Mechanical Business May/June 2021 by Mechanical Business

MAY/JUNE 2021 $6.95

PM #41536047

Also in this issue:

Electric making inroads in van offerings

ww w . m e c ha ni c a l bus i nes s . c om

Game changing innovation Introducing the smart generation of Vitodens Grow your business with Viessmann future-proof solutions. Our smart generation of high-efficiency gas condensing boilers and digital applications are designed to work for you, saving you time and energy on and off the job.

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Digital assistant Introducing Vitoguide oguide Our new Vitoguide app connects s to any Vitodens smart generation boiler to streamline mline and simplify each installation. + All-in-one app for installation, service, ce, maintenance & monitoring + Enhanced customer experience with th annual automated maintenance reminders by-step start-up and + Faster installation with guided step-by-step commissioning reporting + Simpliﬁed maintenance with replacement ment parts guide + Proactive monitoring with remote diagnostics gnostics & notiﬁcations

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THE FASTEST DRAIN CLEANER IN YOUR TRUCK.

Kinetic Water Ram

Clearing clogged sinks, tubs and laundry drains couldn’t be easier. Leave your heavy drain cleaning tools in the truck and grab the lightweight Kinetic Water Ram instead. It quickly clears slow draining tubs, stubborn traps, and long narrow lines, yet weighs just 10 lbs. The Ram uses a burst of compressed air that bypasses vents and stacks to hit the stoppage head-on, yet it won’t harm pipes. And best of all, the all metal Ram is made right here in the USA. See it in action at www.drainbrain.com/ram, or call the Drain Brains at 800-245-6200 for more information.

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CONTENTS O F

All About

AC service 62COOLING

Getting started, maintenance checklists ts and service agreements. nts. Jonathon Harp

ELECTRIC

MAKING INROADS IN VAN OFFERINGS

Gord Cooke: FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS AND RESPECT

44COVER STORY

A gig in the Sault, along with some stellar advice from mentors, launched Gord’s career in IAQ. Kerry Turner

CARBON TAX INCREASES DRIVE HOMEOWNER DEMAND FOR MORE EFFICIENT HEATING SYSTEMS

70LOOKING AHEAD 34COMMERCIAL SERVICE VEHICLES

Electric vans are now a realityy with the introduction of a manufacturer acturer in Ingersoll, oll, ON. Howard rd J.. Elmer

It is time to discuss lifetime, or lifecycle costs of HVAC choices with consumers. Victor Hyman

Inset on the cover: Indoor air quality expert and trainer, Gord Cooke talks about his career path and what it takes to be successful in the HVAC industry. Photo: Sylvia Pond Photography.

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O F

M B S P E C I A L I S T S

26 HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

22 PROFILE

New AC responses to old applications Gord Cooke Effective ways to add air conditioning capacity to homes without forced air heating.

Ready for the next show Elizabeth McCullough retires as general manager – trade shows at CIPH. Kerry Turner

32 MARKETING

24 HVAC/R

Air delivery − a true balancing act If room temperature is not consistent, the occupant will never experience true comfort. Mark and Alexandra Parliament

What to do with the business – Part I Roger Grochmal My experience with selling my business from beginning to end.

A picture is worth … Test your knowledge and spot the common plumbing deficiencies. Andrew Quattrociocchi

52 REFRIGERATION Monitoring the lubrication of reciprocating compressors Phil Boudreau Protect moving parts with a dynamic oil film.

72 COMMERCIAL PLUMBING

Handwashing: A new view Technology and technique are key to good hand hygiene. Jason Boyd

56 HYDRONICS Be a cool Wethead Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr Apply the best arrangement of system components from the hydronic and HVAC worlds.

74 RENEWABLES

Exchange District to include Ontario’s tallest geothermalpowered condo Camrost Felcorp finishes drilling for Mississauga, ON project.

66 PLUMBING Technology and codes tapped to reduce consumption Fred Bretzke Manufacturers and plumbers take on the challenge of water conservation.

78 ROAD WARRIOR

Aaron McMillan: Love for the job at first site. Denise Deveau

80 HUMAN RESOURCES

The changing face of recruiting Tips for securing top talent during the pandemic. Kim Forgues

83 HVAC

What is CV, and How Do I Calculate It? Aaron Nobel

How the pandemic has changed the germicidal UV industry Germicidal qualities of UV-C are in-demand regardless of industry sector. Daniel Jones

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Building a marketing plan for the post-COVID world Doug MacMillan Significant changes to your sales and marketing strategy are expected as a result of the pandemic experience.

50 ASK ROGER

38 QUATTRO’S CORNER

84 INDOOR AIR QUALITY

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CONTENTS

T A B L E F E A T U R E S

B u s i n e s s

D E P A R T M E N T S

P R O D U C T S

8Programs and Promises

30,31Cooling

The $100-billion spend – where is it going?

40-42Plumbing

10-15News

46-48HVAC/R

16,18Movers & Shakers

60Hydronics

20People

76Stuff You Need

82,83The Info Page 86By the Numbers

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It’’s easy to spot why Navien will be the * best selling condensing tankless...again 2'' PVC up to 75 feet and 1/2'' gas up to 24 feet

*Navien NPE Series is the best selling condensing tankless water heater according to BRG.

High efﬁciency – up to

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Durable dual stainless steel heat exchangers

ComfortFlow NPE-A2 internal buffer tank and recirc pump

Optional NaviCirc - easy to install with no recirc return loop needed TM

EZNav multi-line control with built-in intuitive software

Built-in HotButton on-demand capability

New Navien NPE-2

High efﬁciency condensing tankless water heaters The best just got even better To learn more visit NavienInc.com

The leader in condensing technology...does it again.

Content Media Group Inc. 19 – 1525 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 0B2 Canada Tel: 905.465.2919 Fax: 905.465.2913 www.mechanicalbusiness.com May/June 2021 Issue Published 6 times per year. For All Subscription Inquiries Shila Naik Circulation Director 905-272-4175 shila.naik@mechanicalbusiness.com Editor: Kerry Turner, C 416-435-1193 kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness.com National Sales Manager: Jeff Superle, C 416-577-7687 jeff.superle@mechanicalbusiness.com Operations Manager: Caroline Bexﬁeld, C 647-217-2076 caroline.bexﬁeld@mechanicalbusiness.com Art Direction: Fourteen Orange Graphic Design Inc. davem@fourteenorange.com Controller: Liz Mills liz.mills@mechanicalbusiness.com Publisher: Bruce Meacock, C 416-457-9563 bruce.meacock@mechanicalbusiness.com PM:41536047 ISSN 1916-0674 MB (Print) ISSN 1906-0682 MB (Online) We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.

Submissions: Copyright in material submitted to the magazine and accepted for publication remains with the author, but Mechanical Business and its licensees may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. Mechanical Business also reserves the right to edit said submitted materials to suit the editorial needs and mandate of the publication. Notice: Mechanical Business is published for owners, managers and decision makers with mechanical contracting ﬁrms and the sector’s supply chain partners in Canada. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Mechanical Business, Content Media Group Inc., its staff, directors, ofﬁcers and shareholders (‘The Publisher’) assume no liability, obligation or responsibility for advertised claims, for errors and/or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. Manufacturers’ instructions take precedence over published editorial. The publisher reserves the right to publish a printed correction in a subsequent issue for editorial errors, omissions and oversights. Subscriptions are available for $90 plus taxes in Canada and the U.S. Single copies are $15.00. Outside Canada and the U.S., the rates are $150.00 (annual) and $25.00 (single copy). From time to time, Content Media Group Inc. makes subscribers’ names available to reputable companies whose products or services may be of interest to readers. If you would like your name excluded from these mailings, please notify the publisher. © Copyright 2021. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher. Proud members of:

PROGRAMS

M e c h a n i c a l

PROMISES

The $100-billion spend – where is it going? The federal government’s 2021 budget and plan for Canada’s post-pandemic economic recovery has a lot to offer the skilled trades and building sectors, but industry associations say it could have gone further. Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience was introduced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland in late April, and was the Liberal government’s first budget in more than two years. Many of the budget proposals do reflect industry recommendations, according to the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI). That includes “support for home and building retrofits, favourable tax treatment for investments in clean technology and targeted investments in skilled trades and apprenticeship.” However, HRAI says there are still details missing around programs such as Greener Homes. Investments in the sector include $300 million in funding over the next two years from the Rental Construction Financing Initiative to convert vacant commercial property into housing, and $4.4 billion to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to help Canadians retrofit their homes through interest-free loans worth up to $40,000. The government will also reallocate $1.3 billion in existing funding to speed up the construction or repair of 35,000 affordable housing units. Budget 2021 includes a focus on job creation, with a commitment to create one million jobs by the end of the year and invest in skills training and youth employment. In addition, it is proposing an extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) until September 2021, and will introduce a program to temporarily subsidize new hiring with $1,100 per month for every new employee. Overall, the budget proposes more than $100 billion in stimulus spending in various programs and investments. The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) says the announced Deep Home Retrofits program is a positive step, as it goes beyond commercial buildings to help homeowners fund major retrofits through interest-free loans worth up to $40,000 with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The program will deploy $779 million over five years ($414 million in subsequent years) to a maximum of $4.4 billion, and includes a dedicated funding stream to support low-income homeowners and rental properties serving low-income renters. Skills training is another highlight, which is good news, notes the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating. “Cash flow and project funding are critical for our members to have the confidence to hire workers and apprentices. We look forward to engaging with the government on what mechanisms may be available to provide mechanical contractors with that confidence,” says MCAC CEO Tania Johnston. The government is promising a $470-million investment over three years in an Apprenticeship Service to help first-year apprentices in construction and manufacturing Red Seal trades find employment at SMEs, as well as $960 million over three years for a Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program to fund training that meets businesses’ needs. There is also a commitment to training 90,000 Canadians in sectors that need more skilled workers. budget.gc.ca

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Introducing Lync Engineered System Solutions Advanced technologies and innovative designs are fused with industry-leading manufacturing expertise in Lync’s complete, cost-effective water technology solutions. Our expertly engineered, fully integrated and assembled systems minimize planning, design and installation time while maximizing your return on investment. Learn more at lyncbywatts.com.

Fully designed and assembled solutions from one source

Commercial Heat Pumps, Water Heating Solutions, Water Quality Solutions

06.21

News

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

City of St. John’s tables community climate plan St. John’s has tabled its Resilient St. John’s Community Climate Plan identifying over 60 impacts of climate change on the community, 15 of which are the most likely to occur. Opportunities to reduce GHGs and energy use include retroﬁtting existing residential buildings to reduce energy use, improving public transit, supporting the availability of local foods and products, and supporting electric/ hybrid vehicle use.

ASHRAE updates airborne transmission guidance The ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force has updated its statement on the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in buildings. According to the Atlanta, GA-based association, “Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is signiﬁcant and should be controlled. Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and airconditioning systems, can reduce airborne exposures.” In April 2020 ASHRAE reported that “airborne transmission was ‘sufﬁciently likely’ that airborne precautions should be taken,” based on World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control statements that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was by droplet and fomite modes rather than airborne. Both organizations have since recognized the risk of indoor airborne transmission. ashrae.org/COVID-19

stjohns.ca

Ontario expands apprenticeship program support The Ontario government is investing $47 million in 2021 and 2022 to hire more apprentices, improve the quality of training and help them complete training and certiﬁcation through the new Achievement Incentive Program and the expanded Apprenticeship Capital Grant. The $23-million Achievement Incentive will provide more than 11,000 employers in construction, industrial, service and motive power sectors with up to $4,000 in funding per apprentice as they reach key training milestones. The government is also investing $24 million – a $10-million increase from last year – through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to help colleges, unions and apprentice training providers upgrade their equipment and facilities.

Banff converting wood waste into energy

ontario.ca

AHRI releases refrigerant ﬂammability research results

Standard addresses assessment, cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) has released its 2021 edition of ACR, the NADCA Standard for the assessment, cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems. The NADCA Standard: 2021 Edition can be downloaded free on NADCA’s website. nadca.com

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Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund is investing $530,000 to support a Banff, AB project that converts municipal wood waste into biomass energy. The $1.3-million biomass system will replace natural gas usage with sustainable wood waste to heat four municipal buildings. The funding is also helping to increase the solar electricity capacity to the buildings. ec.go.ca

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has released the results of a project testing refrigerants classified by ASHRAE as A2L (lower flammability) compared with A1 (no flame-spread) refrigerants in real-world situations. The research was conducted with UL and the Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) to develop training programs for firefighting personnel when responding to fires in occupancies with both new (A2L) and existing (A1) refrigerants. ahrinet.org

Watts manager receives Canadian Sales Rep Award

Anvil and Smith-Cooper rebrand Two years after the merger of Anvil International and Smith-Cooper International, the uniﬁed company has relaunched as ASC Engineered Solutions. The ASC Engineered Solutions brand reinforces a focus on the company’s commitment to quality precision-engineered products, support and knowledge.

Derrick Lundy, manager of commercial products at Watts Water Technologies in Burlington, ON, has received the 2020 Watts Derrick Lundy Canadian Sales Rep Award. Lundy rejoined the company ﬁve years ago after spending time in plumbing technical services and sales. He was previously a product manager with Watts for over a decade.

asc-es.com

Manitoba offers incentives to upgrade heating systems

watts.ca

NRCan offers air source heat pump toolkit

Efficiency Manitoba is offering the province’s business owners incentives to make upgrading to ground source heat pumps more affordable. To receive the incentive business owners must hire an installer who is registered with Efficiency Manitoba, and who is an accredited member of the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance. efficiencymb.ca

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has introduced a guide to air source heat pump (ASHP) sizing and selection. The toolkit offers guidance on sizing and selection in Canadian climates for new and retroﬁt residential applications. The toolkit can be downloaded on the NRCan website. nrcan.gc.ca

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CIPH launches industry job board for new members The Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) has introduced a job board for students, new graduates and other job seekers. Hosted by TalentNest, an applicant recruiting and tracking software platform available in English and French, the job board is also intended to help raise awareness about the career opportunities offered by CIPH members. ciph.com

Fleming’s plumbing apprenticeship program will take place at its Kawartha Trades and Technology Centre, Sutherland Campus, in Peterborough, ON. The facility features a unique girder structure that replicates a construction site.

Fleming College launches plumbing apprenticeship program Fleming College has announced that it is launching a new plumbing apprenticeship program beginning this fall 2021. “There has been local demand for the program for several years, but capacity at all training providers had been limited to a defined number of spots, and Fleming College was filling those spots with electricians and carpenters,” says Pam Stoneham, dean of the college’s School of Trades and Technology. “In 2019-2020, there was a change at the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development that allowed for all training delivery agents (TDA) to increase their capacity,” adds Stoneham. As well as work experience, the program includes three in-school training session levels (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) that take place at Fleming’s Sutherland Campus in Peterborough, ON. flemingcollege.ca

HRAI and ORAC renew discussion on gas technician apprenticeship Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada and Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association representatives met with policy advisors to Ontario Minister of Government and Consumer Services Lisa Thompson to discuss options for the introduction of a gas technician apprenticeship program. Contractor members in Ontario have been asking for an apprenticeship program that would aid in the development of competent gas technicians, relying on the “earn as you learn” model of training that works for other trades. hrai.ca orac.ca

Vancouver tops up rebate to switch from fossil fuel Vancouver is offering residents an additional $2,000 or $6,000 rebate to switch from a fossil fuel heating system to an electric air source heat pump. The topup to the CleanBC Better Homes and Home Renovation Rebate Program includes oil, propane and natural gas, and is in addition to the current heat-pump rebates offered through the program. The municipality says this is a limited-time offer, and the rebates are on a “ﬁrst-come, ﬁrst-served basis,” and are subject to availability. betterhomesbc.ca

ASHRAE and IAPMO to co-publish water efficiency document ASHRAE and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) are co-publishing a document to address water efficiency in buildings. The comprehensive document will combine ASHRAE 191P, Standard for the Efficient Use of Water in Building Mechanical Systems, along with WE-Stand, IAPMO’s Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard, to offer water efficiency guidance and references in one publication. iapmo.org ashrae.org

Ontario employees with COVID may be entitled to WSIB beneﬁts Workers who believe they were infected with COVID-19 in the workplace may be entitled to beneﬁts, according to a new campaign from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in Ontario. WSIB has allowed 22,587 COVID-19 claims as of March 31, 2021.

Socialize with us!

wsib.ca

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Belimo Thermal Energy Meters

Reliable Energy Management Belimo’s new Thermal Energy Meters are designed according to EN1434 to provide reliable energy management. The energy meters have a patented glycol compensation algorithm that automatically compensates based on the amount of glycol in the system, eliminating manual input and inaccuracy. Rethink thermal energy management.

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News

www.mechanicalbusiness.com

New guidelines on mass timber buildings Engineers and Geoscientists BC and the Architectural Institute of British Columbia have released new guidelines for architects and engineers designing mass timber buildings of up to 12 storeys. The guidelines, Joint Professional Practice Guidelines - Encapsulated Mass Timber Construction up to 12 Storeys, come as a result of changes to the BC Building and Fire Codes for mass timber buildings up to 12 storeys based on new building classiﬁcations. egbc.ca

New trade association builds momentum Women in HVAC-R Canada is looking for members and partners as it continues to grow. The association was co-founded by Nathalie Brooks, owner of Georgetown, ON’s Brooks Heating & Air, and Shelley Vallee-Ewing, district sales manager for Ottawa-based Vista Services, to support career advancement opportunities for women working in the HVAC/R sector. womeninhvac.ca

mCloud partners with BC Hydro to offer connected building solutions Calgary-based mCloud Technologies Corp. is joining with three North American utilities, including BC Hydro, to offer business customers more ways of optimizing energy efﬁciency and building air quality. BC Hydro is holding a program trial from June 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022, exploring ways business owners can reduce energy consumption during peak use hours. The utility will provide customers who enroll in mCloud’s AssetCare with a $4,000 incentive to cover the costs of the subscription and necessary hardware during the trial. bchydro.com mcloudcorp.com

Toronto Western Hospital to undergo energy efficiency upgrades Noventa Energy Partners Inc. is retrofitting the Toronto Western Hospital to make it more energy efficient, with the help of $3.3 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Fund. The mechanical contractor for the project is Richmond, BC-based Canem Systems, a subcontractor to Bird Construction. The energy-efficient system, which incorporates recovered heat extracted from wastewater and the sewage system, will supply about 85 per cent of the hospital’s heating and cooling needs. noventaenergy.com

Governments commit to ventilation improvements in Ontario schools The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced $656.5 million in funding towards infrastructure upgrades in the province’s schools. Ontario is contributing more than $131.3 million to the projects. The majority of funding will go to ventilation projects that improve air quality, such as HVAC renovations. According to the Ontario government, 95 per cent of the province’s schools have reported upgrades or enhancements to their air ﬁltration systems since 2019, including more than 40,000 HEPA ﬁlters and other ventilation devices in classrooms. infrastructure.gc.ca

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St. Hyacinthe, QC-based Säätötuli Canada’s first made-in-Canada biomass boiler has successfully passed its first tests. The boiler was installed for testing purposes at the ProMétal Plus manufacturing facility in Deschambault, QC. The boiler can be used on a pressurised hydronic heating loop and has been approved for use in Quebec and Ontario by the Régie du Bâtiment and TSSA. Säätötuli Canada plans to produce a line of Canadianmade biomass boilers, from 137,000 BTU/H to 5,118,000 BTU/H. At press time, the company expected to fire up a 400-kW boiler in Bécancour, QC before the end of May, and has begun the approval process on a 300-kW unit, which will be used to heat municipal buildings for First Nations in Northern Ontario. Säätötuli Canada owns the product rights for the Säätötuli’s Canadian-made 400 kW boiler Finnish Säätötuli biomass heating is installed in a laser-cutting shop in equipment in North-America.

CNW Group/Built Green Canada

Säätötuli ﬁres up ﬁrst of its Canadian-made biomass boiler Phase one of the Spring Creek Mountain Village in Canmore, AB.

Built Green community certification a first Phase One of the Spring Creek Mountain Village in Canmore, AB is the first recipient of project certification through Built Green Canada’s Built Green Communities Pilot Program. The 28-hectare Built Green Spring Creek Mountain village features geothermal heating and cooling. springcreekcanmore.ca Socialize with us!

Bécancour, QC

saatotuli.ca

IT’S TIME TO COOL DOWN WITH KEEPRITE ENJOY COMFORT WITHOUT COMPROMISE Ion™ 19 Variable-Speed Air Conditioner - TVA9 • Up to 19 SEER • Up to 13 EER • As low as 56 decibels • 5-stage operation • Wi-Fi® enabled remote access • 10-Year No Hassle Replacement™ Limited Warranty For more information about our entire product line-up, visit us at keeprite.com

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Movers & Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Right Time Group acquires Romaniuk St. Catharines, ON-based Right Time Group of Companies has purchased Romaniuk Heating and Air Conditioning. Based in Edmonton, Romaniuk offers residential and commercial HVAC, air quality, plumbing and hot water services. The company’s 30-plus employees will join Right Time, a leading provider of preventive maintenance programs, repairs and replacements of household HVAC units. The company has 13 locations in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia, with more than 500 employees. This is Right Time’s sixth acquisition, following its purchase of Oakville, ON-based AtlasCare. right-time.ca

Pacific Controls becomes a business unit of Yorkland Controls Toronto-based Yorkland Controls Ltd. has purchased Pacific Controls Ltd. Under the agreement, Pacific Controls will become a business unit of Yorkland Controls, allowing the two companies to offer customers a wider range of products and services. The move will also help Yorkland expand its business throughout BC. Yorkland Controls distributes HVAC/R parts, building controls and automation systems. Based in Burnaby, BC, Pacific Controls is a wholesaler of industrial and HVAC parts for the residential, commercial and industrial markets across the province. yorkland.net paccon.ca

Mestek acquires Slant/Fin's baseboard business Mestek, Inc. has purchased the baseboard assets of the Greenvale, NY-based Slant/Fin Corporation, a producer of hydronic baseboard radiation. Westﬁeld, MA-based Mestek is a family-run company of more than 46 manufacturers of specialty heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems for residential, industrial and commercial buildings. Slant/Fin is one of North America’s largest producers of baseboard heating equipment, and gas and oil boilers. mestek.com slantﬁn.com

RWC partners with Ancamna RWC Canada has named Ancamna Sales Ltd. as its representative for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Established in 2008, Ancamna has developed long-standing relationships in Atlantic Canada’s wholesale, engineering and contractor networks. rwc.com ancamna.com

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(L to R) Scott Groves, vice-president of sales for Thordon, and Greg Auger, commercial director for Millstream.

Thordon Bearings g appoints pp authorized distributor Thordon Bearings has appointed Millstream Engineering as an authorized distributor for the southern Ontario and Western Canada regions. With a presence in Orillia and Burlington, ON, Millstream will provide distribution and engineering support to Thordon’s complete portfolio of hydropower, vertical pump and industrial bearings and seals, along with mechanical engineering advisory services. thordonbearings.com millstreamengineering.com

DiversiTech on the move DiversiTech Corp. has acquired indoor air quality (IAQ) specialist Fresh-Aire UV. Fresh-Aire UV is known for its UV-C disinfecting light and carbon odour control products for commercial and residential HVAC/R systems. DiversiTech has also acquired Packard, a supplier of electrical aftermarket and OEM components. The acquisition will expand DiversiTech’s supply chain solutions for parts and supplies in the HVAC/R industry, while allowing wholesalers to consolidate suppliers and streamline ordering and logistics. diversitech.com

Aldes expands p manufacturing capacity in Quebec Aldes North America is expanding its manufacturing facility in Saint-Léonard-d’Aston, QC. The $1-million-plus project include investments in equipment to increase punching and bending capacity by 50 per cent. It will increase its production footprint to 55,000 sq. ft. aldes-na.com

IN A SMALL PACKAGE The LAARS® FT Series Floor Standing Boiler or Combination Boiler and Water Heater delivers outstanding performance in a small, convenient footprint. It includes: • Industry Best Domestic Hot Water Delivery from a Combi Floor Boiler: First minute delivery of 6+ gpm at a 70˚ rise Continuous delivery of 5.2 gpm at a 70˚ rise • Industry Only Smart Heating Technology. The FT Series combi boiler with smart technology will supply abundant space heating while simultaneously supplying endless domestic hot water.

• FAST Hot Water Delivery. Combi boiler features a unique, integrated domestic hot water mini-indirect tank that contains up to one gallon of stored hot water for immediate response. • Easy Installation. Built-in low loss header, front and side access panels, flexible venting options, top connections and fits into tight spaces. • Ultra-High 95% AFUE Efficiency. The FT Series’ modulates with a 10:1 turndown for additional savings.

Built to be the Best ®

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Movers & Shakers www.mechanicalbusiness.com

Flocor named Xtralis distributor for Canada Flocor has been appointed as a distributor partner by Xtralis. Flocor will supply the complete range of Xtralis life safety products in the Vesda-E, Vesda and Osid ranges. Flocor has 16 stocking centres across the country, including ﬁve regional distribution centres.

CB Supplies pp p celebrates new custom-built hub

ﬂocor.ca

Sioux Chief strengthens commercial product offerings Sioux Chief has acquired Sun Drainage and Sigma Corp Trench Drain, making it the exclusive distributor of Hydrotec Technologies Trench Drains in North America, and strengthening its range of commercial plumbing product offerings. Sun Drainage provides commercial cast iron drains, cleanouts and ﬁxture carriers, while Sigma Corp Trench Drain offers the Hydrotec brand of ﬁbre-reinforced concrete commercial trench drains, and stainless steel and galvanized steel channels. “Hydrotec currently has a small portfolio of business in the Canadian market. We are looking to expand on this towards the second half of the year,” says Howard Huss, director of Canadian sales for Sioux Chief. “Sun Drainage will be added to the Sioux Chief offering in the market here toward the end of 2021.” siouxchief.com

R.W. Beckett names Ontor as Eastern Canada rep

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XOi Technologies and Carrier have entered into a collaboration that will enable Carrier and Bryant technicians to access XOi’s datadriven technology. XOi offers a cloud-based mobile communication tool and application that allows service technicians in Canada and the U.S. to capture job site data, images and videos, launch remote support, and access equipment information. xoi.io carrier.com

Johnson Controls has bought Edmonton-based SilentAire. According to Johnson Controls, the purchase will allow the company to continue to grow in the “data centre vertical, with industry leading cooling equipment technology and modular data centre solutions.” SilentAire is known internationally for its hyperscale data centre cooling and modular critical infrastructure solutions. It has approximately 3,000 employees worldwide. johnsoncontrols.com

ontor.ca beckettcorp.com

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XOi Technologies g & Carrier announce collaboration

Johnson Controls purchases Silent-Aire

Ontor Ltd. is now representing Guelph, ON-based R.W. Beckett Canada in Eastern Canada. With more than 70 years as a national distributor of HVAC and refrigeration products, Toronto-based Ontor will have a representative in each province to help with service, product support and training. Service in French is also available.

CB Supplies Ltd. is officially unveiling its new facility on Maritz Drive in Mississauga, ON. The 81,000-sq.ft. building is custom-built from the ground up, and features the company’s Vipert radiant tubing for its in-floor hydronic heating system installed throughout the office. The new facility will also serve as a hub for its other warehouses. CB Supplies manufactures plumbing and heating products, and is a master distributor for a wide range of products in the plumbing and heating, HVAC/R, pump and waterwell, pool and spa, and filtration and irrigation markets. cbsupplies.ca

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People in the news www.mechanicalbusiness.com Brockville, ON-based Canarm Ltd. has promoted Sean McDowell to vice-president of HVAC business. He will replace Doug Matthews, who has announced he will retire in the coming years, and who will continue to work with McDowell throughout the transition.

Stephan Schmidt (1) is now Grundfos area sales director for USA and Canada, Industry OEM, and key accounts and country director for Canada. Meanwhile, Simon Feddema (2) has retired from Grundfos after 29 years of service and will continue to help with the annual Grundfos Walk for Water fundraising campaign.

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Goodman Manufacturing Company, L.P. has appointed Francois Lachapelle (1) ductless manager for Goodman Canada, and regional manager for the Eastern Canada/ Atlantic region. Amanda Spricenieks (2) is now branch manager at Goodman’s Edmonton location. Spricenieks joined Goodman in October 2020 in the position of customer service representative.

2 Michael Rauterkus has been named president and CEO of Uponor Group and chairman of the executive committee. He will join the company in August, taking over from Jyri Luomakoski.

Daniel Rosato has been named business development manager — residential, new construction and hospitality, for Mississauga, ON-based Masco Canada.

George Lundy has been named national sales manager for Canada for ASC Engineered Solutions. Lundy will oversee the Canadian sales team and all sales activity in Canada.

Moen has made several employee changes. Carmelo Tripodi is now director, national wholesale accounts and sales operations; 1 Kim O’Brien (1) is regional director, wholesale sales (East), and Andrew Wyman (2) is regional director, wholesale sales (West).

Dougie McDowall has joined RWC CANADA as business solutions manager. McDowall brings extensive knowledge and experience of the plumbing wholesale and contractor networks to his new role representing RWC in Western Canada.

Gerd Kerfers has joined EMCO Corporation representing EMCO Waterworks in Langley, BC. Kerfers has more than 40 years of industry experience.

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Garry Scott is now vice-president, marketing, for Napoleon. Scott will be responsible for leading Napoleon’s global marketing efforts. Mary Boyle is now technical inside sales, hydronics, for Rideau Supply Stratford, ON. Émilie Posada has taken over as supply manager at Montrealbased Deschênes & Fils Ltée. She replaces Robert Simard, who has retired.

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Proﬁle By Kerry Turner

Ready for the next show Elizabeth McCullough is retiring as general manager – trade shows at the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) effective June 30th, 2021. Many of us know her as a master organizer and a master of diplomacy, all while juggling floor plans and navigating situations with aplomb. This calm, logical approach is the result of vast experience in sales, marketing, operations, trade show management and committee work, much of which was during her 24 years with CIPH. As she advised her successor, Sarah Clarke, “There is always a solution to deal with a situation. The right one may not be the first solution, but there is always a solution.” Throughout her career she has been involved with regional, national and international trade shows in the plumbing and heating, automotive and trucking industries. Elizabeth's first job after graduating from McMaster with a psychology degree was with an automotive buying group. Her boss was unwell and she ended up heading to Florida for the buying group's trade show with very little experience. Her boss suggested she “just had to set up the booths.” Not surprisingly Elizabeth felt organizing the exhibitors was the priority and alphabetical order seemed the most logical way to achieve that. “Unfortunately, the alpha order put direct competitors Tridon and Tridec side by side,” recalls Elizabeth. “That is how I first met my husband … he worked for Tridon.”

An active member of the Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM) since 1992, Elizabeth served as the association’s president from 1996 to 1998. She received the Certiﬁed Director of Expositions designation in 1997 and was inducted into CAEM’s Hall of Fame in 2011.

Elizabeth joined CIPH in 1992 and has handled sales, marketing and operations for the MCEE Show in Montréal, CIPHEX West in Western Canada and previously, for the CIPHEX Roadshows. She has also worked with the CIPH Trade Show Advisory Committee, the Industry Career Awareness Committee, and the CIPH Womens' Network, and is a member of the CMPX Show Committee. With her wealth of trade show knowledge, Elizabeth brings an interesting perspective tto how the postCOVID trade show world might look. Moving forward she expects shows will come b back but it will smaller with wider take a couple of years. “By necessity shows will be smalle aisles to allow for social distancing and on one-way traffic,” hybrid shows but I she says. “People talk about hybri we still want to think at the end of the day w products in person. talk to people and see prod “Backlogged venues and people having factors – you can only go the time will be factor notes Elizabeth. She to so many shows,” n CIPH shows have venues adds that future CIP much as she thinks about lined up but as muc new environment will it, navigating this ne “There won’t be a me.” be left to others. “Th forward to gardening She is looking forw with her husband and travelling wit who retired last fall. After a career travel across Canada, involving trav Newfoundland and from Newfou Labrador to Vancouver Island, Elizabeth iis hoping to head afield to Italy as her first farther afie post-retirement trip. post-retirem in-person CIPH Her last inMCEE 2019. “Had show was M I known it would be my last would have thrown a show I wou quips Elizabeth. party,” quip Congratulations Elizabeth from the Congratulati team, it has Mechanical Business B pleasure to work with you. been a pleasur

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Above, Brent Cornelissen of OS&B and Elizabeth share a moment at the MCEE show. Bottom, happy times at CMPX with Martin Luymes, vice-president, government and stakeholder relations at HRAI. Left, shown here with Ralph Suppa, CIPH president and general manager, when she was honoured for 20 years of dedicated service to the institute in 2017.

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Air Delivery − a true balancing act

ne of the most elusive goals for HVAC professionals in the field is true comfort for their clients. An environment that is comfortable for one person may be quite uncomfortable for another person. A space I feel is the perfect temperature on a hot summer day is deemed to be frigid by my wife. The struggle to find the comfort sweet spot is very real. One of the things that contractors can do to alleviate this struggle is to ensure that each room runs at its max efficiency. The first step to maximizing efficiency is with a good duct design, followed by the appropriate choice of equipment, and ending with a good system balance. Unfortunately, the last step is often overlooked and if the temperature in each room is not consistent, the occupant will never experience true comfort. No matter what tools you use, you need to ensure they are used properly and that you balance the system correctly. One of the biggest mistakes technicians make is to attempt to balance the system using the register instead of a true balancing damper. While registers will restrict the airflow to a room, it is extremely difficult or nearly impossible to lock the register in the desired position. I know, for example, that when I vacuum, I don’t let a little thing like a register in the carpet slow me down. I run that vacuum right over the register, which can inadvertently change the setting of the register. Before a technician can accurately balance a system, it is important to perform a roomby-room heat load/loss calculation in order to learn how many BTUs the room needs. An effective way to measure airflow in a duct is using a method called duct traverse. This is one of the most accurate measuring methods, but also probably the one that is used the least because many HVAC technicians are intimidated by it. It is important to remember that whether you are traversing a duct or a supply register, you need to understand “clean” airflow

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Testo

is the best. On a duct that means you need to pick a spot between eight to 10 duct diameters from any turns, take offs or transitions. To give you an idea, if you had a 12 inch round duct it would require eight to 10 feet of straight duct to “properly” traverse the duct. This can be almost impossible to find, so some people say you can effectively traverse in as little as five duct diameters, but that requires a lot of practice to master. Once you have found a straight length of duct, you need to ensure you take the measurement in the 80th per cent of the length of straight duct. There are two methods to determine where to install the test ports. One is called the Tchebycheff method, which requires a ton of math to determine the test ports and the traverse sites. The method that most technicians use in the residential market is called the “equal area” method. In this method, the test ports are installed two to three inches apart and the measurements are taken at equal grid patterns in the duct. Similarly, there are a couple of different ways the traverse can be accomplished. The technician can either use a manometer and a pitot tube, or a hot wire

anemometer to take measurements. There are a lot of opinions out there on which tools to use. No matter which one you choose, the methods will be the same. The technician will measure approximately four locations in each test port and take the average of all the readings, which similar to the Tchebycheff method, involves math. Another option is the timed average traverse. This method requires a manometer that allows you to do a timed traverse, and all the technician needs to do is work the pitot tube. Bluetooth-enabled manometers are now allowing the user to expand this feature. Before the technician can start to perform a balance, they also need to understand the scope of what they want to achieve. Simply closing registers in one location in hopes the air will go to another location will cause more headaches than it will solve. No matter how intimidating the balancing procedure may seem, with practice it can provide more reliable comfort for your customers, as well as create an environment for equipment to last the life that is expected of them.

HOW TO BALANCE A SINGLE ZONE SYSTEM ■ Confirm items affecting airflow are ready for balancing, such as windows

and doors closed, ducts attached, and grilles and louvres installed ■ Establish the condition for maximum air flow. This is usually a cooling

call with a wet coil ■ Confirm that all dampers and louvers are open ■ Verify that the motor is running at the designed RPM and immediately

verify the amperage of the motor. If it exceeds the Full load amps, stop the fan and determine the cause ■ Determine volume of air being moved by one of the following:

Pitot Tube traverse of the main duct; lower performance charts (static pressure reading, and volts and amps will be required); or anemometer readings across coils or filters. ■ If volume is not within +/-10 per cent, the balancer must find out why ■ If over 10 per cent, then the blower RPM must be reduced ■ Record supply and return static pressure ■ Adjust volume dampers on main trunks (if installed) to approximate

airflow in each ■ Make a preliminary survey and record design and baseline CFM

for all outlets. ■ Start at the outlet with the highest baseline CFM ■ Adjust to as close to the design CFM (+/-10 per cent) as possible ■ Repeat the procedure until the system is in balance ■ Record final CFM on the test report

BALANCING BYGONES Air balancing got its start in the 18th century by a French hydraulic engineer named Henri Pitot who invented the pitot tube. While it was originally designed for fluid flow, a French scientist modified it in the mid-19th century to its modern form, and it was used to determine the air speed of an aircraft. It also ended up being used to measure water speed of a boat, as well as air and gas velocities in industrial applications.

Flir

Mark Parliament is a senior training consultant with Lennox Learning Solutions. Alexandra Parliament is the founder of Maven Marketing & Communications, an agency with specialized focus on the construction, real estate, HVAC/R and non-profit sectors. To reach the authors, email aparliament@mavencommunications.ca.

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC

NEW AC RESPONSES

am inevitably reminded that every building in Canada isn’t air conditioned through a phone call or email request for advice on providing cooling to spaces where traditional forced air, ducted packaged or spilt system air conditioning is not practical. These applications may be older homes with radiant systems or workspaces in factories without air conditioning.

TO OLD APPLICATIONS

Most recently, the migration out of urban areas has spurred interest in upgrading electric baseboard heater or other non-ducted heating systems in homes in rural areas. Also spurring interest in air conditioning alternatives is the use of cottages as summer ofﬁces. HVAC contractors have access to and are likely familiar with the ductless mini-split air conditioning systems that much of the rest of the world has used to air condition buildings for decades. Indeed, this technology is now so prevalent across Canada, it might seem there is little to “write home” about but there are some important opportunities and considerations when applying the inverter or variable compressor capabilities inherent to the mini-split technology.

Gord Cooke

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The availability of variable speed, mini-split cooling systems with a range of indoor unit sizes and configurations allows professional contractors to provide more responsive and effective cooling options to houses without forced air ductwork than ever before. Indeed, mini-split technology may do a better job of meeting client’s expectations for quick response cooling than whole home centrally ducted systems. Be sure to research and specify equipment that can provide the critical dehumidification function and meet expectations for smart control interfaces. Gord is a professional engineer who has spent 20 years helping builders and HVAC contractors implement innovative technologies into high-performance homes. He has particular expertise in IAQ and airflow management in houses, and can be contacted at gordc@buildingknowledge.ca.

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DEHUMIDIFICATION CYCLE CONTROL CAPABILITIES

GETTING THE RIGHT FIT The question of sizing air conditioning in a house without central forced air ducting presents a liberating opportunity. Recall that 40 per cent to 60 per cent of air conditioning loads in most houses is associated with the solar gain through unshaded windows and another 25 per cent is a function of internal loads, that is people and their activities, lights and appliances. Unlike in buildings with existing air handlers and ductwork where you have to think about the airflow capacity, in non-forced air applications the focus can be on targeting specific loads. Consider the orientation of the house and how that might relate to specific rooms that are commonly used in the afternoon and evenings. Ask your clients about the daily activities of their household as you consider the size and location of a mini-split air conditioner. For example, consider a family room where the five occupants gather to watch television and do homework on a computer. If that family room had west facing windows with a glazing area of seven square meters (75 square feet) that would result in a potential solar gain of approximately 1,400 watts (4,770 BTU/H) through unshaded, clear double-glazed windows. Add the heat gain of the five people (70 watts per person), the computer and the television (150 watts each) and the total heat gain during that peak period could be as much as 2,200 watts (7500 BTU/H) for that one room. A mini-split air conditioner targeted specifically to this room, indeed for a specific time of day, would be so meaningful to your client and liberating for you to just have to satisfy that one specific, but critical, load. The added value of the inverter technology is the capability it provides for variable cooling capacity, allowing the system to match the intermittent nature of loads such as solar gain and variable occupancy. Follow the sun and the people around the building to determine size and location of cooling equipment. The inverter technology, in at least the top-tier brands, lends itself to multiple cooling heads with one outdoor variable condenser unit. The leading manufacturers now have a variety of indoor unit configurations to match building needs. Targeting that family room with one wall-mounted indoor unit and perhaps a cassette mounted in a ceiling space in the central hallway adjacent to bedrooms for night-time cooling. If space permits there are ducted versions that would allow two or three rooms to be serviced by a unit mounted in a closet with a return grille mounted on its face. Take advantage of the intermittent nature of cooling loads and the variable capacity of the mini-split systems to optimize initial and operating costs. M e c h a n i c a l

Another helpful attribute that you should include in all mini-split applications is specific control capabilities for a dehumidification cycle. While cooling loads are largely intermittent, humidity (latent) loads are quite consistent throughout the day in most buildings. Houses without central air conditioning have been prone to uncomfortable humidity levels unless a dehumidifier has been operated. Provide clients with mini-split systems with a control cycle option, often referred to as “dry” mode. In this mode, the fan speed of the indoor unit is reduced, while maintaining an appropriate compressor speed to avoid coil freeze up. This allows for enhanced dehumidification without over cooling spaces. Compare the performance specifications of the mini-split systems you are considering. The expectation should be a moisture removal capacity of at least two litres per hour per ton of cooling capacity (5 pints per hour) and ideally 4 l/h (3Pt/h) per ton of cooling capacity. Your client would program the indoor unit serving the bedrooms to run in the dehumidification cycle during the day, to maintain humidity levels below 50 per cent to 55 per cent and then switch to cooling mode just before bedtime for a more comfortable night’s sleep with optimized operational costs. Interestingly, the angst of oversizing central cooling systems that don’t dehumidify properly is avoided with mini-split systems. When applying one or more indoor units, it’s unlikely any one unit would overcool a home or building without removing appropriate amounts of moisture. Thus, one or more of the indoor units can be earmarked and controlled to run in dehumidification mode for as many hours of humid days as possible to optimize indoor humidity levels. To meet the control expectations of your clients, such as those outlined above, you will want to help your clients choose a mini-split system that has the ability to be controlled remotely; a smart thermostat interface capability. Perhaps ironically, almost all mini-split units historically came with a handheld remote control, in addition to or in place of a wall-mounted thermostat.

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HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC Cont’d from 27

REPLACING ELECTRIC RESISTANCE HEAT CAPACITY While the focus of this conversation has been to add air conditioning capacity to homes without forced air heating, there is a reason to ensure the mini-split system speciﬁed is also a highperformance heat pump.

conditioner. This gives your client the option of choosing to operate a low carbon heat source at some time in the future depending on fuel costs and availability. This is true even if the heat pump chosen doesn’t have the capacity to heat the entire building on the coldest of days.

Certainly, if the building you are adding air conditioning to is electrically heated, then the beneﬁt of replacing as much of the electric resistance heating capacity with the more efﬁcient air source heat pump function offered by mini-split systems is a must. In addition, there is a compelling initiative to replace fossil fuel heating appliances in homes and commercial buildings with heat pumps as part of Canada’s commitment to carbon reduction. In areas where the electrical grid is considered green or clean, air source heat pumps have an important role to play in carbon reductions. Thus, if you are adding air conditioning to a building with a hot water radiant system, fuelled by oil, propane or even natural gas, be sure to choose a heat pump mini-split system rather than just an air

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Reducing the carbon footprint

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Goodman® System not included.

The Brains of Google. The Brawn of Goodman. Introducing: The Nest thermostat E + Goodman Program designed for Goodman® brand dealers Outstanding 5-year limited warranty* Easy installation with every new Goodman system Long-term customer connection through Nest HVAC monitoring The Nest thermostat E + Goodman packs brains and brawn into one powerful product. Homeowners get what they want: a simple user interface, remote control1 and monthly system performance reports2. Goodman dealers will love the seamless installation of the Nest with any new Goodman system. The Nest is backed by a 5-year limited warranty* from Goodman and VIP dealer technical support from Google. To sum it up – The Nest thermostat E + Goodman = exceptional indoor comfort. * The full text of Goodman limited warranty on this product may be viewed at www.goodmanmfg.com/products/ controls, or may be requested in paper by contacting us at 19001 Kermier Road, Waller, TX 77484. 1 2

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Cooling Products P Inverter heat pump S SpacePak’s Solstice inverter mono-block or SIM Series of air-to-water heat pumps use S high-efﬁciency compressors and DC-driven h ffan motors for optimal load matching. Under A AHRI 550/590 test criteria the three-ton model achieves heating COP up to 5.01 and m ccooling EER up to 12.97. The ﬁve-ton model aachieves heating COP up to 4.67 and cooling EER up to 11.60. E

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Measuring tools Testo Smart Probes come in a smart case for travel. Up to six Smart Probes can be operated wirelessly and simultaneously through a smartphone or tablet, with all measurement data transmitted directly to the free Testo Smart Probes App.

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Hydronic fan coil The Briza 22 hydronic fan coil from Jaga Climate Systems is designed for spacesaving heating and cooling. Measuring 8.7-in. deep, it can be tucked into the wall or ceiling in a ducted or non-ducted installation. It can cover up to 27 ft. of horizontal air throw and remain under 35dBA, and can handle up to 0.4 in. of external static pressure for ducted installations.

www. jaga-canada.com

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Packaged HVAC units MagicPak All-In-One V-Series 2.5T HVAC Systems are self-contained heating and cooling packaged units that do not require outdoor units, line sets or separate venting. Available in EWC (electric heating and cooling) and HWC (gas heating/electric cooling) models, units offer a two-stage high-efﬁciency compressor, multi-speed blower motor for diverse airﬂow range, and an accessible control box with diagnostic LED and conventional 24V thermostat. The HWC offers AFUE ratings of up to 95 per cent.

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Electronic controller The AK-RC 251 Optyma control from Danfoss is designed to improve room efﬁciency and reduce installation time. The electronic controller eliminates the need for mechanical thermostats in cooling applications, along with defrost timers in freezer applications. It can control compressors, solenoids, fans, lights, crankcase heaters and up to two defrosts.

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Digital service infrastructure The he Bitzer Digital Network (BDN) offers cloud-based remote access es relating relat to digital services to Bitzer compressors for refrigeration and h air conditioning technology, including online monitoring, compressor operating reports, and troubleshooting.

bitzer.de

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Cooling Products P Rooftop ftop unit Johnson n Controls’ York Sun Premier brand includes ncludes 25- to 80-ton commercial rooftop units. A numeric keypad can be upgraded to a graphical user interface for accessing system status, performance metrics and schedule parameters. Units are offered in standard efﬁciency (up to 10.9 EER/15.8 IEER), and high efﬁciency (up to 11.4 EER/16.9 IEER).

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Single-phase VRF system The single-phase J-IV and J-IVs Airstage VRF heat pump systems from Fujitsu General America are designed for residential and light commercial markets. They serve heating and cooling applications between three- and ﬁve-ton capacities, and offer heating capacity to outdoor ambient temperature of -15°F. The J-IVs offers cooling efﬁciency up to 19.7 SEER, while the J-IV offers up to 19.8 SEER.

Variable speed refrigeration compressor

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The Copeland variable speed reciprocating hermetic compressor from Emerson is designed for commercial refrigeration applications. Compressors are available in 1/8 to 7/8 hp ranges, and feature a brushless permanent magnetic motor to deliver a wide availability of operating ranges for equipment of varying types and sizes, and utilize R-290 refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 3.

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Cooling fans Continental Fan’s AFY Yoke-Mount Cooling Fans deliver maximum performance in minimal space. The heavy-duty fans are available in 14- to 42-in. diameters and capacities of up to 34,000 cfm, and feature e an airfoil adjustable pitch h impeller. The AFY is also o available with spark-resistant construction and XP motors.

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Marketing

with DOUG MACMILLAN

Doug MacMillan is president of The Letter M Marketing in Guelph, ON. To reach him, email doug@letterm.ca.

Building a marketing plan for the post-COVID world

he light at the end of the tunnel glows brighter by the day. As Canada’s vaccination plan rolls out, colleagues I speak with are simply looking forward to moving away from masks, screening questions, contactless everything and getting back to normal.

Returning to the simple business gestures we’ve all missed will be huge, and at the same time marketers are being encouraged to not spend too much effort returning to business as it was. Rather than getting back to normal, going “forward to normal” might be more appropriate. When it comes to your sales and marketing strategy, significant changes are expected in the years ahead as a result of the pandemic experience. As manufacturers, contractors and others in the home services space map out their marketing plans for the year ahead, there are five important shifts that should at least be explored in planning discussions. Over the next five marketing columns, I’m looking forward to building out each of the following points over the rest of the year as we emerge from COVID and more towards whatever “next” looks like. I’d love to hear from readers about your insights and experience as these columns come together. Don’t hesitate to reach out.

1 The digital experience will explode If contractors were not already practising standard digital marketing practices like search engine marketing, social media and maintaining a solid website, the pandemic either ran them over or forced them forward. More is coming and it will move quickly. I have read that consumers vaulted ﬁve years

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forward digitally in the ﬁrst eight weeks of the pandemic. The User Experience (UX) grew more sophisticated in the process. A satisfying digital experience will be the new digital marketing and more consumers than ever before are now looking for a seamless, effective experience. Our rapid adoption of quality online interactions created expectations of smaller enterprises that larger companies are in a better position to execute: seamless, live 24-7 customer support, online scheduling and rescheduling, product ordering and delivery, and e-commerce, to name a few. Small businesses will need to mirror these capabilities and should expect this to continue to expand. Try micro-targeting audiences with unique messages, more precise responsive search and retargeting strategies to keep in front of interested prospects. Text marketing and social media engagement on new platforms such as TikTok are all picking up steam and will be keys to unlocking early engagement with highly prequaliﬁed customers in your market. If you’re not working with a digital expert either in-house or as a contractor, that should change pretty quickly. 0 6 . 2 1

ecosystems will build 2 Service trust pods I wrote in this column last year that trust became a more tangible currency during the pandemic. Companies leaned on their relationships with customers and took steps to build trust through transparency and a commitment to people over profits. The pandemic also brought a degree of cooperation that hasn’t been seen in decades. Companies came together and partnered with charities to help meet urgent community needs. Working together helped many small business owners navigate the unprecedented time and reduce expenses by sharing them with others. Small businesses especially are forming support groups and sharing advice − never mind leads and mutually-beneficial opportunities. Community over competition became a blueprint for resiliency and innovation. This trend will continue. As small businesses continue to see the value of working together to share the costs of certain resources and activities such as HR, operations systems and marketing, ecosystems will start to emerge where consumers can tap into a range of like services with confidence. This will be more than the standard online directory of prescreened contractors with good reviews to provide shoppers some initial assurance. It will be a complex intersection of business goals, services and community leadership.

3 Brands are going back to basics As I’ve worked with businesses and organizations on brand strategies over the past year and a half, I’ve been struck with how many are stepping right back to the fundamentals of brand creation: instead of starting with “what do we want?” they’re starting with “who are we, really?” Reviewing their vision and values is a ﬁrst step to capturing a distinctive, authentic brand positioning and story for the market. This is good news. Brands are aligning their actions and messages with the core values that deﬁne why they come to work each day. Connecting directly with customers, being reliable and accountable, showing gratitude and appreciation, supporting community, and prioritizing safety, health and wellbeing for employees and customers will remain primary tenets of effective brands. They form a strong foundation of trust on which to build other perfectly viable brand attributes such as state-of-the-art, luxurious, trendy, innovative, high-quality and so on. Without the foundation, these claims will have less merit.

and 4 Messaging communications are changing That part earlier about trust? It’s driving change in corporate communications, of course. Letters, emails and online content have become more personal. Increasingly, instead of a faceless corporate tone, communications are coming in the ﬁrst-person voice of the company’s owner or senior executive. They are working hard to connect directly with customers. Messaging will continue in this vein, with overt “act now” style sales language balanced with a stronger focus on checking in with customers, demonstrating gratitude and providing a pledge to give back. Our narrative also needs to demonstrate a strong commitment to listening by engaging more with customers via social media and review platforms, and just picking up the phone. The tools are changing, too. I noted earlier that text is more commonTh place now as a business communication tool. As well, video consumppla tion was up 120 per cent through COVID and many businesses turned tio to low-quality homemade videos as useful, genuine messaging: slick professional videos are good for the landing page of your website, but for day-to-day missives, casual wins the day.

Internet of Things for homes 5 The will accelerate Our relationship with our homes has permanently changed. They became ofﬁces, schools, bakeries and entertainment venues, never mind our safe haven. Internet of Things (IoT) has been around for more than a decade, with Google Nest perhaps the most popular example. In fact, smart HVAC systems are among the most prevalent smart home growth areas and this will continue. Research suggests homeowners want to broaden past HVAC systems and are looking for integration of various solutions in the same central module. This applies to energy management, home security, air quality and health, never mind the gadget-y trends such as smart light bulbs and garage door openers. Businesses in the home service space that are adopting and promoting smart home products, including set-up and services, will be well entrenched to retain those customers and grow their base. This is all the more reason to pursue a commitment to partnership and collaboration with other businesses. If you’re all offering one seamless, interrelated smart home experience, that will lock in the customer for years.

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COMMERCIAL SERVICE VEHICLES

B y Ho war d J. Elmer

ELECTRIC

Howard J Elmer is with Truck King Media Group. www.truckking.ca Watch for his truck report in the July/August 2021 issue of Mechanical Business.

MAKING IN ROADS IN VAN VA OFFERINGS lectric vans are now a reality with the introduction of the GM Brightdrop company, which is building vans in Ingersoll, ON. The first orders have already been placed by FedEx and Merchants Fleet. This van, called the EV600, is built on GM’s Ultium battery system featuring Level 2 and DC fast-charging capabilities. This van-body delivery vehicle combines zero-emissions driving with a range of advanced safety and convenience features common in consumer electric vehicles. The EV600 has an estimated range of up to 400 kilometers on a full charge. Vans have over 600 cubic feet of cargo area and are available at a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds.

While we welcome a new builder to the commercial van market, we also have to note the demise of another player this year − Nissan’s NV vans. The departure of Nissan from the commercial market shrinks the pool. Less choice is never good for buyers; however, this is the current situation.

2021 FORD TRANSIT For 2021 the Transit gains some updates yet loses the diesel engine option. Ford dropped the 3.2L diesel very quietly last year and has not replaced it. Only two engine options are available this year and both are gas. Talk of an all-electric Transit, which was supposed to be out by this time, has gone quiet. Instead, Transit is making its van increasingly available to recreational vehicle builders. The burgeoning home delivery segment is fueling sales.

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Wheelbases:

129.9 in., 147.6 in.

Engine Size:

3.5L PFDI gas, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 310/400

Power (hp/torque):

N/A

Max. Payload:

4,460 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

5,500 lb.

Van Interior Capacity:

487.3 cu.ft. (max.)

Door Openings:

74.3 in. Rear Height: max 81.5.20

Cargo Space Dimensions:

Height: 81.5 in. max.

Width: 69.8 in. Length: 171.5 in. Dimensions:

Length: 263.9 in. max. Width: 82 in.

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2021 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT

Wheelbases:

104.8 in., 120.6 in.

Engine Size:

2.5L I-4 (fleet only), 2L I-4

Power (hp/torque): 169/171, 162/144 2021 is a carry-over year for Transit Connect. One Max. Payload: 1,610 lb. change is the 2.5L with Max. Towing Capacity: 2,000 lb. six-speed transmission Van Interior Capacity: 145 cu.ft. and CNG/LPG engine prep Rear Door Openings: 52.1 in. package is now optional. Connect offers driver Cargo Space Dimensions: Height: 59.1 in. assistance features such Width: 48.1 in. Length: 72.6 in. as: side wind stabilization; Dimensions: Max Length: 189.7 in. Width: 72.2 in. rear-view camera; blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert; lane keeping system and adaptive cruise control. The new standard is the 2L I-4 with an eight-speed transmission.

KEEP AN EYE ON THIS PURPOSE-BUILT VAN Wheelbases:

2021 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 1500 TO 3500

144 in., 170 in.

Engine Size: 3L V6 turbodiesel, 2.1L I-4 turbodiesel Power (hp/torque):

188/325, 161/265

2021 is also a carry-over year for Max. Payload: 5,375 lb Sprinter. The 2019 Sprinter was Max. Towing Capacity: 7,500 lb. the last update when it introduced Van Interior Capacity: 547 cu.ft. safety features such as a selfDoor Openings: (Std.) Side Sliding Door: 59.8 in. cleaning rear-view camera, a 360-degree parking view and a Rear Height: 60.6 in. new rain sensor for the wipers. (Hi-roof) Side Sliding Door: 71.7 in. Mercedes has said it is working on Rear Height 72.4 in. internet connectivity for Canada. Cargo Space Dimensions: Height: 65 in. (Std. roof), A system, called Mercedes PRO, reports location, fuel levels and 77.8 in. (Hi-roof) maintenance intervals, as well as Width: 53.1 (between wheel arches) Length:137.4 in. improving navigation and analysis Dimensions: Length: 289 in. Width: 79.3 in. driving style − all remotely and in real time. While this is now available in the U.S. and Europe, it’s not clear when it’s coming to Canada.

The EV Star Cargo from GreenPower is a purpose-built, multi-utility, zero-emissions vehicle with up to 240 km range and payload capacity of up to 2948.35 kg. Two roof heights (6.71 m or 7.62 m) are available. In addition to CCS-1 DC fast-charging capability, GreenPower also offers the option of wireless charging. The company designs, builds and distributes a full suite of high-floor and low-floor allelectric medium and heavy-duty vehicles. GreenPower, which employs a clean-sheet design to manufacture the all-electric vehicles, was founded in Vancouver, BC with primary operational facilities in southern California. The City of Vancouver took delivery of the first EV Cargo Plus in December 2020.

2021 MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS 2021 is once again a carry-over year for the mid-size Metris. Little has changed since its 2015 debut. This van is available in passenger and cargo configurations with various seating options and two wheelbases. A rearview camera is standard equipment.

Wheelbases:

126 in., 135 in.

Engine Size:

2 L I-4 turbo-gas

Power (hp/torque):

208/258

Max. Payload:

2,502 lb. or 2,447 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

5,000 lb.

Van Interior Capacity:

183 cu.ft. or 199.2 cu.ft.

Door Openings:

Side Height: 49 in. Rear Height: 48.2 in.

Cargo Space Dimensions:

Height: 53.8 in.

Length: 111.5 in. or 120.5 in. Dimensions:

Length: 202.4 in. or 211.4 in Width: 74.4 in. M e c h a n i c a l

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COMMERCIAL SERVICE VEHICLES 2021 RAM M PROMASTER CITY The City offers rs several best-in-class features, though ugh for ’21 most everything is carry-over with a few exceptions. Fog ow available on ProMaster lamps are now man and Wagon City Tradesman o, models. Also, aluminum wheels can now be ordered on ProMaster City Tradesman models.

Wheelbases:

122.4 in.

Engine Size:

2.4L I-4 MultiAir2

Power (hp/torque):

178/174

Max. Payload:

1,890 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

2,000 lb. (w/tow package)

Van Interior Capacity:

131.7 cu.ft. (max.)

Door Openings: 26 in. (side)

Rear Height: 49 in.

Cargo Space Dimensions:

Height: 51.8 in.

Width: 60.4 in. Length: 87.2 in. Dimensions:

Length: 187.5 in. Width: 72.1 in.

Wheelbases:

118 in., 136 in., 159 in.

Engine Size:

3.6L Pentastar V6 (base)

Power (hp/torque):

280/260

Max. Payload:

4,680 lb. in.

Max. Towing Capacity:

6,800 lb.

Van Interior Capacity:

530 cu.ft. (max.)

Cargo Space Height: Dimensions:

51 in. Length: 195 in. to 250 in. Width: 82.7 in.

2021 RAM PROMASTER 1500 TO 3500 For 2021 Ram has dropped the diesel from the ProMaster lineup. The 3.6L V6 is the only powertrain available. However, it has added safety items to its expanded ProMaster model offerings. These include a crosswind assist feature that is now standard equipment, and blind-spot monitoring with

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rear and forward collision warning. This feature also has an emergency brake assist function. There are new ambient and courtesy lights and a class-exclusive digital rearview mirror that is 9.2-inches wide. ProMaster is available as a cargo van, window van, chassis cab and cutaway model. It is a frontwheel-drive platform.

2020 NISSAN NV1500 TO NV3500 AND NV200 Once again, the van business remains steady for GM. They have made some engine substitutions (as shown), but little else. As the last of the traditional North American vans, it appears its customers are content with what they have.

Wheelbases:

According to Nissan, it will end production of its NV Cargo, Passenger and NV200 vans in the summer of 2021 and concentrate on a new Nissan Business Advantage program for commercial vehicle customers. The move is part of Nissan’s revamping of its commercial vehicle business strategy. Sadly, for Canada this also means the end of the Titan pickup truck. The future of the Titan is even questionable in the U.S.

135 in., 155 in.

Engine Size:

4.3L V6, 6.6L V8, 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel

Power (hp/torque):

276/298, 401/464, 181/369

Max. Payload:

The Nissan NV was introduced in 2011 and was meant to compete with Ford’s E-series vans. However, with GMs offerings and a push by MercedesBenz into the van market the NV never really gained traction. In 2013 they added the small NV200 commercial van. It had some success, even being bought and rebadged by GM as the City Express.

4,503 lb.

Max. Towing Capacity:

10,000 lb.

Van Interior Capacity:

284.4 cu.ft.

Door Openings:

20.8 in.

Cargo Space Dimensions:

Height: 53.4 in.

Width: 52.7 in. Length: 155 in.

2020 CHEVROLET CITY EXPRESS

Dimensions: Length: 224 in. to 244 in. Width: 79.2 in.

The City Express is no more because it was based on the Nissan NV200 and Nissan no longer builds the NV200 meaning there is one less model on offer.

From acquisition to delivery, we get you on the road. With 10 locations across Canada, our dedicated team of fleet management professionals can help you find the right trucks and vans for your business needs, wherever and whenever you need them. Take advantage of our full suite of vehicle management tools and services to help lower your overall vehicle expenses while maintaining a safe and efficient fleet.

www.jimpattisonlease.com

victoria

vancouver

kelowna

calgary

edmonton

winnipeg

toronto

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montreal

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QUATTRO’S CORNER By A ndre w Qu a t t r o c i o c c h i

A picture is worth … T ime to change it up! Its quiz time for this edition of Quattro’s Corner. Do you have what it takes to spot the mistake? I think you do. If you don’t, you’re bound to learn something through the following exercises and questions. Hopefully you make a habit of reading Quattro’s Corner. If you do, this should be a breeze. I have provided what I think is the easiest way to correct the deficiency but as the old saying goes, you could give the same job to five different plumbers and it would be completed five different ways.

Examples accompanied by photos help familiarize code requirements, particularly when training building officials and plumbers. These are real life examples of what to look for when conducting plumbing inspections or installing plumbing systems and show some of the most common deficiencies I find in the field when inspecting plumbing.

This is the trap arm of a water closet. It is being wet vented by a sink that has a two-inch fixture drain. Is this acceptable?

Answer: No, as per 7.5.6.3.(2) A vent pipe that protects the trap arm of a water closet shall not have a cumulative change of direction of more than 225 degrees (90+90+90=270°).

The fix: The simple fix would be to turn the second 90-degree elbow on a 45-degree angle and remove the most downstream 90 and install a 45-degree elbow. This would bring the installation into code compliance and within the required 225-degree requirement. The vent pipe could also be moved within the first and second 90, however it looks as if the plumber does not have sufficient room to accommodate this.

This is a photograph of a 2 x 2 x 1 ½ x 1 ½ double sanitary TY. It is installed for a double vanity in a master bathroom. Does it comply with Part 7?

Answer: No, as per Table 7.2.4.5. This ﬁtting can be used for venting only. It would be deemed acceptable if the vertical portion is three inches or larger.

The fix: A simple double T fitting can easily be installed. When looking at Table 7.2.4.5., fitting number 8 would be an acceptable installation. The fitting could also be changed to a 3 x1 ½ x1 ½ double TY but that is not as practical and cost efficient for the plumber.

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This is a photograph of a 1 ½ drain and vent pipe for an island kitchen sink. What is the maximum trap arm length the drain can be from its protecting vent? Do you notice anything else?

Answer: As per Table 7.5.6.3. the maximum trap arm length cannot exceed 1.8 m. Also, as per 7.5.6.2.(2) except for wet vents, when a vent pipe is connected to a nominally horizontal soil or waste pipe the connection shall be above the horizontal centreline of the soil or waste pipe.

The fix: This is one of the easiest deficiencies to correct. Fitting manufacturers put notches on all of their fittings. These notches indicate 45 degrees. Plumbers and inspectors should use these notches to their advantage. The simple install would be to use a TY fitting with a fitting 45 (hub by spigot) inserted into the middle portion of the TY. This will guarantee you get above that horizontal centreline and pass inspection every time.

This is a four-inch floor drain vented by a three-inch stack. I’ve even provided a measuring tape to help out. Is there anything wrong with this?

Answer: As per 7.5.1.1.(3), a trap that serves a floor drain or hub drain need not be protected by a vent pipe separately where, the size of the trap is not less than three inches.5, the fall on the fixture drain does not exceed its size 5, the trap is connected to a horizontal drainage pipe that terminates at its upstream end in a three-inch stack 5, the length of the fixture drain is not less than 450 mm 5. Close but no cigar: this pipe must be a minimum of 450 mm.

This is a photograph of a three-compartment kitchen sink in a commercial kitchen. Can you spot the deficiencies?

Answer: First, the sanitary TY on the two compartments is not permitted as it is not being used to connect a vent pipe in accordance with table 7.2.4.5. Second, the trap for this sink should be a minimum of two inches. As per 7.4.9.3.(2) the part of a fixture outlet pipe that is common to three compartments of a sink shall be one size larger than the largest fixture outlet pipe of the connection that it serves. Also, the vent pipe connection is not installed above the flood level rim of the fixture it serves as per the requirements of 7.5.6.4. Except for a wet vent, every vent pipe shall extend the flood level rim of every fixture it serves before being connected to another vent pipe.

The fix: This is a bit more complicated as the grease interceptor is installed in a location that isn’t ideal. The grease interceptor should be moved to another location to provide sufficient space under the sink. It allows for an easy install if this is done. The use of a Y fitting on the second compartment would fix the TY problem. The most downstream TY can easily be changed to a 2 x 1 ½ x 1 ½ TY and a two-inch trap installed. In my opinion, the inspector failed on this one. The undersized pipe should have been caught at the rough-in stage. Not at final. The same goes for the vent pipe connection − this should have been caught at rough-in.

The fix: Extending the trap arm of the floor drain to 18 in. would solve this code violation. Either installing the Y fitting further downstream to accommodate this or possibly install an offset with 45-degree elbow right up until you hit 450 mm. P-traps can swivel. Use this to your advantage to stretch that trap to gain a few more inches. Take a peek at the Photographic Code and Guide available through Orderline. It’s a useful tool to keep in your truck just in case you’re looking for a reference or need a visual to help you make the right call onsite.

Andrew Quattrociocchi, C.B.C.O., is the deputy chief building ofﬁcial for the Township of Oro-Medonte, and a director with the Ontario Plumbing Inspectors Association. Readers with questions or a funny photo they would like considered for an upcoming edition of Quattro’s Corner can email Andrew at quattroscorner@hotmail.com.

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Online training tool

PLUMBING

Products

Outdoor faucet The Woodford Model 19 freeze prevention and anti-rupture outdoor faucet prevents bursting even if a hose is attached. It includes a patented pressure relief valve that prevents pressure build-up and burst tubes.

www. woodfordmfg.com

Flood prevention Flood-Guard from General Pipe Cleaners works like a check valve to seal off water back-up caused by overloaded sewers, preventing messy floors and basement flooding. Easy and quick to install, Flood-Guard works with 2-, 3-, and 4-in. floor drains, and is also available in a stand pipe model for handling extreme, extended pressure. All of Flood-Guard gaskets are made of moulded rubber, and all metal parts are plated or stainless steel. drainbrain.com

The V.A.R.I. Challenge from Goulds Water Technology is an online interactive tool that teaches users to properly and safely use a digital multimeter to troubleshoot pump systems. Set up in a gamiﬁed format, users can use a digital multimeter to test voltage, amperage, resistance and insulation (VARI) of the Aquavar OLO 2 variable frequ frequency drive SOLO (VFD) FD) performance through various variou levels vels in a timed challenge.

goulds.com ld

ACO DRAIN

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$&2 6\VWHPV /WG (877) 226- , LQIR#DFRFDQ FD , ZZZ DFRFDQ FD

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PLUMBING

Products

Upflush grinder system The Sanibest Pro from SFA Saniflo is a one-horsepower upflush grinder system that operates at 3,600 RPM to quickly disperse waste through the base plate’s holes before being pumped into the 3/4-in. discharge line. It includes a removable service panel to enable direct access to the main pump components.

www. saniﬂo.ca

Thermal balancing b l valve l

Transition ﬁttings

The ThermoSetter field adjustable thermal balancing valve from Caleffi is designed for return branches of domestic hot water systems. The self-modulating valves balance the recirculation circuits to prevent uneven temperature distribution, and are field adjustable from 95°F through 140°F.

The Press x FIP Pro-Pal T-Valve transition tee from Webstone is designed for isolating a line or device for service. It features a full port ball valve with an integrated tee ﬁtting. Sizes range from 1/2-in. to 1 in. including reducing branch options. All products are made from lead-free DZR brass and are compatible with popular press tools.

www. calefﬁ.com

www. webstonevalves.com

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PLUMBING

Products

Floor-standing toilet Duravit's DuraStyle Basic floor-standing toilet is designed for the hospitality, luxury for-rent, multifamily, remodeling and designbuild markets. The ADA-compliant DuraStyle models include one- and two-piece toilets, and feature integrated rimless flushing technology and a choice of single-flush levers or dualflush capabilities.

www. duravit.com

Hybrid water heating system m

Leak alarms Archetype’s Flood Buzz line of water leak alarms, available from Stringer Sales, are a low-cost, easy-to-use line of alarms that warn of potential leak hazards. Simple to install and use, the units sound an alert of up to 110 dB when they detect a water leak. The line comes in several models, including the all-purpose Flood Buzz Pro, and the Flood Buzz Blue designed to monitor leaks in water heaters.

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The Demand Duo R-Series commercial hybrid water heating system from Rinnai connects easily to existing 6-in. B-vents, ce stanallowing contractors to quickly and easily replace dard-efﬁciency atmospheric tanks. They are available ailable in 80 or 119-gallon tank options, and include a pre-installed nstalled drip leg and 3-in. swivel-ﬂex gas line, and a digital controller. ontroller.

www. rinnai.ca

Balancing valve CircuitSolver from ThermOmegaTech is a thermostatic, self-actuating balancing valve that automatically and continuously adjusts the flow in domestic hot water recirculation systems to maintain a specified temperature at the end of each branch. The self-modulating valve adjusts flow in response to heat loss and fluctuations in demand, and is lead-free, corrosion resistant, and NSF61 certified for use in potable water systems.

DROP SOME

WEIGHT CARRY LIGHT ™ TRIPOD VISE

15lbs. LIGHTER THAN TRADITIONAL TRIPODS

• Lightweight aluminum legs for weight-critical ﬁeld use and overlapping tray hinges for strength. • Reversible jaws give extra life and value.

Balanced padded handle

R450PAL #04456

www. thermomegatech.com

Weighs 27.4 lbs.

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

Tub box

Tool-safe raised sides Capacity 1/8" – 6" nom. Plastic Pipe (10-178 mm) 1/8" – 2" nom. Steel Conduit (10-51 mm)

Reed Manufacturing Company • Erie, PA USA 800-666-3691 • www.reedmfgco.com

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HoldRite HydroFlame Pro Series tub boxes feature two new knock-out positions for tub drain and overflows, providing more flexibility when laying out a tub and drain. It is compatible with both 2-in. and 3-in. sleeves. The UL-listed firestop devices for bathtub drains provide watertight slab penetration and accept 1 1/2-in. PVC, ABS, cast iron and brass drain pipes.

www. holdrite.com

COVER STORY

By Kerry Turner

The business of IAQ Gord’s entrepreneurial nature and IAQ expertise have been the driving force behind three successful ventures: Founder: Air Solutions, est. 1986 President: Building Knowledge Canada Partner: Construction Instruction Inc.

Gord Cooke:

FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS AND RESPECT

Photo credit: Sylvia Pond Photography

As a young man with a degree in industrial engineering Gord Cooke landed at the Saskatchewan Research Council where he met a man who would change his life. Rick Olmstead, a small manufacturer of heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) branded vanEE, was setting up manufacturing through a government contract. “I started working for him designing and building heat recovery ventilation systems in the early days when you had ﬁve or six farm hands, who when they weren’t out harvesting, were building HRVs. Rick used to bug me, that I didn’t even know how to spell ventilation.” Gord worked at the factory for three or four years before returning to Ontario. “Bill Maddock, my mentor and an early rep in Ontario for vanEE, was ready to retire. I set up the rep agency to sell vanEE in Ontario. That was the start of the whole venture,” recounts Gord. “My dad was a sales agent in the chemical business and I liked the idea of an agency as opposed to being an employee.

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“For years Bill did amazing designs for me; he had huge wisdom and experience in all things mechanical. Having your own business is kind of lonely and I could call him at any point and we could chat about the business.” An interesting beginning to a career that would see Gord participate in standards committees and be on the leading edge of efﬁciency advancements. “We were growing an industry. Because Rick wasn’t in the province, I became his surrogate to visit CSA, the federal government and regulatory bodies. There was no standard for HRVs. As an agent I could sit on boards and not be directly associated with a manufacturer. That gave me opportunities to ﬁnd other products.” Gord quickly realized that in order to move the HRV line he would need to reach out to builders. His father offered him advice that would lead to his being one of the foremost IAQ and building science speakers in the country.

“That is the magic of my dad, he said ‘If the home building business is anything like the chemical business, they have chicken dinner meetings and they are always looking for after dinner speakers. You need a 35- to 40-minute presentation, about 15 slides, and you need to be respectful of the industry, don’t make it a sales pitch. Talk about trends or the industry in general, something a builder would find of interest.’ “I spoke at every homebuilder meeting, there were close to 47 locals in Ontario, every RSES and HRAI meeting. To get started I sent out letters to homebuilder groups and the first to respond was in Sault Ste Marie. My dad said at least you will get a dinner. It was liver and onions on good dinn the menu. me “You end up sitting at the head table. I knew it was a winning tab combination because the head co of the association stood up and o even though he had just met e me, he said ‘We are pleased to m have Gord Cooke here tonight h − he is an expert on ventilation and air quality.’ I went from an being a nobody to an expert in two bein minutes because I’d driven the seven minute hours. “As a young guy I had to learn to be respectful of the relationships within the industry. You can’t get in the way of the relationship. Many times, showing that respect would mean I would lose a sale, but you have to try to be a good industry player.” Another guiding principle Gord sticks to on the advice dvice of his father is, “Only do work with people you enjoy njoy doing work with.” Over the years his experience is that builders and contractors strive for the best. “There re can’t be anything more noble than building new houses, when you turn over the key if you get to step back and go wow, that building is going to be there for 100, 200 years and five or six families are going to grow up in there − that’s got to be amazingly satisfying.” In the current environment, families are reassessing how they view their homes, which have become work, play and living spaces. Gord notes that interest in IAQ is much like it was in the he 1990s when mould in houses was a going concern. n. “Here we are now in the pandemic and attention has once again turned to IAQ. Unfortunately, it takes a long time for this industry to learn. That said there is a growing realization, an amazing synergy, that the same things you do for efficiency also improve the health, safety, durability, comfort and affordability of houses. “The leading manufacturers are all getting together. The pandemic has heightened the awareness. My concern is we all look for one magic bullet. This is about understanding the house as a system. It is not about one simple thing you put in your house and the industry is realizing that. I think it is going to have legs,” notes Gord.

On Ice A self-professed “terrible hockey player,” Gord nevertheless has two claims to fame on the ice. “I have been refereeing minor hockey for 40 years, I used to coach.” It was refereeing at the University of Toronto in the ’80s that led him to a cameo in a 7UP commercial, which featured Wayne Gretzky and Michel “Bunny” Larocque. Gord was refereeing and was asked by the producers to show up in case they needed a referee. Instead, he got to be a player. Gord still has that jersey.

Check out number 9 – faster than fast! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlyFpQdH6xc

The Cottage Project When he was a child Gord often went to Southam Southampton on the shores of Lake H Huron in Bruce County, ON fo for summer holidays. The family recently completed fam construction of a Net Zero co family cottage. To ensure fa it offered the resiliency Gord was looking for, Gord G and the builder identiﬁed an leading-edge products to be lea incorporated into the design. inc In the end more than 20 products made the cut. “I want produc to make h houses that will truly last a lifetime,” says Gord. In the case of the cottage, he wanted to ensure that “it will be the Cooke family cottage cottage for generations.” The project was not without its challenges, although those weren’t unexpected since Gord had experienced some resistance over the years to new technologies over the years. “What you have to go through in our industry, we want to see progression but at the same time we are highly skeptical whereas … you get a new phone every six months, you never question it.” M e c h a n i c a l

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HVAC/R Products P Thermal imager The Fluke TiS75+ Thermal Imager is a thermal camera that can be used for preventative maintenance, thermal scanning and thermal inspections. With a +384 x 288 resolution, the TiS75+ features builtin personal assistants so that information can be embedded in saved images through voice annotation, IR-PhotoNotes, and asset tagging.

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Air Excellent air-tight connector or kits from Centrotherm are part of a fully engineered air management and distribution system designed to accurately supply fresh air and exhaust stale air from every room in the house. Snapping connectors together quickly reduces time on the job site, while assuring an airtight connection at the distribution box and the helix terminations.

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The Sensedge Mini from Kaiterra provides real-time air quality readings, including particulate matter (PM 2.5), TVOC, CO2, temperature and humidity. Certiﬁed by Reset Air as a Grade B monitor, it is built for ofﬁces, schools, hotels and others looking to optimize indoor air quality.

The MT543 digital controller from Full Gauge has four configurable outputs: cooling, heating, minimum ventilation, and alarm and timer. Features include an internal audible alarm and configurable digital filters. It accepts multiple sensors and allows up to five different setpoint configurations, including how much time each setpoint will remain active.

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Tool & testing instrumen instruments The he wireless Job Link System from Fieldpiece Instruments can be used with Fie Fieldpiece g instru tools and testing instruments from up to 1,000 ft. away, allowing HVAC/R professionals to receive multiple measurements from different locations at the same time. The wireless system lets users measure, test and report their findings, and make live system adjustments. The Live Look-In option also allows co-workers at the base office to view the measurements, allowing them to help diagnose problems and reduce call-backs. M e c h a n i c a l fieldpiece.com

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Design and detailing platform

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The SysQue version 8.1 from Trimble features improved duct, electrical and pipe prefabrication workﬂows for MEP contractors. It includes increased model predictability with duct ﬂow direction alignment and the addition of two-point saddles to the electrical offset suite, as welll as additional options for modif modifying cut duct lengths and adding gasket gaskets to ve assemblies valve assemblies.

The HLR 100M smaller footprint HVAC load reduction (HLR) module from enVerid Systems removes ASHRAEdeﬁned contaminants of concern from indoor air without any regeneration, exhaust, or makeup air requirements. It is suited for both new construction and for building HVAC retroﬁts.

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MetalHead from Green Link Engineering, available through District Sales, is a support system for pipes and other rooftop equipment. It features 100-mil aluminum sidewalls, with a base that can withstand a 10,000 lb. vertical compression over a 47-sq.-in. footprint. The anodized surface is resistant to oxidations, salt spray and mild acids.

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HVAC/R Products P Cam latch accessories Southco product extensions to its E5 cam latch series include an extended housing E5 ﬁxed grip cam latch to accommodate panels and door thicknesses up to 52 mm; a rollerstyle cam to secure cam engagement, and up to two mm. of light-duty compression; and a ﬂush cup accessory to meet NEMA4 and IP65 requirements for water and dust protection.

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Ozone-free air puriﬁer Continental Fan’s CX-Pro whole house, ozone-free air puriﬁer uses a photocatalytic oxidation process to neutralize odours and toxic VOCs into benign constituents, and an activated carbon absorption media to trap odours and toxic chemicals. It can neutralize 93.6 per cent of airborne germs and 80 per cent of odours and VOCs in less than two hours.

Gas leak detector The Sewerin Snooper mini gas leak detector from Cameron Instruments is designed for checking accessible methane, propane or hydrogen gas lines for external leak tightness. The device is available in two versions: the Snooper mini with 22-cm ﬂexible swan neck, and the Snooper mini H with hand sensor, spinal cord, handle and ﬂexible swan neck.

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with Roger Grochmal

What to do with the business – Part I A

Roger Grochmal recently retired from his position of CEO of AtlasCare in Oakville, ON. Email Mechanical Business Magazine’s editor, Kerry Turner, kerry.turner@mechanicalbusiness with questions about your company, business practices, or the industry in general.

The perils of maintaining a legacy In his book Every Family’s Business Tom Deans argues wealth and not businesses should be passed down to future generations. More wealth has been destroyed passing businesses on to heirs who do not have the skills or interest to operate the business but feel obligated to maintain a legacy. In Deans’ case, family wealth was passed down through four generations. In each case family members started up businesses of interest to them that were completely different from the previous generation.

M e c h a n i c a l

fter owning my own HVAC and plumbing business for 35 years, I made the decision to sell it and move on with the last quarter of my life. It wasn’t a particularly difficult decision or a spontaneous one, as I had been planning to transition out for more than 10 years. Some say I am lucky. I define luck as preparation meeting opportunity, and was well prepared when the opportunity presented itself. Every business eventually sells, and you can choose who to sell to. Buyers can include family or employees, strategic buyers such as competitors, and financial buyers such as private equity funds. However, if you don’t make a decision the government will make it for you – when you die the Canada Revenue Agency deems your business to be sold and taxes the gain to your estate at maximum tax rates. A coffin is definitely not a good exit strategy. Your family will pay a heavy price, financially as well as personally. There has never been a better time to sell a business, and there is a confluence of buyers and sellers right now. Baby boomers are looking to sell and enjoy the balance of their lives. Private equity funds in particular are swollen with cash looking for businesses to roll up and consolidate. Over the next two issues of Mechanical Business, I will take you through my experience with the sale process, from beginning to end.

UPPING THE VALUE My journey began 10 years ago after I turned 60. I had one son in the business and one out of the business. The question in my mind was, “How do I create a structure that is fair to each of my sons, both from a business transition and an estate point of view?” We brought in a professional family advisor and over a series of meetings developed a plan to transition the business to my son working in the business. The next step was to take a good business and make it great. Even if you don’t plan to sell to a third party, a valuable business is a great legacy to leave to your family. I had built the business around my skill set as an engineer, and while that worked for me it was not going to be sustainable for others going forward. B u s i n e s s

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It is important to understand what would make a business in the HVAC space really valuable. The value mantra of business today is recurring revenue. The most valuable businesses today are the ones with recurring monthly revenues from well-served customers rather than onetime revenues from projects. AtlasCare had a large base of service memberships that produced not only a steady stream of monthly revenue, but also sales opportunities when techs were in a home regularly. HVAC is one of the few businesses with regular in-home, face-to-face contact with customers.

EXPANDING THE PORTFOLIO Once we had a consistent business model we were ready to add plumbing and drains to our service portfolio. There is a natural fit, and it was very well received by our customers. Then 2020 arrived, and the pandemic took us into uncharted territory. Rather than panic, we immediately cut all excess cost out of our business, and once we were deemed to be an essential service decided to come out aggressively in our approach to safety and customer communication. As a result, after an initial precipitous dip we enjoyed the best year in our history. It was hard work for everyone in the company, but the end result was very gratifying.

BUILDING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE We strengthened our culture and focused it around delivering a superior customer experience. That was captured clearly in our position statement: “Always there when you need us.” We took a page out of the Zappos playbook and produced a culture book to share with staff, stakeholders and our customers. We knew that while our customers could get HVAC products and services from a multitude of sources, they could only get our people and culture from us.

We now had a business that was valuable in our eyes and to those of third-party purchasers. In Part II, I will take you through the purchase and sale process, and how we arrived at the decision to sell rather than transition within the family.

“Always there when you need us.” - position statement

To achieve consistency in our service delivery we needed to strengthen our business operating model and decided to join Nexstar. The opportunities for networking and training, while being supported by a group of experienced business coaches, took us to the next level. The last step in building out our customer experience was to implement a digital strategy that would give customers the experience they were getting from other digital platforms. We converted our enterprise resource planning system to one that was not as robust from an accounting perspective as our previous system, but which more than made up for it with an amazing customer interface. As one contractor I visited in Florida said, “Show me an accounting package that made you money.” M e c h a n i c a l

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REFRIGERATION

MONITORING THE LUBRICATION OF RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS

eciprocating compressors utilize moving parts, which need to be protected by a dynamic oil ﬁlm. Since the oil in the compressor is continuously exposed to refrigerant, it follows that the oil will also contain a certain amount of refrigerant. The amount of refrigerant contained within the oil depends on the type of refrigerant and oil used, the oil temperature and the refrigerant pressure. The lower the oil temperature and/or the higher the refrigerant pressure, the higher the amount of refrigerant solution in the oil. A Daniel plot is typically used to indicate the percentage of refrigerant in the oil, for a given pressure and temperature. Oil heaters are recommended for most refrigerating compressors, regardless of whether the compressor is installed in an indoor or outdoor unit. Of course, the viscosity of the oil must be high enough to support long-term, reliable operation. This is true for all modes of operation, including refrigeration and defrost. The only time it is possible to omit a crankcase heater is when the crankcase will not be exposed to temperatures below the minimum as stated in the compressor manufacturer’s operating instructions, and when the refrigerant charge does not exceed 1 1/2 to two times the oil charge. In systems that use a pump-down approach, the oil heater could be omitted if the crankcase temperature can’t drop

below 10°C or 50°F. Omitting the crankcase heater is risky and it is good practice to install one in all cases. As the piston moves towards the valve plate the oil ﬁlm between the piston and wrist pin, along with the oil ﬁlm between each crankshaft journal and connecting rod, are exposed to very high forces. It is extremely important this layer of oil is not squeezed out prior to the piston reaching the end of its compression stroke. Refrigerant always reduces the viscosity of oil. The refrigerant type, oil type and refrigerant pressure determine the viscosity of the oil. For example, in Figure1 we can see BSE32 oil at 50°C (122°F) will contain 30 per cent refrigerant R407C when the pressure of the refrigerant is 15 bar or 218 psia.

Figure 1 Refrigerant content

The return gas superheat, and ultimately the discharge temperature, have a large inﬂuence on the oil viscosity in the crankcase. Therefore, compressor operating instructions include minimum discharge temperatures that must be present during all modes of operation. There are two main lubrication methods used in reciprocating compressors. These methods are: positivedisplacement (using an oil pump) or dynamic, using a rotating oil disk (centrifugal lubrication). Some smaller

Phil Boudreau

M e c h a n i c a l

Phil is the Ontario sales manager for Bitzer Canada Inc. and provides training and technical support for Bitzer’s clientele. He can be contacted at: pboudreau@bitzer.ca.

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REFRIGERATION Figure 2 Miscibility cont’d from pg. 52

changes, including oil ﬁll cycle timing, low oil level and dirty oil.

compressors on the market utilize another method known as splash lubrication, where the oil is simply thrown around the crankcase to keep moving parts wetted with oil.

Note that the oil level regulator only maintains an oil level in the crankcase. It does not provide as much protection as the optical and differential pressure switches discussed here. Therefore, on parallel compressor systems it is recommended to use both an oil level monitoring switch at the oil cup or pressure switch, in addition to the crankcase oil level regulator in parallel compressor applications.

Oil pumps are generally required in larger reciprocating compressors since the oil has a longer distance to travel as it makes its way to the various bearing surfaces. For smaller reciprocating compressors, the dynamic disk may be used. In some cases, it is possible to choose the preferred method of lubrication for a given compressor size. There is also the possibility of adding an oil level regulator to the compressor. This is a requirement for compressors that will be installed on a common refrigerant circuit with a single oil management system. Note that these oil level regulators actively feed oil to the crankcase whenever needed. Modern oil level regulators also provide monitoring functions and can indicate

POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT LUBRICATION When an oil pump is used, a differential oil pressure monitoring switch is used. This differential oil pressure is referred to as the net oil pressure and represents the pump’s discharge pressure minus the crankcase pressure. Net oil pressure is typically 40 to 50 psid or so. The purpose of the control is to ensure the oil pump maintains a pressure difference that is high enough to support thorough lubrication of the compressor. During start-up, the oil pressure can be quite low. This can be due to low oil temperature and/or higher refrigerant content in the

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Oil pump model with differential pressure switch on the left and crankcase oil level regulator.

oil. For this reason, the oil failure switch has a built-in time delay. Note that this time delay tends to vary by compressor manufacturer. For a 90-second delay, the compressor will be permitted to operate for a 90-second period as it builds oil pressure. If the minimum oil pressure is not established within this time delay period, the control must take the compressor offline to protect it. In this situation, the oil pressure differential switch contacts are wired in series with the compressor safety circuit (low-pressure, high-pressure, protection module, and so on). Note that this oil monitoring control will not reset. This is important because we do not want a situation where the compressor is able to continue to cycle with a low oil pressure condition present. While the compressor is off, there is no need for the oil pressure differential switch to monitor the pressure. In this case, a run signal is removed from one of the control’s inputs. When the compressor starts up, the run signal is provided to the control to indicate that it is time to start checking the oil pressure.

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DYNAMIC LUBRICATION Reciprocating compressors that use a rotating disk for lubrication have an optical oil level switch. This oil switch is installed into an oil collection pocket at the end of the crankshaft, on the crankcaseend. Like the oil pressure differential monitoring control, the optical oil level control has a built-in time delay. When the compressor starts, the optical oil level control receives a run signal and the timing delay is initiated. The control will take the compressor offline if the oil level in the pocket does not reach the minimum allowable level within the time delay period. Again, this will require the control circuit to be manually reset.

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HYDRONICS

B y B o b “ Ho t R o d ” R o h r

Be a cool

Wethead

ethead is a term that has been applied to folks who are involved in hydronics, that is mechanical systems which transfer energy with a ﬂuid− water, for the most part. Since the beginning of time, hydronics has usually been linked to systems providing mainly heat. But in reality, hydronics has many other applications, including cooling via the use of chilled ﬂuids.

As time goes on, we evolve and learn more about the environment in which we live. In many places, keeping a space comfortable to work or live in includes the need or desire to both heat and cool the living and working spaces. Taking it a step further, we should be talking about and learning about comfort systems. This would involve maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the year, through efﬁcient heating and cooling while making sure the indoor environment is healthy.

Technology such as air to water heat pumps (shown here) and good HVAC practice remove perceived challenges to cooling in a hydronic application.

To this end we would look at controlling humidity, dust and particles, and odours in the space. This would fall under the banner of indoor air quality (IAQ). All components need to be selected and sized for the appropriate applications. Often, the budget will dictate how far the consumer will go to provide the best IAQ system in a residence. However, when the owners understand the beneﬁts of your product offering in terms of comfort, safety and IAQ, the budget tends to expand.

Aermec

We should talk about and offer our customers “comfort” systems. Under this banner we look at heating, cooling and IAQ, and apply the best arrangement of system components from the hydronic and HVAC worlds.

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Just as we do with a heating system, an appropriate design should be performed both for new or replacement work. The first step would be a heat load/heat gain calculation. On an existing home, a blower door test would help identify areas where infiltration could be adding load. Doing the load calc and infiltration test may point the owner to a few “shell” upgrade opportunities before jumping into equipment sizing and selection. For instance, updating and insulating leaky windows, doors and roofs. The best money spent is addressing and lowering the load. This will not only reduce the upfront cost of the components, but ongoing energy consumption and related costs will be reduced as well.

Aermec

Being in the training side of the industry for the most part now, I encourage all readers to focus in on some of the latest technology and product offerings. If one good thing has come out of the COVID-19 lockdown it is online training offerings. Every brand I know has stepped up their game to make it easy to continue your education. It could be a quick podcast, a webinar or Zoom meeting, or hybrid training which involves multiple screens. The instructor is in front of a live piece of equipment and the student talks them through the repair. With a good GoPro and some lighting it can be an excellent way to get hands-on training − without even getting your hands dirty.

Where do Wetheads ﬁt in?

Generally, we deal with cooling loads by blowing chilled air around the space. Ducted forced air systems are the most common application. Small areas may be handled with window shakers, or mini split systems, or in some cases portable AC units. With a forced air method of cooling you

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HYDRONICS

continues from page 56

get the added benefit of filtering the air. I suspect one of these methods will continue to be the predominate way we cool spaces. Ducted forced air is a known commodity. A broad selection of brands and sizes are available. The HVAC trade is well established and there are plenty of training opportunities both private and manufacturer sponsored. Always take the time to learn of the features, benefits and applications requirements of the products you propose or sell. If you understand, or your customer does, that the climate is changing − we are seeing hotter and longer summer seasons − then Wetheads are well served to add HVAC components and options to their overall offerings.

“If you understand, or your customer does, that the climate is changing − we are seeing hotter and longer summer seasons − then Wetheads are well served to add HVAC components and options to their overall offerings.”

Be the “cool” guy or girl in your service area. After getting yourself well trained and prepared, offer the latest technologies to service their comfort needs.

A look at options We commonly see hydro air systems being installed. These involve an air handling device with a hot water coil inserted into the ducting system. This allows a boiler-based system to supply the heating via the same ducting as the cooling. It brings in a boiler or other hydronic heat source to keep the system “wet.” In some cases, a single contractor installs the hydronic and air side or separate trades may work together to assemble the hydro-air systems. With a cooling coil included you can heat and cool from one metal box. Humidity could be added as well as numerous ﬁltration options in a ducted system. Ph

ot o

Mini splits entered the market through the HVAC du channel. The quick and easy st r ie s Li installation also lends itself to mi ted the plumbing trade. Assuming your licence allows both, and you have been trained in proper sizing and installation, servicing mini splits is a good service to offer. Mini splits go well with radiant heat systems in many cases.

Another technology worth investigating is a hydronic-based system using the embeded PEX tubing to cover the heating load and all or some of the cooling load. Currently, this is only a niche market opportunity, though a potentially very lucrative one. This may involve using the tube, installed in a slab for example, to circulate chilled water. Ceiling distribution is possible with chilled beams or suspended ceiling grids, which have chilled water circulating through them. In arid climates you may be able to cover the cooling load with just chilled surfaces. The dewpoint needs to be monitored to avoid “sweating” of the surfaces. In such cases there may need to be some additional air circulation and dehumidiﬁcation.

ri c

What is most exciting to me is the growing offering of air to water heat pumps (A2WHP). This type of equipment is able to supply ﬂuid that is either warmed or chilled. From one component, powered by electricity, we have the ability to heat and cool, and in some cases, cover some DHW load. This brings or keeps the hydronic contractor at the table. It can also address areas migrating toward fossil fuel regulations.

Chilled beam installation in a high school. Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr has been a plumbing, radiant heat and solar contractor and installer for 30 years. A long-time columnist and trainer, he is manager of training and education with Calefﬁ North America. You can reach Hot Rod at bob.rohr@calefﬁ.com.

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Hydronic Products Fire tube boilers Navien introduces its upgraded NFB-H high-output condensing fire tube boilers in two sizes: NFB-175H and NFB200H. Both models include Navien’s patented stainless steel fire tube heat exchanger with a non-metallic condensate drain pan, and form-pressed combustion chamber to resist corrosion. New high-efficiency features include turndown ratios up to 15:1, powered connections for three zone pumps or three zone valves, two-in. venting up to 65 ft. and 3-in. venting up to 150 ft.

www. navieninc.com

Manifolds Manifolds from Precision Plumbing Products are produced in an ISO 9001 Certified production facility. They are ISO 14001 Certified-green and pressure tested and are available with a range of fitting choices and in custom sizes.

www. pppinc.net

Hydronic heating for cold climates Rinnai Air Handler (CAH) is a customizable hydronic heating and domestic hot water solution specifically designed for use in colder climates. The integrated, customizable unit features a compact design that fits in most mechanical spaces, and is compatible with multiple air-cooling options. The high-efficiency models are available with or without an external circulator pump, which can be programmed to circulate water one minute every 24 hours.

Mixing valve The 521 Series MixCal from Calefﬁ is an adjustable thermostatic and pressurebalanced mixing valve used for point of distribution and domestic hot water and radiant hydronic heating systems. It features low-lead brass valve body and ﬁttings, internal anti-scale materials, peroxide-cured EPDM seals, and a maximum working pressure of 200 psi, and meets Canadian plumbing codes. www.

www. rinnai.ca

calefﬁ.com

Commercial boilers Weil-McLain has rebranded its line of Evergreen boilers as the Evergreen Pro. The new slate-grey colour better positions the products for light commercial grade applications. They are available in 70, 110, 155, 220, 299 and 299 MBH sizes, with up to 95.1 per cent AFUE and 5:1 turndown. Zone stacking allows for up to 24 programmable zones with no extra panel required. www.

Staple gun kit The staple gun kit from Watts is a professional-grade tool for stapling Onix, RadiantPEX+, RadiantPERT, and RadiantPEX-AL (PAP) in both staple-up and thin slab projects. It comes with staple plates for 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. Onix, and 1/2 in. PEX. www.

weil-mclain.ca

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T H E LAT E S T I N N O VAT I ON IN CO N D EN SI N G T ECH N O LO G Y

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COOLING

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GETTING STARTED G Th There are a number of opinions about when to start contacting customers regarding AC service. The opinion with the most history is “home owners are only receptive to AC service when the weather warms up.” This opinion is a fallacy and occurs when a company is not regularly communicating with its customers.

All About

AC service Maintenance and startup of customers’ air conditioning systems may appear to be a straightforward process for contractors, but consider whether your company is looking at this season in a way that will optimize growth and customer satisfaction. It may be time to review and rethink your AC service process and be sure it’s meeting your company’s objectives.

There are three fundamental areas of AC maintenance operations to focus on to maintain a proﬁtable business model and provide value to customers: when and how to start, maintenance check lists and selling service agreements.

It is true that the large majority of homeowners will not have air conditioning on their minds until the warm weather breaks. The only way you are going to put AC service into their minds is to have a regular customer news piece and to start “talking” about it before the cooling season starts. Follow this up with targeted emails and/or mail reminding customers of the need to schedule their AC service before the warm weather arrives. Remember, you need to move customers into your schedule for maintenance and startup in the spring. Your customers will be pleased that they simply have to turn on their AC systems when they need it. AC service and startup is the next important step in your company’s annual plan. Take a hard look at how you are approaching this important season and ensure plans focus on engaging with customers and meeting your company’s growth objectives. Make sure your team understands and is engaged in the objectives and importance of the AC season.

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COOLING TIPS FOR GROWING SERVICE AGREEMENT BUSINESS

HVAC MAINTENANCE CHECKLISTS The maintenance work done on customers’ AC systems should be at the forefront of any AC service program. This usually involves a technician “checklist.” There is a range of AC maintenance checklists contractors use in the spring. Many of these lists can be found on contractors’ websites. This is a great idea to enhance a homeowner’s understanding of the maintenance process. Remember to keep the list on your website less technical so customers can easily comprehend it. Most importantly, maintain a comprehensive AC maintenance checklist that is used and clearly understood by technicians as the benchmark for the service to be performed. As a refresher for contractors who use an AC checklist and for those who want to develop or upgrade their lists, here are some key steps contractors have told us should be on the list: 1.

Check thermostat for proper operation and location away from heat sources 2. Lubricate motors, blowers, fans, bearings and other moving parts 3. Examine condensate drain pans and drain lines and repair/unclog/replace if necessary 4. Check that air ﬁlters have been properly cleaned/ replaced 5. Check the refrigerant charge, ensure system does not have leaks and repair as needed, add refrigerant if necessary 6. Inspect indoor coil, blower and blower motor for wear and proper operation 7. Inspect condenser coil, fan and motor. Clean condenser coil and debris from outdoor unit 8. Inspect electrical system and check for safe operation, including wiring, contactors, capacitors, disconnect box and compressor 9. Check compressor operation including amp and volt draw 10. Run unit and check running operation including temperature change between supply and return air 11. Make sure controls are operating the system properly including safety devices oach is Another customer-oriented approach e, and to identify clearly on your website, rs, any in literature provided to customers, maintenance issues homeowners can deal with during the year. These include nclude densate changing air filters, ensuring condensate or kinks lines are working, and checking for in refrigerant lines. This will make the ual customer more aware of the annual m. maintenance needs of the system.

Contractors should understand the business value of customer mer service agreements. AC and heating service agreements create ongoing workﬂow during shoulder seasons, develop customer loyalty and generate sales leads.

1. Grow your service agreement business through your frontline team members, that is the technicians who go into customers’ homes. These employees are the key to a successful service agreement business. Customers view service technicians as “experts” at what they do. If a technician believes in the value of a service agreement, the customer will believe in it too. 2. Train technicians to develop a relationship with the customer each time they are in the home. Technicians should take time to engage the customer in conversation before going to check the equipment. Once the customer is engaged, ask how the air conditioner, furnace, water heater and other accessories have been working and determine if their systems receive at least annual maintenance. In the conversation, explain the importance of HVAC equipment, the comfort it provides for their families, and the need for regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns and improve performance. Impress upon them that service agreements can help to minimize future problems and provide them with somewhere to turn when system problems arise. 3. Offer a variety of service agreement plans and payment options that make service agreements more attractive and affordable to customers. Plans should vary between full protection including parts and labour, and protection such as reduced cost of repairs. Regular maintenance and priority service should be common to all plans. Payment options should include one- and two-year payment terms (with a discount for the second year) and monthly credit card payments. 4. Ensure your service maintenance agreement includes reviewing all parts of the system; do not take short cuts (see the maintenance checklist). 5. Indicate the normal cost for service calls and how service agreements could reduce this cost when new and current customers call. Once customers purchase agreements, remember to highlight customer savings each time a home visit is made under the agreement. 6. Stay in regular contact with agreement customers whether by newsletter, scheduling visits or simply calling to see how their system is operating. Have an in-office representative responsible for contacting agreement customers two to three months before their agreement expires, and before the renewal invoice is sent, to reinforce the benefits of the agreement. Continue to follow up on agreement re renewals even after the agreement expires. Remember, retaining customers is much easier than finding new ones. 7. Use the pow power of your website, social media and contact lists to engage enga customers. Send out eblasts promoting specials on other oth HVAC services to generate new work. Give customers the ability to schedule service appointments on your website. webs Use your web site and social media presence to post information informat on the benefits of service agreements and other services. fo behind selling service agreements is your The driving force Ma them a part of the process and they will deliver the technicians. Make direc to customers. message directly

Readers can reach Jonathon Harp at editorial@mechanicalbusiness.com. itorial@mechanicalbusiness.com.

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Fred Bretzke is a full-time pipe trades instructor with SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary. He can be reached at fred.bretzke@sait.ca.

PLUMBING

TECHNOLOGY AND CODES TAPPED TO REDUCE CONSUMPTION

t is difﬁcult to imagine what it would be like to live in a Third World country without sanitary water, but consider that some 2.2 billion people around the world do not have safely managed drinking water services, 4.2 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services and three billion lack basic handwashing facilities. As plumbers we deal with this life saving commodity every day. As an instructor I teach water treatment and water supply to fourth year apprentices every week. For supplemental material I’ve studied water documentaries, code books, manufacturers’ manuals and pump books on the subject of water. Yet I never really understand its value until I’m out of water. When we instruct how to select a correct pump for a private well system, we use the constant of 60 U.S. gallons per person per day for consumption. Sixty gallons per day per person is a lot of water, we have no idea how spoiled we are. Yet I believe we are starting to become responsible in regards to water consumption.

We calculate in plumbing terminology that a residential water closet is typically worth four fixture units (a fixture unit was originally calculated as one cubic foot of water running through a 1 ¼ in. P-trap for 60 seconds). Four of these fixture units would be used as the hydraulic load of liquid or waste discharging from a toilet. That is a lot of water but it must be noted that this unit of measure was originally calculated with a large volume flush toilet, which I believe was over six LPF. We may have to recalculate the hydraulic load for 4.8 LPF toilets. Nevertheless, we still waste a lot of water flushing toilets. Now we are designing large buildings that collect rainwater from the roof and drain it into large concrete cisterns in their parkades

DID YOU KNOW? 66

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Moen

Commercially we are already designing and engineering new apartment buildings with use of reclaimable water or grey water. We typically mark or label grey water with purple stickers, however that is not code yet, just manufacturers’ selection. Reclaimable water is reused water as well as rain water that is captured and stored in cisterns to be rerouted into grey non-potable water lines to feed and ﬂush water closets.

or elsewhere on the property. That water is redirected to flush toilets in the building. The City of Victoria might indeed be the national leader in reclaimable water due to its high rainfall intensity. Canada has the largest source of fresh water in the world. One day it may serve as a more lucrative or powerful financial alternative than oil. Even though we have plenty of water, we still need to conserve it and recognize its value. In plumbing we are already demonstrating ways of water savings through fixture manufacturing and plumbing codes.

Canadian consumption of water is 329 litres per day, more than Europeans and slightly less than Americans.

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Durable, reliable HVAC/R connections. The safer and faster way. Every brazed joint comes with a certain amount of risk, including fires, personal injury, human error and more. But with RLS press fittings (formerly sold as ZoomLock ), those risks are virtually eliminated. The press tool removes the dangers of an open flame, and when the tube is prepared properly, it makes a permanent mechanical joint every time. The reliability and consistency of RLS connections have been proven beyond a doubt, with more than 10 million fittings installed successfully since 2015. Our patented double circular press, with two 360˚ metal-to-metal connections, leaves no potential leak paths – making it the strongest and safest press technology in the HVAC/R industry.

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As for cool digital manufacturer designs, leak detection devices have come a long way. Having talked to Calgary plumbing companies that have installed a digital leak detection device in homes, the general reviews are very good and this is why. If your client can afford one (installation cost will be over $1,000), the device is installed on the main water line by the meter. The installation seems painless and not too cumbersome. It’s the Phyn function that is the device’s stand out Sensor alerts audibly, visually and feature. A ﬂow rate sensor determines with SMS and app notiﬁcations water pressure inside the house. The the moment it comes in contact short of it is that it is programmed with water. through the homeowner’s cell phone to identify possible leaks in the system. During the middle of the night, it shuts the water off for a few minutes and tests water pressure or static pressure. It will identify whether the ballcock is slowly leaking in a toilet tank, or a faucet is slowly dripping or even worse if a leaky pipe exists, which could cause an expensive insurance claim.

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The water leak and freeze detector sends alerts to your phone about temperature or humidity changes that could lead to damage such as frozen pipes or HVAC failure.

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This device allows remote control of the main water valve.

The only personal reference I have to a lack of access to water is an excerpt from one of my Dad’s journals from his post Second World War civilian experience in Germany with his mom, young sister and older brother. They spent about a year of their lives as displaced East Germans scavenging in the forest and country side without food or clean water. My dad would always remind us of how grateful he was for now being Canadian and having all the blessings of clean water and food. Here is a brief excerpt from Henri Bretzke’s journal of post war East Germany: We had previously scavenged a bombed-out ammunitions train, which also had a box car attached to it containing bags of brown sugar. People were like ants all over the box car, we had managed to get 25 lbs. of this precious commodity for ourselves. This was the only food we had and we rationed it by only eating half a cup per family member per day. Eventually our armed guard escorts took our sugar under the pretext of searching for weapons, which we would hardly harbour under such conditions. It was summer by now and we survived on wild berries and one-year-old potatoes that were left in earth mounds, the latter of which were like rubber. There was no food or water at all in the stores, many of them were burned to the ground so we did not have to dread going shopping in a crowded super store like some of us do today. There was not even one morsel to be found, we just scavenged the ruins for last year’s leftovers. We drank whatever water we could ﬁnd on the ground, and bathed in rivers or creeks whenever it was warm enough.

DID YOU KNOW? 24 68

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Watts

THE BLESSINGS OF ACCESSIBLE CLEAN WATER

Detecting and preventing leaks in washing machines and water heaters can protect against water damage.

LET’S TALK CODE

New code clauses were adopted into the 2015 plumbing code for maximum ﬂow rates for auto compensating valves, code clause 2.2.10.6. 3 and Table 2.2.10.6. Water Flow Rates from Supply Fittings, for example are Toto 8.3 L/min for residential kitchen faucets and 7.6 L/m for shower heads. Even new water closets are now lowered from six LPF to 4.8 LPF. In the City of Calgary inspectors are allowing only six LPF toilets to be installed where existing ones are already installed. All new installations require 4.8 LPF toilets.

A constantly running toilet may waste about eight gallons per hour, or 200 gallons per day. Left unnoticed, a running toilet could waste over 6,000 gallons per month. B u s i n e s s

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CARBON TAX INCREASES DRIVE HOMEOWNER DEMAND FOR MORE EFFICIENT HEATING SYSTEMS

hose of us who have been in the HVAC business for more than a decade can probably remember the last mid-efficiency furnace we sold or installed. More recently, it was the last high-efficiency furnace with a PSC blower. At the time we were probably quoting a like-for-like replacement and were being asked for “our best price.” The question is, did we do the best thing for the homeowner by not considering what the future would bring? Energy costs have consistently risen faster than inflation. With the addition of the carbon tax (now sitting at $50 per tonne as of April 1, 2021 and rising to $170 per tonne in 2030) it is more important than ever to discuss lifetime, or lifecycle costs of HVAC choices with consumers. Making the wrong choice today will have lasting negative effects. Contractors who continue doing what they have always done will be leaving unhappy customers in their wake.

Photos Olimpia Splendid USA

What remains the biggest challenge for homeowners facing a looming equipment upgrade? I hate to say it but I think it is us, the HVAC contractors. You will not retire before this becomes an issue, unless you plan on retiring this year. We need to get up to speed quickly on what the best options are to help homeowners accomplish their home comfort goals. Start thinking holistically about the house as a system and the role that we can play in making it more efﬁcient and more comfortable.

Alternatives to standard forced air gas furnaces and air conditioners In most retrofit scenarios the existing ductwork is designed around the temperature rise of a gas furnace. Even if the heat loss is below 60,000 BTUH (the largest available central heat pump) the ductwork will be unable to accommodate the airflow needed for a heat pump to heat the structure at the heating design temperature. That leaves two choices: a deep energy retrofit or sizing the largest heat pump the existing ductwork can handle and using a gas furnace as backup. HVAC contractors who understand the benefits of improving the building envelope are having some success pivoting to doing deep energy retrofits, including window, door and insulation upgrades. Reducing the home’s heat loss and air infiltration

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means a smaller heating system can be installed allowing the replacement system to be a pure heat pump solution, resulting in greater energy saving and carbon reduction over the long run. Additionally, these envelope improvements mean the house is quieter and more comfortable than it was before. This message resonates today with the consumers who are “thinking green” and who view themselves as tech-savvy early adopters, but it won’t be long before the average consumer is making inquiries about how to reduce their carbon footprint and heating bills. The second less extensive option is a hybrid-heat system. Homeowners unwilling to make the investment in a deep energy retroﬁt need to be educated about the opportunity to future proof against the carbon tax by replacing their central air conditioner with a central heat pump. Research has shown these systems (a natural gas furnace paired with an air source heat pump and smart controls) are cost neutral to operate now and will save a signiﬁcant amount of money over their economic lifespan. When properly-sized, a two-stage (or an inverter) heat-pump, can cover the heating needs of a home through the shoulder seasons and most of the winter in much of Canada, without requiring changes to the existing duct system. The natural gas (or propane) furnace is there to heat when the heat loss is greater than the output of the heat pump. Smart controls can take into account the time-of-use electricity pricing and outdoor temperature.

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,QWURGXFLQJ WKH ,QĆQLWH &RPIRUW 6HULHV 1RZ RIIHU \RXU FXVWRPHUV XOWUD HIĆFLHQW PXOWL SRVLWLRQ DLU KDQGOLQJ XQLWV IURP )XMLWVX *HQHUDO ......... As low as 25dBA indoor sound level

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Barriers between sinks will be commonplace.

A NEW VIEW OF

HANDWASHING I

t has been more than a year since the World Health Organization officially classified the current outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic − an outbreak of disease on a global scale. This is not the first pandemic in recent history, the COVID-19 outbreak is unique for having been caused by a novel coronavirus while all previous pandemics resulted from the spread of a novel influenza virus.

Beyond Coronavirus While COVID-19 is making headlines, it is not the only illness that spreads through contact with dirty hands. Proper hand hygiene can help prevent the spread of these common germs: inﬂuenza; Salmonella; E-coli; Streptococcus; Typhoid; and the common cold.

ARE FAUCET HANDLES A SOURCE OF BACTERIA? While faucets are an essential part of good hand hygiene, faucet handles can sometimes harbour the very bacteria handwashing is intended to ﬁght. In a recent test, Special Pathogens Laboratory swabbed various faucet handles in the kitchen of a healthcare facility to determine how much bacteria was present on the handles. The results are cause for concern: as many as 2,080 colony forming units (CFU) were found per swab. A good case for handsfree!

Did you know? Room air can contain bacteria and when mixed with water it can potentially contaminate the water. For this reason, “laminar ﬂow” spray heads are recommended for use in some facilities.

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WHAT QUALIFIES AS “GOOD” HANDWASHING TECHNIQUE? Fortunately, the best way to stop a coronavirus from spreading is the same method used to ward off inﬂuenza: observing good hygiene. For this reason, it is more important than ever to practice good handwashing. Not only will this help slow the spread of the coronavirus, but continuing these practices will also help prevent future pandemics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands before and after handling food, after touching your face, and before and after caring for someone who is ill. Take it one step further by installing electronic faucets to prevent recontamination from faucet handles after handwashing. What’s the right way to wash your hands? Here are the latest recommendations from CDC:

• Dry your hands: Towel hands dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. This step is just as important as the others as germs transfer more easily to wet hands. Additionally, research shows that using a towel removes more germs from your hands. The CDC notes that many organizations recommend drying hands for at least 20 seconds.

Jason Boyd is the LEED-accredited vice-president and general manager of Dobbin Sales, a master distributor and supplier of commercial plumbing products to the Canadian plumbing industry. He can be reached at jboyd@dobbinsales.com.

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• Turn on the faucet: Wet hands up to your wrists in running water. The water can be hot or cold. There is no current evidence washing in warm water removes more germs. It is important not to use standing water, though, as standing water can contain germs and can recontaminate your hands when rinsing. • Lather hands: Apply soap to hands and rub them together until soap bubbles form. Then rub soap onto the backs of hands, ﬁngers and ﬁngernails, and wrists. • Scrub hands: Scrub hands and wrists with the lathered soap. Scrubbing hands creates friction, which allows the soap to pick up dirt and germs from your skin. It is very important to continue scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. • Rinse hands: While scrubbing hands causes soap to pick up dirt and germs, the now dirty soap will remain on your hands until you rinse it off. Rinse hands and wrists until all the soap is removed to prevent recontamination.

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RENEWABLES

EXCHANGE DISTRICT TO INCLUDE ONTARIO’S TALLEST GEOTHERMALPOWERED POW ERED CONDO Camrost Felcorp ﬁnishes drilling for Mississauga, ON project

n early April, developer Camrost Felcorp announced it had completed drilling of 186 geothermal boreholes to provide an alternative energy source at its Exchange District mixed-use community in Mississauga, ON.

Camrost Felcorp’s Exchange District in Mississauga will include EX3, the province’s tallest geothermal-powered residential development.

The geothermal heating and cooling system will supply off-grid energy to a planned boutique hotel and two of the community’s four towers, the rental tower and the 650-suite, 66-storey EX3 condominium tower, making the latter Ontario’s tallest geothermal-powered residential development. The low-carbon energy system is being built in partnership with mechanical engineering firm Integral Group, and geothermal energy service provider Diverso Energy, and eliminates the need for natural gas, heating boilers and rooftop cooling towers. Diverso co-founder and partner Jon Mesquita says the company has worked with “several real estate developers across the Greater Toronto Area in the last few years, helping them meet ever increasing new energy and carbon targets and purchaser demands for energy efficiency.” According to Camrost Felcorp, the Exchange District will feature more than two million sq. ft. of retail, shopping, dining, office and commercial space, as well as public parks and open space. It will also include other innovative and environmentally friendly technologies, such as a variable refrigerant flow system. The system provides an HVAC solution in multi-residential towers, allowing for better zoned thermal control and greater overall efficiency. “The Exchange District is an award-winning community, celebrated for its careful urban planning, distinctive architecture, and smart design,” says Joseph Feldman, vice-president of development at Camrost Felcorp. “But in today’s real estate environment, we understand that those attributes are simply not enough for our market. Purchasers, renters, retailers and those who care about creating great communities, all agree that today’s communities must also be environmentally sensitive, sustainable and conscientious.”

The numbers at a glance • 186 geothermal boreholes • 650 residential suites • 66 storeys • TR GU PG PGàDF BOE DPNNFSDJBM TQBDF • FYQFDUFE ZFBS PG DPNQMFUJPO

The next phase of the project is shoring and excavation. The ﬁrst building is expected to be complete by the end of 2023, while the entire community is scheduled for completion in 2026.

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Geothermal drilling at the Exchange District.

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STUFF YOU NEED Work boots Work boots from Danner and Helly Hansen feature a durable, rugged design to withstand tough working environments. The Crucial and Bull Run (available in men’s size seven to 15, and women’s size six to 10) lines feature oil-and-slip resistant outsoles, steel shank support, and electrical hazard protection ASTM F2892-18 EH.

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Line laser The VA MAX 3x360° Green Line Laser from Dewalt is compatible with its 12V MAX and 20V MAX battery platforms. Features include a ﬁne adjust knob to allow for manual adjustments on the horizontal axis and a working range of 100 ft. (165 ft. with a detector, sold separately). It provides accuracy of up to 1/8 in. at 30 ft.

www. dewalt.ca

Solvent cement Masters Pro solvent cements and primer from Oatey are low VOC and certiﬁed to meet all applicable codes and standards. The primer and the line of ABS, PVC, CPVC and transition solvent cements cover all types of plastic pipe welding with regular and fast-setting formulas. They are suited for a range of application conditions, including varying temperatures, humidity, pipe diameters and schedules.

www. oatey.ca

Magnetic hanger The Magnetic Hook 61193 from Yellow Jacket can be attached to any ferrous metal surface to create a convenient hanger for manifold gauges and other HVAC/R tools. The neodymium magnet can hold up to 65 lbs, while the hook swivels up and down and rotates 360°. In addition, the industrial-strength magnet has a rubber backer to stop it scratching surfaces or bending grilles and grates, making it a low-cost way to protect equipment uipment and tools at job sites.

Boott cover B The Original CleanBoot is a reusable, washable cover made of neoprene that ﬁts over dirty shoes and boots. The covers feature durable stitched and glued seams, a patented Extra Gr Grippy sole for better traction, ced heel seam for added protection protec reinforced againstt wear, and a heel loop to make it easierr to put on and remove. CleanB CleanBoot covers ers come in size small to extra-larg extra-large, and comply with Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Digitall

www. ww yellowjacket.com llowjacket.com

www. thecleanboot.ca 76

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Road Warrior By Denise Deveau

Tradesperson’s Name: Aaron McMillan Company: Select Heating and Cooling Inc., Woodstock, ON Job title: Gas Fitter/Sheet Metal Apprentice Born in: Woodstock, ON Lives in: Burgessville, ON Age: 26 In the mechanical industry since: 2013 when he was in Grade 11 Service area: Woodstock, Paris, Simcoe, London, Kitchener, Oxford/Norfolk County School: College Avenue Secondary School – Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program; Humber College HVAC/R Program

Aaron McMillan

Sylvia Pond Photography

Love for the job at first site T

here was never a question in Aaron McMillan’s mind that he belonged in the trades. “I’ve always been a hands-on learner and mechanically inclined,” he says.

on to the HVAC/R program at Humber where he got his G2 gas license, before returning to Woodstock, ON once he finished the program in 2016.

In Grade 11, McMillan enrolled in College Avenue Secondary School’s Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program to learn to be an HVAC technician. “Once I enrolled in the program, I never really thought about doing anything else,” he says. “I love running gas lines and ductwork because you can see your work in progress.”

His attention to detail and love of learning continues today. “Obviously there’s the heating and cooling part in my work, but it also means running plumbing, electrical and chutes. There are so many different aspects to the job, I’m always learning something.”

McMillan credits his SHSM teacher, Philippe Gagnon, for creating a positive learning experience. “He was actually out in the field as a gas technician so was a great handson teacher.” Gagnon remembers McMillan as a hard worker who took pride in everything he did. “Always making sure his measurements were accurate was very important to Aaron,” notes Gagnon. While at the school McMillan received his G3 gas license, as well as studying sheet metal work, and completing two co-op terms at a local HVAC company. Then it was M e c h a n i c a l

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What McMillan likes most about being in a trade is that he can work independently or with a team. “You just never really know what you’ll be doing one day to the next,” he says. “That’s what I like about the work.” Work is currently all residential, but McMillan is now working on getting his low rise sheet metal Red Seal ticket. “That’s the next one on the list.” As a home town boy, McMillan takes special pride when he drives by the many job sites he has worked on. “It’s rewarding to see what we’ve done locally and connect with our customers.”

Would like to get dispatched to: Simcoe, a project site I’ve been working on the past couple of years Favourite part of the job: Completing different tasks and having to come up with different solutions. Making our builders and homeowners/ customers happy

Biggest pet peeve: Bad driving Pets: Two cats – Grey and Toby One place in the world you would like to visit: Costa Rica

The most useful tool in your toolbox: Having a good attitude and a solution-based mindset Words that describe you: Humble and easy going If you could meet anyone who would it be? Tiger Woods My rule of thumb is: Measure twice, cut once When I was a kid, I wanted to be: An HVAC tech Favourite tool in your toolbox: Knipex Pliers

A great place to start If you were granted one wish: Win the lottery Favourite TV show: Family Guy Favourite movie of all time: James Bond movies – the Sean Connery ones Favourite sport: Golf Favourite season: Summer Favourite gaming system and video game: Xbox 360, Call of Duty Favourite place to hang out: Cottage Favourite food: Chicken wings Favourite snack: Clif Bar What do you usually have for breakfast? Muffin and an iced coffee Favourite drive-thru restaurant? Burger King Hobbies: Relaxing at the cottage, barbecuing, hanging with friends

Specialist High Schools Major (SHSM) teacher Philippe Gagnon started the G3 Gas Fitter Certification at College Avenue Secondary School in Woodstock, ON in 2007 as part of the Grade 12 Heating Course. The program now includes a second course in refrigeration where students can earn their Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) certification. The courses are part of the HVAC/Electrical SHSM, which includes courses in HVAC, electrical and sheet metal, and offers certifications in Elevated Platform, Working at Heights, First Aid/ CPR, Gastite and IPEX 636. Students in the HVAC program have competed in the Ontario Skills Competitions, recently winning a gold medal in heating and a bronze medal in refrigeration. This program attracts some of the most dedicated shop students, several of whom earned their G3 and ODP while in lockdown this past spring. Gagnon has seen countless students earn certifications and start careers in the HVAC industry. Paul Acchione, owner of Select Heating and Cooling Inc. where McMillan works, has hired several other apprentices from the Specialist High Skills Major program.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Kim Forgues is the vice-president of human resources at Wolseley Canada.

By Kim Forgues

THE CHANGING FACE OF RECRUITING 2. Go virtual Video conferencing tools have been invaluable during the pandemic. Our hiring managers quickly adapted to the practice of video interviewing and in the summer, our talent acquisition team held a virtual job fair for the ﬁrst time using Microsoft Teams, which was very successful.

3. Be up-to-date When job hunters are looking for a job it is frustrating when they think they have found the perfect opportunity only to discover the opportunity has passed. Do your best to ensure only roles that are currently open are posted on your site, and promptly remove ones that are either ﬁlled or on hold.

;PWZ MVY ZLJ\YPUN [VW [HSLU[ during the pandemic

ike many other companies we have had to pivot the way we engage with prospective and incoming associates to ensure health and safety is not compromised. Here are some pointers that we have found to be helpful in the hiring process:

1. Stay connected Since in-person networking events are no more (at least for right now) our recruiters have moved networking to digital platforms. Social groups such as Women in HVACR, HVAC Professionals, HVAC Sales Jobs and Global Jobs Network on Facebook and LinkedIn are conduits to the talent community. We also regularly showcase opportunities on various job boards. Our associates are encouraged to share job postings on their personal and professional networks.

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4. Highlight COVID-friendly ILULÄ[Z It’s important to recognize that not only is the company looking for the right candidate, but the candidate is also looking for the right employer. Now more than ever, applicants are paying closer attention to healthcare insurance and benefits. Enhancing employee benefits and launching a virtual wellness program to encourage associates to stay fit has worked well. We readily share these details with prospective candidates so they understand just how much support they will receive during these challenging times.

)\TW \W [OL LTWSV`LL YLMLYYHS IVU\Z Current associates are our greatest ambassadors, which is why we enhanced our employee referral bonus program to encourage employees to play a bigger role in helping us secure talent.

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BE KIND. BE SAFE. BE INFORMED. MAY/JUNE 2021 $6.95

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Jeff Superle National Sales Manager C: 416.577.7687

HVAC By Aaron Nobel

What is CV, and How Do I Calculate It? Valve Flow Coefficient (Cv) is the flow capability of a control valve at fully open conditions relative to the pressure drop across the valve. It is defined as the volume of water (GPM in the U.S.) at 60°F that will flow through a fully open valve with a pressure differential of 1 psi across the valve. It is useful to know how to calculate Cv because it is the standardized valve sizing and selection method for control valves used throughout the HVAC industry. The equation used to find Cv is

CV =

Q* G 6P

Q = Flow in Gallons per minute G = Specific gravity of fluid (estimated as 1 for water systems) 6P = Differential pressure over valve (delta P) – stated in psi With this knowledge, we can quickly identify that a valve with a Cv of 10 will flow 10 GPM of water at 1 psi pressure drop across the valve without any math. A practical example, if we wanted to calculate Cv to select a valve for 10 GPM flow with a required 6P of 4, first find the square root of the 6P 3 4=2, and use that to divide the flow of 10 GPM 10/2 = 5, which results in a Cv requirement of 5. The master specifications of a job plan will typically list the differential pressure to use when calculating Cv. In the absence of this information, a 6P range for selecting control valves for water coils of 3 to 5psi has evolved. When selecting valves, choose the closest to the calculated Cv, typically rounding down unless a specified maximum 6P of a project is exceeded. An oversized valve may cause control issues such as hunting or poor heat transfer (delta T) across a coil due to overflow. Conversely, an undersized valve may not provide enough flow and exceed available 6P.

6 P=

Aaron Nobel is a product specialist at Belimo.

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INDOOR AIR QUALIT QUALITY TY

How the pandemic has changed the germicidal UV industry P

rior to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic, the market mark for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI or UV-C) systems in Canada had seen continued growth, largely based on the germicidal wavelength’s ability to clean fouled cooling coils, improve HVAC energy efficiency, and reduce maintenance. Interest in upper-room UV fixtures (as shown on p85) and airstream disinfection systems was strongest among the healthcare and institutional markets. However, since the pandemic struck, the germicidal qualities of UV-C has become one of the most in-demand technologies around the world, regardless of industry sector. “We’ve seen an exponential increase in interest in, and understanding of, germicidal UV-C systems to inactivate airborne pathogens,” explains Jeevan Thaker, president of Vancouver-based HVAC Systems & Solutions. “While ASHRAE recommends a filter with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13, there are many ventilation systems that cannot overcome the resulting pressure drop, so engineers shift their focus to germicidal UV-C, an infection mitigation strategy that does not reduce airflow or compromise cooling capacity.”

UV-C air disinfection systems are installed in-duct, in air-handling units, or air distribution systems to inactivate microorganisms and disinfect airstreams “on-the-ﬂy.”

In fact, it is this very issue − airborne pathogen spread − where germicidal UV-C became celebrated after researchers demonstrated the ability of UVGI to inactivate airborne microorganisms and proved diseases could be spread by air over 80 years ago. The CDC and ASHRAE have recommended UV-C as one technology that can “reduce the risk of dissemination of infectious aerosols in buildings and transportation environments.” 1,2 With the infections and deaths continuing, it’s not surprising that much of the Canadian economy is still working remotely, concedes Maury Wawryk, general manager for Saskatchewan-based HVAC Sales and Service. “Many Canadian businesses have either been operating at 25 per cent capacity, closed, or all staff have been working from home for most of the pandemic period, so their focus is maintaining compliance with applicable air-quality codes,” says Wawryk. “Because of the gradual opening of our economy, business owners have to be very careful allocating limited income, but many want to reassure customers that it is safe to return.” Both Wawryk and Thaker agree that improved ﬁltration is customers’ ﬁrst disinfection strategy-of-choice against the SARS-CoV-2, but that germicidal UV is often considered a close second. Because of UV-C’s historic proven effectiveness, interest and orders for UV disinfection equipment has increased rapidly during the COVID-

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19 pandemic. This sudden and skyrocketing demand for surface disinfection and air treatment solutions has spiked across all market sectors, including orders from traditional, commercial sectors. Upper-room UV-C fixtures have been a “go-to” technology in the battle against the spread of COVID-19, creating unprecedented demand. Although the current pace of demand for germicidal UV-C solutions will eventually decline, the COVID-19 pandemic has forever ingrained the need for ongoing infection mitigation systems. Despite nearly eight decades of research and thousands of successful applications, it was the pandemic that took the technology’s use in the eyes of building managers from energy savings to infection mitigation. The market is starting to view UV-C’s function as similar to air filtration, providing a cleaner, healthier environment resulting in reduced Resources 1 CDC. COVID-19 Employer Information for Office Buildings (September 11, 2020). Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/office-buildings.html 2 ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols (April 14, 2020). Retrieved from www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/position%20documents/pd_ infectiousaerosols_2020.pdfinfectiousaerosols_2020.pdf

B y Dan iel Jo n es absenteeism. The market is starting to view UV-C’s function as similar to air ﬁltration, providing a cleaner, healthier environment resulting in reduced absenteeism. “We expect commercial demand for UV solutions to remain high, as the pandemic has changed perception for the technology, shifting from a want (HVAC efﬁciency) to a need (health and safety),” explains Thaker, whose company services businesses across British Columbia.

“We counsel our customers to place orders as early as possible and to accept partial-order shipments,” says Thaker. “This will ensure that HVAC firms have the components/fixtures in-house (or even installed) once the lamps arrive.” Specifiers and HVAC contractors should not be deterred from recommending UV-C disinfection systems, as the industry is rapidly adapting to what might likely be a “new normal” level of demand.

HOW TO APPLY LY GERMICIDAL TECHNOLOGY Y There are three primary means of applying UV-C for air and HVAC surface protection against infectious agents: upper-room or upperair, HVAC airstream disinfection, and HVAC coil/surface irradiation.

Infectious agents can remain in room air Infectious agents forremain at least can in room for at threeairhours

Convection or mechanical Conventionlift or mechanical air currents pathogens air currents lift pathogens overhead where theyareare overhead where they inactivated energy inactivatedby by UV-C UV-C energy

least three hours

Upper-room disinfection: The primary objective of these Upper-room fixtures fixtures are safe forare occupied Upper-room safe for spaces since UV energy is overhead occupied spaces since UV energy germicidal fixtures is to interrupt is overhead the transmission of airborne infectious diseases in communal spaces. Airborne droplets containing infectious agents can remain in room air for six minutes and longer. Upper-air UV-C fixtures can destroy those microbes in a matter of seconds. The upper-room UV-C fixtures utilize the rise-and-fall of air due to natural convection or mechanical air currents to lift airborne infectious agents into the upper room where they are exposed to UV-C irradiation and inactivated.

HVAC air-stream-disinfection: UV-C air disinfection systems are installed in-duct, in air-handling units, or air distribution systems to inactivate microorganisms and disinfect airstreams “on-the-fly.” UV-C dosage is determined by the amount of germicidal energy absorbed by a pathogen over a specific period of time i.e., disinfection is a function of the time and UV-C intensity a microbe is exposed to, and that microbes’ specific susceptibility to UV-C. Predictive-modelling based on scientific studies of each pathogen’s susceptibility to UV-C can assist in designing the recommended dosage rates required to kill individual bacteria, viruses or spores. Studies have demonstrated that viruses are more susceptible to UV-C inactivation than say bacteria. Coil-irradiation systems: Surface-cleaning UV-C systems provide 24/7 irradiation of HVAC/R components to destroy bacteria, viruses and mould that settle and proliferate on HVAC coils, air filters, ducts and drain pans. UV-C prevents these areas from becoming microbial reservoirs for pathogen growth that will eventually spread into airstreams.

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WHAT IS UV-C ENERGY? Unlike the UV energy transmitted by sunlight in the UV-A and UV-B wavelengths, the UV-C band has more than twice the electron volt energy (eV) as UV-A, and it is well absorbed (not reflected) by organic substances, adding to its destructiveness. The UV-C wavelength owes its destructive effects to the biocidal features of ionizing radiation; or, more simply, UV-C does far more damage to molecules in biological systems than temperature alone. Sunburn, compared to the sensation of warmth, is one example of that damage. Sunburn is caused by sunlight striking and killing living cells in the epidermis; the resulting redness from a sunburn reflects the increased capillary action and blood flow that allow white blood cells to remove the dead cells. It is this ionization function that drives UV-C’s power to alter chemical bonds. The 254 nm wavelength carries enough energy to excite doubly bonded molecules into a permanent chemical rearrangement, causing lasting damage to DNA, ultimately inactivating the cell. Daniel Jones is the president and co-founder of UV Resources, a manufacturer of germicidal UV-C disinfection and HVAC efficiency solutions. Jones is on several ASHRAE Technical Committees, including serving as a corresponding member of TC 2.9, Ultraviolet Air and Surface Treatment, and the standard project committee for ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 185.2. He can be reached at daniel.jones@uvresources.com.

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BTN

Compiled by Mechanical Business

BY THE NUMBERS

ON-THE-JOB LEARNING 3 to 5 years The time it takes an average apprentice to ﬁnish training to become a certiﬁed skilled tradesperson, or journeyperson.

4,400 Approximate number of people who completed eted apprenticeship programs in Alberta in 2020.

20.7

EDUCATION MATTERS 1st

Percentage of female apprentices in male-dominated programs according to the Study: How Do Women in Male-dominated ed Apprenticeships Fare in the Labour Market?

Where Canada places on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s list of most educated countries.

COOL NEWS -63°C The lowest temperature recorded in Canada, and about the same temperature as Mars. It was recorded on February 3, 1947 in Snag, Yukon.

56.7 Percentage of Canadians with a postsecondary education.

85,760 Median annual employment income (in dollars) for newly certiﬁed journeypersons working in the territories.

-89.2°C The coldest recorded temperature on earth took place on July 21,1983 at Vostok Station, Antarctica.

-19.7°C The average yearly temperature in Eureka, Nunavut, which is thought to be the coldest place in Canada.

PARKING IT 1,672,497 Overall attendance at Jasper National Park in 2020.

INDOOR ICE 1875 The year the ﬁrst indoor game of hockey took place. On March 3, 1875 the two teams of nine players each took to the ice at Montreal’s Victoria Skating Rink using a ﬂat piece of wood, eventually known as a puck, rather than a ball to make it easier to keep on the ice and safer for spectators.

300,000 The combined area of Canada’s national parks in square kilometres, approximately the size of Italy.

39 The number of natural regions identiﬁed in Canada’s National Parks System Plan.

25 The length in kilometers of the sand dune system in the Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick.

14,517

86 114

2,860 The number of indoor ice rinks in Canada in 2019/2020, more than any other country in the world.

1,500 The number of people who came out to skate at Canada’s ﬁrst artiﬁcial ice rink, Denman Arena in Vancouver, opening day in 1911.

Tonnes of Cheddar cheese produced in October 2020 in Canada. That’s a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches and even more servings of nachos.

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The next generation of outdoor faucets. Introducing the Aquor® House Hydrant. ,W·V WKH ZRUOG·V ILUVW VWDLQOHVV VWHHO ZDOO K\GUDQW WKDW DOORZV LQVWDQW HIIRUWOHVV DFFHVV WR \RXU ZDWHU • • • •

Connect garden hoses in 1 second [ EHWWHU IUHH]H SURWHFWLRQ WKDQ EUDVV 8OWUD UHOLDEOH OHDN SURRI YDOYH / PDULQH JUDGH VWDLQOHVV VWHHO

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Mechanical Business May/June 2021

Articles inside

HIGH-PERFORMANCE HVAC New AC responses to old applications

ASK ROGER What to do with the business – Part I

REFRIGERATION Monitoring the lubrication of reciprocating compressors

HYDRONICS Be a cool Wethead