Mechanical Business September/October 2024

BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY

“ Flexi-Rooter’s ClogChopper rips open a hole for the chain knocker to work. It’s a great product.”

Mikulin • SureFlo Sewer & Drain

Flexi-Rooter uses ClogChopper six-bladed cutters along with carbide and non-carbide-tipped chain cutters to break through the toughest clogs, scale and roots. The cutters then grind up the stubborn stoppages and scour the pipe walls clean.

The rotating shaft is 10 times faster than traditional shafts, yet easy to handle. It’s extremely exible for clearing 2" lines, yet strong enough to cut roots in 4" lines up to 75 feet long. Plus, the foot pedal leaves both hands free to guide it into the drain.

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

Seth

ClogChopper with carbide tip cutter

GPC/General Pipe

Making

58RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN TRENDS

Kitchens are the hub of family life, and consumers are making the most of their spaces with colour and customized choices for fixtures, counters and sinks.

Carolyn Cooper

Stepping out of the box

96PROJECT PROFILE

Mechanical contracting firm’s new building is a customdesigned, state-of-the-art model of high-efficiency heating and cooling.

Carolyn Cooper

Bob McDonald:

Making science accessible

36COVER STORY

The path to becoming Canada’s explainer of science was sometimes a rocky one for Bob McDonald, host of CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks, but he chose to determine his own future and embrace opportunities that came his way.

Kerry Turner

86INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Filtering, ventilating, and pressure control are the foundation of maintaining a healthy building during normal operation and are essential during an outdoor event such as a wildfire.

Darryl DeAngelis

Heating Product Showcase

38PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Stay current – check out this collection of the latest heating technology.

6

Report projects Canadian labour market growth over next two years

Employment Outlook 2024 – Country

Notes: Canada explains how the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 will affect jobs

MB SPECIALISTS

Test your knowledge of heating terminology for a chance to win

Pathways to the trades

Students gain hands-on experience at summer camps

Carolyn Cooper

28HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

The whys and hows of deep energy retrofits

Tom Grochmal

Retrofitting existing buildings to reduce their carbon footprints is an important part of the strategy to create a low carbon economy.

32HEATING

Creative solutions to building needs

Matthew Reid

A fresh look at heat recovery options provided by chillers.

44HYDRONICS

Freeze protection: Go to Glycol

Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr

After looking at options over the years, Bob’s “go to” – the choice with the least amount of baggage – is glycol if it’s used correctly.

Ontario

Feds

Wallace

Carolyn

The F word

Supporting women working in the trades can have a direct, positive effect on a

Sue

52PLUMBING

It’s a sump of a job

Fred Bretzke

Can AI help us resolve pump problems? It is put to the test with a real-life scenario.

72REFRIGERATION

Maintain reliable refrigeration operation in colder temperatures

Mike Squires

Challenges with outdoor air-cooled commercial refrigeration systems occur in the summer, but the cold weather can also present issues.

78MARKETING

Brand resonance in the digital era

Paul Bies

Building strong emotional connections with customers.

DEPARTMENTS

The Perfect BALANCE

The ideal manifold and tubing for the distribution of heating fluid in radiant systems

Thanks to our ideal set-up for installers using our unique flow meters on each manifold loop, IVAR stainless-steel manifolds guarantee perfect system balancing, optimizing energy use, while providing premium thermal comfort.

Every manifold set is supplied with all components included in the box, ensuring a smooth commissioning process for radiant system installers.

Pair the IVAR Manifolds with our premium VIPERT™ (PE-RT) Oxygen Barrier Tubing, manufactured specifically for radiant systems, and you have a winning solution every time.

Take advantage of our in-house hydronic expertise, including LoopCAD design and layouts customized for each of your residential and commercial projects.

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September/October 2024 Issue

Published 6 times per year.

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WORTH A LOOK

Report projects Canadian labour market growth over next two years

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released its Employment Outlook 2024 – Country Notes: Canada, an overview of the Canadian labour market and how the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 will affect jobs. The OECD is an international organization of 38 countries that works with policy makers and stakeholders to establish evidence-based international standards and find solutions for social, economic and environmental challenges.

In Canada 20.6 per cent of workers are in green-driven occupations, 16.8 per cent of which are “green new or emerging occupations.”

The report reveals that Canada’s unemployment level of 6.4 per cent in June 2024 still lags behind the OECD average of 4.9 per cent. This is slightly above Canada’s pre-pandemic rate of 5.6 per cent. In the working age population (25 to 54) the employment rate for women was 80.9 per cent in Q2 2024, while the rate for men was 87 per cent. GDP growth is expected to rise from one per cent in 2024 to 1.8 per cent in 2025, while the labour market is expected to grow by 1.5 per cent in the next year.

Although wages are growing, they are still below 2019 levels in most OECD countries. In Canada real wages are 2.4-per cent lower than Q4 2019, and are expected to increase by 2.3 per cent in 2024 and 2.3 per cent in 2025. The net-zero transitions going on in OECD countries are expected to have “only a modest” effect on total employment, as jobs disappear, new jobs emerge, and others are transformed.

In Canada 20.6 per cent of workers are in green-driven occupations, 16.8 per cent of which are “green new or emerging occupations,” while 5.9 per cent are in emission-intensive occupations. Green-driven occupations pay higher on average, and in Canada 24 per cent of high-wage employees are in these jobs, while only 11 per cent of low-wage employees are in these jobs.

Differences in earnings losses due to job displacement between workers in highemission and low-emission sectors are some of the smallest of all the OECD countries, averaging 29 and 25 per cent respectively over five years. According to the report, “this stems in part from the capacity of the labour market to smoothly relocate jobs across firms and sectors.”

NEW NPF Hydro-furnace

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Explore the new NPF at Navieninc.com.

Navien

NRCan launches online retrofit resource

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has introduced the Retrofit Hub, an online source for funding, information and resources which support retrofit projects. The resources are intended to help plan, finance and implement retrofit projects in commercial buildings, institutional and public buildings, and multi-unit residential buildings that improve energy efficiency and decarbonization measures. Other information available through the hub includes: grants, specialty financing, rebates, loans and other incentives; tools to support energy management, benchmarking, and modelling; data on energy and buildings; case studies outlining challenges and opportunities involved with retrofit projects; guides to deep retrofits; certifications and standards available; and training and capacity building opportunities to help your organization adapt to new building practices.

Ontario invests up to $260 million to train new workers

The government of Ontario has announced it will invest up to an additional $260 million through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream to train workers in construction, technology and manufacturing. The Skills Development Fund (SDF), which was launched in 2021, has two streams: the training stream for hiring, training and upskilling programs for workers and apprentices; and the capital stream for upgrades or construction of training centres for the skilled trades. The last round of funding for the SDF training stream covered recruiting, training and upskilling workers in manufacturing, construction and technology.

Vancouver approves efficiency standards for replacement water heaters

Vancouver City Council has approved the requirement to install higher efficiency water heaters in home renovations exceeding $150,000, effective February 28, 2025. Beginning January 1, 2027, all replacement water heaters in single and multi-family homes must also meet the highest efficiency standards. The new ruling also replaces the previous requirement for an EnerGuide audit and potential building envelope improvements. While the ruling does not ban gas appliances, the only water heaters efficient enough to meet these requirements are electric. As a result, Vancouver will be the first BC city to phase out the use of gas-powered water heaters in homes. The new standard still allows gas heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps, and the use of gas as a backup system.

BC requires flushable toilets on construction sites

BC is mandating that flush toilets be located on construction sites as of October 1, 2024. Under the changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, employers with 25 or more workers at construction sites must provide flush toilets, handwashing facilities and clean bathrooms. Toilets can be connected to a sewer system or holding tank, and must use clean water or a mixture of clean water and chemicals to flush the bowl. Handwashing facilities must have soap and water, or an alternate method of hand cleaning. Employers must also ensure washrooms are well-maintained, clean, ventilated and provide privacy.

worksafebc.com

View of the Place du Portage federal government buildings from across the Ottawa River. Buildings of Portage III are being renovated and modernized.

Hydro Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing announce energy saving projects

Hydro Ottawa is expanding its partnership with affordable housing provider Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) to reduce carbon emissions, lower costs and save energy. Ongoing and future projects under the partnership include EV charging infrastructure to promote electric car sharing, new solar panels to generate clean energy onsite, the installation of 260 heat pumps for individual townhomes for more efficient heating and cooling, and implementation of building automation systems (BAS) to optimize energy use. Through the partnership BAS systems have been implemented in 18 OCH buildings, with systems for an additional 27 buildings currently in development. OCH’s goal is to reduce emissions by 96 per cent by 2040, in line with the City of Ottawa’s Climate Change Master Plan.

BC expands heat pump program

hydroottawaholding.com och-lco.ca

The government of BC is accepting applications for its expanded CleanBC Better Homes Energy Savings Program, which offers eligible households up to $16,000 in rebates for heat pump upgrades, allowing families to switch to a heat pump without paying upfront. The rebates cover heat pump installation, as well as upgrades such as ventilation, insulation, and energy-efficient windows and doors. An additional rebate up to $3,000 is available for residents of northern B.C. who are switching from natural gas, propane or oil space heating to an electric heat pump. Approximately 13 per cent of BC households currently have a heat pump. Contractors wishing to be on the installers list can apply at homeperformance.ca.

betterhomesbc.ca

Infrared Patio Heater

Stephenville, NL YMCA to undergo $2.3 million retrofit

The Bay St. George YMCA in Stephenville, NL is undergoing a renovation to improve its energy efficiency and accessibility. The retrofit is funded by a $2.3-million federal investment through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, and will include replacing HVAC units, installing a new solar-powered lighting system, removing asbestos cladding, and adding new insulation and siding. The upgrades are expected to reduce energy consumption by approximately 80.7 per cent.

baystgeorgeymca.ca

housing-infrastructure.canada.ca

IESO introduces new heat pump rebate

The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), under its Save on Energy brand, has launched the HomeEnergySaver Program, a financial rebate for Ontario homeowners switching to a cold climate air or ground source heat pump. To qualify for the incentive, homeowners must already have an electric resistance heating system as the primary heating equipment. Unlike an earlier Save on Energy program, these new incentives are not tied to household income. Buildings are limited to single-family and multi-unit residential buildings of no more than three storeys. The program is currently being rolled out in specific regions of the province. Incentives range from $2,500 to $10,000. Homeowners must purchase and install the heat pump with a contractor registered through the program before receiving their rebate.

saveonenergy.ca/For-Your-Home/ HomeEnergySaver

The Bay St. George YMCA in Stephenville, NL.

The easy choice.Daikin

UNLIKE BLENDS, R-32 IS A PURE, SINGLE-COMPONENT REFRIGERANT, MAKING IT EASY TO REUSE, RECYCLE, RECLAIM, AND SERVICE!

Opportunities for skilled workers trained internationally

The Ontario government is introducing legislation that, if passed, would make the foreign credential system outcomes-oriented by requiring regulated professions to have a policy to accept alternatives where standard registration-related documents cannot be obtained for reasons beyond an applicant’s control. The government of Ontario also partnered with Alberta to support a framework for collaboration on international credential recognition and post-journeyperson certification. The provinces will work to reduce barriers and red tape for credential recognition and encourage the flow of labour between the two jurisdictions. ontario.ca alberta.ca

Yukon ZeroPath rebate

The government of Yukon’s ZeroPath program has two rebate levels of $5,000 and $10,000 depending on annual energy consumption. Applicants can also receive an additional $1,500 when installing an air-source heat pump.

yukon.ca

CIPH presents Joseph K. Seidner Award

Tom Gervais has been recognized with the Joseph K. Seidner Award from the board of directors of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH). Gervais is director of specification and product development at Bradford White Corporation and a past recipient of CIPH’s Outstanding Service Award. He is the new chair of CIPH’s Plumbing and Mechanical Advisory Council (PMAC). Congratulations Tom from the team at Mechanical Business! ciph.com

Industry Leaders in Product Quality, On-time Delivery, and Customer Satisfaction

Precision Plumbing/PPP

Precision Plumbing Products offers the quality and selection you need.

PPP has been manufacturing in Portland, Oregon since the 1960s.

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CIPH CEO Satinder Chera (R) presents the Joseph K. Seidner Award to Tom Gervais.

ICLR and CHBA collaborate to boost resiliency in Canadian homes

The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) are collaborating on the Resilient Homes Task Force (RHTF) project to create evidencebased solutions for more resilient new homes, renovations, and homeowner maintenance. The task force will conduct pilot field trials with builders across Canada, testing against four natural hazards: basement flooding, wildfire, hail, and high wind. The outcomes will be used to create resources for the residential construction industry and homeowners. chba.ca iclr.org

Whitehorse housing centre to receive $14-million energy efficiency upgrade

The former Coast High Country Inn in Whitehorse, YT will be transformed into a supportive housing centre called The Hearth through almost $20 million in federal funding, along with funding from the City of Whitehorse. The Hearth will have 67 affordable, self-contained units. Approximately $14 million of the investment will be used to modernize energy efficiency and improve indoor air quality by installing a propane boiler, heat recovery ventilators and solar PV panels, upgrading plumbing and fixtures for water conservation, and upgrading the building envelope

safeathomeyukon.ca yukon.ca

Calgary will host World Geothermal Congress 2026

Calgary, AB has been selected by the International Geothermal Association (IGA) to host the next World Geothermal Congress, taking place in June 2026 at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre. The event is held every three years. geothermalcanada.org lovegeothermal.org

Watco Universal NuFit® tub drain cover: makes old drains look new.

tub drains

The Hearth in Whitehorse, YT will be a permanent housing project by the Safe at Home Society with 67 affordable, self-contained units.

Advocate groups say Ottawa must help protect renters from extreme heat

The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and ACORN Ottawa are calling on the City of Ottawa to pass a maximum temperature bylaw to protect renters from extreme heat risks. The bylaw would require landlords to provide HVAC equipment to ensure temperatures in rental units do not exceed 26⁰C. Both CELA and ACORN released reports this summer showing why and how action to protect tenants is needed.

acorncanada.org cela.ca

-R and PP-RCT pipes and fittings discussed in the recently updated ASTM Standard F2389-24a.

Updates to ASTM Standard for PP piping systems

Revisions have been made to the latest edition of the ASTM Standard F2389, which covers requirements for polypropylene (PP-R and PP-RCT) piping system components, including pipes, valves and fittings. The Standard Specification for Pressure-Rated Polypropylene (PP) Piping Systems applies to hydronic heating and cooling, chilled water, water service lines, hot-and-cold water distribution, irrigation systems, and other fluid transport applications. The latest edition was published in July 2024. The revisions were led by the Plastics Pipe Institute’s (PPI) Building & Construction Division and are the result of cooperation between PPI member companies. plasticpipe.org//buildingconstruction

Business Benefits Finder helps companies source information

The federal government, through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, is highlighting its Business Benefits Finder. The online tool helps entrepreneurs, companies and not-for-profit organizations source the programs and services they need for growth and business success, including funding, expert advice, research and facilities, and collaborating partners. canada.ca

FortisBC offers rebate to homeowners installing a dual fuel system

FortisBC Energy Inc. has introduced a $10,000 rebate for BC homeowners replacing an older gas heating system with an electric heat pump and high-efficiency gas furnace. The utility is currently evaluating dual fuel systems as part of a pilot program on energy savings in different climates. Additional funding up to $18,000 is available for income-qualified, Indigenous and Northern BC customers. fortisbc.com

Pilot project shows energy reduction using hybrid systems

Ontario’s Peel Region has announced the results of a pilot project replacing air conditioners with electrically-driven cold climate air source heat pumps (CCASHPs). The study, prepared by the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP), revealed hybrid systems featuring a CCASHP and furnace reduced whole-home gas consumption by 62 to 91 per cent, with gas used by furnaces reduced by more than 80 per cent on average. The systems were also close to break-even on utility costs when compared to furnace-only operation. The study looked at six homeowners in Peel Region who installed CCASHPs to operate with an existing furnace during winter 2023/2024. sustainabletechnologies.ca

Canada Growth Fund invests in Ontario energy sector

Canada Growth Fund has partnered with Markham District Energy Inc. (MDE) in Markham, ON to create a financial hedge contract enabling new investment in the province’s energy sector. The 10-year contract for difference (CfD) will allow MDE, the operator of district energy networks in Markham, to invest in a new heat pump system to provide cost-competitive low carbon energy services. The company’s heat pump system will harness a nearby sewer as a heat sink for thermal energy, and will replace existing technologies that burn natural gas. The project uses Noventa Energy Partners’ Wastewater Energy Transfer technology for extracting thermal energy from wastewater. Groundbreaking for MDE’s Low Carbon Energy Centre took place in July.

cgf-fcc.ca markhamdistrictenergy.com

PEI strengthens Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program

The government of PEI is partnering with the federal government to co-deliver a strengthened Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program. Low- to median-income households in PEI that heat with oil can now apply to receive a free heat pump. Up to $15,000 is available to each eligible homeowner, which also covers measures such as switching to an electric water heater, supplemental electric resistance heaters, electrical upgrades, and the removal of oil tanks. The government of PEI has installed more than 12,500 heat pumps through its free heat pump program.

Eligible OHPA applicants can also receive a one-time payment of $250.

natural-resources.canada.ca

NRCan offers toolkit for ASHP sizing and selection

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has developed an online toolkit for air source heat pump (ASHP) sizing and selection in new and retrofit residential applications. The toolkit includes an ASHP sizing and selection guide and ASHP key specifications summary worksheet; an electronic ASHP sizing and selection tool which interactively directs users through the process described in the guide; and an addendum of examples featuring case studies of the guide for selecting centrally ducted or ductless mini-split ASHPs for different installations. NRCan also offers a video tutorial on how to use the toolkit.

natural-resources.canada.ca

Moen

Movers & Shakers

Carrier continues divestment of fire business

Carrier Global Corporation is selling its commercial and residential fire business to an affiliate of private equity firm Lone Star Funds. The sale is part of Carrier’s portfolio transformation, which has included divestment of its industrial fire and global access solutions businesses and its commercial refrigeration division, as well as the purchase of Viessmann Climate Solutions. lonestarfunds.com corporate.carrier.com

CB Supplies building new Calgary location

Construction of CB Supplies Ltd.’s Calgary, AB distribution warehouse is now underway. The company broke ground on the location, at 6922 107th Avenue SE in Calgary’s Point Trotter Industrial Park, this July and it is expected to be operational by Q1 2025. cbsupplies.ca

Air Distribution Technologies bought by private equity firm

Los Angeles, CA-based Truelink Capital, a private equity firm, has acquired Air Distribution Technologies from Johnson Controls. Air Distribution Technologies, based in Plano, TX, produces air management and filtration solutions for the HVAC market under brands such as Koch Filter, Titus, Ruskin, Kreuger, PennBarry and Tuttle & Bailey. The Johnson Controls and Enviro-Tec brands are not included in the sale.

airdistribution.com johnsoncontrols.com truelinkcap.com

Eddy Group relocates headquarters following fire

The Eddy Group has moved its Bathurst, NB branch and head office to a new site at 2200 Vanier Blvd. following a devastating fire in mid-May 2024. No one was injured in the fire, but the building and its inventory were destroyed, and almost 100 homes in the area were evacuated. According to the family-owned company, while the loss caused by the fire was significant, it does plan to rebuild at the new site, and there will be no employee layoffs.

eddygroup.com

IPEX buys business division from Johnson Controls

Aliaxis SA has acquired the manufacturing assets of Johnson Control’s CPVC pipe and fittings business for residential and light commercial fire sprinkler systems. The business sector will be part of Aliaxis brand IPEX. The purchase includes a manufacturing plant in Huntsville, AL. In Canada IPEX Inc. is based in Oakville, ON. aliaxis.com ipexna.com

Aquatherm announces additional distribution in Canada

Aquatherm has expanded its Canadian distribution and support through partnerships with Maple Ridge, BC-based Equipco Ltd. and Calgary, AB’s Cascade Flow Control Solutions. Equipco was already a regional partner for Aquatherm, and will now act as the company’s sales representative across all of Canada. Aquatherm has also partnered with Cascade Flow Control Solutions to inventory and distribute Aquatherm polypropylene piping systems throughout Canada.

aquatherm.com cascadeflow.ca equipcoltd.com

CB Supplies’ new Calgary distribution warehouse is expected to be completed in early 2025.

QEL purchased by Latour

Investment AB Latour (publ), through its subsidiary Bemsiq AB, has acquired Quatrosense Environmental Ltd. (QEL). QEL will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Moncton, NB-based Greystone Energy Systems Inc., which was acquired by Bemsiq in 2021. Bemsiq is a group of international companies offering technology and products for building automation and metering. Both Bemsiq and parent company Investment AB Latour are based in Gothenburg, Sweden. QEL is based in Richmond, ON (City of Ottawa) and manufactures gas detection equipment, including indoor air quality and refrigerant gas detection products. bemsiq.com qelsafety.com

Glen Dimplex takes over direct distribution in Canada

Cambridge, ON-based Glen Dimplex Americas has taken over direct sales and distribution of all Convectair and Dimplex products in Canada. The company has also appointed Montreal, QC-based EDP Electric Inc. as the sales representative agency for electrical distribution in Quebec and the Ottawa region. glendimplexamericas.com/en-ca

Expanded ThermOmegaTech facility will feature more manufacturing space

ThermOmegaTech is investing in its Warminster, PA manufacturing facility with a 23,000-sq. ft. expansion. The facility will be expanded to 60,000 sq. ft., which will include new manufacturing, R&D and office space, allowing the company to serve a wider range of industries.

thermomegatech.com The Lowest GWP R-22 Drop-in Replacement on Earth.

NEXT opens another GTA location

NEXT Plumbing and Hydronics Supply has opened another branch in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) at 50 Fasken Drive in Rexdale, ON. The branch can be reached at 416-623-8367. nextsupply.ca

That’s what RSI customers call RS-70. And why wouldn’t they? RS-70 is non-flammable, features a zero ODP rating and boasts the lowest GWP of any R-22 drop-in replacement on earth. RS-70 was engineered with contractors in mind. It is specially formulated for use in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and is equally at home in both high and low temperature applications. It is compatible in systems with either fixed orifices or expansion devices and it works with both traditional and synthetic lubricants. When it comes to commercial/residential A/C and heat pumps, and most refrigeration applications, one replacement does it all. Get to know RS-70. You’ll be glad you did.

Movers & Shakers

Viessmann Clean & Cool Solutions purchases KPS Global

Viessmann has acquired KPS Global LLC, a manufacturer of insulated panel systems and custom solutions based in Fort Worth, TX. KPS also offers walk-in solutions and services for cold chain and non-refrigerated environments, as well as replacement equipment and aftermarket parts. The acquisition expands Viessmann’s North American clean and cold platform and solutions for increasing energy efficiency and reducing CO2 and food waste. kpsglobal.com viessmann-cold.com

Annexair grows its Quebec headquarters

Annexair Inc. is investing $30 million to expand its SaintGermain-de-Grantham, QC facility. The investment will add another 150,000-sq. ft. of space to the facility, bringing it to a total of 500,000 sq. ft. The company also plans to invest in state-of-the-art production equipment. The expansion is expected to be complete by January 2025. annexair.com

ENERGY STAR Canada unveils energy efficiency leaders

Natural Resources Canada has announced the ENERGY STAR Canada Award winners, recognizing companies for their contribution to advancing energy efficiency in Canada. In the ENERGY STAR for Products division, Toronto, ON-based Resideo Technologies Inc. was named Manufacturer of the Year in the HVAC product category. Meanwhile, North York, ON-based LG Electronics Canada Inc. was given a Special Recognition award. natural-resources.canada.ca

Rheem to acquire Nortek Global HVAC

Rheem has announced it is acquiring air conditioning manufacturer Nortek Global HVAC (NGH) from Madison Industries. NGH is based in O’Fallon, MO and has a manufacturing facility in Saltillo, Mexico and a distribution centre in Poplar Bluff, MO. NGH will join Rheem’s Global Air division. rheem.ca

Munters expands its cooling centre solutions

Munters Group has acquired Geoclima, a manufacturer of air- and water-cooled chillers, adding to Munters’ data centre technologies cooling portfolio. Gorizia, Italy’s Geoclima specializes in non-standard chillers for air conditioning and refrigeration systems, as well as AHUs, heat exchangers, heat pumps and flanges. munters.com geoclima.com

Ainsworth acquires Atlantic Service Business Unit of Hussmann Corporation

Ainsworth Inc. has purchased the Hussmann Atlantic Service Business Unit from Hussmann Corporation. Hussmann, a subsidiary of Panasonic, produces commercial refrigeration products for food retail applications. As a result of the acquisition Ainsworth will now be the only official Hussmann parts distributor for Atlantic Canada

ainsworth.com

Equipco to rep Armstrong products in BC

Toronto, ON-based Armstrong Fluid Technology has announced that Maple Ridge, BC-based Equipco Ltd. will now represent the company’s products in BC. Armstrong produces HVAC, plumbing, fire safety and intelligent fluidflow solutions.

armstrongfluidtechnology.com equipcoltd.co

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Movers & Shakers

Innovair Solutions grows U.S. presence through Warmzone purchase

L’Islet, QC-based Innovair Solutions has acquired Warmzone, a manufacturer of electric radiant heating systems based in Salt Lake City, UT. The acquisition supports Innovair’s expansion in the U.S. Innovair also has locations in Miami, FL and Chicago, IL. In May 2024 Innovair formed a strategic alliance with Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC-based Groupe Stelpro to strengthen their position in the North American market.

innovairsolutions.com warmzone.com

Bradford White makes two acquisitions

Bradford White Corporation has acquired Morrisville, NC-based FloLogic, Inc., a manufacturer of IoT-based plumbing leak detection and automatic shut off products. Bradford White has also purchased Uxbridge, MA-based Heatflo Inc., a manufacturer of stainless steel indirect water heating and hydronic storage tanks for the residential, commercial and industrial markets. Laars

Bradford White’s acquisition of FloLogic adds to its plumbing leak detection capabilities.

Heating Systems, a subsidiary of Bradford White, will be supporting Heat-flo.

bradfordwhite.com flologic.com heat-flo.com

O’Dell HVAC expands its partnership with Neptronic

Burlington, ON-based O’Dell HVAC Group is now the official representative for Neptronic in the Greater Toronto Area. Neptronic is a manufacturer of humidifiers, controls, electric heaters, actuators and actuated valves, with headquarters in Montreal, QC. odellhvac.com neptronic.com

Bosch to buy HVAC business from Johnson Controls and Hitachi

Bosch is purchasing the residential and light commercial HVAC business from Johnson Controls and Hitachi, Ltd. The transaction includes Johnson Controls’ North America ducted business and global residential joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd., Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning (JCH), as well as 16 manufacturing sites, and 12 engineering locations in more than 30 countries. Hitachi will retain certain ductless HVAC assets in Shimizu, Japan. Bosch Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, ON, with showrooms in Toronto, ON, Montreal, QC, and Vancouver, BC.

bosch.com johnsoncontrols.com hitachi.com

Evercloak receives multi-million dollar funding to develop new HVAC technology

Kitchener, ON-based startup Evercloak has received $1.1 million in federal funding to help the company accelerate development of its membrane-based HVAC system, and up to US$1.5 million from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to demonstrate the technology. The federal funding supports Evercloak’s $1.8-million project to develop the system, which is expected to cut energy needed for air conditioning and dehumidification by up to 50 per cent, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company will also receive up to US$1.5 million through NYSERDA’s NextGen Buildings Innovation Challenges to develop a full-scale HVAC system and commercial demonstration of the system in a New York City building. Evercloak is a spin-off company from the University of Waterloo. It is also a winner of the NRCan Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada program.

evercloak.com natural-resources.canada.ca

Belimo moves Canadian HQ

Belimo Aircontrols (CAN), Inc. has moved its headquarters to 2495 Meadowpine Blvd., Unit 2, in Mississauga, ON. Belimo worldwide is headquartered in Hinwil, Switzerland, with locations in more than 80 countries.

belimo.com

Movers & Shakers Anniversaries

A. O. Smith

A. O. Smith Corporation celebrated its 150th anniversary on August 22, 2024 at its Canadian headquarters in Fergus, ON.

The event for employees, agency partners and community leaders featured a professional video tribute highlighting the company’s

David Hammond, president and general manager of A. O. Smith Canada, hosted the event, which included speeches from special guests, the acknowledgement of individual employee anniversaries, and a professional video tribute that featured the company’s storied century-and-a-half history. The event highlighted the company’s commitment to its workforce and community while looking forward to continued innovation and growth in the years to come. See pg. 75 for more detail on the company’s history.

hotwatercanada.ca

Ritchie Engineering

Bloomington, MN-based Ritchie Engineering Company, Inc., manufacturer of the YELLOW JACKET brand of products, is commemorating its 75th anniversary this year. Ritchie Engineering was founded in 1949 by Jack Ritchie initially as a manufacturers’ representative. The company introduced its first charging hose that year under the YELLOW JACKET name, and today offers a range of HVAC/R tools. To help celebrate the milestone, the family-owned company has a marketing campaign highlighting its history of innovation, as well as a new logo featuring the nostalgic yellow charging hose. yellowjacket.com

Bartle & Gibson

Edmonton, AB-based Bartle & Gibson is commemorating 80 years of business since its founders Charlie Bartle and Cecil Gibson opened their respective stores in Victoria and Vancouver, BC. bartlegibson.com

Watts Water Technologies

Watts Water Technologies celebrated its 150-year anniversary in August. Over 300 guests were invited to Watts headquarters in North Andover, MA, to join in the celebration. The company took advantage of the occasion to rename its newly expanded and renovated training facility, The Horne Learning Center. The company presented Michael Gaulin, Watts’ longtime director, marketing communications, with the prestigious Watts 2024 Horne Family Circle of Excellence Award. Gaulin has worked at Watts for his entire career, starting there part-time while a student at just 14 years old. The festivities continued at Watts Canada’s Burlington, ON office, where staff enjoyed a BBQ, cake, ice cream and activities on August 13, 2024. Ram Ramakrishnan, executive vice president, strategy and business development, addressed employees before the festivities began. Vernon, BC-based tekmar Control Systems, part of the Watts family, is celebrating 40 years of business in 2024.

watts.ca

Granby Industries

In July, Granby Industries held a special event for employees and partners at its Cowansville, QC headquarters to help commemorate its 70th anniversary. Almost 200 employees took part in the event, which included food, activities, and guest speaker retired pilot commander Robert Piché.

granbyindustries.com

Almost 200 employees took part in the event at Granby’s Cowansville, QC headquarters, which included food and activities.

century-and-a-half history.

Charlie Bartle and Cecil Gibson both opened their respective stores in Victoria and Vancouver, BC in 1944.

The cake cutting finale to Watts celebration at its Burlington, ON office. From left: Craig Stannix, distribution centre manager; Ram Ramakrishnan, executive vice president, strategy and business development; Monisha Kaura, human resources generalist; and Chris Rock, director of sales and marketing.

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People in the news

Montreal, QC-based Enviroair Industries Inc. has promoted Matthew Reid to technical director –heating division. Reid, who is a Mechanical Business columnist, joined Enviroair in November 2023 in a sales position.

Toronto, ON-based Yorkland Controls Ltd. has hired Sandy Cicco as business development manager, focusing on smart building technologies.

Toronto, ON-based Armstrong Fluid Technology has promoted Anish Suthesh Arul to RSEC Manager, North America. Suthesh Arul has been with Armstrong for five years, most recently as applications engineer specializing in project management.

Enervex Inc. has hired Simon Mandeville as director of sustainability.

Trevor Hart has been hired as technical sales representative – Northern Alberta for Port Coquitlam, BC-based Barclay Sales.

Noble has announced a number of hires and promotions: Ryan Spain (1) joins the company as branch manager for its Concord, ON HVAC branch; Adrienne Beaudoin (2) joins as branch manager for the new Ottawa, ON HVAC branch; Karen Symak-Myers (3) joins as Noble’s Rheem territory manager; and Jeff McMartin (4) joins as branch manager for Noble’s new Guelph, ON location. Ana Katic (5), who joined Noble in 2023, will open and lead the new Etobicoke, ON HVAC branch; Brian Villeneuve (6), who joined Noble in 2013, is now branch supervisor at the Belfield, ON branch; and Jerry Browning (7), who joined Noble (through Don Park) in 1994, has been promoted to HVAC commercial account manager, training and coaching at all branches in Ontario on commercial sales initiatives. Marketing manager Ulyana Fedyna (8) is taking on new training responsibilities for the HVAC division.

In addition, Charlie Rudderham (9) has been promoted to inside sales account manager.

Aqua-Tech Sales and Marketing Inc. has promoted Grant Erickson to vice president, sales and marketing. Erickson joined Aqua-Tech in 1999, and was most recently sales manager for the company.

Boisbriand, QC-based BMI Canada Inc. has hired Kelly Murphy as sales manager, Atlantic region.

Burlington, ON-based Wolseley Canada has added two new members to its outside sales team in BC: Miranda Genereux (1) joins as HVAC outside sales representative, and Steve Stanbridge (2) joins as outside sales representative for the BC blended business.

Maple Ridge, BC-based Equipco Ltd. has hired Julian Miller in an inside sales role.

Ron Vanhevel has joined Cowansville, QC-based Granby Industries as account manager in Ontario, covering the province excluding the Ottawa and Thunder Bay regions.

Mississauga, ON-based Masco Canada Ltd. has hired Geeta Persaud as business development specialist – sales and RNC.

Dean Carson has joined GE Appliances Air & Water Solutions as senior area sales manager, Eastern Canada, based in Ottawa, ON.

Nick Campbell has joined Zurn Elkay Water Solutions as area sales manager for the central region, based in Toronto, ON.

Toronto, ON-based-Ontor Ltd. has hired Daniel Granson (1) as sales representative for Southwestern Ontario. Ontor also recently honoured Andrew Summers (2) for his 40 years of outstanding service. Summers joined the company in August 1984 working in warehouse operations, and became a technical guru for many of the company’s product lines. He eventually transitioned to a customer service role, and currently works in inside sales.

Marcone has promoted Mark Mininch (1) to vice president and general manager of HVAC Canada. Mininch, who is based in Milton, ON, was formerly president of Marks Supply & TML Supply, both owned by Marcone Group. Harry Kandilas (2) has joined Marcone Supply as general manager – sales.

Breanna Biffis has joined Hamilton, ON-based JB Sales & Associates as marketing and outside sales representative.

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People in the news

Michel “Mike” Doss has joined Montreal, QC-based Sanuvox Technologies Inc. as president.

RenewAire has hired Bojana Prorok as regional sales director for Canada, responsible for the company’s energy recovery ventilator and dedicated outdoor air system product sales across Canada.

Phil Butts has joined Burlington, ON-based O’Dell HVAC Group as a contractor sales representative.

Calgary, AB-based DCS Agency Ltd. has hired Robin Lovely as sales manager.

Nicholas Desjardins has joined Ottawa, ON-based CanMech Agencies Ltd., as sales representative.

Taco Comfort Solutions has hired Tony Furst as senior systems engineer – commercial training.

The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) has made several staff changes: Kathy Boonman (1) has been promoted to director of regions and programs; Pat Gramsch (2) has been promoted to director of events and sponsorship; Zoe Bell (3) has been hired as events manager; Annie Nguyen (4) joins as office coordinator; and Layyaba Shahzad (5) joins as coordinator, member services. In other CIPH news, Franco Gallese (6), Ontario/Atlantic regional manager at M.A. Stewart & Sons, is now the chair of the CIPH Industrial Pipe, Valves & Fittings (IPVF) council committee.

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THE WHYS AND HOWS OF DEEP ENERGY RETROFITS

Readers may recall that my father, Roger Grochmal, wrote a series of articles over many years on the business issues HVAC and plumbing contractors face every day. That will not be my focus. I will explore the present state of mechanical contracting and where it is heading in the not-too-distant future. Society is going through an energy transition, which will lead to many of us being “energy contractors.”

Two years ago, I left my job with Enbridge Gas as the manager of DSM (Demand Side Management) program design. DSM programs provide technical and financial support for energy efficiency projects. Through my work at Enbridge, I could see the policy and regulatory landscape changing. In addition, the opportunities are enormous. I had a dream to become the energy contractor of the future. So, I took the leap and formed my own company.

Tom Grochmal

Tocombat climate change, the Canadian government set a goal of decarbonizing the economy by 2050, as defined by its “net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions” target. With existing buildings responsible for about 18 per cent of all GHG emissions in Canada, retrofitting existing buildings to reduce their carbon footprint is an important part of the strategy to create a low carbon economy. Adaptation is being added to the mix, to ensure homes can withstand the realities of fire, smoke, floods, and high winds. Put those two things together and what you get is a future consisting of resilient, low carbon buildings that adapt to and mitigate the effects of a warming planet.

The residential retrofit opportunity

Achieving those goals requires a staggering amount of work. There are roughly nine million homes in Canada that need to be retrofitted with envelope improvements and new mechanical systems to improve energy efficiency and resiliency while transitioning them to cleaner sources of energy. For argument’s sake, if the average retrofit is $40,000, the size of the prize is $360 billion.

I know from experience that transforming even a single home through a deep energy retrofit can be a lot of work, especially if the house is very old. My first project involved modernizing a century-old bungalow, a rental social housing unit in my hometown of Chatham, ON. Soon I was performing a gut renovation as I uncovered all the past sins that are symptomatic of energy waste. These included false ceilings hiding open holes into the attic and a disconnected heat run in a crawl space.

There are roughly nine million homes in Canada that need to be retrofitted with envelope improvements and new mechanical systems to improve energy efficiency and resiliency while transitioning them to cleaner sources of energy.

Tom Grochmal, is founder and CEO of Trim Tab Energy Retrofits (trimtabretrofits.com), an energy contractor with a mission to renew housing and inspire better living.

Photo The Energy Conservatory

Looking above the false ceiling during the pre-retrofit energy audit (above) and uncovering an open hole into the attic (below) in a social housing unit in Chatham, ON in 2023.

Once the big holes were identified and closed, we sealed the entire building envelope using a waterborne acrylic sealant. Then we installed a new heat pump system and water heater. Lastly, I worked with the property manager to drywall ceilings, paint the interior and upgrade lighting with recessed LEDs. The result was transformative. The living space is bigger and brighter, as false ceilings were eliminated to return the house to its original shape. Summertime heat and humidity is now under control. The energy rating of the house dropped by 45 per cent.

home’s energy rating before

The living room was fully gutted (above). After the deep energy retrofit was completed (below) it holds its heat better, and it is now a brighter, more nurturing space that has been restored to its original shape.

and

from 119 gigajoules to 65 gigajoules.

The good news is not every building needs an overhaul to this degree. Many buildings that were built in the last few decades obey modern building science principles and fend off bulk water, water vapour and drafts pretty well. This means high-performance mechanical systems can get you a long way towards a low carbon goal. It is even better when systems are paired with non-invasive building envelope upgrades. And the best part is you have the potential to significantly improve the indoor environment for the inhabitants, leading to a better quality of life.

Photo: Toby Smith, Building Knowledge Canada

The

(left)

after (right) the deep energy retrofit. The energy rating dropped

Lessons learned

Get utility data and do a blower door test to get a proper baseline. Test for radon and particulates. Verify the results after the project to know your impact and learn lessons for future projects.

Think of the house as a system. Understand how envelope improvements and mechanical upgrades affect each other.

Air leakage is a good indication of building quality. Seal the big and little holes in the building envelope.

Install high-efficiency heat pump systems, energy recovery ventilators and water heaters and ensure you take the time to set them up properly.

5. 6.

You can’t do it alone. Build a team of great trade and supplier partners.

Use government incentives when available but build a business that is sustainable without them.

I recently landed two contracts to retrofit 16 more social housing units in Southwestern Ontario. In future articles, I will do a deeper dive into the processes and skills required to execute this work so you can secure your position in the emerging low carbon economy.

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By Matthew Reid

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO BUILDING NEEDS

A FRESH LOOK AT OPTIONS PROVIDED BY CHILLERS

When one thinks of heat pumps the first thing that comes to mind will definitely not be a chiller, and let me be clear − a chiller is not a heat pump, but in certain conditions a chiller could be used as an alternative to a heat pump. We don’t often associate chillers with heating. Chillers are used for removal and usually the rejection of heat, but within the last 20 years we started to look at them a bit differently with heat recovery as an option. Before I get too far into heat recovery, I will unpack what a heat pump does. A heat pump moves thermal energy using the refrigeration cycle. That is as simple as I can explain it without getting too far into the weeds. Let’s just examine what that means in the larger scheme of things.

INTERESTING FACT

The chiller has been around for about 100 years. One of the first projects that took advantage of the cooling and dehumidification properties of a chiller was a candy factory.

MAKING USE OF REJECTED HEAT

We typically think of the refrigeration process in two separate cycles, the air conditioning cycle and the heat pump cycle. The AC cycle makes us feel cool and comfortable in the summer months. The cool sensation is a result of the refrigeration cycle doing its thing − moving thermal energy from indoors to outdoors via the refrigeration cycle. The heat pump cycle does the same thing in reverse by moving that thermal energy from outdoors to indoors using the refrigeration cycle and a reversing valve to “switch the coils.” You will notice it is the refrigeration cycle that is always doing the transfer, and when it comes down to it, the refrigeration cycle doesn’t really care which way it is moving heat. What we do with the heat is what matters, and that is where chiller heat recovery comes in.

A chiller system uses the refrigeration cycle and typically submerges the evaporator and condenser coils in water (we could do air source as well but let’s talk water for now). The evaporator coil is absorbing all of the heat in its chamber, cooling the water so it can be sent out for cooling through fan coils or other devices somewhere around the 45°F mark. The condenser coil rejects the heat that has been absorbed into its water chamber and the water is then sent to a cooling tower to reject that heat to ambient atmosphere somewhere around the 95°F mark.

What’s interesting is there is no rule saying heat has to be rejected outdoors. In fact, we have started to recover heat in recent years by sending heated water anywhere in the building that needs it or could use it, that is any application where we need to warm (usually) water under the 95°F mark to a higher temperature such as domestic hot water pre-heating. If we take incoming water, around 50°F, and give it a bit of a boost by transferring some of the heat that needs to be rejected by the chiller, we can lower the BTUs required to bring that water to a typical DHW temperature of around 120°F.

Photo Carrier

Photo Enviroair

Chiller running heat recovery.

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We can use the heat for more than just DHW preheat. Let your imagination run wild as to what you can use that rejectable heat for. In some cases, we have buildings made of steel and glass where the envelope needs a lot of cooling, but perhaps some of the middle offices don’t need cooling and may in fact need heating. This is not outside of the realm of possibilities when using a chiller with heat recovery.

The refrigeration cycle never cares what it’s doing with the heat it absorbs. It doesn’t care which direction it goes in or what purpose it needs to serve. It’s just going to do what it has always done, absorb and reject. I may be oversimplifying this but I’m doing so purposefully. I want all of us to think about heat pumps in a more streamlined manner and not get too lost on reversing valves. Granted, a heat pump needs a reversing valve to swap the coils from evaporator to condenser and vice versa. But with a water-cooled chiller in heat recovery, we let the water do that work for us. It really is a remarkable process when you think about it.

One more thing to note is the temperature of the water during the recovery process. You won’t hit 180°F, but it would be likely to see 90°F to 110°F at the high side. So, if that temperature won’t work for your heating load calculations you will need to subsidize.

It’s also important to note a cooling load can be created in the absence of necessity. For example, a colleague recently created a cooling load in a boiler exhaust using an exhaust heat recovery system. Cooling the exhaust allowed the chiller to always have a cooling load and we then recovered that heat from the exhaust to put somewhere else in the building. Heat recovery, although not a heat pump, can allow for some pretty creative solutions to building needs.

A nugget of information that may help you on your HVAC knowledge journey:

It’s not to say that these systems are simple to wrap your head around, in fact quite the opposite. The issues will be with sizing of the recovery load versus the cooling load and how much heat you can pull out at all stages of the cooling process. Without a cooling load there is also no heat to absorb and recover so you must have a consistent cooling load. Also, heat recovery can cause the system’s noise levels (dBA) to increase because we are moving more parts at once and we are often operating compressors at a higher lift (RPM).

Cold simply does not exist. It never has. Cold has a bottom, it has a zero. We know it as absolute zero (-459.67°F or -273.15°C) but this temperature is not something that occurs naturally when we add cold. Adding cold is impossible, so that’s out. The best method we have for cooling down a space is absorbing the heat. Once that heat is absorbed, it’s up to us and our imaginations to decide where we are going to be moving it to.

Matthew Reid is technical director – heating division at Enviroair’s Richmond Hill, ON office. He can be reached at mreid@enviroair.ca

Water sent to a cooling tower is typically around 95°F.

Photo: Cooling Tower Maintenance Inc.

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By Kerry Turner

Accolades

• Order of Canada

• Queen’s Jubilee medal

• 12 honorary doctorates

• Two honorary college degrees

• Awards from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Royal Canadian Institute and the Royal Society of Canada for communicating and promoting science

• Honorary life member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honour Society

• Named to the Hall of Fame in Orillia, ON

• Asteroid 332324 named Bob McDonald in 2014

Making science accessible Bob McDonald:

The path to becoming Canada’s explainer of science was sometimes a rocky one for Bob McDonald, host of CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks . Raised in Orillia, ON, he struggled in school and had a turbulent home life.

McDonald credits an enthusiastic science teacher in junior high with sparking his love of science and boosting his confidence. Receiving positive attention from that teacher was a turning point for him. And he has paid it forward. Throughout his career McDonald has been committed to introducing youth to the wonders of astronomy, science and education.

“A comment, a simple comment, either positive or negative, can have a lifelong impact on a kid. He impacted me in a positive way. My mother, on the other hand, when she was in grade five, she was French-Canadian and she didn’t speak English. They put her into an English-speaking school and she was having trouble. The teacher told her she was dumb. She went home crying to her mother. Her mother said, so don’t go back and that was the end of my mother’s education − a simple line from a teacher. That’s why teachers are so influential. We don’t give them enough credit for what they do.”

A world traveller, motorcycle enthusiast and sailor, McDonald uses his time wisely.

LAUNCHING A CAREER

At 22 years of age, McDonald landed a job as a demonstrator at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, ON. His unbridled enthusiasm, curious nature and theatrical skills were a perfect fit and would lead to his career in radio and television. McDonald laments the closure of the iconic building.

“It was a crown jewel when it first opened, and I was fortunate to be there not long after that. Science was magical. We wore white lab coats and we were up on deck stages, wowing audiences with electrical displays and standing their hair on end and freezing flowers with liquid nitrogen and all that. We were like magicians and science was revered. We had just gone to the moon and who knew what was going to come? The computer revolution was just starting. They were exciting times.

“Nobody seems to care about science as much anymore. I find it sad because the issues we’re dealing with, climate change, society, food and water, population, health and all these things, they all have scientific basis to them. We need a population that has at least a basic understanding of how these concepts work so we can make intelligent decisions about how we’re going to deal with them,” says McDonald.

TAKING CHARGE

Over the course of his life McDonald has jumped in with both feet when opportunities arose. His latest book, Just Say Yes, released in September, is a candid and open chronicle of his life, a surprise because McDonald’s private life has been just that − private.

“The reason I wrote the book is people are always saying how did you get here? What’s your background? But I’m also hoping I can encourage young people who may think they’re not good enough or that’s not for me or I can’t do that, which is not true. We take charge of our own lives, and our lives are choices that we make, not those your parents make.

“If you have an unfortunate childhood or you have problems you can take your life in your own hands and follow your dreams. I am nobody special. I just took advantage of opportunities that came along. And, I’m very fortunate to be where I am but I wouldn’t let my background hinder me,” says McDonald.

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD EFFECT

With politics playing a part in science and in advancing energy efficiency he believes there are alternatives for a clean energy future in spite of Canada’s slow start. “I have faith in people’s common sense. There’s an effect that I call the neighbourhood effect when someone adopts green energy. I met a guy who put solar panels on his roofs. They drive an electric car and charge their car at their house. They drive for free. Meanwhile, the rest of us are paying $100 for a tank of gasoline.

“That kicks things off. You say, wow, you’re driving for free. I want to do that. Why don’t you start talking to them about how much the solar panels cost, what’s the payback time, and it starts to make sense. And then other people pick that up and it becomes a trend,” says McDonald.

“Change doesn’t come from the top down. Most of the big change we see comes from the bottom up. It comes from the people. Politicians follow the people because we vote for them. Our power is to vote in politicians who make good decisions. I have confidence our society will pick up good technology. It makes sense not just for the environment but the economy as well. People say green technology is going to break the economy. It’s not – it’s creating new jobs. It’s a whole new industry and these are high tech jobs. Let’s let that common sense prevail.

“We’re at a turning point, especially here in Canada with all of the fires. We’re setting heat records every year, and climate change is in our face. People are losing homes over it. We’re running out of water because of it. Crops are dying because of it. We could wait until it becomes a crisis. We’re really good in crises at changing things. I just hope that we could avert that, have foresight and avoid the crisis.”

Sometimes though it is the crisis that drives change, notes McDonald. He recalls the first energy crisis in 1973, when the Middle East cut off the oil supply to North America. A gas shortage and public demand prompted the big three to start making small, fuel-efficient vehicles. “That was a crisis. It was hitting us in the wallet. You could see it. When it’s in our face we do something. I think climate change is in our face right now. If you can make it sensible − forget the pointing fingers. What’s the sensible way out of this? And how do we generate energy? How do we use energy? All the technology to go green already exists, so we don’t need to invent anything new, we just need to implement it.”

He sees an important role for the mechanical industry in fighting climate change, particularly in terms of educating customers. “Do they know how heat pumps actually work? Once you understand something, then you’ll do it,” says McDonald. “How does green technology work? Is it going to make sense? Does it work for me? Education is a big part of it and that’s what mechanical engineers and contractors can provide.”

“I work hard, but I also play very hard. I take my time very seriously,”

says McDonald.

Heating Product Showcase 2024

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Amana’s S-series E ASZS6-E qualifies as an ENERGY STAR Certified Residential CCHP. With up to 8.6 HSPF2 and 17.5 SEER2 performance, the splitsystem heat pumps are engineered for traditional ducted applications with heat pump, gas furnace or dual fuel connectivity. Inverter-driven, they need just 4 in. of clearance. The units can use existing line sets, connecting up to 100 ft. of pipe for typical installations. amana-hac.com

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ThermOmegaTech’s Thermal Bypass Valve with Pressure Relief regulates cooling water for radiators and heat exchangers by integrating temperature control and pressure relief in one valve. It is engineered to safeguard equipment from damage caused by excessive pressure, while remaining at optimal operating temperatures. When pressure exceeds a set threshold, the valve opens, sending flow through the bypass. The unit is self-operating and has few moving parts for reduced system wear. thermomegatech.com

The GordonGlo Elite radiant heater for commercial and residential patios from Roberts-Gordon is designed to withstand rain, snow and winds up to 64 km/h. The burner design prevents heat rollout during windy conditions, eliminating exposed flames outside the heater. Available in natural gas or LPG, the gas-fired infrared heater features single or two-stage operation, and can be mounted on walls or ceilings, under awnings and covered areas on patios. robertsgordon.com

Belimo’s ZIP Economizer with BACnet capability offers easy setup, automatic change over temperatures via postal code technology, and troubleshooting capability. Through advanced economizer logic strategies, the unit is compliant with the most recent energy codes and standards. Using the relevant climate zone and built-in energy code data, users can automatically maximize energy savings. The ZIP’s BACnet allows facility managers to configure the economizer logic and monitor its performance through the Building Management System. belimo.com

Electric boiler

AERCO’s Benchmark E zero-emissions electric boiler delivers energy-efficient, reliable heat in a compact, lightweight footprint. Available in five sizes from 216 kW to 684 kW, equivalent to ~750 MBH to 2500 MBH output, it is designed for commercial applications. The unit features the Edge Controller, which enables users to optimize charging time during hours with lower electricity rates. The electric boiler comes standard with boiler sequencing technology to enable the load to be shared by up to 16 units. aerco.com

2024

Heating Product Showcase

Electric furnace

Humidity control

The Condair HumiLife flexible whole-home humidifier is a standalone system offering humidity control through a mobile app, allowing continuous monitoring and real-time notifications. The system features a filtration setup with UV lighting and reverse osmosis. The central unit is installed in a mechanical space with water, drainage, power, and LAN connectivity. Each spray head independently monitors the room. The system requires no ductwork or integration with a heating system. condair.com

Conforto’s Electric Furnace from Granby features an advanced ECM motor and is suitable for residential applications. The motor adjusts its speed based on heating demands, optimizing airflow and reducing energy consumption. The QuietComfort feature allows continuous recirculating air from the furnace to be preheated at low energy. The function is automatically deactivated at night when night temperature setback is activated, and reactivated automatically when heat demand is required. confortohvac.com

Gas furnace

With up to 98 per cent AFUE, the Goodman GMVM97 gas furnace offers multi-position installation with top/ side venting, left/right connection for gas/electrical service, and airtight solid bottom or side return with easycut tables for removal in bottom air-inlet applications. ComfortBridge communicating technology allows contractors to configure, diagnose and service via the CoolCloud phone/tablet app. The modulating, variable-speed ECM furnace has an aluminized-steel tubular heat exchanger and a stainlesssteel secondary heat exchanger. Now featuring lower NOx emission, models are available from 60,000 to 120,000 BTU/hr. goodmanmfg.com

Packaged heat pump

The Climapuro heat pump available from Ontor is a packaged heat pump and professional purifier with no outdoor unit, making it suitable for applications where the outside facade of a building must be minimally disturbed. The 1,500-W unit includes a MERV 6 ESP filter, and offers a heating capacity of 7,700 BTU/hr, and cooling capacity of 8,000 BTU/hr. Features include DC invertor motor and aluminium cross fan with a CFM of 150 to 230, galvanized and painted steel cabinet, and an indoor dB(A) of 35 to 45. ontor.ca

Compact gas furnace

The Chinook Compact gas furnace from Dettson offers 15,000 BTU/hr, making it suitable for small, energyefficient homes, and condos and apartments ranging from 50 to 150 sq. m. It is 10 in. wide and 23 in. high and is designed for long operation cycles, while maintaining efficiency up to 97.3 per cent AFUE. dettson.com

Eco-King

2024

Heating Product Showcase

Spot heating

Condensing boiler

The ClearFire-CE condensing boiler from Cleaver-Brooks is available in 11 models from 500 MBH to 6,000 MBH. Its compact design, requiring only 3 in. of side clearance, allows for flexible installation in tight spaces. The boiler is equipped with an integrated controller to facilitate quick installation and startup. Maintenance is straightforward due to the hinged top. cleaverbrooks.com

The single-zone, ductless Daikin ATMOSPHERA heat pump system incorporates inverter technology to provide up to 11.2 HSPF2 and 27.2 SEER2 efficiencies. With up to 100 per cent rated heating capacity at 5°F WB and continuous operation as low as – 13°F, the unit is an ideal replacement for old furnaces or boilers. Outdoor units run down to 47 dB(A). Features include CLEAN operation to dry the indoor unit’s interior, a detachable drain pan, and Wi-Fi control. daikinatmosphera.com

Electric heater

The Amp Dawg electric residential unit heater from Modine is designed to be a quiet, efficient solution for heating garages, workshops, and similar spaces. The 5.7kW unit offers commercial-grade heating elements and a space-saving design, while the 9.0kW unit provides two stages of controlled heat. Other features include a 13-in. low profile ceiling mount with optional wall mount bracket; commercialgrade sheathed steel heating elements; 24-volt circuit included for compatibility with low voltage smart thermostats; and sound levels as low as 46 dB(A) high stage and 41 dB(A) low stage at 15 ft. modine.com

Heating Product Showcase 2024

Condensing unit heater

Sterling HVAC Products introduces Matrix, a high-efficiency condensing unit heater. Matrix has a +93 per cent thermal efficiency rating and is suitable for energy-efficient light commercial and commercial applications. It comes in eight sizes ranging from 50,000 to 400,000 BTU/hr and features 409 stainless steel tubes with brass and aluminum fins for maximum heat transfer. The Zinc Aluminum Magnesium treated cabinet ensures corrosion resistance for durability in harsh environments, as well as more corrosive environments. mestek.com

Air source heat pump

The WPL 15 A2W Premium (offering 2 ton cooling, 25 kBTU/hr heating) and WPL 25 A2W Premium (offering 4 ton cooling, 50 kBTU/hr heating) from Stiebel-Eltron are highefficiency cold climate ASHPs that produce hot water for central heating, cooling, and domestic hot water production, without needing refrigerant lines run during installation. With a monobloc design, the units supply temperatures to 149°F (65°C), making them suitable for new construction and modernization projects needing higher flow temperature.

stiebel-eltron-usa.com

Air-to-water heat pumps

Chiltrix by Unico air-to-water heat pumps (AWHP) pair the indoor components of The Unico System with Chiltrix. The combination incorporates HVAC, underfloor heating, domestic hot water, and radiant cooling. These AWHPs can be placed up to 300 ft. from the home, making them suitable for zero energy and passive house installations. The smart heat pumps provide heating performance and capacities ranging from 2 to 3.5 tons cooling, and 3.4 to 4.8 tons heating. unicosystem.com

HYDRONICS

Freeze protection:

Go to glycol

There comes a time in hydronic installations when freeze protection needs to be considered.

Snowmelt applications are an example of a system that must have protection from freezing and glycols tend to be the primary fluid choice. On many other residential and commercial jobs, glycol is considered an “insurance policy.”

Buildings that are un-occupied, for instance vacation homes in winter months, also look to glycol as the protection method. A building in an area prone to winter power outages would consider a glycol-filled hydronic system.

By Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr

Bob Rohr is a trainer with Caleffi, and was the recipient of the 2020-2022 Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence. He has 40+ years of experience as a plumbing, radiant heat and renewable energy contractor.

CHECK THE BLEND

In its purest form, food grade glycol is used in the food processing industry as a flavour and scent enhancer. I see it on the labels of some baked goods and even my toothpaste tube. The fact that it starts from a barrel of crude oil is interesting to me. If that creeps you out, note that bio glycols are now available from corn- or soy-based stock.

Some contractors consider glycol as a necessity in all cold weather projects to mitigate liability and reduce the chance of damage by freezing.

We agree there is a time and place for glycol in hydronic systems. I would add that the potential for freezing also exists in solar thermal systems and perhaps some geothermal piping systems. Additionally, the rapidly expanding A2WHP market has a place for glycol protection.

With these things in mind, the following is what I have learned over the years regarding glycol use.

Not all brands are blended the same. So, use the information from the manufacturer for determining the mix percentage. Most glycols have two temperature ratings: a freeze point and a burst point. I have seen a few manufacturers offer three different temperature numbers.

1. Freeze point: Ice crystals form but the fluid is still able to be pumped with a centrifugal circulator.

2. Slush point: The fluid turns to a “slurpee” consistency essentially, and is no longer pumpable, but will not turn to a solid.

Manufacturers provide information to ensure mix percentages are correct.

Photo: Chemfax Table courtesy Chemfax

FUN FACT

CARRY LIGHT ™ TRIPOD VISE DROP SOME WEIGHT

• Protect plastic pipe with neoprene jaws or reverse for traditional steel jaws.

• Reversible, double-sided, bow tie jaws offer 15% extra value versus purchase of a second jaw set.

R450PAL #04456

• Sides on folding tray keep tools and parts safe from falling or rolling off.

*Carried 20 times per week at 15 less pounds = 15,600 less pounds hauled annually

• Padded handle at balance point helps with lifting and carrying.

• Sturdy due in part to the overlapping hinges on the lower tray and the adjustable tray clamp.

• Lightweight aluminum legs for portability make this tripod vise about 30% lighter than competitive models.

3. Burst point: The fluid freezes solidly and can cause damage due to the expansion of the fluid. It will damage pipes, pumps and components.

So, the decision becomes which point to use for your applications. The answer is … it depends. Critical applications such as outdoor entry steps, hospital helipads and carwash aprons, for example, would need to be protected to the lowest possible temperature with the fluid liquid enough to be circulated. Perhaps an empty vacation home or a solar thermal system could be allowed to slush for a period of time.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Here are a few things to remember when considering your blend percentage options. Glycol is expensive, and you will want to use only what is absolutely required for the application. Higher percentages of glycol require more pumping power. Remember to use the derate numbers the glycol manufacturer recommends for sizing the circulators. Glycols are not as good a heat transfer fluid in comparison to plain water, adjust for that also. Pump manufacturers will also provide calculations as shown in Formula 1.

Formula 1: �= Q 500 x (∆T)

Where:

f = flow rate (gpm)

Q = rate of heat transfer (BTU)

∆T = temperature drop of circuit (supply temperature – return temperature) (ºF)

If the fluid is a 30 per cent glycol solution, change the 500 in the formula to 479. If the fluid is a 50 per cent glycol solution, change the 500 to 450.

All glycol-enhanced fluid must be checked and maintained. A yearly check is good practice. At the very least, check the pH level and freeze protection concentration. In critical applications such as large, expensive systems, a best practice is sending a sample to the glycol manufacturer for more thorough analysis. Document this and provide it to the customer. The equipment warranty may depend on these test records.

My experience shows the bargain-priced glycols have less inhibitors added. The inhibitors added to glycol do multiple jobs. They help balance the pH of the fluid. The inhibitors also scavenge some oxygen.

Inhibitors may need to be added or boosted to the glycol, and your testing results will tell you when the fluid needs a boost package.

TYPES OF GLYCOL

There are two types of glycol: propylene glycol (PG), and ethylene glycol (EG). PG is considered low or non-toxic. This is used if there is any potential for the fluid to contact potable water. An indirect tank, DHW heat exchanger, solar DHW tanks, are examples of systems where you would want to use PG. Some of the RV antifreezes are also PG.

EG has a higher toxicity, and it is commonly used in commercial applications, for examples, ice rink systems, snowmelt, commercial processes, and so on. EG is a bit better for heat transfer and it usually has a lower cost.

GLYCOL TIPS TO LIVE BY

Once you have determined the need to use glycol, here are a few more tips to assure you and the customer get what they are paying for.

• Make sure the entire piping system is clean. Use a hydronic cleaner, and flush well to get dirt, solder flux, pipe dope, etc. completely cleaned out. A dirty system will ruin the glycol quickly.

• If possible, buy the glycol pre-blended to the percentage you require. Glycol is blended at the factory with deionized water (DI).

• If you blend glycol with the water on site, run it through a deionizer or bring deionized water along in plastic barrels. Hard or high TDS water will also shorten the life of the glycol.

• DO NOT connect a water fill system to a glycol system. This could dilute the mixture and allow the system to freeze. Use a glycol fill system available from multiple manufacturers.

Fittings with glycol fuzz.

Credit Taco Comfort Solutions

Higher Turndown Hydronics

Avenger® Series II

Heating & Domestic

Hot Water Boiler

5000 & 6000 MBH

The Avenger® Series II is an advanced two-pass, counter-flow firetube commercial boiler, providing efficient hot water for demanding commercial needs.

» Industry-leading 40:1 turndown

» Thermal efficiencies of up to 96%

» Designed for today’s higher turndown variable primary and low pressure systems

» 3 to 4 week lead-time with stock units available for quick ship

www.camus-hydronics.com/HigherTurndownHydronics

• Store unused glycol in a tightly-sealed container. Any oxygen allowed into the container will also use up the inhibitor components.

• The pH is the primary indicator of when the fluid needs help. Some manufacturers suggest flushing and replacing the glycol at a pH of 7 or lower. Check with the manufacturers data sheets. Also, some have a maximum glycol percentage number listed.

• Apply glycol stickers on the equipment. Indicate the type of glycol, the percentage of the blend, and the dates it has been installed and tested, ideally indicating yearly inspections.

• With a lower surface tension than water, glycol tends to be more leak prone. Threaded connections need to be 100 per cent sealed. Threads are the most common leak point in glycol systems. Any gasketed connections need to be perfect.

• Glycol leaks first appear as a green meringue, or fuzz around the connection. Isolate and repair that connection. They rarely or ever re-seal themselves. There are plenty of pictures online of O-ring type fittings with glycol fuzz. Is it the result of an installation error, or just the nature of glycols to slide by certain joints?

Do not use glycol with non-barrier radiant tubing. Use only aluminum friendly, multi-metal glycols with aluminum alloy boilers.

Dispose of old, drained glycol properly. Auto parts stores will take small quantities. Vehicle oilchange shops may take it. Companies will pick up, document and dispose of large, trucksized quantities.

Hope this helps! I have looked at options other than glycol for hydronic freeze protection over the years, including silicone fluids, various oils, and potassium- or saltbased products. My “go to” – the choice with the least amount of baggage – is glycol.

Lochinvar

Hydronic

Experts in Heating and Hot Water Solutions

Whatever your needs may be, you can trust that you're installing a product that is produced to the highest standards.

Triangle Tube

Hydronic Products

Commercial boiler

The SVF 1000 stainless vertical firetube boiler from Weil-McLain Canada is suitable for use in municipal buildings and schools, including for hybrid applications and replacement boiler needs. With 96.5 per cent minimum thermal efficiency, the boiler offers a 1,000 MBH heating capacity, 160 psi working pressure, and 10:1 turndown ratio. Other features include a compact footprint and zero clearance side-by-side installation capability.

www.

weil-mclain.ca

Pressure reducing valve

Caleffi’s PresCal pressure reducing valve for residential and commercial applications minimizes pressure drop within the valve, resulting in superior falloff pressure, and better flow capacity to fixtures. It operates to a maximum pressure of 300 psi, with a temperature range of between 35.6⁰F to 180⁰F, and an adjustment pressure range of 15 to 90 psi. The valve comes with a UV protective cover, and features a front and back set point indication.

www.

caleffi.com

Hydronic fan coil

The Reverso HW, available from Ontor, is a hydronic fan coil made for high wall installation. It can be matched with a radiant system for cooling, and can be used as a primary system for heating, cooling, dehumidification and air purifying. Only 12 cm thick, the unit has a steel body and tempered crystal front panel. Cooling capacity is between 45⁰F and 54⁰F, and maximum heating capacity is 122⁰F. Features include DC inverter motor, pleated stainless steel filters, aluminum tangential fan, LCD display, and lowpower consumption (4 W).

www.

ontor.com

Fire tube boiler

Mobile appContractor app

NTI Boilers introduces the NTI Compass, a condensing floormount fire tube boiler with a user interface for set up and troubleshooting. The unit has independently reversible plumbing connections and a built-in ECM pump. It offers left or right-hand piping and built-in primary/ secondary. The boiler maintains 95 to 96 per cent AFUE, and is available in 85 to 199 MBH sizes in both combi (DHW) and noncombi models. Systems can also be designed to cascade up to eight boilers.

www. ntiboilers.com

Transition couplings

Viega’s new line of MegaPress Transition Couplings can be used to transition between galvanized or carbon steel pipe and copper, PEX, or stainless steel. Made for use in RCI applications, the press couplings include three products in 1/2- to 2-in sizes: the ZL Bronze IPS to CTS Transition Coupling for transitioning between IPS and CTS piping systems, and the ZL Bronze IPS Transition Coupling models for joining carbon steel to stainless steel or galvanized steel to stainless steel. The couplings are made of zero-lead bronze, and feature smart connect technology to detect and resolve unpressed connections.

www.

viega.ca

Hydronic Products

Wet rotor circulator

Taco’s 0015e3 ECM variable speed, highefficiency circulator has three easy settings. It features 18 ft. shut-off head and 16 GPM max flow. The circulator replaces all three-speed hydronic circulators in its class.

www. tacocomfort.com

Electric boiler

The Amptron Series from Camus Hydronics is a fully electric boiler for hydronic heating commercial applications. It can fit through a standard doorway and features optional PLC and HMI with integrated power monitoring module, optional SCR (Silicone Controlled Rectifier) for infinite modulation, and a vertical heat exchanger with easily replaceable heating elements. Heating element bundles are equipped with spyders to ensure no element hot spots. Models range from 90 kW to 540 kW and are all available in 240, 480 or 600 volts.

www.

camus-hydronics.com

Valves and fittings

Webstone G-Series valves and fittings from Nibco Inc. create connection combinations for hydronic, plumbing, and other applications. The products include two ball valves, two Pro-Pal ball drains, two pressure gauge fittings, an isolation valve, a union fitting, and an end cap. The lead-free, dezincification-resistant brass valves and fittings feature G-threads and G-unions. End connection fittings are available in FIP, MIP, SWT, Press, Push, F1960 PEX, or F1807 PEX, in 1/2- to 2-in. piping sizes.www

AO Smith/A. O. Smith

By Fred Bretzke

IT’S A SUMP OF A JOB PLUMBING

CAN AI HELP US RESOLVE PUMP PROBLEMS?

The plumbing code has so many articles in it, you would wonder why they were created. It’s simply because of trial and error over the years. We must learn from our mistakes; rules are made for mechanical systems to work more efficiently. The following is a scenario from back in the day.

THEN

As he slowly lowered himself down the interior of the manhole stairs all he could see was pizza grease. Even the attached steel ladder was covered with grease, one wrong slip and he might become the next topping on a pizza. This interior restaurant sanitary sump was dimly lit and didn’t smell like a juicy pizza, however, it was full of rotting cheese, pepperonis, olives, mushrooms, yeast, onions, hamburger, grease, peppers, pineapple, and so on.

Instead of being home on a Friday night, he had to descend into the pits of greasy hell to fix this sanitary sump pump. It’s important to note this sump was equipped with a pil floating pump switch/alarm control system. If a pump is not equipped with an alarm system (as most are), the sump would have to be sufficient size to hold 24 hours of sewage. The float on the alarm would get so caked up with grease that it would get stuck in the off position. This basically meant staff at the pizza joint were not cleaning the grease trap properly and/or frequently enough. If

It is essential to ensure any sump or tank used for drainage complies with the regulations outlined in the plumbing code.

the serviceman was lucky, all he had to do was a thorough cleaning job of the alarm cables until they worked properly. To do this, he would have to shut off the valve on the downstream side of the check valve or third fitting in order of sequence of flow. Then he would undo the union, which is the bottom fitting on the discharge pipe. The sequence is union, backwater valve, and then shutoff valve in sequence of flow from the sewage sump. This protected him from getting messy from backed up sewage.

PLUMBING

NOW

I must admit the scenario I described did not happen to me. It happened to servicemen under my care and I did feel sorry for them. This service call was one I dreaded even when the call came in as I knew it would be a pain in the sump. In NW Calgary there is a pizza place located on a mall parking lot in front of a popular grocery store. I’m not going to create a 3D for this. I will try and explain it with the use of AI. Let’s see if it can explain this better than I can.

I will pose the question and my 2020 NPC PDF file that I’ve trained in Sanitary and Storm Sumps Articles 2.4.6.3. and A 2.4.6.3. to AI and see how it responds.

Article 2.4.6.3. explains the rules on sump pumps − obey the rules of this article in the following story. There is a commercial mall parking lot in the NW of Calgary that is on an incline from south to north. At the bottom of the incline of the parking lot is a pizza restaurant. On the top of the incline is a popular grocery store. The grocery store’s building sewer exits on the right side of the store and terminates into the perpendicular street public main to the right of it. This makes sense as it is situated deep in the back of the parking lot at least 400 ft. from the main road running parallel to it. What are your thoughts?

I asked AI to outline factors to be considered as noted in the National Plumbing Code (NPC).

AI ANSWER:

In the scenario you described with the commercial mall parking lot in Calgary, it is important to consider the rules outlined in Article 2.4.6.3 of the NPC of Canada regarding sumps and tanks. Here are some key points to consider based on the provided information:

Hydraulic loads from fixtures with a continuous flow

A-2.4.6.3. Sanitary Sump Piping Arrangement

A-2.4.6.3. Sanitary Sump Piping Arrangement

In most sanitary pumps, controls are typically installed with a float to automatically empty the sump. However, if such controls are not provided the capacity of the sump should be designed to equal maximum inflow of sewage expected over a 24-hour period.

Gravity drainage: Since the pizza restaurant is located at the bottom of the incline, it is crucial to ensure proper gravity drainage from the restaurant to the building sewer or the public sewer system. Gravity drainage allows wastewater to flow naturally without the need for additional pumping.

Sump pump consideration: If there are areas within the parking lot or the restaurant that are too low to drain by gravity into the building sewer, a sump pump system may be necessary. Sump pumps can lift the wastewater to a level where it can then flow by gravity into the sewer system.

Proper drainage design: The design of the drainage system should prevent water accumulation in low-lying areas, especially in the parking lot or around the restaurant. Proper grading and drainage solutions should be implemented to avoid water pooling and potential flooding issues.

4

Compliance with regulations: It is essential to ensure any sump or tank used for drainage complies with the regulations outlined in the plumbing code. This includes ensuring the sump or tank is water- and air-tight, properly vented, and equipped with necessary safety features such as backwater valves.

5

Sanitary sump piping arrangement. 1 2 3

Connection to building sewer: If a sump pump is installed to lift wastewater, the discharge pipe from the pump should be connected to the building sewer downstream of any traps to prevent backflow and ensure proper drainage.

By following the guidelines and regulations set forth in the National Plumbing Code of Canada, you can ensure that the drainage system in the commercial mall parking lot, including the areas around the pizza restaurant and grocery store, is designed, and installed correctly to prevent drainage issues and to comply with plumbing standards.

THE

BALL VALVE TAKES THE PRESSURE

SKY HIGH PERFORMANCE

PLUMBING

I then asked AI what issues needed to be considered and what, if anything, could be done to mitigate the problem. The pizza restaurant is located on the bottom of the incline closer to the road that runs left to right of it. However, instead of running a main building sewer directly out the front of the restaurant to the public main on the street, they ran it up the incline towards the grocery store and then to the right street main public sewer. Then they installed a sanitary sump pump to pump it up the incline to the main several hundred feet away. I’m guessing they didn’t want to or couldn’t install a new service from the closer main. This caused a lot of problems with the sanitary sump pump backing up due to its design and poor maintenance of the grease trap.

AI ANSWER:

In the scenario you described with the pizza restaurant located at the bottom of an incline and the challenges faced with the installation of a sanitary sump pump, several issues and considerations arise:

Long discharge distance: Running the building sewer from the restaurant up the incline towards the grocery store and then to the public main sewer several hundred feet away can pose challenges. The extended distance

may require a powerful sump pump to lift the wastewater effectively, increasing the risk of pump failure or backups.

Pump design and maintenance: The installation of a sanitary sump pump to lift wastewater over a long distance requires careful consideration of the pump’s design, capacity, and maintenance requirements. Inadequate pump design or poor maintenance practices, such as neglecting the grease trap, can lead to pump failures, backups, and potential environmental and health hazards.

Grease trap maintenance: Proper maintenance of grease traps is essential in commercial kitchens to prevent the buildup of grease and solids in the drainage system. Neglecting grease trap maintenance can result in clogs, reduced pump efficiency, and increased risk of backups in the sanitary sump pump system.

Alternative solutions: In situations when connecting to a closer main sewer line is not feasible, alternative solutions such as redesigning the drainage system, upgrading the sump pump system, or improving maintenance practices should be considered to address the recurring issues with pump backups and system failures.

THE WAIT IS OVER

Compliance and regulations: It is important to ensure that any modifications or installations in the plumbing system comply with the regulations and standards outlined in the National Plumbing Code of Canada. This includes proper sizing and installation of sump pumps, adherence to maintenance requirements, and compliance with grease trap regulations.

By addressing the challenges related to the sanitary sump pump system, improving maintenance practices, and considering alternative solutions, the pizza restaurant can mitigate the issues faced with pump backups and ensure the proper functioning of the drainage system in compliance with plumbing regulations.

I am sure you are wondering what the end result was 30 years ago. We called in a mechanical engineer and he advised … you guessed it: that we install a bigger pump. 1 2 3 4 5

SOLUTION IN THE “THEN” SCENARIO

Fred Bretzke is a full-time pipe trades instructor with Calgary’s SAIT Polytechnic and the recipient of the 2024 Cadmus Teaching Chair. Fred also received the 2020-2021 Innovation of The Year Award: SAIT for digitizing the project-based learning approach apprenticeship training is known for. He can be reached at fred.bretzke@sait.ca.

WHENEVER PIPING IS INVOLVED

KITCHEN TRENDS

Making a statement

Kitchens are the hub of family life, and consumers are making the most of their spaces with colour and customized choices for fixtures, counters and sinks.

For the past several years, products that emphasized hygiene and connected technology have dominated kitchen trends. As we move further from the pandemic, design is again taking centre stage, as homeowners express their individual tastes through colours, finishes, materials, and customized features. And because the kitchen has always been a centre of family life, and often work life now, consumers are willing to spend significant time and money making it one of the most welcoming rooms in the house.

According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s (NKBA) 2024 Kitchen Trends Report, a survey of designers, manufacturers, contractors and others in the industry, the focus in kitchen design over the next three years will be on “multifunctional designs, easyto-clean kitchens with ample storage, eat-in dining areas, sustainable materials and advanced technology.”

NATURE’S INFLUENCE

Kitchen design continues to be influenced by the calming quality of nature, with decor in earthy greens and browns, cabinets in natural wood, and countertops in durable matte finishes reflecting a more practical style over polished looks. Even curved and high-arced plumbing fixtures reflect shapes from nature, with personalized options for finishes and handles, including mixed materials such as metal and wood.

Popular finishes such as matte, brushed and satin gold (identified by the NKBA report as the top colour for kitchen faucets), bronze, copper, stainless steel and chrome are often mixed, and emphasize quiet luxury. At the same time, matte black and knurled details on handles and spray heads offer an industrial feel. While minimalism

says kitchen design will continue to focus on multifunctional use, mixed materials, finishes and textures, sustainable materials, and advanced technology.

is still popular, consumers are adding patterns, unexpected contrasts of colour and textures, and dramatic touches, especially in faucets, backsplashes and islands.

“Personal expression is a prominent trend for 2024 and that includes kitchen

The NKBA

Photo by Rebecca McAlpin. Kitchen designed by NKBA members Lori Kurnitsky, NCIDQ, with co-designers Olga Carlson and Michele Plachter.

fixtures both in terms of aesthetics and function,” says Danielle DeBoe Harper, senior creative style manager at Moen. “Consumers today not only love the ability to choose different styles that reflect their personality, but also ones that work best for how they move about their kitchen.”

Moen’s Tenon Kitchen Faucet Collection is designed to create a soft, modern flair. Each faucet comes with a teak wood handle. It is available as a pulldown faucet, Smart Faucet with Motion Control and pulldown bar faucet, in a variety of finishes, including brushed gold, matte black, chrome and spot resist stainless. moen.ca

MAKE IT MINE

Homeowners want to know they can personalize all elements of their kitchen design and add unique features to fit their family’s needs. Dedicated beverage areas are in high demand, according to the NKBA report, as well as eat-in kitchen spaces, and multifunctional islands “used as a gathering place, work surface and dining table.” In addition, “usability is the number one goal across almost all kitchen categories,” and “workstation sinks will be popular, serving double and triple duty with built-in cutting boards, drying racks and strainers.”

By Carolyn Cooper

“From a functionality point of view, accessories that make washing lettuce, berries, etc. in the sink better and easier are gathering a lot of attention,” says Jean-Jacques L’Henaff, leader, LIXIL Global Design Americas. L’Henaff says expect to see “more expressive textures and finishes, but also more meaningful innovation that makes cooking easier and look fantastic at the same time.” “Workstation sinks have grown tremendously in popularity,” agrees Alan Bloch, area showroom manager, Taps Wholesale Bath Centre, a division of Wolseley Canada Inc. “They are designed to make mealtime prep and clean up more convenient, and are offered by a variety of kitchen manufacturers. Workstation sinks are equipped with a multitude of form fitting accessories from cutting boards to colanders, drain trays, grids, prep bowls, and so much more. These sinks vary in size and, depending on the manufacturer, are available in stainless steel and various colours.”

The Zedra Single-Handle Kitchen Faucet from GROHE features an ergonomic, pull-down spray head. The head provides three spray functions: laminar, shower spray, and a powerful blade spray. The spout swivels 360 degrees for island-friendly use, and the forwardrotating handle will not interfere with the backsplash. The metal faucet uses 6.6 L/min of water (1.75gpm) and has an adjustable flow rate limiter. grohe.com

The Zomodo Integrato Q IQC1100 Boutique Workstation sink with accessories has a two accessory rails design, which allows users to layer a range of accessories in a functional way. All Integrato Q sinks come kitted with cooking prep accessories. It is available in Microbrush stainless steel and black Pearl. wolseleyinc.ca

HIGH-TECH AND HYGIENIC

L’Henaff says that “hygiene is less of a concern than it was during or right after the pandemic, but we see new technologies that sanitize the kitchen sink using ozone for example. While the adoption rate of these innovations has slowed down, we are still looking into how to integrate them seamlessly into some of our future products. Similarly, the rush to connected technology has stopped and the fad of the connected faucet has receded. The kitchen is a highly functional environment, which leaves little room for gimmicks. That being said, smart technologies retain some level of appeal, especially for high valueadded products like beverage centres that incorporate filtered and sparkling water and sometimes coffee or other beveragemaking capabilities.”

The Delta VoiceIQ Kitchen Faucet pairs with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Touch2O faucets with Touchless Technology helps to keep germs and mess off the faucet and provides water control three different ways. Delta VoiceIQ Technology pairs with a connected home device to give exactly the amount of water needed, and the TempSense LED light changes colour to alert users of the water temperature. deltafaucet.com

The Renate Kitchen Faucet showcases a variety of sophisticated finishes, merging modern design with functionality. This kitchen faucet has a dual-function sprayer with a toggle control for effortlessly switching between a steady stream for filling pots and a powerful spray for rinsing vegetables and cleaning. The faucet can be used on 1-, 2- or 3-hole sinks or countertops when installed with optional deck plate. americanstandard.ca

systems (MTS) will take your project to a higher level of water quality and efficiency.

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No-touch and voice-activated features are still hugely popular, especially when they combine convenience with hygiene. Faucets from Masco Canada, for example, offer “technology to help keep germs and mess off the faucet,” and include voice-activated control, says Andrea Goertz, senior product manager, Fashion Plumbing, Masco Canada. The company will also launch a new collection this fall “that will introduce our ProClean technology into the kitchen category.”

“Because of the automated nature of smart devices, one of the major benefits is that homeowners can let the smart technology do the hard work for them,” agrees DeBose Harper. “This could include a smart faucet with presets to fill a coffee pot, lights that turn on and off via voice commands, or devices that detect leaks caused by a dishwasher to avoid water damage, which can be placed in water-prone areas that detect for moisture to help prevent damage before it occurs.”

BETTER QUALITY, LOWER FOOTPRINT

“Eco-conscious choices continue to be top-of-mind for both designers and homeowners,” says the NKBA report, adding that “51 per cent of respondents consider the longevity of products when purchasing big-ticket items like appliances with the ultimate goal of fewer replacements, and are aiming to reduce consumption through water conserving and energy-efficient products.”

Kohler’s Components Kitchen

Faucet Collection is available in seven configurations in a range of finishes and two sprays. The Sweep Spray provides a wide, forceful blade of water, while the Swing Spout and Bar faucets offer a two-function aerator allowing users to switch from an aerated stream of water to SoftRinse spray. kohler.com

That means consumers are investing in high-quality, highefficiency plumbing equipment that will last, which save water and energy and help improve family health. For instance, Goertz sees “easy-to-use in-home water filtration systems” as a growing trend with health-focused homeowners.

Sustainability is also a priority for consumers and DeBoe Harper says that “as part of the greater sustainability movement, innovations today often blend technology with circular economy.” As a result, she says, “more brands are incorporating recycled materials into both their packaging and products to help limit waste and promote a healthier world.”

Install this.

Prevent

this.

JOBSITE JARGON WIN!

Match the terminology you hear in the field to the correct definition or function by November 1, 2024 and enter for your chance to win a Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff from MOEN. This contest is open to Mechanical Business subscribers in Canada. Send your answers to kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com or enter online at mechanicalbusiness.com.

JOBSITE JARGON

5) Acoustical K) Relating to sound, the science of sound, or a sense of hearing  Answer 5,K

A) The useful work being done by electricity

B) Heat added or subtracted that causes a change in temperature

C) The transfer of heat through matter or space by means of electromagnetic waves

D) Type of electrical current that only flows in one direction

E) Derived unit for electrical potential and electromotive force

F) Amount of air circulated in a space, measured in cfm

G) Measurement of efficiency of a residential heat pump system

H) Temperature as measured without the consideration of humidity

I) Adds heat to indoor air

J) Removes byproducts of combustion from a furnace

K) Relating to sound, the science of sound, or a sense of hearing

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No wonder the Amana brand is known as America’s brand for comfort. Learn more at www.amana-hac.com

Combined with the Amana brand S-series heat pump, the new 115V air handler system o ers optimal flexibility and comfort for most applications.

Select Amana brand S-series models meet the requirements for Canada Greener Homes. Ask your local Daikin contractor for more information.

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Road Warrior

By Carolyn Cooper

Matt Dufton: The water specialist

Durham Water Treatment in Uxbridge, ON has so many long-term and repeat customers that many like to joke with owner Matt Dufton that they remember him as a teen helping his father Dave Dufton on calls. “They remember me in high school, then when I was dating my now wife, when we got engaged, when we had kids. They also like to remind me of the fact that I was never going to be a water treatment guy,” he laughs. “But I’ve also watched their children grow up, and now some of those children are calling me when they’re buying their first house, so I’m now going to watch their children grow up.”

The company was established in 1986, and has continued to grow steadily through repeat and intergenerational clients, as well as word-of-mouth referrals.

“We also get a lot of referrals from other companies, plumbers will refer me to their customers, and the well drillers when they’re drilling new wells,” says Dufton, who bought the business from his father in 2010.

Durham Water Treatment installs and services water treatment equipment such as drinking water systems, and water softening, sterilization and filtration equipment for residential and light commercial applications. “I do find the work interesting. I like the science behind water treatment,” says Dufton. “But

Name: Matt Dufton

Nickname: Duff

Company: Durham Water Treatment

Job title: Owner/operator

Born in: Scarborough, ON

Lives in: Port Perry, ON

Age: 45

Spouse: Carrie-Lyn

Children: Son: Age 14, Daughter: Age 12

Pet: A Bernese Mountain dog named Eddie

what I enjoy the most is that because I do residential I get to meet new people, I get to play with their dogs. It’s a very social business. One of the things I’ve always said is I don’t want my customers thinking ‘I have to call that water treatment guy and get him back here.’ I want them to think ‘I need to call Matt and get him back here.’ Because I realize I’m working in people’s homes, and there is a level of trust and familiarity that people want to have.”

Dufton has seen increasing interest in water quality, and says drinking water systems such as reverse osmosis systems are becoming more common in homes. “If the total dissolved solids (TDS) in a well is higher than 500 ppm, then it’s not recommended for consumption because there are too many minerals for us to ingest. But even places where it’s an average of 250 to 350 ppm, which would be considered average TDS, customers still prefer to take that extra mineral out of the water and just have cleaner drinking water.

It’s that added step that a client can take to get the better-quality water for themselves.” At the same time, Dufton says he “tries to keep the price point in mind for clients. And I try to teach my customers as much as they can absorb.”

Dufton currently has one other full-time technician, plus his father helping out, and says that “eventually, I’m sure I’m going to have to expand.” But he admits he’s not interested in blanketing the market. “It’s more about keeping [the business] a little smaller and having a little more control, and just making sure we’re doing the right work for the right people,” he explains. “You know, my father built a good, wellestablished business, and it’s continued to be successful for the years I’ve been running it. So my hope is just to keep it running as a successful business and keep helping people with their water.”

In the mechanical industry since:

Favourite teacher: Cindy Moore, one of many teachers who are also now clients

Favourite class: Fine arts/sculpture

Your favourite tool in your toolbox: Channellocks

The most useful tool in your toolbox: than my brain, paper clip and tooth brush

Advice for young people considering entering the trades: If you don’t know the answer, ask someone who knows

The current work ride: Ram ProMaster 1500

Service area: Durham/York mostly, and a bit in Kawartha Lakes

Any area you like to get dispatched to, and why?

Close to home – less time on the road is less risk of an accident

Favourite book: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Favourite season: Autumn

Favourite part of the job? Meeting residential customers and their pets

Favourite band: Pearl Jam

Best concert you ever attended? Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto (SARSfest)

Favourite outdoor activity: Fishing and canoeing

Favourite place to be: On or beside the water

Favourite TV show: The Simpsons

Favourite movie: Star Wars

Favourite sport: Baseball

Favourite vehicle of all time: Batmobile

Favourite video game and preferred gaming system:

Favourite restaurant or local lunch hang out?

B&L Country Kitchen in Uxbridge, ON

Favourite snack: Chocolate and Coca Cola

3 albums that you’d take with you to a desert island:

1. Vitalogy – Pearl Jam

2. Led Zeppelin III – Led Zeppelin

3. White Album – The Beatles

I’m a collector of many things – toys, old tools, rusty things, etc.

Last book you read: Hammer of the Gods: The Led Zeppelin Saga by Stephen Davis

Last movie you saw: The Shawshank Redemption, my 100th time watching it, my son’s first time watching it

Biggest pet peeve: When tools are not where they should be

One place in the world you would like to visit: Europe

Students gain hands-on experience at summer camps PATHWAYS TO THE TRADES | Carolyn Cooper

Skills Ontario wrapped up another successful season of its Skilled Trades Camp this summer, a program for students between Grades 7 and 9 introducing them to careers in the skilled trades. In partnership with various Ontario colleges, industry and community volunteers, the organization offers up to 30 week-long camps during July and August, including three French-language camps this summer, across the province. Camps reaching out to youth identifying as First Nation, Metis, and Inuit are also available, as well as camps only for girls and only for boys.

Classes are led by Skills Ontario counsellors and industry or college professionals, and introduce students to topics such as industrial, construction, motive power, service, and technology sectors. Through interactive games, industry tours, entrepreneurship programs and hands-on workshops, campers gain skills and experience in communication, problem-solving and teamwork. This year approximately 400 students attended the program. “Participating in this camp is more than just learning about skilled trades; it’s about opening doors to

The programs introduce students to career opportunities in the skilled trades, as well as experience in communication, problem-solving and teamwork.

future opportunities and inspiring the next generation of Ontario’s workforce,” said Kayla Bezaire, Skills Ontario Summer Camp program manager. Skills Ontario’s college partners support the summer program with state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and resources.

Conestoga College’s Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning held a camp that introduced students to skilled trades careers such as welding, truck and coach, automotive service and heavy duty equipment.

“We are in the midst of a labour shortage in the skilled trades industries and it is integral that we create pathways to introduce youth to the exciting opportunities these professions can offer,” said Nadine McPhee, Women’s Initiatives liaison officer for Engineering, Technology & Trades and Apprenticeship at Conestoga College, adding that the camps offer students “firsthand experience and a deeper understanding of these critical fields.”

connestogac.on.ca skillsontario.com

Hands-on workshops are an integral part of the summer camp program.

Bardon

Tepid Water Solutions

Bradley’s tepid water solutions are designed to create a safe tepid temperature, a necessary addition to your safety planning. The current ANSI standard calls for emergency eyewash and drench showers to deliver tepid water for 15 minutes. This assures that a user would not be subjected to very cold water and possible hypothermia or very hot scalding water and possible skin burns.

Tepid Water Solutions. Brought to Life.

To learn more please visit bradleycorp.com/industrial

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MANAGEMENT

By Juan Echavarria

Why employers should have employment contracts

Employment agreements are beneficial for both employers and employees because they clearly set out the rights and obligations of each party at the onset of the relationship, particularly in terms of the employee’s role, compensation, and how the agreement may come to an end.

Employment agreements are particularly important for employers seeking to establish at the beginning of the employment relationship how and when the employer may terminate the agreement and on what terms. Employers will likely seek to limit their liability under such circumstances. To do so, they must ensure that employment agreements are enforceable, especially by complying with applicable provincial and federal laws.

Every Canadian province has employment standards and/or labour relations laws and regulations that apply to employment agreements. For employers in federally regulated industries and workplaces, the Canada Labour Code is applicable.

Such laws and regulations cover all important aspects of employment relationships such as seniority, wages, health and safety, leaves of absence and vacation, and termination of employment obligations. Employment agreements commonly include provisions governing these aspects of the employment relationship, such as termination/probation clauses, temporary layoff terms, non-solicitation, role description, work hours, and compensation provisions. Occasionally, employment agreements will include non-competition clauses, though employers must keep in mind that such clauses are difficult to enforce, and are specifically prohibited in some provinces, such as Ontario, for most employees, with limited exceptions.

To be enforceable, employment agreements must comply with applicable laws and regulations. This means agreements providing for lesser entitlements will generally be found by the Court to be not enforceable.

Ensure employment agreements are enforceable, especially by complying with applicable provincial and federal laws.

For example, the prevailing legislation in Ontario for nonunionized employees, being the Employment Standards Act (the “ESA”), provides that an employee with eight years of service or more, would be entitled to at least eight weeks of notice before termination, or pay in lieu of notice equal to eight weeks of the employee’s regular wages. Therefore, an employment agreement in Ontario, indicating that an employee with eight years of service or more, would receive less than eight weeks of notice or pay in lieu of notice, would not be enforceable because it provides for a lesser entitlement than the ESA.

When the employment agreement is not enforceable, the employer’s obligations will be dictated by what is known as the “common law” − that is the law made through the decisions of the Court.

When the employment agreement is unenforceable with respect to termination and severance pay, as in the example above, the employer will be required to pay what is known as “common law notice.” Federal and provincial laws such as the ESA only establish minimum standards, including for termination and severance pay. Therefore, common law notice will almost always require a bigger payment than what is outlined under federal and provincial legislation. Common law notice is often calculated based on one month of notice or pay, per year of service. However, this is not a strict rule.

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BE CLEAR REGARDING PAYMENTS

Other issues that commonly arise in employment relationships that may be addressed in an employment agreement relate to employee compensation, specifically regular versus discretionary compensation, as well as employee role changes.

For example, employers making bonus and/or commission payments to employees will often clarify in an employment agreement that such payments are discretionary and/or contingent on certain conditions. If such language is absent in a valid agreement, the employer runs the risks that such payments would be seen as regular wages, meaning they must be paid to the employee, regardless of whether the employer believed them to be discretionary.

With respect to role changes, it is common for employment contracts to include provisions indicating its terms continue to apply regardless of the employee’s change in role and/ or position with the employer. This issue often comes up concerning long-term service employees, given that the role they have when first entering the company may significantly change over time. In such case, a valid employment agreement can protect the employer by confirming that the terms of the agreement are carried over to any new role or position.

Similarly, employers can protect their businesses by including non-solicitation provisions in their employment agreements, especially concerning employees in managerial positions and/or client facing roles, to prevent solicitation of other employees and/or clients.

LEVELS OF COMPLEXITY

There are significant benefits to having employment agreements. This is true in the case of all employees, from entry-level to executives. Not all employment agreements will require the same level of complexity. For example, an agreement for an executive which includes a bonus structure, commissions, stock options, and/or fixed terms, will require complex legal analysis to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. On the other hand, an agreement for an entry-level position may have a more standardized form.

Regardless of the level of complexity required, the agreement should always address key points such as the employee’s role, compensation, and termination of employment. When employees do not have an employment agreement, they are still entitled to the minimum protections set out in the applicable laws and regulations but may also still claim the greater entitlements set out in the common law, such as common law notice of termination.

Employers looking to provide employment agreements to prospective employees should obtain legal advice to ensure that such agreements are properly drafted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

In addition, it is important that employers keep up to date through legal counsel regarding changes in the law that could affect their agreements. For example, many employers in Ontario have recently been required to modify existing employment agreements because of changes to the ESA, prohibiting non-competition clauses for most employees, and Court decisions indicating that employers cannot terminate employees without notice “for cause” because the ESA requires a higher standard of “wilful misconduct” for without notice terminations.

As a result, it is critical that employers obtain legal advice to ensure their employment agreements are valid and enforceable at the time of hiring, but also on an ongoing basis.

LEGISLATION

Ontario eliminates NOSIs

HVAC contractors must use clear communications with homeowners to bolster image of industry

The Ontario legislature unanimously passed the Homeowner Protection Act (HPA) of 2024 on June 5. Contained in this act is legislation that removes the use of Notices of Security Interest (NOSIs) from the land registry process for financing, leasing or renting HVAC equipment. This legislative change responded to public scrutiny of particularly serious problems homeowners experienced with the NOSI system. It does not impact commercial NOSIs.

“NOSIs are a controversial issue because they are used in an unscrupulous manner by companies typically selling door-to-door when financing, leasing or renting HVAC equipment,” stated Katie Gill owner of LG Home Comfort, a family-owned HVAC contractor in Vaughan ON. “Their actions tarnish the image of our industry by using NOSIs to demand unreasonable costs and discharge fees from homeowners when selling or refinancing their home months or years after the NOSI was registered.”

What is a Notice of Security Interest?

When a product or piece of equipment on a property is leased or rented from a third-party company, Ontario law calls this a “fixture.” To protect a company’s ownership of the fixture, a NOSI could be used to register the fixture on the land registry. It is not a lien, the NOSI is simply a notice that the property includes a fixture owned by a third party.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU AND YOUR CUSTOMERS?

The HPA will eliminate new NOSIs for HVAC equipment as well as all HVAC NOSIs currently in place. According to the Ontario government, the current value of all existing NOSIs is around $1 billion.

NOSI numbers on the land registry skyrocketed in the last 25 years from 2,000 annually to more than 58,000 last year. Originally a legal tool for contractors to secure ownership of their nonpurchased equipment, NOSIs now “deceive and scam the public” according to the provincial government. This behaviour includes registering NOSIs without notifying the homeowner and valuating the equipment much greater than its realistic worth.

Homeowners only discover NOSIs when selling or refinancing their homes and are held hostage by companies who make unreasonable monetary demands to have the NOSI removed. The HVAC NOSI elimination is one aspect of the HPA, which also includes provisions such as a mandatory 10-day cooling off period on home purchases.

The elimination of NOSIs for HVAC equipment means homeowners (particularly seniors) are not susceptible to unknown financial obligations. Homeowners are also being warned to be vigilant in case companies still demand NOSI payments despite the elimination of NOSIs in the HPA. “Homeowners should also be cautious if they want to buy out the contract for rented or leased HVAC equipment. Similar to NOSIs, the cost of the contract buyout is typically unreasonable and far greater than the actual worth of the equipment,” says Gill.

“Most importantly, contractors need to clearly explain to customers the differences between purchasing and renting equipment,” adds Gill. “This will help prevent homeowners from being scammed by companies who engage in misleading sales practices at the door.”

Because of the difficult language in some rental contracts, homeowners do not understand the responsibilities they are taking on. Contractors must be accountable for clearly communicating details of finance, rental or sales transactions with homeowners in language they can understand. Contractors should also provide concise information on the contractual responsibilities of the contractor and the homeowner. “It is an issue of clear communications and transparency from the contractor,” says Gill.

ontario.ca

MAINTAIN RELIABLE REFRIGERATION OPERATION IN COLDER TEMPERATURES

Justas the heat of the summer can create challenges with outdoor air-cooled commercial refrigeration systems, in cold weather it can be equally challenging to maintain good and reliable refrigeration operation. Typically, refrigeration systems are designed for harsher outdoor conditions in summer given the temperature difference between the outdoor surrounding (ambient) air and the refrigerant temperature. It is normal and necessary for the operation and design of the condenser to be able to reject the heat when the outdoor air is warm.

What happens when the outdoor ambient temperature drops? Is it all for the better? Will the refrigerant systems operate with less strain? The answer is yes and no. Systems typically have some flexibility with shoulder temperatures that are colder than the design but not cold enough to cause refrigeration problems. It’s the very cold and extreme cold temperatures that can cause issues with many refrigeration systems with outdoor air-cooled condensers. Subzero temperatures can wreak havoc on refrigeration systems.

What’s the big deal when it’s too cold out? When subzero temperatures are entering the air-cooled condenser the main effect on the refrigeration cycle is the refrigerant temperature and subsequently the refrigerant pressure will be a lot lower than normal. One might say, “So what. Lower pressures are better,” but if the high side pressure drops by a large amount the operation of a thermostatic expansion valve (TEV − the most common expansion device in commercial refrigeration) drastically changes. This will change the performance and refrigerant flow in the low-pressure evaporator side of the system. The balance of the system design can be all out of whack.

Mike

Squires

It can be a challenge to keep outdoor air-cooled commercial refrigeration systems performing well in extreme cold temperatures.

HOW TO FIGHT THE COLD

There are several methods used to maintain stable operation of the refrigeration system during cold outdoor temperatures. Several of these could be (but not limited to) or a combination of: condenser fan controlling; condenser flooding; condenser splitting; or condenser pressure floating.

Condenser fan control may be one of the simplest forms of condenser pressure management in the cold. Condenser fans turn off and on by means of pressure or temperature control settings. Typically, this is better applied in multiple fan condensers. Cycling the fans changes the amount of cold or subzero air passing through the condenser coil, which may be tricky as there is a possibility of refrigeration system head pressure peaks and valleys when fans turn off and on. These pressure peaks and valleys can impact the operation of the TEV and

Mike Squires, RSE, is a graduate of the College of the North Atlantic. Mike is manager, service accounts and technical training at Neelands Group limited in Burlington, ON where he works with customers and in-house staff on all matters relating to refrigeration. Prior to moving to roles with manufacturers, he was a service technician for a number of years.

may affect the amount of refrigerant flow and possibly lead to similar peaks and valleys in evaporator pressure. The result may be temperature changes in the evaporator. Variable speed condenser fan motor control has a tendency to have superior condenser pressure control by ramping the speed of the fan motor up and down as required. This reduces or eliminates the high side pressure peaks and valleys. This type of control is more common in recent years with the availability of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) and various standalone controllers.

Condenser flooding is commonly used to maintain head pressure in the winter months and is a reliable method. The system uses pressure regulators to manipulate pressures to “flood” the condenser with liquid refrigerant. For example, using round numbers, if the condenser had a surface face area of 4 ft2, and was designed for a 95°F ambient temperature, and the ambient temperature was at -5°F, the proper-sized condenser would have a surface area of only 1 ft2. In this case the pressure regulating valves basically close the outlet of the condenser so refrigerant will stack/flood the 3 ft2. By flooding the condenser with the refrigerant, the effective size of the condenser is used.

As the condenser is flooded and it trickles through, the regulating valve discharge gas is also bypassing the condenser directly to the refrigerant receiver to maintain steady liquid pressure leaving the receiver and through the liquid line to the expansion device. As solid as this method is there are drawbacks. Additional refrigerant is required in the system for the winter to flood the condenser and creates an uphill battle given increased requirements to reduce synthetic refrigerant charges.

Condenser splitting is a method of virtually reducing condenser size for winter operation by making a section of the condenser inoperable. This is a more common approach in larger commercial condensers with multiple fans and multiple passes through the condenser. When you would have a large, for example, six-fan condenser (two fans wide by three fans deep), you use a set of valves to stop refrigerant flow at the inlet to half the condenser. The closed side of the condenser fan is then piped to the suction to slowly pump the liquid refrigerant out of the unused section of the condenser.

TROUBLESHOOTING IN WINTER

When you come across a refrigeration service failure in the winter it is best to see what type of low ambient temperature condenser pressure mitigation is in place on a particular system. If you have a low pressure cut out situation or compressor cycling on low pressure, be sure that the compressor has the ability to build and maintain a decent head pressure to keep the suction pressure high enough to prevent it from cutting out. If the condenser fans are all forced on or if the condenser pressure regulators are damaged or tampered with, this is the first step needed to check in the road to repair.

For additional reading on head pressure control I recommend reading Sporlan Form # 90-198. Scan QR to View

System demonstrating a flooded condenser using a combination of Sporlan ORI Ord valves.

Another type of head pressure management called condenser floating usually utilizes the addition of variable speed condenser fans and a logic controller, which will “float” the condenser pressure up and down as required by the system design and controller logic. This system can be very efficient and is able to make use of lower ambient temperatures for efficiencies.

WHERE DID THE REFRIGERANT GO?

When flooded refrigeration condensers are used for winter operation using head pressure regulators to flood the condenser additional refrigerant is required. If there happened to be a refrigerant leak and repair in the summer months it is possible that after the repair was completed and recharged not enough refrigerant was added to the system. In the winter time when the system is operating there will be a shortage of refrigerant in the system and more refrigerant will be required. If you are lucky enough to have detailed service records this could save you some time. As always, you will need due diligence when leak checking.

Image adapted from SPORLAN Bulletin 90-30 Figure 8

Finding a better way.

Openness to change, adapt and make big decisions – this dedication has brought A. O. Smith to this important milestone.

‘

Innovation’ is a universal term, meaning different things to different people, but at A. O. Smith, it has been the lifeblood and common thread throughout our 150-year history. What began as a small Milwaukee-based machine shop in 1874 has evolved into a leading global water technology company committed to improving the lives of our customers by ensuring access to clean, safe, hot water.

LOOKING BACK one thing is clear – by applying skill, creativity, and mechanical knowledge to technical problems, we found “a better way”.

A history of engineering ingenuity

In the late 1800s, business was good for a man skilled in metalwork, and the founder Charles Jeremiah Smith grew to become a major supplier of metal components for manufacturers of baby carriages and bicycles. Charles’ sons later joined the business and during the automotive revolution, grew it to become the leading supplier of steel car frames in the U.S. In 1921, A. O. Smith invented the “Mechanical Marvel,” the world’s first fully automated automobile frame assembly plant, capable of making 10,000 frames per day.

By the mid-1930s, Smith engineers perfected the process of fusing glass to steel, leading to a series of new, glass-lined products including beer kegs, brewing tanks and eventually, residential water heaters.

In the decades that followed, the business continued to grow at breakneck speed, adding new locations and entering new industries. In each case, it brought along the A. O. Smith values: doing business with honesty and integrity in a workplace environment of mutual respect and dignity.

In 2011, A. O. Smith sold its electric motor business and embarked on a strategy to become a leading global water technology company. This vision for the future grew through acquisitions of commercial and residential water heater and boiler manufacturers and water treatment experts.

May

1921

The company unveils the Mechanical Marvel, the world’s first fully-automated automobile frame assembly plant.

AO Smith/A. O. Smith

A future of modernizing water technology

When it comes to water heating and water treatment, A. O. Smith strives to stay on trend and meet the needs of the customer and the broader market.

The company focuses heavily on innovation and solving problems in a new way. As energy efficiency demands and water quality challenges continue to evolve, A. O. Smith works to provide solutions. In 2024, the company introduced several new products including an expanded electric offering, advanced heat pump water heaters, and Wi-Fi connected products that help end users manage energy usage.

LOOKING FORWARD, our engineering minds will continue to solve problems in a better way, in a way that can be scaled and drives cost efficiency.

How will A. O. Smith differentiate itself in the future? By remaining to be a manufacturer that builds things that matter, conducting business ethically, listening to customers, and applying an engineering mindset to solve big problems in new and different ways.

Left to right:

Residential installation featuring Adapt™ Premium Condensing Tankless Water Heater.

Commercial installation featuring Cyclone™ Large Volume Commercial Gas Water Heaters.

REBATES & INCENTIVES | Carolyn Cooper

Feds announce the Canada Green Buildings Strategy

The recently introduced Canada Green Buildings Strategy includes a $177-million investment in Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative projects for upgrades to multiple building systems and equipment. The strategy outlines the government’s plans to create more resilient buildings, lower energy costs, and meet net-zero emission goals by 2050. Under the new strategy, the government will fund retrofits such as replacing roofs, upgrading windows, adding insulation, and adding building cladding in commercial, institutional and mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings across Canada. Another part of the strategy is the Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, which aims to help low-to-median income Canadians, including renters, receive retrofits to their residences at no cost, in order to save energy costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The Canada Green Buildings Strategy also includes a commitment to introducing a new regulatory framework that will phase-out the installation of oil heating systems in new construction as early as 2028. The phase-out would include exclusions for regions with insufficient access to electricity, and where additional heating fuel is necessary.

In announcing the new strategy, the federal government invested $12.6 million in Société de financement et d’accompagnement en performance énergétique Canada (SOFIAC). The funding will help accelerate SOFIAC’s expansion into energy efficiency for commercial buildings and multi-unit residential buildings nationwide. The organization helps businesses implement energy efficiency projects by eliminating financial, technical and operational barriers.

natural-resources.canada.ca

RWC/Sharkbite

Imagine your business not just providing services but becoming a trusted advisor and a cornerstone of your community. Picture customers feeling a deep connection with your brand, returning repeatedly, and referring you to friends and family. This is the power of brand resonance. In today’s digital age, building strong emotional connections with customers isn’t just a goal − it’s a necessity for thriving in a competitive market.

Embrace the following strategies, and watch your business transform into a beloved, trusted brand.

1 BRAND RESONANCE IN THE DIGITAL ERA: Nurturing customer loyalty

.

Understanding brand resonance

Brand resonance is the emotional connection customers feel towards your brand. It drives loyalty, repeat business, and word-of-mouth referrals. Building brand resonance can be a game-changer in a competitive market.

The digital landscape: Opportunities and challenges

The digital era offers myriad opportunities for these businesses to engage with their audience. However, it also presents challenges. The sheer volume of information available means that brands must work harder to stand out. Here are strategies to build and maintain a strong brand presence.

Paul Bies

2

Develop a consistent brand identity

Consistency is critical to brand resonance. Your brand identity should be cohesive across all digital platforms − website, social media, email marketing, and online advertisements. This includes your logo, colour scheme, typography, and brand voice. Consistency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of loyalty.

Actionable tip:

Conduct a brand audit to ensure consistency across all touchpoints. Create a brand style guide to help maintain uniformity in your communications.

Create valuable content

Content is a powerful tool for building brand resonance. Provide valuable information to position your brand as an authority in your industry. Educational content, such as how-to guides, maintenance tips, and industry insights, can engage an audience and keep them returning for more.

Real-world example:

An HVAC company might create blog posts and videos on seasonal maintenance tips that can be shared on social media platforms.

Paul Bies, co-founder and president of Mystique Brand Communications (mystique.ca) in Toronto, ON, brings a wealth of marketing expertise to his role as Mechanical Business marketing columnist. His mission is to empower businesses and to share insights that provide valuable perspectives for their success. As the son of an HVAC entrepreneur, he understands the business landscape and is committed to helping MB readers thrive.

3 Leverage social media

Social media platforms are invaluable for engaging with your audience and building a community around your brand. Regularly posting engaging content, responding to comments, and participating in conversations help humanize your brand and foster connections.

Each platform has its strengths. Facebook and LinkedIn are great for sharing industry news and long-form content, while Instagram and Twitter are perfect for visual content and quick updates. Alignable, an online referral network for small businesses, is ideal for building local business networks and fostering business-to-business relationships.

Actionable tip:

6 Invest in quality service and customer experience

Ensure that your services are reliable, efficient, and exceed customer expectations. A positive customer experience is the most powerful driver of brand loyalty.

Use tools such as SharpSpring or Hootsuite to schedule and manage social media posts, ensuring consistent and timely content delivery.

4 Customer engagement and feedback

Engagement goes beyond broadcasting messages; it involves listening and responding to your audience. Actively seek customer feedback through surveys, reviews, and social media interactions. Showing you value customer input and are willing to make changes based on feedback builds trust and loyalty.

5 Personalize customer interactions

Personalization is a powerful way to build brand resonance. Use data and customer insights to tailor communications and offers to individual preferences. Personalized emails, recommendations based on past purchases, and targeted social media ads make customers feel valued and understood.

Actionable tip:

Use CRM (customer relationship management) software to track customer interactions and preferences, enabling more personalized communications.

Train your team to consistently deliver exceptional service. A friendly, knowledgeable, and professional staff can turn a one-time customer into a lifelong advocate for your brand.

Real-world example:

Implement a training program for technicians, emphasizing customer service skills alongside technical expertise.

7 Utilize video content

Video content is incredibly engaging and can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. Create videos that showcase your expertise, such as how-to videos, customer testimonials, and behind-the-scenes looks at your operations. Videos allow you to convey your brand’s personality and values more effectively than text alone.

Actionable tip:

Invest in a good-quality camera and microphone to ensure videos are professional. Platforms such as YouTube and Facebook Live are great for video content.

8

Build an online community

Creating an online community around your brand can foster a sense of belonging among customers. This can be achieved through social media groups, forums on your website, or even live Q&A sessions. Engage with your community regularly, provide exclusive content, and encourage discussions.

Real-world example:

An HVAC business could host webinars on energy-saving tips, providing value and fostering community engagement.

9 Embrace sustainability and corporate responsibility

Today’s consumers are increasingly conscious of environmental and social issues. Committing to sustainability and corporate responsibility can enhance your brand’s appeal. Highlight your eco-friendly practices, community involvement, and initiatives to reduce your environmental footprint.

10

Measure and adapt

Finally, continuously measure the effectiveness of branding efforts and be willing to adapt. Utilize analytics tools like Google Analytics, SharpSpring, and HubSpot to track key performance indicators such as engagement, conversion rates and customer feedback. This data provides valuable insights into what’s working and where improvement is needed.

Set clear objectives for branding efforts, whether it’s increasing brand awareness, boosting customer engagement, or driving more leads. Regularly review metrics, such as website traffic, bounce rates, social media interactions, and email open rates, to gauge effectiveness.

Encourage customer feedback through reviews, surveys, and social media polls. This helps identify strengths and areas for improvement. Adjust strategies based on this feedback. Invest more in what’s working and pivot away from what’s not.

Actionable tip:

Schedule regular review meetings with your team to discuss analytics reports. Brainstorm new ideas based on data insights. This ongoing process of measurement and adaptation will ensure your branding efforts evolve and improve, driving long-term success.

CHOOSE SYSTEM XFR® PVC DWV

for high buildings, parkades, plenums and more

System XFR® pipe and fittings deliver all the performance advantages you would expect from thermoplastic piping.

Learn about the System XFR Water Line Guide! ipexna.com

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PLUMBING Products

Drain cleaner

Dual pump

Armstrong Fluid Technology introduces larger sizes of the Design Envelope Tango, a compact, low-carbon dual pump. The unit includes two motors and two impeller assemblies in one casing, and integrated valves to isolate one side of the pump for service. Motors range from 15 to 40 hp, capable of serving applications up to 2,00 GPM or 160 ft. of pressure. Because there is a single casing, installation requires less piping. www.

armstrongfluidtechnology.com

The Sewerooter T-4 mid-size drain cleaner from General Pipe Cleaners is designed to unclog 3- to 6-in. diameter lines up to 100 ft. long. It is powered by a 1/3 HP capacitor-type motor with thermal overload protection, and carries 100 ft. of 9/16-in. cable to clear stoppages in 3- to 4-in. inside lines, and 75 ft. of 5/8-in. cable to clear clogs in 3- to 6-in. lines. A variable speed Power Control Feed reduces whipping and drag. The Guide Tube helps users safely propel cable at up to 20 ft. per minute.

www.

drainbrain.com

Redesigned Island

Tub Drain

The redesigned island tub drain (ITD) from OS&B features a deeper, more compact one-piece asymmetrical deck flange. It is available in ABS, PVC and Total 1, 2-in-1 ABS/PVC models. The snap off test cover allows for easy water/ air/smoke testing. An easy grip removable debris cover is included. www. osb.ca

Water line guide

The System XFR Water Line Guide from IPEX is designed to allow 1/2-in. CTS water lines to be braced to all basin or sink rough-ins. It provides consistent spacing position and height relative to the drain pipe. The guide attaches directly to a waste fitting through solvent welding, eliminating the need for additional bracing, while two symmetrical 1/2-in. CTS openings hold water lines in place. It is suitable for all building types. www.

ipexna.com

PLUMBING Products

Electric water heater

Ariston USA introduces the HTP EVERLAST Light Duty electric water heater for the commercial market. The water heater can be changed from single phase to three-phase power and/or simultaneous operation to non-simultaneous. Lightweight and easy to handle, the 277-volt unit features two low watt-density titanium heating elements and fully automatic surface mounted high-temperature thermostats for adjustability up to 181⁰F. The unit offers 12,200-watt input. ww.

htproducts.com

Water system

The Pure Water Residential Dual Media 45K softening and filtration system from Watts is a whole house solution that combines advanced water softening and filtration in one unit. It delivers water softening with a maximum ion exchange capacity of 45,000 grains and uses granular activated carbon (GAC) to reduce chlorine taste and odour, while extending the life of the softening resin. Maintenance is simple due to the unit’s mineral tank dome hole, which provides easy access for GAC media replacement.

www.

watts.ca

STUFF YOU NEED

Tool backpack

Durable workwear

The Lydia work pants from Peggy Workwear are made of midweight stretch fabric. With reinforced, extra deep front and side pockets for safe storage, the pants include tool loops, knife blocks, side tool pockets and two rows of MOLLE webbing. Other features include adjustable zippered cuffs that fit under or over boots, triple stitching, a gusseted crotch and contoured waist.

www.

peggyworkwear.ca

The DEWALT Pro Backpack is designed for safely storing tools, electronics and valuables for easy access on the job. Made of durable fabric and featuring 43 pockets, an IP54 waterresistant compartment, waterproof base, and a separate laptop area, the backpack includes a padded, ergonomic back support system. Tools can also be clipped to the backpack with a dedicated tape clip, metal carabiner, and daisy chain for additional storage. A fold-down main pocket also allows for quick access to tools. www.

dewalt.ca

Steel toe work boot

Safety helmet

The BOLT Safety Helmet with Impact Armor liner from Milwaukee Tool offers advanced head protection from slip, trip and fall injuries on the job, as well as protection from oblique impacts. The helmets can be integrated with other personal protection equipment, and accessories such as a headlamp mount and marker clip. The helmets have a padded suspension with adjustable swinging ratchet and five adjustable buckle chin strap.

www. milwaukeetool.ca

Waterproof boots

Wolverine’s Trade Wedge 6-in. Moc-Toe steel toe work boots for women are made of waterproof full-grain leather with a wicking membrane, and feature a mesh lining and removable ETPU footbed. A lightweight rubber wedge outsole provides added cushioning and flexibility. The boots have an iron shank for additional protection, and are also available without the steel toe. www. wolverine.com

Customer intelligence

The Second Shift work boot from Caterpiller has a fully waterproof membrane and full grain leather to keep feet dry. The footbed is crafted for comfort. The boots have a slipresistant outsole for extra traction, Goodyear welt construction for added durability, and are rated for electrical hazard protection. The soft toe boots are available in two colours: honey reset and dark brown. www.

catfootwear.com

Digital Alert

GlassHouse introduces a SaaS customer intelligence platform for the trades and home services industries. The platform includes customer intelligence and data, collection of client reviews, and targeted prospecting tools. Data allows companies to prioritize sales and identify potential downstream costs before accepting a job. The mobile app allows users to automate insights and track data from the field.

Woodford Model 22 hot/cold faucets make washing dogs, cleaning garages, filling kiddie pools and sparkling windows a breeze. And, these maintenance-free faucets won’t burst in sub-zero weather…even with a hose attached.* Offer homeowners the Woodford Model 22; it’s an easy upgrade that will delight your customers.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

WILDFIRES

have increased advocacy for better IAQ and building codes

In recent years, a record number of wildfires in Canada and the Western United States has sparked a renewed discussion about indoor air quality (IAQ). Building codes and ASHRAE’s Ventilation and IAQ Standards (62.1, 62.2) bases for achieving IAQ is through dilution (ventilation) and air cleaning (filtration), as well as ensuring air that enters or leaves a building in a controlled and intended manner (pressurization control).

These things are essential to maintaining indoor contaminant levels generated by people, building materials, and components below thresholds. In some instances, the contaminants outdoors may be higher than indoors, universally measured by the air quality index (AQI), and sometimes differs by country. Wildfires generate gases and particulate matter the AQI measures; it is a good indicator to determine when the outdoor air is at risk. These contaminants can be filtered out.

The amount of removal depends on the mass removal efficiency of the filters used and the loading of the filter (how long the filter is effective) is dependent on particle size. Recent events have put the AQI within the unhealthy to hazardous levels.

With the increase in wildfires and other events that release contaminants into the air, it is good practice to have a Smoke Readiness Plan that can be implemented to protect people indoors from bad outdoor air while also protecting them from contaminants generated indoors. That is why it is essential to:

1. Ensure adequate filtration to defend against harmful particles.

• Maintain an inventory of additional MERV 11 filters at a minimum for use on all outdoor air inlets.

• Verify that existing filtration systems have correct MERV ratings and fit well without air gaps.

• Add in-room filtration systems as needed.

By Darryl DeAngelis

Hazy Toronto skyline with smoke from wildfires created dangerous air quality and poor visibility.

2. Make sure ventilation is compliant with building codes.

• Directly measure with installed flow measurement or validate by an accredited TAB professional. Note that a TAB measurement is only good for a moment in time; systems are impacted by the environment and degrade over time.

• Inspect, maintain, and monitor the system often.

3. Maintain positive building pressurization.

• Ensure windows and doors are properly closed.

• Control the pressurization flow by ensuring the ventilation rates exceed exhaust and relief rates during all operation and dynamic reset modes.

• Disable demand control ventilation (DCV) and economizer operation to limit dynamic modes of operation during wildfire events.

A Journal article by ASHRAE in 2021 stated one of the points on the Smoke Readiness Plan: “Optimize system airflows –assess and maintain adequate airflows that are protective of human health and equipment health during smoke events. Prior to wildfire season, determine an outdoor air intake level that controls odor, temperature, indoor contaminant levels and maintains a positive building pressure consistent with the building and HVAC system design.”

better purification capabilities now available

R32 Refrigerant

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INDOOR AIR QUALITY

While the 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive ever recorded, many communities experienced severe fire situations in 2024. As of August 27, the number of current wildfires burning across the country had dropped below 800 for the first time during the summer months.

The foundation of healthy buildings

Filtering, ventilation, and pressure control are the foundation of maintaining a healthy building during normal operation and essential during an outdoor event such as a wildfire. Integrating airflow measuring devices into a building automation system allows ventilation rates to be automatically adjusted or manually adjusted as conditions change. In addition, it prepares the building for any future need to increase and confirm ventilation rates.

Integrate airflow measuring devices into the building automation system.

Proper outdoor air ventilation and building pressurization are necessary for controlling indoor pollution concentration. Uncontrolled or imbalanced airflow can cause unwanted air to enter a space through walls, windows, and doors; janitor closets or mechanical rooms; toilet or locker rooms; and basements or underground. Installed airflow measuring solutions can also indicate when filters are becoming loaded and need replacement.

Maintenance is critical for effective operation in any mode. Testing and inspection protocols maintain IAQ during normal operation and keep systems ready for future events. It is important to inspect the HVAC system after a smoke event. Smoke may have affected the operation of components and caused the system to function improperly or inefficiently, impacting normal mode IAQ.

If you don’t measure it, you can’t control it

When designing or upgrading a mechanical system or setting up an HVAC system, it’s essential to prioritize measurement, control, and fault alerts as the foundation for these systems. New HVAC system designs should consider adding filtration efficiency and control strategies to initiate smoke mode. This will allow the system to operate energy efficiently during normal mode and allow for additional fan capacity and the control logic needed during wildfire events. Airflow measurement and control costs in an HVAC system are minimal compared to the future impact and cost due to over ventilation, inadequate ventilation, and infiltration.

Where there’s fire, there’s smoke

In 2023, smoke from wildland fires that had been burning in Quebec for weeks crossed the Atlantic Ocean and darkened skies in southwestern Europe. A plume of black carbon particles – commonly called soot – spanning eastward from North America and across more than 3,200 km of the Atlantic Ocean was identified using NASA’s GEOS forward processing model, which assimilates data from satellite, aircraft, and ground-based observing systems. NASA

Darryl DeAngelis is director of business development for EBTRON. He is a LEED AP certified professional and has garnered more than 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry. DeAngelis has 20 years of experience with ASHRAE and is also a member of ASTM, ISIAQ, and I2SL, and has four HVAC-related patents.

THE EVENT FOR HVACR / FEB 10-12

E MB RACING the past

By Carolyn Cooper

WALLACE FOUNTAINS AND MISTING STATIONS KEPT OLYMPIC VISITORS COOL

Olympic and Paralympic Games attendees and Paris residents had one more way to beat the heat during Paris 2024 thanks to the use of traditional and contemporary fountains in areas where events were taking place.

Wallace Fountains have been in Paris as a source of free, clean drinking water for more than 150 years. The original 50 fountains installed in Paris were a gift from English art collector Sir Richard Wallace in 1872, following the siege and artillery bombing of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War when clean potable water was hard to access. The dark green, cast-iron fountains were designed by sculptor Charles-Auguste Lebourg based on Wallace’s specifications. Eventually the fountains were made in four different models: a grand model weighing more than 1,300 lbs and almost nine feet tall; a wall-mounted fountain; a colonnade model and a petit model.

There are currently 106 grand model fountains in Paris, operating from mid-March to late fall. While citizens no longer rely on them as their only source of potable water, the city encourages their use, and has even run public service campaigns urging residents to use

the iconic fountains instead of plastic water bottles. In addition, two years ago nozzles were added to about 50 fountains to add an automatic misting function to help cool residents during heat waves, and as a response to climate change.

Paris has a variety of drinking fountains – including several dispensing sparkling water – and before the Olympics installed an additional 70 two-in-one Mât-Source drinking and misting fountains. The city also offers several large-scale misting areas, including an overhead system along the Seine River and ground-based systems in high-traffic spaces.

There are more than 150 Wallace Fountains throughout France and around the world (including two in Quebec City and one in Granby, QC). Nantes, one of seven sites which hosted Olympic competitions, originally had seven Wallace Fountains which were dismantled in March 2024 for renovation as they had not been operating for some time. Now repainted their traditional “Nantes Green,” the drinking fountains have been updated to be more accessible and water efficient. Four newly-made Wallace Fountains were also installed.

2024/25 CALENDAR OF EVENT S

BUILDEX Alberta

October 23 – 24 Calgary, AB buildexalberta.com

NEBB Annual Conference

October 31 – November 2 Phoenix, AZ nebb.org

ACCA Service Managers Forum

November 11 – 13 Pasadena, CA acca.org

Greenbuild

November 12 – 15 Philadelphia, PA informaconnect.com/greenbuild

The Buildings Show

December 4 – 6 Toronto, ON informaconnect.com/the-buildings-show

2025

ASHRAE Winter Conference

February 8 – 12 Orlando, FL ashrae.org

AHR EXPO

February 10 – 12 Orlando, FL ahrexpo.com

KBIS

February 25 – 27 Las Vegas, NV kbis.com

IGSHPA Annual Conference March 11 – March 13 Champaign, IL igshpa.org

ISH

March 17 – 21 Frankfurt, Germany ish.messefrankfurt.com

ACCA Annual Conference

March 24 – 27 Austin, TX accaconference.com

MCEE

April 24 – 25 Montreal, QC mcee.ca

ORAC 58th AGM

May 8 – 11 Las Vegas, NV orac.ca

Supporting Equity in Trades Conference

May 24 – 26 Toronto, ON caf-fca.org

Retrofit Canada Conference

June 9 – 10 Toronto, ON energyconferencenetwork.com

HUMAN RESOURCES

The F word

In previous articles, we’ve talked about how being open to hires outside of traditional lines can help fill hiring gaps, reach new potential customer pools, and grow your business. Now let’s talk about one of the final, unbreeched hiring frontiers – you may have heard of them, you may even be sitting near one at this very moment – that’s right, females. Women may be more than half the total population of the planet, but did you know only about five per cent of Canadian trades workers are women. While there has been some momentum, some small steps forward in public policy, and even some trailblazers all helping to make inroads in the past few years, with numbers that low, clearly there’s still much work to be done.

There are numerous reasons why females don’t often choose careers in the trades, but for those do, there is mounting evidence that women in construction roles are efficient, effective employees that help crews work better together, improve customer satisfaction and increase customer loyalty. Truly, supporting women working in the trades can have a direct, positive effect on a business’ bottom line. But wait – I can hear the protests starting already.

“But women don’t want to work in the trades!”

This probably comes as no great revelation to most, but women (and to an even greater extent, women of colour) often face hurdles to finding quality, stable employment regardless of the profession they choose. When it comes specifically to training and entering a trade, some of those hurdles can become insurmountable. Some of these problems are massive, systemic, and beyond the scope of a single business owner to change. But there are still plenty of things we can do to help attract more women into roles in trades.

Traditionally, certain jobs have been considered “male” occupations, including most trades, while others are seen as more “suitable” for women, leading to some fairly deeply ingrained stereotypes. These stereotypes work to actively discourage women from pursuing careers in trades. Some

women may also be deterred by the perception trades jobs are too physically demanding for them and may believe they are not well-suited for these stable, often well-paid roles. These stereotypes lead to lack of women studying and entering the trades, which perpetuates a vicious cycle: women are less likely to consider a career in trades if they don’t see others like them succeeding in those roles, a lack of women entering in the trades begets a lack of role models and on it goes.

As a business owner and leader, what can you do? One positive step that can be accomplished for little to no cost would be for hiring managers and business owners to do some community outreach. Volunteer to speak about roles in your industry at a middle or high school, host a competition, consider taking on a co-op student. Any outlet that lets you be a positive role model and talk directly to younger people can help plant the seed for someone to consider a future in the trades. Bonus points if you have a woman in a leadership role or a female employee join you.

“But women never apply to my jobs!”

It’s important to keep in mind there are barriers built into the Canadian education and training system that discourage women (and really, people in general) from pursuing a life in the trades. Biases in career counseling, limited access to relevant programs, or inadequate support systems are also working against women who might otherwise choose these careers. Women may not be aware of the opportunities available in trades or may not receive sufficient information and encouragement to consider these careers. And there is still the perception that trades are somehow “less than” – less prestige, less exclusive, and less pay. As any degree holding, minimum wage-earning Fine Arts grad can tell you, university isn’t always a guaranteed path to career success. If you’re actively posting and you’re finding you’ve never received an application from a woman, it’s time to figure out why. In the past, trades environments have had a notorious reputation for fostering company cultures that are hostile to women. Sexism and outright harassment within the workplace or frankly, even when just walking past a workplace, was at one time both expected and rampant.

What can you do to combat this negative association? Knowing that an inclusive and supportive workplace culture is essential to attract and retain women in these professions, you can review your marketing materials, the language of your postings and your workplace policies. Small tweaks to your wording could make the difference to attracting more candidates from all backgrounds, and small changes to improve your overall culture will keep your current workforce feeling supported and forward thinking.

Biases in career counseling, limited access to relevant programs, or inadequate support systems are also working against women who might otherwise choose these careers.

By Sue Sodek

“But … and I know I’m not allowed to say so … women get pregnant and take time off!”

Yes, they absolutely do. Let’s talk this one out. Since women are pretty much solely on the hook for the perpetuation of the human race, as a society we might want to recognize it and stop penalizing them for it. So yes, if you hire a woman of child bearing age, there is a chance at some point she will want to take a maternity leave. And the demanding nature of many trade jobs, which can often involve irregular hours and heavy physical work, can be challenging for women with family responsibilities. All of this is a fact. Consider though, the fact is, men also have child rearing responsibilities. Men also take paternal leaves, and with far greater frequency than ever before. Have you noticed when a man says he’s leaving work early to watch his kid play soccer, he’s being a great dad, but when a woman says I need to leave work to pick up my sick child, she’s somehow an unreliable employee? While you as an individual probably can’t have an impact on the availability of affordable and accessible childcare options, your company can choose to have policies in place that support women workers. Everything from flexible shift scheduling or offering part-time options, to paid sick time and top ups for parental leaves will help you attract and retain women workers, and set you over and above the rest in this very competitive labour market.

Efforts are being made across Canada and elsewhere to address all of these shortcomings, and encourage more workers, including more women, to enter into the trades. Initiatives to promote diversity, challenge stereotypes, provide mentorship, and create inclusive workplaces can and will increase the representation of women in this work. Additionally, educational and policy changes will help break down barriers and encourage more women to pursue these careers.

If you have built a solid, equitable foundation of policies and practices in your business, if you have reviewed marketing and advertising materials to ensure your tone is open and welcoming to all, and you’ve done community outreach to help attract young people to the trades, you can feel good that you’re officially part of the solution.

Sue Sodek has over 20 years of human resource and consulting experience across a variety of businesses and currently manages HR for UCEL Inc. in Uxbridge, ON. She can be reached at sue.sodek@gmail.com.

Carolyn Cooper

Stepping out of the box

ACE Plumbing and Heating’s new building is a custom-designed, state-of-the-art model of high-efficiency heating and cooling

“I don’t think there are any secrets to our success,” says Brian Walters, owner of ACE Plumbing and Heating for almost 40 years. “We’ve a strong belief in doing our work properly, and if we fail, we go back until we have customer satisfaction. We built this business on word of mouth, and we continue to rely on that, so we promote consistency in all aspects of our business, whether it’s quality workmanship, using reliable brands, product pricing, or scheduling and delivery of our services.”

The Kelowna, BC business was opened in 1979 by Brian’s father Ray Walters, and after working there for several years, Brian and his wife Corallee took it over in 1985. Today the company has approximately 90 employees, including journeymen plumbers, sheet metal tinsmiths, pipe fitters, gas fitters and refrigeration technicians, working to install, service and maintain plumbing and HVAC systems for residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the Okanagan Valley.

ACE Plumbing and Heating’s new Kelowna, BC headquarters is approximately 23,000 sq. ft. and took over two years to plan and build.

Continued expansion has meant the company has outgrown four locations, and by 2019 the Walters were again looking for larger office and warehouse space. Instead of leasing they decided to design and build their own property, and in December 2022 moved into the new custom-built headquarters. The building meets the company’s expanding business needs, while showcasing some unique plumbing and heating features.

“I knew that I needed to provide a workspace where everything was connected, and that the interaction between the departments worked in everyone’s favour,” says Walters, who is a journeyman plumber and gas fitter. “So after we acquired a lot in the airport business park, I started drawing a concept building at home after work. I looked at the previous tenant spaces we’d occupied, and I interviewed my staff to get their opinions on what they wanted to see.

So as I put this together, the footprint of the two floors grew until I reached about 23,000 sq. ft. I didn’t want to have a lay down yard outside, everything had to be inside.”

The two-storey building took about two years to plan and build, and includes offices, warehouse and 1,500-sq. ft. showroom for fireplace and HVAC displays, a 1,500-sq. ft. rooftop lounge and patio for employee events, a 3,000-sq. ft. staging area with 32-ft. high ceilings, and a fully equipped sheet metal shop with air conditioning to fabricate fittings, custom cabinets, and duct work. Upstairs are two kitchens: an indoor kitchen with a gas range, commercial fridge and freezer; and an outdoor kitchen with built-in grill, barbecue, smoker, pizza oven and fire pit.

FOCUS ON COMFORT

Because Walters wanted a “state-of-the-art” heating and cooling system, he says they “incorporated a mix of high-efficiency gas components with variable speed operation, as well as heat recovery, ventilation heat pumps with zoning and digital controls. Our equipment includes the Carrier Ecoblue 16 SEER rooftop unit, which provides heating and air conditioning to our warehouses and fab shop area, and a 97 per cent high-efficiency furnace with zoning for our showroom and service department. We used approximately 18 inverter heat pumps

Brian Walters and his wife Corallee are celebrating the business’ 40th anniversary and their 65th birthdays next year.

for all the offices, which are mostly shared between two people, who share a thermostat,” says Walters.

“For added comfort we put in a hydronic heating zone under everybody’s desk and a tekmar digital thermostat with a floor sensor so they can adjust the temperature of the floor under their desk. Each bathroom also has in-floor hydronic heating with its own heating zone, and we put in as high-quality fixtures as we could.”

The building uses Navien high-efficiency combi boilers for heat and domestic hot water, as well as for the hydronic snowmelt system that extends out six ft. on the walkway surrounding the building.

ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT PAYS OFF

While Walters says the project was pretty straightforward, the pandemic caused some supply challenges and delays, as well as pushing up costs. Customized features, such as the 17 natural gas fireplaces in the showroom, also meant Walters had to “design a special venting system in order to get them vented out to the roof, and had to work closely with Technical Safety BC to get that approved.” However, the energy-efficient equipment is already paying off in lower energy bills, and Walters says “the utility bills are similar in consumption to the utility bills we had for the two previous locations we were in, and they were approximately 45 per cent less space combined.”

The company plans on holding an event in spring 2025 for customers, suppliers and staff to celebrate ACE’s 40th anniversary, and to showcase the new building. “Things get around in this industry, so I’ve had a lot of visitors in the last year and a half just to take a look at it,” says Walters. “And I have questioned people if they know of any similar buildings. Apparently there’s maybe one company in Quebec that has something similar to this, but other than that we kind of stepped out of the box.”

The building has a fully equipped sheet metal shop, including Machitech Silver Cut Plasma Table.

A Navien combi boiler with piping for hydronic heating in the showroom, in bathrooms, underneath 26 desks, and for domestic water.

THE PROS

ACE Plumbing and Heating – Mechanical contractor, design and installation of heating, plumbing and snowmelt systems.

Delta-T Consultants – Consulting mechanical engineer.

Paralynx Engineering – Electrical specification, lighting fixtures and automated controls.

Coe & Company Electric – Electrical installations.

tekmar controls for the in-floor hydronic heating zones at office desks.

ENERGY OUTPUT

53

Per cent of Ontario’s energy output generated by nuclear facilities in 2023, according to the Independent Electricity System Operator.

25

Per cent of Ontario’s energy output generated by hydro facilities. Gas and oil generate 13 per cent, wind generates eight per cent, and both solar and biofuel generate less than one per cent.

WATER MAIN BREAKS

260,000

Number of pipe failures per year in Canada and the U.S., equating to 11.1 breaks per 100 miles, according to a study by the Utah Water Research Laboratory at Utah State University. 20

Per cent of pipes surveyed that need to be replaced, representing a $452-billion shortfall.

400,000

Miles of water mains covered in the report, which surveyed more than 800 water utilities.

BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO GERMS

97

Per cent of students between 14 and 18 who believe washing with soap and water is an important part of health. Almost two-thirds admit they occasionally only use water, according to Bradley Company’s annual Healthy Handwashing Survey conducted in the U.S. and released in August 2024.

64

Per cent of students who say they only use their school bathrooms once or twice a day, usually because of the conditions of the facilities. Overall 74 per cent of respondents say their school washrooms are in either average or poor condition.

56

Per cent of teens who say school restrooms could be improved by being cleaner and stocked more frequently, as well as taller doors with no gaps between panels for more privacy.

THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION

68

Per cent of small business owners in the 2024 CFIB report Hard hats and hard times: Public construction impacts on small business who say they have experienced business disruptions due to local construction projects, a 27-per cent increase since 2018.

508

Days of construction-related disruptions small business owners say they have experienced over the past five years.

MEASURE TWICE

10

Number of times a day up to 50 per cent of residential trade professionals estimate they use their tape measure, according to a new national survey by STANLEY. Seventy-five per cent of respondents say they use their tape measure at least five times each day.

2 in 3

Number of contractors who say they misplace their tape measure at least once a day. Not surprisingly, 38 per cent say they own more than three tape measures.

17.16

° Average global temperature in Celsius on July 22, 2024, the highest temperature the Earth has reached in recent history, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Redesigned.

Our original Island Tub Drain® was groundbreaking, creating a new category and setting the industry benchmark for freestanding tub drains.

all Plastic Deck

Compact Asymmetrical design for easier installation in tight spaces (fits in 8” joist space or larger)

Still 100% engineered and manufactured in Canada, the newest addition to our ITD® range of products resets the benchmark with it’s innovative new design and features. Available soon from your preferred distributor. New 1 piece design For a secure installation. Deep “well” design accomodates bath drain fittings

Accept no imitations.

Snap off Test Cap Allows for easy water/ air/smoke testing

Available models:

• ITD60: ABS model (Shown)

• ITD51: PVC model

• ITD365: Total 1™ 2-in-1 ABS and PVC model

2” DWV Outlet 2” x 1-1/2” ABS or PVC Reducing Bushing supplied.

Smaller

Flange*