Karl acknowledges that the main driver getting customers to pick up the phone and call their local contractor is for a repair.

“As always, the number 1 trigger point for a homeowner to enter the HVAC marketplace is the malfunction, breakdown or origination of a problem with the current system,” he explains.

“Typically the homeowner or business owner is seeking a repair to the current system and not a total replacement.”

But just because a consumer is typically looking for a repair, doesn’t mean there isn’t an opportunity to turn that house call into a sales opportunity for a new unit.

Although grants and incentives play a factor in the selling of higher efficiency units, they are not the only drivers. The cost of energy also plays a role.

Turn that house call into a sales opportunity for a new unit.

“As energy costs rise, energy efficient HVAC units become more popular with homeowners and business owners,” said Andrew Karl, split systems product manager for Goodman Manufacturing Company. “Given that many homes currently have central cooling systems with SEER levels of 12 or less, there is a good story for lowering cooling costs with energy efficient units in the range of 18 without breaking the bank for payment of the system.”

The Cooling Report continues on page 22

Split-system heat pump

Rooftop packaged units

The RLS2 series of split-system heat pumps from Fujitsu are available with cooling capacities of 9,000, 12,000 and 14,500 BTUH and offer efficiencies up to 27.2 SEER. The unit’s heating capacity allows it to operate in outdoor ambient temperatures as low as -5°F. Other features include: a wireless remote control; and an ion deodorizing filter.

Allied Air Enterprises’ K-Series rooftop packaged unit line offers efficiencies up to 12.7 EER and 13.2 SEER, and are available from 7.5- to 10-tons in gas/electric and electric/electric configurations. They feature more than 100 field-selectable options to meet a variety of applications, and come standard with an isolated compressor and a slide-out blower.

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High-efficiency A/C unit The Infinity Series air conditioner from Carrier is available in 2- to 5-ton capacities and offers efficiencies up to 21.0 SEER. The unit features a two-stage scroll compressor, galvanized steel construction, and a system designed to reduce noise levels to as low as 66 dBA.

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Pr oducts

The cooling RepoRT

continued from page 21

Ductless on the rise According to the latest HRAI industry forecast, ductless mini-splits will experience the largest increase in shipments out of all sectors in 2013, increasing six per cent to 92,400 units.

“The ductless market is growing every year,” says Norm Mierkalns, national sales and marketing manager (HVAC) for Mitsubishi Electric Cooling and Heating.

“It’s because more consumers are realizing the flexibility of the product.”

One region where ductless heat pump units are particularly popular is in Quebec, due to the large number of electrically heated homes and businesses.

Inverter technology Primarily used in ductless systems, inverter technology is starting to find its way into more traditional split systems, said Carrier’s Jonathan Fox. Goodman’s Andrew Karl adds that the technology’s product lines will expand as the HVAC market becomes more attuned to high efficiency products and systems.

“Currently, not all manufacturers have easy access to inverters and some offer a rather complex installation requirement,” he said. “It will be a combined effort by manufacturers, distributors and dealers to communicate and educate homeowners and business owners on the many benefits that inverter technology will offer to the market.”

Cooling Products

True HVAC professionals know their reputation is made with every sale. Which is why they choose to sell Armstrong Air.®

Rooftop unit The Raider rooftop unit from Lennox is available in 3- to 5-ton gas/electric, electric/ electric and heat pump models, and offers efficiencies of 13.0 SEER. The units feature a full-perimeter base rail and a power entry offering knockout base or horizontal access options for electrical lines.

HVAC professionals take a lot of pride in the work they do, and the equipment they install. They choose Armstrong Air because they know our standards are as high as their own. With smart designs like MHT™ Technology in the summer and EHX™ Technology in the winter, we have thoughtfully engineered comfort solutions that can delight every customer, every time. If you're ready to make the choice to sell something better, get started at www.armstrongair.com/become-a-dealer.asp

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The Cooling Report continues on page 24

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The cooling RepoRT

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High debt levels don’t need to be a disadvantage During times of economic slowdown, homeowners and business owners often shy away from purchasing a new system when an old unit breaks down. Even if a consumer does not have the cash up front to pay for a replacement unit, that doesn’t mean they’re not a potential sale for a contractor who is willing to think outside the box.

“I think if a contractor is smart and takes advantage of the financing tools

Contractors will need to look to creative solutions for generating increased sales.

generating increased sales.

available, they can offer solutions instead of waiting on consumers,” says Fox. He expects it to be an aggressive marketplace this season, so contractors will need to look to creative solutions for

R-22 is best for R-22 equipment.

If you need to change,

“I think the younger generation looks at cost per month. Look at the furniture business and how well they do with financing,” he says. “I think we need to tweak and rethink the way we use financing more and it would improve with closing sales. Sell it as a $70 per month system, instead of a $10,000 system.”

Cooling Products

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Mitsubishi Electric’s P-Series commercial grade ductless system is designed for continuous 24/7 cooling, even at temperatures down to -40°C. The units have an efficiency range of 13 to 17 SEER and are available from 12,000 to 42,000 BTUH. Standard features include lead-lag, two-stage and back-up operation, and can also be integrated into a building management system.

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Ductless inverter heat pump Napoleon’s 19 SEER ductless inverter heat pump is available in models ranging from 9,000 to 24,000 BTUH. Features include a DC inverter, remote control thermostat, PTC heating belt, LED display in Celsius and Fahrenheit, a louver position memory function, auto restart and turbo and sleep modes. The units come standard with a washable filter and use R-410a refrigerant.

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HVAC/R Products P Geothermal heat pump GeoStar’s Sycamore Series geothermal comfort system is available in 3- to 5-ton capacities and is designed to achieve an EER of 41 and a 5.3 coefficient of performance (COP). The system combines a variable capacity compressor with a variable speed blower motor and a variable speed loop pump. www.

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Condensing unit Tecumseh’s Generation III outdoor air-cooled condensing units for commercial refrigeration applications are equipped with a corrosion and weather resistant, heavy-duty galvanized steel enclosure. The base model is equipped with such features as filter driers, suction-line accumulators, oversized receiver tanks, pressure controls, service valves, defrost timers and crank-case heaters. Single and dual fan models are available in sizes ranging from 1/2 to 7-1/4 HP.

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System controller Daikin McQuay’s MicroTech Integrated System for water source heat pump applications is designed to integrate pumps, towers, boilers and ventilation air with a water source heat pump system in the small- to mid-sized building market. A touch panel with a web browser-based interface allows facility managers to view system status, trend information, change setpoints and create schedules.

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Honeywell’s VisionPRO 8000 touchscreen programmable thermostat is designed for universal system compatibility and connects through the company’s free Total Connect Comfort cloud-based app. The unit features menu-driven programming, touchscreen interaction, a real-time clock and hold options for overriding the program schedule.

Featuring a layer of aluminum mesh surrounded by two layers of protective polymer, FlashShield CSST from Gastite is offered in 1/2” to 1-1/4” sizes, and in coils of up to 1,500 feet, dependent on the pipe size. It offers the same level of flexibility as the company’s standard corrugated stainless steel, and can be used with its fittings, stubs and outlet boxes.

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Plumbing

By D e ni se D e v e a u

WATERSENSE sTory I t seems that just about any literature you read about bathroom and kitchen fixtures these days has WaterSense written all over it. As provinces and states continue to up the ante on water saving, building codes and standards are following suit. So too are manufacturers, especially when it comes to bathroom faucets and toilets.

Moen

PiTching The

WATER savings on tap The most ubiquitous adoption of WaterSense is in the bathroom faucet category. Nunzio DiCesare says virtually all of the American Standard lav faucets are WaterSense approved. “We started rolling out the changeover around 2009,” he says. And his company is not alone. Most of the major faucet brands have also moved to make WaterSense a part of their plumbing offerings.

Engineering ingenuity has put the water savings conversation back on the table, says Daniel Scheffel, sales associate at Taps Bath Centre in Toronto.

“Manufacturers have put a lot of engineering into it, meeting the guidelines without sacrificing performance.

If you compared the performance of an old faucet and a new WaterSense one side by side, you wouldn’t feel any difference. It’s easy to convince homeowners today that they can get the same effect while lowering water consumption.”

Moen

In some cases, newer technologies can deliver anywhere from 20 to 40 per cent savings in water, which makes for a convincing sales pitch with environmentally-conscious customers. Not to mention the fact they could be eligible for tax benefits or rebates, depending on the jurisdiction. In rural installations, a push for water-saving fixtures can also translate into longer lifespans for septic tanks.

An added bonus is that water-saving products no longer carry the price premium that they may have had a few years back. “Everything is very cost competitive,” Scheffel says. “The choice is becoming so much easier because the industry has proven that the technology and the savings work.”

Of course, there are some exceptions of note to the low flow movement, Kohler’s Rob Zimmerman says. “There are a few models, such as laminar flow faucets, that don’t lend themselves to low-flow aerators, but it’s a small minority.”

He pinpoints faucets and aerators as an easy sell for anyone on the job. When contractors are on a call to repair or replace a toilet, for example, he recommends at least offering to install a new aerator or replace an old one.

continues on page 30

ToileTs deliver The big savings Toilets tend to be where consumers are the most interested in changing their water-consuming ways, says Nunzio DiCesare, product manager of faucets and acrylics for American Standard Brands.

“As far as consumers are concerned, that’s where they can save the most money,” he says.

Kohler

Interest has been boosted by significant redesign efforts in the internal mechanics of toilets, he adds. “Advancements have allowed low-flow toilets to flush properly. All kinds of design elements have been put into them. And it’s only going to get better.”

28

That being said, the biggest performance issues in the past have been with toilets, admits Rob Zimmerman, product specialist for Kohler. “Honestly, that took a while. When

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the first high-efficiency toilets were introduced around 2005 they were adequate, but not great.” That’s changed considerably over the past five years, he says.

The issue hasn’t been so much a matter of water volume as it has been redesigning bowls, flush valves and traps so that they meet the aesthetics people want, while offering optimized performance, says Zimmerman.

The trick to upping performance has been engineering water flow and streamlining design elements for better results, says Scheffel. Companies are using new glazing that works like Teflon, modified bowl designs and newly engineered flush technologies to improve performance.

“These have made a huge improvement in cleaning and rinsing,” he says.

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HELLO GORGEOUS. GOOD-BYE WATER WASTER. Addison® Bath Collection, the popular suite from Delta®, is WaterSense® labeled flowing at a maximum of 1.5 gpm (5.7 L/min), resulting in up to a 32% water savings*. The Addison suite also includes a water-efficient raincan showerhead featuring H2Okinetic® Technology, which provides an indulgent shower experience that actually conserves water. Welcome water-efficiency into your projects with the complete offering of Delta WaterSense-labeled lavatories and water-efficient showerheads. Another way that Delta is more than just a faucet.

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*Water Efficient Product – Flow rate of 1.5 gpm (5.7 L/min) versus Industry Standard ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 of 2.2 gpm (8.3 L/min).

PLUMBING

continues from page 28

ShOwer Action Showerheads are one area where there still seems to be considerable movement in the realm of water savings and engineering.

“A lot of design activity is taking place,” Zimmerman notes. “Faucets and toilets are pretty much done.

Now we’re seeing a lot of growth in water-saving showerheads. The focus has been on trying to get to two gallons per minute and still deliver a luxurious experience for users. That’s been a challenge since the shower is one area where people are simply not willing to make sacrifices.”

New aeration technologies that re-engineer the inner workings of showerheads are creating sprays that perform more like a full showerhead. These newer technology approaches are delivering up to 40 per cent water savings, says DiCesare.

Delta

It may still take some convincing and educating, however. “On the one hand, consumers want a water saving device; on the other, they want to know they’re able to wash the soap out of their hair,” says DiCesare. “In the past, homeowners

have tried water-saving showerheads and ended up going back to the norm.”

The main message contractors need to get out there is a simple one, Zimmerman says. “You don’t expect cars or computers to be the same as they were 10 years ago.

Manufacturers have done a lot of product design and engineering to make water-saving products Kohler better and more efficient.

Consumers need to know that.”

Companies like Masco, and its Delta Faucet brand, have designed showerheads and hand showers with internal systems that control the speed, movement and size of water droplets.

This creates “the feeling of more water than a standard shower flowing at the same rate,” says Anita Griffin, director of marketing communications at Masco Canada. “The result is water savings for the homeowner, as well as a warmer, more drenching shower experience.”

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PLUMBING

Kitchen water savings A mAtter of timing When it comes to water-saving discussions, the one place where WaterSense is less prevalent is in kitchen faucets. Given that kitchen water usage tends to be volumetric for the most part (e.g. filling pots, washing dishes), reducing flow only means keeping taps on longer.

However, there are a couple of suggestions that can be made to help homeowners reduce the time a tap is turned on.

The use of single lever faucets help to conserve water, since they can be turned off at the temperature they were left at, and will therefore reach the desired temperature more quickly when turned back on.

Moen

Inspiration in nature Water-saving technology for showerheads is always about striking the right balance.

“In studies we have conducted on what a perfect shower looks like, the top two things are spray coverage and adjustability,” says Garry Scott, vice-president of wholesale marketing and brand development for Moen Canada.

Touchless faucets are also becoming more prevalent and are great water savers, since having taps turn on and off instantly with the wave of a hand or object will keep the time water is flowing to a minimum for activities like hand washing or rinsing vegetables.

In addition to developing technology to concentrate and magnify the natural force of the water, his company has turned to Fibonacci-inspired spiral nozzle patterns.

These nature-based nozzle patterns are designed to maximize spray coverage and optimize delivery angles of the droplets.

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MCEE MÉCANEX/CLIMATEX/EXPOLECTRIQ/ÉCLAIRAGE

MCEE 2013 sets new attendance record

5

Thousands flocked to Place Bonaventure in Montreal to take in MCEE 2013 this past April. The event, which caters to the plumbing, HVAC/R, hydronics, electrical and lighting sectors, brought in 7,405 industry members, up 14 per cent from the 2011 edition.

“It was a terrific show, and thanks to the goodwill and efforts of the now six participating associations, we continue to build one solid trade show in Quebec where once we were four,” said John Hammill, CIPH chairman of the board and vice-president of wholesale sales at Moen. “It is particularly rewarding when the show, our largest show ever, was sold out and we had tremendous attendance! I have to thank the trade show committee for a job very well done.”

“MCEE 2013 was terrific,” added Unika Hypolite, channel marketing manager, for Uponor Canada. “The show provided us an opportunity to communicate to the marketplace some of our newer offerings, acquire some new business opportunities, as well as connect with old friends.”

“This was one of the busiest, most productive shows we have had in years,” noted Dwight Einwechter, national sales manager, specialty markets, for Victor Technologies Canada (TurboTorch).

Contractor attendance to the show experienced the largest gains among measured groups, up 12 per cent. Wholesaler attendance increased seven per cent, and engineer attendance was up five per cent.

The next MCEE show will take place in April 2015. mcee.ca 1. Crowds press through the opening gates on April 17. 2. Show goers make their way through the show on opening day. 3. An attendee checks out the latest products at the Victaulic booth. 4. Eric Gagnier talks about the latest revisions to plumbing installation requirements in the Quebec Construction Code. 5. John Hammill, chairman of CIPH, and Benoit Lamoureux, president of CMMTQ, welcome special guests and show sponsors during a reception on the eve of MCEE. 6. Apollo Valves shows off the features of the company’s press technologies. 7. Attendees stop to hear about the features of Moen’s latest faucets. 8. Viessmann poses with CIPH president Ralph Suppa and CMMTQ CEO André Bergeron while being presented the New Product Showcase Award in the Hydronic Heating/Cooling category for the company’s Vitocrossal 200, CM2. 9. Sylvain Villeneuve, vice-president of oil tank manufacturer Vilco, checks out a bit of reading material before the doors open on Wednesday morning. 10. Mario Bouchard, director of sales and marketing at Granby Industries, displays the innovation award his company won for its Conforto condensing oil furnace.

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Winners’ circle

The New Product Showcase featured more than 100 products, with several members of the plumbing and heating industry picking up awards. Here are some of the winners: • • • • • • • • • •

Cobra Anchors (FlipToggle – Air Duct Fittings and Accessories).

Viessmann Manufacturing (Vitocrossal 200, CM2 – Hydronic Heating/Cooling).

AirTechni (Tower Tech Series # TTXL - Hydronic Heating/Cooling).

Granby Industries (Granby Conforto KLC – Forced Air Heating and/or Air Conditioning).

Inflotrolix (Aqua-Protec – Pipes and Fittings).

Diversitech (ClearVue Mini pump – Water Heating and Plumbing Components).

Milwaukee Tool (M12 Hammervac Universal Dust Extractor – Tools).

Enervex/Enviroair Industries (EcoFlex 90+ - Hydronic Heating Components).

Airvector (NEX Diffusers – Forced Air Heating Components).

The Master Group (KE2 Evaporator Efficiency – Software, Controls and Related Equipment).

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Solar HydronicS

B y B o b “ Ho t R o d ” R o h r

Making hay while

the sun shines

Technology is available today to solve our energy needs in a most efficient way. Will consumers embrace these high-tech approaches, or are we destined to try to squeeze crude from every rock on the planet and ship or pipe it to them?

Is the transition to clean, efficient energy

Sun, Storage Ice HIGH

HIGH

HIGH

HIGH

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

HIGH

HIGH

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

HIGH

sources and transfer products driven solely by economics, and how much will it need to hurt the consumer in the pocketbook before we start to insist on only the most efficient heating and cooling appliances?

I believe the future of energy lies in the hands of progressive and innovative companies, many of whom pilgrimage to the ISH show every two years in the hopes that they will grab contractors’ and consumers’ imaginations, energy dollars, and most importantly, the ears of the policy makers.

So hitch your wagon to a star, the sun. Bury your (heating system) treasures in the earth.

And store up that energy, and the profits that go with it.

and

I

think we all agree that a solar thermal system offers some great benefits. On a residential level, we all need and use hot water, and for the hydronically inclined, solar thermal can help reduce our reliance on fossil-fuelled heat sources. And consumers are willing to consider solar thermal if they can be shown some reasonable return on investment.

The ROI discussion is a challenge, however.

Once the amount of domestic hot water a typical family uses is accounted for, and even with a heating system story to tell, solar can be a tough sell. Without some sort of incentive, or a buyer with a deep green vision, the sale is often a tough go.

Two of the main things that have been holding this green market sector back are timing and storage. Let’s face it, you get the largest amount of solar energy when you need it the least, in the warm summer months, so without a place to store surpluses from summer, keeping up with heat demands in the winter becomes a stumbling point.

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In previous articles we talked about finding job opportunities that match up with that available BTU load. Projects like water parks and bottling companies, or any other customer with a year-round large and consistent source of heat, are a few applications that match well.

Unfortunately, that profile does not match the typical residential customer, and that type of application is not available in every town in all of our market areas, and there’s still that question of how to handle high heating demands in the winter.

Heating loads are low to non-existent in summer months, so the Holy Grail for solar thermal is, and always has been, storage. How can we park, or flywheel, this abundant energy so that we can use it to provide heating, DHW and cooling, when we want and need it?

• An i c y p a t h • L o o k i n g b eh in d t h e gr een cu r t ain Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor and installer for 30 years. A long-time columnist and trainer, he is manager of training and education with Caleffi North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@caleffi.com.

Looking behind the green curtAin

If there is a Land of Oz for a heating contractor, it has to be the ISH show in Frankfurt, Germany.

Every two years, about 200,000 like-minded folks flow through the hallowed halls of Messe Frankfurt.

Some come to show off innovative products; while others come to check out some of the unique products that engineers have come up with from around the globe, as well as gather and exchange ideas in numerous technical forums.

The theme this year was sustainability. Without a doubt, European and Scandinavian countries lead the world in the pursuit of sustainability. They have understood for quite some time that fossil fuels and nuclear power cannot be the only answer to our energy needs.

Among the trends in the major manufacturers’ booths these days are sheet metal boxes with compressors inside. Heat pumps are all the rage, again! I noticed heat pumps in almost every boilermaker’s booth.

Exchanging energy from the air, ground or water is the basic concept. Ground or water source seem to lead the pack for efficiencies, and they were the most common variants on the technology that I spotted while going through the aisles.

Less common, but very intriguing, were systems set on finding a workable link from the sun to the ground as a heat sink. Numerous projects have been installed that use solar thermal energy to raise the temperature in the loop fields.

So far, mixed results have been recorded with regards to performance. It seems that Mother Earth has the upper hand in deciding exactly where the energy ends up. With even a small amount of moving water, the bore holes that are intended to be storage containers have a hard time keeping the energy in a place where it can be recovered as needed.

tipping my hAnd

While the ISH show encompasses all things wet, including plumbing fixtures and hydronics, the hydronic technologies seem to gather the most inquisitive of attendees, myself among them. And while I might be a bit biased, I think that pumps and boilers and such should be a driving force at the show. Let’s face it, no faucet or mega showerhead, regardless how fancy or pricey, will flow a drop of hot water until the energy to produce that “drop” is considered.

An icy pAth

While at this year’s ISH show, I was intrigued by an underground ice storage system on display at the Viessmann booth.

In cooperation with a subsidiary company, Isocal, they displayed a system that takes heat energy from the ground, ambient air and solar radiation and stores it in an ice block designed to be buried in a pit, not unlike a rainwater or plastic septic tank. A heat pump can then use this stored energy for heating the building, as well as for DHW production.

In cooling mode, the ice store can accept the rejected heat from the space being conditioned.

One advantage this type of system has over a typical borehole geothermal system is the installation. Less technology and property disruption is needed compared to a large drill rig and the related overburden it produces. A small excavator could install this system.

The ice storage would seem to make sense for small, tight-lot installations.

Viessmann was not alone in the pursuit of the next energy transfer and storage devices, as the show floor was teeming with innovative and unique products from around the planet.

Products using adsorption cycle heat pumps were quite prevalent. In one I spotted, an oil-fired condensing boiler product was driving the adsorption cycle heat pump with Zeolite used as a storage medium. The oil-fired energy is used to regenerate the bed. And I thought Zeolite was just for water softeners.

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HYDRONIC

Products

Wall hung condensing boiler The Planet Dewy 60 BFR wall hung modulating, condensing boiler from Sime features a stainless steel heat exchanger and a built-in circulator and air eliminator. It has an input range of 83,000 to 210,000 BTUH and can be installed in a cascade design with up to six boilers for 1.2 million BTUH. The unit has a DHW setting range of 86°F to 140°F, is available in natural gas and LP gas, and weighs 134.5 lb.

www. simenorthamerica.com

Commercial boiler With 5:1 turndown and 80,000 to 399,000 BTUH inputs, IBC’s SL 80-399 Commercial Champion boiler features built-in staging control for up to 24 boilers, offering up to 9.5 million BTUH and 120:1 turndown. The stainless steel unit has a combustion efficiency of 95.7%, and allows venting up to 200 feet using 4” PPS or CPVC.

www. ibcboiler.com

Under-slab barrier Designed for radiant heating applications and available in roll sizes ranging from 4’ by 50’ to 12’ by 50’, Insulation Solutions’ Insul-Tarp is an under-slab insulation with an R value of 5.9. Its construction comprises closed-cell foam with an aluminum reflective material and a cross-woven polyethylene shell to withstand jobsite traffic. Its low perm rate also allows it to act as a vapour barrier.

www. insulationsolutions.com

Modulating condensing boiler Available in models ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 BTUH, Olsen/ Airco’s OLSSC modulating condensing boiler offers efficiencies of up to 95% AFUE. The unit comes equipped with a stainless steel heat exchanger with primary/secondary piping configuration. It can be vented with 2” or 3” PVC or CPVC.

www. olsenhvac.com

Hot water tank Viessmann’s Vitocell 300-B domestic hot water tanks are built with a dual heat exchanger coil for solar heating applications. The corrosion-resistant stainless steel units are offered in 300- and 450-litre capacity models and come with two thermometers. The tanks are equipped with foamed-in-place or wrap-around HCFC-free insulation.

www. viessmann.ca

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129

Artfully Engineered.

The P-K MACH® Boiler. Designed to fit where space is a premium.

Our beautifully redesigned line of smaller P-K MACH® boilers, ranging from 300 to 500 MBTU/hr., are CSA-certified at 92% plus efficiency and are small and light enough to be carried down steps, around corners to be easily hung during a wall installation. The top and front panels of the boilers are fully removable to allow for easy access to key components, while zero clearance to combustibles reduces the space required when multiple boilers are installed.

Be part of the “fit-in” crowd by installing a the new P-K MACH®...a true masterpiece.

Learn more about P-K, contact pkmarketing@harsco.com or visit www.harscopk.com

CommerCial van roundup

B y Ho war d J . Elmer

UNdER ThE

EuropEan influEncE L

ast year we talked about the coming of the European sourced vans; this year they are here. The fullsize Ford Transit has emigrated from across the pond and is now being built in Kansas City, and the Ram’s ProMaster, another product that’s in wide use in other parts of the world, was shown in Chicago in February.

They will both be on sale by the end of the year.

Cab style:

Van

Engine size:

3.7L V6 (base), 3.5L EcoBoost V6 3.2L Power Stroke diesel

Max. towing capacity:

5,000 lb.

Van interior:

2013 Ford TransiT

The full-size Ford Transit has been a staple in Europe for well over a decade, but it is just making its debut here. It was a major focus for Ford at this year’s Canadian International Autoshow.

500 cu. ft. max.

Cargo space dimensions: Height: 81.5” max. Width: 69.8” Length: 171.5” Dimensions:

Length: 266.1” max. Width: 82”

This changes the commercial van landscape forever and gives the Mercedes Sprinter some competition in the large commercial van space.

Setting aside pedigree of designs, additional changes in the marketplace include the growth of diesel offerings with mid-size diesel engines available in both the new Ford and Ram. On the lighter side, the Nissan NV200 comes online to contend with the Ford Transit Connect and the Ram Cargo Van (Caravan). Both Mercedes and Chrysler say they will also bring smaller European-sourced vans into this market by year’s end.

The look of those white vans on our highways is changing, but change definitely makes life interesting, and hopefully a bit more efficient.

Cab style:

The body is supported by a unibody chassis and is available in two wheelbases (129.9” or 147.6”), single or dual rear wheels, and three roof heights (83.2”, 100.8” or 110.2”). The engine is front-mounted and it’s a rear wheel drive setup. Cargo volumes will range from 250 to almost 500 cubic feet.

1,600 lb.

Max. towing capacity:

2,000 lb.

Van interior: Door opening:

130 cu. ft.

Rear Height: 52.1”

Cargo space dimensions: Height: 59.1” Width: 48.1” Length: 72.6” Dimensions:

Length: 189.7” Width: 70.7”

2014 Ford

TransiT ConneCT

2013 Ford e-series

Cab style:

Van, Cutaway

Wheelbase:

138”, 178”

Engine size:

5.4L V8, 6.8L V10,

Power (hp/torque):

255/350, 305/420,

Max. towing capacity:

M e c h a n i c a l

2.5L I-4, 1.6L EcoBoost I-4

Max. payload:

CuTaway Vans

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Van

Engine size:

Offered in diesel or in two gas engine options, all three will come with the same transmission, a six-speed automatic. The 3.7L V6 will also be offered with a LPG or LNG prep kit.

Ford has not released the weight capacities for the various sized Transits yet.

With the Transit now here, only the E-350/E-450 Cutaway E-series vans remain. These veteran trucks continue to be good performers for many upfitter applications.

Howard J. Elmer is a PowerSports editor, writer and author, based in Brampton, Ont. He has a transportation, newspaper and radio background, and is a member of the Truck Writers of North America, the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada and the creator of the Canadian Truck King Challenge. www.canadiantruckkingchallenge.ca.

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10,000 lb.

This small van has built itself a nice niche with a personal-use wagon, commercial versions, and even an all-electric van. For 2014 it is also updated substantially. It gets two new engines, will now tow, and offers even more trim packages. It can be ordered with second-row seating, offers options like a rear view camera, 6.5” touch screen display with navigation, and SYNC with MyFord Touch.

continued on page 40

THE MOST POWER WITH TOP TOWING AND HAULING.† IT’S THE TOUGH, DEPENDABLE TRUCK THAT KEEPS TOUGH, DEPENDABLE GUYS COMING BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR.

F-Series is the best-selling pickup truck in Canada for 47 years in a row based on Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association statistical sales report, December 2012. Vehicle may be shown with optional equipment. †Class is non-hybrid Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs GVWR vs. 2012/2013 comparable competitor engines. Max. horsepower of 411 and max. torque of 434 on F-150 6.2L V8 engine. When properly equipped. Max. towing of 11,300 lbs with 3.5L EcoBoost® and 6.2L 2 valve V8 engines. Max. payload of 3,120 lbs with 3.5L EcoBoost® and 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engines.

CommerCial van roundup

continued from page 38

2014 Ram PRomasteR

Cab style:

Based on the Fiat Ducato, one of the most successful commercial vans in Europe, the new Ram ProMaster will sport two roof heights, either 90” or 101”; three wheelbases; and four body lengths. It will be offered with either diesel or gas engines.

Where it differs from the others in this competitive field is in its front wheel drive propulsion. Either motor will use a six-speed automatic transmission.

Wheelbase:

144”, 170”

Engine size:

3L V6 turbodiesel 188/325 5,375 lb.

5,000 lb. or 7,500 lb.

Van interior:

547 cu. ft.

Door opening:

Side sliding door 51.2”

Cargo space dimensions:

2013 Mercedes-Benz s sprinter 1500 to 3500 Van

Wheelbase:

118”, 136”, 159”

Engine size:

3.6L Pentastar V6 (base) 3L I-4 EcoDiesel

Power (hp/torque):

280 hp / 260 lb-ft 174 hp / 295 lb-ft

Max. payload:

5,291 lb.

Max. towing capacity:

2 YEARS

Power (hp/torque): Max. payload: Max. towing capacity:

Cab style:

Dimensions:

Van

5,090 lb.

Length: 195” to 250” Width: 82.7”

Height:

65” standard roof, and 76.4” high-roof

Width:

53.1” between wheel arches

Dimensions:

Length: 289” Width: 79.3”

Mercedes continues to push its Sprinter into the commercial market with offers of multiple models, bus-style versions and cutaways that the RV market has jumped on.

I drove a Sprinter in Alaska in January in temperatures down to -48°C. My unit had a diesel preheater, auxiliary heater and heated mirrors, and all worked well.

Sprinter offers the most in the way of standard safety systems in its class, with adaptive ESP, skid control, roll-over trailer stability, understeer control, load adaptive control, advanced ABS, brake force and brake wipe.

CLASSIC & ELEGANT DESIGN IN HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS OUD NOW A PR O TOT TOR DISTRIBU

WE PROVIDE THAT!

desco.ca

Visit our website or one of our Desco branches, today !

HEAD OFFICE & DISTRIBUTION CENTRE: 65 WORCESTER RD. ETOBICOKE, ON M9W 5N7 AGINCOURT CAMBRIDGE

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GUELPH GODERICH

M e c h a n i c a l

KITCHENER HANOVER

LONDON LINDSAY

B u s i n e s s

OSHAWA NORTH YORK

0 6 . 1 3

OWEN SOUND REXDALE ORILLIA PETERBOROUGH

STRATFORD WOODSTOCK

Introducing

The Next Generation of Higher Performance Use 75% Less Salt & 64% Less Water!

WQA Tested and Certified against CSA B483.1

Novo Offers Plumbing Professionals REAL Value & Support!

Designed Specifically for the Plumbing Professional

High Performance Features:

Novo is excited to launch a new genera on of water condi oning products! The new 485 HE control valve provides both higher efficiency and higher flow rates for a broader range of so ening and filtra on applica ons. Now backwash filters up to 16"!

Intui ve electronics for simple start-ups Up-flow & down-flow regenera on Precision brining for ul mate salt efficiency So water refill for cleaner tank & valve So water recharge for unusual high usage Automa c backwash frequency preset saves up to 2,000 gallons of water per year!

Automa c system refresh flushes stagnant water a er 7 days of non-use preven ng bacteria Two-piece cabinet for easy installs & service

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Lower Opera ng Costs by 68%*!

*Based on family of 4 on 20 gpg hard water. Salt 6$ per 20KG Bag. Water $3.62 per Cubic Meter

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CommerCial van roundup

continued from page 40

2013 NissaN

NV1500 to NV3500

Cab style:

Van

The larger models in the Nissan NV family remain Wheelbase: basically the same this year. What is new is its entry into Engine size: the compact cargo van market with its NV200.

146.1” 4L V6, 5.6L V8

Power (hp/torque):

261/281, 317/385

Max. payload:

3,858 lb.

Max. towing capacity:

9,000 lb.

Van interior: Cab style:

The cargo version of the Caravan is available again this year without changes.

Cab style:

323.1 cu. ft. (high-roof)

Van 121.2”

Door opening:

Engine size:

3.6L V6

Cargo space dimensions: Width: 70.2” Length: 150.2”

Power (hp/torque):

283/260

Dimensions:

Max. payload:

1,800 lb.

Max. towing capacity:

3,600 lb.

Wheelbase:

Ram CaRgo Van

Van interior:

144.4 cu. ft.

Dimensions:

Length: 202.8” Width: 78.7”

Regular Van, Extended 135”, 155”

Engine size:

4.3L V6, 4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, 6L V8, 6.6L V8 turbo-diesel

Power (hp/torque):

195/260, 280/295, 310/334, 324/373, 260/525

Max. payload:

2,287 to 4,187 lb.

Max. towing capacity: Van interior:

CheVy express Cargo VaN 1500 to 3500

This year the Express offers a rear vision camera, rear park assist and a navigation/radio combination. The rest remains the same.

6,700 to 10,000 lb.

239.7 to 319.9 cu. ft.

Cargo space dimensions:

Height: 52.9” Width: 52.7” between the wheel wells

Length: Dimensions:

Rear Width: 61.6” Length: 240.6” Width: 79.9”

2013 Nissa NissaN

Cargo space dimensions: Height: 48.2” Width: 49.03”

Wheelbase:

234.1 cu. ft. (standard)

124” to 155”

NV200

In use in more than 40 countries around the world, but new to North America, the 2013 Nissan NV200 is built on Nissan’s compact com commercial platform and features a 2.0-litre, 16-valve Cab style: Van DOHC 4-cylinder Wheelbase: 115.2” engine rated at Engine size: 2.0L I4 131 horsepower Power (hp/torque): 131/139 and 139 lb-ft Max. payload: 1,500 lb. of torque. It is Van interior: 122.7 cu. ft. offered in two Dimensions: Length: 186.3” Width: 68.1” Height: 73.7” models.

Length: 224” to 239” Width: 79.4”

Destratification Fans

Applications: • • • • •

• Save Energy • Increase Comfort Commercial Fans & Dampers

Industrial Fans & Blowers

Residential Fans & Air Purification Systems

Grocery Stores Athletic Facilities Warehouses Distribution Centers Industrial Buildings

OEM Custom Fan Solutions

CONTINENTAL FAN CANADA INC. ________________________________ MISSISSAUGA, ON BUFFALO, NY DAYTON, OH T: 800-779-4021 W: continentalfan.com

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Does your cargo van take too many coffee breaks?

Beyond the sticker price, a cargo van requires additional expenses you might not always account for. In addition to the longest maintenance interval and highest retained value in its class1, Sprinter has the lowest fuel cost per kilometre, saving you money every time you drive.

All of this has earned Sprinter the very first ‘Best Fleet Value in Canada’ award 2, and the lowest total cost of ownership for the third year in a row 3 as rated by VINCENTRIC™, the authority on identifying, analyzing, and comparing automotive ownership costs.

FUEL COSTS - CENTS/KM4 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

13

/KM

Nissan NV

19

/KM

Ford E-Series

20

/KM

GMC Savana/ Chevrolet Express

22

/KM

Visit thesprinter.ca to learn more about TCO.

© 2013 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 1Retained value based on 2012 analysis of Canadian retail market for 2500 series vans as calculated by Vincentric, LLC. Maintenance intervals based on Mercedes-Benz Canada review of vehicle owners manuals. 2 Awarded to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cargo 2500 144" wheelbase (Standard Roof) and 3500 144" wheelbase (High Roof). 3 Based on analysis of Canadian retail market for 2500 and 3500 series vans performed in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by Vincentric, LLC. 4 Fuel cost based on 50,000 Kilometres per year over 5 years as calculated by VINCENTRIC™ for the 2500 series van.

RefRigeRation

B y P h il J. B o u dreau

Phil Boudreau is the Ontario sales manager for Bitzer Canada Inc. and provides training and technical support for Bitzer’s clientele. Phil is also a refrigeration instructor at Humber College in Toronto, Ontario.

He can be contacted at pboudreau@bitzer.ca

Matching control to

capacity systemdeMands O ptions for controlling the capacity of a compressor can range from a simple on-off switch to a much more complex inverter system, or several other options that land between.

The simplest method of compressor capacity control is intermittent operation – it’s either on or off, with no steps in between. While a simple solution, this option can be plagued by high cycling rates, low efficiency and reduced service life of the compressor and other system components. As such, this solution should be restricted to systems with a high storage capacity and/or a relatively constant load.

Considerably better control performance – also with large load variations – is provided by parallel compounding of several compressors.

This can be accomplished with tandem compressors, or by splitting the system into several independent circuits. Either of these options may also involve the risk of increased cycling rates, however, especially if control accuracy needs to be within stringent parameters, or if the demand is likely to change very quickly.

Where accuracy is prized, or where demand continuously fluctuates, the use of a variable frequency drive may be a better option for capacity control.

Depending on the system, the requirements can be very different, so several criteria should be assessed carefully to match the strategy to the system. Among the considerations would be energy consumption (coefficient of performance COP), equipment and operating costs, equipment run times, and maintenance needs.

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Optimum capacity cOntrOl Depending on storage capacity and system load variations, capacity control methods based on graduated control can be sufficient, but under purely energetic considerations, stepless control tends to be a better solution.

Variable speed drive operation for capacity control has been applied to positive displacement compressors for some time now. Until recently, these drive concepts were often an exception, and were only used if no classical capacity control was possible, or special requirements had to be met. Today, however, frequency inverters are used for many applications.

Frequency inverters permit speed control with conventional asynchronous motors, and can therefore be used very efficiently with most compressor types.

When using frequency inverters for capacity control, several basic interrelations must be taken into account. With asynchronous motors, speed is determined by the number of pole pairs and the network frequency. With a fixed number of poles (standard motors), speed varies as a function of frequency.

Changes in frequency and supply voltage affect the torque characteristics of the device to be driven, and since positive displacement machines, reciprocating, screw and scroll compressors, for example, have a fairly constant torque requirement under defined operating conditions, the voltage and frequency must be changed proportionally.

As such, some motors will not be able to provide sufficient torque under some conditions and with some system designs. Motors are available to handle these specialized cases, however.

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top performer

Industry-leading Genetron® Performax™ LT refrigerant is the clear leader in its field.

If your bottom line is a better bottom line, no other supermarket refrigerant comes close. From keeping fresh food fresher longer to energy savings to eco-friendly performance, the list of reasons to choose Genetron® Performax™ LT over R-438A or R-407A refrigerants goes on and on. Genetron Performax LT offers industry-leading capacity, industry-leading efficiency and low GWP values versus other popular supermarket refrigerants. This saves money in new installations and in R-22 retrofit projects. Plus, a mass flow that identically matches R-22, eliminates expensive expansion valve changes and adjustments in retrofit applications while maintaining superheat performance which protects costly compressors. So go with the gold standard. Go with Genetron Performax LT.

Maximize Performance with Performax LT.

Brenntag Canada Inc. Exclusive distributor of Genetron® refrigerants in Canada Ontario & Western Canada: Tel. No. (416) 243-9615 Fax: (416) 243-9731 Quebec & Maritime Provinces: Tel. No. (514) 636-9230 Fax: (514) 636-8229 To learn more, call 800-631-8138 or visit www.genetronperformaxlt.com. © 2010 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.

REFRIGERATION

continued from page 44

Control ChoiCe Cautions autions

Get more on this toPiC to read the full text of Bitzer’s discussion about compressor capacity control, visit www.bitzer.com and search for Competence in Capacity Control, document a-600-2

With coarsely stepped control, a reduction of capacity can lead to a significant drop in condensing temperature.

When this happens, it results in partial evaporation of the refrigerant (generation of flash gas), at a still high temperature level. the consequences are disturbances in the evaporator injection control, and negative effects on performance and efficiency. Similarly, abrupt increases in capacity lead to strong fluctuations in the control circuit, including a considerable reduction of evaporation temperature, frequently coupled with insufficient suction gas superheating. in general, and over long periods, this leads to large deviations from the optimum operating conditions.

Parallel oPeration of

ComPressors

Classical parallel compounding involves the simultaneous operation of several compressors in a common refrigerant circuit. The required cooling or heating capacity is distributed accordingly, and compressors with identical or different sizes can be combined.

With an intelligent control strategy, a high level of control performance is possible, since the respective capacities of the compressors in the system can be matched to the current demand, bringing additional compressors online, or turning some off, as needed.

Typical applications are supermarket systems, in which the load demands can vary widely. Depending on demand, and also

due to the cycling frequency or large variations in the operating conditions, fitting the compressors with integrated capacity control systems is possible, and may even be necessary.

Variable speed drive is a further option that can be used, and it is possible to add a drive to as little as one of the compressors, enabling the lead load to be controlled continuously, as well as equalizing the step changes caused by individual compressors being switched on and off.

In systems that use parallel operation of single circuits, condensers and evaporators are grouped as a unit, and are sub-divided on the refrigerant side. The secondary system is implemented as a common circuit.

Typical applications include liquid chillers, which are often equipped with compact screw compressors for larger capacity systems. Due to the wide control range of these compressors, and in combination with parallel operation of single cooling circuits, it is possible to achieve high control accuracies. For smaller capacities, reciprocating and scroll compressors are also used.

The advantage of this arrangement lies in the relatively simple layout of the individual cooling circuits, and the increased safety in case of refrigerant leakages. Less favourable are the partially higher investment costs and the lower heat exchanger utilization with part loads.

In spite of the individual circuits, the compressors should be controlled by means of sequence changing. Because of the common secondary circuit, the coolant also flows through the disabled evaporator segments. In this way, a permanent pressure difference is maintained between condenser and evaporator. Even slight leakages between high- and low-pressure sides can then lead to refrigerant migration to the suction side, with resulting strong liquid slugging at the next compressor start.

Sharing the oil Parallel compounded compressors work with a common oil separator, and the oil is supplied via pipes that are controlled with solenoid valves or integrated oil stop valves. as such, it is possible to combine compressors with different capacities, and these can even be operated with uneven suction pressures.

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Preview: CiPH ABC

CIPH turns 80 this year and will be celebrating the milestone in the hub of the Maritimes during its 2013 Annual Business Conference, taking place at the Marriott Halifax Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax from June 16 to 18.

The theme for this year’s event is “Pathways to Relevance” and will feature best-selling author, TV celebrity and financial advisor David Chilton as the keynote speaker. You may recognize him from the September/October 2011 cover of Mechanical Business. Other presenters include TV personality and specialty grocery store owner Pete Luckett, Modern Distribution Management publisher Tom Gale, and president of the Institute for Trend Research Alan Beaulieu.

Wet heads will have the opportunity to attend the hydronics luncheon, with special guest and Mechanical Business contributor John Barba of Taco.

Additional festivities scheduled for CIPH’s 80th include live entertainment by Lively Youth, comedian Derek Edwards at Pier 21, a Peggy’s Cove bus tour, the Chairman’s Banquet, the second annual Ed Hardison Memorial Delegates’ Golf Tournament, and a tour of the Alexander Keith’s Brewery.

For the full schedule of times and events, visit ciph.com.

Speakers David Chilton is the author of Canada’s bestselling book, The Wealthy Barber and its follow-up, The Wealthy Barber Returns. The popular investor is also an advisor on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and has also published bestselling cookbooks Looneyspoons, Crazy Plates and Eat, Shrink & Be Merry!

Pete Luckett is a professional speaker, author, media personality and the founder of specialty grocery store chain Pete’s. He is the host of The Food Hunter on the Food Network and Food Network Canada. Luckett gained celebrity status during his 12-years stint on CBC Television’s Midday, where he offered viewers tips on exotic fruits and vegetables.

Tom Gale is the publisher of Modern Distribution Management and president of market research firm Industrial Market Information, an industrial products market research firm that provides market size, share and customer segmentation services for the Canadian, U.S. and Mexican markets.

Alan Beaulieu is the chief economist at Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), president of the Institute for Trend Research, and principal and managing partner of ITR Capital Partners. He is also the co-author of Make Your Move, a book on increasing profits through business cycle changes, and is the senior economic advisor to the National Association of Wholesaler Distributors (NAW).

John Barba has a vast amount of practical experience in the plumbing and heating industry and has trained more than 15,000 contractors on hydronic heating design and installation. Barba is the manager for Taco’s Contractor Training and Trade Program and is a contributor and advisor to Mechanical Business.

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Images: Nova Scotia Tourism

A celebration 80 years in the making

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PumPs

B y A d am Fr e ill

achieving pump,

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PERFORMANCE

T

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and system, BEP

PERFORMANCE

HIGH

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PERFORMANCE

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he best efficiency point, or simply BEP, of a pump can be an elusive target. Sure, there’s a dot on the pump curve, but keeping a pump operating close to that point is a complex puzzle.

Richard Medairos Practicing what he Preaches

We recently spoke with Richard Medairos, a professional engineer and the senior systems engineer and trainer for Taco to chat about BEP, and how to hone in on that target.

To optimize hydronic pumping and system configurations, he explained that it is necessary to consider the operating characteristics of the building.

What’s the purpose of the building? Are there laboratories, a cafeteria and/or warehouse space? Is it dormant during the evening hours, or is it alive 24-hours-a-day, perhaps the way a hospital or other similar structure might be? If it’s a dynamic building, with an active and mobile population, the system needs will vary greatly.

“To ask about pumps and system components without these insights is to let the tail wag the dog,” he insists.

AF: Rich, how can you determine what a building’s characteristics really are?

RM: Ask yourself, “What’s the building’s intended use?”

Mechanically, is the design of environmental systems driven by cooling or heating needs? Does it have a migrating population? Is it owner-occupied, or a leased facility?

AF: Let’s say that we’re designing a hydronic system for a 100,000 sq. ft. owner-occupied office facility in Ottawa. Influencing our choice of system design and pumping strategy is the owner’s interest in reducing operating costs with less emphasis on initial cost. What are your thoughts?

RM: You’ve just told me a lot. As a

Richard Medairos recently led a team of experts in designing Taco’s monument to building efficiency, the company’s own Innovation & Development Center in Cranston, R.I. The LEED Gold structure is a living laboratory built to demonstrate hydronic versatility, performance and efficiency.

Q& A

system designer, I may now have the flexibility to specify hydronic heating and cooling systems, and to apply a higher efficiency pumping solution as part of the design – with a focus on comfort and control.

AF: So let’s say you’re granted the opportunity to design that hydronic heating and cooling system. How do you set out to achieve optimal system performance, or BEP? RM: I’d likely choose a primary/ secondary/tertiary pumping solution for starters. I’d also choose a differential temperature or Delta T (nT) mode of operation for the pumps as opposed to differential pressure.

The Delta T mode will allow the system to closely match the dynamic characteristics of the building. continued on page 52

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PumPs continued from page 50 RM: Multiple pumps are much more adept at responding to a need for change in flow than a few larger pumps. They’re also much more capable of maintaining optimal system performance.

RM: Response for the building that I have in mind – referring here to change in flow as the building calls for it – is faster and better matched to building load with a Delta T design.

System flow is designed to optimally meet the two key needs: dynamic change, and load change.

Let’s say the building owner is looking at a choice between using two pumps, or using three pumps. The choice of three pumps may be a more expensive one on the front end, but the dividend paid by the “up-charge” would be quickly apparent in terms of comfort,

control, system efficiency, the cost of operation, and perhaps also in the lifespan of system components, including the pumps.

When a pump slows down, it loses efficiency. With multiple pumps, we can choose pumps matched precisely for the load, allowing each pump to operate frequently within its maximum efficiency sweet spot. This is an advantage that translates to high continued on page 54

AF: Are multiple pumps more efficient within a commercial system than, say, one or two pumps sized to meet the load?

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energy efficiency, and best pump and system performance.

AF: Rich, let’s talk about further levels of system efficiency. What can you tell us about VFDs or ECM-driven, variable speed pumps?

RM: Still new to many building owners is the emergence of “smart”or self-sensing pumps. So far, the super-high efficiency ECM pumps are limited by size, typically in the 2.5 to five horsepower range. If larger pumps are needed, pumps are matched with variable frequency drives (VFDs) to achieve ultra-high efficiency.

Let’s say that, to meet the needs of that 100,000 sq. ft. office building in Ottawa we were looking at earlier, we need hot water circulation of 300 gallons per minute. Let’s also assume we’ve determined that we can meet demand with two 7.5 hp pumps matched with VFDs; the pumps are sized to exactly meet maximum load. It’s important to note that pumps operate most efficiently

The Evolution of High Efficiency Condensing Boilers

Yet, professionals in the industry know from experience that design conditions are a rarity. In this case, the two 7.5 hp pumps may be sized to meet load needs, each pumping 50 per cent of the load. Combined, they efficiently move the needed 300 gpm when ambient temperatures are -23°C, yet those conditions may be seen only three or four days a year.

As outside temperatures increase, the load decreases, and now the two pumps are operating at, say, 70 per cent of their original speed. As they do, they lose operational efficiency.

A better plan would be to meet system needs with three five-horsepower pumps, operating in nT mode, and attached to correspondingly smaller VFDs. Pumped system designers have all learned that there’s a bit of “hydronic magic” with the use of three pumps (or more) for larger volume applications.

Sharing the load Using more pumps when trying to match pump performance to the load profile of a system allows for a more efficient use of each of those pumps.

“Picture it,” says Richard Medairos, senior systems engineer and trainer for Taco. “In stepped fashion, a system rather predictably moves from one-third capacity, to two-thirds, to full capacity.

At one-third capacity, one pump operating in its BEP sweet spot can meet the need. Two pumps can kick in, also in their most efficient mode, as the load goes over the one-third capacity mark.

And all three pumps are there for those rare design condition days.”

• Innovative Design

Adding pumps adds flexibility and efficiency, so that regardless of the load being called for, the pumps can pump away while always being much closer to their most efficient operational range.

• Engineering Elegance

“Three pumps, each matched closely to their BEP. That’s smart use of pumping horsepower and the energy needed to drive them,” says Medairos.

• Efficient Performance

54

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COVER STORY

By Bruce Meacock

J

ames Hinchcliffe did not have your typical Canadian upbringing. The son of two racing enthusiasts, he didn’t spend the early hours of his Sunday mornings skating around freezing hockey rinks or playing little league baseball. Instead, with the full encouragement of his parents, he watched television. Formula One racing on television, to be exact.

At 26 years old, Hinchcliffe is Canada’s top race car driver, the latest in a string of elite Canadian pilots to grace the world stage. We sat down with James in his favourite coffee haunt in his hometown of Oakville, Ont., for a talk. By the time we met at noon, he was already six hours into his day – a day that started in his home base of Indianapolis, Ind., home of Andretti Autosport, his Izod IndyCar team. Business calls, a flight and a visit with Mom and Dad – ironically enough, to borrow their car – were already under his belt.

Sitting relaxed and sipping on a hot chocolate, James would have no way of knowing that his relative anonymity outside of the race world was about to change dramatically. On March 24 this year, he won the season opening Izod IndyCar race in St. Petersburg, Fla. Emerging from his car in the winner’s circle, draped in a Canadian flag, he was vaulted into the public eye and onto front pages across Canada. James Hinchcliffe, the selfproclaimed “Mayor of Hinchtown,” had arrived.

Photos courtesy of LAT Andretti Autosport.

continues on pg. 58

Be sure to watch for Hinchcliffe at the Honda Indy Toronto from July 12 to 14, 2013.

COVER STORY

continues from pg. 57

A Rocky Start The road to the top of the podium was not always an easy one for James Hinchcliffe. After a successful karting career that started at age nine, he made the move to open-wheel racing in 2003, attending the Bridgestone Racing Academy. An over-abundance of ambition and enthusiasm, coupled with a lack of experience, saw that transition very nearly not happen, however.

“I launched a car up in the air for about 30 feet and bent all the suspension when I landed,” he recounts. Later that same day, he “spun the formula car and nearly took out the pace car.”

It was not a good beginning. Fortunately, the instructors saw something special in James and allowed him to continue.

That moment of grace resulted in him earning a special exemption to race in the F2000 series when he was just 15 years old, and he repaid that vote of confidence by finishing third in the series. Never one to forget his roots, he regularly returns to the academy to help judge and mentor tomorrow’s race stars.

2013: First Izod IndyCar win in St. Petersburg, Fla. 2011: Izod IndyCar Rookie of the Year 2010: Won Greg Moore Legacy Award as Firestone Indy Lights’ rising star Won First Race on home soil: Edmonton Firestone Indy Lights 2007: Competed for Team Canada in prestigious A1 Grand Prix series 2004: Formula BMW USA Rookie of the Year 2002: Won TKC Junior Rotax Class Karting Championship

SEVEN FOR

27

Favourite Driver: Canadian Greg Moore Personal Cars: Mini Cooper (John Cooper Works Edition) and Chevy Tahoe Favourite Tracks: Mosport (now Canadian Tire Motorsports Park), Road America Favourite Comedian: John Pinette Biggest Fan: “Mom” (Arlene) Favourite Website: www.hinchtown.com Favourite Place to Visit: Australia

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Sponsorships and racing Anyone who follows racing knows that sponsorships are a big part of being a driver. More important, some say, than actual driving talent itself. Fortunately, James Hinchcliffe lacks for neither.

In his words, his job involves, “Eighty per cent spokesperson, 20 per cent race car driver.”

He relishes the off-track hustle and bustle that comes with earning sponsorships and “being able to interact and enjoy and have fun” with the people he meets. “This sport goes way beyond the race track,” he explains.

“Mario’s sitting there and says, ‘James, how do you like your steak?’ And in my head, all I’m thinking is Mario Andretti just asked me how I like my steak!”

It was all he could do to contain himself. “However, you like it, Mario! Whatever you want to do!” he says laughing.

Race car driving is a young man’s game and fortunately for James, well, he’s young. But as you’d expect from someone who had his life plan laid out since the age of six, he already knows what he wants to do post-racing.

Having met him, his sincerity rings through.

Early in his career, “it was just Dad and me going into boardrooms [to pitch sponsorships],” he says. Today, while different, not all that much has changed. His father Jeremy remains his full-time business manager, a role he practically wrote for himself. It was Jeremy who secured James’ first sponsor, Southern Ontario-based lube, oil and fuel distributor NOCO (in the U.S., they are also a major player in the oil-heat distribution business).

While it may have helped that he was president of NOCO Canada at the time, it’s hard to deny a smart business decision. Long after Jeremy’s retirement, the NOCO logo still adorns the side of Hinchcliffe’s cockpit – a logo seen by a massive audience in Canada and the U.S. (estimated to be triple that of the Formula One race televised on the same day as this year’s IndyCar season opener).

Today, James is most closely associated with GoDaddy, the offthe-wall marketer of website domains that is his title sponsor.

Given James’ highly-tuned sense of humour, many call it a match made in marketing heaven.

Many will recall Hinchcliffe’s ‘campaign’ to unseat Danica Patrick as the face of the registrar. Using social media and his irreverent sense of humour, he and the GoDaddy marketing team spearheaded a public relations coup that saw this relative unknown move into Danica’s IndyCar seat and “push” her off the homepage of GoDaddy.com.

The reality couldn’t have been further from the truth – Danica was still with GoDaddy but was moving to NASCAR – but the campaign went viral and James became a highly-marketable commodity.

Despite life in the spotlight, Hinchcliffe remains very much down-to-earth and approachable. He looks you in the eye, listens intently and is still in awe of his peers, and what he gets paid to do for a living. He recounts an off-track story of being at teammate Marco Andretti’s house for dinner when Marco’s grandfather, racing legend Mario Andretti, came over to cook them dinner.

“I’ll still be in this sport one way or another. I’ve had some really cool opportunities with broadcasting, so there could be some commentating in the future. Or maybe I’ll go back to school for journalism...”

Journalism. Can this guy get any better?

James Hinchcliffe, P. Eng? In the early days of his career there were no mechanics on the team to fix what broke. James and his father, a former amateur racer himself, “turned the wrenches” and that experience gave James a lifelong appreciation for skilled trades.

“It gives you a work ethic,” he says, something he clearly appreciates in others. When asked if he had ever considered going into skilled trades himself, he laughingly tells how his parents “suggested” that a P. Eng would look good after his name. Although a good student, he was only good because he had to be.

“All through elementary and high school I had to maintain an 80 per cent average [in order to continue competitive karting and racing],” he explains, adding laughingly, “I graduated with 89 per cent. I got the marks that I needed, did everything ... and hated every minute of it.”

James went on to attend McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., all while pursuing his race dream.

Two years into university, he was offered a full-time ride with Forsythe Racing and never looked back.

M e c h a n i c a l

A special thanks to Brent Cornelissen of OS&B for making this interview possible.

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HigH-performance HVac

B y Go r d C o o ke

Ventilation and cooling loads

E

arlier this year, in a span of about two months, I had the pleasure of working with contractors in six of the 10 provinces, from Halifax, N.S., in the east, to Vancouver, B.C., in the west, and although it was winter during my trip, conversations turned quickly to air conditioning challenges – specifically the interaction between ventilation requirements and the impact on cooling loads.

In speaking with Richard Lay, a principal with Enermodal Engineering, about the changes we have seen in buildings over the past 20 years, I was reminded of two important facts about this very topic. First, continuous mechanical ventilation for air quality control in occupied buildings is non-negotiable and a major contributor to latent loads of new buildings where sensible loads are on the decline On the East Coast, I heard a common refrain from due to improved contractors. They counsel clients to run their HRVs in the construction winter but turn them off in the summer to avoid bringing in techniques. hot, humid air. This, of course, dates back to the time when

THE EAST:

Year-round ventilation

Maritimers simply opened their windows to provide a cooling effect, and very few people bothered to put in central air conditioning.

That is changing. Air source heat pumps are being used more and more to improve winter energy efficiency, and they come with the added bonus of providing convenient cool, dry air in the summer without the noise, dust and security concerns of opening windows.

As such, there may be a need to recalibrate thinking about the role of mechanical ventilation in the summer. As well, the right ventilation technology needs to be selected for the application, and the air conditioning

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And second, there is an ever increasing challenge to manage the intermittent nature of solar gain loads through windows. This will require a rethinking of air conditioning equipment and controls to be much more responsive to meet the comfort expectations of occupants.

continued on page 62

appropriately sized.

Winter brings worries about the air being cold and dry, but it is brought in anyway, and an HRV is used to boost the temperature.

So, should we turn off the mechanical ventilation in the summer? Or would it not be better to use an HRV, or better yet, an ERV, to pre-cool and reject moisture from the incoming air now that more and more people are using their heat pump to air condition?

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THE WEST:

When “free” can’t keep up

On the West Coast, air leakage control in residential dwellings is taking on a new prominence with the City of Vancouver. They plan to add an air tightness metric to their already advanced building code.

In this case, I was visiting a multi-family project developer who is building three- to six-storey condominiums. The mid-rise wood frame buildings are continuing the trend of ever more glazing – in excess of an amazing 30 per cent window to wall area ratio.

Traditionally, these types of multi-family suites had been pretty well served by a simple exhaust-only ventilation strategy that included a nice quiet bath fan on an intermittent timer.

Vancouver has required the installation of heat recovery ventilators in all new low rise homes since 2009.

In the mild Vancouver climate, air conditioning has not been a priority, but the large glazing areas are now resulting in overheating complaints in some south and west facing suites. So much so that this developer is offering ductless air conditioning units as an option.

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The question raised was, “Should their ventilation strategy change now that air conditioning is being added?”

In the past, the exhaust-only ventilation was promoted as a “free cooling” strategy. Now, with larger heat gain through the glass, this strategy isn’t providing much help, so they were wondering what direction to go.

I found a similar situation in Calgary, where a builder of three-storey apartment buildings

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INDUSTRIAL

was getting the same overheating complaints in a climate where air conditioning is rarely used in residential dwellings. The cool nights and dry air have always provided adequate free cooling conditions, at least up till now.

A HOT TOPIC Oddly enough, the more efficient we make our Canadian buildings, the more susceptible they may become to intermittent overheating issues resulting from the added glazing area.

Again, the inevitable increase in glass area combined with more energy efficient construction – more wall and ceiling insulation, better air tightness – means that the thermal gain through windows is more than the thermal loss through those same walls and ceilings.

This developer was getting overheating complaints even late into the fall. In the past he was able to tell occupants to open windows, but you can imagine how well that matches with the expectations of today’s homeowners.

The answer in both Vancouver and Calgary was to first separate the function of ventilation for air quality control that is needed every day from the “free cooling” bonus that outside air can offer in some conditions.

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One hundred cubic feet per minute of outside air at 18°C would provide a sensible cooling capacity of about 1,000 BTUH to a building at 23°C. This is roughly equal to the heat gain through one unshaded, west facing five-foot by five-foot window with a reasonable low E coating.

We know your business.

It’s our job.

In other words, don’t expect normal ventilation rates to provide adequate free cooling in buildings with large floor to ceiling windows.

PLUMBING | HVAC | HYDRONICS | INDUSTRIAL FIRE PROTECTION | BUILDING MAINTENANCE

Gord Cooke is a professional engineer who has spent 20 years helping builders and HVAC contractors implement innovative technologies into high-performance homes. He has particular expertise in IAQ and air flow management in houses, and can be contacted at gcooke@airsolutions.ca.

noble.ca • 1-800-529-9805

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By Chr i s T ho m p s o n PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE SiteS, SourceS and Site quality

PERFORMANCE

Different source waters have different qualities. Rainwater collected on a metal roof HIGH HIGH where there are not a lot of trees will be much easier to manage than greywater that contains soap, shampoo, hair, human pathogens, and the chemicals used to clean showers and tubs.

Domestic greywater is among the most difficult reclaimed water to PERFORMANCE manage, mainly due to soap, which is harder to PERFORMANCE filter out than most other contaminants.

Maintaining and using

reclaimed water D

epending on the quality of the source water and the intended application, varying levels of treatment will be required for reclaimed water. Options for filtration and treatment vary considerably, and will depend on the specifics of the system. Two of the more widely used options to bring reclaimed water to a quality that can be used in and around buildings are filtration and chemical treatment.

Pulling the strings to make it work To make everything work together, the system will need a controller that can read all of the sensors, manage the various treatment options, alert staff of operating errors or required maintenance, and control various water diversion activities.

At a minimum, it should have a set of contacts to trigger an alarm to the building management system or an audible alarm when attention is required.

Modbus functionality will allow the controller to share more information with the building automation system, and internet connectivity will allow for remote monitoring of the system from computers or smart phones.

Since the controller will also manage the pump and its inverter, it should also allow for sensors to read pump pressure and temperature, as well as any error conditions reported from the pump. Some controllers will log water counter measurements, errors and current status of the system.

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Filtration can be accomplished in one or more stages, and will use either gravity or pressure to get the water through the filter media. Typical installations often include a simple gravity pre-filter on the front end, and a finer post-filter on the pump output before the water reaches its intended use. Other installations may incorporate ongoing in-storage filtration to increase the water quality.

Some of the more common filter types include: simple rainwater filters, settling tanks, bubblers, skimmers, pressurized cartridge filters, and sand filtration. For even cleaner water, micro-, ultra-, and nanofiltration, as well as reverse osmosis can be integrated into the design, but that will generally depend on the contaminants that need to be removed.

A residual level of disinfectant must be maintained whenever water is stored for more than a few hours. In lieu of that, some forms of ongoing disinfection treatment may be used. Residual disinfectants can include chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide, iodine, bromine and hydrogen peroxide. Although not always the most desired, the most commonly accepted method of disinfection remains chlorination.

Ozone and ultraviolet irradiation are disinfection methods that do not leave a residual level.

Some systems include anaerobic action as a treatment method to avoid chemical use, however if the water will be stored, some residual disinfectant must be maintained.

PERFORM

HVAC & HydroniCs

GettinG a read

on the system

sensors and floats are often used to control a greywater or reclaimed water s system, managing both the water quality and its flow. the most basic system uses a minimum-level float in the tank. this calls for makeup water when the tank is low. a maximum level float is also useful to control the flow of water. For example, the float level can indicate when the storage tanks are already full, diverting excess reclaimed water to the drainage system so that surplus incoming water is not filtered and treated when it is not needed.

Being able to measure the quantity of water entering and being stored in the tank is critical to managing disinfection of the water. a water level sensor can provide this function.

When the Cooling quits, We don’t.

additional pressure or float sensors can be used to signal required filter changes or cleanings, and water counters can be used to provide an actual account of water savings by measuring both the water supplied by the system and the make-up water used.

By definition

more robust systems can also include sensors to read and provide feedback on the water quality to the disinfection and filtration systems. these might include chlorine, p ph, alkalinity, tds, tss and Bod sensors, as well as emerging sensors capable of measuring bacterial counts in the stored water.

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tds total dissolved solids is a measure of the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances contained in a liquid in molecular, ionized or micro-granular suspended form. the solids must be small enough to survive filtration through a two-micrometer sieve.

We have one of the largest teams of in-house technical specialists in the industry. So if you’re looking to reduce your footprint or improve energy efficiencies, we can create custom solutions that’ll help you breathe a little easier.

tss total suspended solids are solids in the water that cannot pass through a sieve of two micrometers and yet are indefinitely suspended in solution.

Bod sensor Biochemical oxygen demand is a chemical procedure for determining the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological organisms in a body of water to break down organic material present in a given water sample at a certain temperature over a specific time period.

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Chris Thompson is the president and chief technical officer at Greyter Systems Inc., an Ontario-based company that designs and manufactures greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting systems. He can be reached at cthompson@greyter.com.

M e c h a n i c a l

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PLUMBING

Products

Macerating toilet systems The ASCENT II macerating toilet system from Liberty Pumps features a 1.28 GPF (4.8 LPF) high efficiency toilet. The system macerates sewage waste and other debris and discharges it through a 1” diameter line up to 25 ft. high and 150 ft. horizontally. The system has a builtin alarm with battery backup, rear discharging connections, LED lights, and an external touchpad for alarm silence and manual system override.

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Shower system Hansgrohe’s Raindance Select Showerpipe features a 15” shower arm, an exposed thermostat mixing valve and an anti-scald chrome housing.

The unit comes with the company’s Raindance Select 150 handshower and a 63” Techniflex hose. All components come in chrome or a chrome/white dual finish.

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Hot water dispenser InSinkErator’s Invite Contour H-Contour-SS instant hot water dispenser faucet has a 2/3 gallon stainless steel tank designed to deliver up to 60 cups per hour of near-boiling water. It features a twist-activation handle with chrome finish, and is built with tool-free tank connections and dry-start protection.

Eyewash systems Bradley’s Halo eye and eye/ face wash sprayhead is built with a corrosion-resistant ceramic valve.

It has 20-degree swing activation and deactivation to help reduce splashing before and after use and static O-rings to minimize wear and tear on moving parts. The unit is constructed with chrome-plated brass pipe and fittings. Barrier-free models are also available.

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HVAC

B y R ich ar d Foster Richard Foster is the president of Zonefirst, a manufacturer of zoning products for the HVAC marketplace. He can be reached at rfoster@zonefirst.com.

Zoning T

and zone control

he key to a good zoning system is to deliver the conditioned air to the calling zone as fast and quietly as possible in order to satisfy the demand.

A professionally installed zone control system consists of a damper and thermostat for each room or zone of a house or building, with these being wired into a central control panel that sequences each thermostat’s call with the zone dampers in the ducts. In some cases, a bypass damper or duct may be required to relieve excess air when smaller zones are the only ones calling.

While there are upfront costs for equipment, from an operational standpoint, zoning offers an efficient use of energy for comfort heating and cooling. In non-zoned structures with varied use patterns, a single point of control (thermostat) will result in non-used areas being conditioned, making them just as comfortable as spaces that are in active use. This, unfortunately, is not a good use of resources. Zoning provides decentralized control and allows a thermostat in each zone to set the demand for the zoned area, rather than subjecting all areas to the concept of “what’s good for one has to be good for everyone.”

Savings on energy bills are well documented when comparing zoned systems to single-zone buildings. But the savings picture does not end at the utility bill. Since the HVAC equipment is not being called on to constantly top up heating or cooling systems, it often shows a reduction in the number of cycles for the furnace and air conditioner, and reducing the cycles of any piece of equipment can extend its service life and reduce maintenance costs.

DID YOU KNOW?

The basic rules of sysTem design The main consideration when planning out a zoning project is the need to maintain a constant amount of air flow (CFM) through the HVAC unit. Whether only one zone is open, or if several zones are calling for heating or cooling, the airflow will have to be within the operating parameters of the equipment.

In new installations it is recommended to use the same size for each zone duct, and to size the duct for approximately two-thirds of the total HVAC system CFM since it must be able to handle the CFM of the HVAC unit.

Keep in mind, however, that this is practical on systems with two or three zones where all zones are approximately equal in size. This is not practical in an installation where 80 per cent of the conditioned area is in one zone.

When the duct is sized for two-thirds of the total airflow, the air will reach a higher pressure and velocity; however, it does not typically increase beyond the static pressure rating of the blower motor. This also keeps the air velocity from being noticeably noisy.

Systems over five tons are typically commercial and would use a bypass damper to relieve the excess air pressure when the majority of zones shut down. This rule also applies for complex residential systems with more than four zones. Whatever air cannot be directed into the zone must then be bypassed.

The manual method of zoning by closing off register grilles in rooms often requires constant adjustment and can actually cause harm to the HVAC equipment, since closing off too many outlets can reduce the airflow in the system, severely shortening the life of the furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. A proper zoning system can automatically balance the temperatures and be designed to improve the overall comfort and efficiency of the HVAC System. continued on page 70

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HVAC continued from page 68 The componenTs of zoning In a zoned system, motorized dampers open and close based on the demands of the particular thermostat controlling the zone calling for heating or cooling. These dampers can be inserted into the ducts, or can be installed at the air outlet for each room or zone.

Multiple dampers can be controlled together for a single zone if multiple ducts serve a single room or zone.

Thermostats used in the zoning systems can range from rather basic to complex. In fact, retrofits in an existing home can often incorporate the existing thermostat into the zoning project. As each zone is divided, an additional thermostat will be necessary to control the heating, cooling and fan operation for its individual zone.

The zone thermostats and dampers are wired into a central control panel. This panel requires a separate 24-volt

transformer to power the panel, dampers and thermostats.

The panel then also connects to the thermostat connections on the HVAC unit.

In some instances, a separate bypass damper is installed to relieve any excess air from zones that are open but are too small to handle the full capacity of the blower. This air is typically bypassed into the return air duct or into a common area, such as a hallway. When air is bypassed into the return air duct, capacity controls for both heating and cooling are used to prevent overheating or overcooling in the unit.

When zoning any system, one must look at a practical cost effective number of zones for the home or office building. Most homes are typically two to four zones. Offices can be almost any number of zones depending upon the size of the building.

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1’

HVAC continued from page 70

Tool Tips

offices and other commercial spaces Zoning for commercial office buildings makes a lot of sense, as every person has their own idea of comfort, and it is rare that all areas of a facility will follow similar use schedules.

Talking test and measure W

Conference rooms often go unused for hours, and individual offices may be empty when sales people are on the road, or when employees are on vacation. These can all be controlled individually with individual thermostats.

Commercial systems are basically just bigger residential systems with more capacity. Duct design for these will almost always include a bypass system, especially those over three zones.

These systems tend to be easier to retrofit, however, as drop ceilings can often be used as a common return and are a great place to bypass the air.

Commercial zoning systems of three zones or more will need a bypass, and it is always important that the bypass damper be located as far away from the blower as possible. Barometric bypass dampers can be used on equipment up to 7.5 tons (3,000 CFM). Systems beyond 10 tons (4,000 CFM) should use a motorized bypass and a static pressure control.

hen it comes to temperature and measurement tools used in the field, meter selection is most heavily influenced by the tasks faced by the individual tradesperson, but there are also features that are common among the choice of meters that also influence the purchase of equipment within a given category.

One of the first things to look for is a legitimate UL for Canada or CSA approval logo. If the meter is missing a Canadian certification logo, it may be of questionable origin, and may not be legal to be sold here. More importantly, it may actually be dangerous to use in the field.

Speaking of safety, meters for mechanical technicians really should carry a minimum of a CAT III safety rating. A CAT IV rating is better, but match the tool to the task and ensure that the equipment the meter is being used on is below the voltage rating of the meter. The higher the CAT rating, the more voltage the meter is rated to handle.

Don’t overlook the compatibility of the test leads and thermocouple probes. It can be advisable to buy equipment that is compatible with probes and leads from other manufacturers.

If you find yourself working on systems or in areas where exposure to moisture or cold are a factor, a meter with a built-in rubber over-mould can avoid the need to buy a separate boot, and in all applications, look for meters with high contrast, Curiosity and the CAT easy-to-read displays.

And since these units will CAT measurement categories be used when wearing rate test instruments on their personal protective ability to resist a voltage spike, equipment (PPE), consider which is applied through a buying units with proud specific resistance. Usually, the dials and switches, since higher the category, or CAT they are generally easier rating, the more voltage the meter is able to withstand. to manage when wearing gloves.

Residential zoning Homes are typically split into fewer zones than commercial spaces, with the simplest systems having only two zones, one incorporating the living room and kitchen, and the other covering off the bedrooms and bathrooms, but zoning options are limited only by the imagination and budget of the client.

New homes are the easiest to zone, since the system can be designed into the building plans. Working with existing homes can take some creativity and imagination in order to adjust to the existing ductwork.

Depending upon the duct layout, in-line dampers may not be able to be used. Where this is a problem, motorized registers or diffusers can be used to control the outlets.

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road warrior

B y A d am Freill

Name: Mark Ballagh Company: Cliff’s Plumbing and Heating Job title: Heating and A/C service technician Tenure: 5 years Age: 29 Born and resides in: Teeswater, Ont. Trade schools: St. Clair College in Windsor, Ont. – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning Mohawk College in Stoney Creek, Ont. – Refrigeration Fanshawe College in London, Ont. – Sheet metal In the mechanical industry since: 2003 Girlfriend: Courtney Bakker Pets: One cat named Fluke who is “spoiled, cuddly and energetic.”

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Photos: David Chidley

hether he’s on a jobsite, or getting a call that pulls him away from a jobsite, Mark Ballagh of Cliff’s Plumbing and Heating in Lucknow, Ont., is a good guy to know if there’s a fire to put out. A self-described troubleshooter, he loves the challenge of a machine that’s not working properly, working his way through wires, motors and control panels on his way to finding a solution that will make for a happy customer. Off the clock he’s a volunteer firefighter, which seems somewhat appropriate for someone who likes to get the call for emergency service work. We caught up with him between calls to find out some of the things that make him tick. Here’s what he’d admit to…

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F a v ou r i t e t o o l i n y o u r to o lb o x: M y ad ju st ab le wr en ch

Favourite band: Slipknot

What’s your favourite team?

The Vancouver Canucks.

Best concert you ever attended?

Rockstar Mayhem Festival in Toronto.

Favourite TV show: Chicago Fire and The Big Bang Theory.

Favourite magazine (aside from Mechanical Business): Ontario Out of Doors

Biggest pet peeves: People talking and asking questions during movies.

Service area: Everywhere!

Favourite cartoon as a kid: Gummi Bears

If you could be an animal, what would you be? A tiger.

Any area you like to get dispatched to? Kincardine, Ont.

Favourite sport: Soccer

Favourite place to vacation: Silver Lake in Kinloss, Ont.

Favourite thing about the job: The variety and the troubleshooting.

Time behind the wheel per day: It varies from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Kilometres per day: 30 to 300

Latest jobsite: North Huron Wescast Community Complex in Wingham, Ont. What are you working on there? A Dectron dehumidification unit for the pool.

Fondest memory on the job: Spending three weeks on a roof, in the winter, working on rooftop equipment.

Worst jobsite, or toughest project you’ve ever worked on, and why: It was on an air conditioning install at a high school.

It had some really complicated piping through the mechanical room.

What brand/model of phone do you carry? Blackberry for personal; Sonim for work.

How many Facebook friends do you have? Not sure. I don’t like Facebook, so I haven’t signed in for a few years.

What radio station do you listen to during the day? 101.7, The One Favourite movie: The Boondock Saints

Favourite car: Ford F-150 Favourite place to hang out: Outside somewhere.

Favourite outdoor activity: Hunting Favourite drive-thru restaurant: Taco Bell Favourite local restaurant for lunch: Boomer’s Cosy Restaurant in Teeswater.

Favourite food: Lasagna Favourite beverage: Fruit juice What do you like to do in your spare time? I’m a volunteer firefighter, and an active Kinsmen member, so I’m usually pretty busy, but I like to hunt and play video games.

Last book you read: First Responder First Aid Favourite website to browse during your spare time: www.basspro.com Play any sports? Hockey, baseball, soccer and broomball.

M e c h a n i c a l

One place in the world you would like to visit: Australia Farthest place you ever travelled from home: Florida One word that describes you: Honest If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?

Jessica Alba My rule of thumb is... “good things come to those who are patient.”

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a... “firefighter.”

If I had a super power, it would be... “to be able to cure cancer.”

If I had tomorrow off work, I would spend the day... “with my girlfriend.”

The best advice somebody has

Getting away quiet time given you is: Itfor is some better to arrive

When he’s not working or firefighting, Mark is still rarely at home. Between sports and volunteering, he’s always on the go somewhere, and likes to go hunting as much as he can, whether the deer, turkey or geese show up or not. He’s a fan of the quiet time that comes with waiting with his bow in the solitude of a tree stand.

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Marketing with Doug MacMillan

Doug MacMillan is president of The Letter M Marketing in Guelph, Ont. To reach him, email doug@thelettermmarketing.com.

The brand is in the details

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How to build a brand view Start by assigning some human personality traits to the brand, and not a lot of them. It’s easy to build a long list of adjectives, but it’s a whole lot more interesting to force the list down to the three traits that best represent the core of the brand. These are the qualities that best differentiate the company from others. (Ours are “fresh”, “focused” and “fun”. Clearly we have an affinity for “f” words.)

Armed with no more than those three words that the entire leadership team has agreed best define the personality of the business – the brand – execute a systematic exercise that looks at every single aspect of the brand’s experience through that three-part lens.

We’re not just talking about customers, but all stakeholders – target markets, employees, neighbours, suppliers, and even those people waiting at the bus stop when a company van rolls by. Because if it’s flying to the next appointment at 25 km/h above the limit, the word “punctual” may not be seen in the same light by them as it will by the homeowner who’s delighted that the technician arrived right on time.

Particular attention should be given to the functions and activities that are not typically associated with the marketing, like the bookkeeping and other front office departments.

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e recently moved from one of Canada’s “big five” banks to a credit union. We liked their community-based values, flexibility and the genuinely friendly people. Throughout the whole experience, from the more relaxing in-bank environment to the unexpected follow-ups, they lived up to their “We’re not like a bank,” branding.

That is, until we got into their online banking system. It has been nothing but frustrating. Of course, most of our banking happens online, and so on a day-to-day basis they are every bit like the stereotypical banking experience we think of – impersonal, confusing and generally annoying.

Clearly, the tech people have not been very well connected to the bank’s brand positioning.

Or they don’t understand why they should care about it.

Traditionally, a company’s brand has primarily been the responsibility of the business owner and “Those Marketing People” charged with drumming up customers. Over the past decade we’ve seen an interesting evolution of the concept of branding. The advancement of real time, unfiltered media; a less loyal and more aware consumer; and a noisy marketing landscape have changed how a brand is experienced by stakeholders.

No longer is a brand simply comprised of a clear vision and a well-executed series of marketing outputs carefully constructed to paint a consistent and compelling picture and call-toaction. Today, every touch point, every exposure, every reaction contributes to our experience with a brand. The discussion of a company’s brand is moving from marketing to other departments – ideally, to every department.

In my consulting business, we’ve taken to calling this “BrandView” and we’re working with clients to look at their brand in different ways.

Does every experience, from the colour on the

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Taking it personally One aspect of the brand view is what we call the “personal brand.”

This is an increasingly relevant discussion in any business because so many of us, as individuals, now have a public persona.

How do personal brands and corporate brands intersect, and what can organizations do to make them all work together? That’s a whole other column – so be sure to come back next issue!

walls to the dirt on the trucks to the pictures in the brochure align with the personality and promise of the brand? If not, it might be time to review the brand, and draft up a plan.

Snowmelt

B y E r ic R im l Eric Riml is a certified hydronic designer working in Calgary, Alta. He can be reached at feedback@hotwaterheating.info.

Getting the jump on a

snow-free winter S

nowmelt systems are the best way of keeping a critical pathway or drive surface clear of snow on an as-needed basis.

However, there is a cost associated with the operation of snowmelt that I don’t think many end users truly understand, and it is up to you as the contractor to explain this up front.

The main problem with the effectiveness of a snowmelt system is that the slab really should be idled for the area to be kept clear. I’m sure many designers would argue with this statement, but allow me to explain.

There are all sorts of controls that will turn a snowmelt system on at the first sign of ice or snow. However, slabs don’t come up to temperature very fast. The longer it takes, the more accumulation occurs before melting temperature is reached. The more accumulation, the more capacity the system needs to be able to melt the snow before the snow self-insulates to the point that it cannot be melted. And the longer it takes, the more annoyed the end user is that his snowmelt system isn’t working!

The more critical it is to keep that slab clear (picture a steeplysloped, curving driveway into an underground garage), the less time you have to get that snow off. Thus, idling the slab can be a necessity, either to manage tenant safety, or just to meet home and building owner expectations.

Because of some of the potential problems, dissatisfied home and building owners, and excessive gas usage, I do not recommend snowmelt for any non-critical snow removal. While it is appropriate for ambulance ramps and steep underground parking access ramps, the cost and complexity of these systems make snow-shoveling a fairly attractive alternative in most cases, and the kid next door will appreciate the pocket money, too.

That being said, for the client with deep pockets and the toys to prove it, it pays to educate them and plan the system appropriately – so that you are not the one in the client’s driveway pushing a shovel during the heaviest snowfall of the year.

First, some theory.

The real world (or “Bring me my hockey skates”) My favourite real world example of snow self-insulating occurred when an indoor slab was installed in a warehouse, but that warehouse’s roof had not yet been completed. One night it snowed heavily into the space.

The building contractor’s answer to this problem was to turn on the pair of 225,000 BTUH, high-efficiency boilers on site to heat the 15,000 sq. ft. slab.

Instead of melting the snow, the slab turned into an ice-making machine. The height of the snow was too high for the heat from the system to reach, so bridges of snow were forming at the upper levels of the snow pile, and ice was forming from the bottom up.

Simply put, the system was never designed for this kind of load, and the snow insulated itself such that whatever was melted immediately re-froze as ice. continued on page 80

A snowmelt system isn’t just supposed to “melt” snow, it’s supposed to evaporate it. Simple melting is actually bad, because unless we have a slope and a drain, the water doesn’t have anywhere to go, and it will re-freeze as ice. Alternately, it will run off towards the edges/ends of a driveway and build ice walls there, instead.

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Snowmelt

•

continued from page 78

PlAnnIng for success So how can we avoid problems when we install snowmelt?

We have to recognize that we are not heating in a traditional way. The heat we generate is not getting slowed by insulation and is largely kept inside the space; it is being used immediately to evaporate moisture.

This makes closer pipe spacing a better choice, because we’re not going to get as much conduction of heat across the slab, since all the Picture A heat is travelling upwards.

Wider pipe spacing can leave lines of unmelted snow or ice on the surface.

Where to start Some typical snowmelt design parameters: • 3/4” pipe • 6” pipe spacing • 200 BTUH/sq. ft. (approximate) • Recommended loop length of 200 ft.

The parameters I choose to work with can be argued with, but I’ll do my best to justify my choices.

I can hear some of you thinking, “But wait! You said that we should use 3/4” pipe, and its minimum bend radius is more like an eight-inch radius!”

Picture B

Yes, that’s true. But you’re still going to install on six-inch centres, and the end of your loops are just going to bulge out a bit (Picture A). You can even off-set them a bit if it gets too crowded (Picture B).

Keep in mind that you are also going to need extra rebar or mesh in your slab assembly, because you’re going to need something to tie your pipe to, so that the pipe doesn’t float upwards when you pour the concrete.

Insulation is becoming code in most areas anyways, but we need to insulate a snowmelt slab heavily, such that as much heat as possible is directed topside, and into the moisture we’re trying to remove. I suggest staying away from the bubble-type insulation and opt for two-inch-thick hard polystyrene foam insulation, since that is much less likely to get crushed during installation, and crushing insulation ruins its insulation value.

I use the 200 BTUH/sq. ft. number to give an idea of just how much capacity a snowmelt system can use. A 30-foot by 60-foot driveway is not all that large, but that 1,800 sq. ft. driveway with a 90 per cent efficient boiler would need 1,800 x 200 x (1/0.90), or 400,000 BTUH of input at design conditions.

Don’t stretch the runs Why only 200-foot runs when I’m using 3/4” pipe? The fluid you are trying to move, which should be around 50 per cent glycol to water, is going to be highly viscous at system start-up temperature. That is, you’re going to be trying to pump slush.

Also, the shorter the piping runs, the smaller the circulation pump can be, meaning lower electrical utility costs, and a more readily available pump, should a system fail and need a quick repair.

No, we’re not always going to be at design conditions, and yes, we might be able to convince the homeowner that they need to wait a bit for their snowmelt to start working (and not idle the slab), but while that snowmelt system is running at full capacity the fuel costs might shock an unprepared homeowner.

One bOiler, Or twO? A major design consideration is whether to use a dedicated boiler for snowmelt, or to share the snowmelt load into the rest of the heating system.

Based on experience, I’d say that a separate system is much easier to troubleshoot. Furthermore, the owner can simply turn the snowmelt boilers off if desired, rather than having to mess with your finely-tuned snowmelt controls.

In addition, separating off the snowmelt system allows you to use water in the space heating

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system, resulting in less maintenance and glycol costs. By keeping each side of the system simple, and by reducing complexity, both systems become more reliable as well.

Yes, there is often a higher up-front cost because the total boiler capacity will be larger, but it is offset by the fact that the boilers for comfort heating can be more appropriately sized for the space, and you won’t have larger boilers cycling more often to satisfy small space-heating loads.

0 6 . 1 3

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Aquatherm recently launched a rebranding campaign to provide a more intuitive experience with its products. Climatherm is now Aquatherm Blue Pipe®, Greenpipe is now Aquatherm Green Pipe®, and Aquatherm Lilac Pipe® retains its name. Aquatherm’s low material, installation, and nonexistent maintenance costs, combine well with its environmental friendliness and code approvals.

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1

Chilling out at the Falls A new refrigerant piping guide, rooftop equipment, variable refrigerant flow systems and compressor technologies were all on the agenda at the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society of Canada’s 74th annual general meeting, which took place at the Fallsview Hilton Hotel in April in Niagara Falls, Ont. Attendees took in a variety of educational seminars, including Mechanical Business columnist Phil Boudreau of Bitzer Canada discussing the commissioning and servicing of reciprocating compressors, as well as an additional seminar on the factors driving CO2 technologies.

Together with retired industry consultant Garth Denison (who is profiled on page 18), RSES Canada has put together an R-410A refrigerant piping guide. The book, which was unveiled at the conference and should be available soon from RSES, provides details and charts that will help technicians determine the pipe sizes of the liquid lines, suction lines and hot gas discharge lines in refrigeration systems.

“Nomographs basically didn’t exist for 410A,” stated Denison during his Saturday morning presentation. “So RSES undertook to put one together.”

Also on the Saturday, LG’s national training manager, Rob Robertson, led a session about the emergence of variable refrigerant flow systems, and their ability to manage diverse loads for improvements in overall system efficiency.

“We size for the worst; the hottest day and the highest possible load, and systems run at 50 to 60 per cent loads most of the time,” he said. “The solution today is variable refrigerant flow, where each zone works independently.”

Earlier in the conference, Emerson Canada’s Andre Patenaude discussed how retrofitting to digital capacity modulation, installing electronic expansion valves for digital synchronization, and using on-board compressor diagnostics can help improve operating efficiencies and troubleshooting tasks.

Next year’s AGM will be held during the CMPX show in Toronto.

2

rsescanada.com

3 1. Emerson Canada’s Andre Patenaude talks about floating head pressures. 2. Garth Denison discusses RSES’ recently created R-410A refrigerant piping guide. 3. HRAI president Warren Heeley presents RSES’ Nick Reggi with the HRAI award for achieving the highest mark on the HRAI Canada heating specialist examination. 4. Brenda Mortson from Lennox talks rooftop units, new technology and IAQ. 5. Bitzer Canada’s Phil Boudreau discusses motor protection modules. 6. Gordon Smith was awarded the RSES Canada Mary Syer Memorial Award as chapter secretary of the year. 7. CMS’ Gary Struhar (left) receives the Speaker of the Year award from William Northam. 8. The WJA Marshall Award was presented to the RSES Border Cities Chapter (Windsor, Ont.) for being named chapter of the year. From left: Ray Kenney, Dennis Larson, Gary Struhar, Doug Walker, Dave Deroche. 9. LG

4

national training manager Rob Robertson discusses the emergence of variable refrigerant flow systems.

8

7

6

5

9

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H>C8: &.*H>C8: &.* *-

RS-24 (R-426A) is a fast, effective and low cost solution to replacing R-12, R-401A, R-409A and R-414B in air conditioning, and in medium and low temperature refrigeration systems. No oil change or system modifications are required. RS-24 (R-426A) has an ASHRAE A1 Safety designation and is non-ozone depleting and nonflammable. Call Refrigerant Services Inc. at 1-866-999-2653 or visit our website for a wholesaler near you.

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www.rinnai.ca Tel: w w w . r s c o o l . c(866) o m 999-2653 www.rscool.com

RS-45 (R-434A): DROP-IN REPLACEMENT FOR R-22

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Tel: (888) 208-89 www.wattscanad Tel: (905) 856-35 www.vikinggroupin Tel: (905) 884-74 WATCO www.victaulic.co Tel: (719) 574-11 www.woodfordmfg Tel: (816) 796-39 www.watcomfg.c Tel: (800) 387-73 www.viessmann Tel: (416) 661-33 www.yorkland.n Tel: (888) 208-89 Marketplace Ads www.wattscanad Tel: (905) 856-35 www.vikinggroupin Tel: 884-74 Tel: (905) (800) 928-78 WATCO www.victaulic.co www.zoellerengpro Tel: (719)85 574-11 6 . 1 3 www.woodfordmfg Tel: (816) 796-39

EVENTS

2 0 1 1

Cleaner Heat 2011 June 21-22, 2011 Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. www.coha.ca

CIPH ABC 2011 June 26-29, 2011 Victoria, B.C. www.ciph.com

HPBAC 2011 Fireside Symposium June 26-27, 2011 Collingwood, Ont. www.hpbacanada.org

HRAI Conference

www.rinnai.ca Tel: (866) 999-2653 www.rscool.com www.rscool.com Tel: (888) 735-5475 RS-52 (R-428A): DROP-IN REPLACEMENT FOR R-502 www.selkirkcorp.com Tel: (905) 695-8911 RS-52 (R-428A) is a fast, effective and low cost solution to replacing R-502 and R-402A (HP80) in supermarket and other low temperature applications. www.royfoss.com No oil change or system modifications are required. RS-52 (R-428A) has an ASHRAE A1 Safety designation and is Tel: (800) 268-6966 non-ozone depleting and non-flammable. Call Refrigerant Services Inc. at 1-866-999-2653 canada.rheem.com or visit our website for a wholesaler near you.

Tel: (877) 836-7772 H>C8: &.*H>C8: &.* *www.simenorthamerica.com Tel: (800) 363-5874 www.saniflo.ca

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www.rinnai.ca Tel: (866) 999-2653 Tel: w w w . r s c o o www.rscool.com l . c(905) o m 564-9422 www.taco-hvac.com Tel: (888) 735-5475 M e c h a n i c a l B www.selkirkcorp.com Tel: (905) 695-8911

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RS-45 (R-434A) is a fast, effective and low cost solution to replacing R-22 in chillers www.royfoss.com (flooded & non-flooded), and in medium and low temperature refrigeration systems. No Tel: (800) 268-6966 oil change is required. RS-45 (R-434A) has an ASHRAE A1 Safety designation and is nonozone depleting and non-flammable. Call Refrigerant Services Inc. at 1-866-999-2653 or canada.rheem.com visit our website for a wholesaler near you.

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105 Tel: (905) 856-3557 www.vikinggroupinc.com

WATCO

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RS-44 (R-424A) is a fast, effective and low cost solution to replacing R-22 in air conditioning and medium temperature refrigeration systems. No oil change or system modifications are required. RS-44 (R-424A) has an ASHRAE A1 Safety designation and Tel: (800) 268-6966 is non-ozone depleting and non-flammable. Call Refrigerant Services Inc. at canada.rheem.com 1-866-999-2653 or visit our website for a wholesaler near you.

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RS-24 (R-426A): DROP-IN REPLACEMENT FOR R-12

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Water Heater efficiency

B y A n d r ew Snook Reaching foR the

StaR

The technical specifications for Energy Star certification in Canada vary depending on the type of water heater.

Here are the minimum requirements for the water heaters covered under the Energy Star program (note, standard electric tank style water heaters are not Energy Star certified). gaS StoRage unitS An EF rating of 0.67 (as of Sept. 1, 2010), a first-hour rating (FHR) of 254 litres per hour and a six-year minimum warranty (testing method – CSA P.3). condenSing gaS StoRage unitS An EF rating of 0.80, an FHR of 254 litres per hour and an eight-year warranty (testing method CSA – P.3). gaS tankleSS unitS

Water heater efficiency

ExplainEd H

omeowners have many different things to consider when deciding to replace their water heater: How much will it set me back? Can it supply my family the hot water I need? What kind of warranty does it come with? Should I go with a tank-style or tankless water heater?

But what about the homeowner who simply wants to know more about efficiency levels? Is there an easy way for the savvy contractor to explain just what the efficiency levels really mean, while helping a consumer assess their options to ensure they choose the product that meets the needs and budget of their family?

“Efficiency level refers to how well a product can change energy stored in a fuel, such as natural gas or propane gas, into heat energy for warming the water,” explains Scott Isaksen, application engineering manager for Noritz America.

“The Energy Star program was developed as a means of cross-comparing different products on a standardized scale.”

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The Energy Star program uses Energy Factor (EF) ratings to look at efficiency levels. This takes into account the sum of all the energy used to produce a certain amount of hot water over a 24-hour period. For water heaters, Energy Star designation is based on the ability of the product to convert the theoretical BTUH yield of a fuel into hot water.

An EF rating of 0.82, 9.5 litres per minute over a 42.8°C rise, a 10-year warranty on the heat exchanger and a five-year warranty on other parts (testing method – CSA P.7). heat pump wateR heateRS An EF rating of 2.0 , FHR of 190 litres per hour, and a six-year warranty (testing method – CSA C745).

(Source: Natural Resources Canada).

what about electRic? Electric hot water tanks are not listed under the Energy Star program due to the minimal difference between

“If you have a perfectly efficient water heater and you’re transferring 100 per cent of the heat energy in from the heat source into the water, you would have a 1.0 Energy Factor,” says Trey Hoffman, global product manager for Rinnai.

their regulated minimum efficiency

“Each product is rated on this normalized scale for comparison purposes,” says Isaksen. “An Energy Guide label affixed to each product shows the range of comparability for other, similar products in the class. In short, a consumer can compare overall annual fuel costs.”

the upper range of energy efficiency,

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continued on page 88

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levels and the highest efficiency level available for various volumes (on average about 5 per cent). Since Energy Star recognizes products at there needs to be a larger difference between standard performance equipment and high performance equipment than what is possible with standard electric water heaters.

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Water Heater efficiency continued from page 86

Money talks Of course, another way efficiency can be explained is to “show them the money.”

“The efficiency percentage indicates how many cents of every dollar in your fuel bill is used to heat water,” says Isaksen. “For example, if the efficiency is 94 per cent, that means 94 cents out of every dollar pays to heat your water, with the remaining six cents being wasted. The higher the efficiency level, the less money wasted.”

ResouRce-dRiven savings Although higher efficiency levels generate savings, the type of energy being used is not a factor to overlook, especially since most homeowners will be more interested in the actual out of pocket costs associated with their domestic hot water than in theoretical efficiency percentages.

“It all depends on the cost of your energy,” says Trey Hoffman, global product manager for Rinnai.

Paul McDonald, general manager at Bradford White-Canada, adds that gas-fired units will almost always be the most efficient, from a cost perspective, due to the cheap price of the resource; however, there are geographical exceptions to the rule in Canada.

“In Quebec, where electricity is cheap, electric is more efficient,” he says. oppoRtunity knocking According to the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), there are approximately one million water heaters sold across Canada annually, with 80 per cent of those units being sold as replacements and 20 per cent being installed in new homes.

That’s a huge opportunity for contractors to take advantage of, and it might be worth talking up water heater sales with any general contractors, interior designers and plumbing boutiques that plumbing firms find themselves working with.

According to McDonald, renovators and boutiques are missing out on sales opportunities by not doing more to promote the more efficient units now available.

“Renovators need to do a better job putting in more efficient showers and water heaters. It’s a sales opportunity for them,” he says. coMpaRing tanked options To help consumers who want a tank-style water heater to select a unit that will meet their requirements, NRCan’s Office of Energy Efficiency offers a set of guidelines displaying tank sizes for various home sizes.

If a homeowner prefers a tank-style water heater, but also wants to reach a high level of efficiency, then they may want to look at purchasing a condensing tank-style unit. These units do typically cost more up front than a non-condensing unit, and require the space for a condensate drain and possibly for special venting, but they also lead to smaller monthly utility bills.

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• Re sour c e - d r i v e n s a v i n g s • Op p o r t u n it ies • Tan ked Op t io n s Electric heat pump units also have the ability to potentially reduce a consumer’s water heating bill, and are one of the newest entries into the water heater marketplace. These units are extremely efficient, but tend to be more costly up front and will require a condensate drain.

Customers who don’t mind paying more up front, in exchange for a reduced water heating bill, and a smaller equipment footprint in their home may want to opt for a tankless unit. Of course, they will need to have a large enough gas line in their home (typically 3/4”) and the space to meet the unit’s venting requirements.

These units also require more regular maintenance than traditional tank-type water heaters, and need to be sized appropriately for the home in which they are being installed.

Family size (people)

electric tank size

Gas tank size

oil tank size

Up to 2

135 litres (30 gallons)

90 litres (20 gallons)

90 litres (20 gallons)

small/mediUm Family Home – 1 bathroom – no dishwasher – clothes washer

2

180 litres (40 gallons)

135 litres (30 gallons)

135 litres (30 gallons)

mediUm Family Home – 1.5 bathrooms – dishwasher – clothes washer

3

225 litres (50 gallons)

180 litres (40 gallons)

135 litres (30 gallons)

mediUm/larGe Family Home – 2 bathrooms – dishwasher – heavy-duty clothes washer

4

290 litres (65 gallons)

180 litres (40 gallons)

180 litres (40 gallons)

larGe Family Home – 2 or more bathrooms – heavy-duty dishwasher – heavy-duty clothes washer

5

360 litres (80 gallons)

225 litres (50 gallons)

225 litres (50 gallons)

larGe Family Home – same as above with whirlpool baths

6

540 litres (120 gallons)

340 litres (75 gallons)

340 litres (75 gallons)

Hot Water Use Vacation cottaGe – no dishwasher – no clothes washer

(Source: NRCan)

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Hydronic cooling

B y Jo h n No d s on

air vs. Water

When it comes to chilled beams versus all air systems, the general rule of thumb is that if the chilled beam is doing more than half of the cooling of the space with the primary air versus the chilled water, then it is more cost effective to use an all air system.

What this is saying is that the use of chilled beams should be evaluated on a zone-by-zone basis. a properly designed chilled beam application should have the hydronic side of the chilled beams doing between half and 90 per cent of the required cooling.

Keeping cool HIGH

some of the spaces that regularly break this rule are hospitals and laboratories. some designs for these spaces have air being delivered to the space at relatively room neutral so as to avoid reheat during partial load conditions. in these cases, the beams may be doing virtually all the cooling hydronically.

HIGH

HIGH

HIGH

on the commercial side

A

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

ctive and passive chilled beam systems HIGH HIGH are becoming increasingly popular in North America. Progressively seen as an adaptable system, chilled beams have been installed in a wide variety of environments.

Condensation considerations Chilled beams are not designed to be installed in areas where there are uncontrollable latent gains. These spaces may include kitchens, bathrooms, gyms, dorm rooms with showers, foyers, et cetera.

Additionally, spaces that have a very high demand for latent cooling may not be an ideal location for a chilled beam system.

This could include large conference rooms, spaces with very high occupant density, spaces with operable windows, and older buildings with permeable facades.

Increased attention should be given when evaluating chilled beams as an option in such environments. In some cases drain pans (not piped) have even been added to the chilled beams as an insurance should condensation ever occur.

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To reap the full benefits and optimize returns, PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE chilled beams must be properly implemented and considered in the complete scope of the building project, however.

The ideal zone for a chilled beam is one with high and varying sensible loads. This is due to a number of factors, not the least of which is the fact that a significantly higher amount of thermal energy can be transferred with water versus air.

What this means for areas of high loads are that the required duct work is significantly smaller, the energy transportation cost is lower (pump energy versus fan energy is lower) and the HVAC system will take up less ceiling space.

PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

HIGH

PERFORMANCE

Ideal spaces to use chilled beams include perimeter zones, open office/cubical areas, areas with high volumes of electronic equipment loads, et cetera. These spaces all have high percentage of their total cooling loads as sensible, rather than latent loads.

These systems have been shown time and again to be extremely robust, however, just because a project is using chilled beams does not mean that every room in the building will need to use them. As with any HVAC system or technology, proper care must be taken when deciding where and when to use it, and it must be recognized that chilled beams are not a one-sizefits-all solution. Where they match the HVAC profile of the space to be conditioned, however, chilled beams have been shown to be great for reducing energy costs while maintaining occupancy comfort.

active vs. Passive

Active and passive chilled beams are two very similar types of hydronic systems. The key difference between an active and passive chilled beam system is that the active chilled beams use the primary air (fresh/outside conditioned air coming from the air handling unit) to drive induction of room air across a heat exchange coil.

Passive chilled beams generate a natural convective heat exchange current over a heat exchange coil and have a detached separate outside air delivery system.

The other main difference is that passive beams are a cooling only system. In both cases the primary air must handle the full latent load of the space. With both active and passive chilled beam systems, the coil is designed to be run dry (sensible only).

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• A c t i v e v s P a s s i v e • W h at is an act ive ch illed b eam ?

Handling HigH Hopes The maximum recommended mounting height for chilled beams is approximately 15 feet, or 4.6 metres, as the high ceiling height can make it difficult to push the discharge air from the chilled beams into the space below.

As such, it can be difficult to properly use chilled beams in high ceiling/high volume areas. Chilled beams would either need to be mounted in the walls, so that they can discharge horizontally into the space, or be freely hung below the ceiling to a proper mounting height. if either of these options is not possible, or causes other concerns for the building owner or architect, then they should not be used in such areas.

This is not to say that chilled beams cannot be used in such areas, however, special care should be taken to ensure that performance expectations and limitations are known before the equipment is installed.

What is an active chilled beam?

With active chilled beam systems, the building’s primary/ventilation air is continuously supplied to the active chilled beam terminal units by the central air handling system. This primary/ ventilation air is cooled or heated to partially handle the temperature-driven sensible loads, while in the summer being cooled/dehumidified enough to handle all of the internal moisture-driven latent loads. primary/ventilation air (1) is introduced into the active chilled beam through a series of nozzles (2). This induces room air (3) up into the active chilled beam and, in turn, through a secondary water coil (4). induced room air is cooled and/or heated by the water coil to the extent needed to control the room temperature. induced room air is then mixed with the primary/ventilation air and the mixed air (5) is discharged into the room.

Working with humidity One of the key factors that heavily influence the minimum required primary air flow rate for a space is the latent load.

An easy way to reduce this required flow rate is to dry out the primary air.

For example, if we look at a room that has a required latent load of 200 BTUH (59 Watts), with primary air that has dry bulb and wet bulb (DB/WB) temperatures 55°F (12.8°C) and 54°F (12.2°C), respectively, this space will require 69 CFM (approximately 33 l/s).

Conversely, if the primary air conditions are changed to 55°F (12.8°C) dry bulb and 52°F (11.1°C) wet bulb, the required primary air is reduced to 24 CFM (approximately 11 l/s).

Both of these scenarios assume target room conditions of 75°F (23.9°C) dry bulb with a relative humidity of 50 per cent.

1

The ramification of this reduced primary air flow rate with regards to the sensible cooling loads is that there is an additional almost 1,000 BTUH (293 Watts) that can be done on the hydronic side.

3

John Nodson is the senior application engineer with Dadanco, a Mestek company that specializes in chilled beam technology.

He can be reached at jnodson@dadanco.com.

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with Roger Grochmal

Changing with the times

Roger, I am a resistor. By that, I mean that I know I resist change. I wasn’t the first with a fax machine, cell phone or computer, but I also know that change is necessary, and that it is constant.

What are some of the changes that I should be paying attention to for the good of my business?

Jason Y., Winnipeg, Man.

Roger Grochmal is the CEO of AtlasCare in Oakville, Ont. To submit a question about your company, business practices, or the industry in general, send an e-mail to Mechanical Business Magazine’s editor, Adam Freill, adam.freill@ mechanicalbusiness.com.

Mechanical integration?

One of the challenges that residential HVAC contractors face is the lack of conformity when it comes to system controls. Every manufacturer of residential furnaces and air conditioners has its own unique control strategy for their products. There is no industry standard communications protocol for residential control. There is commercially, but not residentially.

As such, those products are not associated with apps that might walk a consumer through their energy profile or habits, and make it easy to control an HVAC system. It has taken relatively new players in our market space, ecobee and Nest are two companies that come to mind, to develop products that meet these consumer expectations.

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I

recently attended an industry conference in the United States devoted to the HVAC industry.

One CEO of a major manufacturer made the comment that consumers’ expectations have moved well ahead of our industry.

Think about how much our lives have been transformed by digital technology and companies like Apple and Google. The integration and sharing of information between computers, tablets, phones and all my other devices is impressive. I can get information anytime, anywhere. I have apps for everything. (It’s true; there is an app for that.)

Now let’s look at our industry. Are we using digital technologies in ways that keep us in touch with our customers? Do we have all the tools that other market segments are using to interact with their customers? And are we meeting our customers’ expectations?

An important thing to remember is that we can’t assume what consumers’ expectations are. We can put ourselves in their shoes, but without directly asking them, we put ourselves at risk.

Regular communication with your customers helps identify preferences and patterns, and gaps. So hold focus groups and interact with social media to allow for authentic conversations. Track analytics on your website to look for trends. Have your sales reps and techs dig a little deeper when they are on calls. There is power in knowledge and the more information we have, the better decisions we can make and actions we can take, as an industry.

There is also power in collaboration. Imagine what would be possible if we invested the time and energy to have these conversations with our customers and shared the outcomes with each other.

Together, as an industry, we could explore the necessary fixes to “get with the times.”

The future is in our hands. We can seize it or others will do it for us.

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A modern approach As contractors we need to look at what we are doing and constantly analyze how easy we are to do business with.

• How fast do we answer emails from customers?

• Do we offer live chat?

• Can customers access their own information online?

• Can customers go online and book their own service appointments?

• Are we accessible to our customers on their mobile devices?

• Can we monitor the operation of equipment and be proactive in identifying equipment problems?

NELSON MECHANICAL DESIGN, INC. Owners: Brian Nelson / Dave Sprague

BUSINESS B BUSI USINE NESS SS ACCELERATION ACC CCEL ELER ERAT ATIO ION N

WE’RE LIKIN’ DAIKIN! OUR SALES ARE UP 100%!

SEE THE FULL STORY AT LIKIN-DAIKIN.COM Owners Brian Nelson and David Sprague have doubled their sales since becoming a Daikin AC dealer. The partners started out as a heating and plumbing contractor, but today 75% of their business is Daikin Altherma and Ductless split heat pumps from Daikin AC. “Daikin AC has allowed us to set our dealership apart as the ‘Green Experts’,â€? says Brian. To live up to their mission of offering customers only the best green solutions, NMD offers only the best products to complement their highly engineered DSSOLFDWLRQV 7KH UHVXOWV DUH HIÂżFLHQW FRVW HIIHFWLYH HDV\ WR LQVWDOO 'DLNLQ $& V\VWHPV WKDW SURYLGH LPSURYHG \HDU URXQG FRPIRUW and save their customers money.

Brian and Dave tested all of the major ductless split systems before choosing Daikin AC. Brian notes that Daikin AC ZDV WKH ÂżUVW PDQXIDFWXUHU WR KDYH D JRRG handle on ductless splitit applications and HQJLQHHULQJ 'DLNLQ $& V\VWHPV DUH WRS & V\VWHPV DUH WRS TXDOLW\ YLUWXDOO\ WURXEOH IUHH DQG KDYH WKH IUHH DQG KDYH WKH best warranty in the business. usiness. Dave calls it ‘Daikin Magic’. “They consistently c outperform our expectations.â€? ta ations.â€?

So what’s the bottom liline ne for the ‘Green Experts’? “If you want to set yourr business apart and increase sales like e we have, position yourself with th the he premiere global brand ‌ Daikin n AC.â€?

START YOUR SUCCESS STORY AT VISIT

LIKINÍł /</EÍ&#x2DC; KD

Daikin ACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industryĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x;ĹśĹ? Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; cooling systems, warranty programs, and training helped Nelson Mechanical Design increase sales 100%.

Jeff House is an experienced industry professional and hydronics trainer. He handles the sales territory from the Niagara region to the Greater Toronto Area for Jess-Don Dunford, a manufacturers’ rep in Ontario. He can be reached at jhouse@jessdondunford.com.

High performance snowmelt You’ve put in a snowmelt system for a large custom home. With a bit of design and install help from your wholesaler, all seems to go well. You’ve tested it for the homeowner, but there wasn’t a significant snowfall to fully check things out. Then snowmageddon hits. With snow coming down at about 15 cm per hour, the system seems to be working but the owner is concerned there is still slush on the driveway.

1. The two boilers are 500,000 BTUH each, both condensing/ modulating stainless steel with a 30% glycol solution.

They appear to be locking out on high limit due to flow issues. What is happening with this system?

A. The boiler piping is too small.

B. The injection piping to the main loop is too small.

C. The main loop piping is too small.

D. The close coupled Ts are too close to the 90s.

E. All of the above.

2. How far away from the 90-degree corners should the close coupled T’s be?

4. If the 1-1/2” supply/return lines are the correct size for the four snowmelt manifolds, is the 2” header they are attached to the right size?

A. 4” B. 12” C. About 6 to 8 pipe diameters.

D. doesn’t matter because the Ts are manufactured.

3. To carry the total gpm of the two boilers, what should the piping size be?

A. 2” as designed.

B. 3” should work with a delta T between 25°F and 30°F. C. 2-1/2” D. It depends on the delta T and the piping material.

A.Yes B. No 5. The boiler manufacturer has 1-1/2” fittings on the boilers. The proper size to connect to them is: A. 1-1/2” as shown B. 2” C. 2-1/2” D. It is a short distance, so it doesn’t matter.

Answer and win!

Packing a Powerful Punch!

Just send us your answer key to this month’s puzzle by June 21, and you could be sporting a Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/2” Hammer Drill, courtesy of Milwaukee Electric Tool. Send your answers to adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com and the hammer drill could be yours.

Step right up and win a Prize!

Just like Adrian Seician, technician/owner of d best plumbing & heating ltd. in Calgary. He recently won a Milwaukee M12 Cordless Sub-compact Band Saw for his answers. So drop us a line, and get those answers in. And be sure to pick up the next edition of Mechanical Business for the next installment of Find the Fix!

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Looking for the answers?

The answer key for the March/April quiz is: 1-D; 2-C; 3-B; 4-B; 5-True If you need the quiz, check it out in our issue archive at www.mechanicalbusiness.com.

DRIVEN TO OUTPERFORM.

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POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor delivers up to 10X Longer Motor Life

LONGER RUN-TIME M12™ RedLithium™ 2.0 and XC 4.0 Batteries provide up to 4X More Run-Time and up to 2X More Recharges than leading competitor

Learn more about NEW M12 FUELTM at milwaukeetool.com/fuel

1/4" Hex 2-Speed Screwdriver Kit

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Photo: Tourism New Brunswick, Canada

Cleaner Heat 2013

June 18-19, 2013 Moncton, New Brunswick

Finding some mojo in Moncton

Delivering the Goods

COHA members will be looking to reclaim their mojo at Cleaner Heat 2013, the association’s annual oil heat symposium. This year’s event takes place from June 18 to 19 at the Delta Beausejour in Moncton, N.B. The conference will feature a variety of networking opportunities for members, as well as presentations and educational sessions from industry veterans such as American Energy Coalition executive director Thomas Tubman and head of Oilheat Associates John Levey.

Members will have the opportunity to earn up to 10 GreenTech CEUs for attending sessions.

As part of the conference, annual general meetings for COHA National, COHA Ontario Chapter and COHA New Brunswick Chapter will take place on June 19. www.coha.ca

Speaker bios Thomas Tubman is the executive director of the American Energy Coalition (AEC). He is a 40-year veteran of the oil heat industry, including 12 years with a leading manufacturer of oil burners, gas burners, combustion controls, temperature controls and burner ignition systems.

Jon Levy is the head of Oilheat Associates and Propane Associates LLC, consulting firms specializing in industry education, mergers and acquisitions. Levy directs the HVAC education program for the Oil Heat Institute of Long Island and has more than 40 years of experience in the HVAC industry.

Natalie Mullins is a partner at Gowlings, one of Canada’s largest legal firms, and is a member of the Advocacy and Environmental Litigation Practice Groups. Mullins specializes in contaminated land disputes and has expertise in fuels regulation and fuels safety.

Sofie Andreou is the author of the books, Leveraging the Power of the Internet and Your Social Strategy, and is the founder of Sofie Andreou M.Eng & Associates. She is also a lecturer at Trent University.

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Individuals and companies from the oil heat industry who have gone above and beyond will once again be honoured during the Delivering the Goods Awards Luncheon. These annual awards acknowledge outstanding leadership, and service and technical expertise from those striving to enhance the image of the oil heat industry.

Canada’s top Gun Technicians will have the opportunity to earn the title of Canada’s Top Gun at the Top Gun Challenge presented by R.W. Beckett. In addition to the title, there will be more than $5,000 in prizes to be won. Don’t miss the challenge, which will take place on June 19.

Special events Events taking place during the conference include a tour of Hopewell Rocks to check out the tides, the 3rd COHA Cup golf tournament, an Arabian night dinner, live entertainment by BBMB, and a lobster dinner on the Historic Pointe du Chene wharf. For a full list of events, email admin@coha.ca or visit symposium.coha.ca.

Bob Parsons is the oil product manager for Wolseley Canada’s HVAC/R Group. He has been in the HVAC industry for 30 years and a member of the COHA Technical Committee for the past 16 years.

Guy Couture has worked as a trainer, coordinator, troubleshooting expert and research and development assistant in the residential heating and cooling industry over the past 23 years. He currently works with Granby Industries and its subsidiaries.

Stephen Hazell is the technical services manager for Wilsons Fuels and is the chairman of the COHA Nova Scotia Chapter Technical Committee. Hazell has more than 20 years of industry-related experience and is a 2011 recipient of a Delivering the Goods award.

Calvin Bell is the owner/operator for Bell’s Oil Burner Services.

He has been a licensed OBT since 1988. Bell was a Delivering the Goods award recipient in 2003 and serves as an OBT certification instructor for Georgian College.

2013 WINNER NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE

CONFORTO KLC THE NEW GENERATION OF OIL-FIRED WARM AIR FURNACES WITH 95.8% EFFICIENCY

4-WAY MULTIPOISE (KHM) CHE 95%+ LOWBOY REAR BREECH (KLC)

LOWBOY FRONT BREECH (KLF)

LOWBOY REAR BREECH (KLR)

+ EASE OF MAINTENANCE

+ COMFORTABLE

DUE TO ITS NON-REFRACTORY COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND TUBULAR SECONDARY HEAT EXCHANGERS

A MORE EVEN HEAT AND A QUICKER, MORE PRECISE RESPONSE TO A CALL FOR HEAT FROM THE THERMOSTAT

“I installed a new CONFORTO KLC in 2012 and used almost 800 litres less oil than the year before.

My new Granby furnace saved me $870!”

Danielle L., Actual Homeowner Cornwall, Ontario

AFUE UP TO

%

95.8

®

www.granbyindustries.com

OIL Products P Oil-fired boiler Weil McLain’s Ultra oil boiler is a dedicated water-only oil unit with an AFUE rating of 86%. It features a three-pass cast iron heat exchanger with captured elastomer seals. It offers direct- or chimney-venting, and is equipped with a reversible swing-away burner door.

An optional Advanced Features Module (AFM) provides indoor/outdoor reset, DHW priority and stage firing. It has fuel input rates that range from 0.80 to 1.40 gph and inputs of 98,000 to 172,000 BTUH.

www. weil-mclain.ca

Lowboy furnace The NL2 lowboy furnace from Newmac Furnaces and Boilers has an output of 77,000 to 118,000 BTUH and features a ceramic fibre corbel chamber, 14-gauge steel heat exchanger, and a detachable stainless steel stack assembly. It is approved for SVS direct vent or chimney use. An ECM blower assembly is available.

Condensing furnace Granby’s Conforto KLC condensing high-efficiency oil-fired lowboy furnace has an AFUE rating of up to 95.8%.

The unit features a stainless steel combustion chamber and heat exchanger, an input range of 77,000 to 91,000 BTUH, and an output range of 74,000 to 87,000 BTUH. It has a firing rate of 0.55 to 0.65 gph and a maximum temperature of 215°F.

www. newmacfurnaces.com

www. granbyindustries.com

Cast iron boiler NTI’s Thermal Odyssey cast iron oil boiler has a fuel input rate that ranges from 0.65 to 2 gph with a gross output range of 78,000 to 245,000 BTUH. The units have a maximum temperature of 240°F and a maximum pressure of 50 psi. They feature operating efficiencies up to 89% and can safely operate at low water temperatures, allowing for a reliable cold start. Traditional and direct venting options are available.

www. nythermal.com

Residential oil burner Beckett’s AFG residential oil burner offers fuel input rate capacities from 0.40 to 3 gph. It has an air turbo injector and a high efficiency blower wheel for high static pressure firing under most draft conditions. The burners can operate with No. 1 and No. 2 heating oil (ASTM D396) and feature a 3,450 rpm motor with manual reset overload protection.

www. beckettcorp.com

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STUFF YOU NEED Tool storage DeWalt’s TSTAK organizers feature removable cups for small parts and accessories and removable dividers for drill and bit organization. The storage units interconnect with all four TSTAK models and are built with ball bearing slides and heavy-duty metal latches.

PEX tools Ridgid’s Close Quarters ASTM F1807 PEX crimp tools are built for use with ASTM F1807 copper crimp ring tubing connections and are available in 1/2” and 3/4” sizes. They feature glass-filled polycarbonate handles, a built-in go/ no-go gauge, and an adjustable lock screw for tool calibration.

www. dewalt.com

www. ridgid.com

Exterior line laser CST/berger’s LL20 360° is a self-levelling exterior line laser that’s designed to offer 3/16” accuracy and a 530-foot range when operated with the company’s LD3 Laser Detector. The device runs on four AA batteries and features multiple mounting options.

www. cstberger.com

Leak detector The RLD400 digital refrigerant leak detector from General Tools & Instruments is designed to detect all commercially available HFC, HFO, HC, HCFC and CFC refrigerant gases. The unit’s semiconductor sensor has three sensitivity levels, triple-redundant leak indication and automatic calibration and reset.

www www.generaltools.com

Electric screwdriver The M4 2-Speed Screwdriver from Milwaukee Tool features a 21-position clutch setting, offers 44 inch-pounds of torque and has a two-speed gearbox (200/600 RPM). The screwdriver uses lithium ion batteries, is 24.4 cm long and weighs less than one pound.

www. milwaukeetool.com

Deburring tools Reed Manufacturing Company’s DEB1 series of deburring tools for plastic pipe provide 15-degree chamfer on PVC, CPVC, ABS, PP and PE pipe. The series is built from aluminum, has a slip-resistant grip and has blades that can be sharpened or replaced.

www. reedmfgco.com xx

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Products

Storage tanks Lock-Temp stainless steel storage tanks from Lochinvar are available in 60-, 80- and 119-gallon models and are fully welded for use in domestic water systems.The vertical tanks are wrapped in dent-resistant polypropylene jackets and are insulated with expanded foam.

www. lochinvar.com

Drain cleaner The JM-3080 Jet-Set water jet drain cleaning machine from General Pipe Cleaners is designed to clear grease stoppages, as well as lines clogged with sand, sludge and ice. It features a removable 300 ft. capacity hose reel, a 614 cc engine with electric start and a 12-gallon buffer tank. The water jet generates 3,000 psi at 8 gpm and the unit is mounted on a tubular frame with four pneumatic tires and a wheel brake.

Lavatory faucet Delta’s Compel single lever handle faucet features a diamond embedded ceramic disc cartridge and has a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gpm at 60 psi. The faucet has a spout length of 5” with a total spout height of 7-1/2”, and comes in chrome and stainless finishes.

www. drainbrain.com

Tankless water heater Rinnai’s RU98i Ultra Series condensing tankless water heater features two heat exchangers, a down-fired ceramic burner and an input range of 15,200 to 199,000 BTUH. The unit weighs 61.7 lb., has dimensions of 18.3” by 26” by 10” and hot water capacity of 0.26 to 9.8 gpm. The units operate on natural gas or propane and come equipped with recirculation technology, a temperature-lock function and a scale detection system.

www. deltafaucet.ca

www. rinnai.ca

Trench drain systems

Kitchen faucet

The Dead Level presloped trench drain system from Watts features channels built with a chemical-resistant, UV-stabilized, injection-moulded polypropylene. Gratings are available in ductile iron, stainless steel, galvanized steel, polypropylene or fibreglass.

The system has a 0.7% standard slope with radiused bottoms and smooth interiors. It is available in two widths, 6” wide with ductile iron or polypropylene frames, and 12” wide with ductile iron frames.

The Vuelo kitchen faucet from Brizo features an integrated pull-down wand, touch-clean sprayhead and quick-connect hoses. The faucet has a maximum flow rate of 1.8 gpm at 60 psi and is available with optional SmartTouch technology. It is offered in cocoa bronze/stainless, chrome or stainless finishes.

www. brizo.com

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Products

Residential tankless The NRC661 residential condensing tankless water heater from Noritz has flow rates of 0.5 to 6.6 gpm and an input range of 15,000 to 120,000 BTUH. These gas-fired units feature a polyester-coated steel casing and direct electronic ignition. They have a thermal efficiency of 93% with natural gas or propane.

www. noritz.com

Sensor-operated faucet Macerating units

American Standardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Selectronic sensor-operated faucet has the sensor, solenoid valve and electronics built into the spout. The unit features a hot limit safety stop, removable handle and a cast brass spout. It has a water pressure range of 20 to 125 psi.

The Saniaccess 3 from Saniflo is a macerating unit with two service panels. It is designed to discharge waste up to 15 ft. vertically and almost 150 ft. horizontally. The unit is designed to accommodate a complete bathroom (toilet, sink, shower and/or bathtub) and is built with sound-absorbing technology for quiet operation.

www. americanstandard.ca

www. saniflo.ca

Sensor flush valves ZTR6203 sensor flush valves from Zurn feature piston operation and have a mechanical manual override button. The battery-powered valves are built with chloramine-resistant internal seals and a dezincification-resistant low lead brass alloy.

www. zurn.com

Hands-free faucets

Follow Us on Twitter @MechBusiness

The Arbor pull down kitchen faucet from Moen features hands-free technology. It is available in chrome, oil rubbed bronze and stainless finishes. It has a 68â&#x20AC;? braided hose, a 100-degree rotating spout and a maximum flow rate of 2.0 gpm at 60 psi.

moen.ca

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HYDRONIC

Products

Socket fusion tool McElroy’s Spider 125 is designed for socket fusion field installations of 63 mm to 125 mm polypropylene-random (PP-R) pipe and fittings. The unit allows a pipe or fitting to be aligned, heated, fused and cooled. It weighs 13 lb. and can be ordered separately or as part of a kit that comes with a custom-designed toolbox and stand.

Variable speed circulator The Bumble Bee from Taco comes equipped with a high-efficiency ECM motor, Delta-T variable-speed technology and a 360-degree swivel flange. Designed to operate with fluid temperatures up to 110°C, it has a maximum operating pressure of 125 psi, flow of 15 gpm and shutoff head of 15 feet.

www. mcelroy.com

www. taco-hvac.com

Condensing boiler Lochinvar’s Crest condensing boiler is available with input ranges from 1.5 to 5 million BTUH. The unit features a keypad switch on the front panel, a firing rate modulation of 25:1, flow rates up to 350 gpm, and can be direct vented up to 100 ft.

Balancing valves Ranging in size from 1/2” to 2”, Armstrong’s balancing valves offer precise control through five 360° handle turns to move from fully open to fully closed. The valves, which have a maximum flow rate of 83.3 gpm, can be installed at any angle, with measuring ports facing up or down.

www. lochinvar.com

www. armstrongpumps.com

Piping systems Aquatherm Blue Pipe (formerly Aquatherm Climatherm) is a polypropylene-random (PP-R) piping system designed for hydronic, chilled water, condensing water and industrial applications. It comes in sizes ranging from 1/2” to 24” and uses a heat fusion connection for installation. An optional faser-composite layer designed to reduce linear expansion of the pipe is also available.

www. aquatherm.com 1102

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HYDRONIC Products

Low water cut-off Designed to provide low-water protection for hot water boilers installed in residential applications, McDonnell & Miller’s Series RB GuardDog low-water cut-offs feature brass threads, a test button to confirm proper operation, and a self-cleaning probe. Each unit is equipped with a universal wiring harness.

www. xyleminc.com

Fire tube boiler NTI’s Trinity Fire Tube condensing boiler is offered in nine models with an input range of 60,000 to 399,000 BTUH. The unit features 5:1 turndown, a stainless steel heat exchanger and can be vented up 150 ft. It has efficiencies up to 95% AFUE.

www. nythermal.com

Antifreeze heat-transfer fluid OS&B’s Noburst -100 is designed to prevent damage caused by freezing water within water-based heating or cooling systems. It consists of a non-toxic propylene glycol-based antifreeze and heat-transfer fluid. It is safe for use in systems where it may come into contact with potable water.

www. osb.ca

HRAI Credibility04.13_Layout 1 2013-05-06 8:36 AM Page 1

Credibility... is using HRAI wholesalers that are in the know on regulations and standards.

It’s knowing that they are up to date on market trends. It ensures that quality, honesty, integrity and good faith are standard business practices.

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Look for your nearest HRAI wholesaler member today! www.hrai.ca/wholesalers

Radiant tubing Watts Radiant’s RadiantPERT polyethylene raised temperature (PE-RT) tubing is designed for use in hydronic heating, cooling, snow melting and distribution applications. The tubing is manufactured with Dowlex 2344 with five layers, including an oxygen barrier. It is rated up to 180°F (82°C) at 80 psi.

Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada

HRAI... Setting the Standard

www. wattsradiant.com

www.hrai.ca 1.800.267.2231 M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

0 6 . 1 3

103

Geothermal

By Mi c ha e l R i d l e r

HIGH

Michael Ridler is the technical services manager at Eden Energy Equipment, a distributor of geothermal and other HVAC equipment.

He can be reached at edenenergymike@gmail.com.

HIGH

HIGH

Taking efficiency

higher PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE

HIGH

HIGH

PERFORMANCE

G

While initial costs to install a geothermal heat pump are higher than more traditional heating and cooling options, ground source heat pump systems typically offer Coefficient of Performance (COP) ratings between 2.4 and 5.0, and EER cooling efficiencies in the 10.6 to 30.0 range, making them some of the most efficient residential heating and cooling systems available, and which equates to lower ongoing operating costs over the life of the system.

PERFORMANCE

Adjusting the frequency

In 2012, one of the first variable speed geothermal installs was completed near Cambridge, Ont. by the Hayter Group. The system includes a geothermal heat pump equipped with a variable speed scroll compressor with a variable frequency drive, and is part of an overall larger green envelope that includes some solar PV on the roof.

Two-speed compressor technology was first introduced on geothermal systems in 1992 and pushed the efficiency boundaries, but the next obvious step was to look at integrating compressor and variable speed drives.

tHE geo zone Zoning is always ideal from a comfort perspective, but with variable speed technology that can be taken to a new level, maximizing not only efficiency, but also consumer comfort.

Compressors in conventional geothermal heat pumps run at a fixed speed all the time and up until the early ’90s most systems were only relying on single-speed compressors. In 1992, the very first two-speed compressors in geothermal systems were released.

Variable speed geothermal technology, when combined with an integrated geothermal zoning system, can handle the heating and cooling of micro loads, something that was a challenge with earlier generations of geothermal systems.

With a two-speed compressor, the system can shift to a lower speed to save energy when only a small change in temperature is required.

Current geothermal technology that’s equipped with a two-speed compressor is typically either a 70/30 load split or a 50/50 load split.

Variable speed combined with zoning allows us to heat and cool not just the whole space at a lower speed, but to also isolate it right down to specific zones in a home.

Although that was a better approach, technology has evolved even further over the past few years, allowing manufacturers to use even more advanced compressors.

Variable speed scroll compressors use a variable frequency drive (VFD) — also known as an inverter — to slow or speed up the alternating current (AC) electric motor that drives the rotating elements to control the speed.

“A two-speed compressor was a good approach, but to boost energy efficiency even more, there’s nothing like a variable speed compressor,” says Bob Brown, vice-president of engineering for WaterFurnace.

“It can dramatically cut energy consumption by varying compressor capacity to match cooling or heating needs exactly.”

B u s i n e s s

PERFORMANCE

CAnAdiAn proving grounds

And while the efficiency offered by these systems has been impressive, manufacturers are not resting on their efficiency laurels. They are pushing those efficiencies even further with the introduction of variable speed compressor technology into this market space.

M e c h a n i c a l

HIGH

A variable frequency drive is critical to operating a variable speed compressor, because it reshapes the frequency of the current supplied to the AC motor to change speed, torque and overall performance. That’s why a lot of intelligence is built into the inverter used by the variable speed compressor.

round source heat pump (GSHP) systems have enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years as homeowners havePERFORMANCE started to look PERFORMANCE into things like HVAC system longevity, maintenance requirements and operating costs, all of which make geothermal systems appealing.

1104

HIGH

Geothermal systems only need to run at full capacity around 10 per cent of the time, so having a variable speed compressor allows the compressor speed to be reduced, matching the load requirements, which results in reduced operating costs and even higher efficiencies.

But to take full advantage of a variable speed compressor’s potential, the entire system also has to become more intelligent. In the case of the variable speed unit that was installed in Cambridge, Ont., (see sidebar) it also relies on a variable speed ECM motor and variable speed circulating pump so that not only the compressor, but the entire system modulates allowing the system to reach efficiency levels beyond 41 EER and 5.3 COP.

0 6 . 1 3

HVAC/R Products P Airside economizer Belimo’s ZIP Economizer is designed to automatically recognize a climate zone by postal code, and will set the high limit change-over temperature providing automatic compliance, fault messages, alarms and troubleshooting capability. The unit also features plug-and-play modular design and onboard help.

www. zipeconomizer.com

Compact scroll compressor The SH485 40-ton scroll compressor from Danfoss features an intermediate discharge valve (IDV) designed to adapt to varying loads and ambient conditions while lowering mechanical stress on the scroll components. The unit is equipped with a built-in discharge gas temperature sensor; organ pipe that retains oil in non-operating compressors; and a patented non-return valve.

Remote-access thermostat The icomfort Wi-Fi touchscreen thermostat from Lennox is designed to give users remote access to home-temperature control through any smartphone, tablet or web-enabled device. Features include customizable skins to match home decor, a five-day weather forecast, monitoring of energy use, and diagnostics that alert homeowners when their system needs maintenance.

www. lennox.com

Self-balancing HRVs and ERVs Reversomatic Manufacturing’s Deluxe Series self-balancing HRV/ERVs feature automatic electronic air-balancing and a tilted core designed for maximum drainage. The units measure 27-3/4” by 21” by 9” and are available with aluminum or polypropylene cores. The ERV is available with an enthalpy core. They have airflow of 45 to 95 CFM during normal operation and a maximum of 125 CFM.

www. danfoss.ca

reversomatic.com

Geothermal heat pumps

Retrofit compressors H7 Series compressors from Bristol Compressors are available in 1.5ton to 5-ton capacities. They are designed for retrofit in existing R-22 systems using R-407C or R-22 refrigerant, and are charged with POE oil.

www. bristolcompressors.com

The Envision2 Compact Series geothermal heat pumps from Waterfurnace are offered in 0.75- to 6-ton capacities and feature automated communication controls, coaxial heat exchangers with a copper inner tube and steel outer tube, and a heavy-gauge, galvanized steel cabinet. Interior surfaces are lined with 1/2” thick, foil-lined acoustic fibre insulation.

www. waterfurnace.com M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

0 6 . 1 3

105

It’s what we do. With 20,000 parts stocked on the warehouse floor, an in-house training facility to teach your installers LINK TM the best techniques on TOOL the latest systems, and engineering Make sure you have the right tools for the job support with deep experience before you get there. With RFID (Radio Frequency in hydronics—we have what you need. We can evenIdentifi find thecation) tags attached to your equipment, you can take inventory of the tools in your truck manual for you. Because it’squickly our business to support yours.

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2322_AQ February 10, 2012

Pick up your new commercial units at select Lennox PartsPlus™ or warehouse locations, www.hrai.ca or have them delivered the same day to anywhere in the area.* Plus, Lennox stocks AGE arrive # a wide variety of adaptor curbs, so every unit Pwill installation-ready.

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Back Row (l to r):

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2 0 1 1

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W

RLDVIEW

Heading for the bathroom Y

our intrepid Mechanical Business editor Adam Freill and I recently found ourselves taking in the sights of the enormous ISH exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany.

Unfortunately my trip was a little longer than Adam’s, as I was coming from Melbourne, Australia to Germany. What made it worse was leaving home on a blistering 30+ Celsius day and arriving into Frankfurt during an unseasonal snowstorm – that was a real shock to the system.

However, I now understand why professionals in the plumbing/HVAC sector in the Northern Hemisphere are so focused on heating and efficient energy.

You need to be, for your own survival.

In contrast, we beer-swilling Aussies take a greater interest in bathroom facilities than HVAC. This is also out of necessity and the reason will shortly become apparent.

It was during a discussion with Adam at ISH that he suggested (as I am such an expert in the area of bathroom facilities!), that I look around to see what is new in the way of toilets and report back. A great assignment, huh?

As luck would have it, there were a couple of interesting new technologies and designs.

Care for some suds?

According to the global beer consumption ladder, Australia sits at number four and Canada sits at a lowly 19. And there is a 75 per cent difference in volume per head. So one could ask, “How in the heck do you guys spend your free time?”

I merely point this out so you appreciate why bathroom facilities rate so highly on the Australian psyche.

Jeff Patchell in Australia

Improved hygIene The world of rimless toilets has arrived; all of a sudden they seem to have popped up in the product ranges of a number of leading brands and were front and centre at ISH. I’m not sure who invented rimless product, but no doubt many will take the credit.

As can be seen in the illustration of the Duravit model, rimless pans don’t have the usual roll-over rim; where the underneath is not glazed and the porous surface can capture grime and infection.

Thus, the primary selling feature of this style of fully-glazed pan is cleanliness and hygiene.

The key markets for such a product will likely be commermedical and senior-care institutions, high-use commer cial facilities (airports/hotels/sporting arenas) and high-end residential.

Suppliers claim there is no splashing (better hygiene) and that they work effectively with a 4.5 litre flush. It will be interesting to see how they perform in the long term.

The ThIrd opTIon As we all know, there are two common types of toilets in the world: sitting and squatting. However a Turkish company, Gural Vit, has challenged that norm and introduced an interesting alternative.

This low-slung hybrid solution is well worth looking at – although if you are a bit weak in the knees it may be more difficult to get on and off (or should that be in and out), without having wall handrails on both sides to assist.

Nonetheless, Gural is confident that this new design offers the most natural anatomic position for the human body to defecate.

They claim this, in turn, reduces the potential to damage your internals. So, just when you thought you’d seen everything, here we go again.

Jeff Patchell is managing director of Connection Magazines Pty Ltd. He operates www.worldplumbinginfo.com, an online plumbing industry knowledge bank.

108

FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECTS THE SOLUTION IS SYMMONS

®

From hotels to hospitals, from schools to stadiums, Symmons products have been trusted by professionals for 70 years.

www.symmons.ca Copyright © 2013 Symmons Industries, Inc., Braintree, Massachusetts

Compiled by Mechanical Business

dOOR-TO-dOOR DEALINGS

6%

The percentage of Ontarians willing to purchase a water heater from a door-todoor salesperson. In contrast, 82% said they would buy Girl Guide cookies sold at their door.

MANAGING MITES

HOW MUCH?

40 POUNdS

55%

The level of relative humidity (RH) needed by dust mites to grow in a home.

The amount of dust collected in the average six-room house in a year.

1,200

The number of mites that can live in 1 ounce of dust.

INFRASTRUCTURe INVESTMENT

$70 BIllION The amount of funding designated in the 2013 federal budget to infrastructure construction over the next decade. This includes improvements to water and wastewater infrastructure and federal buildings.

PRIvATe INVESTMENT

$104.7 BIllION Anticipated investment from the private sector on housing in 2013. If these intentions are realized, which are based on projected housing starts, building costs and the value of alterations and improvements in each province, the housing sector will account for 26.3% of total capital spending in the economy.

lUCky NUMbEr

7

ONlINe SAVVY, EH?

78.6%

Percentage of Canadians who use the internet. This compares to 61.3% in Europe and 32.7% worldwide.

The number of ‘marketing touches’ (calls, ads, billboards, mailings, etc.) it takes to be top-of-mind with consumers. Is your company there?

Sources: Air Canada Centre, RBC, Canadian Tire, CMHC, Statistics Canada, Industry Canada

1110

M e c h a n i c a l

B u s i n e s s

0 6 . 1 3

PM# 41536047 Postmaster: Please send all address changes or undeliverable copies to: Mechanical Business, 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road, Oakville, ON L6J 0B2

Bold new look

Who?

OS&B™

What?

The Face Plate is changing from a single screw look to our Patented screwless SlideOn™ design

When?

Today

Where? 6040, 64D, 5040, 54D, 314 and 314D Series :DVWH 2YHUÁRZV Why?

Cleaner look. Easier to install. Change Finish anytime.

SlideOn

™

www.osb.ca Caution: Objects in SlideOn™ are closer than they appear.

SlideOn™ Trademark is Registered to Oakville Stamping and Bending Limited (OS&B™)

NEW IDEAS. NEW LOOK. NEW PRODUCTS.

12" Wide Trench Drain Just Got a Whole Lot Easier

Introducing the New Dead Level DX 12" Trench Drain TM

C

ustomers who have used our unique Dead Level™ Trench Drain system call it the best trench drain ever. And understandably so. The Dead Level™ system cuts installation time by more than half, and makes floating, pinching, and misalignment things of the past.

Now we’ve made a great product even better.

Dead Level™ Trench Drain is now available 12” wide. With radiused bottoms and smooth interiors, the new DX channels generate maximum hydraulic flow.

For additional information, click on over to watts.com

A Watts Water Technologies Company