General has rethought high-speed, exible shaft machines. The stronger, stiffer shaft lets you clean a wider range of drain lines, up to 75 feet long. It’s exible enough to negotiate 2" lines yet tough enough to clear roots in 4" lines.
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To learn more, visit www.drainbrain.com/Flexi-Rooter, or call the Drain Brains ® at 800-245-6200
Visit us at MCEE Booth #1201
36COVER STORY
Race car driver Demi Chalkias will be the first female to compete in the FEL Sports Car Championship series in Canada. Kerry Turner
60PROJECT PROFILE
When the Great White Car & Truck Wash planned its first Edmonton, AB location, the company turned to Waterhouse Mechanical to install its water system.
Carolyn Cooper
32BUILDING TRENDS
The skilled construction worker shortage and increasing demand for housing across the country highlight the need for new building construction methods.
Jonathon Harp
63MCEE 2023 SHOW GUIDE
After a four-year hiatus, organizers expect more than 6,000 plumbing, hydronics, HVAC/R, electrical and lighting professionals to attend Mecanex/Climatex/Électricité/Éclairage (MCEE) at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
On the cover: In addition to being a successful driver, Demi Chalkias has used her platform to inspire young girls to enter what is a traditionally male-dominated sport. Cover Photo: Anoosha Kargarfard, Creative’s Bazaar Inc.
Single appliance approach resolves issues and presents
26 HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC Taking Control of Hybrid Heat Pumps
Gord Cooke
Contractors should be looking for reasons, technologies and strategies so customers say yes to heat pumps.
28 HYDRONICS
Forming an energy plan is a mix and match process
Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr
Start the research part of your energy future now to find a solution that is reliable, affordable and sustainable.
38 REFRIGERATION
Key safety protocols – Part II
Phil Boudreau
It is the responsibility of all technicians to ensure work is done in a safe manner to keep themselves and others out of harm’s way.
48 PLUMBING
The (VR) Games People Play
Fred Bretzke
Can virtual reality help in design and service work?
108 MARKETING
The top five apps you should be using Doug MacMillan
Use the best available platform for each intended purpose.
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March/April 2023 Issue
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Attention has turned to indoor air quality (IAQ) in recent years. Air cleaners and filtration systems were flying off the shelves throughout COVID but how effective are they? Today there is an awareness that testing and data analysis must be done to ensure whatever IAQ theory and/or technology that is used is actually effective. A survey conducted by Leger for BreatheEasyTO, a consortium of organizations measuring IAQ, showed that 70 per cent of Toronto residents are concerned about catching a respiratory virus at work. Public transit, gyms, medical offices, restaurants, office spaces and retail stores were all cited as places of concern for residents. BreatheEasyTO set out to evaluate the risk of contracting an airborne illness such as COVID, colds or flu in the fall of 2022.
In November 2022, BreathEasyTO performed a rapid air safety test using a tracersensor system developed by Poppy Health in 119 Toronto locations covering more than nine million cubic feet of indoor space. “Tracer technology has been used by researchers to validate aircraft safety and hospital ventilation effectiveness. And now it can be used every day in every space to answer a timely question for the public and building managers,” said Sam Molyneux, co-CEO, Poppy Health and BreatheEasy consortium member. The program measured how quickly each space cleared viruses and bacteria using effective air changes per hour (ACH). According to the results, 75 per cent of spaces tested had an ACH of six or greater, the equivalent of replacing the air in the room every 10 minutes. The U.S. Center for Disease Control guidelines suggest hospitals should maintain six ACH or higher to reduce the risk of respiratory transmission. However, the results show that ACH varies significantly in public spaces. For instance, a restaurant was measured at 4.7 ACH, a movie lobby was 5.2 ACH, and a pedestrian walkway was 3.1 ACH.
“We all know that we can’t manage what we don’t measure. As an active participant and sponsor of BreathEasyTO, we are not only raising awareness of the need to measure air safety but also collecting meaningful data that gives us the insight to improve indoor air quality,” said Steve Horwoord, vice president of business development, Ainsworth and BreatheEasy consortium member.
Members of BreatheEasyTO include Poppy Health, Ainsworth Inc., Surgically Clean Air, and TSFV. Testing in Toronto continued until the end of 2022. Additional information is available at breathe.city.
The Green Buildings Career Map is an online interactive tool designed to help workers and employers explore job opportunities across four sectors of the green buildings and energy efficiency industry. It also charts progression of jobs and the credentials needed to do them well, and lists more than 300 advancement routes between jobs and sectors. Jobs include entry, mid-level and advanced roles, and includes positions in architecture, engineering and other professional services; building operations/facility management; commercial and institutional construction and retrofitting; and residential and multi-family construction and retrofitting. greenbuildingscareermap.org
Randstad has released its 2023 salary guide, which includes salary information generated by the Economic Research Institute about wages, cost of living and compensation for more than 1,000 industry sectors in entry-, mid- and senior-level positions across Canada, including mechanical engineering and skilled trades jobs. According to Randstad, 65 per cent of employees say the pandemic made them rethink the place work should have in their lives, with 47 per cent saying they now are more likely to prioritize family and personal life over work. That means companies looking to hire and retain employees must offer competitive wages, as well as non-monetary benefits such as flexibility and autonomy in daily work. Employees are also looking for companies that place an importance on their well-being, and that respect their values, needs and personality. Randstad Canada also revealed what it says are the top 15 trending jobs for 2023. randstad.ca
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating has announced that CIPHEX West 2023 will take place October 18 and 19, 2023 at BMO Centre at Stampede Park in Calgary, AB. The trade show is the largest exhibition for HVAC/R, plumbing, hydronics and water treatment in Western Canada, and features more than 200 Canadian, American, and international exhibitors. ciph.com
Modern Niagara Group Inc. has announced that its large-scale commercial building retrofit in Kingston, ON has achieved Investor Ready Energy Efficiency (IREE) certification. The 220,000-sq. ft. building is one of the largest projects in Canada to receive the certification. IREE certification is based on a framework developed by the Investor Confidence Project (ICP) and designates compliance with assessments certifying energy efficiency retrofit projects through third-party verification. The commercial space is being transformed into an energy efficient and sustainable innovation hub. The retrofit features infrastructure upgrades to reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 per cent, which includes replacing its fossil-fuelled heating system with electrified systems. Construction on the retrofit project began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by 2024.
modernniagara.com
Enbridge Gas has introduced the Home Efficiency Rebate Plus (HER+) program to deliver the Canada Greener Homes Grant to eligible homeowners in Ontario. The program, launched together with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the government of Ontario, offers rebates towards the cost of eligible retrofits, including renewable energy systems. Eligible homeowners can receive a grant of up to $5,000, while eligible Enbridge Gas customers can apply for up to $5,000 more, funded by Enbridge Gas. Homeowners can also receive a rebate of up to $600 to offset the cost of their EnerGuide home assessment.
enbridgegas.com
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The World Plumbing Council is accepting submissions for its three annual scholarships. Two of the scholarships are awarded to plumbers travelling internationally to learn about the industry, and one is awarded to a trainer to attend the UA Instructor Training Program in Ann Arbor, MI. The scholarships provide up to $15,000 in funding, and are designed to create an educational exchange between plumbers from different countries; to increase awareness of the contribution plumbing makes to global health, sustainability, and the environment; and to provide a global networking platform. They include: the Scholarship for Least Developed and Developing Countries; the Education and Training Scholarship; and the United Association Instructor Training Program Scholarship. Applications are due by September 30, 2023.
worldplumbing.org
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has launched the Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative (DRAI), a $185.5-million initiative. The initiative will offer non-repayable funding for projects that enable deep retrofits in commercial, institutional, or mid- or high-rise multi-unit residential buildings in Canada. All Canadian organizations, companies, levels of government, and Indigenous organizations and groups are eligible to apply. Applications are due by April 28, 2023. Applications from Indigenous organizations may be submitted at any time until March 31, 2025, or until funding is fully distributed. nrcan.gc.ca
The Town of Stephenville, NL has received investments from the federal and provincial governments to support a fuel-switching project. The town received funding of up to $271,000 from the federal government through Environment and Climate Change Canada, and up to $226,000 from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The initiative will switch the Bay St. George YMCA from oil heating to electric boilers. The town is also contributing around $181,000 towards the project. The fuel switching initiative will lower greenhouse gas emissions, and will add to the long-term viability of the facility. Federal funding comes through the Low Carbon Economy Fund. canada.ca gov.nl.ca
Uponor North America has presented the Ottawa, ON-based Kilmar Agency with its 30 Years of Outstanding Service award. The Kilmar Agency is a manufacturer’s representative distributing hydronic equipment, including radiant heating and cooling, and snow and ice melting products. kilmar.com
ASHRAE recognized the achievements and contributions of members during its 2023 Winter Conference in Atlanta, GA. Canadian award winners were Lianne Cockerton and Martin Roy of Martin Roy et Associés who were recipients of the Award of Engineering Excellence in the new institutional buildings category, for Local 144 in Point-auxTrembles, QC. Winners in the ASHRAE Technology Awards included Simon Kattoura, existing industrial facilities or processes category for Hood Packaging Corporation in Montreal, QC, and Adrianne Mitani, residential facilities category for 70 Gloucester St. in Ottawa, ON.
ashrae.org
On the job site, no one has time for excuses. That’s why Fujitsu General has been leading the way with a powerful lineup of premier mini-split and VRF solutions for over 45 years. Our reputation for reliability is just one reason why so many contractors put their trust in our solutions. There are no compromises on design and no shortcuts on technology. Just a complete commitment to deliver the results that your customers demand. You’re all in…and so are we.
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The federal government is offering grants and expertise to help small- and medium-sized businesses increase online sales, reduce costs, and better manage their inventory. The Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) offers the Grow Your Business Online Grant of up to $2,400 to set up e-commerce and grow online sales, and the Boost Your Business Technology Grant of up to $15,000 to get advice on the digital technology needed to grow your business. Interest-free loans of up to $100,000 from the Business Development Bank of Canada to implement technologies are also available. ic.gc.ca bdc.ca
The Schulich Foundation has introduced Schulich Builders: Scholarships for Skilled Trades, a scholarship program dedicated to students pursuing a career in the skilled trades in Ontario. In its first year, the Schulich Foundation will invest more than $3 million to highlight the importance of the skilled trades in Canada, and to help combat labour shortages. Schulich Builders will also award 100 annual scholarships through 10 participating Ontario colleges of up to $40,000 per student. Funding will cover tuition, tools and living expenses. The scholarship program will also provide leadership training and mentorship for graduates. Deadlines vary by participating college. The Schulich Foundation also operates the $200-million Schulich Leader Scholarships program for universities in Canada and Israel, in support of STEM education. schulichleaders.com
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) has presented Ryan Bristow, managing partner at Coquitlam, BC-based Equipco Ltd., with its Outstanding Service Award. The award recognizes 25 years with a CIPH member company and at least five years of CIPH volunteer service. Bristow began his career in 1997 at the Murray Krovatz Agency, is a past president of CIPH Manitoba region, and currently serves on CIPH’s board of directors. ciph.com
The Loewen-Nair family of London, ON won the $50,000 prize in the first annual Canadian Geographic Live Net Zero national challenge. The competition encourages Canadians to reduce household carbon emissions and aim for a net-zero lifestyle. Five participating households from across Canada completed six challenges between September and December 2022 to drastically reduce carbon emissions, and the Loewen-Nair family achieved the lowest score. Each family received $10,000 to help them complete the challenges, which were designed to assist them in identifying sources of carbon emissions, prioritize retrofits, and find ways to reduce emissions. The next Live Net Zero challenge takes place this fall, with applications for participants opening on April 15, 2023.
canadiangeographic.ca/live-net-zero
Join us on April 19 and 20, 2023
New location: Palais des congrès de Montréal
The most important trade show for the building, electrical and lighting services industry in Canada is back.
Discover: Free seminars to meet continuing education requirements.
Close to 400 exhibitors from Québec, Canada and the United States showcasing thousand of products.
About 100 new products highlighting the ingenuity of the industry. New ideas and solutions on sustainable development, energy efficiency and rational use of water.
Free registration until April 18, 2023.
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Ontario’s Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) has released an advisory on validation programs associated with its Fuels Heating Contractor Audit Program. In 2020 TSSA implemented educational sessions associated with the audit program, which requires Ontario contractors to validate work performed by their employees and sub-contractors. Advisory FS-248-20 for heating contractors sets out the acceptable standards for validation, which must be documented for each technician and available for TSSA’s audit. Employers are also responsible for ensuring their technicians are trained in performing work in a compliant manner. In other TSSA news, after conducting a fee review, TSSA has determined that an inflationary fee increase of four per cent is necessary in the Boiler & Pressure Vessels/ Operating Engineers and Fuels program areas to continue to cover the costs of operations in these sectors. There is no planned fee increase for other programs. tssa.org
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada has introduced Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Refrigeration Systems, a new protocol to generate offset credits under Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System. The protocol encourages businesses to upgrade refrigeration and air conditioning systems to ones using refrigerants with lower global warning potentials by giving them offset credits that can be sold. Each credit represents one tonne of emissions and is tradeable to facilities regulated under the federal Output-Based Pricing System to allow them to meet emission reduction targets. Commercial and industrial facilities that can participate include food processing plants, ice rinks, shopping centres, office buildings, industrial parks, grocery stores, and cold storage warehouses. canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change
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L’Islet, QC-based Ouellet Group has changed its name to Innovair Solutions. The Ouellet Group is the parent company of business units across Canada and the U.S., including Ouellet, Innovair, Dettson, Delta-Therm, Hazloc Heaters, and Britech. The company says the new name and logo more accurately reflect the range of the company’s HVAC solutions. Innovair Solutions has more than 500 employees in nine locations, with approximately 500,000 sq. ft. of warehousing and production facilities. innovairsolutions.com
Whitby, ON-based Smillie McAdams Summerlin Ltd. (SMS) is now the Haws Equipment representative for Ontario. Haws Equipment is a Sparks, NV-based company producing emergency eye wash and shower stations, tempered water systems, drinking fountains, electric water coolers, and water bottle fill stations. SMS distributes specialized products for the mechanical construction industry through a network of authorized representatives across Canada. smillieltd.ca hawsco.com
St-Laurent, QC-based Bélanger has announced partnerships with Toronto’s Visionary Sales Agency and Mercier, QC-based Nimatec Ventes Technique to distribute Bélanger products in Ontario and Quebec respectively. Bélanger, part of the Oatey family of companies, produces faucets and plumbing supplies under the brand names Bélanger, H2Flo, Quik and Essential belangerh2o.com nimatec.com visionarysales.ca
Cambridge, ON-based Saniflo Canada has appointed Canma Sales Agency as its plumbing wholesale channel representative for the greater Ottawa and Gatineau region. Ottawa, ON-based Canma Sales serves the residential, commercial and luxury product markets. saniflo.ca
Richibucto, NB-based Imperial Manufacturing Group, owner of Pointe-Claire Steel, has acquired Norbel Metal Service Inc. of Etobicoke, ON. The company will become part of Pointe-Claire Steel. Imperial Manufacturing Group manufactures HVAC and building products for the residential and light commercial markets, with more than 13 facilities across North America. Pointe-Claire Steel processes and distributes flat steel products from facilities in Bolton, ON and Pointe-Claire, QC. The acquisition of Norbel Metal Service expands the company’s slitting and blanking capacities, and adds more than 125,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing and warehouse space. imperialgroup.ca norbelmetal.com
Molekule Group, Inc. is acquiring Aura Smart Air Ltd., a company based in Israel, which produces a smart air technology platform. Molekule will implement Aura’s advanced software, sensor and IoT technology across its entire product range to enhance in-room air quality priorities and initiatives. Palm Beach Gardens, FL-based Molekule offers proprietary air purification devices for homes, offices, hospitals and more.
auraair.io molekule.com
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NIBCO Inc. has completed its purchase of Brewster, NY-based Matco-Norca, and its sister company SVF Flow Controls. Matco-Norca manufactures code-compliant plumbing and PVF products. NIBCO offers valves, fittings and flow control products for commercial, industrial and residential markets.
nibco.com matco-norca.com
Oakville, ON-based OS&B has appointed Front Line Sales Inc. as its agency representative for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as of March 1, 2023. Newmarket, ON-based Front Line Sales will be responsible for OS&B’s product line and affiliated distribution lines, including Oasis, TermaSol and Aquor. osb.ca
Beloeil, QC-based Will Solutions Inc. and Montreal, QC-based BrainBox AI have announced a partnership designed to help commercial building owners in Ontario and Quebec reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon emissions. Will Solutions specializes in voluntary carbon markets (VCM). Through its regional Sustainable Communities, Will solutions brings together companies to help them reduce GHG, facilitate access to the VCM, and monetize reduction efforts through the sale of carbon credits. The joint product offering features BrainBox AI’s artificial intelligence solution for HVAC, optimized with Will Solutions’ Sustainable Communities of Quebec and Ontario, to allow building owners to gain access to the VCM. brainboxai.com solutionswill.com
The Master Group has opened a branch in Abottsford, BC, and a third location in Calgary, AB. The company now has 75 branches across the country, including 19 in Western Canada. master.ca
Saint John, NB-based NTI Boilers and Laylan Hydronics and HVAC Sales have announced a strategic partnership to boost NTI’s presence in Ontario. Laylan Hydronics is a manufacturer’s representative based in the Greater Toronto Area. NTI Boilers manufactures high-efficiency heating products for residential and commercial applications. ntiboilers.com laylaninc.com
Schneider Electric is collaborating with Sendal, Inc. to offer an indoor air quality solution for energy efficient homes. The collaboration will combine digital air quality management through Sendal’s Breathe air quality management solution and intelligent home app with Schneider Electric’s Square D X Series connected wiring devices ventilation system to offer a more flexible, adaptable system of delivering improved air quality. se.com/ca sendal.io
Etobicoke, ON-based HD Supply Canada, Inc. has named Craig Dunford as general manager.
Cambridge, ON-based Air Solutions Inc. has made two employee announcements: Sarah Wartman has been named director of administration and office operations and Clayton Rego has been named director of sales and business development.
Emily Seabrook has joined Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) as events manager. She will be primarily responsible for the delivery of MCA Canada’s national events, including its Annual National Conference, Board and Business Meetings, and other industry events.
Cambridge, ON-based Saniflo Canada has made several employee announcements: Clifford Bassey (1) has been named Western regional sales manager; Justin Cooper (2) has been named business development manager for Western Canada, based in Edmonton, AB; Eric Delarosbil (3) has been named Eastern regional sales manager; and Richard Legault (4) has been named business development manager for Eastern and Central Canada based in Cornwall, ON. Legault will serve wholesalers, contractors and engineers in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.
Vaughan, ON-based Crane Supply has promoted Stefan Grimaldi to vice president, sales and operations. Grimaldi has been with Crane Supply for more than 10 years, most recently as general manager.
Robert Larson has been promoted to HVAC equipment sales manager, Southern Ontario, for Johnson Controls.
Beloeil, QC-based Tӫnzo Fine Plomberie has hired Eric Eagleton as its business development manager, based in the Greater Toronto
Milwaukee, WI-based Caleffi North America has promoted Roger Corrente to vice president of sales.
Regina, SK-based Canature WaterGroup has hired Scott Deslippe as commercial specification specialist.
Cambridge, ON-based GeoSmart Energy Inc. has named Ron Vanhevel as technical sales account manager.
Sean Welsh has been promoted to director of business development and engineering at Fergus, ON-based Interpump Ltd.
Independent Mechanical Supply has promoted Diane Tavares to project manager. Tavares has been with the company for more than 12 years, most recently as project coordinator.
Monisha Kaura has joined Watts Canada as human resources generalist, based in Burlington, ON.
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NAVAC has hired Brian Cox as director of sales for its industrial vacuum business.
Rob Miller has joined Boucherville, QC-based The Master
Gary Moore has been promoted to executive vice president and chief revenue officer for Victaulic. Moore joined Victaulic 35 years ago in sales for Canada, and then progressed to president of the company. He later joined the executive team at Victaulic in the U.S. and served as executive vice president.
Mississauga, ON-based CB Supplies Ltd. has hired Chris Siems as territory manager covering Ontario.
Brett Butler has been promoted to marketing communications manager at Navien, Inc. Butler has been with the company for more than six years, most recently as brand supervisor.
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) has hired Pat Gramsch as trade show manager. Gramsch will be responsible for planning and coordinating trade shows MCEE and CIPHEX West, and liaising with show committees for CMPX and MEET.
Andrew Ross has joined Franklin Electric as senior business unit manager –aftermarket, in the Industrial & Engineered Systems business unit. Ross will lead the company’s aftermarket parts business.
Therecan be little doubt the focus in 2023 for every professional HVAC contractor across Canada should be to encourage the application of heat pumps in every project, whether it be new buildings or replacement of systems in existing residential or commercial buildings. That is not to say heat pumps can be applied in every circumstance, but that contractors should be looking for reasons, technologies and strategies so their customers are able to say yes to heat pumps as often as is practical. The compelling reasons for this focus have been well documented in research studies, authoritative technical publications, and government directives and incentives. In the context of greenhouse gas emissions, it is hard to deny the value of a heating strategy which can deliver three to four units of energy to a building for each unit of energy expended.
In the application though, there are inherent challenges to heat pump based heating solutions, starting with the fuel cost advantage natural gas has had over electricity in most parts of Canada. As well, the design day heating capacity requirements in most existing homes and commercial buildings exceed the capacity of practical heat pumps for those applications. Even in a simple residential application, it’s easy
for contractors to find reasons to discourage a switch to a heat pump because concerns do exist. In 2023, we need to find ways to work past challenges such as the duct work is too small to accept the higher airflow requirements for heat pumps; the electrical service to the house isn’t adequate; or if the heat pump is sized to the heating load, the oversized cooling capacity will result in poor humidity control in summer. One opportunity is to consider hybrid or dual fuel applications with a refined control strategy to optimize energy performance.
Hybrid or dual fuel applications combine the costeffective capacity of natural gas or propane furnaces with heat pumps’ dramatic coefficient performance. A hybrid approach allows the application of heat pump technology to a broader range of residential and commercial buildings. The high-efficiency gas furnace provides the back-up heating capacity to allow the heat pump to stay within an appropriate and cost-effective size range in cold climates.
Traditionally, with an all-electric heat pump a “balancepoint” control strategy was used. When the heat pump can no longer satisfy the heating load, auxiliary or backup electric resistance would be turned on. Over the last 30 years, the price of electricity has been much higher than natural gas in much of the country, resulting in higher costs in the coldest weather when the heat pump could no longer keep up. It also created a significant peak electrical load many residential electrical services could not accommodate.
With a hybrid system the heat pump would be turned off in favour of the gas furnace providing the back-up. There have been a variety of control strategies employed to affect this switch over. Most commonly, newer thermostats make the decision to turn off the heat pump in favour of the back-up heat (in this case a gas furnace) when the room temperature falls below a pre-set temperature differential from the thermostat set point. Typically, the default temperature difference to trigger the switch is 1.50°C to 20°C (30°F). When the thermostat finds the heat pump isn’t satisfying the set point in a
Gord Cooke Gord Cooke is a professional engineer who has spent 35 years helping builders and HVAC contractors implement innovative technologies into high-performance homes. Gord has particular expertise in IAQ and air flow management in houses, and can be contacted at gordc@buildingknowledge.ca.
“It is hard to deny the value of a heating strategy which can deliver three to four units of energy to a building for each unit of energy expended.”
timely matter it switches to the back-up heat. This function is often enhanced with an outdoor temperature sensor or setting that recognizes the reduced capabilities of the heat pump at lower outdoor temperatures. Generally, these settings are made by the installing contractor and are seldom changed. While this simple strategy has provided reliable heating system control, it misses opportunities now available to the industry and our customers. New variable refrigerant heat pumps, and specifically cold climate heat pumps, are able to operate down to much lower temperatures, maintaining their output capacity, although at diminishing coefficients of performance. Time-of-use electrical rates are now available in many areas and include seasonal adjustments as well. Propane and natural gas rates are likely to increase significantly over the expected life span of any heat pump you install this year, and there are expectations of electricity rate plans to encourage electricity use at night. These changes are opportunities for optimizing the performance of hybrid heating with respect to cost of operation, greenhouse gas emissions, and peak electrical load management for utilities.
New thermostats are able in real time to look at current electricity and natural gas prices as well as outdoor temperatures to make hour by hour decisions on whether to run the heat pump or the furnace.
This new generation of thermostats can also be set to optimize greenhouse gas emissions specific to the electric grid emission factors in different parts of Canada. For example, in provinces where electrical generation comes primarily from hydro or nuclear power, favouring the operation of the heat pump throughout most of the winter can result in greenhouse gas reductions of over 30 per cent. Whereas, in the short term, in provinces with fossil-fuel generated electricity, the control switch choices would be better suited to favouring the operation of the gas furnace. The key is these thermostats can be adjusted through the Cloud in response to changes to energy rates, equipment efficiencies and weather.
A control thermostat developed by Torontobased BKR Energy, showing the “switch table” where hourly decisions are set and made through the Cloud as to whether to run the furnace or the heat pump.
An advantage of the hybrid system is the relative ease of installation to an existing high-efficiency gas furnace and air conditioning configuration. A new heat pump coil, sized to the air conditioning load of the house, can replace the existing air conditioner indoor coil. With the gas furnace providing the back-up heat, electrical service upgrades are avoided, as are significant changes to increase duct sizes. However, with the coil on top of, or downstream of the furnace, it is clear that once the heat pump can no longer meet the entire heating load of the house, it must be turned off in favour of the gas back-up heat. Smart controls take note of the heat pump capacity and make this switch over seamlessly.
As air conditioning season approaches, be reminded that hybrid heating solutions help overcome many of the barriers to fully electric heat pump approaches. By applying new control strategies, you can help your customer make a switch to a heat pump knowing the thermostat will be able to adapt to the projected electric and fuel rate changes to come over the life of that heat pump. Be challenged to make heat pumps your default offering rather than traditional air conditioners.
Readers may recall another approach to a hybrid heating system was discussed in a previous article (Mechanical Business Jan/Feb 2023). Jeff Daley of Bryan’s Fuels described how they switch out the furnace for a heat pump air handler and install a hot water coil after the heat pump coil. A high-efficiency water heater, such as a wall hung boiler or tankless water heater, is used to provide the back-up heat or perhaps more appropriately described as the auxiliary heat source. In this case, a high-efficiency, variable refrigerant heat pump can continue to run to much lower temperatures, with the hot water coil boosting discharge air temperatures for comfort and operational optimization. The smart control is configured to optimize the performance of this more creative solution as our industry does its part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in existing homes.
There is a lot of concern these days about our energy future. This is a global concern as much of the world revolves around fuel sourced from the ground. There is plenty of confusion from the top down on what steps are necessary going forward to ensure a steady, reliable supply of power for our homes and businesses. The question of how to budget for these energy needs just adds to the confusion. I have not found anyone that has a well thought out solution to the problem.
There are really only a few energy choices. Fossil fuels, which of course include coal, NG, LP and oil. In addition to the environmental challenges, these fuel sources create political tension, even war, as we try to squeeze the remaining resources from the Earth. Then there are, thankfully, renewable sources, including water power, solar, wind, wood and biomass. Your choice may be limited based on where you chose to live and work. In the rural areas where I have lived, choices were limited. LP or electricity, wood or pellets were the options available from public or private providers. It was not unusual in the rural farm areas to see multiple fuels in use or stored for backup.
However, overall, our options are expanding. Electrification is the buzz word these days. As such, the rush is on to build products for our heating, cooling, and DHW needs that are plug and play. This makes for fun and interesting times in the design and manufacturing sector. I believe the current technology is adequate and getting better to go 100 per cent electric. Electric resistance heat is certainly well known, and equipment is readily available to cover heating and DHW loads. Air to air heat pumps have been around for decades and deliver one of the best energy
returns if you need to heat and cool with a single appliance. The mini split systems have opened a lot of doors for both new and retrofit installations.
If just the DHW load is in play for electrification, you have the choice of a tank style water heater with resistance elements or an electric tankless style water heater. Heat pump water heaters are offered by dozens of manufacturers
Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor and installer for 35+ years. A longtime columnist, Bob is involved with training and education at Caleffi North America. You can reach him at bob.rohr@caleffi.com.
Many older buildings do not have the capacity for all-electric without a panel and line upgrade.
currently to help leverage the electricity used for DHW production.
The biggest question for many is having adequate power in your home or building to power an all-electric future. Many older buildings do not have the capacity, without a panel and line upgrade. But also, the power needs to be available from the utility to keep the lines “filled.”
So, what is a person to do to ensure they can live comfortably, and affordably in the near future? I’ll share my plan, at least as it exists today. With plumbing and hydronic knowledge, I
Wood stoves are very low tech and can be messy, but are also fun to feed and regulate. This stove resides in my camper.
The facts are right there, in red and white. The Radiant Quattro hybrid condensing water heater combines the efficiency of tankless with the convenience of a storage tank — producing endless hot water, ready when you want it.
Quattro installations are both simple and cost effective with 2” PVC venting capabilities of up to 100’ and top-mounted connections. Add in industry leading performance — even in hard water conditions — reliability, along with a stylish Ferrari Red cabinet with immediate availability, and you will wonder why you ever used anything else. At Radiant, hot water is always in style.
have been able to put a solar thermal DHW package in every home we have owned for over 30 years now. A single panel has provided a preheat solar tank adequate for the two or three of us. In summer months I can get by on just solar thermal DHW for weeks and sometimes months.
It is a fairly simple system to add if you have the pipe fitting and basic wiring skills. You can make it happen with copper tube in an aluminum frame on the roof or in the yard, a pump, controller, heat exchanger and indirect tank. Many of my past systems have been accumulated from scratch and dent, or were used components off the online swap lists. If you have the skills to combine and install the parts, and are willing to shop the product, the payback works out. Showers feel better with solar heated DHW. While the Feed-in Tariffs (FITS) have been going down in my area, I still went with a 6200W PV installation on my roof. At this point in my life the payback may not pencil out, but I feel I have a small amount of energy independence with the system. My inverter allows me to get about 2Kw direct from the array if the grid goes down. Battery backup could be an option down the road for a bit more power outage protection. Judging by some of my social media contractor job site pics the generator market seems to be up. This tends to be an expensive way to provide electricity. But in some people’s minds being able to weather a week’s worth of power outage makes them comfortable.
Now, let’s talk about keeping the heat on. I still have a small wood stove that was a wedding present almost 40 years ago. It has moved from at least five locations now. I haven’t found a simpler way to heat a small space and do some cooking than a wood stove. It is very low tech, can be messy, but also fun to feed and regulate. My truck camper has a Cubic Mini Wood Stove built by a sailor in a shop in the Montreal, QC area (for real, check out cubicminiwoodstoves.com). So, I’m ready for the world’s end.
• Use the free comparison calculator at www.coalpail.com to see how your current pricing for energy compares to “what if” options. Say, for example if you currently heat with oil. Does it make sense to switch to NG if it becomes available? What about electricity? Would a heat pump be the solution to maximize a switch to electric? You can answer the financial component of an electrification question very quickly. The biggest unknown is how much the various energy sources will change, and how often. There is historical data for that also. With oil or LP there may be storage options that allow you to buy at off season prices. If you could store your heating season’s amount of fuel, that could change the calculation. I’ve found LP varies the most, and almost predictably increases during peak heating season.
• My suggestion would be a hybrid system, dual or even triple fuel. If you have hydronics, it is easier to blend multiple heat sources.
• Wood is a lifestyle choice. While on the front end it looks cheap, maybe free and easy − it’s not. Emission regulations come into play with wood and pellet burners. It is best to check into that in your area. Unless you have dead, dry wood uphill from your building, wood is heavy to process, although it can be a good workout.
• The hybrid blend I prefer is electricity and gas or LP. Both are fairly easy to wrangle and easy to combine. There are many, many equipment choices and there are a lot of folks with repair expertise for basic boilers. Heat pumps may be more of a challenge to get sized, applied, and serviced properly. It is time to get your people trained up.
• While a HPWH seems simple, a refrigerator in reverse, troubleshooting takes a different skillset when refrigeration is part of the system.
• Look for off peak electric rates and figure out how to leverage them. A location with a concrete slab may have some off peak storage options.
Manufacturers offer tools to help with sizing components, there is no reason to eyeball it or guess.
There is almost an overwhelming number of choices. Start the research part of your energy future now to find a solution that is reliable, affordable and sustainable.
printing is being used to fabricate small- to medium-sized items such as automotive parts, medical body parts and furniture. Did you know 3D printing is also constructing buildings? According to Ian Arthur, co-founder of Nidus3D, a 3D builder in Kingston, ON, “The building industry is ripe for change. Building materials have been the same for a long time and frankly there are too many components and process steps in current construction methods. It’s time for a change and construction 3D printing (C3Dp) is a good alternative.”
The skilled construction worker shortage and increasing demand for housing across the country highlight the need for new building construction methods. C3Dp provides an option for more affordable commercial buildings and housing that can be constructed in a shorter timeframe.
Nidus3D completed North America’s first C3Dp two-storey building near Kingston in September 2022. It has 2,300 sq. ft. with a studio on the main floor and a residence on the second floor. One interesting aspect to the build was the on-site 3D “printing” of a concrete beam.
Nidus3D constructed two two-storey buildings, with the first taking 200 hours to finish, and the second one taking only 80 hours. Future buildings will take even less time to construct according to Arthur. North American C3Dp buildings are typically singlestorey as compared to Europe where they fabricate two- and three-storey buildings. Nidus3D uses a Denmarkbased 3D technology called BOD2 provided by Cobod International.
The 3D printing technology used to make a small object is the same for a large object. Digital code directs a printer arm as it extrudes a liquid substance such as plastic, metal, or concrete into layers to form the object. Because of this commonality, the same process is used for all sizes of items right up to large structures.
The most interesting use of C3Dp is with concrete. Any concrete structure, including buildings, bridges and parking garages, can be created with C3Dp. Once the digital code is loaded into the printer, quick solidifying liquid concrete is pumped into the moving arm and hardens as it is layered into the desired form.
The maximum concrete stream size at present is 25 mm to allow good flow through
the supply system. Rebar cavities are programmed into the design because rebar would interfere with the printing process if it were placed in advance. Rebar is added after the printing phase is completed.
C3Dp applications also provide flexibility compared to other typical wood or concrete construction methods. One example is C3Dp concrete can vary in thickness and spaces can be created for a multitude of uses such as insulation, air ducts, and plumbing and electrical chases. Concern has been expressed about the exterior look of C3Dp concrete. However, experts in the field note that “there are a number of ways to finish the exterior including using the raw concrete look as a novelty in the design or creating a more traditional building look with materials such as cladding.”
Another advantage of C3Dp is the ability to basically program the computer generating the printing “to do what ever you want it to do.” This feature can assist with current building requirements such as energy efficiency and decarbonization. As an example, the programming can reduce heat loss in the wall makeup and use other techniques to move toward the desired environmental goal of net zero emissions.
Probably the most compelling aspect to C3Dp buildings is the opportunity to apply this technology to tackle the overwhelming need for homes in Canada at a reasonable cost to the buyer.
C3Dp has the capability to print whole subdivisions in a very short period at a cost that is more palatable to most Canadians. In addition to Nidus3D, there are other construction companies in Canada looking at C3Dp buildings such as 3D Printed Homes Corporation (3DPHC) in Calgary, AB.
“3DPHC is in the start-up phase,” said Ed Macnab CEO of 3DPHC. “We constructed our first 3D structure at the SMART
Manufacturing Technology Exposition in Red Deer. This display provided people with a firsthand view of how 3D printing is used to fabricate buildings.” He went on to explain that the partners in the company saw a business opportunity with C3Dp, particularly in the housing sector. In his mind, Canada needs more housing across the country that is affordable for new home buyers. The reality is C3Dp is coming along very slowly in Canada as compared to other countries or regions of the world. As an example, Europe, the U.S. and Mexico are further along in adopting C3Dp fabrication and currently have a multitude of buildings in use or in planning including a community of 150 C3Dp homes in the U.S. In Canada, there are currently only four C3Dp buildings that have been fabricated: three in Ontario and one in BC.
Macnab feels one of the hurdles that C3Dp buildings must clear is the provincial and municipal building codes and inspectors who are not familiar with 3D buildings.
The reality is C3Dp is coming along very slowly in Canada in comparison to other countries or regions of the world.Photo ISTOCK
Any concrete structure can be created with C3Dp.
“The technology of 3D and the rounded look of some of these structures is not the typical rectangular shape of conventional buildings. Local inspectors have difficulty understanding how these structures should be dealt with under the Code,” says Macnab. “This means C3Dp buildings have to provide technical documentation to show the structure meets the intent of the Code.”
Arthur feels the building codes are not necessarily a problem. However, he agrees time must be spent with local authorities before a C3Dp build commences. “Early discussions with the municipality that focus on the engineering of the 3D building is needed,” says Arthur. “You want to have the municipality well informed about the building before you start the fabrication process.”
C3Dp building technology is now starting to have impact in Canada on engineering and architecture and it can integrate with Building Information Modelling (BIM) software. Some construction companies are using C3Dp to create miniatures of sections or entire buildings as part of their work plans. More and more technical schools in Canada are offering programs in 3D technology and graduates are entering the workforce trained to bring 3D into the mainstream of business.
C3Dp is also expected to result in subtrades that will supply specific parts of buildings including foundations, staircases,
retaining walls, and even outdoor furniture. According to some experts, the technology will also be attractive to Indigenous communities, and rural construction where tradespeople are sometimes hard to find. Laneway homes are also seen as a target market for C3Dp houses. One expert noted that “it’s going to revolutionize the building industry.”
As both Macnab and Arthur point out, Canada has been slow to embrace C3Dp building technology. However, there are signs that this alternative is beginning to take hold in the country. “Europe and the Middle East are leaders in 3D building construction with the United States catching up very quickly,” says Arthur. “Canada has been slow to move on 3D. However, there is increasing pressure to make 3D a viable option for buildings in Canada and when it takes hold, it will expand exponentially.”
WhenDemi Chalkias puts on her helmet, she enters a different world–one where she is just a race car driver. Chalkias refers to the sport as bringing out her “inner animal.” The competition, the danger, and the pressure all fuel her desire to win but it was a lifelong love of driving that led her to pursue a career as a professional racer.
“Driving was definitely a huge interest of mine when I was younger. We grew up in the country. We didn’t have internet or cable, but we had anything and everything with an engine. As soon as I came home from school, I would hop on a fourwheeler or a dirt bike or our lawn tractor and pop wheelies. I would also set up little driving courses on my driveway. I’d put basketballs out and I’d create little driving courses, and I would run inside and take the keys for one of the cars,” recalls Chalkias.
“By the age of nine or 10, I had learned how to drive a manual. I would try to reverse through the basketballs and try little driving courses. I knew that if a ball had rolled, I had hit it. I would always try to execute it with perfection. I really just enjoyed driving. In terms of thinking about my career, I don’t think I ever thought about what I wanted to do forever. I just had a lot of interests and driving was definitely one of them,” says Chalkias.
Another interest was competing in triathalons. As a 16-year-old, she was a top performing triathlete who competed in a qualifier for the World Championships. Chalkias finished sixth despite
having a hip injury. That injury would ultimately force her into early retirement from the sport. After rehabilitating, Chalkias focused her competitive nature on her other passion − racing.
The first few years of her racing career were particularly difficult because as an unknown she had to make it on her own financially. “Racing is the most expensive sport you’ll get into. Unless you come from a lot of money, which I didn’t, it’s difficult to pave your way. At first, I had to sacrifice a lot on top of sacrificing a social life and working two to three jobs at a time to save up money. I also sacrificed my education. I made the bold decision to drop out of university strictly to pick up more jobs so I could buy my first race car and afford to have a season to just go after it.
“What I had to do throughout the nine years I’ve been chasing this career has definitely been worth it, but it’s been really hard. Once you’re there, you have to perform. You have to show people why they should sponsor you. I served from 6:00 in the morning till 3:30 p.m. at a breakfast restaurant. I went to the bathroom and I changed into my next outfit and I served at a dinner restaurant from 5 p.m. till midnight or 1 a.m. Then the next morning you’re at the track for 6:30 ready to go racing, but you’re exhausted from the entire week of putting in ridiculous hours, trying to make the money to even be there. There’s a lot of mental toughness built into that process. Not only are you struggling financially to get the money, you’re working overtime to get it. You build a lot of character during those times, that’s for sure,” says Chalkias.
The hard work eventually paid off and the wins started racking up. She won the 2018 GT4 Championship and, in 2020, became the first woman to win the CASC GT3 Championship.
It was in 2021 that Chalkias got a call that would help her realize her dream. “I was contacted to be featured in a full-length documentary called Full Throttle (mercedes-benz.ca/en/full-throttle). I remember getting that phone call and I realized early into the call that this was a life changing moment for me.”
Chalkias was one of three Canadian women who teamed up to drive an endurance night race in California that will be featured in the documentary, which was sponsored by Mercedes-AMG.
“While filming that documentary I was pulled aside and offered an opportunity to individually go to a shoot out for a ride in the AMG GT4. Soon after that I was contacted and was offered a full-time ride for this year,” says Chalkias.
She has signed with JMF Motorsports, an organization that supports and develops talented young drivers by providing them access to a top-level racing program.
Chalkias will be racing a Mercedes-AMG GT4 in the FEL Sports Car Championship series in Canada. She will be the first female to compete in this class with this series.
Chalkias is looking forward to putting her mark on Canadian auto racing history.
In addition to being a successful driver, Chalkias has used her platform to inspire young girls to not only enter what is a traditionally male-dominated sport, but also to gain the confidence to be themselves, and to not be afraid of sharing their voice and leadership qualities.
Shedding the fear is something Chalkias is very familiar with.
“Ludwig Heimrath, who was a racing legend and a mentor of mine, would tell me ‘Demi, don’t ever fear something going wrong on the track, that people may crash around you or there may be mechanical failures. Whatever you have to do, just go out there and do it and don’t worry about what could happen. Just drive without fear.’ I think that’s probably the best advice I’ve ever gotten.”
It’s advice she’s put to good use. “I competed in the 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium and we came 26th out of 120. I was the second fastest female in the race. These were racers from all over the world, which was incredible. Racing during night stints at that track with 120 other cars was just absolutely mental. You’re driving three or four wide into corners, at times with cars that had no business being that wide through a corner. You’re battling every lap, every corner, every hour of the race. I went out and did my hour and a half stint. I caught about an hour of sleep and then I was woken up to do a double stint, so three hours nonstop in the car. This was from the hours of 1 a.m. to 4 a.m., so you’re driving in pitch black. All you have are your headlights. I did seven and a half hours of racing. This was definitely my first ever experience doing an endurance race of that degree, and my first time actually racing in Europe.”
“Nine years ago, I was praying and dreaming for an opportunity like this. Anything is possible if you just put your head down and work hard and don’t let anybody get into your head or tell you your dreams are either too big or not achievable.”
Asdiscussed in Part I in Mechanical Business Jan/Feb 2023, workplace accidents are frequently the result of taking shortcuts and/or using tools incorrectly and/or ignoring safety controls. The following are additional safety considerations when working in the field.
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The surface temperatures of refrigeration systems can be well below 0˚C (32˚F). Conversely, surface temperatures may exceed 60˚C (140˚F). Extreme temperatures can result in burns to the skin. Always wear long pants, long-sleeve shirts, and gloves that will provide adequate protection for the skin.
The edges of steel framework, sheet metal, coil fins, and so on, can be quite sharp in some cases. Always wear a good pair of protective gloves when working with system components such as these. For information on choosing protective gloves, search The right glove for the job at mechanical business.com.
Charging manifold and hoses
It is best practice to use the shortest hoses possible. Preventing refrigerant release as much as possible is always an important consideration but, from a safety point of view, refrigerant release can result in severe burns to skin and tissue.
Table 1 lists some examples of refrigerants along with their boiling temperatures at 14.7 psia.
Liquid R744 will become solid, dry ice when released to the atmosphere at a pressure level of 14.7 psia. At this pressure, the temperature of the dry ice, which sublimes directly to a vapour, is -109.2˚F. Many materials become brittle at very low temperatures such as this. As a result, system components and/or piping may become compromised when exposed to such low temperatures.
Whenever working with refrigerants, wear the appropriate PPE, including a good pair of protective gloves and safety glasses. Ensure that gauges and hoses are well-maintained and kept in safe working order. Hoses that are split or cut must not be used and must be replaced. Damaged gauges must be replaced also.
Tools and equipment
Tools used in mechanical work should be wellmaintained. Broken components should be replaced. Use an authorized repair centre to make the repairs. Never use equipment such as a recovery machine or vacuum pump that has a damaged or frayed power cord. Also, it is very important that tools such as this are properly grounded. If an extension cord is used, ensure it has a ground pin and is connected to a grounded outlet.
Invest in your electrical test instruments wisely. Ensure multimeters and clamp-on ammeters and other instruments are of very good quality and conform to the latest safety standards and carry local approvals such as CSA. For measuring voltage, an instrument that meets at least CAT III for high voltage (600V) is recommended, but CAT IV is even better. Test leads must be replaced from time to time as they tend to degrade over time. When making highvoltage measurements, protect yourself using the approved personal
Take the time to ensure that pressure controls are set to ensure that the compressor can only operate within its intended envelope and that both the suction and discharge service valves are open. Make sure the pressure controls are connected to the correct port locations on the compressor. This is especially important and required in the case with the high-pressure switch. If the high-pressure switch is installed downstream of the compressor’s discharge service valve it will not be able to protect the compressor from over-pressure. This can of course, result in a very dangerous situation. R744 (CO2) transcritical compressors typically have a pressure relief valve installed on the compressor just before the discharge service valve. In the event that the compressor started up with the service valve closed, it is very likely the pressure relief valve will open. This results in a secondary concern, which is the potential venting of a good portion of the R744 from the system. Leave the mechanical room immediately if this situation occurs. Do not re-enter the room without wearing an approved respirator or wait for the R744 concentration level to return to safe levels.
Sustainability is not about off-grid or huge solar/wind fields that apply to the few. It’s about reducing the impact of every component used by the many.
Make Oxford Energy’s OLPP™ solar kit the next step in your customer’s corporate stewardship journey. With plug-and-play simplicity, it can be added to any system easily and efficiently. The solar option ties into the main power supply of each unit and automatically ‘sheds’ power as it harnesses free energy from the sun.
OLPP solar is ready as an off-the-shelf option for any system, or to enhance the efficiency of any Oxford Refrigeration system already in the field.
Call us today to find out more.
Contaminated oils
Compressor lubricants can become very acidic due to chemical reactions that sometimes take place within the system. Always be cautious when handling these lubricants and wear protective gloves and protective glasses. The oil should be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of using a company that provides services for disposing of hazardous chemicals and oils.
Never bypass pressure controls
Bypassing a high-pressure control can lead to a dangerous situation, especially when the system is left unsupervised. High-pressure controls must never be bypassed under any circumstances. They are required to prevent the compressor from operating outside of its intended envelope. The next layer of safety after the high-pressure switch are the pressure relief valves on the compressors and the system.
Drive belts, pulleys and couplings
After working with belts and pulleys (that is adjusting drive belts and so on), be sure to re-install all protective guards. Moving belts and pulleys can present a very dangerous situation resulting in serious injuries or even death when these components are left exposed.
Compressors driven directly by means of a coupling generally have a protective screen or mesh that covers the access areas to the coupling. Again, always ensure these protective guards are re-installed after performing service to the equipment.
Variable speed drives
Variable speed drives convert voltage from the AC input mains and convert them to DC voltage and store this in a capacitor bank. When a VFD is powered down, the capacitors will continue to hold a charge. This charge will bleed over time. An indicator light on the front panel of the VFD will be lit while there is a charge present. Never attempt to open a VFD before ensuring the charge has dissipated.
GE Appliances Air & Water Solutions has introduced a line of residential ducted HVAC products, including furnaces, air conditioners, air handlers, heat pumps, evaporator coils, and package units. Gas furnaces feature Insta-Position furnace technology, perfect coil flanges, silent ignition, and smaller burners with mini-clamshell HX designed for quiet operation, while the package unit is horizontal-install ready, 48-in. maximum width, with zero installation clearance. All models are compatible with a 24 V thermostat.
www.
geappliancesairandwater.com
Carrier has released the latest version of its peak load and energy modelling software Hourly Analysis Program, HAP v6. The updated software allows users to streamline workflow with a range of easy-touse 3D building modelling features and technical upgrades, including using the ASHRAE Heat Balance load calculation method to represent building physics more accurately.
Attune’s indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors offer a plugand-play, modular solution to monitoring and analyzing airborne conditions. Designed to help customers use real-time data to achieve better IAQ conditions in their home or office, the sensors are customizable, and use Internet of Things technology to monitor temperature, relative humidity, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, and more. Data collection is supported by a cloud-based application. www.
attuneiot.com
The DeltaT line of controllers from Airius offers greater control over a building’s HVAC system with six operational modes. The destratification fan controllers continuously mix the air to balance temperatures and increase occupant comfort, and are easy to configure and install without needing software. Each package of DeltaT controllers includes the transformer control box, LED interface, and two temperature/humidity sensors.
www.
airiusfans.com
The Schwank Epic Series air curtain for industrial applications can be mounted vertically or horizontally in spaces where energy conservation and temperature control are critical. The series features a premium EC 1 HP direct drive motor, flexible mounting heights of between 10 and 14 ft., and a smooth front wrap design. Electronic, motor and blower changes can be made by removing the front panel, even when mounted, while a touchscreen allows users to configure smart controls for speed.
www.
schwankgroup.com
Ultraviolet (UV) lamps have been used in a wide range of sterilization applications for almost 100 years, including water treatment, food processing, and disinfection of hospital equipment. The Clean Comfort brand UV purifiers for furnace and air handler applications employ the same technology, using germicidal UVC light to inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes such as mold on the evaporator coil of a home’s heating and cooling system. Clean Comfort UV Purifiers deliver quality at a competitive price, providing an easy way to expand your indoor air quality offerings – and profits, too.
Clean Comfort components can be installed on virtually any brand of HVAC equipment in any home or installation. Clean Comfort products are available at Goodman Distribution Centers and participating Independent distributors.**
When we think of flooding, we often conjure up natural (overland) flooding events that are seen across the country each year. In fact, property damage caused by water related events accounts for nearly 70 per cent of emergency responses. But what about mechanical flooding issues in commercial and residential spaces? Leaks, burst pipes and flooding associated with plumbing infrastructure failures also have a substantial negative effect in commercial buildings.
When left unattended, water damage leads to all sorts of challenges, safety risks, business interruptions and higher costs related to remediation.
In 2022, First Onsite conducted a survey of Canadians’ main disaster concerns. Flooding was among the top worries. Whether it be overland flooding, a burst pipe, or a leak in the foundation, six in 10 Canadians have experienced some type of flooding at one point in their lives, at work or home.
Water is the essence of life. However, it also causes challenges for maintenance teams and property/ facility managers. It can dramatically affect the ability to operate key building infrastructure, impacting commercial and multi-family buildings. Being prepared can help reduce the extent of damage and get systems back online more promptly. Much like testing a fire alarm and evacuation plan, it is equally important to test a building’s flood preparedness plan.
When flooding occurs, whether from mechanical or natural flooding, mechanical systems in commercial and residential properties are one of the main areas at risk of damage. Owners and facility managers need to be aware of where mechanical infrastructure is located and how these systems can be impacted should a water event occur.
In commercial properties, mechanical systems are commonly located at the top floor or in the basement. Systems located in the basement present a higher risk because should flooding occur, much of the mechanical infrastructure ends up sitting in water. While less of a risk, flooding that affects infrastructure higher up in the building can also continue to travel down into office or residential spaces causing additional problems.
In residential homes, heating systems are typically located in the basement where any flooding would impact the HVAC system. In multi-family buildings, this issue is compounded as facilities are often heated using boiler plants. Failure of boiler plants does not simply create discomfort for the residents, it can bring with it the risk of frozen pipes. This is especially an issue in older buildings which can be insufficiently insulated allowing heat to easily escape via the building envelope.
When water impacts these systems there are several concerns. The first and most immediate is health and safety. Live
Radon gas is a colourless, odourless gas that occurs naturally from decaying uranium in the soil. Over time, it can seep into a home through cracks and openings in the foundation and, if not adequately vented, potentially pose a serious health hazard.
The RadonX™ Soil Gas Venting System from IPEX is a complete piping solution designed to improve air flow and consists of a solid vent pipe, perforated gas collector pipe, standard fittings, termination accessories, and solvent cement. It’s easy to install and to identify, and it features a permanent joining system along with an exclusive rain cap.
As a contractor or home builder, building safe homes for families is your first priority. Reduce the risk of radon gas exposure with RadonX™ Soil Gas Venting.
Did you know… Exposure to radon gas is a growing concern and is a preventable risk. Check with your building authority to confirm what your local requirements are when it comes to radon gas mitigation.
equipment submerged in water can cause a risk of electrocution and assessing the safety of occupants in the building is the number-one priority. Depending on the severity of the water episode, full replacement of equipment may be necessary. This can pose an additional challenge in winter months when heating systems are down for a prolonged period. Temporary heating must be brought in to avoid freezing existing domestic water and heating lines. While this can be extremely costly depending on the size of the facility, it is typically necessary in order to avoid further damage to the property.
Properties are most at risk during spring and winter months. The spring thaw brings with it overland flooding risks, which can result in water episodes on the ground floor and basement areas. Typically, winter flooding is a result of frozen water lines where insulation is insufficient, or windows have been left open above heating lines. Flooding also can occur as drain lines freeze causing back-ups. This can also be extremely impactful as the water brings pathogens and bacteria with it.
Commercial building infrastructure is generally more sophisticated. When emergencies occur, there are sometimes options in place where mechanical or HVAC systems need to be manipulated to compensate for sections of a plant being unavailable. In residential settings, there is typically no redundancy.
Installing leak detection systems in buildings can provide property owners and operators with data that can alert them to flooding in real-time. If integrated with a preparedness plan this can help reduce risk, reduce cost, and allow for a rapid response should flooding occur.
2021 was a year of catastrophic weather in British Columbia. The province took a hit from various climate catastrophes during the calendar year. With wildfires, floods and freezing events, businesses and residents were confronted with damaging weather-related risks, back-to-back.
The aging infrastructure of many institutions in the region was not built to withstand the current changing weather patterns.
Hospitals and long-term care homes were majorly impacted as heating lines and pipes froze and shut down critical facilities. The displacement this caused was extremely stressful and impactful. The number-one priority was getting these systems back online.
While much of the disruption could not have been prevented, crews were able to work most effectively with companies and facilities that had preparedness plans already in place.
Discuss creating a plan with building maintenance or facility managers where you provide service. Flooding cannot always be avoided, especially in the case of extreme weather or aging infrastructure. Establish a protocol that ensures personnel are ready to act if their building is impacted by flooding and critical mechanical systems go offline.
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My experiences with interactive video games revolved around family. Stints playing the first shooter interactive game, which debuted Acclaim’s much anticipated motion capture technology, and many more hours playing the U-boat submarine game, were precursors to me considering how the technology could be used in an educational setting. Who knew where it would all lead. Thirteen years ago, my daughter and I started putting together a plumbing game that I could use in class to help teach Code. I created the building and plumbing from SketchUp while she created three avatars. One was a comical cartoon guy plumber, the second one was a geeky inspector, and finally the third one was a very intelligent girl named Miss Code. Anytime the inspector would fail the plumbing inspection, Mr. Plumber would call upon Miss Code who would appear to him in a hallucination and teach him the Code. It worked great in class, but we never got past the PowerPoint animation stage. I hoped that one day we might fully animate and make plumbing interactive.
Fast forward to 2023. Statista recently reported that despite being a relatively new industry, the virtual reality (VR) market is booming across the globe, including within the video gaming segment, which allows gamers to transport themselves to different worlds with the use of a VR headset. Global revenue within the VR gaming content industry is forecast to grow from US$1.8 billion in 2020 to US$6.9 billion by 2025.
As you can see, the VR gaming business is booming and the VR education business is just getting off the ground. Let’s look
We have been able to incorporate some augmented reality into our cross connection lessons in fourth year, but they are not interactive. Mixed reality is still in the developmental stage.
at how we educate through VR and AR. Currently at SAIT we are paying for the services of Interplay (an American digital education firm) to help instruct our apprentices on the electrical systems of gas appliances.
So far VR has been very useful with universal themes, such as heating or electricity. However, it’s a little more difficult to acquire interactive plumbing as the Codes are different in Canada than in the U.S. We still use home-grown 3D to plan and teach plumbing codes in our shops.
Fred Bretzky is a full-time pipe trades instructor with Calgary’s SAIT Polytechnic. He was the 20202021 Innovation of The Year Award Winner: SAIT for digitizing the project-based learning approach apprenticeship training is known for. Fred can be reached at fred.bretzke@sait.ca.
Finally, this brings us to finding the right material in plumbing that we can use VR for. Designing cross connection control (CCC) devices for virtual reality gave me the idea. This seemed to be the perfect example for interactive universal educating. Cross connection control for Western Canada is governed by the Western Canada Section of the American Water Works Association (WCSAWWA) and we teach courses at SAIT for students to achieve their CCC licence. Testing CCC devices, such as the reduced pressure zone valve assembly (RPZ) and double-check valve assembly (DCV), are procedural and sometimes complicated to rehearse. It is similar to refrigeration line sets, with water instead of refrigerant, although it does involve refrigeration blue, red and yellow hoses in order to test the pressure difference between check valves. Many plumbers/CCC technicians carry a laminated procedure sheet with them as they test as it is hard to memorize. Can you imagine the anxiety of passing the physical lab test without the cheat sheet? The best way of knowing something is practice, and to that end we are now in the middle of designing CCC VR testing.
Now that we have 3D digital scanners, we no longer have to 3D design everything. Meanwhile another Gas and CCC instructor, Donnie Mackenzie, has been videoed while teaching the CCC procedures by our video specialist and pipefitter instructor Michael Fournier. It has taken many instructors collaborating to just get the VR ready for the animation interactive process.
When students are able to practice with virtual CCC testing at home or school, this will indeed help with their education process. When perfected, it might even be possible to perform the annual minimum six device testing procedure. But while technology augments education, live, animated and passionate teachers continue to be the linchpin; technology just supplements their efforts.
Another VR project came to me as I was writing this article. When I was the A&B plumbing manager there was one particular service call that produced way too many callbacks. This was the infamous toilet or urinal flushometer. It was almost a miracle if one of my many service technicians could actually fix a running flushometer without a callback.
Once I had to send four different service technicians to one finicky toilet flushometer at a Royal Canadian Legion in Calgary. We ended up installing a new one at our cost due to our incompetence. Thank goodness that Legion is no longer haunting us with its old flushometers − they tore it down and built a new one. That experience has convinced me that the diaphragm flushometer merits a VR assignment. We already have an animated PowerPoint on this device that should help getting it to the VR stage.
You may be wondering what could have been the problem with this flushometer. Well, after three technicians replaced every conceivable integral part with the flushometer repair kit, they hadn’t noticed that the brass housing was slightly pitted right below the diaphragm. This could be simulated in a VR exercise. Think of the money it could save your service company.
Watco’s Innovator receptor-type drain for pre-formed shower bases includes patented orange test membrane testable to 22 PSI or five floors. The drain has a heavy-duty snap-on grid and E-Z grip installation tabs. A polycarbonate green cover protects grid finish during construction. ww
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watcomfg.com
Nu-Calgon introduces the Gallo Gun Cannon, an inflatable drain opening accessory designed to clear clogged ¾-in. PVC condensate drain lines through the ¾-in. tee. Made for use with the Gallo Gun, the Cannon works with vent openings, access fittings, or tees installed on the HVAC drain line. Users simply drop the Cannon into the cleanout/vent tee on a drain line and push the trigger and the unit will inflate to create an airtight seal while the Gallo Gun clears the clog in the drain line.
www.
nucalgon.com
The LFUSG-HWP from Watts is the latest Under Sink Guardian point-of-use mixing valve with hot water purge. The four-port valve features a hot water purge lever that allows facilities to perform a sanitization with the flip of a switch, without requiring tools and without requiring a full system shutdown. The valve maintains and limits hot water to the selected temperature between 80⁰F and 120⁰F, with flow rates as low as 0.25 gpm and as high as 2.25 gpm. The valve comes with a cover to ensure only authorized users can initiate sanitization.
www.
watts.com
The Studio S chair height low-profile toilet from American Standard is a tankless design featuring PowerFlo flushing technology. The system uses just 1.0 gallon per flush and requires no batteries or electrical power, and uses a standard bathroom inlet water connection. A slow-close, easy lift-off seat and lid are included. It has a 12-in. rough-in (305 mm).
www.
americanstandard.ca
Webstone’s new Pro-Pal Multi-Port is a compact alternative to installing multiple tees, combining several components and offering custom solutions. Components are made of lead-free, forged dezincification-resistant brass, with a choice of press or press x hose drain run, and F1960 or F1807 PEX branches. The unit is available in ¾ or 1-in. sizes, with or without reduced branches, as well as in customized options.
www. nibco.com
Bradford White Water Heaters introduces Bradford White Connect, an external adapter for the AeroTherm heat pump water heater (HPWH) series. The platform allows homeowners to monitor the HPWH, adjust settings, and receive alerts through a mobile app on their smartphones, while contractors can use it to monitor in-service HPWHs, analyze their performance, and set alerts for water heater errors. The Connect adapter conforms to grid-enabled demand response requirements with its CTA-2045 port.
The PA11 Laundry Tub-To-Go is a 20 x 24-in. polyethylene singlebowl laundry tub with legs from FIAT Products. The tub includes a chrome-plated faucet with 4-in. centerset, 4-in. plastic blade handles, 6 ¾-in. swing spout, aerator and hose adaptor, and integral drain with plug, p-trap and supply line. FIAT also offers the TAT1, which is a heavy-duty model.
www.
fiatproducts.com
Franklin Electric introduces the next generation of Little Giant 5-MSP compact submersible utility pumps. The pump features the same compact size, but with a new motor designed to boost overall performance and efficiency. The permanent split capacity motor operates without oil. The unit is suited to residential and light commercial applications. Other features include stainless steel motor shaft, and epoxy powder coated aluminum body.
www.
littlegiant.com
Clean ream extreme plastic pipe fitting reamers from Reed Manufacturing remove leftover pipe and solvent cement residue from PVC, CPVC or ABS fittings. Reduce labour time and materials costs by reusing fittings. The reamers are offered in specific fitting sizes to give the best clean-out. Pilot diameter aids in cutting on centre and stops the tool at the proper cutting depth. It uses high torque and a low RPM setting on a standard 1/2 in. drill to reduce heat.
www.
reedmfgco.com
The ClogChopper multi-function cutting tool from General Pipe Cleaners features six self-sharpening blades to dig into encrusted debris and root masses, and to grind up stoppages, scale, and crystallized urine without risking line damage. The tools are designed to fit around tight bends and traps to clean metal, plastic and clay pipes. Tools are available in 1, 1 ½, 2, 2 ½, 3 and 4-in. sizes to clean stacks, downspouts, mains and drain linings.
www. drainbrain.com
Delta’s two-handle, 8-in. wall mount service sink faucet has a 10.5-in. spout with top/bottom brace. The faucet features integral check stops, a cast body, TUF-TECK cartridges, and vandal-resistant handles. A pail hook and garden hose end outlet are included.
www.
deltafaucet.ca
The HEP025RT isolation heat exchanger panel with timer from HeatLink is a prefabricated piping and control solution for radiant floor heating systems. Designed for use with a variety of heat sources, the unit is suitable for garages and basements up to 1,400 sq. ft. The panel includes a heat exchanger for isolation, primary and secondary pumps, isolation ball valves, pressure relief valve, expansion tank connection, simple piping to manifold, and plug-and-play wiring. A timer is included so that water is circulated every 24 hours.
www. heatlink.com
The MagnaClean CMX range of 316L stainless steel side-stream filters from Adey remove magnetic and non-magnetic debris from small to large closed-loop commercial and industrial hydronic systems. Each model provides adaptive filtration capabilities through a combination of powerful magnets, filter cartridges, and needlefelt bag filters, acting as a chemical feed/dosing pot.
www.
adey.com
The TTS Synergy Series line by FRG offers high-performance tankless rack systems in a range of configurations, with one point of connection for water, power, gas, venting, and a condensate drain. Its compact footprint and pre-manifold system simplify installation. This rack system can expand to 24 units with maximum inputs of 4.8M BTU/ hr, delivering more than 5,616 gallons of hot water per hour. www. noritz.com
The Hatch air source heat pump from Transom is designed to supply water temperatures as high as 140°F with the HWV model (from -20°F ambient) and 180°F with the HWR model (from 10 ° F ambient), for both commercial DHW and space heating applications. Single unit capacity ranges from 135 to 720 MBH. Modular configuration, with a maximum of 12 units, offers up to 8,600 MBH, and COP up to 4.3. Available configurations and options are suited to new and existing buildings, including cooling and true drop-in boiler replacement.
www.
transomcorporation.com
The VX Series of high-efficiency condensing boilers (110, 150, 199 MBH) from IBC feature the V-10 Control interface to program the boiler and allow for remote monitoring and diagnostics, 95 per cent AFUE, a turndown ratio of 6.5:1, and a fully automated ASME, 439 grade SS firetube heat exchanger. Other features include built-in four zone pump or valve control, a patented moisture management system, and CSA/UL approved low water cut-off and manual reset high limit.
www. ibcboiler.ca
As discussed in Part I (Mechanical Business January/ February 2023, online at mechanicalbusiness.com), the advantages of a single appliance approach, combined with a price point that is close enough to compete against the mass production of the forced air furnace industry, sounds like the magic bullet. But there is always a but. We need to understand what a combi-boiler can and cannot do and set the expectations.
Let’s take a quick look at what exactly a combi-boiler is. A combi-boiler is a boiler that incorporates a heat exchanger to produce domestic hot water without the use of a storage tank. In the modern version of this, this is typically a plate exchanger with a flow sensor and a diverting valve.
When the homeowner uses hot water, the combi-boiler senses the flow of water and operates to provide hot water for the homeowner. However, unlike a direct fired water heater, it requires a minimum flow rate in order to operate and has a maximum flow rate it can deliver. This limits the number of fixtures it can provide hot water to simultaneously, but if the flow rate is within the right range, it can provide it continuously.
Combi-boilers have been around for decades but were abandoned as the design was considered inefficient. The original combi-boiler was typically a gas- or oil-fired cast iron boiler with a “tankless coil” inserted into an opening in the cast iron. When domestic hot water was needed, domestic water would flow through the tankless coil and be instantly heated and delivered to the fixtures with no minimum flow rate required and no delay except for the time to flow from the boiler to the fixture. They were considered inefficient because in order to do what they needed to do, these boilers remained hot 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and were constantly losing heat through their venting systems.
Combi-boilers are either providing hot water for showers and fixtures or providing heat for space heating but not both at the same time.
Back to the present, here are some of the challenges with modern combi-boilers when using them to replace a typical forced air furnace and water heater combination.
The first challenge is that most combi-boilers are typically installed on the wall. This means there must be a wall suitable to mount the boiler to, or you need to construct a wall or similar structure to mount it to and this can add cost. However, some manufacturers are coming to the market with floor standing combi-boilers. You can now use the floor space previously occupied by the water heater to place the combi-boiler.
The second challenge combi-boilers face is they need to do two significantly different jobs. Unlike a furnace that is sized for the heating load of the home and a water heater that is sized for the hot water needs of the home, a combi-boiler must be sized to handle each of these.
Since a combi-boiler is essentially an on-demand water heater for heating domestic hot water, it needs a relatively large BTU input to heat a reasonable amount of hot water. Reasonable being anywhere from three to four gallons per
minute. In Canada, this typically means an input of between 150,000 and 200,000 BTUs. However, the heating load of a typical Canadian home is about half or less than half of that. This means the combi-boiler will typically be two to three times as large as it needs to be to heat the home because it is sized to meet the needs of the home’s domestic hot water. This can lead to the combi-boiler short cycling during a call for space heating and this is hard on equipment, inefficient and affects the service life of all of the components in the boiler. Most combi-boiler manufacturers anticipated this when designing the controls for this type of application and offer a setting that limits the firing rate of the boiler when doing space heating. This means the full capacity of the combi-boiler is available for hot water heating and you can match the output of the boiler to the space heating load to limit short cycling. The third challenge that faces combiboilers is that they typically can’t do two things at once. They are either providing
hot water for showers and fixtures or providing heat for space heating but not both at the same time. This is where the homeowner needs to understand what is possible and what to
The final challenge for the combi-boiler is homes that have demands larger than four gallons per minute, which is more hot water than the combi can produce. In this case, the better option to meet the homeowner’s expectations is the high-efficiency boiler, air handler and indirect domestic hot water tank sized for that larger load. This option was discussed in Part I.
With all of that being said, there are several products in the form of venting systems, air handlers, high-efficiency boilers and combi-boilers that have come to the market in the last number of years that are opening up more and more doors to compete for systems that have typically been dominated by the furnace industry. Manufacturers have given the industry the products and the tools. Now we need to take advantage of the opportunities.
Manufacturers are coming to the market with floor standing combi-boilers.
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When the Great White Car & Truck Wash owners StoreWest planned its first location in Edmonton, AB, the company turned to Waterhouse Mechanical to install its water system. “Engineered Air referred us, and we do quite a few carwashes,” says Kyle Waterhouse, co-owner, project estimator and supervisor at Waterhouse Mechanical, an Edmonton-based plumbing and heating contractor. Great White Car & Truck Wash has two locations in Calgary, which include a colourful express automatic tunnel, multiple self-serve bays, oversized bays for trucks and other vehicles, emphasis on saving water, and biodegradable cleaning detergents. The Calgary locations also feature water reclamation systems.
The 63,701 sq.-ft. Edmonton site (with a floor area of 11,560 sq. ft.) is a standalone new build that opened in January 2023, with six self-serve indoor bays, 11 free vacuum stalls, and a 145-ft. express tunnel. The outside entrance and exit pads for the tunnel include hydronic heating to prevent doors and windows from icing up during the winter. All car wash equipment was provided and installed by Calgary’s Rockyview Industries Inc., a vehicle wash specialist that Waterhouse has worked with for many years. “It made this project a lot smoother,” he says. “The nice thing about working with Rockyview over the years, is we had some coordination. So before we did any of this piping on the wall, we asked Rockyview to go in and take painter’s tape and mark out where each piece of equipment goes. That way the end product looks like you care, and it’s done right.”
Because of its size and water demands, the car wash’s hot water system includes an IBC boiler and nine Rheem tankless water heaters hooked up in a series. “Most car washes we do are either boilers or wall-hung condensing boilers,” says Waterhouse. “If you’re only using so much water for one wash, maybe only one
• 63,701 sq.-ft. Edmonton site
• 6 self-serve indoor bays
• 11 free vacuum stalls
• 145-ft. express tunnel
Waterhouse installed nine Rheem tankless water heaters, with Centrotherm common venting.
or two will ramp up. But when the car wash is fully in use, all nine would be ramping up.” While Waterhouse says it’s a more efficient system, “a lot of times companies don’t have the room to put nine or 10 units in – they probably took up 30 ft. of wall.”
The other challenge with the units, he says “is that each of these tankless units would have one intake and one fresh air, so that would have been 18 separate pipes that go up through the roof.” Waterhouse solved this issue with common venting. “This is the first time that we ever common vented these units. We ended up using Centrotherm and it actually was a pretty slick system. It’s lightweight, it’s nice to work with. And now I pretty much use it on all my boilers.” Once the system was complete and being testing, Waterhouse realized the water pressure was quite low. The team ended up reconfiguring the piping for incoming water to allow for two VFD Grundfos booster pumps to increase the water pressure from 40 psi to the 65 psi needed to operate the car wash.
Waterhouse says the system is user-friendly and easy to maintain, with routine descaling for the tankless units. “And you’ve got to test your glycol every once in a while just to make sure it’s still good for up to -40⁰C temperatures.”
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Organizers expect more than 6,000 plumbing, hydronics, HVAC/R, and electrical and lighting professionals to attend MCEE at the Palais des congrès de Montréal on April 19 and 20. The show floor (see pg64), which features more than 250 exhibitors (see pg66), and educational sessions (see pg74), offers the opportunity to discover new products and new technologies, obtain technical information from specialists, and become familiar with proven management tools.
Offered free of charge to MCEE visitors, some educational sessions can meet continuing education requirements. Unless otherwise specified, all sessions are presented in French. MCEE is produced by the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH), the Corporation of Master Pipe Mechanics of Quebec (CMMTQ), the Corporation of Master Electricians of Quebec (CMEQ), and the Corporation des entreprises en traitement de l’air et du froid (CETAF) with support from Electro Federation Canada (EFC). mcee.ca
As the name suggests, the New Products Contest presents innovative technology for the mechanical, electrical and lighting sectors. Entries in nine categories are on display in the New Products Showcase, located in the entrance hall. To be eligible for the contest, products must have been available on the Canadian market within the last 24 months, be innovative, and provide at least three advantages. The winning products will be announced on April 19, the first day of the show.
April 19 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
April 20 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
APRIL 19 9 A.M.6 P.M. APRIL 20 9 A.M.4 P.M.
HVAC system operation is critical for maintaining adequate safe indoor air quality (IAQ). Belimo sensor, meter, and gas monitor technology offer accuracy, reliability, easy installation, and seamless integration with major Building Automation Systems (BAS). Measurement Canada approves Belimo’s Energy Valve and Thermal Energy Meter under AV2478C and CSA900/EN1434 standards, ensuring high accuracy and reliability, allowing for efficient, transparent tenant billing. Belimo is stepping into a new era of integrated thermal energy management and bringing together what belongs together.
Discover the advantages
www.belimo.ca
LIST OF EXHIBITORS (As of press time)
*HIGHLIGHTED EXHIBITORS HAVE ADS IN THIS ISSUE
See page 64 for floor plan
Now you can inspect drain lines far from a power source. The Gen-Pack battery adapter allows up to 12 hours of remote operation with limited access to power. The Gen-Pack is also sold separately.
But wait, there’s more. You can now record onto a ash drive or send the recording to your customers with the built-in Wi-Fi transmitter. Also, you can track just how far the camera has traveled down the line with the on-screen distance counter.
For more information, visit www.drainbrain.com/XPodPlus, or call the Drain Brains ® at 800-245-6200
Visit us at MCEE Booth #1201
FT SERIES + LAARS-STOR® ARE THE PERFECT MATCH FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY SPACE HEATING AND HIGH VOLUME DOMESTIC HOT WATER.
FT Series Floor Standing Boilers:
• Built-in low loss header
• Industry leading first minute and continuous DHW delivery
• Simultaneously heat space and DHW
• High & low temperature heating demand control
Laars-Stor® Indirect Water Heaters:
• Stainless steel, glass-lined single or double-wall
• Easy to install
• Lowest pressure drop and highest hot water output
• Fast recovery, outstanding firsthour ratings
Discover our high-performance residential solutions at laars.com
FT Series Wall Hung Boilers:
• Boiler circulator included
• Integrated DHW mini-indirect in combi units
• Cascade up to 20 heating only units
• Quick Start control functions
• Available in 100, 140 & 199 MBH
LIST OF EXHIBITORS (As of press time)
*HIGHLIGHTED EXHIBITORS HAVE ADS IN THIS ISSUE
See
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✔ More than 15 million fittings installed
Trust the original HVAC/R press fittings for proven reliability and an unmatched track record of success. Our unique, patented, double circular press results in two 360˚ metal-to-metal connections with each press, creating a permanent mechanical joint every time. Plus, RLS-compatible jaws are available for all major press tool brands.
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10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Plumbing 201
Session presented by CMMTQ, Salon 513-AB
Speakers: Eric Fournier (left) and Daniel Marchand (right)
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Refrigerant update
Session presented by CETAF, Salon 513-EF
Speaker: Alain Mongrain
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Calculator of an apartment building connection
Session sponsored by CMEQ, Salon 513-CD
Speaker: Imed Laouini
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Emergency generators
Session sponsored by CMEQ, Salon 513-CD
Speaker: Jean-René Jeannotte
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Optimizing building automation systems using data analytics
Session sponsored by CETAF, Salon 513-EF
Speaker: Weaam Kakush
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Demystifying the voluntary retirement savings plan and talking about retirement
Session sponsored by CMEQ, Salon 513-CD
Speaker: Catherine Paquin
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Digital shift in construction: Government roadmap and impacts on SMEs and trade contractors
Session sponsored by CMMTQ, Salon 513-AB
Speaker: Guy Paquin
• Unmatched ease of installation and enhanced visual verification
• Faster install with one-touch tightening
• Built in safeguards against over torquing and over tightening
• 3x more rigid joint
• Outstanding value in a lighter, more efficient design
• Wide range of joining and flow control solutions for domestic water piping systems in any environment
• New potable water product offering centers around its next generation Grade P gasket material
• Unique Housing Colour to denote use in Potable Water
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• Products inherently deal with system movement
• Carbon and stainless steel anchors, riser movement fittings, and anchor outlet fittings are engineered products
• Designed to direct piping movement and for fast and easy modular assembly
• Allow contractors and engineers to accurately control building temperatures while optimizing energy efficiency
• Single source manufacturer
• Pre-assembled, pressure tested
WEDNESDAY APRIL 19
Cont’d from pg. 74
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Why invest in cybersecurity?
Session sponsored by CETAF, Salon 513-EF
Speaker: Roger Ouellet
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. New lighting requirements and recommendations
Session sponsored by CMEQ, Salon 513-CD
Speakers: Philippe Perreault (left) and Pierre-Marc Olivier (right)
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The benefits of heat pumps to reduce carbon emissions and increase building energy efficiency
Session sponsored by CETAF, Salon 513-EF
Speaker: Jocelyn Léger
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Review of financial support and energy efficiency solutions for your projects
Session sponsored by CMMTQ, Salon 513-AB
Speakers: Fériel Acher (left) and Geneviève Paquin (right)
THURSDAY APRIL 20
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Can targeted flushing during a return to service restore water quality in large buildings?
Session sponsored by CMMTQ, Salon 513-AB
Speaker: Marianne Grimard-Conea
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Planning the sale of your business: The key factors for success in business transfers
Session sponsored by CETAF, Salon 513-EF
Speakers: Yves Cameron (left) and Christian Bourcy (right)
Experience Viessmann reliability with the convenience of electric heating.
+ No combustion with only electric heating elements
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10 a.m. to 11 a.m. What to do when responding to a residential power problem
Session sponsored by CMEQ, Salon 513-CD
Speakers: Marie-Claude Julien (left) and Patrice Desbiens (right)
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Financial support, evolving levers
Session sponsored by CETAF, Salon 513-EF
Speaker: Alexandre Desjardins
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Beyond energy efficiency: The new challenge of decarbonization
Session sponsored by CMMTQ, Salon 513-AB
Speaker: Ronald Gagnon
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Understanding the act to modernize the occupational health and safety system
Session sponsored by CMEQ, Salon 513-CD
Speakers: Simon Gagné (left) and Carolane Frappier (right)
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Co-op in electricity
Session sponsored by CMEQ, Salon 513-CD
Speaker: Hughes Bourbonnais
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pressure installations and inspections of facilities regulations
Session sponsored by CMMTQ, Salon 513-AB
Speakers: Geneviève Breton (top left), Aziz Khassassi (top right), Blagovest Levitcharsky (bottom left) and Myriam St-Georges (bottom right)
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Asowner of North Vancouver, BC’s Warrior Plumbing, Curtis Thomas is using his talents to build and improve homes in his Tsleil-Waututh Nation community, while encouraging a new generation of skilled tradespeople.
Thomas recalls that it was his uncle who suggested he try his hand in the skilled trades. “The Nation is a successful land developer and has been for quite some time, and it was my late uncle Leonard George’s dream and vision of managing poverty and finding some economic sovereignty for people. He had this idea to develop some of our reserve land that was away from our core community and try to make some money,” he says. “A few years out of high school he approached me and said, you know, everything we do in economic development is about creating opportunities for our people. We’re building these construction projects and we work with every trade in the book, and are there any trades you think you’d like to try?” Not long after, a chance encounter with a friend who had just completed his Red Seal persuaded Thomas to pursue plumbing.
Thomas began his career with Ocean Park Mechanical, working throughout the Lower Mainland on large multi-family, high rise projects. As a second-year apprentice he had the opportunity to work on a project in his community, and again it was his uncle who encouraged him to consider one day establishing his own company. “He told me, ‘You might not know this yet, but one day you’re going to have your own company. One day you’re going to be running these projects over here, and one day you’re going to be hiring people from the community.’ I was
Name: Curtis Thomas
Company: Warrior Plumbing Ltd.
Job title: Owner and president
Lives in: Tsleil-Waututh Nation, North Vancouver, BC
Age: 41
young and didn’t have his vision and strength, and I kind of found it hard to believe, but it actually has come full circle for me. We’re just breaking ground here on a new 220-unit condo project being built from the ground up. We’re the full mechanical contractor here, and we’re hiring and training and mentoring people from our community, the greater Indigenous community around us, and non-Indigenous peoples, so it is happening.”
Thomas founded Warrior Plumbing in 2010, and within a year had so much work he began to hire employees. Today he employs nine tradespeople, including five apprentices. “Manpower is always an issue,” he says, as the company continues to grow. While he doesn’t intentionally hire people just from his community, he’s happy when the company is able to inspire others to consider the trades as a career. “Not all of our crew are from Tsleil-Waututh Nation, we have some other urban Indigenous peoples and some non-Indigenous people. We want good people and it doesn’t matter where they’re from. At the end of the day, we’re trying to create this family-like culture, and we do have that.”
As well as the condo project, which Thomas says is a commercial residential building, the company is busy with residential service calls, gas work, and renovations. Warrior Plumbing was recently recognized for its efforts with the Business of the Year award in the 11+ person enterprise category at BC Achievement Foundation’s 2022 Indigenous Business Gala and Award Dinner.
“The Nation opened doors to me and gave me opportunities, and it took a lot of hard work on my end but now I’m in a position to also give opportunities to my people,” says Thomas. “I find it hard to call myself a role model, but I am. If I can do my duty and pass the torch on and create new role models, we can build a healthy community. We can help people provide for their families and provide a sense of responsibility that actually can change the next generations too.”
In the mechanical industry since: 2002
Schools and programs: BCIT Red Seal Plumbing and B level gasfitter
Favourite teacher: Miss Cullen, kindergarten
Favourite class: PE
Best advice you’ve ever received: Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something
Advice for young people considering entering the trades: The trades are a great path to a well paying career. Once you have gained a certification or a Red Seal the opportunities are endless, whether it is becoming a lead hand, foreman, superintendant, project manager, working abroad, or starting your own company.
Service area: North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby, Vancouver
Favourite part of the job? Solving problems and interacting with our collective team of employees, partners, sub-contractors, vendors, and clients
The most useful tool in your toolbox: My computer
Your favourite tool in your toolbox: Pro press tool
Tool that you wish you had:
If you were granted one wish: End poverty worldwide
Favourite band/performer: Tragically Hip
Best concert you ever attended: Pemberton Music Festival
Favourite TV show: Game of Thrones
Favourite book: Indigenomics: Taking a Seat at the Economic Table
Favourite movie: Goodfellas
Favourite car of all time: Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4
3 albums that you’d take with you to your desert island:
1. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) – Wu Tang Clan
2. Fully Completely – The Tragically Hip
3. The Slim Shady LP – Eminem
Favourite outdoor activity: Golf
Hobbies: Golf, soccer, hiking, biking
Biggest pet peeves: Complainers, unaccountable people, traffic
One word or phrase that describes you: Authentic
One place in the world you would like to visit: Bora Bora
If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be? Anthony Bourdain
Are you part of a sports team? I’m a defender with West Van Football Club
Finish these sentences:
My rule of thumb is...the only bad question is the one not asked
If I had a million dollars...I would buy a recreational property in BC
When I was a kid, I wanted to be...a marine biologist
Match the terminology you hear in the field to the correct definition or function by May 8, 2023 and enter for your chance to win a Kane-78 iD-Safe personal carbon monoxide alarm and ID holder with a CO measurement range of 0-300ppm. This contest is open to Mechanical Business subscribers in Canada.
Send your answers to kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com or enter online at mechanicalbusiness.com.
EXAMPLE:
5) Helium spectrographic analysis H) A leak detection process pioneered for use in the Eichler Home by Anderson Radiant Heating in 1992. Answer 5,H
A) The quality of closeness to a specified value under stated conditions. Usually expressed as uncertainty – the maximum deviation to be expected between a reading or output and the actual value being measured.
B) The number of analog-to-digital conversions performed per second by a digital instrument.
C) The standard unit for measuring the relative strength of a signal parameter such as power or voltage.
D) Reference point for an electrical system. Often used to indicate an earth connection or negative side of a DC supply.
E) The movement of heat energy by radiation, convection, or evaporation from one source to another.
F) One of three tools that measures alternating current (ac) or ac voltage.
G) The disintegration or deterioration of the tubing metal beyond a repairable condition.
H) A leak detection process pioneered for use in the Eichler Home by Anderson Radiant Heating in 1992.
I) Chemical reaction resulting in the degradation of the tubing metals.
J) To determine the indication or output of a device with respect to a standard.
K) A pressure reading using ambient air pressure as the reference.
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The2023 AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) in Atlanta, GA, held February 6 to 8, hosted 42,794 verified visitor and exhibitor personnel, 1,779 total exhibitors, and filled more than 486,000 square feet of exhibit space. While the numbers are still recalibrating from pre-Covid years, there was a strong showing of new products. Exhibitors focused on efficiency in both equipment and its delivery and maintenance, with several manufacturers offering parts kits and reduced stock keeping units.
There is a growing sense of community in HVAC/R currently, say AHR organizers. This year’s AHR Expo set a goal to open new lines of communication between the communities that make up the whole industry. To that end, a panel series accomplished this by posing topics and questions to prompt discussion rather than seeking a solution. Attendees heard from heads of industry associations, trends experts, and stewards of the trade. In the session, HVACR State of the Industry Leadership Panel Discussion: Today’s Market, Challenges, Opportunities and What’s Ahead, leadership
Attendees took advantage of the weather to explore and take in the sites including the SkyView Ferris wheel. Towering nearly 20 storeys above Centennial Park in Atlanta, it features 42 climate-controlled gondolas.
from AHRI, ASHRAE, HARDI, NCI and PHCC discussed gaps in the industry that need to be addressed in order to continue on a progressive path.
In addition to the panel series, the AHR Expo education program featured more than 200 free seminars, including new product and technology presentations, professional certifications, and continuing education courses. The headliner panel, HVAC & Social Media: Strengthening the Trade with a Community Mindset, was hosted by some of the industry’s content creators and trade mentors.
The AHR Expo was established in 1930 and is co-sponsored by ASHRAE and AHRI and is held concurrently with ASHRAE’s Winter Conference. The next show will take place January 22 to 24, 2024 in Chicago, IL. For more information visit ahrexpo.com.
Dave Hughes is the 2022-2023 recipient of the Carlson-Holohan Industry Award of Excellence. Hughes is technical advisor, codes and standards, for the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH).
Hughes was recognized with the award during a presentation on February 6 hosted by Caleffi North America at the AHR Expo. The 2020-2022 recipient, Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr, training and education manager at Caleffi and a Mechanical Business columnist, presented Hughes with a replica of a Bell & Gossett System Syzer wheel, a circular slide rule which calculates the relationship between flow rate, temperature change and heat transfer rate.
Attendees flocked to exhibitor booths to learn about research and development efforts, core technologies and new offerings.
The award is presented every two years to a nominee with attributes including technical mastery and a passion for hydronic technologies, demonstrated leadership as an educator and mentor, and an aptitude for cultivating fundraising opportunities for industry causes.
Nomatter where we go these days it seems as if there’s someone trying to upsell us on something. The truth is, the art of upsell is nothing new. Walk into a fast food restaurant and you’re asked if you want to super-size it. Go to the theater and you’re asked if you want to make your popcorn a combo deal. Heck, even Amazon’s in on the program.
Ubiquitous upsells can be annoying, especially when it’s something you know a lot about. But what if it’s something you know nothing about? Or, better yet, didn’t even know to ask?
This last question is where I find a lot of potential radiant buyers. They simply don’t know enough about what’s out there to ask. This is where you – the neighbourhood radiant installer – come into play.
It’s your opportunity to throw out the option of radiant floor heating or snowmelting. Sounds easy, right? Well, sort of. In order for you to be able to effectively talk about radiant, it can be helpful to know what there is to talk about.
Depending on the audience, say, home or a business owner, the want or need may vary. For homeowners, they may want to be more comfortable. There’s a factor of efficiency or cost savings, but those are typically secondary to comfort. People really don’t like being cold. Comfort, however, takes on many forms. But, as the neighbourhood radiant installer, it’s important
Sell customers on comfort. The easiest way to feel comfortable is to keep the floors from being cold. Radiant heat does that.
to know what comfort means. One aspect is keeping the room temperature between 68 ° F and 70 ° F. The other facet is knowing how occupants interact with the interior space. The key driver for comfort is floor temperature.
Ever step out of the shower onto a cold tile floor? In that instant it’s pretty easy to connect to what cold is. Oddly enough, our feet dictate our comfort more than air temperature. It’s the main reason why we have slippers and wool socks. If our feet are warm we feel warmer.
So, the easiest way to feel comfortable is to keep the floors from being cold. Radiant heat does that with most radiant systems maintaining a floor temperature between 75 ° F and 85 ° F. Business owners tend to have a slightly different goal in mind. Their focus is more on customer safety, especially when the weather turns cold and the freezing rain and snow start to fall; or it’s on employee satisfaction, a great incentive in retaining and attracting employees.
As for safety, injuries due to slips and falls plague business owners constantly. It’s a seasonal risk and a source of concern.
Injuries due to slips and falls, which plague business owners, can be avoided with radiant snowmelting systems.
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made in China
On the right is a 2 inch MJ Cast Iron Pipe manufactured in China supplied to a professional contractor by a plumbing distributor in Canada.
These low price products DO NOT CONFORM to the CSA B70 standard, as the wall thickness is below the minimum requirement of 3mm.
Pipe like this will have a shorter life span and is difficult to cut as can be seen below, resulting in cracks and splinters of iron that will break and pose safety issues for workers and will also significantly increase the cost of installation and possible risk to the owners long term.
Beware of products at a reduced price with appearances of quality equal to those manufactured in CANADA. Make the smart choice, support Canadian workers and buy Canadian Cast Iron soil pipe.
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Radiant snowmelting systems help keep walkways, parking lots and access ramps ice and snow free all winter long. This means no more early morning labour; shovelling snow is a thing of the past. There is no more chemical ice melt. This alone eliminates another key concern: ice melt tends to get picked up by customers’ shoes and tracked inside, eventually taking its toll on the floor.
So a spark is struck. Warm floors are something that wasn’t expected but is now very much wanted. How are these once cold floors now warmed? There are two main ways to provide radiant floor heat: hydronically with water, or through electric resistance.
Hydronic systems rely on tubing being installed in the floor and connected to a heat source. Tubing options range from PEX, to PE-RT, to EPDM rubber. Tubing is connected to a series of manifolds, then those manifolds connect to a boiler, or other equivalent heat source.
If the area to be heated is small, say only a kitchen or bathroom, then an electric product may be best; these use electrical resistant wire or cable to generate heat. Wire is embedded in a lightweight concrete or thinset generally under tile or other masonry material. One of the advantages of electric is there is no need for a mechanical room and no need to physically run piping back through a home or facility. Electrical installations tend to be less invasive but also tend to be reserved for smaller areas. With both electric and hydronic systems there are options for controls and thermostats. Most of today’s systems incorporate some form of connectivity feature, giving remote access to users.
Congratulations neighbourhood radiant installer. The enlightened customer has decided to go with the radiant upgrade. Now what?
Now it’s time to figure out how to get all those tubes and wires where they’re supposed to go.
Hydronic tubing is generally installed in one of two ways, either in a concrete slab or under a frame floor. In a concrete slab, tubing is typically six, nine, or 12 inches on centre with the tubing approximately two inches down from the top. In a frame floor, the tubing is secured to the subfloor, often with heat transfer plates. These plates secure the tubing (usually PEX or PE-RT) to the subfloor while providing conductive heat transfer to the floor.
Electric systems are installed in a similar fashion to hydronic slabs with the difference being the wire is generally installed on top of the floor in half-inch thinset with tile or other stone material as the finished floor covering. An electric system is then connected to a controller or thermostat.
Both hydronic and electric systems then operate in the same way any forced air system does. The controller or thermostat is set to the desired temperature and the system operates automatically.
So how does our neighbourhood radiant installer know the system is working as expected and the customer is happy? It’s simple: the customer won’t be able to stop talking about the most comfortable heat they’ve ever experienced. Becoming the goto radiant expert is the best way to keep the future looking warm and bright.
It’s becoming increasingly hard for employers to keep up with advances in labour laws in Canada. Unless you have a seasoned HR department and an army of employment lawyers on speed dial, it can be hard to know if you’re up to date. My advice to employers as always is regardless of where you are in the employment cycle, keep excellent notes and when in doubt, get help from an expert.
It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to managing a workforce. Having strong, communicated and equitably enforced policies will set you apart as an employer of choice, which in this increasingly complex and competitive landscape will help you attract and retain good people. Regardless of the political and economic ebbs and flows, knowing your obligations as an employer and treating your employees with respect is always the right call.
You may have seen the headlines about workers being entitled to 10 paid sick days in Canada, a major step forward for one very specific body of workers, and a major source of confusion for the rest of us. Federally regulated workers, who represent about 20 per cent of the total Canadian workforce, now have 10 paid sick days mandated for each year. The rest of us vary from none to three, depending on factors such as industry and province. To add to the confusion, when an employee is ill, some benefit plans have short- or longterm disability coverage; in some cases the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board or Employment Insurance (EI) covers workers; and there are even still some COVID payments that have been extended (at press time most are set to expire this summer after being extended several times since 2020).
What this all will mean is that when someone is unexpectedly off work due to illness, they are going to be looking to you for answers. If you have a benefit
plan, your first stop should be with your provider: ask them to walk you through the process as an employee would when they have a sick day, a sick month, or a long illness. Next, do some research on what your province and the federal government offer under EI sickness benefits and EI. You will be much better positioned to reassure your employees during difficult times if you have the information before it’s actually needed.
Speaking of headlines, we have all seen the stories of, or sadly been affected by, the increase in harassment and acts of violence that have been taking place in workplaces across Canada and globally. While it may not have been on your radar in the last few months, Canada has become part of a landmark coalition with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Here are some of the latest changes that might be impacting how you manage your staff
Spearheaded by the ILO and championed by Canadian policy makers, Convention 190 (C190) is a global initiative to put policies and enforcement into place to guarantee all workplaces are free of violence and harassment. What does this mean for your business? You can get ahead of the curve now by putting an anti-harassment and violence policy in place, or reviewing your current policy to ensure it contains information on reporting and enforcement. Ensuring that you’ve communicated your commitment to providing a safe workplace to your employees is a positive first step. Remember, the best written policies mean nothing if management isn’t willing to support and enforce them – don’t just talk the talk.
It should come as no surprise to hear that employees are becoming increasingly concerned about their rights in the workplace – as we all should. As the technology options for tracking and monitoring employees become more robust, the onus is on you as the employer to ensure you are open and transparent about the ways you collect information, and what you’re doing with it once you have it. While privacy legislation for workers varies by province, most have some degree of protection and disclosure required of employers.
A written policy that states what systems you have in place to track your workers, and how information is used and stored, is an excellent place to start (see this story at mechanicalbusiness. com for a sample policy you can make your own). At a minimum, include details around any trackers,
security cameras, GPS units or apps you use to monitor your staff; notes about how and where that information is stored, including how long you keep it and who has access to it; and a disclaimer that allows you to update the policy as you see fit. No policy is defensible until it’s actually been communicated to employees; make sure once it’s written, you’ve shared it with all of your people.
Finally, there has been increased focus on what is enforceable when it comes to employment agreements. A handshake and a one-pager might have been sufficient in the past, but nowadays when it comes to the employment relationship, the weight is heavily in favour of the one that signed the contract, not the one that drafted it. First and foremost, anyone who works for you today should have an up-to-date employment contract. Can you say that’s true for all of your staff?
If it’s been some time since someone was hired, before you offer them their next raise, you should take a good look at what’s on file and ensure it’s still valid. If not, you can have current employees sign new agreements as long as you offer them what’s known as consideration (such as more money, time off or a signing bonus − enough to make a material improvement to the employee).
If you are creating a template to use with any new hires, make sure you review your offer letter with an employment lawyer. The most common issues arise when a contract clause contravenes the Employment Standards Act; you can go above and beyond, but you can’t offer any less than what’s laid out in the legislation. If you’re ever unfortunate enough to go to arbitration or court over an employment contract, if just one clause is deemed unenforceable, it can invalidate the entire document. The reality is, workers are extremely savvy when it comes to their rights, and this is not an area for guesswork.
Your leadership team can make or break your company. Recruiting and retaining the best possible leadership is one of the most important things you can do for your business.
But can you articulate what it takes to be a great leader of your company? When hiring for leadership roles, are you able to define your expectations? “Leadership” is a vague, conceptual word. Try breaking it down into the characteristics and competencies you know leaders in your business need. Do your leaders need to be organized? Willing to be on-call? Do they need specific technical skills? How about soft skills – do members of your leadership team need to excel at in-person communication? Defining the characteristics needed to be a leader in your business will help potential candidates and current employees understand how new leaders are selected.
Once you define and communicate which qualities you expect to see in a leader, it’s critical to hold members of your team and potential candidates
with strong character and be highly competent to create an environment where their team can build trust and thrive. Assess your current leadership team. Who’s hitting the mark? Who isn’t? What do you need to do about that?
Finally, take a look at your leadership pipeline. What are the specific steps an employee needs to take to become a leader in your business? Define those steps, remembering that not everyone wants to be a leader. By taking the time to talk with your staff and understand their career interests, you’ll start to see clear internal leadership candidates. Create development
accountable to those behaviours and abilities. A leader needs to show up opportunities to test the behaviours and abilities of these candidates so
they’re ready to lead when the time is right.
Your employees are your greatest asset, and your leadership team is your greatest strength. Focusing on leadership development shows you care about the growth of your employees, and it provides career opportunities for those who want to grow with you. Without a strong, trusting leadership team behind you, your growth will stall. But with one, there’s no limit to how far you can go.
It has been a while but Quattro’s Corner is back and we are starting 2023 with a bang. Wet venting is one of the most used types of venting. The purpose of this article is to get your brain going that extra 10.5 per cent.
As always, it’s important to start with definitions. What is a wet vent? As per the Ontario Building Code (OBC) a wet vent is defined as follows: Wet vent means a waste pipe that also serves as a vent pipe.
I am not a big fan of that definition as it doesn’t describe much. I would personally define wet vent as follows: A wet vent is a waste pipe that also serves as a vent pipe. It is a form of group venting which allows one or more fixtures to be flushed in a waste pipe that acts as a vent pipe for a symmetrical fixture. Looking more closely at the requirements for wet venting, 7.5.2.1.(1)(k) truly stands out to me as it sets the tone from the start for wet venting.
(1) A soil or waste pipe may serve as a wet vent provided that, (k) the highest fixture is connected to a vertical portion of the wet vent, upstream of any other fixtures, in the form of a continuous vent. For learning purposes Figure 1 illustrates what this require ment is outlining.
By Andrew Quattrociocchi
the creator of multiple plumbing training courses online through Orderline. He can be reached at aquattrociocchi@king.ca.
lavatory, and one bathtub (with or without shower head) or a shower stall. This explanation is found in the OBC Appendix A 7.4.9.3. Size of Fixture Outlet Pipes. Table 7.4.9.3 Minimum Permitted Size of Fixture Outlet Pipe and Hydraulic Loads for Fixtures is by far one of the most important tables, not only for wet venting, but for pipe sizing as well. I always refer to this table as it sets the tone when utilizing Table 7.5.8.1 Maximum permitted hydraulic loads drained to a wet vent.
As shown in Figure 1, the highest fixture (lavatory) is serving as the principal vent (wet vent) for the entire bathroom group. A bathroom group is considered to consist of one water closet, one
The first question you need to ask yourself when utilizing Table 7.5.8.1 to determine the size of wet vent needed is: is there a toilet or no toilet forming part of the wet vent? This one with water closets. Before we do this it’s important to point
This requirement definitely makes counting fixture units much easier as you get to deduct the hydraulic load from your calculation for the most downstream fixture. When wet venting a toilet, it’s important to know that a toilet must be installed downstream of all fixtures. This requirement is found under 7.5.2.1.(d). Therefore, if there is a toilet being wet vented, the fixture unit rating/hydraulic of the toilet unit is not included. The result would be four fixture units as per Table 7.4.9.3. (See
pg98). The last tip I’ll give you is do not look at the location of the fixture itself to determine what is most downstream. With this requirement, most downstream means where its vent connection is located. I have provided a photo below to help you understand this better.
an extension of a vertical section of a branch or fixture drain. This photograph matches the description in the definition perfectly. Now we’re on our way to the storey below to utilize our tables.
As you can see in this photo, one would think the lavatory is the most downstream fixture but slow down. The most downstream fixture is not based on the location of the fixture but rather its vent connection. The vent connection for the lavatory is on the storey above. The vent connection for the toilet is in the basement as highlighted in the photo. So, this makes the toilet the most downstream fixture.
The following photos will help you understand how to size a wet vent. As always, let’s look at how we get there. 7.5.2.1 states:
(1) A soil or waste pipe may serve as a wet vent provided that,
(a) the hydraulic load is in accordance with Table 7.5.8.1.
Put a tab for reference in your code book at Table 7.5.8.1. and Table 7.4.9.3. These can be very handy on site or even when writing an OBC examination.
Let’s do this together and size two different types of wet vents.
Here is a second-floor washroom where the lavatory is wet venting the bathtub you see in the back. First thing we need to do is verify that the fixture doing the wet vent is in the form of a continuous waste and vent in accordance with 7.5.2.1.(1)(k). A continuous vent means a vent pipe that is
Here we have the fixture drain on the lavatory (from the previous photo) with a 1.5 fixture unit rating (as per Table 7.4.9.3) wet venting the bathtub, which also has a fixture unit rating of 1.5. Wait, stop and recognize that sentence we talked about under 7.5.8.1(2). The most downstream vent connection is at the Y fitting, which serves the bathtub. Therefore, we do not add the 1.5 F.Us. Using column number two (no water closets), this 1 ½ in. wet vent can only handle a maximum of two fixture units. With the lavatory having a 1.5 rating, this wet vent conforms to the requirements for wet venting.
Let’s take a look at a wet vent with a water closet. Here is a second-floor washroom where the lavatory is again doing the wet venting, but this time we are wet venting a water closet. We need to verify that the fixture doing the wet vent is in the form of a continuous waste and vent in accordance with 7.5.2.1.(1)(k). I know I sound like a broken record or that pet bird who constantly repeats the same words over and over: “continuous vent, continuous vent, continuous vent.”
With wet vent #2 we are focusing on column three. The wet vent must be a minimum of two inches as a 1 ½ in. fixture drain is not permitted. The maximum allowable fixture unit rating through a 2-in. wet vent is three. The most downstream fixture is the water closet. A water closet is four fixture units as per Table 7.4.9.3 and would be assigned to the vent, but maybe this time you have two birds repeating “continuous vent, continuous vent ” and “ most downstream fixture isn’t accounted for.”
The additional fixture that I labelled in the photo is a reminder that the toilet must be the most
downstream fixture, therefore that fixture drain must be separately vented and does not form part of the wet vent. Therefore, the toilet fixture units don’t count − toilets can’t wet vent. This is just the basics of wet venting, but a big part of understanding how they work and what to look for. With a bit of practice, repetition and slowing down, the birds will disappear, your brain won’t be going that extra 10.5 per cent and wet venting will become second nature.
Hope you enjoyed reading this. If you have any ideas or topics you want to discuss for the next Quattro’s Corner please reach out. Until the next time.
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wernerco.com
The X75 Brightest Power Bank
Flashlight from Acebeam has a maximum output of 80,000 lumens over 1,150 metres. The waterproof flashlight features a detachable cooling fan, copper radiator for high-efficiency heat dissipation, Type C PD60-100W fast charging/discharging, and built-in rechargeable 4 x 21700 battery pack. Dual switches allow users to cycle through five brightness levels, eco mode, and several functional modes, as well as control the cooling fan.
www.
acebeam.com
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands hand cream is a moisturizing cream for extremely dry and cracked hands. The product is formulated to create a protective barrier on the skin’s surface to lock in moisture and keep skin hydrated. The company also offers Working Hands Cuticle Repair for cracked cuticles and knuckles.
www.
okeeffes.ca
The Original CleanBoot boot cover fits over dirty boots or shoes to keep floors clean when working in customers’ homes. The reusable boot covers are made of form-fitting Neoprene, with strengthened stitching and glued seams for durable construction, and reinforced heel seam for additional protection against wear and tear. Other features include a heel loop for easy on and off, and patented Extra Grippy sole for better traction. Available in small to extra large sizes.
www.
thecleanboot.ca
Procure Technologies has updated its connected software platform with the introduction of Procure Pay and Procure Quick Capture. Procure Quick Capture cuts the time required to enter data by automatically capturing photos, labelling punch items, and assigning them to the appropriate trade. Procure Pay is a service designed to expedite invoice review and provide payment options; save time by removing data entry; and streamline lien waiver collection through an automated lien waver exchange.
MCEE
April 19-20
Montreal, QC mcee.ca
AHRI Spring Meeting
May 15 – 17
Washington, DC ahrinet.org
IEA Heat Pump Conference
May 15 – 18
Chicago, IL hpc2023.org
IAQVEC
May 20 – 23
Tokyo, Japan iaqvec2023.org
Supporting Women in the Trades Conference
June 10 – 12
Winnipeg, MN caf-fca.org
Retrofit Canada
June 13 – 14
Montreal, QC energyconferencenetwork.com
CIPH Annual Business Conference
June 18 – 20
St. John’s, NL ciph.com
ASHRAE Annual Conference
June 24 – 28
Tampa, FL ashrae.org
CIHEX West
October 18-19
Calgary, AB ciphexwest.ca
Climate change is prevalent in today’s headlines with most coverage acknowledging the contribution of high energy consumption and its resulting GHG emissions. Government directives and the desire to maintain competitiveness in the global market all suggest industries commit to operation’s reformation and address energy consumed and yet the refrigeration industry is struggling to keep up. Integrating advanced technologies into equipment design has been conservative, with the sector continuing to focus on refrigerant regulations while maintaining outdated energy standards.
Current refrigeration standards set energy thresholds that are not conducive to achieving climate goals and fail to mandate better design criteria. These thresholds allow systems to be designed to run at a fixed maximum rate, which increases consumption, refrigerant use, and wear on the system rather than mandating better controls. The energy efficiency gains we could achieve are being held back by the architecture of today’s systems. One problem is the lack of integrated digitalization and smart controls in equipment design. Applying advanced technologies and control integration will revamp the platform and allow us to start building for tomorrow.
Performance-optimizing algorithms, automation, and artificial intelligence capabilities define modern industries. Companies are discovering solutions with digital technologies that can dramatically increase efficiency by reducing energy-intensive operations and extending equipment life. Thriving with today’s technology depends on effective system management. The proper refrigeration control system can use less energy, improve equipment reliability, and drastically reduce maintenance costs.
Effective improvements for energy consumption and the impact and longevity of equipment involve knowing what is happening inside a system and incorporating advanced control strategies to improve performance. Solid system management goes beyond controlling temperatures and considers the management of the compressor with other devices.
This is the issue with sensor management added post-design. It has a limited scope, only gathering information from the individually connected devices. Due to managing isolated components, systems lose the capability to optimize performance and lack intuitive functioning when devices do not communicate. However, when control is integrated into the platform, components can incorporate data generated from other devices in the system to determine their performance.
A connected platform using sensor technology is engineered with the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) integrated into the equipment design. The platform allows conventionally
SCADA:
A system of software and hardware elements that allows organizations to control processes locally or at remote locations.
Conventionally independent parts must link together in smart, automated communication
The critical things to address in refrigeration design are energy consumption, mechanical failures, and the lack of system management. Adopting digital technologies, and mandating better controls such as the Sensori Control from Oxford Energy Solutions (shown here), is the path forward.
independent parts to link together in smart, automated communication.
Connecting systems at the design level optimizes how refrigerant moves through the system and provides insights into the overall refrigeration process and performance. When the heart of the system – the compressor –has proper control integration, the system can adapt to changing conditions (including load requirements and ambient temperatures) rather than operating at a fixed maximum output. Integrated, VFD-controlled compressors allow the system to float the head pressure with the ambient, take advantage of low compression ratios, free liquid subcooling, and achieve better cooling performance with energy savings. System analysis is incomplete without knowing how, why, and where energy is being used. Inadequate information causes most systems today to alarm reactively, risking system instability, higher consumption rates, and the potential for repetitive service. Information about potential issues, what to look for, and establishing detailed energy profiles are integral. Self-assessment and self-calibration will continually improve refrigeration performance through proactive risk mitigation.
Limited visibility and access to equipment while off-premises have negative financial impacts, with downtime and after-hours servicing potentially costing thousands of dollars annually. Digitalized systems offer end users added value with more control over investments, savings, and equipment reliability. Remote accessibility to machines removes barriers, simplifies servicing, and optimizes efficiency. Of course, complete system management depends on the relatability of the data being generated and the support provided to the operator.
Investing in digital technologies and mandating better controls will require OEMs to design systems capable of achieving better energy profiles and equipment longevity. Machine data can be leveraged to maximize efficiency and optimize performance by digitizing the system with smart controls and AI. Designing advanced control strategies into the architecture creates a synergistic approach that delivers better results that exceed current energy standards and provides customers with effective management solutions that support their business goals. To read more on this topic visit mechanicalbusiness.com, Technical Insight Papers.
Now in its 83rd year, the Little Giant brand was born when a plumber pursued a solution to a problem. In 1926, plumber R.M. “Doc” Wolfe had an issue with pumps failing at a frustrating rate. At the time, air conditioning units were just beginning to become popular, and each unit had a pump to get water up into a screen for evaporative cooling. Every time Wolfe fixed one of these pumps, it would break again. He came up with an idea and enlisted the help of inventor Harry Goodman to create the solution: the world’s first evaporative pump. In 1941, the Little Giant Vaporizer was invented, as was the Little Giant brand.
As a follow up to the Heat Pump Water Heater Primer in Mechanical Business Nov/Dec 2022, this article provides practical insights into the points to consider when sizing and selecting a heat pump water heater (HPWH).
For unducted applications, manufacturers typically require access to 700 cubic ft. of air volume in the space where the water heater is installed, along with sufficient space to allow for installation and service. For a house with 9-ft. ceilings, this translates to a 9 x 9 ft. room. Where space is limited, proper airflow can also be achieved through a louvred closet. Louvres should cover 16 square inches at both the top and bottom of the door for inlet and outlet.
Garages are ideal locations, providing ample space for heat pump water heaters unless the site is in a colder climate, which is the case in most of Canada; consider possible freezing conditions in the garage and follow standard location practices in your area. Basements, utility rooms, and laundry rooms also offer excellent locations for the water heater. One option for increased efficiency is drain water heat recovery.
HPWHs should not be located outdoors, unless it’s enclosed in an outdoor closet. Be sure to consult the manufacturer’s installation guide for recommendations specific to your model.
Heat pump water heaters exhaust cooler/drier air into their surroundings. Therefore, they should not be located in rooms that are frequently occupied by temperature sensitive activities. When garages are not available, locations with waste heat are suitable. For example, utility/ IT, and laundry rooms serve as excellent locations. Or you could use a louvred door for intake and vent the cooler air into non-conditioned areas such as a front hallway or other common space where temperature is not an issue. Do not vent the water heater exhaust air on or near a thermostat as it will provide false reading to heating and cooling systems.
Drain water heat recovery (DWHR) captures shower waste heat from the drain line. DWHR provides roughly a 20-degree lift to the incoming water going to the water heater. It is an effective way to reduce the energy use of the water heater and increase useful stored hot water capacity.
HPWHs have some unique requirements in comparison to standard electric or gas water heaters.
Heat pump water heaters have a fan and compressor, both of which make a modest amount of noise. For example, for HPWHs that emit sound at levels less than 55 dBA expect the sound level to drop to 35 to 40 dBA (less than most refrigerators) on the other side of a wall or door. Placing the water heater away from bedrooms and living rooms can help mitigate any potential sound issue. Check with manufacturers for best practices regarding isolation pads, foam, and mounting strategies.
First, follow the local plumbing code. For maximum efficiency, upsize the tank by one size over your standard gas or electric resistance tank size. Heat pump water heaters typically come with auxiliary resistance heat elements that can be enabled to meet periods of high water demand. This operation is less efficient than running the heat pump alone. Upsizing the tank will minimize inefficient resistance heating, allowing the heat pump to do the vast majority of the water-heating work. The Uniform Plumbing Code requires a minimum First Hour Rating. Meeting that minimum and then increasing the tank size as indicated in the following table will reduce energy use.
Heat pump water heaters have a fan and compressor, both of which make a modest amount of noise. For example, for heat pump water heaters that emit sound at levels less than 55 dBA expect the sound level to drop to 35 to 40 dBA (less than most refrigerators) on the other side of a wall or door. Placing the water heater away from bedrooms and living rooms can help mitigate any potential sound issue. Check with manufacturers for best practices regarding isolation pads, foam, and mounting strategies.
HPWHs can market their homes as smart homes and enable energy and operating cost savings for occupants. Controls allow the heat pump to engage with money-saving options, such as time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates, and even money generating opportunities, like utility gridinteractive programs, neither of which are available to natural gas water heaters.
First, follow the local plumbing code. For maximum efficiency, upsize the tank by one size over your standard gas or electric resistance tank size. Heat pump water heaters typically come with auxiliary resistance heat elements that can be enabled to meet periods of high-water demand. This operation is less efficient than running the heat pump alone. Upsizing the tank will minimize inefficient resistance heating, allowing the heat pump to do the vast majority of the water-heating work. The Uniform Plumbing Code requires a minimum First Hour Rating. Meeting that minimum and then increasing the tank size as indicated in the following table will reduce energy use.
If on a TOU rate, time your water heater to heat up during off-peak times so the HPWH uses the lowest-cost electricity available to heat your water. Installation best practices will be the focus of the next HPWH article in an upcoming issue.
Heat pump water heaters can also become part of a connected home with the following features and capabilities:
• Digital control interface
Heat pump water heaters can also become part of a connected home with the following features and capabilities:
• Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone app (availability varies by model) to remotely change temperatures, engage vacation mode, and monitor performance
• Leak detection (some models)
• Digital control interface
• Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone app (availability varies by model) to remotely change temperatures, engage vacation mode, and monitor performance
• Leak detection (some models)
Material for this article has been provided by the New Buildings Institute. newbuildings.org
HPWHs can market their homes as smart homes and enable energy and operating cost savings for occupants. Controls allow the heat pump to engage with money-saving options, such as time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates, and even money generating opportunities, like utility grid-interactive programs, neither of which are available to natural gas water heaters. If on a TOU rate, time your water heater to heat up during off-peak times so the HPWH uses the lowest-cost electricity available to heat your water. In an upcoming issue, installation and service will be the focus of the next HPWH article.
Material for this article has been provided by the New Buildings Institute. newbuildings.org
Keeping up with technology is a significant challenge for companies; particularly smaller operations like many HVAC contractor businesses. Technology moves rapidly and small businesses often have few resources to research, train staff and implement up-to-date technologies. As a result, many contractors have been slow adopters and experts agree this is making them less competitive.
SMART technologies for buildings and leading-edge software are examples of changing technologies to be embraced. Contractors need an ongoing plan for reviewing and implementing technology changes to stay competitive.
Every industry is seeing rapid change; it is simply a neverending process. The HVAC industry is no exception where new technologies are benefitting both the industry and its customers. While zoning and mobile apps make building comfort control easier for customers, the industry is finding new ways to improve processes such as diagnostics, servicing and increased system efficiencies. This progress allows companies to expand their customer bases while maintaining high quality customer service. Technology impacts every operational aspect of contracting from the types of products offered, to the ways staff and technicians work on a daily basis. Embracing these new tools is becoming a key factor in company growth and competing in a changing marketplace.
Equipment, controls, tools and software manufacturers are working on the next technology right now to make contractors more efficient and effective. Here is a short list of new technologies of interest.
The annual global market for SMART HVAC products is over $40 billion. SMART HVAC systems improve service diagnostics and save valuable time that can be devoted to repairing the system. SMART systems notify customers of service problems when they occur and provide time for corrective work prior to more costly breakdowns.
The SMART features homeowners desire most are zone control of individual rooms, mobile apps allowing remote system control and connecting HVAC to their SMART home systems. SMART systems also provide the option of system shut down when they are not needed to save energy and reduce utility bills.
These systems also open the door to remote monitoring for commercial and residential customers. While regular maintenance helps reduce emergency service calls, SMART systems can monitor system performance and initiate service when needed.
Providing technicians with the most up-to-date service tools is as important as providing new technology in the systems themselves. One expert stated “success in the field is defined by the tools your technicians have on hand. The better prepared your team [is], the better your customer experience is going to be.” New software service tools permit companies to efficiently control their service area including classifying jobs, determining which technicians to send to the customer, and retaining detailed customer service records. Having the right tools is one thing. Knowing how to use them properly is another. Techs need training on the proper use of these tools. Virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) technology is becoming a successful and cost-effective training technology for HVAC techs.
Environmentally friendly systems and the technology they incorporate are becoming popular with customers in both the residential and ICI sectors. This greener approach reduces energy costs and shows a commitment by customers to reducing their carbon footprint.
Newer software allows both customers and contractors to experience a wide range of advantages. Software connected systems collect data to track usage history, inform owners and contractors when preventive maintenance is needed and identify potential breakdowns in the system to reduce downtime. Some software can determine the most effective energy and cost-efficient systems for building spaces. This software also provides energy savings analysis and innovation tools used by engineers and architects for building designs. Other technologies make use of the Internet of Things (IoT). These systems use remote sensors in the building and connect with other devices to share data and improve processes such as temperature and humidity control. IoT-enabled technology provides HVAC companies with more flexibility and a wider scope of services for their customers.
Emerging technologies are a significant but necessary challenge to stay competitive. In a rapidly changing landscape, contractors need an ongoing plan to embrace these technologies that will keep them ahead of the curve. A simple explanation offered by one HVAC expert is, “HVAC technology is moving like a runaway train, and if you’re not on board, it’ll take a long time to get up to speed with your customers and competitors. By spending a little time keeping track of industry innovations, you’ll be able to adapt your business in a way that works for you before those changes are made for you.”
Here are a few thoughts from industry experts:
1. You are what you sell – Company success is about the products and services offered and how these offerings reflect on the company’s image with customers. Technology is high on the priority list of today’s HVAC customers. Contractors need to stay ahead of the curve by offering up-to-date technology. This is part of the cement that builds long lasting relationships with customers.
2. Measure yourself – When customers use online platforms and websites to critique HVAC contractors (including your company) it is an opportunity to gather customer feedback on your service and tap into online services that aggregate reviews of how your business and other HVAC companies are rated. This will help identify product and service concerns, sometimes before they occur.
3. Customers want tech-savvy – A U.S. consumer survey discovered that 79 per cent of customers surveyed expect HVAC technicians to be tech-savvy and rely on them for up-to-date HVAC technology options. Companies not offering current technology solutions will become less competitive over time.
4. Technology increases productivity – In the same U.S. survey, 92 per cent of contractor respondents saw significantly increased productivity from adopting mobile technologies. With the right technology, productivity can be improved in a range of operational processes including service truck inventory, control of installation/ service work, and customer service.
Whenit comes to digital marketing for your business, you need a variety of tools to effectively communicate with your audience, including email marketing, social media, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM) and reputation management. While some platforms claim to “do it all,” I’ll vouch for using the best available platform for each intended purpose.
Our agency’s digital marketing team has compiled the following list of apps and tools you should consider using to market your business. If you are new to this type of tool don’t be intimidated by the options. Free video tutorials and chat functionality will help you along your way.
Canva is an online design and publishing tool that can be used by designers of any skill level. The app includes ready-made templates or the ability to start from scratch. With hundreds of thousands of design elements, text options and graphic features, the creation of social media content, videos, presentations and marketing materials is relatively fast and simple. The basic platform is free and paid subscriptions offer additional functionality. Users can also pay for physical products such as brochures and posters.
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In this case it’s the devil you know. Google is omnipresent and an all-encompassing way to manage your business’s reputation. Those little yellow review stars speak volumes and drum up business. Google makes customer-facing business management a lot easier. You can manage your reviews, operating hours, company updates, bookings, and lead generation (to name a few).
Google Analytics is a website analytics service that provides statistics and tools for search engine optimization (SEO) and marketing purposes, and it’s free to anyone with a Google account. Google Analytics is used to track website performance and collect visitor insights. It can determine top sources of user traffic, measure the success of marketing activities, discover trends in user engagement, and obtain visitor demographic information. You can collect and analyze various customer behaviour metrics, which can be used to improve marketing campaigns, drive website traffic, and better interact with potential customers.
This popular marketing automation platform and email marketing service helps build, drive and grow your business. It is easy to use and robust. It allows users to schedule and share newsletters, updates, and promotions through email and on various social networks while tracking customer engagements. The interactive drag-and-drop interface allows users to create and share personalized, targeted email campaigns, run Facebook ad campaigns, automate follow-ups and monitor campaign progress.
Built-in analytics and reporting allow you to monitor how customers are interacting with your correspondence and then use that information to tailor future campaigns. It’ll provide insight into what does and doesn’t work, tell you who your most engaged audiences are and help you direct your marketing dollars efficiently.
Sometimes the best way to learn is to listen, and Mention takes the work out of it by showing you every occurrence of your brand in one central place. Mention’s ‘social listening’ capabilities can help businesses improve their communications and marketing strategies by allowing users to monitor what’s being said online. The app allows brands and businesses to leverage digital and social media monitoring to increase brand awareness, identify and address user comments, and implement what they’ve learned into their business model. By tracking a brand, a competitor, an industry topic – you name it – the platform allows customers to compare and analyze online conversations, as well as create content based on important social and web insights.
Nearly 90 per cent of marketers agree that their social media strategy positively influences their bottom line. Sprout Social is a social media management and intelligence tool for brands and businesses to manage their social media position by maintaining a cohesive and active presence online. The platform allows users to plan, organize, and deliver content and campaigns across all platforms at once using cross-network scheduling. Once your content is out on the web, it provides insights to enhance the customer experience by telling you how your content is performing, and evidently, giving them more of what they like.
51
43
Percentage of office workers who say they are very or extremely worried about their building’s indoor air quality (IAQ), according to the 2023 Honeywell Healthy Buildings Survey.
40
Percentage of respondents who feel their employer should be prioritizing better IAQ in their building. By comparison, 22 per cent say reducing the carbon footprint of their building should be the priority of employers.
132 million
Dollars in grants issued through the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, as of January 11, 2023.
1.5
Megatonnes of emissions the initiative is expected to reduce by 2026.
110,000
Jobs expected to be generated across Canada in the energy efficiency sector through the initiative.
Percentage of consumers who say they are “rule followers” when it comes to washing their hands, and always apply soap, lather it up, scrub completely, rinse and then dry, according to Bradley Corporation’s 2023 Healthy Handwashing Survey.
14
Percentage of people who say they “rinse and run” by using just water when they wash their hands, while three per cent admit they do not wash their hands.
60
Percentage of consumers who say they’re likely to spend more time at a business with clean, well-maintained restrooms.
82
Percentage of people who believe it is important to have touchless fixtures in a public restroom.
10.5
Percentage the wind, solar and energy storage sector grew in 2022, according to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association.
19
GW of installed renewable energy capacity − utility-scale wind and solar energy – across Canada at the end of 2022.
90
Percentage solar energy costs have declined since 2009. Wind energy costs have declined 70 per cent.
48,000
Approximate number of solar energy installations across the country. There are 318 wind energy projects producing power in Canada.
17.4 MILLION Gallons of maple syrup produced in Canada in 2022, a 53.8-per cent increase from 2021, and a record high.
