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Longo’s goes near-net-zero FOCUS ON
CONTROLS ww w . m e c ha ni c a l bus i nes s . c om
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Thousands hit CIPHEX West in Calgary
44COVER STORY
30CIPHEX WEST IN
Despite being one of the top curlers in the world, John Epping still plans his own schedule and answers his own phone. That’s life at the top levels of his sport, so it’s a good thing that he loves what he does. If he didn’t, it would be hard to justify all of the juggling of work and family life that he and his teammates do to compete at the highest level of the game. Adam Freill
PICTURES From the sold-out show floor to busy aisles and a full seminar schedule, CIPHEX West 2018 will go down in the books as a success.
32PLUMBING Water jets can clear blockages that many cable drain cleaners can’t, but there are a few considerations to observe before firing up your machine. Marty Silverman
TIME TO
SMARTEN UP 24HVAC/R Technicians looking to gain a competitive edge would be well served by continuously updating their skills so that they can take advantage of the smart buildings boom. Simon Bowden
NEWEST STORE ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
56PROJECT PROFILE Ontario supermarket using innovative mechanicals to achieve a near-netzero rate of electrical energy consumption, while also improving air quality and maintenance management. Denise Deveau
On the cover: One of the top curlers in the nation, John Epping is not resting on early season success. He’s setting his sights on a national title and the Brier Tankard, as well as the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Cover photography: Anil Mungal Photography
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TA B L E F E AT U R E S 46HOME AUTOMATION
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REFRIGERATION Working with integrated electronics Phil J. Boudreau The use of intelligent electronics will continue to grow due to the many benefits that they bring, especially in applications that require several peripheral devices to support compressor operation.
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MARKETING To rebrand or not to rebrand? Doug MacMillan Your logo and brand are powerful tools. Rebranding can be fun and effective, but avoid the urge to pick up a paintbrush if you really need a few two-by-fours, a hammer and some nails.
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HYDRONICS When it comes to safety, recycle rather than reuse Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr While reusing and recycling is generally great advice, salvaging old parts may not be a good option when building your customer’s system.
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ASK ROGER Facing the industry’s challenges Roger Grochmal As business owners, we can spend time looking at what we didn’t do, or what isn’t here for us, or we can look forward and focus on new opportunities.
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PLUMBING Finger lickin’ good! Fred Bretzke In today’s fast-food society, everything has to be prepped and packaged quickly, and it takes all sorts of mechanical equipment to make this happen.
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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC Measuring up the myths Gord Cooke Our industry is constantly measuring and improving the performance of products, systems and technologies, so it can be helpful to recalibrate our thinking every now and then.
Plotting out a journey starts with a plan an Rick Ellull
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CONTENTS
“Siri, turn n up the heat” Mark Parliament rliament and Alexandra xandra Wennberg rg Parliament ent
48CONTROLS OLS
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Nice saves! Heroes on and off the tools Doyle James
68ROAD WARRIOR: JAYSON SEIER Simon Bowden
74HYDRONICS Miracle near Hollis Street Peter Meridew
80EVENT IN PICTURES HRAI 50th Annual Conference
82EVENT IN PICTURES MCAC’S 2018 National Conference
D E PA R T M E N T S 6From the Editor’s Desk 8News 18Reader Profile: Dave Palmer 78Find the Fix 84The Info Page 85Calendar 86By the Numbers M e c h a n i c a l
P R O D U C T S 34,66Plumbing 58,59,73HVAC/R 76Hydronics 79Stuff You Need
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FROM Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 Canada Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com November/December 2018 Issue Published 6 times per year. Editor: Adam Freill, ext. 224 adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com Associate Editor/Web Editor: Simon Bowden, ext. 225 simon.bowden@mechanicalbusiness.com National Sales Manager: Jeff Superle, ext. 221 jeff.superle@mechanicalbusiness.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Office Manager: Caroline Bexfield caroline.bexfield@mechanicalbusiness.com Art Direction: JJM Graphic Ltd. davem@jjmgraphic.com Circulation Manager: Shila Naik (905) 272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, ext. 222 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com PM:41536047 ISSN 1916-0674 MB (Print) ISSN 1906-0682 MB (Online) We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.
Submissions: Copyright in material submitted to the magazine and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Mechanical Business and its licensees may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. Mechanical Business also reserves the right to edit said submitted materials to suit the editorial needs and mandate of the publication. Notice: Mechanical Business is published for owners, managers and decision makers with mechanical contracting firms and the sector’s supply chain partners in Canada. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Mechanical Business, Content Media Group Inc., its staff, directors, officers and shareholders (‘The Publisher’) assume no liability, obligation or responsibility for advertised claims, for errors and/or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Manufacturers’ instructions take precedence over published editorial. The publisher reserves the right to publish a printed correction in a subsequent issue for editorial errors, omissions and oversights. Subscriptions are available for $90 plus taxes in Canada and the U.S. Single copies are $15.00. Outside Canada and the U.S., the rates are $150.00 (annual) and $25.00 (single copy).
THE
EDITOR’S
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Finding our place in a “smart” world As you peruse this month’s edition, you might notice just how much digital technology has worked its way into what was once an analogue world. It seems like everything needs to be generating or receiving a signal nowadays – there’s even a Wi-Fi toaster that will tell you when your bread is appropriately burnt. As the mechanical sector looks for ways to make most efficient use of resources, it only makes sense to measure as many aspects of a building’s systems as possible, and being able to do something with those measurements is what leads to improvements in comfort for occupants and efficient use of resources.
Season’s greetings! With the holiday season fast approaching, and snowy weather having already hit many parts of the country, the team here at Mechanical Businesss would like to wish all of our readers, advertisers and supporters a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and best wishes for the New Year. We hope that you get to enjoy some quality time with your families and friends over the holidays. See you in 2019.
At least that’s the plan that consumers have been buying into for the past number of years. They want comfort, convenience and efficiency, and they are willing to open up their phones and their wallets to have communicating devices that they believe will make their lives better. What has been interesting to watch is the rise in consumer interest in mechanical systems as a result of consumer-targeted smart HVAC controls. Consumers are being told that they will have a more comfortable space by simply replacing the box on their wall with a new box on the wall that speaks to their phone, as well as that tabletop device that will answer their kid’s questions and turn off their television and lights when they head off to bed. Of course, interest is not knowledge, and that’s where trade professionals come in. Twenty years ago, if you asked a consumer what brand of furnace they had, they’d tell you the brand of thermostat they had. The funny thing is, that level of technical knowledge about what’s going on behind the digital readout rreally hasn’t changed much. B hind Be d thatt new ne box (and the corresponding app) there’s Behind (a need) for engineers and contractors who opportunity (and r are willing to reach beyond these wall-mounted devices to learn how to structure all of the communicating devices to p create properly integrated systems that will deliver be the benefits consumers have been promised.
From time to time, Content Media Group Inc. makes subscribers’ names available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to readers. If you would like your name excluded from these mailings, please notify the publisher.
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12.18
News www.mechanicalbusiness.com
Ontario proposes sweeping trades shakeup The Ontario provincial government is planning to wind down the Ontario College of Trades and tackle journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios as part of broad legislation aimed at “lightening the burden on business and making sure that hard work is rewarded.” For all trades that are subject to journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios, the government is proposing to set the ratio to one-to-one, while it is also planning a moratorium on trade classifications and reclassifications. The province also plans to develop a replacement model for the regulation of the skilled trades and apprenticeship system in Ontario by early 2019. “Our government has been clear since day one – we are making Ontario open for business. It is time to bring quality jobs back to Ontario and help families get ahead,” said Jim Wilson, the member of the provincial parliament who made the announcement.
Alberta cuts requirements for hydronic slab insulation The cost of installing underfloor heating in Alberta is set to fall after the province recently issued a Standata addressing slab insulation requirements. The Canadian Hydronics Council has been engaging with the province since the new regulations were adopted in late 2016, arguing they were greatly increasing construction costs while offering little in the way of performance benefits. This variance will not remove the insulation requirement from Section 9.36. of ABC 2014, but the variance will allow, as an alternative, less than the 4” of under-slab insulation where hydronic or radiant heating is installed in the province. ciph.com
ontario.ca
PPI’s PEX course now available online The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) has partnered with online education provider RedVector, ector, to provide the CEU-style online course “Designing PEX Plumbing Systems to o Optimize Performance and Efficiency.” The onehour course is narrated by Lance MacNevin, P. Eng., director of engineering for PPI’s Building & Construction Division. It has five learning objectivess and advances at the pace of each student. Students will receive an online certificate and may qualify for learning credits.
Efficiency amendments published Amendment 14 to Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations has been published in the Canada Gazette, Part 2. In addition to increasing the efficiency standards for a number of products, Natural Resources Canada explained that the changes also reduce regulatory burden through alignment with the U.S. A range of HVAC/R products are affected by the changes, including: walk-in coolers and freezers, gas- and oil-fired furnaces, large ACs and heat pumps, commercial fridges and freezers, packaged terminal ACs and heat pumps, chillers, gas- and oil-fired residential storage water heaters and large condensing units. Amendment 15 to the regulations has also been prepublished, which opened a 70-day consultation period due to end on December 29.
plasticpipe.org
nrcan.gc.ca
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HRAI talks politics at Queen’s Park
Barba puts on pair of shows John Barba of Taco provided a full day’s instruction on all aspects of hydronic heating systems as part of wholesaler Noble’s 25th anniversary Fall Heating Show in Woodbridge, Ont., in late September. As well as training sessions, more than 75 exhibitors took part in the event which gave attendees a chance to check out the latest products in the HVAC/R, plumbing and hydronics sectors. Barba was also in action at Jess-Don Dunford’s Hydronics Training 101 event in Peterborough, Ont., one day earlier. There, he shared wisdom and knowledge about heat loss, energy efficiency, piping practices and component selection and installation. noble.ca jessdondunford.ca
HRAI leadership recently met with Ontario lawmakers at Queen’s Park to discuss a range of industry issues on behalf of the association’s members. Pictured here at a reception following the day in the legislature are MPP Doug Downey (left), HRAI GTA Chapter chair Victor Hyman and HRAI national chair Dave Weishuhn. “We are open for business,” stated the MPP as he addressed GTA Chapter members at a special reception. hrai.ca
Instant rebate program launched in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is offering its 2018 Instant Rebate program to help residents purchase products that improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The funding comes from the federal government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund, which has allocated up to $56 million to Nova Scotia for programs that fight climate change and drive clean growth. The province is also investing $12 million over the next four years in energy efficiency, solar and community-based low-carbon initiative programs. efficiencyns.ca
Students rewarded for hard work Employer Company members of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Hamilton Niagara (MCAHN) recently announced the recipients of their 24th annual scholarship awards. MCAHN members fund 20 $1,000 scholarships to exceptional students who are children of salaried employees of contractor member companies. Since the program’s inception in 1995, contractor employer remittance dues have funded over $465,000 in awarded scholarships to Southern Ontario students. mcahamiltonniagara.org
ASHRAE technical program unveiled ASHRAE has announced the technical program for its 2019 Winter Conference, to be held in Atlanta, Ga., in January. The five-day event includes eight conference tracks and over 100 sessions selected to represent areas of focus common among ASHRAE membership. New subjects being explored in Atlanta will include “Renewables and Natural Systems” and “The Engineer’s Role in Architecture.” Registration for the conference provides free entry to the co-sponsored AHR Expo. ashrae.org
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Brizo taps into artistic side Luxury faucet brand Brizo has taken a fresh look at functionality and design by introducing a concrete faucet, handcrafted in Canada by sculptor Christopher Shannon in his studio in Victoria, B.C. Handpoured using natural materials, each Vettis Concrete faucet has a distinct texture, colour and style. It is a limited-edition collection with only 500 faucets available. brizo.com
GTA couple Franchisees of the Year Derek and Pam Moreland, owners of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Toronto, were recently recognized as Franchisees of the Year by the Mr. Rooter corporate team at the company’s annual convention at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas. With more than 300 franchises worldwide, this award is the highest annual honour that can be bestowed upon a Mr. Rooter franchisee.
Stanis Smith takes lead The Rick Hansen Foundation has appointed Stantec executive vice-president Stanis Smith chair of its Accessibility Certification advisory committee. The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) is a rating system developed to help property owners and managers measure the accessibility of their buildings and sites and promotes increased access through the adoption of Universal Design principles. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Smith has been a board member of the advisory committee since early 2017. rickhansen.com
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What’s next?
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12.18
News www.mechanicalbusiness.com
Squamish Nation reopens training centre
CIPH Ontario members gain economic insight
In B.C., the Squamish Nation has celebrated the reopening of the Squamish Nation Training and Trades Centre (SNTTC) in North Vancouver. Having attracted over $1 million in funding through the Western Diversification Program (WDP), the centre has been expanded to 12,000 sq. ft., doubling the number of classrooms to four. Government agencies have also invested over $1.1 million to support the tuition and training of students. Scott Fraser, B.C.’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said, “The new and improved trades and training centre is great news for the Squamish Nation and young people who are seeking opportunities to build secure and fulfilling careers.”
“The professional negotiators did a good job of minimizing the damage,” proclaimed Douglas Porter, chief economist with BMO Financial Group, as he delivered his expert take on the USMCA trade agreement to attendees of October’s CIPH Ontario Business Meeting in Mississauga, Ont. He did acknowledge that steel and aluminum tariffs are still a concern, but pointed out that the global economy is in a very healthy state and that Canada’s economy is in an average range of growth. The next business meeting will take place on January 30 and will feature a talk on the strategic use of technology. ciph.com
squamish.net
Smith Energy scoops Samsung prize Ontario’s Smith Energy was recognized by Samsung HVAC America at its recent Annual Partner Summit in Dallas. The company, which has offices in Kitchener, Ont., and Toronto, is a manufacturer’s agent with specialization in high efficiency boilers and heating equipment.
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Spectrum introduces Fortis In November, Spectrum Brands launched its Fortis brand of faucets and accessories with a pair of events hosted with staff from Emco’s The Ensuite showrooms. Designed and manufactured in Italy, the line includes kitchen and bath faucets as well as accessories, and is available through showroom locations across the country. Pictured with a sampling from the collection at the Kitchener, Ont., party are, from left, Kenana Al Yakobi, Lisa Pratt and Kristy Bell of Spectrum, and Roxy Radaczynska and Tara Hotson of The Ensuite. fortisfaucet.com
The CoolCloud smartphone/tablet app for Goodman and Amana brand HVAC systems allows technicians to wirelessly connect to select HVAC systems – providing quick setup, configuration, diagnostics and troubleshooting. It provides historical system data; displays notes from interactions with the system or homeowner; and is customizable. coolcloudhvac.com
Backflow test management system SynctaSM is a cloud-based backflow test management application from Watts designed to speed backflow test reporting and submission. It allows access to all customer and device information from a smartphone, tablet or laptop, while water purveyor-required forms can also be submitted. There are also automated reminders, online scheduling, route optimization and more. watts.com
You need You provide provid ide answers to to customer ch challenges, hallllenges andd for more than 75 years the Little Giant® brand has provided the dependable, water-guzzling solutions. When you combine our passion with yours, together we help prevent unnecessary damage to their valuables by eliminating unwanted water collection before it starts.
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Movers & Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com
Bartle & Gibson expands reach in western Canada Wholesale distributor Bartle & Gibson has struck a deal to acquire the assets of Triangle Supply Ltd., a supplier of plumbing and heating products in Red Deer, Alta., and surrounding areas. The deal allows Edmonton-based Bartle & Gibson to build on the 30 locations it has across Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories. The agreement, which is due to close at the end of the year, will see all of Triangle Supply’s 14 employees join Bartle & Gibson, with president Gerald Halford continuing in his current role to ensure a smooth transition. bartlegibson.com
Stelpro t p invests $24M in Quebec plant Stelpro, a Quebec-based manufacturer of electric heating equipment and electronic controls, has announced a three-year, $24 million investment at its Saint-Brunode-Montarville plant. The investment aims to boost the company’s growth while increasing productivity and production capacity, in addition to creating 50 new jobs. Work is due to be completed by the end of 2019. stelpro.com
Canadian General Filters gets Second Wind Canadian General Filters has acquired Second Wind, a company that specializes in ultraviolet air purification equipment. Manufacturing will be relocated to Toronto, while former Second Wind owner, president and CEO Tom Wilson will join Canadian General Filters as air purification manager. cgfproducts.com
Noritz and Reliable Parts strike deal Noritz is now officially working with Reliable Parts to stock and distribute warranty and replacement service parts throughout Canada. Reliable Parts’ Mississauga, Ont., distribution centre will service eastern Canada while the centre in Calgary, Alta., will deliver to the west of the country. reliableparts.ca
Master Group breaks new ground Staff and management of the Master Group took part in a groundbreaking ceremony in Vaughan, Ont., to mark the beginning of construction of the company’s new distribution centre. Due to be completed in the fall of 2019, the complex will include 177,500 sq. ft. of warehouse space as well as offices. master.ca
Adey announces new sales reps in Canada Adey, the manufacturer of magnetic filtration products, has appointed new representatives across Canada. Thomas Industry Sales will cover Atlantic Canada, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland; Yorkshire Systems will cover Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes; and Mechanical Equipment Sales will cover British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. adey.com
Milwaukee Tool continuess expansion Milwaukee Tool, a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries, has continued its expansion with the acquisition of Imperial Blades, the original inventor of the universal shank for use on oscillating multi-tools. Imperial Blades is also based in Wisconsin, like its new owner. milwaukeetool.ca
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TML Supply p opens 11th location TML Supply recently celebrated the opening of its 11th location, with special guests and events marking the occasion at its Belleville, Ont., site. The new facility, located at 85A Davey Rd., is 18,000 sq. ft. and has six employees. More than 30 suppliers were on hand at the event to answer questions from HVAC/R contractors about their latest products. tmlsupply.com
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12.18
People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com
David Street has been named Canadian sales manager for BOSCH THERMOTECHNOLOGY. Based in Mississauga, Ont., Street joins that division from the company’s tool division, where he most recently served as eCommerce manager and built up more than 15 years of industry experience.
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LIXIL CANADA has named Gina Flinton (1) senior director of marketing, responsible for the company’s American Standard, DXV and GROHE brands. She will manage and develop the marketing strategies and programs to drive brand preference and establish brand positioning in the Canadian marketplace. Also at LIXIL, Cosimo Coffa (2) has been named vice-president of trade sales.
Michelle Marchetti recently joined CIPH as a program manager supporting the Industrial Pipe, Valves and Fittings Council (IPVF), the Canadian Water Systems Council (CWSC), the Education and Training Council (ETC) and the CIPH Membership Committee. She brings an extensive background in operations, fundraising, volunteer management and event management in the not-for-profit sector to her new position.
Kevin Wong has been appointed to the newly-created position of Canadian national specifications manager for MIFAB. Wong was previously the executive director of the Canadian Water Quality Association and the technical manager for the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating. He participates on multiple standards and codes development committees and will continue to do so.
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TRIANGLE TUBE has appointed Andy Sutton as operations director. Sutton, who begins his new role on January 1, comes from Triangle Tube’s parent company, Groupe Atlantic, where he held several roles including customer services manager, head of quality and production director, and program and quality director.
STELPRO has appointed Simon Fitzgeorge as prairies territory sales manager. Fitzgeorge has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience, 20 of these in sales management in various industries, including the electrical industry.
Shawn Wiebe has been named western regional manager for REHAU’s Building Technology Division. Wiebe will focus on clientele from Manitoba to B.C., offering product expertise and design services for radiant heating and cooling systems.
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Industry veteran Ryan vanDyk has accepted the position of commercial leader – HVAC with HAIER/GEA. VanDyk will lead Haier’s North American team towards continued growth in Canada and the U.S. He will be based in southwest Ontario. Steve Myers recently joined AIR SOLUTIONS as a business development representative, handing clients in the western portion of the Greater Toronto Area. He brings more than 15 years of experience in the mechanical sector to his new position. SPECTRUM BRANDS has named Ray Dupuis as its new senior business development manager for the wholesale plumbing channel. Based out of Barrie, Ont., Dupuis has more than 20 years’ experience in sales and leadership in the wholesale plumbing industry and will be responsible for Spectrum’s Pfister and Fortis brands. Masco Canada recently appointed Imran Ahmad as president. Before joining Masco Canada, Ahmad held the role of general manager at Amazon, where he led all operational areas for Amazon’s robotics fulfillment sites in northern California. Masco’s portfolio of plumbing brands includes Axor, Brizo and Delta.
Hired someone lately? To have your company’s personnel announcements included, free of charge, in an upcoming edition of Mechanical Business, simply send a note and a few details, to simon.bowden@mechanicalbusiness.com.
12.18
Reader Profile David Palmer: A straight shooter, all the way
Dave and Glenn Palmer grew up in the HVAC industry, so it came with little surprise when the two brothers officially joined forces in 1991 to form Palmer Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning, a small family shop serving the Greater Toronto Area and working with a great network of fellow contractors. Sadly, Glenn passed away last year, but that doesn’t mean that Dave has any plans to exit the industry. “I’ve been in this industry since I was five-years-old, sitting on my dad’s toolbox,” said Dave as we recently chatted about his career in the trade. “I’m going to stay in business just as long as I can.”
Q
You’ve been in the business even before you owned your own business. What are some of the differences between now and earlier in your career?
A
Today, I have everything routed to my cellphone. I can remember having a stick for a pager, pulling over to get a no-heat call. Back then you had payphones everywhere that only cost a dime.
Q A
Beyond knowledge of systems, what goes into being a pro?
Photo: John Packman
Q A
You don’t want to go to someone’s house with an old, beat up truck. You don’t need to wear a uniform, as long as you are neat and clean. And neatness is professionalism. When people come downstairs and everything is neat and straight, they say, “Wow, these people know what they are doing.” Do you have a guiding principle when it comes to managing your company? Number 1, I know I am selling top of the line equipment. To me, it gives you better heat, and it’s quiet. I can sell people a 92%, but the reason I like selling the 97% one is because it is so quiet.
Q BIO
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?
A
Do the job as if you are doing it for yourself. Clean up after yourself. People notice the little things. It’s not the big things.
FAST FACTS ABOUT DAVE
Name: David Palmer Title: Owner Company: Palmer Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning Location: Pickering, Ont. Age: 71 When he first started doing service, Dave charged $7 for a service call.
DID YOU KNOW?
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For him, staying in business means continuing to provide a professional job to a solid base of customers who can count on him and his company, now and, with a succession plan in place, into the future. “I’m 71, but I don’t plan on retiring any time yet,” he laughed, adding that when he does decide to hang up his toolbelt he has someone ready to carry the business forward. “Our customers will be able to call the same number.”
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1. Dave’s a former goaltender, but now spends his time at the rink watching his granddaughter’s hockey games. 2. He enjoys a good, upbeat conversation, and loves playful banter. “As long as I find someone to talk to, I won’t go crazy.” 3. Palmer Bros. runs an annual golf tournament, recently renamed the Glenn Palmer Memorial Charity Golf Tournament, to raise funds for cancer research.
Enjoy the added feature of barcode scanning in our newly formatted 2018 Heating Catalogue.
Our Wolseley 2018-2019 Heating Catalogue is now available in all Ontario and Atlantic branches and online at www.wolseleyexpress.com. See in branch for your FREE copy.
Need a Wolseley Express Account? Contact your branch manager or visit www.wolseleyexpress.com and click on “Sign In/Register� to apply for an account today.
REFRIGERATION
Working with
integrated electronics
Monitor or control? The functions that can be handled by compressor-mounted smart controls can be separated into two main categories: monitoring and control.
E
lectronic controls and monitoring equipment are becoming more prevalent in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. These electronic devices serve many purposes, but their primary function is to protect the machinery in which they are installed.
A monitoring function is one in which the module senses a parameter and basically receives information at its input terminals. A control function is a form of output that cycles a relay, heater or other type of device. Outputs are generated based on the inputs received at the terminals.
In compressor applications, you’ll spot this as an extended feature module that replaces the conventional module found in the electric terminal box of the compressor. One of the main advantages of these extended function modules is that the amount of interconnecting wiring between the system control panel and the compressor can be reduced and simplified. In addition to monitoring and control functions, intelligent controls also often provide diagnostics and data logging. This provides additional information that a technician can use to determine what corrective measures need to be applied to mitigate a compressor-related problem.
MONITORING THE HEAT A conventional module provides basic monitoring of the most important parameters. For example, with most semi-hermetic compressors, the motor winding temperature is monitored on a continuous basis. A compressor that uses this type of setup is referred to as a compressor that is “thermally protected.” This official designation is defined in the Canadian Electric Code (CEC) as well as CSA. Each winding contains a temperature sensor and a compressor may have as many as six sensors embedded in the stator windings. The presence of an abnormally high temperature at any one of these sensors will result in the module de-energizing the compressor contact(s). As an added feature, the module may also contain an input that monitors the amperage of the compressor motor.
The use of intelligent electronics will continue to grow due to the many benefits that they bring, especially in applications that require several periphery devices to support compressor operation. It is important for technicians to understand how to use these new devices. By harnessing the many features of these modernday intelligent compressor modules, compressors can be monitored and kept within their envelope. Of course, this also helps extend the life of the compressor.
Phil Boudreau
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Phil is the Ontario sales manager for Bitzer Canada Inc. and provides training and technical support for Bitzer’s clientele. He can be contacted at: pboudreau@bitzer.ca.
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REFRIGERATION
SPINNING THE RIGHT WAY
Three-phase asynchronous compressor motors typically have either three or six windings in the stator. Compressors that have only three windings are generally in the smaller HP range. Larger compressors that utilize six windings offer more flexible starting methods.
Screw compressors and scroll compressors are rotation sensitive. The smart module often provides a monitoring feature that ensures that the compressor operates in the correct rotation.
For example, having six windings generally allows for part-wind starting where three of the windings are energized, and then after a very short duration, the remaining three windings are energized. This is essentially like having two motors inside one compressor. Winding duty is often a 50/50 or 60/40 percentage split in semi-hermetic compressors. This allows for either a twoor three-contactor part-wind start option, depending on the model. Part-wind starting is accomplished with two contactors and typically reduces the starting current by around 35 per cent or so. The wye-delta technique is another form of part wind start method where three contactors are used. This method generally reduces the starting current by about 65 per cent. These intelligent modules can provide the critical timing sequence needed for correctly staging the windings during compressor start up. This eliminates the need for an external timing relay and tends to simplify the wiring.
Adjusting the capacity Intelligent compressor modules can vary the capacity of a compressor based on an analog input signal, i.e. 0-10 volts DC (VDC), from the main system controller. For reciprocating compressors, the analog signal will be associated with a particular loading step. For example, an analog signal level of 0VDC may result in the compressor being fully unloaded while a signal of 10VDC may drive the compressor to full capacity. Analog signals across that range will result in degrees of unloading that fall somewhere between the minimum and 100 per cent.
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This is especially important with screw compressors since reverse operation will result in significant compressor damage in a short period of time.
WATCHING TEMPERATURES (AND MORE) WITHIN THE COMPRESSOR Optional in some compressor applications, the electronic module may monitor the discharge temperature. This is quite common in screw compressor applications. With screw compressors, the oil lubricates moving parts but also seals the helical rotors so that vapour compression can take place. If the oil supply is insufficient, or if the oil temperature is too high, the discharge temperature will increase. Once the discharge temperature reaches a certain threshold, the compressor module will take the compressor offline to protect it. In applications that involve higher compression ratios, auxiliary cooling such as head cooling fans and liquid injection may be needed. In these cases, a fullfeatured module can control this auxiliary cooling. In this case, the discharge temperature is monitored, and the head cooling fan/liquid injection is energized as needed. In low-temperature reciprocating compressor systems that use a head cooling fan, this can reduce the amount of energy used since the fan can remain off whenever the condensing pressure is low enough to keep the discharge temperature at a relatively low level. An advanced feature of some these new modules is their ability to monitor the suction and discharge pressures of the compressor and compare these values to the operating envelope. This is a great feature since the module can be programmed to monitor the compressor based on its own, and perhaps unique, operating envelope. It is common practice to install a normally closed auxiliary contact on the compressor contactor to energize the oil heater that it serves, to limit refrigerant migration to the compressor oil during the off cycle. Since the more modern, intelligent modules can serve this function, no additional voltage wiring from the control panel to the oil heater is required. Instead, one set of voltage cables can be sent to the module, where it is split up and distributed to the various module outputs, such as the oil heater, as needed.
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Getting a slice of the automation pie
HVAC/R
technicians looking to gain a competitive edge would be well served by
continuously updating their skills so that they can take advantage of the smart buildings boom. This boom, which is being felt in new construction as well as in the retrofit market, is seeing Building Automation Systems (BAS) being put into structures at an impressive rate. And modern BAS systems are not the same as those from even a few years back. They are evolving to become more of an information system (BiMS), where data can be integrated to include mechanical equipment analytics, energy profiling and interfacing to computerbased work-order/maintenance management systems. This added integration allows different users to view the information that is presented in a more meaningful way that is suitable to the role of the user. Of course, this complexity places greater demands on the skills of those who work on each piece of connected equipment.
“Technically, every building should have automation control,” says Gerry Cellucci, principal and vice-president of systems at building automation specialist Yorkland Controls. The benefits of automation can be realized across different building types and business sectors, from retail stores and hospitals to sprawling business campuses and airports as sensors share information about building use. “Integration payback does vary,” Cellucci says. “But commercial office buildings have one of the biggest benefits, with more systems integrated to mine information from.” With the costs of training staff and retrofitting BAS into premises falling, once reluctant owners of older buildings can more clearly see the benefits of automation – with the demand for qualified technicians growing accordingly. It is a sector that will only expand, Cellucci says. In the next five years he predicts: more IP-connected devices running the equipment; more smart equipment with built-in analytics; more master systems integrators (contractors with the skillset to manage integration); more systems run in the cloud; and more clouds that require integration, especially with Internet of Things (IoT) specialty sensors that need integration.
BAS: WHAT IT IS AND WHERE IT’S GOING 24
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In an otherwise stagnant field, only one brand of furnace is bringing innovation to the HVAC world. Napoleon’s Ultimate 9700 Series looks different because it is different. The revolutionary Vortex turbulator increases heating efficiency, the ultra violet light purifies air and the SureView burner window shows the flames in operation as the furnace runs whisper quiet. Don’t get boxed in by outdated thinking. ™
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Sidestep the PITFALLS With complex systems being linked together, and the building’s owner driving efficiencies based on the resulting data, mistakes kes made by installing technicians can end up costing budget-conscious cious owners lots of money. There are things a technician servicing or installing equipment connected to a BAS can do to make those mistakes less likely to occur, however, advises Cellucci. “Application understanding of the equipment that is to be automated is fundamental and is vendor neutral. The techs should have a working knowledge of the BAS system that the equipment is connected to and of the BAS control terms so they can speak knowingly to control specialists,” he says. “If they don’t have training on the vendor’s BAS, then arrange to get trained. A tech should never make assumptions that they know the sequences that are under the BAS control. This may lead to issues which the owner would then need to pay to fix.” He also advises consultation with the controls vendor to determine if the BAS has the capacity to have new equipment added.
BAS RETROFITS DEMAND MORE Yorkland’s Cellucci says working on a BAS retrofit asks more of an HVAC/R technician. “For a retrofit, more diligence is certainly required to understand the existing system and equipment. While execution of the installation is the same, there is a need to consider the down-time impact of equipment not running during controls installation,” he says. “The technician should also review power requirements – there may not be power to the equipment or the ability to run communication or power wiring. This may result in the technician having to consider other options, including switching to wireless.” With many different trades working on equipment linked to the same system, the potential for missteps also increases. “On large integrated systems, the building owner should consider employing a master systems integrator who co-ordinates work with each subsector specialist,” Cellucci says.
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©2018 Industrial Combustion, Inc.
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A message from the FUTURE Interested in gaining a slice of the building automation pie for yourself? Cellucci has some words of wisdom.
systems compromised after an HVAC technician with access to the system was targeted by sophisticated data thieves.
“If I had some advice for technicians/system designers it would be to get trained on the most commonly installed systems and think about doing small, low-risk control/BAS projects on their own to get a feel of what’s required. They should start with manufacturer systems that are designed for almost plug-and-play applications.�
“He had remotely logged in to try to do something and that malware went off his computer and onto (Target’s) network and it infected the IT network’s point of sales system, which in turn resulted in the stealing of a large amount of credit card numbers,� says Victor.
The alternative, he says, is to miss out on a big opportunity in the years to come, especially as Google and other non-traditional HVAC companies ďŹ nd ways to enter the space.
But the stealing of ďŹ nancial data is just one example of what can happen once an IT system has been compromised.
Keep the
“I keep hearing ‘it’s only my HVAC system, why does someone want to hack into that?’ Well, raise the temperature of a skyscraper to 80 degrees and watch what happens.�
DATA THIEVES
It does not surprise Victor that a hacker who wants to get paid would use the HVAC system as an entry point to get more sophisticated data, such as credit card numbers or access to a CEO’s computer, but there are measures that installing and servicing technicians can do to protect themselves and their clients.
out
Intelligent buildings require intelligent mechanical engineers, as well as secure gateways, says buildings cybersecurity expert Ron Victor, CEO of Iotium, a provider of managed, secure network infrastructure for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).
“Whatever equipment you are going to service, take it off the network, if at all possible. This way, if your computer is compromised, that compromise is going to affect that asset only and it is not going to transport the virus to other things on the network,� he says.
He says you don’t have to look far for an example of how a company can suffer huge ďŹ nancial and reputational damage if its systems are not secure. In 2014, American retail giant Target had its point of sale
“Also, take the usual precautions such as not clicking on attachments from unknown third parties and making sure the computer you are going to use is completely safe and secure and regularly checked for malware.�
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Thousands hit CIPHEX West in Calgary CIPHEX West, Western Canada’s largest heating and plumbing trade show, attracted thousands in its return to the Stampede Park’s BMO Centre in Calgary on November 7 and 8. Visitors to the show were able to stroll the nearly 30,000 sq. ft. of exhibits and chat with experts representing more than 250 companies in the plumbing, HVAC/R, hydronic and geothermal sectors. This year’s hot spot was the New Product Showcase, where dozens of manufacturers presented products to the Canadian market. Rounding out the event were seminars and workshops led by some of North America’s top industry speakers. ciphexwest.ca
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1. Tom Dugan catches up with the latest industry happenings at the OS&B booth. 2. Getting hands-on with the industry’s latest innovations at the New Product Showcase. 3. Brent Cornelissen (left), president of OS&B, goes for gold at the industry dinner with double Olympic curling champion John Morris. 4. Greg Bork expertly fields questions on infrared cameras from visitors at the Flir booth. 5. Matt Wiesenfeld shares his business expertise with attendees of the Canadian Hydronics Conference. 6. Student Erin Martin is all smiles after picking up her $2,000 scholarship award from Taco. 7. Tim Prevost of Energy Saving Products/Hi-Velocity Systems accepts a New Product Showcase award from CIPH’s Ralph Suppa (left) and show chair Austin Roth. 8. HeatLink’s Erwin Quejano talks hydronic snow melting systems in the CIPHEX Theatre. 9. Eddie Van Giesen of RainCycle, a Watts company, discusses rainwater harvesting g systems y and the proper storage of water. ciphexwest.ca
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At Bradford White, we know the best way to ensure quality is with professional installation. Your success is critical to our success. We’re committed to the trade professional in everything we do. We listen to you, we design for you and we offer you 24/7 expert tech support. We stand behind you every step of the way. Our business is being there for your business. See more at our website dedicated to pros like you -
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Š 2018 Bradford White Corporation. All rights reserved. BWMBPL1118
PLUMBING
B y M ar t y S ilver man
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Marty Silverman is the VP of marketing for General Pipe Cleaners. To reach him, email mjs@generalpipecleaners.com.
things to consider before using a water jet
G
rease, sludge, sand and ice stoppages can present a significant challenge for many cable drain cleaners, but water jetter machines are designed to slice right through these difficult blockages. Whether electric or gas-powered, compact mini-jets for clearing inside sink lines or big trailer units that can scour large mains, water jets unleash high-pressure water streams that pulverize those clogs, flushing the debris down the drainage line.
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Water jets work best on so-called “soft” stoppages. They’re not the preferred tools on, say, tree roots – which really require cable-type drain cleaners. If you can’t identify the type of clog, use an inspection camera to take a look. If you still can’t I.D. the problem, consider how the line is used. That’s where professional judgment proves vital.
An excellent option to service restaurant, hotel, hospital and factory clients, or for customers on septic systems, they are also great for schools, sports arenas, care facilities and shopping centres.
If the drain in question deals with food service, for instance, grease is probably the culprit. In fact, clogs in drains leading from restaurants, multi-family dwellings, and institutions with food preparation facilities are likely comprised of grease.
Water jets can clear clogs that many cable drain cleaners can’t, and with proper maintenance they can prove reliable business assets, but there are a few considerations to observe before firing up your water jet to battle hidden clogs.
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THE BLOCKAGE TYPE
The same goes for clogged conduits in factories and industrial facilities that flush lubricants, solvents, or various organic materials down drains. But sand can also pose problems in certain areas. In frigid weather, ice could prove the culprit. And if it’s a construction site, mud can trigger troubles.
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Since high-pressure water is the tool actually powering water jet drain cleaning work, make sure you have enough of it!
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DON’T GET STUCK
The ability to vibrate the hose while it is in use is a prescription for maximum equipment performance, and minimal job-site headaches. When connecting a hydraulic hose and rear facing nozzle to a water jet, and then shoving it down a drain, the hose might get stuck in the pipe. If that happens, you’ll need an excavator to remove it! Vibration helps to break up surface friction between the hose and pipe so the nozzle doesn’t get stuck in the line.
3
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THE RIGHT SIZE HOSE A common way of getting the hose stuck in the pipe is by using a wrong size, and this is surprisingly easy to do.
When working with high-pressure water, use the largest hose that fits down the drain. Hoses with a larger inside diameter (ID) don’t have as much pressure loss from water friction over distances. For instance, the friction loss in 1/4” ID hose with four gallons-perminute (gpm) of flow is 360 psi for every hundred feet. If you use a 3/8” ID hose for the same situation and distance, the corresponding pressure loss falls to just 50 psi. In short: the larger the hose, the greater the nozzle pressure. And the greater the nozzle pressure, the easier and faster the job. However, remember that a balance between hose size and flexibility also exists. Generally speaking, bigger, thicker hoses tend to be less flexible. Smaller, thinner hoses tend to be more flexible. Regardless, if you use a larger hose in a small pipe to reap the benefits of higher nozzle pressure, exercise caution. Do your homework and leverage your experience to coax the most from your water jet equipment.
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DO YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT WATER?
DON’T FREEZE UP Freezing statistically remains the number 1 way to kill your pump.
It can be surprisingly difficult to keep your pump from freezing during frigid weather. Damage can occur before, during or after jobs, and the cold can affect hoses as well. If your unit has an antifreeze tank – as on large gas-powered or trailer-mounted equipment – use it when temperatures even start to approach the freezing mark.
If you use a large water jet with a holding tank – trailer-mounted equipment, for instance – simply ensure that the tank doesn’t run dry. Fortunately, most of today’s units sport an automatic shut-off feature that keeps you from making this mistake. However, if you are using equipment that draws water from a garden hose or similar supply, more attention is required. Most North American municipal and well water systems deliver roughly five to six gallons per minute of flow. If you are not sure what the flow is from the hose you are using, measure how much time it takes to fill a common two-gallon bucket and do a quick calculation. Failing to watch your water could cause you to accidentally starve the pump of water, causing cavitation. Cavitation is the second most popular way to kill a pump, so watch your water usage!
» »5 »
KEEP MOVING THE HOSE
Working the hose back and forth remains the preferred technique for jetting a line. Push the hose two feet forward, then pull it back one foot – and repeat this procedure for the rest of the job.
Maximum cleaning action occurs when retracting the hose – not as it goes in. As you pull back, the angle of water flow exiting the nozzle scours the pipe sides. This magnifies the cleaning efficiency for a better job in less time. Additionally, turbulence created by high-pressure water flow in pipes can produce vortices behind the nozzle. If the hose remains stationary for any length of time, sand, loose dirt, grease or sludge can collect behind the nozzle, creating a plug that traps your hose in the pipe. This is not good!
If your unit does not have this feature, use a short hose and funnel to introduce antifreeze into the pump to prevent freezing. For the hoses, remove the nozzle and use an air compressor to blow water out of the hose before driving. You don’t want ice to form as you are enroute to or from a jobsite. It is also best to limit the time a water jet sits without water flowing through the pump. Turn the unit on frequently, running water through the bypass system to keep it warm.
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Products
Bathroom faucets Moen’s Doux faucets offer a flow rate of 4.54 L/min and are available in a variety of finishes including matte black, chrome and brushed nickel. Widespread faucets in the line feature the company’s M-Pact common valve design that enables a faucet change without replacing the underlying plumbing. The collection includes accessories, tub/ shower and a freestanding tub filler.
www. moen.ca
Overhead shower arm
Trailer Jet General Pipe Cleaners’ JM-2512 Typhoon trailer jet delivers 12 gpm at 2,500 psi to blast clogs from 4” to 12” lines up to 400 ft. long. A 200 gallon holding tank aids operations in remote areas with limited water. Two hose reels offer extended reach while standard equipment includes radial tires, leafspring suspension, electric brakes and fold-down stabilizer jacks.
www. drainbrain.com
Delta Faucet Canada’s Emerge Shower Column is a 15” shower arm that connects an overhead showerhead and a handheld device. It doesn’t require any behind-the-wall plumbing and can be installed to existing plumbing features to allow customization of any existing shower with any Delta shower head or hand shower.
www. deltafucet.ca
PIPE DREAM
Grease and oil interceptors
COPPER SHUT-OFF TOOLS
Mifab offers its SuperMax HDPE Interceptors as part of its line of injection and rotational moulded HDPE grease and oil interceptors. Available in 500 to 1,500 gallon capacities, the interceptors are P.D.I approved, tested and certified to ANSI Z1001.
• Tools shut-off and reshape ¾" – 2" soft copper tube.
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• Redesigned with detachable, ratchet drive handle for positioning options.
CSO2R
• Corrosion resistant, fine-thread feed screw provides smooth, easy tightening.
Hard anodized, aluminum castings reduce tool weight and increase service life. 1 ¼"– 2" tube capacity
• Built-in rerounder for restoring flow.
Heavy-duty storage case included.
CSO1R in use
CSO1R Features steel castings for superior strength. ¾" – 1" tube capacity
Reed Manufacturing • Erie, PA USA 800-666-3691 • www.reedmfgco.com
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Low lead auto/air vent Caleffi’s Plumbvent is a 4”, low-lead automatic air vent designed to vent air from water at high points in plumbing and DHW system piping. Common applications include air elimination on domestic hot ot water storage tanks, at the top of plumbing risers and near the inlet of a hot water er recirculation pump to reduce ce the potential for air lock. It iis supplied with a safety hygroscopic cap.
www. caleffi.com
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Marketing A new logo will not fix what’s broken Fresh paint on an old fence may look smart for a year, but the fence is still old, breaking down or rotting. The fence may need nails tapped back in, some of the boards replaced and a post or two re-stabilized. Then the paint e pa p ain nt goes on. Citing a Canadian brand, one mayy wonder if the shift to the name Blackberry from Research in Motion was an attempt to throw fresh paint at an old, busted fence. We know how that went. I’ve heard dozens of stories from clients who have reluctantly moved ahead with a rebrand because a new marketing executive or advertising agency said to. I’ll say it: occasionally marketing people are driven by ego. Seriously, it’s true. No brand should change solely because someone wants to leave their mark. A change may indeed be warranted, but expect that person to make a sound business case. The exercise of making a business case for a rebrand will involve senior executives, and their buy-in is critical. I’ve been in rooms where marketing and agency folks all agree a new look or positioning is overdue, however without the proper commitment from the top it became an arduous process. The buy-in should be for the need, not the exercise. In some instances, it became clear when the senior folks said “yes” they were really saying “if I see a new logo I like, we’ll use it.” Inevitably, given the cost of implementation, the creative energy is all for naught. If they are not invested in the need, they won’t spend the money to implement it. Doug MacMillan is president of The Letter M Marketing in Guelph, Ont. To reach him, email doug@thelettermmarketing.com.
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with DOUG MACMILLAN
To rebrand or not to rebrand? U
ndoubtedly, evolving your brand is essential. It was a brilliant move for our agency when we did it five or six years ago. A bold new name and look captured attention and allowed us to do something eye-catching. And the massive, red letter “M” on our front lawn is the best money we’ve ever spent.
However, it wasn’t a magic elixir either. The skies didn’t open up with new business, nor did our weaknesses suddenly fade away. That took different, harder work to ensure we were relevant, strategic and exceptional – whatever our name. If business is dropping off, it’s easy to say, “We need a new logo, that’s what will reset our course!” But success in business is a far more complex puzzle than that, and there are reasons to avoid a rebrand, and the fact that it’s costly, emotional, time consuming and requires diligent, strategic communication when launched is just the tip of the iceberg. Your logo and brand are powerful tools. They communicate what you do, but more than that, they represent your personality and identity. Rebranding can be fun (it’s true) and effective, (absolutely) but avoid the urge to pick up a paintbrush if you really need a few two-by-fours, a hammer and some nails.
5 reasons to rebrand So, when should you take a serious look at rebranding? I usually offer clients five reasons to think about before jumping into a new name or branding exercise. If any of these fit, then a rebrand may be helpful to finding business success moving forward, but still don’t overlook issues that extend deeper than the logo on your trucks and front doors. Your business is evolving. A new identity can help bring clarity for changing organizations. Perhaps you’ve merged with another business and need a new name and look to signal a new beginning. Or, it could be that you’ve added services, or expanded into another market. A new name and look can be a strong first step in better communicating who you are, and what you do.
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Your logo isn’t professional. Many businesses start on a shoestring, and that can mean the owner whipped together a logo to get things rolling. Years later, business is booming but the logo design doesn’t reflect the quality of the business. Time for a rework.
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Your logo is dated. A tired brand implies a tired company. If your logo font brings to mind the cover of a Stars On 45 album, it might be time to freshen things up. (Remember them? Who’s with me?) And a refresh doesn’t necessarily mean a full overhaul. It could mean just updating the colours (hunter green is so 1989) and tweaking the font so that it is more of an update than a wholesale re-do.
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Your logo doesn’t appeal to your target audience. Understanding your audience is a marketing fundamental, and your brand must resonate with them. A staid, corporate look doesn’t appeal to millennials who want to see a bit more funk in the brands they choose, and the opposite is true as well. Design for the audience, not your own tastes.
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Your logo is trying too hard. Some logos try to say a lot rather than make a simple impression. “This means this, and that means that, and when you look at it together, it means this and that.” The brilliance behind the concept can be a great story, but the context is lost on the viewer. A strong, simple logo can speak volumes.
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HYDRONICS
B y B o b “ Ho t R o d ” R o h r Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor and installer for 30 years. A long-time columnist and trainer, he is manager of training and education with Caleffi North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@caleffi.com.
When it comes to safety,
RECYCLE rather than reuse
REDUCE? Yes, please. REUSE? Rarely, and very carefully.
T
rust me, I am as frugal as the next guy when it comes to recycling. I have spent a considerable amount of time and energy trying to disassemble and reuse copper sweat fittings and valves around my shop – I’d like to see a reamer built to clean out the solder from a salvaged fitting, similar to the cleaner/reamers made for PVC fittings, by the way.
RECYCLE? For sure! REPURPOSE? Into your unique artwork.
GO NEW FOR SAFETY I would not recommend reusing any safety device that had been previously installed, even on my own systems. Pressure relief and T&P valves should always be installed new out of the box. There is simply too much at risk to trust a pressure relief valve that may have been stuck or compromised.
There comes a time when you need to make a decision on what is or should be reused, however, regardless of the perceived cost savings. When I’m just tinkering in my shop, I have no problem reusing salvaged components, but if I’m building a system for a customer, I know that I need to exercise far more caution so that I can deliver a professional job that’s not likely to result in those pesky unpaid call-backs.
Anyone who has seen the Myth Busters episode about getting a water heater to explode will have a good idea of the force that can build in a pressurized vessel. Granted, they had to doctor the water heater in order to get it to become a projectile, but these relief valves were created because early boilers could explode if not carefully operated, so why risk that a valve won’t open when needed.
So, while reusing and recycling is generally great advice, it may not be a good option for you when building your customer’s system.
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I would further caution against buying salvaged safety devices online. Occasionally, a product intended for the scrapyard, possibly due to manufacturing defects, makes its way to an online shop. The description can sometimes be purposely vague, so I exercise extreme caution, and always advise against anything with the words “new, damaged packaging” in the description. I have seen “scrappers” rummaging through the barrels at my local salvage yard for re-sellable parts, to make an extra buck. There’s no telling where those salvaged goods will end up.
Reconditioned or rebuilt products can be a crapshoot. If a part is rebuilt to spec by the original manufacturer or one certified by the manufacturer, well, it might be okay, but I would be looking for some sort of warranty of workmanship.
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HYDRONICS
SIMILAR DOES NOT MEAN THE SAME
AFTER THE FLOOD
I apply considerable caution when it comes to reusing any boiler-related component, including gas valves, microprocessor boards and inducer fans – pretty much any component whose failure could have serious ramifications. While a part may look the same and match dimensionally, it could have different operating conditions built within it. Parts designed for repair work, but from unknown brands, should also raise caution. I have seen some clever-looking knock-offs at trade shows. Just because a product looks similar, and may even have what seem to be appropriate listings and certifications, beware. If you cannot find documentation on the listing agency’s website, run away!
CAVEAT EMPTOR
I follow a number of online chat rooms on industry websites, and a common question that’s been coming up lately is about equipment that has been under water or partially flooded. Not only is water very problematic once it floods an electrical or mechanical part, but sea water has the added component of salinity to compound corrosion.
For many of the same reasons why you would not want a vehicle that has been under water, do not try and salvage flooded heating and hydronic devices. You may be tempted to help a brother or a sister out after a flooding disaster, but that favour could reward you with legal proceedings.
A number of years back, my company spotted some zone valves that used a clever name spinoff that was similar to one of the largest valve manufacturers. We took several to a lab for cycle testing and they failed to last the equivalent of a single heating season.
NOT JUST THE MOVING PARTS Even reusing salvaged pipe can have some risks. Without knowing what fluid, velocity and external conditions the pipe was subjected to, you could end up with an expensive replacement and clean up from a pinhole or split seam. I reused some salvaged solar copper once and learned that lesson. Few things create as much damage as water in a home or building. In addition to the drying out process, mould is as much or more of a concern. Leak-free systems develop a good reputation in the plumbing and heating business.
GETTING
S
Our industry is ripe with a confusing alphabet soup of listings markings. Some listings cross over from one listing agency to another, and different regions will have different requirements. But inspectors can ask for proof of listing and certification, and there are manufacturers who will attempt to bypass these certifications or falsify a listing badge or logo. If something looks too inexpensive or too good to be true, follow mom and dad’s advice – it’s likely best to steer clear.
creative WITH RECYCLING
o, what can you do with old plumbing, heating and solar parts other than tossing them in the landfill? Separate your metals and collect them in plastic barrels or dumpster units, depending on how much you have, and then check prices online to time a trip to the salvage yard when copper or steel is running high. If you have a thrifty employee, they might want to help you with this job, especially if you give them a portion of the proceeds. I know a business owner who puts the salvage earnings in a pot for the employee holiday party.
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Watch the markings
And don’t forget, old parts, pipe and tube can be great for art projects and yard decorations. Each year, when the family assembles for the holidays, I set up sawhorses and workspaces in my shop. Pinterest is a great source of inspiration. It’s even more fun when you can bring out the big guns, my welders and power tools, to create objets d’art. Everybody works on projects, from wall hangings to sculptures to yard decorations, and even the odd bedframe.
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COVER STORY
»
By Adam Freill
Despite being
JOHN EPPING Reaching for the
top An early road to success
Photos: Anil Mungal Photography
John was introduced to curling by his mother. Her family has a solid history in the sport – his grandfather helped found a curling club in Peterborough, Ontario – so despite his father’s leanings toward hockey, John’s winters were spent throwing rocks rather than strapping on the blades. “My dad was a really good hockey player – OHL level – but my mom won the battle when it came to curling over hockey,” he laughed during our recent interview. “I got to play in a family bonspiel with my mom when I was 7. I won that, and from there, I knew it was going to be good.”
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one of the top curlers in the world, John Epping still plans his own schedule and answers his own phone. That’s life at the top levels of his sport, so it’s a good thing that he loves what he does. If he didn’t, it would be hard to justify all of the juggling of work and family life that he and his teammates do to compete at the highest level of the game.
THE GLAMOUR AND THE
SPOTLIGHT
Solidly in the Top-10 of the world rankings, and reaching as high as 4th so far, Team Epping is still grounded in the reality of curling, where the stars of the game juggle work, sport and family lives. “We still have full-time jobs. We are still considered amateurs,” he reflected. “We come home and go back to work on Monday, and then we hit the road somewhere else.” All of that requires a supportive cast away from the rink. “We are very lucky to have supportive spouses, all of us, that allow us to chase our dreams. Without that support, it definitely wouldn’t happen. “We don’t have a CEO. We don’t have a president. There’s no treasurer or secretaries or staff. We do it all ourselves. As the skip, I end up running a lot of the admin side and figuring out where we are going to go. It’s unlike any other sport,” he says, adding that, “It is like a small business where you are doing everything on your own.” To help ease some of the business-side burdens of the sport, this year he and his team have engaged with an agent to help manage and build their brand, and keep aligned with sponsors and fans, both of which he’s quick to thank for their assistance and backing.
“We are a brand now. We have a following of people who support us, and we want to do the right things to give back to them.”
Did You Know?
Curler Hometown: Toronto Club: Leaside Curling Club Short-term goals: To continually be in the top 3 or 4 in the world and win the Brier. Long-term goal: The 2022 Olympics in Beijing. Favourite moments on the ice: The pressure of throwing the last rock. Favourite shot: In-turn angle raise.
John Epping
John’s father-in-law owns Shipton’s Heating & Cooling in Hamilton, Ont.
M e c h a n i c a l
Leading by example
W
hether you are looking for success on the ice, in the boardroom or in front of a client, the key, says Epping, is to be accountable. “Accountability is the biggest thing that I work on,” he says. “We can talk a big game and say that we are going to do this or that, but it comes down to following through and really holding ourselves accountable. “I’ve always been someone who has played fearless. I’ve never been afraid to lose. I’m in the Top 5 in the world, so you feel like you can beat everybody, but I’ve never cared if I lost by one point or 10 points, so I’ve always played fearless.” He does his best to put that fearlessness and accountability into his role of skip. “I think that the skip needs to be somebody who takes charge, and is not afraid to make decisions, knowing that they will affect other people, and not just yourself,” he says. “Somebody who is going to take some chances, but hold themselves accountable, and admit when they have made some mistakes. Take that ownership.” Of course, the role is not a oneway valve, so he also looks to his teammates so that the entire crew can be pushed to the peak of their performance. “I think, as a leader, you want to be open to suggestions and feedback, and you want teammates who are okay with feedback. “In the last couple of years, our team has started to focus on the team dynamic and really trying to understand how each other operates to stay in that great, healthy headspace. Knowing that you are not going to try and change how each other are, but are going to just understand each other and adapt and try and help that person the best way we can. “It has helped in my own business and my own relationships to have a great understanding of yourself and what you bring to the team.”
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HVAC
By Mark Parliament & Alexandra Wennberg Parliament Mark Parliament has over 30 years of experience in the HVAC/R industry and is a senior training consultant with Lennox Learning Solutions. Alexandra Wennberg Parliament is the founder of Maven Marketing & Communications, a communications agency specializing in the construction, real estate, HVAC/R and nonprofit sectors. To reach the authors, email awennberg@mavencommunications.ca.
S
tudies have shown that homeowners are looking for ways to control more and more aspects of their lives with their smartphones, and millennial homeowners are leading this charge.
“Siri, turn up the heat” UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES Whole-home automation companies are focused on systems that reach everything from lights to home security to heating and cooling. Individual HVAC equipment manufacturers are continually evolving their own controls to finetune their specific equipment’s efficiency, however, so what used to be a simple thermostat hanging on a wall may now actually be a mini-computer with brand specific algorithms, and that may not fit with these off-the-shelf automation systems. These HVAC controls have become necessary as furnace manufacturers are looking at gaining an extra one or two per cent of efficiency. Understandably, many of these manufacturers are reluctant to share their proprietary technology with their competitors, allowing it to be incorporated into generic home control devices that can be used with any brand. As a result, what was formerly a simple DIY project of replacing a thermostat is now a control replacement that may hold potential to actually lower the efficiency of a homeowner’s HVAC equipment. This is because some modulating furnaces will run 64, or more, stages of heating and cooling. This is beyond what some generic home control devices are programmed to accommodate. Changing out the brand-specific mini-computer on the wall for a trendy thermostat could change a Cadillac of HVAC equipment into a Pinto by turning a modulating furnace into a four-stage (or less) furnace.
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This trend to automation is increasing the need for the HVAC industry to stay current with today’s technology, so that we can better meet our customer’s demand for convenient home comfort. According to a Berg insight study, it is estimated that roughly half of all homes in North America will have some level of smart home system by 2022. Millennials have been the fastest to embrace this technology – one in four already having at least one smart home device installed. Technicians and HVAC firm owners who have not yet embraced new controls options and are still using older types of thermostats need to understand that the world as we know it is changing and that we risk being left out in the cold. Whether we as an industry like this new trend or not, it is only going to become more complicated as consumers gravitate to easier operation of all the technical systems in their lives. We can either get on the bandwagon or get left on the side of the road wondering what happened to our business. “Alexa, lock the door, turn out the lights and turn down the heat. I’m going to bed.”
THE PRICE OF EXTRA SERVICE The incorporation of smart home technology will come with an added d cost for the installing contracting firm. High-efficiency equipment mayy need longer commissioning times to o ensure that all the equipment is set to manufacturers’ standards, and technicians nicians will need time to set the new wall control ontrol to the customer’s Wi-Fi, as well as any other home automation systems.
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It benefits our industry when we offer to take on the extra step of incorporating these other pieces of technology for our customers, and we get the additional benefit of these new control units providing our technicians with more information than ever before, so we are better able to control a customer’s home comfort. So, we need to embrace this new technology, but we also have to realize that what used to be a 40 to 45 minutes of commissioning will now take an hour to an hour-and-a-half.
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AN INDUSTRY-LED OPTION HVAC manufacturers and dealers are realizing that controlling the total home from a smartphone is not just a fad, and are migrating towards this technology by incorporating it into their control systems. This technology often uses a web-based app to allow customers to adjust their home’s comfort level from anywhere via a smartphone.
WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE SAKE OF EFFICIENCY To preserve the performance of the systems that we build, one possible next step would be to better educate wholehome automation companies about the intricacies of HVAC controls, including the need of our industry’s mini-computers that are designed to work with modulating HVAC equipment so that high-end equipment hits the efficiency performance targets it is designed to reach. It will be up to whole-home automation companies to decide whether they want to be in the home automation business or the controls business. Perhaps the likes of Nest and Google will decide to partner with HVAC manufacturers, to ensure that the automation of comfort does not end up costing more than it needs to.
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And this is starting to happen, with some manufacturers designing smart thermostats that can be controlled by Siri or Alexa. M e c h a n i c a l
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CONTROLS
B y R ick E llul
Plotting out a journey
Food for thought: Sensors are part of the control loop puzzle, but they are more information gathering devices than controlling devices.
STARTS WITH A PLAN
WWWWWW WW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW W WW WW WWWW WWWW WW W WWWW WWWWW
T
he controls world is a confusing and daunting one with too many acronyms, numerous choices and a whole new set of languages and protocols to discover, so where do we even try to start? I posed that question to a controls expert that I highly respect and he suggested that you can’t start until you know the application. And I guess that makes sense. You can’t pick your travel plans until you have chosen a destination, after all. Once you have identified the application, it can be helpful to simplify what you want to do. Break the control strate-
gy down into pieces based on the application, and decide what information you need to sense – temperature, pressure, and so forth. Also decide how accurate you need to be with the condition you are trying to maintain, and how complex you need it to be. If you only need to control two devices based on sensing temperature, then you don’t need to spend big bucks on a BACnet control system. If, however, you have 100 offices in a building that all need local temperature control that is communicated back to a property management office, then it’s much better to have a Building Automation System. To help with your next project, here’s a list of possible questions to ask before you wander up to the counter of your favourite distributor or wholesaler. By no means is this list exhaustive or complete, but I present it to help get the thought process rolling.
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Project planning questions for controls applications 1 What is the application? 2 What am I controlling? (Air, gas, water, etc.) 3 Is it just a single process or an entire piece of equipment? 4 Is the control providing an environment for people or things? 5 Am I directly controlling the process, or is control indirect? 6 Do I need to control multiple parameters, for example temperature, humidity and CO2? 7 How accurate does the control of the space need to be? 8 Do I need to inform other parties, like a BAS, with what I am controlling? 9 Do I need a digital or analog type of connection? 10 Will my choice of control mean that the current devices being controlled may need to change to match my control?
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CONTROLS
DIRECT CONTROL VERSUS INDIRECT CONTROL If I have a coil and I want to control the water flow to achieve a desired water temperature with a control valve, I need to measure the temperature of the water and turn the valve to the appropriate setting. We refer to this as direct control.
For indirect control, I could have the exact same pieces of the puzzle with one exception. In this case, let’s say I want to control the temperature of the air and not the water. I need to measure the temperature of the air with a sensor. This may be part of a thermostat, which will send a signal that will be used to help change the valve’s position until the desired temperature of the air is reached. This type of control is more common than you might think. In a furnace, we control the amount of gas burned to achieve a desired air temperature. In a beer fridge we control the flow of the refrigerant to get your beer the right temperature for you to enjoy it while watching the game on Sunday. In a commercial building, we see this all the time when chilled water or hot water systems are used to control comfort.
ACCURACY AND COMPLEXITY How long can the space be uncomfortable until it
Used to only turn something on or off, this type of control is the least accurate because the control strategy will not allow you to approach the setpoint in a slower, more meticulous way. This type of control tends to go past the setpoint and then fall back to setpoint. It is usually used in less critical areas, such as an exhaust damper on a hockey rink or a motorized isolation valve. We can describe this type of signal as a digital type signal. This type of signal would show up at a DI or DO on the control drawings.
Floating Point (Tri-State) This type of control is the next step up in sophistication from on/off. This type of control allows the device being controlled to open and close but also stop somewhere between open and closed when the desired setpoint is reached. It is a bit more accurate for temperature or flow control because it can stop during movement when a condition is satisfied. This type of control needs to reset its zero and does not have a direct feedback.
Proportional Control
about how sophisticated the controlling device
This is a control that uses a modulating signal, usually in DC volts or Millamps. It allows for many positions of control, so the control accuracy is very high compared to other signal types. Proportional control also usually has a feedback signal that can tell you where the device is at a given time. This is an analog signal that would show as an AI or AO on control drawings.
but won’t provide high levels of accuracy, unless you don’t mind a lot of inefficient cycling.
A past-chair of HRAI, Rick Ellul is the Ontario district sales manager with Belimo Aircontrols (CAN) Inc. He can be reached at rick.ellul@ca.belimo.com.
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VS
On/Off (Two-Position)
is comfortable again? This will drive your decisions needs to be. An on/off type of thermostat is simple,
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?
BACnet and Modbus are communication protocols or common control languages. These are not signals. They are more like the combination of ones and zeros from the Matrix. A BACnet controller may have a control signal output that is analog or digital, however. These types of protocols are designed for controlling more than one device at a time and to gather information from more than one sensor or device at a time, which can help devices make decisions to direct components that work together to create a comfortable environment for users. To take this leap to communication protocols it is necessary to be able to write programming, and there are some controls distributors in Canada who offer training on this topic. Specialized controls contractors with factory training do exist, however, and may be an option for some HVAC firms to work with.
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Thank You Thanks to our valued customers, team members and vendor partners for helping us achieve this incredible milestone.
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YEARS
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with Roger Grochmal
Facing our challenges as an industry T
here is an old Chinese proverb that says, ays, ys,, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
Roger Grochmal is the CEO of AtlasCare in Oakville, Ont. To submit a question about your company, business practices, or the industry in general, send an email to Mechanical Business Magazine’s editor, Adam Freill, adam.freill@ mechanicalbusiness.com.
As business owners in our industry, we have options: we can spend time looking at what wee didn’t do, or what isn’t here for us, or we can focus on new opportunities.
EMBRACING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT I have a friend in Houston (let’s call him Roger) who is 35 years old and married with four children. “Roger” started an air conditioning business there three years ago, in what may be the most competitive market in North America for air conditioning.
Seeking a balanced lifestyle Over the past year, I have talked with several contractors who were looking to sell their business. Only one of them was of retirement age. The others were 35 to 55 years old and, for the most part, were finding that running their business was robbing them of a healthy family relationship and stressing them out every day. After 10 or 20 years in business, they had had enough.
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He will finish the year with 20 employees and $3 million in revenue. He figured it out. So, what did he do? Well, Roger came into the industry without any preconceived ideas about what a traditional HVAC business should look like. He also decided that he would benefit from learning from others. He joined peer groups from across the country. He learned that this is a broad industry and
that he had to focus hi his energies i into a specific segment defined by geography, demographics, product, industry segment and service offerings. He knew he could not be all things to all people. He had to have an organized and intentional focus in what his company would deliver to its customers. He also learned that, despite what wellmeaning manufacturer reps might tell him, contracting is price driven, not volume driven. So, he made sure that he got his prices right. Roger also learned the need to convert every customer contact into a service agreement customer so that his company could build longterm relationships. One of the most helpful things that Roger did was to join a best-practices group of successful HVAC, plumbing and electrical contractors. This has helped him to better hone his budgeting and business processes. Through the group, he found out that many successful HVAC contractors also offer plumbing services. He now does that for his service agreement customers. Another benefit
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For a full listing of branch locations, please visit partner www.goodmanmfg.com Our continuing commitment to quality products may mean a change in specifications without notice. © 2018 Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. Houston, Texas · USA www.comfortbridge.com
Facing our challenges as an industry, with Roger Grochmal from the focus on best-practices is learning about how to use technology to benefit his company, recently installing the industryleading service software into his business. He has taken the time to listen and learn from others. But most importantly he has taken what he learned and implemented those concepts in his business and is now well-positioned to weather whatever the weather, economy, government and consumers throw at him. Roger has a goal to be the best home services contractor in Houston and I am sure he will achieve that one day. He is proof to me that entrepreneurialism and hard work are not dead. It takes an open mind, focus and determination.
EVERY JOURNEY STARTS WITH ONE STEP Like Roger in Houston, our peers help us tackle significant industry issues head-on, as a collective. We can work together to find the right people, train and keep them. We can navigate changing regulations, and we can understand and address high customer expectations. It is never too early or too late to take this journey. At 68, I am working hard to reinvent myself and my business. It means letting go of things from the past and accepting my new reality, while continuing to do what I enjoy most of all – connecting with, and learning from, others in my industry.
THE BIG 3 (AND A 4TH) Change is happening at a rapid pace, and many business owners are asking themselves what we can do about it. While the issues are numerous, joining peer-sharing groups like the ones that Roger from Houston joined, and actively participating in local and national associations can help business owners develop responses that work for each of our market segments. The biggest concern I hear from mechanical contractors is the difficulty in finding, training and retaining qualified technicians. It seems like no one wants to work in the trades any more. Kids all want to be the next computer engineer who develops the latest killer app, or a YouTube celebrity who becomes a billionaire. Potential trade employees are out there, but it is hard work to find the ones that fit into your business. No argument there. In my home province of Ontario, the provincial government has mandated a 1:1 mechanic-to-apprentice ratio,, which is something g that should help p open p apprenticeship spots for those who do want to become journeymen. That’s something that I welcome and see as long overdue. Government regulation is second nd on most lists. Rebate programs offer incentives to our customers to encourage behaviour that may meet a policy objective and get politicians reelected, elected, but these programs may disregard the long-term interests of contractors, actors, or our customers. With each change in government comes a change in policies and priorities, and we start over again. It’s a difficult cycle to keep p up with. The third set of challenges facing ng many of us are changing customer expectations. Homeowners and d business owners can llearn earn online about what is possible and they don’t like to hear that it’ss n not easy ot sso o ea asy sy tto o deliver a system on their budget, or within restrictions off th their thin the restrictio ons ns o hei eir cu ccurrent urr rrent home or building. They can get information aboutt virtually anythin anything off a mo mouse, ng wi with th h tthe he e cclick liick o mous use, us e, e, and they demand instant answers addition, because shoes ers from us. In ad dditiion on, beca b be eca ause th the e sh hoe oes they ordered online arrived the next day, they d don’t understand why on’t ’t u nder nd erst sttan and wh w hy itt ccan an n take a week for the furnace partt we need.
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Managing these expectations can be challenging. Educating customers used to be in our hands, now we’re having to correct or clarify what they learn themselves. Clearly, there are many challenges that we all face. Of course, the last frustration I hear about from contractors is competition, but that’s one that I don’t buy. There has always been competition and I, for one, like competition. It’s what gets me out of bed every morning. We learn from what other companies do in our marketplace, and their tactics and skills encourage us to stay sharp and keep getting better. Feeling a bit of heat from a competitor should drive us all forward as we desire to be the best in the business.
HVAC/R |
By Denise Deveau
Longo’s NEWEST CO2 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS
a
bout a month ago, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets opened a new retail location in Stouffville, Ont., that achieves a near-net-zero rate of electrical energy consumption. The project is the first of its kind for a supermarket in Ontario, and is projected to save 52 per cent in average energy consumption, while improving air quality and maintenance management. A number of different systems contribute to meeting that energy-use goal, from solar panels and the latest building envelope technologies, to the refrigeration, mechanical and HVAC elements of the design, but a cornerstone of the project is the combined cooling, heat and power (CHP) system. It uses natural gas from the grid to provide 150 kW of electricity and approximately 700,000 BTUs of heat reclaim. This reclaimed heat can be used in a variety of ways, including driving an absorption chiller that in turn pre-cools the top side of a carbon dioxide-based refrigeration system. This allows for the CO2 system to operate in a sub-critical mode as opposed to transcritical, resulting in higher operating efficiencies and a lower energy consumption.
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DID YOU KNOW? In liquid form, CO2 can hold about 20 times more moisture than in its vapour state. THE JOURNEY TO CO2 Neelands Group Limited has long partnered with Longo’s in the design and installation of the supermarket chain’s refrigeration and HVAC systems. “We started using glycol for refrigeration in 2006 as a secondary cooling medium to reduce the HFC refrigerant use,” says Tom Quaglia, senior construction manager at Neelands. “When we brought the design to Longo’s, the decision was made to use the propylene glycol for medium temperature and keep using HFC for low temperature applications.” At the time, North American manufacturers were doing different things with CO2 and dabbling with it to reduce HFC usage, he adds. “Nothing had come out as mainstream. Glycol did, but we knew what we did in 2006 was not the end game.” Around 2009, as CO2 gained traction in Europe, and the technology started making its way to North America, a manufacturer presented the concept of using CO2 transcritical refrigeration to Neelands. Quaglia says the time was right to look into it further as a viable refrigeration evolution.
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PROGRESSING TO ZERO The inspiration for Stouffville came three years ago when representatives from Longo’s, Neelands and S2e, a developer of sustainable energy solutions, toured a site in California that used a combined heat and power unit and an absorption chiller. “Between us, we came back to Longo’s with a plan to build a near net-zero store that combined the heat recovery with CO2 refrigeration,” Quaglia says. In their design, the electrical energy produced by the CHP is recovered and used to finish condensing the CO2 refrigerant during the summer months. “On the hottest days of the year, we have to use compressors to finish condensing the refrigerant,” Quaglia notes. “CO2 tends to be inefficient when we need to use the compressors. If we can eliminate that, we can have an efficient system 12 months of the year.” The heat from the CHP unit drives an absorption chiller to deliver chilled water to the refrigeration system. “That’s a very unique approach for any supermarket in Ontario,” he explains. “You see CHP units used a lot in agriculture if they have greenhouses, but not in supermarkets” The energy generated by the CHP is also used to heat the building throughout the year, Topan adds. “Supermarkets are unique in that you have to pump heat into them all the time. In the summer you are always having to dehumidify the environment. When you do that you have to reheat the air to a comfortable temperature.” The next push for Longo’s, S2e and Neelands is moving from near net-zero to a net-zero model, Quaglia notes. “We’re not at that point quite yet, but we’re working on it.”
CONTROLLING THE
OUTCOME When it comes to monitoring and troubleshooting, Longo’s latest CO2 refrigeration systems offer an added advantage: all fixtures within the store have electronic modules. “Service technicians can really drill down and see what’s going on with each fixture using a handheld device,” Topan says.
A LESSON IN SERVICING CO2
A MILESTONE MOMENT In 2012 Neelands decided to try out a CO2 and glycol design in a Longo’s store in Oakville, Ont., making it the first CO2 transcritical system in Ontario (others had previously been done in B.C. and Quebec). They continued to use the same refrigeration design in two additional stores, using CO2 refrigerant for lowtemperature and glycol for medium-temperature applications. The next store, located at Applewood Mall in Etobicoke, Ont., was the first time they were able to explore a 100 per cent transcritical CO2 model. “We haven’t looked back since,” says Chris Topan, Neelands’ supermarket technical solutions representative. Because the concept was relatively new, capital costs were higher, but Topan says that equipment prices have since come down with CO2 becoming more mainstream. “The parts are not as specialized as they once were and manufacturers are producing more systems. The investment in technology delivers payback much sooner.” Another big saving is the cost of refrigerant itself. “HFC chemicals are expensive. But CO2 is a natural refrigerant that’s quite cheap.” As for the refrigerated display cases themselves, the differences aren’t significant. “CO2 does require a special coil and the expansion valve is electronic rather than mechanical. Otherwise they are pretty much the same,” Topan explains.
Servicing a transcritical CO2 refrigeration system has its own unique challenges. When Neelands piloted its first installation, part of the job was getting the service technicians comfortable with servicing on a regular basis, Quaglia says. The main challenge is that pressures are much higher than with HFCs, he says. “On the high side it could be 1,740 psi during the hottest days in summer. HFCs operate in the 300 range. Because there is quite a difference in pressures, there is also a difference in the materials needed to maintain the pressure differential. It took a bit of getting used to.” Another difference of note is the condensing process. HFC refrigerant condenses to a liquid at an outside temperature of 80°F (27°C). “CO2 does not fully condense to a liquid. It’s a combination of vapour and liquid that comes back to the expansion valve and then condenses to a liquid,” Quaglia explains. He adds that while there is little difference on a cool day, summer days are different. “With an HFC system, the rooftop system does the condensing. With a CO2 refrigeration system a gas cooler can sometimes condense it, but not always. Otherwise you need to use the flash tank inside the mechanical room.” Finding leaks can also be challenging. “Typically, there is 400 parts per million of CO2 in the air we breathe, so you need a good quality leak detector,” Topan advises.
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HVAC/R Products P Two-stage gas furnace The Napoleon 9600 Series Gas Furnace is available in 40,000 to 120,000 BTUH inputs and up to 96% AFUE. There is an option of installing a HomeShield UV lamp directly into the cabinet of the furnace, while the furnace is also compatible with smart thermostat technology. A soft start and stop feature helps limit noise levels.
www. napoleonheatingandcooling.com
Smart rooftop unit Johnson Controls’ NexusPremier 25 to 50-ton commercial rooftop units combine the flexibility of an applied system with the simplicity of a rooftop. Optional remote monitoring capability is designed to reduce callouts while Smart Equipment Controls allow for seamless integration with other proprietary building controls systems.
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Air curtain system for revolving doors Berner International’s RevolvAir air curtain system for revolving doors is specifically-sized to fit each door’s diameter, configuration and brand. It has a 10-speed fan feature that creates a separating air barrier at the building’s conditioned interior by blocking unwanted exterior air. It can be controlled wirelessly. Electric, steam and hot water coils are available as heating options.
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HVAC/R Products P Variable speed heat pump Offering a cooling capacity range of 6,200 to 40,900 BTUH in the three-ton unit, and 6,200 to 64,800 BTUH in the five-ton model, the High-Velocity outdoor ESP Series Variable Speed Heat Pump operates at noise levels as low as 57 dBA and can be used for zoning by varying operating speeds. It can operate in temperatures as low as -30°C (-22°F). A patented interface allows integration with third party handlers.www.
Infrared radiant heater Brant Radiant Heaters’ DX3L Series tube heater is available in 20 to 80-foot lengths, offering inputs from 50,000 to 200,000 BTUH. Performance is enhanced through the use of a stainless steel burner and black coated titanium-stabilized and/or aluminized coated steel radiant tube exchangers.
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Gas control lockout alarm Beckett’s Gas Ignition Control Lockout Alarm Module is an optional accessory designed for use with the company’s 7586 and 7590 GeniSys gas ignition controls. Providing an interface between the ignition control and existing alarm panel or device, the module can be added in the field at any time. The 7710AU module closes relay contacts when control locks out and can be used for AC or DC voltage applications (5 to 120 volts).
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Remote Boiler Monitoring Real-time insight into the performance and operating status of your boiler system from your mobile device. • Monitor activity of ClearFire® boilers 24/7 from any location • View data via an app or customizable online dashboard • Immediate notification of a boiler issue • Helps optimize boiler system • Data travels outbound only via an encrypted communications channel for security
Call 1-800-296-4110 to find your local representative, or visit cleaverbrooks.com for more information. ©2018 Cleaver-Brooks, Inc.
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By Fred Bretzke
Fred Bretzke is a full-time pipe trades instructor with SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary and the general manager of A&B Plumbing & Heating. He can be reached at fred.bretzke@sait.ca.
PLUMBING
FINGER LICKIN’
FINDING WORK IN THE KITCHEN
Commercial restaurants have a wide variety of kitchen equipment that needs to be plumbed in – and it’s not just those fast-food locations that need us plumbers. Every restaurant needs a range of food prep sinks, grease traps, dishwashers, pre-rinse sinks, food display sinks, mop sinks and hand-washing sinks, and even combi-ovens on the cooking side.
WATCHING WHAT YOU EAT – OR ARE ABOUT TO EAT It wasn’t until around the ’90s when health departments really decided to clamp down on restaurants to incorporate hand-wash sinks. Before that, I guess the dishwashers and cooks could wash their hands in the food prep sink, and wipe them dry on their pants. I’ve always said that if you want good food, go to a restaurant where the kitchen is open and you can see the people working.
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good
It was all new to me, but I loved it: the ambience, the conversation, the people, the candle-lit table, a few bottles of wine (even thought I didn’t drink at the time). At 20 years of age, I found myself dining with a friendly French family in Nancy, France.
The food was beyond words: a continuous entrée with plate after plate of some of the most exquisite salmon, oysters, clams, pasta, fresh vegetables and pastries my palette has ever experienced. Such is the life in continental Europe, where they shut everything down at lunch for two hours. People go to the market daily and pick items for their favourite meal. Then, toward the end of the day, they cook a five or six-course meal, dine and talk into the evening. It has been said that in France, the people live to eat, whereas in North America we eat to live. We love our fast food here. Our whole culture is designed for it and reflects it. We end up working so much that we grab food on the go so that we can get back to work. Did you know that as of 2016 there were 15,596 McDonald’s in Canada and the U.S., and most have a drive-through lane? Combine that with all the other major chain restaurants and there could easily be more than 100,000 drive-throughs in North America – and I think I hit far too many of them when I was a service plumber, grabbing a quick burger in between jobs. In today’s fast-food society, everything has to be prepped and packaged quickly, and it takes all sorts of mechanical equipment to make this happen – and the plumber has a number of roles to play.
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Canada turns to Anvil for mechanical pipe connections.
Get the pipe connections and assorted fittings from ONE SOURCE. Anvil is one of Canada’s largest supplier of domestic and import fittings and couplings. We have the broadest range of products available to complete your project. From steel and cast iron fittings, pipe nipples, forged steel, high pressure oil & gas fittings to pipe hangers and supports, grooved fittings and couplings. Make Anvil your trusted one-stop shop.
Find the quality connection you need at anvilintl.com Phone Number: 800-661-8998 • Email: canadacs@anvilintl.com
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PLUMBING
Plumb done with nuking
H
watch THE ORDER OF OPERATIONS Many restaurants have both dishwashers and grease traps. If the plumbing of those two pieces of equipment is incorrectly combined, it can cause a costly maintenance bill for the building owner. One of the first things I always do upon visiting a commercial kitchen is to check the layout of the plumbing for the pre-rinse sink, food prep sink, grease trap and commercial dishwasher. If the dishwasher has an operating temperature of 180°F, which most do, then the grease trap must not be installed downstream of it. This has been incorrectly done too many times to count, and it can be the cause of greasy, clogged drains. The hot dishwasher water is simply too hot for the grease trap. Instead of the grease getting trapped, it just flows through in liquid state to later solidify in the building drain. Always pay attention to ensure that fixtures are piped in the proper order.
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ave you ever complained that your food was too cold or not tasty enough? A wise word of advice: Don’t complain too much; you may not get what you expect. My dad, a former meat inspector, never hesitated to complain if food was not up to his standards. It was embarrassing. I’d take my parents to fancier restaurants to prevent it from happening, but I think that just made it worse. Plus, if it was an expensive restaurant, they would take all the table’s condiments and barely tip. (If my parents were paying, I would secretly tip the server on the side.) I’m sure Dad got a few meals that were not exactly what he ordered, with the server running back to the kitchen to throw his food into the microwave to nuke it for a few minutes. A microwave uses electromagnetic waves that are similar to a cellphone or radio that, when blasted evenly onto the food, slowly cook around it until the inside is eventually warmed up. This type of non-ionizing radiation is supposed to be non-harmful, but I always question that when I see rubbery chicken emerge from a microwave. The combi-oven was designed to overcome these limitations, improving cooking times and making food tasty and still attractive, but it needs to be plumbed in. (Feel free to claim that you have worked the kitchen of a fancy restaurant if you’ve plumbed one of these puppies in.) I once went to Shuswap-cottage country in B.C. for holidays and experienced the most delicious barbequed chicken of my life. My buddy Zel cleaned out the chicken and placed a can of beer inside of it to roast it vertically. It was browned to perfection and the meat was the tastiest and most moist I’ve ever had. You cannot do that in a microwave, but it is similar to how a combi-oven works. It cooks twice as fast as a conventional oven but not quite as quick as a microwave, and is powered by electricity and water or steam. It can brown a chicken and keep its moisture intact. To tie one into the plumbing system, you run a hot copper water line to it and tie a copper indirect drain or p-trap at the drain connection. It needs a DCVA, or double check valve assembly, crossconnection protection device, as it is considered to be a moderate hazard when there is food involved. These ovens are becoming quite prevalent in restaurants. As today’s society, even here in North America, is trying to change to cleaner and healthier cooked and eaten food, we plumbers are also installing better and more efficient devices to enhance that very choice.
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PLUMBING By Doy l e Ja me s
Sneaky masked bandits
Nice saves!
One of our technicians told me about a customer who called saying she could hear noises coming from inside a drainpipe that exited her building about two feet above the basement floor. The technician opened the pipe in the basement and found three baby raccoons and one adult “mama.” As you can imagine, it was a panic situation as the raccoons started running all around.
W
hile many middle-of-the-night emergency calls end with a satisfied customer calling technicians heroes, among our peers we often think what we do is simply doing our jobs. And it’s not an easy or glorified job, but it is nice when a homeowner stops to say thank you.
Once caught, the animals were let go in the backyard and the pipe was repaired, but that’s not where this story ends.
Our Mr. Rooter franchisees often encounter unusual circumstances in the line of business, and it’s good to know that our technicians are not only plumbers, but also good people doing the right thingg in any circumstance – no matter how bizarre the task may be. Here are a few of my favourite stories about some off my company’s Canadian technicians who are heroes on and off the tools.
The next da day, the plumber got a call from the same cus customer saying she thought the raccoon family was back. The raccoons appear to have entered the system appea through the vent through the roof. throu This ttime, when the team removed them from the system, they drove them out to the country and released them.
Adopt a bird (or two) One Tuesday afternoon, technician Robert Plantic spotted two birds walking on the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) in Toronto – in fact, he nearly ran over them.
AC Christmas story y Christmas stories abound d in the plumbing world, but for one Toronto o family, a Christmas Day discovery of a 15-foot deep sinkhole in their backyard rd was just the start of a months-long journey.
Instinctively, he decided to stop and pick them up. He didn’t know what to do, but knew they’d be killed if they were left on the side of the highway. With calls to finish, he transported them to a nearby veterinary clinic for evaluation. The birds had been “clipped and tagged,” which means they cannot fly and belonged to someone. The clinic took them in and cared for them for more than 10 days, putting out information in the community in search of the original owners but no one claimed the two Cinnamon Conures, so Plantic adopted them himself. The Conures, aptly named Don and Valley, are now a part of the Mr. Rooter office in North York.
Despite appealing to the city and the water department, no one could tell them what the hole was, how it appeared or if it would be safe to fill. Our technician went out with an inspection camera and was able to easily identify it as an old water well that had probably been covered with wood and been long forgotten, until the wood disintegrated and collapsed. The customer was incredibly thankful to have some answers for the mysterious hole in her backyard.
Doyle James is president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a Neighborly company. He can be contacted at communications@nbly.com.
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THE RIGHT PARTS. THE RIGHT PRODUCT. THE RIGHT CHOICE.
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PLUMBING
Products
In-line spring check valves Webstone’s in-line spring check valves’ self-automated design prevents backflow via a stainless steel spring, while a soft seat prevents leaks. Made from leadfree dezincification-resistant brass, the valve is designed to withstand temperatures up to 250°F and 200 CWP and can be used in potable or hydronic systems. Theyy are available in SWT and FIP m connections, in sizes ranging from 3/8” to 2”.
Instant hot water system Designed for retrofits, Taco’s Hot-LinkPlus-e system combines the Hot-Link Valve with the 006e3 hot water circulation pump and SmartPlug Instant Hot Water Control and can be installed into existing plumbing without the need for a dedicated hot water return line. The fully automatic system learns when hot water is used most in the home, while its SureStart technology provides automatic air purging and unblocking.
www. tacocomfortsolutions.com
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Two-handle centreset faucet American Standard offers a two-handle centreset bathroom faucet as part of its Town Square line. It has a soild brass construction and 1/4 turn washerless ceramic disc valve cartridges. A 20” long flexible stainless steel drain cable is pre-assembled while the metal drain body has a 1-1/4” tail piece. It has a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gpm and comes in polished chrome and satin nickel finishes.
www. americanstandard.ca
Submersible pump mp Weil Pump’s entire submersiblee 1600 and 2500 series sump and sewage wage ble in 575 pump product lines are available V with cUL approval. Offered in high-density cast iron or cast 316 6 stainless steel, the 575 V lineup up includes vertical column pumpss for pumping wastewater and other unscreened liquids containing solids. solids
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Drain inspection camera Made for 1” to 4” pipe inspections, Ratech Electronics’ 5/8” diameter micro camera is small enough to inspect kitchen sinks and toilet p-traps. It is adaptable to any of the company’s pipe inspection camera systems and uses four LED lights to illuminate the images that it creates.
Save Time and Money • So easy to install • 150 / 300 LB • Roll Grooved • Press-Fit
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Keeping it simple
Road Warrior
You might think that working with his dad means Jayson Seier gets all the advice he can handle but, Jayson says, you can never listen or learn too much.
Jayson Seier The current work ride: Ford E350
“With regards to work, the best advice comes in an acronym: KIS - Keep it Simple” he says.
Kilometres per day: 150km
Of course, Seier doesn’t only lean on experienced pros who he is related to. “Mechanical Business’s Sept/Oct 2016 cover star, Tye Leishman, has been graciously providing me with business direction for the past few years,” says Jayson. “He has given me solid advice on how to define my goals and stay focused on them, and I encourage everyone to find a mentor like Tye.”
Service area: Greater Toronto Area Most useful tool: My iPhone Favourite tool: Cordless hammer drill Best thing about working in a Canadian winter: The colder the weather the quicker the customer makes a decision about heating repairs! Average time spent on the internet each day: This really varies but is generally anywhere from two hours to all day. I do rely on a few key apps, such as Jobber, to help run the day to day operations efficiently. Favourite band/performer: The Tragically Hip/Gord Downie Best concert ever attended: Dropkick Murphys at Ontario Place
Favourite place to hang out: Home, outdoors, my shop. Favourite food: Dairy Queen Reese’s peanut butter cup blizzard
Usual breakfast? Tim Hortons coffee and a bagel.
Favourite TV show: Alone. The resourcefulness of people and the determination they show is inspirational p and a g good reminder that we can achieve greatt success when we put our minds to it. Favourite TV stations: Discovery, The History Channel
Lunch, is it drive-thru or brown bag? Drive-thru Last book you read: Goodn Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker. (My kids and I love it!) Rink One place you would like to visit: The International Space Station In
Favourite sports: Motocross and snowboarding
One word that t describes you: Driven One piece o of advice you would give to a 16-year-old 16-year you: Don’t be afraid to set goals.
Helping Sandler to keep his cool Being called out to a set where his favourite actor, Adam Sandler, was shooting a movie turned out to be one of Jayson Seier’s most offbeat jobs, but also one of his simplest. “Sandler and the crew were complaining that the rental air conditioners used to cool the set were not working. After inspecting the equipment and observing the operation, I had to politely break it to them that if they didn’t turn the system on it couldn’t do its job!”
M e c h a n i c a l
Favourite car: Ford GT supercar
Favourite snack: Dark chocolate
Favourite magazines: Mechanical Business, Success, Popular Science
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Favourite movie of all time: Days of Thunder
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If I had a su super power it would be: Teleportation When I was a kid, I wanted to be: A Canadian Air Force pilot.
Name: Jayson Seier Company: Cyber Air Systems Inc. Born in: Toronto Lives in: Mississauga Age: 43 Spouse: Alyson Children: A son and a daughter.
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or some people, deciding on a career path can be a long, torturous process. For others, it can be as easy as rolling out of bed in the morning. “I’ve been in the mechanical industry since forever,” says Jayson Seier, owner/operator of Cyber Air Systems. “My father has been in the business since 1967 when he moved to Canada and I have been shadowing him as he works since I could walk.” Dad Josef Seier, 69, is senior technician at Cyber Air and works closely with his son who now owns the business. But Jayson, who (officially) has been at the company since 1997, says it can still be hard for his dad to let go of the reins completely. “It can drive me a little nuts when he tells me I’m in charge of the job and then in the same breath tells me exactly what I should be doing,” he laughs.
Jayson Seier
Taking mentorship to heart By Simon Bowden
Photo: John Packman
Like many sons who work with their fathers, however, Jayson knows that having his dad around is a big net plus for him and his business. “It’s amazing to have my dad’s vast experience and knowledge at my fingertips; no need to Google anything when Joe is around. He has been and will always be my best teacher,” he says. M e c h a n i c a l
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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC
Myths
MEASURING UP THE HE E
Setback caveats
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fter a recent ent series of training sessions ou out west for HVAC contractors hosted by a forward-thinking over my mind some of the hinking mechanical wholesaler, holesaler I was as going o er in m industry and product issues discussed and thought it might be helpful to share some insights with a wider audience. Our industry is constantly measuring and improving the performance of products, systems and technologies, so it can be helpful to recalibrate our thinking every now and then.
Savings from setbacks are not exactly straightforward and guaranteed. For a start, the more efficient, tighter and better insulated a house is, the longer it takes for the house to cool down, meaning less time at the bottom of the setback and fewer savings to be realized.
Savings at cruising altitude As I felt the pilot take us up over 36,000 feet, I realized that he was doing ng something like what we do with setbackk thermostat ergy technology. The extra energy consumed by the plane’ss powered climb might seem like a waste of energy, but it is indeed da calculated fuel saving measure.
As well, in heat pump-based systems, if the warm-up cycle engages the “emergency” expensive electric heat, most of the savings will be lost. There are humidity and comfort concerns as well. This is why the common literature from government agencies and utilities will advise a modest 3 to 5°C setback for periods where the thermostat can be setback for more than six hours.
The energy used roughlyy equals the energy saved during the controlled gliding descent, scent, but in between there are significant energy gy savings related to the much lower air resistance ance at altitude. This winter, if you get asked if setting back the thermostat saves money feel free to use the airplane analogy. Explain the energy saved as the house cools down is roughly equal to
Gord Cooke
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the increased energy needed to heat it ba back reduc up. The fuel savings come from the reduced heat flow during the time the building is at a the bottom of the setback temperature. If it’s it’ 20°C 20° inside insid and -20 outside, ou the temperature difference is 40°C. 40°C If you lower the inside insid temperature by 5°C, the new temperature difference is just 35°C, or 11 per cent lower. So, while whi the building is at 15°C, your client will be saving more than 10 per cent of their fuel consumption.
Gord Cooke is a professional engineer who has spent 20 years helping builders and HVAC contractors iÜlement innovative technologies into high-performance homes. He has particular expertise in IAQ and airflow management in houses, and can be contacted at gcooke@airsolutions.ca.
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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC
Minimizing losses
Say yes to ERVs I might be able to lay claim to testing the first ERV core in a Canadian HRV, way back in 1984. We put it in a university test lab at 5 p.m. at -25°C and it broke apart with frost by 9 p.m.
I am often asked if there is an energy benefit to duct sealing in a Canadian context since, unlike some areas of the U.S., ducts in Canada are usually located within the heated enclosure of the building. Almost 20 years ago, we worked on a duct leakage measurement research study in 60 houses on behalf of a gas utility. In all of those houses, all the ducts were in conditioned space. Looking at air leakage from the duct system to outdoors during the normal operation of the HVAC system, more than half of the houses we studied showed measurable leakage to outside – as much as five per cent of the total flow of the furnace.
Much of this leakage we attributed to the typical duct leakage of sheet metal ductwork pressurizing floor joist and wall cavities that have air leakage paths to outside. So, you could solve the duct leakage to outside by sealing the ducts or, better yet, by air sealing the house. And the effect is indeed measurable. Leaky ducts make it very difficult to properly balance systems, and as a result your clients often raise thermostat settings in winter and lower them in air conditioning season to compensate for uneven comfort.
We used to claim that we did not need or want ERVs, but things have changed. We need ERVs when in air conditioning mode in humid Canadian climates and we need to better manage winter moisture levels in larger homes with low occupancy that are too dry. And the good news is that there are now 414 tested models of HRV and ERV listed on the Home Ventilating Institute Product Directory, with 50 that pass the Energy Star requirements for cold weather performance. You can now confidently promote the use of ERVs in the vast majority of homes in Canada, even in Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.
DID YOU KNOW? Our standard sheet metal duct installations leak at the rate of 25 to 30%. Even in Ontario, where it has been a building code requirement to seal transverse joints and fittings since 2014, measurements are still showing leakage rates of 12 to 15%.
HIGH OR LOW? I also get questions about the importance of the location of return air grilles or registers: high wall, low wall, central versus individual rooms. It’s far more effective to heat or cool a space by adding hot or cold air than by simply taking air out of the room – its about the supply air. As such, we can measure the impact that a return grille location change will have before making that change. Using an accurate airflow measurement tool, such as a balometer, measure the flow from the supply vents in a room. Measure this with the door open and the door closed, and with any existing return grille taped or wide open. If the supply flow is unaffected by a change in the door open or closed, or the return grille taped or open, you can confidently predict that changes in the return grille size or location will not improve the heating or cooling performance in that space.
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I was recently in a conference room of an office that was always uncomfortably warm when it was in use, despite having a pair of 8” diameter supply grilles and what looked like an open ceiling return grate. We measured the flow of the supply grilles with the conference room door closed and the total was 175 CFM. Then we opened the door and the total flow went to 235 CFM, an increase of almost 35 per cent. It turned out there was no connection from the ceiling plenum above the conference room to the main ceiling plenum in the main office. Adding a properly ducted return duct complete with fire damper improved the flow and solved the comfort issue.
HVAC/R V Productss P Variable speed compressorss
Air-cooled screw chiller Johnson Controls offers its York YVFA FreeCooling Chiller lineup in sizes up to 500 tons. An Annual Energy Cost modelling tool can be used to produce a customized report and energy estimate for the AHRI-certified chillers, factoring all key variables – geographic location, building type, operating hours, utility costs and local weather data.
www.
johnsoncontrols.com
Danfoss offers 8.5-ton and 11-ton 1-ton variable-speed compressors with ith intermediate discharge valves in its VZH range, which are designed ed iller/ for use in data centres and chiller/ rooftop units. Permanent magnet gnet motors help reduce power ing consumption under all operating conditions. The compressors are A. approved for use with R-410A. www.
danfoss.ca
Communicating circuit board Goodman’s ComfortBridge has moved the communicating circuit board from a wallmounted thermostat and placed it inside the HVAC equipment itself. It is designed to work with any thermostat, including singlestage ones, or by upgrading to smart home automation equipment. Constantly gathering data, it makes automatic adjustments for peak performance. A companion CoolCloud app can be used by technicians to wirelessly connect via Bluetooth.
Commercial ventilation units Samsung’s Fresh Access line includes dedicated outdoor air systems and energy recovery ventilators that align with ASHRAE requirements for fresh air. The packaged DOAS has capacities from 3 to 70 tons at up to 20,000 CFM. Split DOAS units come in 1,200, 2,000 and 3,000 CFM models with high static pressure capability. ERVs in the line use dPoint enthalpic heat exchangers to recover thermal and latent energy in 300, 600 and 1,200 CFM models.
www.
comfortbridge.com
www.
samsunghvac.com
Pipe flaring bits Pro-Fit flare bits by RectorSeal are designed to create a precise flare in copper and aluminum line sets for mini-split HVAC units. The spinning hex bit forms a standard 45-degree flare without splits, burrs, blemishes or uneven edges. Compatible with 2,000+ RPM drills and drivers, the hex bits are colour-coded. The 1/4” hex shank fits directly into most power tools without an adapter.
www.
rectorseal.com
Refrigerant efrigerant monitor The HGM-MZ commercial/industrial refrigerant monitor from Bacharach has a Method Detection Limit of 1 ppm for halogenated gases, enabling users to detect extremely low-level refrigerant leaks. Able to monitor up to 16 remote areas, the 6.8 kg unit can accurately detect over 60 refrigerants, while a variety of communication interfaces allow for integration into BAS systems and remote monitoring solutions.
www.
mybacharach.com M e c h a n i c a l
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HYDRONICS
B y P e ter M er id ew
Miracle near Hollis Street S
Bestbudbrian/Wikimedia Commons
everal years ago, when I was working in the Old Brewery on Hollis Street in Halifax, I was asked to go to a small four-storey office building nearby to see if I could get heat from the fin-tube radiation on the top floor. I set off armed with a small bag of tools and a coffee cup, with Saint Vincent Ferrer in my back pocket – you never know when divine intervention may be necessary. When I arrived, the cast iron, oil-fired boiler in the basement was working just fine. Together with the in-line, floor-mounted circulation pump, it was doing a good job heating the remainder of the building. I went up to the top floor, located the air vent at the end of a section of fin-tube radiation [this was going to be so simple] put my paper cup under it, opened it and heard the usual hissing sound – except there was none of the usual spitting. The vent was sucking the air IN. This top part of the piping system was actually below atmospheric pressure, even though the boiler pressure gauge had shown 30 psi! Back down in the boiler room, I switched the circulation pump off and returned to the top floor where I reopened the air vent and easily purged the system. Once again returning to the boiler room I restarted the pump and again returned to the top floor. Running up and down was getting exhausting, but the radiation was hot.
The patience of a saint Saint Vincent Ferrer [1350–1419] is the patron saint of plumbers, electricians and builders. He was instrumental in “building up” the church during the latter part of the 14th century. He is quite useful on the job site because he is often depicted with his own blow-torch and a complete book of rules and instructions – plus he has the patient expression of, well, a saint.
Examining the arrangement of the components on either side of the boiler, I found that the circulating pump had been connected upstream of the expansion tank, and both were upstream of the boiler. This makes the pump suck the water around the system. With this piping arrangement, reducing the flow rate in the system can resolve the no-flow problem, but this is because this decreases pipe friction and pressure drop, allowing all parts of the piping system to reach higher pressure, thus allowing automatic and manual air vents to operate as intended. No miracle after all.
Tip: Remember that flow reduction should always be performed on the discharge side of the pump in order to avoid the potential for cavitation.
A hidden “cure” If a system’s fill pressure is reduced over time from small leaks, repairs and periodic air venting, the friction pressure drop around the system caused by the pump’s flow rate makes the system pressure lower than the expansion tank pressure all around the system.
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Peter R. Meridew, B.Tech., Mech Eng., is a semi-retired mechanical building services consultant with extensive knowledge of HVAC, plumbing and electrical building systems, energy efficient building design & construction and indoor air quality evaluation. He can be reached at peter.meridew.mb@gmail.com.
PCPXA-FP-600A-LF
Easier. Faster. Better. Save time and money with the new NIBCOÂŽ Press Transition Ball Valves NIBCO is proud to introduce the new Press System ball valve PC-FP600-A-LF series with the exclusive press by PEX transition valve design. This innovative valve needs no extra fittings or components to transition from copper piping to PEX piping. 1
Previous steps to make when transitioning from copper to PEX piping... 1 ... crimp press valve to copper piping 2 ... solder copper piping to PEX adapter 3 ... connect adapter to PEX piping Current steps with new press transition ball valves... 1 ... connect press transition valve to PEX piping
PCPX-FP-600A-LF
Transition from Press to PEX F1960 or F1807
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Easier Installation. Less connections to make. From three connections to only one.
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Faster Installation.
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Save time by not cobbling extra parts together.
Better Installation.
(Example above shows the amount of steps the new press transition valves are eliminating when moving from copper to PEX piping.)
Eliminate up to two leak paths.
international@nibco.com | nibco.com
Hydronic Products Fire tube combi boiler Lochinvar’s Epic fire tube combi boiler is designed for residential applications. The four models in the line range from 110,000 to 199,999 BTUH, offer a 10:1 turndown, are rated at 95% AFUE efficiency and can deliver up to 4.8 gpm of domestic hot water. The unit’s control technology allows it to deliver hot water almost instantaneously during frequent use cycles.
www. lochinvar.com
Zone valves QCV ZoneTight Zone Valves with sweat connection from Belimo are designed for use in tight spaces. The valves, which have a 75-psi close-off pressure, are engineered to offer zero leakage in a true ball valve design that is resistant to clogging. It can be used as a retrofit solution for commercial buildings where the ability to change flow is desired. www.
Permanent magnet motor The Grundfos MLE permanent magnet motor with integrated frequency drive exceeds IE5 premium efficiency levels. Its built-in control system allows for dedicated functionality for specific pump applications, optimizing system performance. Motors range in size from one to 15 hp and have a rated speed of 360 to 4,000 rpm. www.
grundfos.ca
Gas-fired boiler The compact Vitodens 100-W from Viessmann features a stainless steel, selfcleaning Inox-Radial heat exchanger and MatriX cylinder burner. It offers multiple venting options and fuel flexibility (NG or LP) with inputs ranging from 21,000 to 125,000 BTUH and an AFUE of 95%. A CombiPLUS kit can be added for on-demand domestic hot water at a flow rate of 3.6 gpm. www.
belimo.ca
viessmann.ca
Switching relay The Tekmar 301P Switching Relay is designed to operate a circulator when a connected thermostat calls for heat. The control includes optional exercising to prevent circulator seizure and optional post purge operation to reduce standby losses in the boiler. It features a 20 VA transformer, thermal circuit breaker, hinged cover with indicator LEDs and back knockouts for a clean wiring look. www.
tekmarcontrols.com
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Condensing fire tube boilers Navien NFB series condensing fire tube boilers are available in either 175,000 or 199,900 BTUH sizes. The heat exchanger is form-pressed and robotic laser welded. The boilers are rated at 95% AFUE and offer a 10:1 turndown ratio. The units are field gas convertible, and have cascade capability for up to 16 units and common venting capability for up to eight units.
www. navieninc.com
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April 24 & 25, 2019
Place Bonaventure, Montréal
Canada’s largest plumbing, HVACR, hydronics, electrical and lighting expo
ř Attend free seminars, many of which will offer continuing education credits
ř See more than 400 exhibitors and thousands of products ř Visit the
New Product Showcase to see innovative energy and water efficient products
FREE REGISTRATION UP TO APRIL 23, 2019 mcee.ca Produced by :
ciph.com
In cooperation with :
cmmtq.org
cmeq.org
cetaf.qc.ca
electrofed.com
Jeff House is an experienced industry professional and hydronics trainer. He handles the sales territory from the Niagara region to the Greater Toronto Area for Jess-Don Dunford, a manufacturers’ rep in Ontario. He can be reached at jhouse@jessdondunford.com.
Find the Fix
NEW BOILER PIPING A little while back I received a call about a pair of boilers that a wholesaler had just sold for a 10-storey apartment building with a total of 76 suites. The contractor was looking at the manufacturer’s drawing, but was questioning what he saw. I opened up the manual, saw this schematic, and called the manufacturer. I was sure we had this removed from the manual after multiple problems. Keeping in mind that it all comes back to the basics, and using an outdoor design temperature of 0°F, let’s dig in.
1. When looking at this drawing, what are the potential pitfalls when using mid-efficient boilers?
3. If proper system design is a 20°F delta T, then at design conditions Boiler 1 and 2 should have a delta T of 10°F each.
A) Boiler 2 sees elevated water temperatures from Boiler 1 and tends to run off its limit switch. B) The pipe size has to be sized perfectly. C) ASHRAE recommended water velocities are very difficult to achieve, resulting in poor temperature control. D) No problems exist. This is the manufacturer’s preferred installation method.
A) True B) False
2. If the schematic is correct, what notes or assumptions does the manufacturer assume you will do? A) Size the system pump correctly for maximum flow and head. B) Size the boiler pumps for proper flow and head. C) Use variable-speed pumps. D) Size the pipes correctly for minimum flow. E) A & B
Email your answers to adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com. Please include your name and daytime phone number.
Looking for the September/October answers? If you need the answers to last edition’s quiz, you’ll find them on our home on the web, www.mechanicalbusiness.com. Just click the “Looking for Answers?” button on our homepage.
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4. If we assume each boiler has a net output of 700,000 BTUH and the boiler fittings are 2-1/2”, what is the correct boiler piping size based on Question 3? A) 4” B) The same as the boiler fitting size, 2-1/2”. C) 3” will work just fine, if you allow for the increased friction loss in your pump selection. D) Just use a variable speed delta P pump and the pump will figure it out.
Compact and powerful When it comes to troubleshooting, being able to spot hidden problems doesn’t take magic; it takes the right tools. Be the lucky winner in this issue’s quiz and you might find yourself pocketing FLIR’s C3 camera, a powerful tool for checking out mechanical systems that fits nicely in your pocket and allows you to find hidden problems, document repairs and share images over Wi-Fi. Send us your answers by January 8 for your chance to win!
STUFF YOU NEED Cordless rotary hammer
Jobsite Bluetooth speaker DEWALT offers the 12V/20V Max Jobsite Bluetooth Speaker as part of its 20V Max System. The speaker connects via Bluetooth to wirelessly stream music from a mobile device up to 100 ft. away. With dual 3” woofers it delivers powerful bass and high volume, and is compatible with 12V and 20V Max batteries. It can also operate off of a 120V wall outlet.
Milwaukee Tool’s SDS Max 1-3/4” rotary hammer has an electromagnetic g clutch designed for control and safety. Users can track, manage and secure the tool through the NEcompany’s proprietary ONEn KEY app, which works on mobile devices.
www. milwaukeetool.ca
www. dewalt.ca
Touchscreen document scanner Targeting small business operations, Fujitsu Canada’s ScanSnap iX1500 is a colour duplex document scanner that can convert most office documents and receipts into PDFs, searchable PDFs, Word or Excel documents. It offers a 4.3” colour touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi. It has a direct connect mode for saving documents to the cloud. Up to 30 pre-configured scanning profiles can be created.
www. fujitsu.com
Reusable heat absorption putty
Smart building heating control
Hot Block from RectorSeal is a reusable, formable putty-textured packing designed to protect HVAC/R and plumbing surfaces from damage during jobsite brazing, soldering and welding. It separates surrounding areas from potentially conductive brazing/ soldering temperatures of 850°F and reduces them by up to 90 per cent.
HeatLink’s Smart System provides wireless and app-enabled control of HeatLink hydronic heating systems for residential and small commercial property owners. The line, which includes thermostats, zone modules, actuators and relays, uses the Zigbee Home Automation wireless protocol. Smart plugs and sensors can be used to expand the system into security and lifestyle uses as well.
www. rectorseal.com
www. heatlink.com
Reversible chuck driver Malco offers 2”, 2-5/8”, 4” and 6” C-RHEX cleanablereversible magnetic hex chuck drivers. The sockets fit over a 1/4” magnet-tipped, ball-locking hex shaft and can be quickly reversed to change sizes.
www. malcotools.com M e c h a n i c a l
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HRAI Conference 2018 October 14-16, 2018
HRAI marks 50th anniversary in Mexico
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Members of all three divisions of HRAI, as well as Refrigerant Management Canada (RMC), headed to the sun and sand of Mexico’s Playa del Carmen for the association’s 50th annual meeting and conference in October. A focus on increasing membership numbers, the evolving political and regulatory landscapes, and a need to understand and work with emerging technologies were running themes in the reports from each of the divisional chairs. Next year’s conference will be held in Niagara Falls, Ont., in August. hrai.ca
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1. “We “ are really unique,” stated recently retired HRAI president Warren Heeley as he thanked the association members and Wa refle reflected on the past four decades. “There are not many organization tions that represent all three segments of the supply chain.” In recogn ognition of his commitment to the industry and the environment, HRA HRAI has created the Warren Heeley Environmental Achievement Awa Award. 2. “It’s about being less attractive to a hacker than your neigh neighbour,” stated security specialist and keynote speaker Chris Math who advised that simply changing to a longer computer Mathers, passw is a good way to keep criminals from hacking into your pripassword s vate systems and information. 3. “What is your money for?” asked keyno speaker Bruce Sellery, who outlined how poor economic keynote dec decisions can prevent us from having funds to do the things that we want to do in life. 4. “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu,” advised guest speaker and political lobbyist and commentator Huw Williams, president of Impact Public Affairs. 5. The 3 Amigos, from left, HRAI president and CEO Sandy Mac MacLeod, 2018-19 chair Dave Weishuhn and 2017-18 chair Bruce Passmore. 6. The Paradisus resort in Playa del Car Carmen. 7. Mariachi anyone? 8. Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of Canada Green Building Council, discuss the low-carbon economy and how the building sector is shifting from efficiency to carbon as a key metric. cusses H 9. HRAI’s outgoing 2017-18 chair Bruce Passmore (left) passes the gavel to incoming chair Dave Weishuhn.
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The Marketplace Ads from $995
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canarm.com/hvac TODAY’S ANSWER TO A BETTER TOMORROW The RS series of refrigerants is the most complete and easy-to-use line of drop-in replacement refrigerants on the market today. From RS-50 (R-442A), the ideal replacement for R404A, to RS-70 (R-453A), the lower GWP drop-in for R-22, we have solutions for today and tomorrow. Visit our website for more information and to find a wholesaler near you. Refrigerant Services Inc.
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DUAL PORT MANOMETER AND PRESSURE SWITCH TESTER An industry exclusive – Fieldpiece Instruments introduces the SDMN6 Dual Port Manometer and Pressure Switch Tester. This dual-port manometer measures gas, static and differential pressure and also accurately tests pressure switches by simulating a draft with an internal pump. It also allows technicians to easily calibrate any adjustable pressure switch to the furnace manufacturer’s specifications.
fieldpiece.com CORDLESS POWER PIPE BEVELER Portable pipe beveler, with cordless power, quickly deburrs and smoothly bevels plastic pipe of 2” and larger diameter. Useful on most PVC glued joints and some sizes of bell and gasket joints. Adjustable for bevel length pipe needs. To eliminate damage to the gasket, pipe bevel is required when installing into a pipe bell. Bevels on cement joints allow for even distribution of solvent cement glue to maximize glue contact area. Options for OD or ID beveling.
reedmfgco.com M e c h a n i c a l
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Hitting the high notes in the mountains The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada recently staged its 77th annual conference at the Westin Whistler Resort and Spa in B.C. In addition to enjoying mountainthemed activities, attendees also took in business sessions on such topics as marijuana in the workplace, building performance and women in the mechanical industry. Plans are already underway for next year’s conference, which will be held in Nashville, Tenn., in October. mcac.ca
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1. A Apparently the staff at MCAC forgot to tell the new guy (Ken Lancastle, executive director of communications, industry outreach and innovations) that rain ponchos were official Whistler wear. 2. MCA Saskatchewan celebrates its victory in the MCAC Olympics. 3. Associate Council chair Mike Miller (right) presents Dan Milroy with the Doug Crawford Memorial Award. 4. The Women in Mechanical Construction Committee took the opportunity to meet and discuss key industry issues. 5. Marguerite Bavis, Dave Dawe and Carol O’Brien Boucher enjoying the Whistler Backyard BBQ. 6. Dave Flamand presents Gaetan Beaulieu with the Lloyd MacLean Award. 7. Val and Dave Flamand. 8. Pauline Dawe tries out a biathlon pose during the MCAC Games. 9. MCA Manitoba manager Ramona Coey prepares for the crosscut saw competition. 10. Dave Holek and Scott Munro.
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The Marketplace Ads from $995
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SANIACCESS 3 is the most advanced macerator in the world with dual accessibility. This ½ HP pump system is used to install a complete bathroom as it can handle the effluent from a toilet, sink, bathtub and/or shower and pump up to 15 feet below the sewer line, or even up to 150 feet from the soil stack. With no need to break concrete, SANIACCESS 3 is designed with two easy-access service panels for greater accessibility and offers superior installation flexibility.
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saniflo.ca fieldpiece.com ZOELLER COMPANY’S SHARK® SERIES EXPANDED Zoeller Pump Company’s Shark® grinder series includes 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 HP models, the 818, 819 and 820. These pumps feature Zoeller’s dual bladed angled cutter with scissor-like action that shreds difficult wastewater materials to a 1/8” particle size. This cutter system design delivers maximum torque to each blade, lowering amp spikes and extending pump service life. All pumps are factory tested and available in either automatic or non-automatic models. ®
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www.noble.ca
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EVENTS
AHR Expo January 14-16, 2019 Atlanta, Ga. www.ahrexpo.com
CCA Conference March 25-28, 2019 Southampton, Bermuda www.cca-acc.com
CHES Conference September 22 - 24, 2019 Saskatoon, Sask. www.ches.org
CIPH Ontario Business Meeting January 30, 2019 Mississauga, Ont. www.ciph.com
CIPH Ontario Business Meeting April 11, 2019 Mississauga, Ont. www.ciph.com
MCA Canada’s 88th Annual National Conference October 2-5, 2019 Nashville, Tenn. www.mcac.ca
CEC Project Management February 7-10, 2019 Waterloo, Ont. www.constructioneducation.ca
MCEE April 24-25, 2019 Montreal, Que. www.mcee.ca
KBIS February 19-21, 2019 Las Vegas, Nev. www.kbis.com
Solar Canada May 8-9, 2019 Calgary, Alta. www.cansia.ca
NAHB Int’l Builders’ Show February 19-21, 2019 Las Vegas, Nev. www.buildersshow.com
CIPH ABC June 16-18, 2019 Charlottetown, PEI www.ciph.com
ISH Frankfurt March 12-16, 2019 Frankfurt, Germany www.messefrankfurt.com
HRAI Annual Conference August 25-27, 2019 Niagara Fall, Ont. www.hrai.ca
ASPE Technical Symposium October 24-27, 2019 Pittsburgh, Penn. www.aspe.org GreenBuild November 20-22, 2019 Atlanta, Ga. www.greenbuildexpo.com
M e c h a n i c a l
GOT AN EVENT? SPREAD THE WORD! If your organization has a conference, trade show or other event coming up, send details to adam.freill@mechanicalbusiness.com See it all online at www.mechanicalbusiness.com
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Compiled by Mechanical Business
BY THE NUMBERS
CYCLE OF LOVE AND HATE When bike meets van, road rage is never far behind.
7% Percentage of Canadians who ride a bike multiple times a week.
43% Road users who feel there is quite a
NO REST FOR THE STRESSED Stress levels through the roof on site? Apprentice can’t get out of bed? If this sounds familiar, you may have to think about hitting that snooze button a few more times in the morning.
33% Canadians who reported more stressful days after less than six hours of sleep. 20% Respondents who reported experiencing more stress despite having slept for more than six hours.
7% Canadians who report getting less than six hours of sleep per night.
75% Men who slept for six hours or more said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their work-life balance. This falls to 66% for men who get less than six hours of sleep.
bit of conflict between cyclists and drivers in Canada.
60% Believe cyclists are to blame for the conflict. 67% Say too many cyclists don’t follow the rules of the road.
A NEED FOR WEED? anada this past Despite marijuana becoming legal in Canada e lighting up. October, most people say they won’t be
71% Canadians not interested in smoking marijuana, even with its legalization.
88.6% Quebecers who said they were not interested in smoking marijuana, the highest ghest of all the provinces surveyed. 25% Expressed an interest in consuming legal marijuana in an edible form or a drink.
63% Concerned or somewhat concerned by second-hand marijuana smoke.
REFINED TASTE CANADIAN SHOPPING HABITS
Canada is the third largest consumer of oil per person among the world’s most economically advanced countries. Where does it all go?
Top 5 things Canadians spend their household income on:
60% Transportation sector or 30% Industrial sector 9% Commercial and
1 Principal accommodation 2 Store-bought food 3 Savings/pensions/insurance 4 Household operations like internet and
agricultural
1% Residential, including home heating
phone
5 Clothing and accessories
184,427 KM 114 86
M e c h a n i c a l
Length of water pipes or linear potable water assets owned by regional and municipal governments in Canada, enough to circle the globe more than four times.
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BACK IN BLACK Introducing our newest finish - Matte Black (MBL). Available on a number* of our fine products. Black is back!
*Call for availability and pricing
Two Wires? No Problem.
Upgrading to a WiFi Thermostat just got easier 564
WiFi Thermostat 564 The new Invita™ WiFi Thermostat uses the two existing wires to connect to the mechanical room, eliminating: • Pulling new wires • Patching and repainting walls • Batteries • Unreliable power stealing • Unreliable wireless signals
Scan for more info
Offer customers a sleek, customizable upgrade in less time with reduced effort
Download the Invita Connect App Or visit our website at tekmarControls.com
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